The Absolute Best Lunch Spots in New Orleans

It’s around noon… your stomach is rumbling and you are ready to indulge in a delicious New Orleans-style lunch. Trying to figure out where to go? Heirloom has you covered! No, we don’t mean we will pay for your lunch (ha!), but we have scoured all of NOLA to put together this killer list of the absolute best lunch spots in New Orleans.

Turkey and the Wolf

Craving a sandwich for lunch? Put Turkey and the Wolf at the top of your list. With a 90s NOLA vibe and sandwiches to die for, this is not a place you want to miss! The collard green melt is an absolute must, but so is the bologna sandwich with chips… yes, they actually put chips in the sandwich. This is not your typical sandwich joint, and that’s what makes it so special.

Turkey and the Wolf Sandwiches
Turkey and the Wolf

Killer PoBoys

Killer PoBoys is located at the back of the Erin Rose bar, because where else could you find some of the most iconic po’ boys but served out of a window in the back room of a dive bar in New Orleans? If you are visiting NOLA for the first time and want to try a po’ boy, we 100% recommend visiting Killer PoBoys. They bake their own bread which is the key to their mouth-watering sandwiches. If you go, make sure to try the pork belly po’ boy. Do keep in mind though, they are closed on Tuesdays! A local favorite.

Killer PoBoys New Orleans Lunch
Killer PoBoys

Pythian Market

Next on our list of the absolute best lunch spots in New Orleans: Pythian Market is more than just a food hall in downtown New Orleans. In the market, you’ll not only find local food, but also a craft bar and curated retail vendors. Pythian Market is a gathering place for food, community, and commemoration of New Orleans culture. 

The Pythian Market is (big surprise) located in the Pythian, one of the most celebrated buildings in all of New Orleans. Constructed in the 1900s, this building is instantly recognizable with its unique architectural style. The building has an interesting history, as it once served as a gathering place for the African American community during the Civil Rights Movement.

Pythian Market Lunch
Pythian

St. Roch Market

St. Roch Market is a bright and lively food hall featuring the perfect blend of local food and beverages. If you are looking to explore a variety of new cuisines with a hint of New Orleans flavor, this should be number one on your destination list.

With a mix of eleven different dining options all curated by top local chefs, and an award-winning craft cocktail bar, this hall is bound to serve something everyone in your group will love. The Market offers dining throughout the day and into the night, though we recommend this as a fun lunch spot!

St. Roch Market New Orleans absolute best lunch spots in new orleans
St. Roch Market

Paladar 511

Offering both breakfast and lunch, Paladar 511 is located in the Marigny and known for being a foodie hotspot. In the kitchen, local and imported talent come together to serve one-of-a-kind pizzas and pastas that you will spend the following weeks dreaming about. The interior is a cross between rustic-industrial and luxurious, with furnishings that create an unreplicable lofty ambiance.

Paladar 511 Best Lunch
Paladar 511

Ready for dinner? Check out our top dinner and bar recommendations next!

Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in New Orleans

Visiting to New Orleans and trying to figure out what brunch spots to hit? While there are plenty of delicious options, we have taken the time to find the best breakfast and brunch places in New Orleans (and possibly in the world.) If you are a bloody mary or eggs benny lover, you are going to want to check out these hot spots that have truly elevated the most important meal of the day!

Red Dog Diner

Red Dog Diner New Orleans
Red Dog Diner

The Red Dog Diner has a very cool atmosphere and even better food. If you go, make sure you ask to be seated in the back, since they have outdoor/indoor seating inside a redesigned garage. Open daily from 8am to 10pm, this is the brunch spot on Magazine you don’t want to miss. They have bloodys, mimosas, and eggs bennys galore. Two favorites you have to try: the Corned Beef Hash if you are in the mood for something salty and the Sweet Potato Pancakes if you are in the mood for something sweet. Both are to die for!

