Friends! This time it is I who need your travel advice.
Next month, I'm packing up my tiny car and heading down to Lafayette, Louisiana for four weeks of fun with an old friend from college. She's an actual, proper Cajan and a writer like me, so I'm imaging all sorts of movie-caliber hijinks when we attend Mardi Gras and drink really dark coffee and write on her porch. Overlooking the bayou. (Okay, that last part is a lie and won't actually be happening.)
I've been to Lafayette before and loved the sweet bejesus out of it, so I can't wait to get back and eat my weight in hush puppies and cheesy grits.
Next month, I'm packing up my tiny car and heading down to Lafayette, Louisiana for four weeks of fun with an old friend from college. She's an actual, proper Cajan and a writer like me, so I'm imaging all sorts of movie-caliber hijinks when we attend Mardi Gras and drink really dark coffee and write on her porch. Overlooking the bayou. (Okay, that last part is a lie and won't actually be happening.)
I've been to Lafayette before and loved the sweet bejesus out of it, so I can't wait to get back and eat my weight in hush puppies and cheesy grits.
So my question for you: what are the can't-miss places/experiences/non-meat foods of Louisiana? Help a girl out!
27 comments:
Oh man!! My best friend used to live in New Orleans, and I visited her several times there and loved it more and more. The Mardi Gras celebrations are amazing - you don't have to flash for beads anymore! I ended up with a suitcase full of them. I don't remember any names of places I've been, sadly. If you can, try to avoid Bourbon street because it's highly overpriced for tourists. Explore the French Quarter, though! It's amazing, especially at night with celebrations!
Well, 1, me, when in New Orleans ;)
I'd be sure to save time for fun things in New Orleans-- go visit Trashy Diva & Fifi Mahony's and oogle beautiful things. Plan to eat a lot of really good food (I can share my favs if you want them!). And just have fun-- but yeah, don't flash.
If you need cheap drinks in the quarter, head on to Lower Decatur (Lower meaning closer to Esplanade, not Canal!).
Are you going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras? Cafe Du Monde! Get a Beignet!
go to magnolia cafe in new orleans. preferably when hungover. order the blackened catfish or gumbo and one or three of their bloody marys. it's the best bloody mary around. welcome to the dirty South, honey!
Great photos. Looks like you're in for a really good time. I've never been so can't help you out, but New Orleans is high on my wish list of places to go. Good for you!
Loulou
I agree with Jess--don't miss out on Cafe Du Monde! Beignets are SO delicious!
I've been to New Orleans three times for Mardi Gras and have discovered awesome new place each time, so I can only imagine what you will be able to find with more time!
Check out the Napoleon House on Chartres Street in the French Quarter. They have a beautiful open court yard and a delicious drink called Pimm's Cup.
If you haven't tried authentic jambalaya, definitely do. Most are served with shrimp or kielbasa, though, so I don't know if you'll be able to find any without meat.
Have a great time!
I was a vegetarian when I was in Nola.... it was hard because everything had seafood in it - but you can always find a veggie option on most menus.
You have to go to Commander's Palace and eat their bread pudding. It is legendary. srsly. I have thought about it -ever since - for 13 years.
K Paul's has the best creme brulee I've ever eaten. It had a praline crust.
I don't know much about Lafayette, but if you're going to New Orleans...
*Parkway Bakery & Tavern - No matter what you order, split the fries! Not sure if they have a veggie option, though.
*Fleurty Girl & Storyville tees - every time I'm there, I pick up a few t-shirts from both places. So soft, great designs, and they're super friendly. Just wander up and down Magazine Street, and you'll find lots of fun stores.
*Sucre for dessert. Hell yeah. Teeny tiny macaroons, gelato, darn near everything you want & it's all pretty!
*Slim Goodies diner for breakfast - or really any meal. They stayed open all through the storm. Lots of vegetarian options, if I remember right. Cash only, but worth it.
Oh, and drink lots of Abita and Lazy Magnolia beer for me, please. I'm sad that I can't get much of it in VA.
Welcome to our great state! In Lafayette you should check out the Blue Dog Cafe. (http://www.bluedogcafe.com/)
It's based on famous Louisiana painter George Rodrigue's Blue Dog paintings. Brunch is excellent and I'm sure you can find some vegetarian options.
In NOLA - Slim Goodies on Magazine Street is to die for.
Have a fantastic time!
For New Orleans: Anywhere on Magazine Street. To Eat: Camilla Grill and Mother's Restaurant.
Now when I'm in Lafayette I like to go shopping in the Oil Center, which is a little expensive, but it's fun to look around. If you can get yourself to Abbeville, LA then you should eat at Black's Seafood Restaurant. If you can, go to Avery Island, where you can smell the Tabasco from the highway. If you can go up north, check out Nachitoches and eat at Lazyone's famous for their meat pies. The town was also where Steel Magnolias was filmed.
Ginny, is Black's where they do that paper-thin fried catfish? If it is, I completely cosign that recommendation. Mmmm...
