Perhaps more than anywhere else in the country, New Orleans is a city defined by iconic foods. Po’ boys, jambalaya, gumbo, beignets — these are just a few of the traditional dishes embedded in the local food culture. In some cases, like the gumbo z’herbes
at Dooky Chase or turtle soup at Commander’s, these are flavors intertwined with a restaurant’s identity and lore. This guide outlines where to find the city’s most iconic dishes, sometimes where they were first made, like bananas Foster at Brennan’s, barbecue shrimp at Pascal’s Manale, and a muffuletta at Central Grocery. But sometimes it’s just one of the best versions made today.
For specific iconic New Orleans dishes, see Eater’s guides to the city’s essential spots for po’ boys, muffulettas, gumbo, beignets, and sno-balls. And for a complete visitors’ guide to Crescent City dining, check out An Eater’s Guide to New Orleans.