Molly’s Rise and Shine

Mollys Rise and Shine New Orleans
Molly’s Rise and Shine

The decor is kitschy with a 90’s feel and the menu is creative and delicious. With a huge variety, and arguably the best breakfast sandwiches ever, this place is the perfect spot to nurse a hangover. Although they do not sell their own alcohol, you can BYOB (which is arguably better in our opinion). A few other things to note: Molly’s is closed on Tuesday, and is on the pricier side.

Elizabeths

Elizabeths Breakfast Spot
Elizabeths

This is an Heirloom family favorite! The food is incredible, and the atmosphere is cozy with a fun local vibe. If there is a wait, go upstairs – there is a bar where you can order one of their delicious bloody marys while you wait for your table! Pro tip: get the praline bacon or the fried green tomato benedict. You won’t regret it.

The Country Club

Country Club Brunch
The Country Club

Beat the Louisiana heat and lounge at one of New Orleans’ best kept secrets. During the daytime, if the temperature is warm and you are feeling up for a dip, The Country Club has a beautiful swimming pool bar. They also offer a delicious brunch! The brunch is complete with a Bloody Mary bar, offering house-pickled vegetables, fresh vegetables, and an array of hot sauces (as well as bottomless mimosas). Don’t forget to call ahead to make a reservation. This place books up fast!

Atchafalaya

Atchafalaya Breakfast
Atchafalaya

If you are in search of the best breakfast and brunch places in New Orleans, this is the ultimate destination for foodies. It gets packed though, so you should definitely try to make a reservation ahead of time. If you enjoy grits, critics absolutely love the shrimp and grits here. The ambiance is also quite special, with a poker room and other unique touches.

Has this article got you hungry for lunch? Check out our tips on where to find the best lunch in New Orleans.

Top 7 Bars & Restaurants in New Orleans

n7 the best restaurant in New Orleans

Since Heirloom has given you breakfast and lunch recommendations, it seems only fair to also give our readers the inside scoop on the New Orleans bar and dinner scene. Keep reading to learn more about the top 7 bars and restaurants in New Orleans.

Longway

Longway is the perfect hangout spot where you can grab a bite and a beer in their open courtyard. An everyday bar that pleases, Longway offers refreshing cocktails and delicious twists on pub food. For those looking for a local vibe and trying to escape tourist traps, this is your spot.  Their tapas menu is perfect if you can’t make up your mind, and boy do they have a lot of mouth-watering choices. If you decide to go, don’t miss happy hour! Happy hour is daily from 4-6pm and offers $5 Sidecars, Moscow Mules, select glasses of house wine and $24 bottles of happy hour wines. 

Longway Tavern New Orleans
Longway

N7

Located in the Bywater of New Orleans, N7 is a cute little French restaurant and wine bar. Founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi, N7 specializes in French cuisine infused with a Japanese touch. The wine menu is extensive but also very selective, focusing on small European winemakers who adhere to a natural, handmade approach to winemaking. Above all, the atmosphere of the restaurant is unparalleled, with a lit up backyard and cozy interior. One reviewer wrote: The most romantic French restaurant in the world is 4,792 miles from Paris.

If you are lucky enough to visit this gem of a spot, we recommend you get the steamed mussels (they are to die for) and the steak au pouvire. The meals are on the smaller size and are best shared, so we recommend getting a few dishes to split between your group!

N7 Best Dinner in New Orleans
N7

Sylvain

Slylvian is an awesome, farm-to-table upscale dining space located just a block off of Jackson. Set in a carriage house built in the late 1700s, the building honors the French Quarter neighborhood’s roots. Slylvain doubles as a restaurant and bar with exquisite food and classy house cocktails. Their menu offers Southern bistro classics elevated to the style of refined cuisine. For example, I recommend getting the gulf fish ceviche if it’s available, it is absolutely delicious!

