October 11 is Southern Food Heritage Day, and there's no better place to celebrate than in New Orleans. Whether you are new to Southern food or love it already, there are plenty of spots around the city for some of the best comfort food in the country. From local seafood restaurants to braised meats, there is something for everyone at these NOLA gems.
New Orleans is known for Southern fare, so there are many locations all over the city for some delicious comfort classics. Southern food was influenced by a plethora of different places and cultures, mainly European, West African, and Native American influences. Since all of these cultures are present in New Orleans, it makes perfect sense why our Southern food offerings are so good. Here are 10 restaurants to grab some for yourself on Southern Food Heritage Day this year.
Best New Orleans Restaurants for Southern Food
1. Daisy Mae's
920 Poydras St., (504) 218-5031, daisydukesrestaurant.com/locations/daisy-mae-s-920-poydras-st
Daisy Mae's is an old-school cafe and bar in the Central Business District known for serving up delicious fried chicken and many different types of breakfast fare. With a massive selection of omelets and benedicts, along with other classic breakfast items and plenty of fried chicken options, you won't regret indulging in their offerings.
Try their two piece fried chicken and biscuit combo, served with a choice of fries, onion rings, or potato salad. Pair your juicy chicken meal with a classic New Orleans-style cocktail.
2. Mother's
401 Poydras St. (504) 523-9656, mothersrestaurant.net
Mother's is a New Orleans classic with a rich history. They have been serving the community since 1938, cooking up po' boys for laborers, newspapermen, and more in the early days. Mother's remains exactly the same as it was since they were feeding members of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
Enjoy one of their famous po' boys on Southern Food Heritage Day to experience not only New Orleans but American history. All of their sandwich meats are sliced by their in-house butcher and are served on New Orleans French bread.
3. Willa Jean
611 O'Keefe Ave., (504) 509-7334, willajean.com
Willa Jean is a cafe in downtown New Orleans that does it all. They are known for their coffee and breakfast foods, as well as their pastries and specialty cocktails. Willa Jean serves up Southern food with a modern and elegant twist. Their coffee is so good that they even sell their very own brand of coffee grounds!
The menu is seasonal and changes based on what is available at the current moment. Try their griddled banana bread with whipped butter or the bacon, egg, and pimento cheese sandwich served on a soft and pillowy biscuit.
4. Daisy Duke's
121 Chartres St., (504) 561-5171, daisydukesrestaurant.com
Daisy Duke's is an iconic New Orleans spot serving up Southern and Cajun food in multiple locations all over the city. This award-winning restaurant features breakfast, lunch, and dinner for great prices. They even sell merchandise with their name and logo on it so you can represent Daisy Duke's even after your meal.
Try their classic biscuits and sausage gravy for an authentic taste of Southern cooking. Pair it with their famous Bloody Mary, voted to be one of the best in the entire city.
5. Lil' Dizzy's
1500 Esplanade Ave., (504) 766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net
Lil' Dizzy's is an amazing family-owned restaurant in the Treme area serving soul food and specialty cocktails. They have all of the classic soul food dishes, along with daily specials if you're looking to try something new. Most of their dishes have the option to add a couple of sides, so you can have a taste of everything.
Try their shrimp and catfish seafood platter combo, with your choice of sides. Sides include a side salad, mac 'n' cheese, Southern greens, dirty rice, potato salad, candied yams, and fries.
6. Restaurant Rebirth
857 Fulton St., (504) 522-6863, restaurantrebirth.com
This farm-to-table restaurant serves Cajun-Creole food in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. This elegant location is a wonderful place to have a fancy night out on the town. With contemporary spins on classic Creole dishes, this spot is loved by both locals and tourists. Pair your dinner with a local craft beer for the full experience.
For your meal, try the Double-Cut Cheshire Pork Chop, served with bacon braised haricots verts, brabant potatoes, crispy shallot rings, and a sugarcane Creole glaze. You will not be disappointed!
7. Original Pierre Maspero's
440 Chartres St., (504) 524-8990, originalpierremasperos.com
Another New Orleans spot rich with history, Original Pierre Maspero's is a casual French Quarter favorite in the city. Featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is the ideal place to have a tasty meal and partake in some prime people-watching. Don't forget to taste their refreshing cocktails and wine options.
Have a scrumptious chicken and andouille sausage gumbo served with onions, peppers, celery, and rice to have a taste of New Orleans' classic Southern fare.
8. Original Fiorella's
5325 Franklin Ave., (504) 309-0352, originalfiorellas.com
A staple in New Orleans since 1985, Original Fiorella's has been voted Best Fried Chicken at the National Chicken Festival for two years running. Come see for yourself why people flock to this spot by the dozens. Get a quick bite from their countertop or bring some friends to have a sit-down meal at their tables.
Indulge in their fried chicken combos with a choice of two sides or try a New Orleans classic Muffuletta sandwich, served with salami, mortadella, ham, provolone cheese, and olive salad on a sesame seed bun.
9. Neyow's
3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474, neyows.com
This informal spot dishes out Creole-style and Southern-inspired meals a few blocks off of Canal Street. They are known not only for their delectable food but for their great atmosphere. In addition to their Southern food, they have brightly colored cocktails and a constantly rotating specials menu.
Devour their char-grilled oysters (shown above) or their Homemade Bread Pudding served with a cinnamon cream sauce for dessert.
10. Royal House
441 Royal St., (504) 528-2601, royalhouserestaurant.com
Calling all seafood lovers! Royal House is an oyster bar in the French Quarter plating up fresh seafood and oysters on the half shell. Join them daily for brunch or lunch and for dinner any night of the week. Housed in a historic New Orleans building downtown, you can feel the history when you walk in.
For the Southern food experience, order the Taste of New Orleans, which includes some of the city's most famous dishes — cajun chicken, andouille jambalaya, crawfish etouffée, red beans and rice, and gumbo.
Top 10 Ways to Celebrate this Southern Food Heritage Day
This Southern Food Heritage Day, you know where to go! New Orleans is a melting pot of all different cultures and backgrounds, and you can feel the influence throughout the city. Southern food takes inspiration from many different places, so we are in the perfect place to experience the full extent of how delicious it can be.
From fried chicken and biscuits to shrimp and grits, New Orleans has the best options for you to celebrate Southern Heritage Food Day to the fullest. So try something new or stick to a classic. It'll be tasty no matter what.
