New Orleans is one of the greatest food cities in the world. That’s not an opinion. It’s just a fact.
The good news for families — almost all of it is kid-friendly. The city is loud, casual, and welcoming. Nobody looks twice when your five-year-old is eating gumbo at the table next to you.
Here’s every spot worth knowing about. Split by meal so you can plan your days without overthinking it.
Brennan's does not miss — Eggs Hussarde, Brennan’s Champagne cocktail, barbecue oysters, side of cornbread, and the world famous Bananas Foster made tableside.
Breakfast and Brunch
Brennan's (Best Meal of the Entire Trip)
If you do one special meal in New Orleans — make it brunch at Brennan’s. Great for birthdays, celebrations or just cause.
- Brandy Milk Punch
- Baked Apple
- Choice of Turtle Soup or Gumbo
- Eggs Hussarde
- Petite Filet Mignon
- World Famous Bananas Foster — made tableside, right in front of you
Every single course was outstanding. The service was warm and unhurried. The room is elegant without being stiff. Our kids were completely comfortable.
Before you leave, walk through the courtyard. There’s a fountain with real turtles living in it. Very fun for the kids.
Book well in advance. This place fills up fast.
Café du Monde
The one everyone knows. Beignets and café au lait, right on the river. Hot, pillowy, covered in powdered sugar. A mess in the best way. Go at least once — it’s a New Orleans rite of passage with kids.
Café Beignet
Where the locals actually go. Five locations across the city. Less touristy than Café du Monde and just as good — some say better. Our pick if you want great beignets without the crowd.
Ruby Slipper
A New Orleans brunch institution. Multiple locations. Known for creative takes on eggs Benedict, Southern-inspired dishes, and a relaxed family atmosphere. Great option if you want something more casual than Brennan’s.
Three New Orleans institutions in one stop — the original Muffuletta at Central Grocery since 1906, beignets and café au lait at the iconic Café du Monde, and Café Beignet where the locals actually go. All must-visits on any New Orleans trip.
Lunch
Central Grocery — The Original Muffuletta
The home of the original Muffuletta sandwich. One of the most iconic food stops in New Orleans. A massive round Italian sandwich — cured meats, provolone, and olive salad on sesame bread. They’ve been making it since 1906. Get a half or whole one to split — it’s huge.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Over a century old. Famous for their traditional roast beef po’boys. One of the best in the city. Be warned: the lines get long. Go early or on a weekday. It is worth the wait but plan accordingly with young kids.
Cochon Butcher
The casual sibling of the acclaimed Cochon restaurant. Counter-service sandwiches, charcuterie, and daily specials. Great for a quick, high-quality lunch that works for the whole family.
Acme Oyster House delivered — charbroiled oysters, a classic po'boy, fried fish platter, and our first ever fried alligator.
Acme Oyster House
Walk-ins only. No reservations. Lines can get long — go before the lunch rush. Raw oysters, charbroiled oysters, and a great Fried Fish Platter. Loud, casual, very New Orleans. Kids will be comfortable here.
Note: we liked Drago’s charbroiled oysters more. But Acme is more central if you’re in the French Quarter.
Pêche was the perfect farewell dinner — Capellini, Tuna Crudo, Whole Grilled Fish, Grilled Hanger Steak, Fried Brussels Sprouts with chili vinegar, and a Salted Peanut Pie that finished everything off perfectly.
Dinner
Pêche — Favorite Dinner of the Trip
One of the best seafood restaurants in New Orleans. Everything we had was perfectly executed — the Capellini, Tuna Crudo, Whole Grilled Fish, Grilled Hanger Steak with Salsa Verde, Fried Brussels Sprouts with chili vinegar.
No kids menu but our kids had no trouble finding things they enjoyed. Make reservations through Resy well in advance. This restaurant fills up.
Drago's Seafood Restaurant
We went back twice specifically for the charbroiled oysters. Butter, garlic, Parmesan, herbs — broiled hot in the shell. Some of the best bites we had in all of New Orleans. No reservations. First come, first served.
Mr. B's Bistro
A French Quarter classic. Known for their Barbecued Shrimp — Gulf shrimp in a rich, buttery, peppery sauce served with crusty French bread. A New Orleans signature dish done right. Great for families. Reservations recommended.
Willie Mae's Scotch House
Legendary fried chicken. One of the most famous plates of food in the entire city. Simple space. Long lines. Go early. The wait is worth it. Kids love it.
Oceana Grill
A solid, reliable French Quarter dinner spot. Great for families with young kids. Good food, relaxed atmosphere, and it takes reservations — which matters when you have tired kids and need a guaranteed table.
Cochon
Southern and Cajun-inspired menu, wood-fired cooking, deep Louisiana flavors. One of the most acclaimed restaurants in New Orleans. Reservations strongly recommended.
High Hat Café
A local favorite on Freret Street. New Orleans classics done well — Gumbo Ya-Ya, BBQ Shrimp, Boudin Balls, Shrimp Creole. Casual and welcoming for families. One of the best spots to eat like a local.
Saba
One of the most family-friendly restaurants on Magazine Street. Beautiful interiors and a front patio that’s perfect for watching the world go by with little ones.
The kids menu is genuinely good — meatballs, hummus, roasted chicken and rice, buttered noodles, and pita pizza. Parents eat well too. Israeli-inspired dishes with a New Orleans twist. Reservations recommended.
