In a world filled with deliveries, drive-thrus, and take-outs, the pop-up reigns supreme. It doesn't get much better than restaurant quality dining paired alongside fast-food convenience.

New Orleans' pop-up restaurants present the perfect opportunity to explore the city's unique neighborhoods while trying new and under-the-radar eats.

Typically housed at local bars and breweries, markets, and events around the Crescent City, these non-traditional eateries offer a wide range of bites that you can't get elsewhere. Everything from globally-inspired fusion cuisine, hearty favorites like handcrafted burgers and BBQ, and a selection of vegan and vegetarian-friendly fixings can be found. 

Next time you're in town looking for a one-of-a-kind meal, check out a few of these pop-up restaurants below.

1. Dakar NOLA 

Dakar NOLA is winning over foodies throughout the Crescent City with its Senegalese specialties. Their pop-ups have been spotted at locations such as the Southern Food & Beverage Museum and Gracious Bakery. The menu is deeply rooted in authentic West African cuisine with items like akara, yassa, domoda and more. Head to their website for info on menu, ordering and location.

Pro-tip: place your order early because their delicacies sell-out quickly.

Justen Williams

2. The Sassy Chef

A sassy chef with an expansive palette. From tacos to Thai and Caribbean to Cajun, the Sassy Chef has you covered. This pop-up eatery prides itself on incorporating a melting pot of cuisines and cultures in its menu shared throughout the city. Between their signature Taco Tuesdays at the 504 Craft Beer Reserve and surprises menus at Wrong Iron, and the plethora of other places and projects they take on. Check out their FB event page to stay up to date on the next move.

3. Queen Trini Lisa 

When a trip to Trinidad isn't feasible, an order of Queen Trini Lisa’s famous doubles is just as good! Dubbed Queen Trini for a reason, folks flock to her various pop-ups and even place orders in advance for a taste of her authentic Caribbean cuisine. In addition to her signature doubles, Queen Trini’s menu also includes fish sandwiches on coco bread, BBQ jerk bowls, Trini Pastelles and more. While she’s typically found at the Portside Lounge, make sure to stay tuned in to her Instagram for updates on pop-ups and virtual events.

Photo courtesy of Hatch + Harvest

4. Hatch + Harvest 

Their location might change, but one thing always remains the same - the use of the coveted green hatch chile. Found in just about every dish they serve, Hatch + Harvest is covering New Orleans in green one pop-up at a time. Some of their popular menu items include the Chickpea Bowl, Chicken, Chile & Cheese Eggrolls, and Ancho Chile Chicken Nachos. While you can usually catch them at breweries around the city, they've transitioned to accommodate current restrictions by offering pre-order delivery service. Follow their Instagram for up-to-date menus and order placing.

5. Southerns Food 

The reigning champion of the National Fried Chicken Festival’s “Best Chicken in a Dish,” category, Southerns food is a MUST-try. They're best known for their signature fried chicken sandwiches, but also offer a few other handcrafted dishes like their Seoul Sister, a fried oyster dish mixed with kimchi salad, secret sauce and sushi rice.

Second Line Brewing and Zony Mash are two of their favorites spots to pop-up, but make sure to visit their social platforms for additional events and locations where they might be serving.

Photo courtesy of Yin Yang Pie
Yin Yang Pie

6. Yin Yang Pie

Pop-up + pizza = a pop-up pizza party! But this isn’t your average slice of pizza. The masterminds behind Yin Yang Pie add their own unique twists on the traditional Italian delights. Oyster Pizza, Eggplant Sausage + Mushroom, and Cesar Salad topped with brown butter breadcrumbs are among their many original creations. You can find this well above average pizza popped up at the Okay Bar on weekends. Double-check their Instagram page linked above for images and descriptions of their specialty pizzas.

7. FilipiNola

A pop-up so good it turned permanent - that’s FilipiNola. While they are now a vendor of the Auction House Market, this rare pop-up experience has humble beginnings throughout the city at locations such as Wrong Iron and Courtyard Brewery. Their eye-catching ube ice cream creations are always a fan favorite along with a host of Filipino street foods like Lumpias and Chicken Adobo Skewers.

Photo Courtesy of Bub's Burgers
Bub's Burgers

8. Bub’s Burgers 

Bub’s Burgers is a simple, yet oh-so-satisfying local pop-up. Beef patties on toasted brioche topped with bread + butter pickles, griddled onions and Bub’s sauce. What’s a burger without fries? Bub’s are hand-cut and always fresh. Bub’s had been spotted at locations like Zony Mash Beer, Mid-City Pizza, the Double Dealer and more. Head to their official Instagram page for pop-up dates, locations and tons of drool-worthy content.