Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Bayou Gauche

"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)."

"Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm."

"You can’t miss the grand turquoise Victorian restaurant Commander’s Palace when you’re strolling through the Garden District and it shouldn’t be skipped!. Enjoy a fine Creole dining experience that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time."

"Sure, it’s the most touristy spot in the city, but no list of beautiful Big Easy buildings can be complete without its most recognizable building. Overlooking Jackson Square sits the St. Louis Cathedral, one of the oldest continually operating cathedrals in the United States. After the original structure was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, multiple rebuilds resulted in the current—and much larger—structure designed by Louisiana architect Jacques de Pouillyin 1850."

"This is where everyone in New Orleans (Catholic, Protestant or n/a) wants to be married and buried. The stately church reigns over Jackson Square with its three soaring spires and classically proportioned white façade. This building dates from 1849, but a church has been in this spot since 1724."

"Originally built in 1727, the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis is flanked by the historic Cabildo on one side and the Presbytère on the other. After the great fire of 1794, the original structure was rebuilt. The current structure was finished in 1850 and overlooks Jackson Square."

"Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is surrounded by gorgeous historic buildings, like the St. Louis Cathedral and Pontalba apartments. Kids love the spot for its street performers, people-watching, and delicious beignets at nearby Cafe du Monde. A post shared by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on May 13, 2018 at 3:45pm PDT"

"A must-see on most visitors’ New Orleans itineraries, and deservedly so. The building itself, set back in City Park, is imposing and grand with its alabaster walls and Greco-Roman columns. There's also a beautiful five-acre sculpture garden, with artwork beneath magnolias and Spanish moss-laden live oaks."

"The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a Smithsonian affiliate with a permanent collection of more than 4,000 different pieces of art. The museum celebrates the culture of New Orleans and the south as a whole. There are beautiful photography collections on display which are a favorite."

"Buy a bottle of something red or white from one of the clerks in the Bywater wine shop. Then stroll out back to what amounts to a block party beneath a canopy of trees strung with lights and live music to accompany the sipping."

"American , French ,  Wine Bar"

"A post shared by John Hamilton | DJ JD (@djjd_kloud9entertainmentllc) on Feb 25, 2019 at 10:26pm PST. There is a famous saying that ‘there is no party like the party in USA.’ The person who said that must have once visited New Orleans, the person attended a soiree which held in the Masquerade Nightclub. The best of music meets the best of hip and bubbling crowd, and even a visitor cannot deny that this night club is the place to be."

"In the heart of Harrah’s New Orleans is Masquerade, a hot gathering spot with a driving beat you don’t want to miss. Voted # 27 in Nightclub & Bar Magazine’s Top 100 Nightclubs, Masquerade is the place to be. Join your friends here for a drink at Masquerade’s Ice bar."

"The club features a 42 foot media tower which is surrounded by a ring of digital fire and puts on one of the most sophisticated light shows in the country. The base of the tower includes a 32-foot Ice Bar which guarantees that[Learn more]"

"Courtyard’s doubled its interior space, gussied up the courtyard, and put a damn wine on tap, but don’t worry. It’s still the same laid back dog-friendly joint with plenty of hoppy (and non-hoppy) beers brewed in house as well as guest taps from other breweries. Scott Wood’s brewery has gotten slightly bigger and exponentially better over the past 4 years, and that trend will almost certainly continue."

"When most people think of New Orleans bars, they picture people slamming down sugary Hurricane drinks and mass-produced beers. While there’s certainly plenty of that going on, the city is also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene. One of the best bars in New Orleans to get your hop fix is Courtyard Brewery."

"Open for just under a year, The Courtyard Brewery has already changed the New Orleans beer game. It provides a very different—but still excellent—craft beer experience from the nearby Avenue Pub. Co-founder Scott Wood brews and sells his own beers amongst a variety of hand-picked guest taps."

