The Definitive Guide to the Best Food at French Quarter Festival
A Comprehensive Foodie's Handbook to Savoring French Quarter Fest
Last Updated: Thursday, April 4, 2024 12:32 PM by Colton Clifford
Last Updated: Thursday, April 4, 2024 12:32 PM by Colton Clifford
Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds and flavors of the French Quarter Festival! This four-day extravaganza celebrates local music with a lineup of 1,700 musicians performing across 25 stages along the French Quarter and riverfront from April 11th to the 14th. It's a feast for the ears and the taste buds!
Back in 1984, the French Quarter Fest made its debut, and since then, it's been a staple of New Orleans culture. While the music takes center stage, let's not forget a real headliner: the food! Oh, the glorious food!
As self-proclaimed foodies, we're here to guide you through the culinary delights. But let's be clear: you can't go wrong with any of our local vendors. So, get ready to indulge in the ultimate foodie adventure while soaking in the infectious rhythms of the French Quarter Festival!
JUMP TO FOOD AREAS: JACKSON SQUARE | JAX LOT | RIVERFRONT-PALM LAWN | RIVERFRONT-KOHLMEYER | SPANISH PLAZA | JAZZ MUSEUM/OLD U.S. MINT
Boulevard American Bistro proudly presents: crispy fried oysters nestled on a delectable bed of spinach dip, generously adorned with a tantalizing Crystal aioli. This exquisite dish promises a symphony of flavors and textures, marrying the delicate crunch of perfectly fried oysters with the creamy richness of spinach dip, all elevated by the zesty kick of the Crystal aioli.
Nori Guys reimagines a traditional festival favorite with a creative twist. Crispy wonton chips form the perfect base for layering, topped with refreshing crab salad and zesty spicy tuna. Each bite offers a burst of flavor, from the crunch of the wonton to the succulent seafood delights.
This legendary cocktail is a vibrant blend of rum, passion fruit syrup, lime juice, and grenadine, served over ice. Let the tropical flavors and festive atmosphere transport you to the heart of the Crescent City as you savor every sip of this classic cocktail.
Southern's is back again with its renowned Award-Winning Chicken Sandwich, reclaiming its well-deserved spotlight! Nestled between two soft, pillowy buns lies a masterpiece of perfectly fried chicken that bursts with an explosion of flavor with every bite. This culinary gem has undeniably captured the hearts of many, time and time again, earning its status as a beloved favorite. Join the ranks of those who have been enchanted by the irresistible allure of Southern's Chicken Sandwich and treat yourself to a taste sensation like no other.
Satisfy your craving for soulful flavors with Miss Linda the Yakamein Lady's Beef Yakamein! This dish is a beloved staple of New Orleans cuisine, offering a hearty blend of tender beef, noodles, and savory broth infused with a medley of spices. Each spoonful carries the warmth and comfort of homemade cooking, reflecting Miss Linda's dedication to her craft.
A tantalizing blend of tender, succulent chicken simmered in a velvety, buttery tomato-based sauce, infused with a harmonious blend of traditional Indian spices. Experience the rich and authentic taste of Indian cuisine with LUFU NOLA Indian Kitchen's Butter Chicken Bowl, a satisfying and flavorful choice for any discerning palate.
Bulgogi, meaning "fire meat" in Korean, is a beloved staple of Korean cuisine. But how do you elevate it to festival icon status? Simple. By combining this delectable meat with another festival favorite: fried potatoes! Tender, savory bulgogi piled high atop crispy, golden-brown French fries. It's a culinary marriage made in heaven, bringing together two iconic dishes into one irresistible fusion of flavors and textures.
Quench your thirst and invigorate your senses with the perfect festival companion: the Mango Freeze. On a festival day nothing compares to its sweet, tart, and icy-cold allure. With its blazing shade of orange, this refreshing treat revitalizes festival-goers, offering a burst of tropical flavor that soothes the soul.
Snowballs are a cherished heartwarming delight in our city, a beloved treat that captures the essence of the warmer months. With an array of flavors to tantalize your taste buds, Plum Street is proud to serve up these frozen wonders at two locations during the festival this year. Don't let the opportunity pass you by – be sure to carve out some time to indulge in this icy treat! And for an extra touch of indulgence, why not add a drizzle of condensed milk? If you know, you know.
