Best Spots to Eat & Drink at for the Krewe du Vieux Parade
One of Carnival's most beloved parades, the Krewe du Vieux, will be rolling February 15 at 6:30 p.m. Known best for its political satire and very adult themes, this year's parade is sure to be a wild one. For anyone looking to go out and see the parade, make sure to get something to eat or drink before or after the festivities. There's plenty of great establishments near the parade route, so there's a lot to choose from!
1. SukhoThai
2200 Royal St., 504-948-9309
sukhothai-nola.com
In Louisiana, everyone is familiar with the state's signature Creole and Cajun food, but variety is the spice of life. SukhoThai offers that spice in their restaurant, dedicated to serving up authentic, hand-crafted Thai cuisine brimming with bold flavors and paired side-by-side with seafood that you will savor.
With such as their Tom Kha, the Seafood Glass Noodle Salad, and Pad Thai as a few examples of their delectable Thai cuisine, this restaurant serves everything under the sun from Thai cuisine from soups to Thai salads to fried noodles and rice to wok and curry. The sky's the limit in SukhoThai. With extensive vegan and gluten-free options as well, no one is left out either. So if you and your friends need cuisine out of this world, then SukhoThai is your spot.
2. Dat Dog
601 Frenchmen St., 504-309-3362
datdog.com
Dat Dog is reinventing the wheel with their inventive takes on the hot dog with all types of combos and flavor combinations that will spice up your snack game. This little spot on Frenchmen Street is ready to serve all types of customers with the best hot dogs they could ask for. With options such as their Irish Channel 'Dog or the Bacon Werewolf for those classic hot dog fans to the Sea Dog Special or Étouffée Special for the seafood lovers or even vegan options such as the Vegan Banger or the Mexi-Cali Lettuce Wrap, everyone can have a taste at Dat Dog.
However, if you're not in the particular mood for hot dogs, Dat Dog still has you covered. With options like their Blue Dat Burgers , Dat Burger Sliders or their Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, you can enjoy all types of sandwiches with amazing sauces to boot. With sides like their tots, fries and salads, you can have a variety of flavors no matter what type of grub you pick. So you want to snack on something that can put a smile on your face, then Dat Dog is just for you.
3. Cajun Flames
1117 Decatur St., 504-35-1214
cajunflames.com
With so many seafood restaurants all over the Crescent City, it's hard to find the best of the best, but Cajun Flames has you covered. With so many seafood options such as their Fried Calamari, Oyster Crab Dip, Cajun Seafood Pasta, Whole Fish Pompano, or their Rockefeller Oysters, this restaurant will deal with all your specific seafood cravings. With delicious desserts like their powdery Beignet Trio or their soft Bread Pudding, you can't really go wrong.
This restaurant comes in a package deal with great service, attentive staff and an open bar with sublime cocktails to give your taste buds everything they need and deserve. Chow down at Cajun Flames for some of the best seafood in the city just before the big parade!
4. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
941 Bourbon St., 504-593-9761
lafittesblacksmithshop.com/Homepage.html
Known as the oldest bar in the United States, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop was once owned by the pirate Jean Lafitte who used the bar as part of his smuggling business until the building was converted into a bar after the notorious pirate's arrest. There are still rumors that the ghost of Lafitte roams around the bar at night, enjoying his own drinks as the night drags on. Besides the mesmerizing history of the bar, Laffite's Blacksmith Shop offers a multitude of alcoholic beverages to drink.
With drink options like draft brews, premixed cocktails, or other drinks such as their Voodoo Daiquiris, Purple Drank, or Buzz, this bar has all the drinks you may need. If you drop in by Friday night, you and your friends could enjoy their signature live piano performances to bring out the atmosphere of the bar.
5. Café Amelie
900 Royal St., 504-412-8065
cafeamelie.com
Named after Amelie Mitegerger, the mother of the first American princess of Monaco, this café strives to treat all their clientele like royalty. With delightful brunch options such as their Amelie Benedict or their Smoked Salmon Tartare served alongside their classic selection of coffee and cocktails, this café ensures a light yet satisfying meal at those in-between hours.
The restaurant also provides a distinguished and romantic ambience with courtyard dining and a diverse menu to fit your needs. For dinner, the menu offers heartier dishes such as their Confit Duck Leg and their Local Catfish, alongside filling starters with Gumbo and Burrata. So if you need some royal treatment before partying like an animal, saunter on over to Café Amelie.
