Best Lunch Restaurants in Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans French Quarter/CBD

"You know an Ace Hotel isn’t going to mess around when it comes to dining, and that’s surely the case with Josephine Estelle’s entry into the NOLA dining scene. The pasta list alone is something of a marvel, with entries ranging from a killer bucatini amatriciana and short rib fusilli with mushroom and taleggio cheese, to gemelli with duck confit. The simple canestri cacio e pepe will make you weep for your gluten-free friends."

"600 Carondelet St | Warehouse District | josephineestelle.com. Italian culture has always been consistent when it comes to one thing in particular: the love that they have for their families. Think about every movie you’ve ever seen that features a big Italian family and what the common tropes you saw across each one were, and what do you see?"

"Ace Hotel, 600 Carondelet St., (504) 930-3070; www.josephineestelle.com. Fried Brussels sprouts salad includes lima beans, golden raisins and yogurt. Reservations accepted."

"Uptown/CBDBoth locations of this breakfast/lunch/coffee shop/restaurant divide their menus into “Good Cat” and “Bad Cat.” Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items are on the “Good Cat” menu, but definitely keep reading down the page for impossibly delicious vegan queso and Buffalo cauliflower in the small plates menu. Breakfast is served all day and if you’re in the mood for a classic lunch, try the vegan grilled cheese with gazpacho."

"This Uptown-based sit down cafe offers the best of both worlds with its good and bad cat menus. While both equally delicious and freshly prepared, the good cat menu offers full flavor with no regret. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free menu items such as pancakes, tofu scrambles, black bean sausage, ranchero and much more."

"Bearcat Cafe is a full service cafe located in Uptown New Orleans. They put a strong emphasis on “inclusion,” which particularly extends to their menu. On this menu you can find a pancake perfect for anyone… such as Gluten free, Vegan and Paleo friendly pancakes!"

"Another local favorite, Satsuma is a hipster-friendly coffeehouse that’s been serving up cold-pressed organic juices, breakfasts, and lunches since 2009. Inspired by a philosophy of making “great food with fresh ingredients in a community-based environment,” this joint offers visitors a set menu, as well one-day special options, all made from scratch. Our advice: If you walk into Satsuma and it has a specialty pancake featured, definitely order it!"

"Green is beautiful at Satsuma, a fetching dining spot with locations on Maple Street Uptown and on Dauphine Street in the Bywater. Yard eggs scrambled with basil pesto and shaved Nueske's ham, free trade coffee and freshly made juices concocted in their industrial juicer behind the bar are just a few of the daily specials. Vegans are in heaven here, thanks to dishes like the tofu scramble and black bean burger with avocado mash."

"First opened in 2009, the owners of Satsuma strive to serve healthy, local, organic food to their community. The menu eschews additives, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup in favour of fresh, whole foods. First opened in the Bywater neighbourhood, Satsuma now also has a location in Uptown New Orleans."

"Ten years old and going strong, Magazine Street's quirky, always-slammed early morning to lunch time diner, is known for their Slammer options, a hangover-helper made with hashbrowns and scrambles of various sort (eggs, chili, tofu, what have you). There is also a potato latke/crawfish etouffee dish called the Jewish Coonass, not PC, but a fan favorite."

"Another Broken Egg Café’s meals are made with New Orleans’ finest ingredients, and the dishes are fun and creative. The restaurant offers American cuisine with modern twists on classic favorites and new creations. The restaurant provides American breakfast, brunch, and burgers."

"This chain has two New Orleans locations, and the menu offers a wide variety of options from omelettes to benedicts. The spot also offers a kids menu and vegetarian dishes. Prices top out at around $12."

"Category: American, Breakfast, Delivery, Po-Boys, and Seafood. Mena’s Palace Restaurant has been serving New Orleans fare for over sixty years. Located in the historic French Quarter, stop by for breakfast or lunch to experience authentic Cajun cuisine Read more..."

"No shortage of Uptown huff has surrounded this longtime Magazine street bakery since Donald Link and partner Stephen Stryjewski took over from the previous (French) owners in 2015. What is undeniable: La Boulangerie’s impressive selection of hearty breads, among them the splurge-worthy olive fougasse, the blue cheese, and rosemary with sea salt loaves. Sandwiches served all day, including Boulangerie’s uptake on the egg McMuffin."

"This French bakery and café from Link Restaurant Group is routinely packed with folks from the neighborhood and beyond seeking flaky croissants, crusty loaves, savory quiche and house made ice creams. Last fall, La Boulangerie unveiled a charming rear patio that allows customers to enjoy a cappuccino – and some of the city’s best avocado toast – away from the indoor crowd. 4600 Magazine St., 269-3777, Laboulangerienola.com"

"La Boulangerie is hybrid bakery/cafe located on Magazine Street in New Orleans. The kitchen specializes in traditional French pastries and breads that are on display at the counter. For breakfast, coffee and a chocolate filled croissant can make a great start to a day in the Garden District."

"Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 79A, Metairie, (504) 833-7906; www.smashburger.com. A barbecue, bacon and cheddar burger is topped with fried onions on an egg bun."

"In the 1980s, Bourbon Street reached a saturation point with tourists and unruly behavior. So, to steer clear from the madness, locals made Frenchmen Street in the Marigny their designated “Bourbon Street.”. Chockfull of live jazz bars, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and even an outdoor market where local artists sell hip, one-of-a-kind crafts, Frenchmen Street is more laid back than Bourbon—but at only three blocks long (meaning a heavier concentration of partiers) it’s still considerably wild."

"Experience Live Jazz on Frenchmen Street End your night on Frenchmen Street, one of the best spots to hang out in New Orleans. Almost every local we talked to told us to head over to Frenchmen for tons of options for live jazz music every night. We were even told by a local that Frenchmen was what Bourbon Street used to be like before it became the big neon party destination it is now for tourists."

"Frenchmen Street is one of the greatest New Orleans attractions. The most famous section of this street consists of three short blocks that pack in a lot of action of the musical variety. Who doesn't enjoy live music while out to eat or out for the evening?"

"If you haven’t had the pleasure of dropping a hand into a big paper bag filled with still-warm, sweet glazed buttermilk drops, then you need to rethink your priorities. They’ve got some other traditional donuts, too, but the buttermilk drop is a classic New Orleans treat, and the Buttermilk Drop Bakery is the quintessential place to score a few. Chelsea Brasted is a freelance writer in her hometown of New Orleans, where she formerly worked for The Times-Picayune as an arts and entertainment reporter and city columnist."

"Buttermilk Drop Bakery is famous for its king cakes, buttermilk drops, and melt-in-your-mouth donuts. Every year Buttermilk Drop celebrates National Donut Day with a special: buy a dozen glazed donuts and get a second dozen free!. You'll need to invite over a few of your fully vaccinated friends to help you finish 24 donuts."

"Donuts, quick breads, and the eponymous buttermilk drop can be found at this local favorite. What is a buttermilk drop?. Well, it’s kind of like a donut hole, but more substantial, made with buttermilk, coated in cinnamon sugar, and (proudly) invented in New Orleans."

"Head to the back of the market to the steam table for unforgettable carne asada, yellow rice, roasted pork loin, crisp fried fish, grilled chicken, and chicken mole. Nothing is over $10. Whip up some sangria and have a party."

"This Mid-City po'boy purveyor has been a favorite for decades, featuring affordable drinks and some of the best po'boys around town. Proudly local and full of characters, the eatery was made extra-famous by a visit from then President Obama, and has been featured on a variety of TV shows. While waiting for your sandwich, peruse the memorabilia and pictures that adorn the walls."

"The Baskin-Robbins of local sandwich makers, this family-run watering hole in Mid-City offers 20 or so flavors of po' boys. “Surf and turf” packs gravy-splashed shrimp and roast beef in a sturdy roll, while “Caprese” is mindful of customers who don’t eat meat. A covered patio in back makes room for everyone, pets included."

"Parkway Bakery & Tavern, a spot to score sandwiches, seafood and desserts in Bayou St. John, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 1,731 Yelp reviews. Head over to 538 Hagan Ave. to see for yourself."

"The iconic gate entrance to City Park is directly across from the famous Ralph’s on the Park. City Park, the largest park in New Orleans, contains 1,300-acres of land and is home to live oaks that are over 800 years old. The Carousel Gardens, a fun filled amusement park for kids and adults, contains a 100-year-old Carousel (flying horses as they are called by New Orleanians)."

"Live oaks, Spanish moss and lazy bayous frame this masterpiece of urban planning. Three miles long and 1 mile wide, dotted with gardens, waterways and bridges and home to a captivating art museum, City Park is bigger than Central Park in NYC and it's New Orleans’ prettiest green space."

"The Courturie Forest is another gem you can experience in City Park. Located not far from Scout Island, the trails through this park take you away from the manicured lawns and giant oak trees into a much more wild area along a waterway that is full of birds and turtles. Also located in the Couturie Forest is Laborde Mountain."

"Outside of New Orleans East, Couturie is the wildest natural space in the city. A series of paths wind through acres of Louisiana hardwood forest and lead to the highest point in the city: Laborde Mountain, towering at 43 feet over the surrounding park. When to go to New Orleans"

"If you need to take a break in between exploring some of the historic architecture in Algiers Point, this unique community-centered playground is perfect for kids between two to five years old. A post shared by Sarah Kelly Adams (@iwearmyheartonmyback) on Nov 9, 2016 at 8:17am PST"