The Best that New Orleans has to Offer
Where Y'at Magazine's writers weigh in on the best things to do in New Orleans. Read on for some of the best kept secrets and hot takes about all things NOLA.Shopping
Best High-Fidelity Time Machine: Peaches Records
Housed in the old Woolworth's on Magazine Street, Peaches remains our analog sanctuary. It's the best spot to get lost in the stacks and soak up pure music history. Whether you're hunting rare vinyl or just want to feel cooler by association, this is the undisputed, sprawling home of New Orleans' sonic soul and local music culture. -Rebecca Fox
Best Place to Buy Musical Instruments: Paul Webb's Bywater Music
Situated deep in Bywater, Paul Webb single-handedly runs his continually busy music store. Webb is a veteran of the local scene and caters those in it. Having what rock musicians usually shop for—guitars, basses, drums, etc.—lately Webb has been building custom boutique guitar amplifiers, which makes his store stand out even further. -Donald Rickert
Best Place to Run into Someone You Don't Want to: Whole Foods on Magazine Street
You're sneaking three pieces of the sample cheese, and there's your ex. You're eyeing sushi, and there's your ole boss. You're palm scanning at check-out with the new creepy biometric system—yikes. But, worst of all, you're both in Whole Foods, Uptown. -Violet Bucaro
Dining
Best Bar Burger, Especially Really Late at Night: The Swamp Room
A staple in Metairie for over 50 years, the Swamp Room is well-known for their signature menu item: the "swamp burger." It's best dressed and when paired with their ooey gooey cheese fries, making for a great late-night meal after a night of fun, which is often needed long after most area restaurants have already closed. -Tina Howell
Best Deli for a "Side of Sass" and a Perfect Pickle: Stein's Market and Deli
Go for the legendary hot pastrami, but stay for the dry wit and inevitable verbal sparring session with Dan Stein. The rumors are true—the NY half sours are the crunchy, salty, garlic-heavy heart of the LGD. It's the only place where the quality of the food is perfectly proportional to how much the staff tolerates your existence. -Rebecca Fox
Best Place to Feel Cajun on a Bougie Level: Delacroix Restaurant
Delacroix Restaurant—it's giving fish camp, just a little more put together, where you can enjoy boudin, gumbo, fresh seafood, and a riverfront view, all set in full bayou décor without battling mosquitoes or anything creeping through it, with classic Cajun dishes done up a notch. -Carrie Sagen-Severino
Best Place to Not Work From Home and Get a Good Coffee Treat: French Press Coffee
French Press Coffee is a great place to escape and get a delicious coffee treat. One of their specialties is the La Freeze, which is available in several different flavors, as well as decaf—wedding cake is a personal favorite. They also offer a variety of pastries, salads, sandwiches, and soup if you're in the mood for a quick bite. -Tina Howell
Best Real Soul Food: Original Brown Derby #3
You want some real soul food? The not high-on-the-hog, down-home style? Go to Original Brown Derby #3 at 3326 Tulane in the old gas station. Find turkey necks, smothered chicken, pig's feet, gumbo, smothered okra and sides of greens, mac 'n' cheese, red beans, gravy. They also serve a slappin' good breakfast. Tip the ladies. -Phil LaMancusa
Treats & Global Flavors
Best Place to Lose All Self-Control in Under Five Minutes: Laura's Candies
You walk in for a praline at this classic New Orleans candy shop known for its pralines and old-school sweets, start pointing at everything in the case one by one, and leave with a bag full of sweets you fully plan to justify later. -Carrie Sagen-Severino
Best Potato Chip: Clover Valley Ripple Cuts
Tried all the potato chips there are? Still haven't fallen in love with any of them? T'was "meh" way with moi also, until Broadway Joe from "The Apple" hipped me to Clover Valley Ripple Cuts. They're dope, they're G.O.A.T., they're Canadian, and they're cheap. Get 'em at Dollar General. You'll see. -Phil LaMancusa
Home & Services
Best Dental Hygienist: Lisette
Approximately 70% of people experience dental visit anxiety. I love going to CBD Dental Care and much of the reason is my dental hygienist, Lisette, goddess of clean and healthy teeth. She holds me, motivates me, to a higher flossing standard. We have a grand time chatting, in-between my swooshing of water, spitting, and gaping open mouth. -Debbie Lindsey
Best On-Line Language Program: Praktika.com
Sto imparando l'Italiano, and you could too. AI language programs are like white on rice on your phone/computer. They promise proficiency with ease; however, you'll have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the one that'll work for you. Luckily, most allow you to cancel if you're not satisfied. Ciao. -Phil LaMancusa
Best RTA Driver: Theodore
Theodore, RTA driver extraordinaire, turns a bus ride into a pleasant travel. Theo exudes patience, kindness, and good humor. He is vigilant about school zone safety and often waves greetings to folks along the route. He's an usher/host to riders sporting a wheelchair or walker—gracious and helpful. -Debbie Lindsey
Best Use of "Creative Counting" for Core Strength: Club Pilates