6. New Orleans Vampire Café
801 Royal St., 504-581-0801
nolavampirecafe.com
If you're looking for a unique experience in New Orleans, what could possibly be more unique than seeing real-life vampires partake in the lavish and decadent menu at the New Orleans Vampire Café? Beyond this café's unique clientele, their menu is a tempting concoction of Southern favorites such as their Shrimp & Grits, Alligator Po-Boy, or Creamy Garlic Mussels to ensnare the seafood lovers with bold and fresh flavors.
Of course, this café has some tantalizing original creations as well, such as their Fried Deviled Eggs topped with caviar, their famed Vampire Burger, a half brisket & half ground beef burger with creamy gruyere cheese, lettuce, and vampire cream sauce all on a toasted brioche bun, along with their delectable and smoky charcuterie board served alongside a Vampire Wine flight to help you enjoy the decadence of vampire fine dining. If you'd love to grab a bite at this fine locale, maybe bring a clove of garlic so none of the vampiric guests possibly take a bite out of you instead.
7. Evangeline
329 Decatur St., 504-373-4852
evangelineneworleans.com
Revisiting that classic Louisiana Cajun cuisine, Evangeline is serving up authentic recipes that will give you taste buds a huge serving of Louisiana flavor with their fresh, seasonal cuisine made from local ingredients, as well as their craft beers and courtyard dining.
With appetizers such as their Fried Alligator, Southern Fried Okra, and their Cajun Country Gumbo, your stomach will just be begging for more from their entrees. Their original Acadia Crawfish & Grits to their Grilled Redfish with Crawfish Pesto Pasta and even their Acadiana Seafood Platter will give you a taste of real, fresh Louisiana cuisine, alongside their sensational craft drinks. This hidden gem will give you everything you need and a little bit more just before that huge party you have to get to!
8. Felipe's Mexican Taqueria
301 N. Peters St., 504-224-4406
felipestaqueria.com
Felipe's Mexican Taqueria is the go-to spot for mouthwatering, hand-made Mexican meals that you'd be sure to enjoy. This taqueria made a name for itself with its award winning cuisine and margaritas, so don't skimp out on trying their fan favorite Spicy Taco Salad or their Nachos Classico filled to the brim with flavor.
Along with their fan favorites, Felipe's serves amazing appetizers such as their Flautas and Avocado Fries along with their addictive Baja-Style Tacos or Queso Con Carne. If you're looking for amazing, hand-made and authentic Mexican food, look no further than Felipe's Mexican Taqueria.
9. Willie's Chicken Shack
540 Frenchmen St., 504-229-2307
willieschickenshackneworleans.com
Not every meal needs to be fancy; sometimes, a quick bite hits the spot. If a quick bite is what you're looking for then Willie's Chicken Shack is the one for you. With fried chicken, seafood, chicken wings and Louisiana classics like Cajun style fries, biscuits, jambalaya and red beans & rice, this place has all the flair of New Orleans with the convenience of quick service.
Even though Willie's Chicken Shack wouldn't be considered fancy, its decor is still authentic and the food is seasoned to perfection so that you could enjoy the juiciest chicken in this part of New Orleans.
10. Legacy Kitchen's Craft Tavern
700 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-613-2350
legacykitchen.com
Legacy Kitchen is a restaurant that takes pride in providing a delightful dining experience for every customer that walks through their doors. Serving All-American breakfasts with a hint of Louisiana's Southern flair with dishes such as their NOLA-Style Grits Bowl, their Fried Chicken & Waffles and delectable Beignet Bites, this restaurant has you covered.
However, this menu shines with its lunch and dinner options with dishes such as their scrumptious Pecan Smoked Chicken Wings, their Grilled Gulf Fish Sandwich, or their famous Legacy Crab & Corn Bisque. All of this combined with their namesake craft drinks will be sure to make this an experience worth having. If you want a casual yet excellent dining experience with excellent service to boot, then Legacy Kitchen's Craft Tavern is just for you.
Sensational Restaurants in the Big Easy
Cuisine is the cornerstone for New Orleans culture and what it represents, a melting pot that welcomes all cultures and what they have to offer to the world. When you think about the best food in the United States, Louisiana is on the top of your list because of this blend of culture and cuisine and these restaurants exemplify that calling. So when you're out and about for Krewe du Vieux, make sure to stop by any of these 10 local restaurants.