La Petite Grocery
An Uptown gem. James Beard Award-winning Chef Justin Devillier puts his own spin on New Orleans classics. The Blue Crab Beignets are not to be missed. Turtle Bolognese is a signature dish worth ordering. Warm, relaxed atmosphere. The kind of place that feels like a neighborhood restaurant even when you’re visiting from out of town. Reservations recommended.
Compère Lapin
Chef Nina Compton’s Caribbean and Creole restaurant in the Warehouse Arts District. One of the most talked-about restaurants in New Orleans.
The menu is creative and bold — Southern, Cajun, and Caribbean flavors all in one place. The atmosphere is lively enough that kids won’t feel out of place. Best for families with slightly older kids who are comfortable at upscale restaurants. Reservations recommended.
Herbsaint
Donald Link’s French-American bistro in the Central Business District. One of the foundational restaurants of the New Orleans dining scene.
It gets noisy — which actually works in your favor with kids. Classic dishes done with real craft. More adult-leaning but absolutely doable for families with older kids. Reservations recommended.
Meril
Chef Emeril Lagasse’s more casual restaurant. Great kids menu, cotton candy for dessert, lively atmosphere. A genuinely family-friendly option that still has excellent food for the adults.
Snacks, Sweets, and Quick Stops
Sucré
A French-inspired pastry and sweets shop with locations in the French Quarter and Garden District. Famous for macarons. Great for an afternoon treat with the kids.
Blue Dot Donuts / Local Donut Shops
New Orleans has a great donut scene. Look for local shops over chains — the over-the-top creations are half the fun for kids.
Pat O'Brien's a classic Hurricane cocktail. Kids are welcome at the front tables inside, just not in the 21+ courtyard. Order one and drink cautiously slow — these are deceivingly easy to drink and will sneak up on you.
Cocktails
Pat O'Brien's
The home of the Hurricane cocktail. A New Orleans institution since 1942.
A Hurricane is a rite of passage when you’re in this city. Rum, passion fruit, lemon juice. Kids are welcome until 9pm. Not allowed in the back patio area near the famous flaming fountain — but the front bar and courtyard are fair game for families.
We settled into the spacious lounge area with the kids and watched the constant stream of guests waiting for a seat at the bar. The cocktails were worth every sip — the Fleur de Lis, Royal Street Heat, and a Mezcal Old Fashioned did not disappoint.
Carousel Bar — Hotel Monteleone
The bar actually rotates. Slowly — one full rotation every 15 minutes. Sit at the bar and watch the room move around you.
One of the most unique bars in America. Kids are welcome in the lounge area during daytime and early evening hours but are not allowed to sit at the bar. Worth a stop just to experience it.
Chandelier Bar — Four Seasons New Orleans
Our go-to after a long day of exploring. Beautiful lobby bar with great cocktails. Relaxed and welcoming for families. Every Thursday evening from 6–9pm there’s live jazz. Just a pianist. Completely informal.
Tropical Isle — Home of the Hand Grenade
The Hand Grenade is the most famous drink in New Orleans. Bright green, served in a souvenir cup, and only available at Tropical Isle.
The bar itself is 21+ only. But here’s the move — one parent goes in, grabs the drinks, and you enjoy them walking around Bourbon Street while the kids are right there with you. That’s just New Orleans.
Parents' Night Out
These two spots are better suited for an evening without the kids — but worth knowing about if you’re planning a night out.
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
An outdoor wine bar and live jazz venue in the Bywater neighborhood. Pick your wine from the shop, grab a cheese board, and settle into the courtyard while the music plays. One of those only-in-New-Orleans experiences. Laid back, local, and completely magical.
N7
New Orleans Food You Have to Try at Least Once
If it’s your first time in New Orleans, here’s the essential list:
- Beignets — Café Beignet or Café du Monde
- Muffuletta — Central Grocery, the original
- Charbroiled Oysters — Drago’s
- Po’boy — Parkway Bakery for roast beef
- Bananas Foster — Brennan’s, where it was invented
- Gumbo — order it everywhere, compare as you go
- Barbecued Shrimp — Mr. B’s Bistro
- Fried Chicken — Willie Mae’s Scotch House
- Hurricane Cocktail — Pat O’Brien’s
- Hand Grenade — Tropical Isle, the only place you can get one
Practical Tips for Eating in New Orleans With Kids
Quick Reference: Reservations vs. Walk-In
Restaurant | Reservations? | Best For |
Brennan’s | Yes — book early | Special brunch |
Pêche | Yes — via Resy | Dinner |
La Petite Grocery | Yes — recommended | Dinner |
Compère Lapin | Yes — recommended | Special dinner |
Saba | Yes — recommended | Family dinner |
Herbsaint | Yes — recommended | Dinner |
Mr. B’s Bistro | Recommended | Dinner |
Cochon | Recommended | Dinner |
Oceana Grill | Recommended | Family dinner |
Meril | Recommended | Family dinner |
Drago’s | No — walk in | Oysters |
Acme Oyster House | No — walk in | Lunch or dinner |
Parkway Bakery | No — walk in | Lunch |
Cochon Butcher | No — walk in | Lunch |
Café du Monde | No — walk in | Beignets |
Café Beignet | No — walk in | Beignets |
Pat O’Brien’s | No — walk in | Drinks |
Tropical Isle | No — walk in | Hand Grenade to-go |
Bacchanal | No — walk in | Parents’ night out |
Always check ahead for updated hours, pricing, and current menus.