This studio is a masterclass in alignment. Instructors including Karen, Lo, Caitlin, and Martin are so knowledgeable, they'll have you quivering through the "pilates shakes" and leaving convinced you've never actually stood up straight a day in your life. It's the gold standard for a high-I.Q. workout that makes your glutes tight and your posture perfect. -Rebecca Fox
Best Where to Get Your Bike Tuned: YEP
What with the price of auto fuel and tariffs on EVs, it's time to get that two-wheeler out of mothballs, tuned, and back on the street. YEP (Youth Empowerment Program) on 1604 O. C. Haley is the, perhaps, the best tuner in town that one can find. Do it. -Phil LaMancusa
Arts & Culture
Best French Neighborhood That's Not Actually French: French Quarter
Calling the most prominent section of town "the French Quarter" is inaccurate. Most of the architecture dates from when our city was owned by Spain. The influx of European residents were first Italian and even Irish, then came everybody else, with the exception of the French. The truly appropriate name is not recognizable to visitors, which is Vieux Carré (Old Square). -Tim McNally
Best Local Election Guide: ANTIGRAVITY
Want in-depth, well researched, voting guidance for elections? Go to ANTIGRAVITY Voter Guide (antigravitymagazine.com). Professional, detailed information and coverage of every candidate—some of which are off the radar of more mainstream sources. ANTIGRAVITY leans away from endorsements and sticks to the facts. Amendments and propositions are covered. And summaries are included. -Debbie Lindsey
Best Performance Art by a Pothole: The Canal Street Abyss
Located near the Mortuary Haunted Mansion, this pothole has achieved "Grand Canyon" status. It's deep enough to require a permit and serves as a daily test of your car's structural integrity. We're nominating it for "Best Unintentional Off-Roading Adventure" in the heart of Mid-City. Watch your suspension—and your soul—as you navigate the depths. -Rebecca Fox
Best Place to Get a Sun Burn: Jazz Fest
At Jazz Fest, sunscreen is merely a suggestion. You arrive for music, food, and good vibes, and you leave as a human crawfish. Don't fret—there's nothing a good hat or umbrella can't manage. Of course it's all part of the experience that we've loved for decades, but you can easily see that the sun isn't an annual headliner. -Kimmie Tubré
Best Place to Take Pictures You'll Actually Post: JAMNOLA
Every room is a setup, every corner works, and with interactive, over-the-top exhibits built by local artists, you're not just taking photos, you're part of them. Within about an hour at JAMNOLA, you've got a full camera roll of shots that are actually social media worthy. -Carrie Sagen-Severino
Nightlife
Best Default Bar: Bayou Beer Garden
When it comes to go-to bars, Bayou Beer Garden is most definitely New Orleans' default setting. Have a work gathering, need a quick happy hour pick, get friends in town, and need local vibes? This bar is the place for you. You just can't beat a good beer garden with a wine garden attached. -Kimmie Tubré
Best Place to Argue There's Real Clubbing in New Orleans: PoorBoy
Many argue New Orleans lacks the poppin' nightclubs like Europe has. I beg to differ. PoorBoy's is a classy late-night destination; however, if you go before 2 a.m., you might be stuck with only the live bearded dragon in the back corner—alone. -Violet Bucaro
Best Place for a First-Date or a Breakup: Z'otz Café
Z'otz Café is the go-to for hard conversations. From goth-techno to industrial rock, the vibe is always fascinating. People range from students, bookworms, D&D gamers, and philosophical youngsters smoking on the patio. It's a comfortable spot to be uncomfortable. Get the spicy chai latte. -Violet Bucaro
Best Place to be Conservative: Caesars Casino
You know it. You love it. Caesars Casino, where you can be conservative with money and challenge your desires. It's a bonding opportunity to play blackjack with your buddies or peruse and watch the happy people and cute tourists win big in their favorite games. -Violet Bucaro
Best Place to be Publicly Humiliated by a Puppet: The Game Show Show
There is no greater joy than the chaotic, puppet-hosted absurdity of The Game Show Show. Produced by Bywater Games, it's the city's finest hour of interactive madness where you win prizes while a charmingly rude puppet tells you exactly how wrong you are. It's loud, unhinged, and the most fun you'll ever have being insulted by felt. -Rebecca Fox
Best Place to Lose Track of Time—and Possibly Your Friends: Carousel Bar & Lounge
The Carousel Bar & Lounge, located at the famous Hotel Monteleone, is the only rotating bar in New Orleans. It keeps spinning, strangers become best friends, and suddenly your group chat is blowing up asking where you disappeared to hours ago. -Carrie Sagen-Severino
Best Rehearsal Space and Recording Studio: Studio 101 NOLA
Slightly hidden in the ArtEgg Studio complex is Studio 101 NOLA, run by D.J. Boudreaux and his wife Ashley. They have a modern, fully-loaded recording studio, and they offer two equipped rooms for rent for rehearsals in three-hour blocks, along with a free half an hour load-in/load-out, which makes it really a four-hour chunk. -Donald Rickert
Best Spot for Views of a Flat City: Hot Tin
Dramatic views from on high of our city are still possible, even in a place devoid of any hills. The 270-degree view directly of the CBD from the top of the Pontchartrain Hotel, seated on a balcony, is the purpose of Hot Tin. Good cocktails are lagniappe. -Tim McNally
