Best French Quarter Fest Food | 10 Dishes to Try This Year

1. Prime Rib Debris Po Boy

Rib Room, Woldenberg Park Kohlmeyer Lawn

For a dish that is rich but comforting, the Rib Room's prime rib debris po-boy is a good choice. The Rib Room takes its slow-roasted prime rib, chops it, and then piles it onto French bread with horseradish sauce. The meat has a juicy consistency and savory flavors, making it good option for a refuel between sets.

In addition to the po-boy, the Rib Room will also serve their seafood jambalaya.

2. Skinny Grenade

Tropical Isle, Woldenberg Park Palm Lawn

Tropical Isle's Skinny Grenade is a refreshing option on a hot day in the Quarter. It keeps the signature tropical fruit flavors featured in the original drink, but tones down the sweetness, making it more drinkable over a long afternoon. Despite this, the drink still contains a high alcohol content, so it is important to sip carefully. Whether you're walking along the riverfront or partying at a nearby stage, the Skinny Grenade will keep vibes up.

Of course, Tropical Isle will still be serving their classic Hand Grenade drink, in addition to the Tropical Itch and Happy Gator.

3. Blackened Crawfish Nachos

Restaurant R'evolution, Woldenberg Park Palm Lawn

Restaurant R'evolution's blackened crawfish nachos are full of flavor. The crawfish is blackened to bring out smokey, spicy flavors. This is layered over crispy tortilla chips with spicy cheese sauce, tomato, and green onions. Every bite it filled with spicy heat, richness, and crunch. It incorporates classic nachos with Louisiana flavors and is ideal for sharing.

Restaurant R'evolution will also serve Cajun shrimp salad lettuce with celery, chives, and lemon zest. For dessert, they will offer their banana pudding cake with bourbon caramel sauce and vanilla whipped cream.

4. Crabmeat Beignet

Loretta's Authentic Pralines has been the home for sweet treats in New Orleans for over 35 years, serving the best beignets for miles around. At the festival, they'll be bringing out their famous crabmeat beignet, a light fluffy beignet stuffed with savory crabmeat and drizzled with their special sauce to merge these amazing flavors into one addictive beignet.

Of course, Loretta's Authentic Pralines will still be serving their namesake praline sweets, including praline beignets, different flavors of pralines, praline shoe sole, and their sweet potato cookies. So if you need to satisfy that sweet tooth, Loretta's is there for you.

Established in 1991, Dickie Brennan & Co. is a restaurant group of four iconic spots located in New Orleans' French Quarter and, at this year's festival, they're serving up some savory classics.

With their BBQ shrimp po-boy, you'll be eating a po-boy stuffed with gigantic and juicy shrimp slathered in their original New Orleans BBQ sauce. With four decades of experience, anything Brennan & Co. is serving up is certain to leave you filled to the brim and satisfied.

9. Gumbo Ramen

10. Mardi Gras Pasta

Oceana Grill, Jazz Museum

Oceana Grill's pasta dish brings Mardi Gras energy to your plate. A creamy, alfredo sauce covers the noodles with a mix of proteins and spices. It is filling and hearty without being too heavy. It is a solid option for those who need to refuel in a celebratory way. The pasta combines Gulf shrimp, crawfish tails, bell peppers, and onions.