Traditionally, a hamburger lacks cheese, while a cheeseburger boasts that cheesy goodness. But what happens when you take a hamburger and elevate it with a luxurious crawfish cheese sauce? Suddenly, the lines blur, and you find yourself in uncharted territory. Yes, technically, it might now fall into the cheeseburger category, but this isn't your ordinary cheeseburger. This is a tantalizing fusion of flavors where succulent crawfish meets creamy cheese sauce atop a juicy hamburger patty.
These golden slices of perfection offer a symphony of flavors, expertly balancing sweetness with a tantalizing crispiness. Whether as a delightful snack or a flavorful side, each bite transports you to the sun-kissed shores of Jamaica!
Each slider features a succulent Wagyu patty, expertly cooked to perfection, complemented by the rich and savory notes of bacon jam. The addition of tomato confit offers a burst of freshness, while the arugula adds a delightful crunch. With every bite, savor the harmony of flavors and textures, making Cochon's Frenchie Sliders a must.
Walker's Southern Style BBQ is setting taste buds ablaze with their irresistible Cochon De Lait Po-Boy! Curious what it entails? Picture this: a generous portion of slow-smoked pork nestled within a hearty Dong Phoung French bread, adorned with crisp, fresh cabbage, and drizzled with their signature wertie sauce. It's a symphony of flavors and textures, but the true star of this culinary masterpiece is undoubtedly the tender, smoky pork that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Fusing the bold flavors of Cajun cuisine with the comfort of classic eggrolls. Stuffed with a tantalizing mixture of cabbage, crawfish, and shrimp, each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. To elevate the experience further, they are delicately drizzled with sweet chili sauce, adding a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
Deep-fried whole snapper paired with a steaming bowl of seafood gumbo. Can you feel the excitement? Because we certainly can! This dynamic duo epitomizes the essence of spring festivals with its vibrant flavors and tantalizing aromas. It's a celebration of seafood at its finest, a feast that beckons to all seafood lovers near and far.
Allow us to introduce you to the culinary marvel known as Oysters Morrow. Imagine a plump, fresh oyster, lovingly nestled in its half shell, generously stuffed with succulent crab meat. But that's not all – it's accompanied by a side of garlic bread, perfectly poised to soak up every last drop of the mouthwatering flavors the dish has to offer.
Beignets! Beignets! Beignets! Choose between the original version for a classic taste or opt for the decadence of chocolate-infused bliss. Each bite is a symphony of flavors, a perfect balance of sweetness and indulgence. Treat yourself to the irresistible allure of Loretta's Praline Beignets, a true delight for the senses.
If there's one thing you can count on, it's that anything delicious deserves a place on a po-boy. It's practically a rule of thumb, and we're more than happy to abide by it. So, allow us to introduce the Yakiniku Po-Boy! Succulent garlic ribeye beef, expertly cooked to perfection, piled high on po-boy bread. It's a sight to behold and a flavor that will have your taste buds singing with delight.
This iconic sandwich is a flavorful masterpiece, boasting layers of savory cured meats, tangy giardiniera, and aged provolone cheese, all nestled within a freshly baked muffuletta bread. What sets Miss River's creation apart is the Sicilian oregano dressing, adding a burst of herbaceous flavor that perfectly complements the richness of the ingredients. With each bite, savor the harmonious blend of textures and tastes that have made the muffuletta a beloved classic.
This icy treat is a burst of summer flavors, featuring the natural sweetness of watermelon blended with pure cane sugar and purified water. Alternatively, indulge in the tantalizing Blue My Mind Raspberry Italian Ice, which combines blue raspberry puree with fresh raspberries, pure cane sugar, and purified water. Whichever flavor you choose, each spoonful offers a cool and invigorating sensation, making it the perfect companion for a stroll through the festival.
Tender and succulent slow-braised lamb leg takes center stage on this sandwich, complemented by creamy whipped feta, rich onion garlic jam, and crisp red onions. The addition of refreshing cucumbers adds a delightful contrast, all nestled within John Gendusa French bread. Whether you opt for a half or whole portion, each bite of The Lambeaux is better than the last.
Say hello to the tangy richness of key lime mousse nestled within a crisp graham cracker tart shell, perfectly balanced with a refreshing mint leaf garnish. Each bite is a harmonious blend of sweet and citrusy goodness.
Colton Clifford (He/They) is a visual artist, illustrator, stage performer, and content creator at New Orleans & Company for @visitneworleans. They find great bliss in the celebration of the people, culture, artistry, food, and sounds that make visiting New Orleans the most unforgettable experience in the world.