I think so. My mom likes it for their oysters. She told me how she and my dad went to the restaurant when I was a baby. I was fussy and one of the workers took me back to the kitchen so that mom and dad could eat their dinner in peace. :)
Beignets and cafe au lait. It is quite possible that there is no better breakfast (or late night snack) in the world.
Another Louisiana tradition: a sazerac cocktail (strong, but a local favorite).
Laissez les bon temps rouller!
Thanks, Ginny! I think I was thinking of Middendorf's in Akers: http://middendorfsrestaurant.com/. I've only been there once (it's a decent drive out of New Orleans), but it was ah-ma-zing. I'll add that to my list of "need to go to there" places :)
I just wrote a post on this, too, for cheap things to do in New Orleans...and affordable places to eat. Take the streetcar and ferry! http://shereentravelscheap.blogspot.com/2012/01/let-good-times-roll-12511.html
Have fun :)
I'm from Michigan and I just moved to Shreveport in May. I've only been to Lafayette once but they have the best Cajun Daiquiri place. Make sure you sip them though, they're stroooong!!
First, welcome in advance! I'm a genuine Cajun myself (I grew up in Houma and live in Baton Rouge), and I'm so thrilled that you're coming to experience Louisiana at the best time of year!
Must-dos - Go on a Swamp Tour - the further south the better. (Preferably in Houma, my humble hometown.)
Eat a King Cake - The best ones are from Cannata's grocery store in Morgan City (about an hour from Laffy). Some NOLA folks may disagree with me, but I think they are the best in the state.
Drink plenty Community Coffee - particularly coffee with chicory.
Go to the Audubon Zoo in NOLA (and get a snowball and some taffy).
Walk along the Mississippi River levee in the French Quarter (preferably on a non-parade day).
Visit the French Market in the Quarter in NOLA.
Enjoy a cocktail at Pat O's in NOLA (preferably on a non-parade day in the afternoon).
Restaurants - Mother's in New Orleans for breakfast (go EARLY because they stay packed).
Chelsea's in Baton Rouge - PLENTY of veggie options (only about an hour from Laffy) and great bands and beer.
And of course, enjoy the heck out of Mardi Gras! Dance in the street to a brass band, make friends with complete strangers, and soak in the beautiful Louisiana sunshine!
I hope you have a blast! :)
Jen - Such great suggestions! I just finished living in New Orleans for a few months, and I miss the heck out of it.
I love the Audubon Zoo, and the Audubon Park is a lovely place to walk around as well. The French Market is a must, as is getting a hurricane at Pat O's. Someone else suggested the Napoleon House, and I had a great time dining there.
I have to say, as someone who was unfamiliar with the area, I did the tourist-y thing and took a swamp, cemetery, and haunted french quarter tour (around Halloween) while I was there. I loved all three of them, and I definitely learned a ton about the city and the culture. I also did a plantation tour, and it was wonderful and eye-opening at the same time.
Enjoy the South! Now that I'm all cold back in Wisconsin again, I'm totally envious of your trip, Sarah!
Although I would rather recommend a good book than a television show, I recommend you watch True Blood. It is full of Louisiana shenanigans, and there is a hilarious character named Lafayette. Also, vampires. Which is a trend I'm not a huge fan of.
I know a couple of people already mentioned it, but yes! You absolutely HAVE to visit Cafe du Monde! It is so amazing. Definitely my favorite stop in New Orleans.
Duuuude! I've been wanting to go there so bad. :/ one of these days... One of these days...
The Blue Dog Cafe!! My boyfriend had the best birthday meal ever when we stumbled across this place (free round of dessert and tasty cocktails were provided.)http://www.bluedogcafe.com/
A friend of mine wrote a guest blog for me on vegan eats in the big easy. Check it out:
http://hungryvegantraveler.blogspot.com/2011/04/big-vegan-easy.html
Drive-thru daiquiris and discount fireworks...preferably in the same night. So classically Louisiana and not the typical touristy thing.
Also, I've noticed most people are making New Orleans recommendations. If you do go to New Orleans, a good stop along the way is Ponchatoula for awesome antique stores/thrifting and the best strawberries you've ever had in the United States.
I would also recommend eating Zapps potato chips and as much Blue Bell ice cream as you can. (I think the best flavors of Blue Bell are the vanilla and pecan praline.) Both will be available in any grocery store throughout the state.
Another adventure would be to go to a shooting range. Afterall, Louisiana is "Sportsman's Paradise."
Cake Cafe is the holy mother of crab omelets and outdoor fresh-air-catchin', people-watchin' goodness.
ALSO, Mimi's is a lovely watering hole with live old-timey music, tasty nibbles and the perfect balance of strong/tasty drinks!
Both blocks away from each other in the Marigny
A friend sent me a link to your blog since I'm from Lafayette (now living in NC). Blue Dog is great--my sister is the manager. Save room for the bread pudding! Dean-o's Pizza is great--a tradition in Lafayette. Pimon Thai or Tsunami for non-Cajun. My sister's husband is a cook at ZEA, which I hear is great!If you've already experienced Lafayette's Mardi Gras and you want something different, go to a country Mardi Gras celebration in Mamou or somewhere. Have a great time!
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