New Orleans is famous for its bars that never close-serving drinks any time of the day or night. Many of them don't offer any food options more substantial than limes and maraschino cherries, but there are still plenty of delicious bar food options available late at night to those who know where to look. Here are some of the best around the city:
Buffa's
1001 Esplanade Avenue |️ 504-949-0038 buffasbar.com
This unpretentious spot "on the border of the Quarter" and the Marigny offers great variations on standard pub grub like burgers and wings. It also delivers excellent versions of many New Orleans classics, such as red beans and rice, jambalaya, and shrimp creole. The main dining room has live music every night, and the bar area is open for both eating and drinking 24 hours a day.
Wit's Inn
141 N. Carrollton Avenue |️ 504-486-1600
witsinn.com
Wit's Inn looks like a typical neighborhood sports bar, but it boasts an excellent assortment of food, including wings, sandwiches, and its celebrated pizzas and calzones. Food is typically served until at least 2 a.m. and includes an unusual assortment of vegetarian options, including salads, veggie pizza, and even a vegetarian muffuletta made with artichokes and mushrooms.
Mimi's in the Marigny
2601 Royal Street |️ 504-872-9868
mimismarigny.com
On a strip of Franklin Avenue lined with bars and restaurants, Mimi's draws a crowd at any time of the day and even late into the night. French-influenced small plates are available until the wee hours of the morning, either in the quieter upstairs section of the restaurant or the more pub-like downstairs. Order a "Trust Me" tapa or cocktail to get a custom creation from the chef.
St. Charles Tavern
1433 St. Charles Avenue |️ 504 523-9823
Somewhere between a bar and a diner, this somewhat divey 24-hour spot is a good destination for late night food along the St. Charles streetcar line. Burgers and po-boys, along with some local specialties such as boudin balls, are the standard fare and the location makes it a great stop after a Mardi Gras parade or any time of year for people watching.
13 Monaghan
517 Frenchmen Street |️ 504-942-1345
13monaghan.com
While it's directly on Frenchmen Street, surrounded by the street's famed and often packed music venues, 13 Monaghan somehow stays surprisingly quiet and uncrowded even as it serves excellent food until 4 a.m. each night. The banh mi sandwiches are excellent, as are the bar's signature tater tot nachos. Food and drink are also surprisingly inexpensive, making the bar a favorite spot for service industry workers and tourists alike.
Cooter Brown's
509 S. Carrollton Avenue |️ 504 866-9104
cooterbrowns.com
Heading this far uptown puts you firmly in the territory of Tulane and Loyola universities, but sometimes it's nice to get a late-night bite and a beer in a place that doesn't just cater to college students, and Cooter Brown's, with food until 1 a.m., is one good option. It offers tasty variations on po-boys, burgers, and muffalettas, as well as fried seafood options including shrimp, catfish, and oysters. Raw oysters are also an option, available at half price on Tuesdays.from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Jimani
141 Chartres Street | 504-524-0493 thejimani.com
On a block in the French Quarter with a number of late night bars, Jimani is known for its wide assortment of food and friendly service. Order a burger, Chicago-style hot dog, pasta or a pizza and grab a cheap bucket of beer. The bar is known as a service industry hangout, with drink specials for those working in hospitality. Oh, and it typically only closes from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
