Jazz Fest rocks the Fairgrounds, while the Voodoo Experience kicks off in City Park. At both events, music abounds, art installations are put in place, and in general, the city flips out (in a good way).
But while visitors may be up on what shows they want to see, they may not know that the surrounding neighborhood is one of the nicest in the city of New Orleans. Alternatively called Faubourg St John, Fairgrounds and Esplanade Ridge (depending on where you are in relation to City Park), the tree-lined, upscale area is like a funkier slice of Uptown, but located on the edge of Mid-City.
If you’re going to catch a break from the music, make your way onto Esplanade Ave and around and soak up some local flavor. Here are some of our favorite spots.
Above images via Facebook.
1 Bayou St John
This inland waterway was originally used by Native Americans as a watery byway. Early settlers had an idea of creating a shipping canal from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, and the bayou did connect larger vessels to the now filled Carondelet Canal for a time, but today the body of water serves as a lovely green (and blue) space in the heart of the city, popular for picnics, kayaking and stand up paddling. Image by the author.
2 Canseco's
This grocery store at 3135 Esplanade is a friendly spot for beer, supplies, and most importantly, very good fried chicken and cheesy potatoes. Image courtesy of Canseco’s.
3 Alcee Fortier Park
Esplanade Ave, Grand Route St John and the impeccably named Mystery St form an odd triangle of land that is taken up by this tiny park. It’s filled with bits and bobs of public art, string lights, lawn chairs and general sense of having discovered a tiny urban oasis.
4 Cafe Degas
Want to give yourself a splurge after, well, giving yourself a splurge (because we all know those Voodoo wristbands don’t come cheap)? Head to Cafe Degas (3127 Esplanade), one of the most romantic restaurants in the city, and enjoy some fine French dining. It’s hard not to love a place that allows a tree to grow throughout its dining room. Image courtesy of Cafe Degas.
5 Liuzza's by the Track
At 1518 N Lopez, Liuzza’s is famous as a Jazz fest destination, but it’s also a hop and skip from City Park. Order the barbeque shrimp po’ boy, pictured above, and sink into culinary bliss. Image courtesy of Liuzza’s by the Track.
6 Pal's
If you want a drink after Voodoo, head to 949 N Rendon and order the gingerita at Pal’s. This is one of the finest cocktails in the city, and it’s served in one of this town’s funkiest neighborhood bars – which is saying something, as New Orleans is a town that knows how to do funky neighborhood bars.
7 Terranova's
For over 90 years, this Italian family grocery has kept the good citizens of New Orleans fed and stocked with pasta, meats, produce and other goods and sundries. Great for a sandwich or just soaking up a true neighborhood institution. Click here to catch a clip of a great documentary on the creole tomato that includes a nice interview with members of Terranova family.
8 Nonna Mia Cafe & Pizzeria
Look, pizza is always a Right Decision, but it’s a particularly good choice when you head to this spot, with it’s cute outdoor patio and extensive wine list, and get down with some delicious pie and a nice glass of red.
9 Fair Grinds Coffeehouse
Boasting 100 percent fair trade organic coffee, tea, and a baked goods menu that has me salivating at the thought, Fair Grinds is simply one of the city’s great cafes, a reputation it has earned in no small part due to its excellent layout and setting. Plus, they’ve got a sweet balcony, which is particularly perfect when the weather is nice.
10 1000 Figs
In a city of great fried food, 1000 Figs is a nice surprise – fresh, healthy Mediterranean cuisine that is still undeniably delicious and filling. Enjoy rich plates of falafel, hummus, flatbreads, haloumi and mor,e plus an incredible beet and pecan yogurt, in a setting that is supremely romantic.
11 Swirl Sensational Wines
Every neighborhood deserves a great wine ship, and Swirl fits the bill for multiple reasons: fun tasting nights, knowledgeable staff, an excellent section of cheeses and, of course, great (some might even say ‘sensational’) wines.
12 Lola's
A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, some angel hair pasta and incredibly garlic shrimp, and thou: if this sounds like your ideal evening, come to Lola’s, the oldest Spanish restaurant in the city, and enter gastronomic heaven (by way of the paella).
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