On this indulgent, guided food tour, you'll dig into the rich and varied flavors that make New Orleans' French Quarter one of the USA's top foodie destinations!
Itinerary:
Your tour starts where it all began, on the banks of the Mississippi River. From here, you'll witness the lifeblood of the region which brought new cultures, influences, and ingredients to the USA through its ports.
To wake up your taste buds, indulge in New Orleans' most iconic breakfast pastry, the beignet. While it looks hard to pronounce, it's definitely not hard to love. Next, head to The French Market, the site of America's oldest public market and then on to the picturesque streets of the French Quarter where your guide will take you to some of their favorite palate-pleasing spots. You'll sample both a classic New Orleans dish, as well as a delicacy that you've probably never seen outside Cajun country.
You’ll then have the chance to try a dish that sparks more controversy amongst chefs than any other in New Orleans: gumbo. Learn how hundreds of years of history has shaped this recipe and how it can vary from restaurant to restaurant. You'll also indulge in a sweet treat made from locally grown sugarcane and the region’s abundant pecans.
There will then be an opportunity to have a coffee or do some souvenir shopping in the French Quarter with your guide before taking a short walk to Jackson Square, where you'll begin the cocktail portion of your tour. The tour will go beyond the tourist trail to show you what really makes New Orleans cocktail culture unique.
For the first cocktail stop, travel back to the 1700s and visit a bar which used to entertain some of the most eccentric characters in New Orleans history. Here, you will taste a famous drink of the city and learn how it has influenced New Orleans drinking culture today.
Next up, sample the ‘official cocktail of New Orleans’: the Sazerac. One of the first cocktails ever invented, it’s definitely tasty enough to stand the test of time.
The final cocktail stop will be at one of the classiest establishments in town to try one of the city’s most esteemed drinks, the Ramos Gin Fizz. After your first sip, you’ll truly understand why New Orleans has been called “the cradle of civilized drinking.”
There will be an opportunity to rest your feet or grab a bite to eat before the jazz portion of the tour begins. Your guide can recommend some good eats, depending on your preferences. Then head over to the historic and beautiful Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood. Within the park, you will learn about the historical origins of jazz and discuss one of the jazz greats, Armstrong himself.
From here, the tour will go to the popular Marigny neighborhood, a hip nightlife area that's home to the famous Frenchmen Street, where you'll find the largest concentration of live music venues in the city. Being with a local, you'll have access to the best options, depending on the day of the week, time and band schedules. And to top it off, you will receive a beer at one of the stops. You're very welcome to purchase additional beverages as and when you want them.
If at the end of the tour you're still craving more, your guide will point out other great locations in the area for dinner, drinks and of course, more great music!
Local English-speaking guide
Additional food and drink