Sylvain New Orleans
Sylvain

Irene’s

Once the French Quarter’s underground secret, Irene’s Cuisine has become one of the area’s most sought-after dining spots. Located in the FQ, you can’t miss the crowds lining the street for tables, and the garlic and rosemary scent wafting out onto the street. Seriously, this might end up being your favorite fancy foodie spot in the FQ. That said, make a reservation a few weeks in advance, and be prepared to pay!

Irene's and Revolution Delicious Dinner
Irene’s

Pêsche

Inspired by food from South America, Spain, and the Gulf Coast, Chefs Donald Link, Stephen Stryjewski and Ryan Prewitt designed Pêche Seafood Grill. Because they are determined to work with local fishermen and farmers who harvest sustainably, Pêche serves simply prepared dishes cooked on an open hearth that taste exquisite. In addition, Pêche offers an extensive raw bar, local brews, and a excellent atmosphere curated by rustic digs and weathered wood. If seafood isn’t your thing, try the fried Brussels sprouts with chili vinegar.

Pesche New Orleans Best
Pêche

Shaya 

Next, if you enjoy Middle Eastern food, be sure to make a reservation at the award–winning modern Israeli spot Shaya. The food is truly exceptional. They also serve fresh pita that is made seconds before it is served in a stone oven alongside some of the best hummus… ever.

Shaya Top New Orleans
Shaya

Commander’s Palace 

Last on our list of the top 7 bars and restaurants in New Orleans: nestled in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893, known for its award-winning food and its lively atmosphere. With some of the best Creole cuisine in New Orleans and whimsical Louisiana charm, Commander’s Palace is a quintessential New Orleans upscale dining experience. Not to mention they offer 25 cent martinis during lunch with a full entree (limit 3 per person). Before visiting, be sure to review their dress code.

Commanders Palace Top Bar
Commander’s Palace

Prepare for tomorrow’s breakfast by reading our article on the top breakfast and brunch spots in NoLa.

What’s the Difference Between Heirloom and Stayloom?

Heirloom employees gather around the dinner table at their 2018 holiday party.

The question we are most often asked is: What’s the difference between Heirloom and Stayloom?

The simple answer to that question: Heirloom is our name, and Stayloom is our website. But why Heirloom? And where did the word Stayloom come from? 

Why Heirloom?

We chose the name Heirloom because our first homes were decorating using our founders’ family heirlooms. Like the special pieces of furniture they inherited, we wanted to choose a name that conveys a sense of timeless elegance, historical authenticity, and connection to your loved ones.

Additionally, unlike our competitors, we invest significant time and energy into our homes. We work with local suppliers to source furniture and decor that is comfortable, classy, and unique. Like a cherished heirloom, our designers root each home in the surrounding community’s cultural history. Our decor infuses each space with memory and meaning. 

Heirloom homes are like family heirlooms. This photo features two chairs next to one another in front of the windows. Lights frame each chair, and everything has been locally sourced. An antique globe sits between the two chairs on a small table.
At Heirloom, we go out of our way to make sure everything is locally sourced and matches the historical nature of each space.

Finally, family heirlooms are never mass-produced, and neither are Heirloom homes. We work hard to make sure each home is not just beautiful. Every space must be truly one-of-a-kind. This results in a luxury home that is at once artisanal, unpretentious, and unable to be replicated by the anonymous hotel industry.

What Does “Stayloom” Mean?

Long story short, Stayloom derives from “Stay” and “Heirloom.” While we occasionally refer to ourselves by this nickname, don’t get confused. We are Heirloom!

Heirloom's team relaxing at dinner. The table is set with flowers, a charcuterie board, and more. A woman laughs at the story another employee is telling.
The Heirloom team enjoys a team dinner.

What’s Next for Heirloom?