"Dine out in a Creole cottage turned restaurant with candlelit brick walls and an intimate dining room. Enjoy fun spins on classics like crab mac ‘n’ cheese with thyme and cornbread crumbs, blue cheese wedge with lardons and cilantro dressing, and a charred beef carpaccio with tamari and ginger. 4729 Magazine St., (504) 894.8881"

"Dessert is central at this Uptown Creole restaurant, still the case since the departure of chef Matt Farmer. The flourless chocolate cake with macerated berries and the orange dream tart are standouts."

"4729 Magazine St., (504) 894-8881; www.apollinerestaurant.com. Eggs Apolline features crawfish tails, andouille, poached eggs and hollandaise over a biscuit. Limited delivery available."

"1995 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, (504) 348-2008; 5145 Gen. De Gaulle Drive, (504) 393-1107; www.olivebranchcafe.com. Breaded ravioli are served with crawfish sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"Located in the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant French Quarter, the French Market is a grand bazaar that serves as much as a cultural meeting place as it does a market space. In addition to hosting stall after stall of vendors hawking handmade goods and artisanal foods, the market doubles as a venue for a daily flea market and a twice-weekly farmers market. The French Market boasts the superlative as the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the United States, making it a part of living Louisiana history.More"

"The French Market is a six-block-long bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold as many as 220 vendors on a busy day. You can shop for local art, t-shirts and hats and all things Mardi Gras while enjoying New Orleans street music and the aroma of fresh gumbo and jambalaya from the food stalls. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"The French Market is a bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold up over 220 vendors on a given day. You can shop for paintings, clothing and specialty items while enjoying the famous New Orleans street music and smells of fresh gumbo and jambalaya. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"Explore locally made jewelry, crafts, gifts and artwork under a twinkling canopy of lights as you walk hand-in-hand with your honey at the Frenchmen Art Market. Located at 619 Frenchmen Street, this charming outdoor craft fair opens only at night and is nestled between some of the most popular nightclubs in the area. After you’re done shopping, pop over to The Spotted Cat Music Club for live jazz music in an intimate setting."

"Featuring handmade goods and artwork made entirely by local artists. Browse art, find gifts and meet local artisans. Take a break from the clubs to hangout in one of the outdoor living rooms and take in the ambience of the market and the fun of Frenchmen Street!"

"Whether you want a chocolate cake for a special occasion or to satisfy a sweet tooth, Heavenly Sweets will not disappoint. Their decadent chocolate cake is a must-try the next time you’re looking for a special treat."

"This bakery started out on Laurel St Uptown, but moved to S. Broad St. Once you get past that confusion, get down to business with house-made bagels and a schmear, or as part of a breakfast sandwich. Laurel’s sandwiches are made with house-baked bread, and sweets like turnovers, coffee cake, muffins, and croissants are not to be missed."

"With 24-hour notice, Laurel Street Bakery can whip up a few chocolate cake options. All cakes are nine-inch round, two layer cakes. Choose from devil’s food, chocolate covered strawberry, chocolate raspberry, or chocolate mousse cake."

"Grilled salmon nicoise salad includes tomato, hard-boiled egg, roasted red potatoes, green beans, shaved red onion, olives and mixed greens in apple cider vinaigrette with ciabatta toast."

"Esplanade Ave., Metairie, (504) 888-5533; www.mredsrestaurants.com/austins. Filet Austin features two 4-ounce beef medallions, caramelized onions, grilled asparagus and creamed spinach. Reservations recommended."

"Inside a casual, restored 1794 cottage you’ll find the Gumbo Shop, an authentic, locals-approved restaurant serving traditional and contemporary Creole staples. Located in the French Quarter, this casual eatery that opens daily at 11 a.m. serves the traditional jambalaya plate filled with rice, smoked sausage, shrimp, and chicken in a seasoned sauce, as well as the Creole Combination Platter, a large dish of shrimp Creole, jambalaya, and red beans and rice."

"But as the restaurant’s name suggests they’re very good at gumbo and it’s one of the few places in the city where you can often find a veggie version of it. The vegetarian/vegan option changes daily so I’d recommend calling them before you visit. I had the rice and beans which didn’t sound too intriguing but according to my friend it was almost better than her seafood gumbo."