Heirloom is a young company, and the opportunities ahead of us are exciting. The top 3 things to expect from Heirloom in 2020 are:

  1. Market expansion: we are expanding into new cities in 2020. So follow our Instagram for to-the-minute updates about where we’re heading next!
  2. New talent: creative data scientists, content-obsessed marketers, and brilliant designers comprise our team. We are excited to continue to build out our staff to provide you with the best group travel experience possible.
  3. Cutting-edge design: Heirloom’s team of inspired interior decorators have big plans in store for our guests. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on.
Two Heirloom employees work at the counter in a kitchen in Brooklyn. While the scene looks somewhat hectic, with a plastic bag of food and chargers on the counter, the team is working peacefully, cranking it out.
Our team hard at work in Brooklyn.

Top 5 Things to Do in New Orleans

things to do in new orleans

Trying to figure out what to put on your to-do list while visiting New Orleans? We have compiled a list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans that your average tourist might overlook. After interviewing locals and tourists alike, we have come up with your ultimate guide to New Orleans.

Walk Around the French Quarter

We will start with arguably the most obvious recommendation first: visiting the French Quarter (FQ).

The FQ is the heart of the city. The oldest and most famous neighborhood in New Orleans, it features bars, restaurants, shops, music clubs and much more.

If you are into the party scene, go bar hopping on Bourbon street. Most bars host live bands every night of the week. If you have time, also visit the Erin Rose Bar to grab some cocktails and beers!

While it is known as a tourist hot spot, Cafe du Monde for beignets is a must. Even the locals say so! One trick to skipping the line is walking around and ordering from the back window. Take your beignets to go and explore the FQ with the powdered sugar delights in hand.

While in the FQ, make sure you visit Jackson Square. Named after President Andrew Jackson, Jackson Square features the St Louis Cathedral. Completed in 1794, it is now the gathering spot of street performers, fortune tellers, artists, and everything in between. The captivating scene in the square is unlike anything else.

Cafe Du Monde
Cafe Du Monde

Visit the Bywater

The Bywater is one of the hippest neighborhoods in town and was close to being #1 on our list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans. Murals can be found on most buildings, and musicians on every corner. If you are a interested in Nola’s street art scene, walk down St. Claude Avenue and view the murals that await you there. 

“Always eclectic, unusual and entertaining, the Bywater is a sight to see on your visit to New Orleans.”

On top of the artsy scene, Bywater has hip cafés and fantastic bars. If you are going to make a day out of the Bywater area, we recommend going to Elizabeth’s for breakfast or brunch.  The food is incredible, and the atmosphere is cozy with a fun local vibe. Pro tip: get the praline bacon and fried tomato benedict.

After breakfast, we recommend visiting The Music Box Village. It is a large-scale community arts project created by New Orleans Airlift, an artist-driven non-profit. Open Saturdays and Sundays, explore this interactive art site where imagination and collaboration come together in a village of musical houses. Smithsonian Magazine said the village was “Rigged by a team of musicians, artists, inventors, and tinkerers, to coax novel sounds from salvaged building materials- musical architecture.” Because hours can vary from what is listed on their website, call ahead to ask for more information.

The Music Box Village New Orleans
The Music Box Village

After hitting The Music Box Village, wrap up your day at Bacchanal, an Heirloom must-visit. It’s got a great backyard party vibe you don’t want to miss out on. Wine and dine on a charcuterie board while being serenaded by a local band playing original jazz. 

Bacchanal New Orleans
Bacchanal – every member of our team asked us to include this in our list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans!

Lake Pontchartrain

At 630 square miles, Lake Pontchartrain is one of the largest bodies of water in the US. It’s beloved by locals as a place to fish, sail, and swim, and its shores and waters shelter a huge variety of wildlife and marine life.

There are plenty of things to do in and around Lake Pontrachain including swamp tours where you can watch the alligators bask, or take a sunset sail out on the water if you want to enjoy something a little more romantic.

After a day on the water, visit the UNO Lakefront Arena where they hold concerts and other events throughout the year.  For dinner, we recommend The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar; it has amazing food right on the water.

Lake Pontrachain
Lake Pontrachain

Walk Down Magazine Street

Walking down Magazine Street is a must. Because there are plenty of places to shop, eat and drink, you can walk for miles on the same street and not get bored. Check out the Magazine Street Merchant’s Association’s website for a comprehensive list of restaurants, shops, galleries, and activities to plan your pit stops. 

Enjoy thrifting? Visit some acclaimed thrift shops such as Funky Monkey and Junks Above for some amazing finds. 

Thrift shopping in New Orleans
Funky Monkey

Visit City Park

The last place we’ve included in our list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans is City Park. This is much more than just a serene green space. There is always something to do, from visiting the New Orleans Art Museum to stopping at the Dueling Oaks, where men once settled disputes with pistols or swords.

Play some tennis games, a round of golf, or take a ride on a carousel from the 1900s that is complete with hand-carved horses and real horse-hair tails.

Free outdoor concerts happen all summer, and the Christmas holiday lights are a spectacular show you shouldn’t miss out on either.

City Park
City Park

In conclusion, besides our gorgeous Heirloom homes, this is just a taste of what’s waiting for you in New Orleans. Got a New Orleans activity recommendation you’d like to share with us? Contact us!

Design Interview Series: A Talk with Maggie Wraight

Boston lead designer Maggie Wraight on the job site

Welcome to the first installment of Local Eyes’ Design Interview Series. At Heirloom, we are intensely proud of our designers. The amazing work they do to make every home uniquely beautiful and reflective of the surrounding community’s culture and aesthetic is unparalleled.

In our first installment, we’re talking with Maggie Wraight, our Boston Design Manager. Read on to learn about her early encounters with interior design, passion for what she does, and what it’s like being a designer at Heirloom.

What is your name, where are you from, and what is your background in design?

Maggie Wraight: My name is Maggie Wraight, and I’m from Southborough, MA. While I do not have any formal education in interior design, I’ve been surrounded by art and design my entire life. I’ve always been extremely interested in anything that allowed me to be creative, especially hands-on activities. 

Boston designer Maggie Wraight at dinner

“I’m passionate about design because of the way it both challenges me and fulfills my creative desires.”

What types of hands-on activities are you referring to?

MW: When I was a freshman in high school, I began “shadowing” our family friend that owns her own interior design company. Over the years, what began as an informal experience developed into an amazing, educational internship that sparked my passion for interior design. I went on to college and double majored in Art & History. Which was the closest I could get to a design program given that it was liberal arts university!

Why are you passionate about design?

MW: I’m passionate about design because of the way it both challenges me and fulfills my creative desires. There are many more obstacles and “rules” of design than people may realize. yet the reward of the final product makes it worth it. Most of all, I love being a part of creating a space that others get to enjoy.

Which Heirloom projects are you most proud of?

MW: I’m most proud of the projects that challenged me the most. This home in Brooklyn was a challenge because we wanted to add contemporary design elements that enhance the historic nature of the home, rather than detract or overshadow it:

Queen Anne Victorian brownstone parlor with glam decor in our design interview

I traveled down to New Orleans for the set up of this home. While travel logistics made this home a challenge, the outcome was fantastic:

living room with two symmetrical sofas in between a table set with a bowl of oranges. design interview

I’m also very proud of this project in Boston, because it was an extremely difficult setup process, yet I think one of our best outcomes:

bed photographed head-on with orange duvet and white sheets. a poofy pillow is at the head of the bed. Two lamps line each side of the bed, and there is an abstract painting hung above it. the final example in our design interview.

What is the most exciting thing about being a designer at Heirloom?

MW: The most exciting thing about being a designer at Heirloom is the fact that while all of our homes fall under the Heirloom brand, the style varies a great deal from property to property. This means I get to have fun and try many different aesthetics that I may not otherwise be able to do in a traditional design role.

How do you continue to develop and grow as a designer?

MW: I continue to grow as a designer by observing, looking to others for inspiration, and always being open to constructive criticism. 

Anything else you’d like to say before we wrap up our design interview?

MW: No, just that I love working at Heirloom!