New Orleans is known for its outstanding Creole cuisine. From shrimp po-boys to seafood gumbo, New Orleans' food is like no other. With all the delicious Creole favorites that New Orleans has to offer, sometimes a true gem gets left behind: jambalaya.
This rice-based dish blends all kinds of Creole spices, meats, and seafood to create a flavor-filled meal. Without further ado, let's dive into this list of the 10 best places for mouthwatering jambalaya.
Top 10 Jambalaya Spots in New Orleans
1. Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop
2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-2022, gumbostop.com
Known for its award-winning gumbo, Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop is home to many Creole favorites. Some of the restaurants other dishes include fried chicken, shrimp Creole, jambalaya, and so much more.
Their jambalaya is made with chicken and smoked sausage and served with a side of your choice for $11.99. Some of the side options include red beans, cheesy mac, mustard greens, and even more jambalaya.
2. Lil' Dizzy's
1500 Esplanade Ave., (504) 766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net
Lil' Dizzy's is located in a very old and prominent African American neighborhood in New Orleans: Tremé. Tremé is filled with so much culture and great food, especially Lil' Dizzy's Creole cuisine.
Lil' Dizzy's offers daily specials Monday through Saturday. Make sure to head over on Wednesdays to try out their jambalaya special. Their jambalaya is served with two pieces of fried chicken for $15.25.
3. Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar & Fish House
Multiple Locations, mredsrestaurants.com/oyster-bar
With locations all across New Orleans and Metairie, Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar & Fish House serves up all kinds of Creole favorites. Although they specialize in oysters, their large menu offers seafood platters, gumbo, red beans and rice, and much more.
Every location's menu varies. Check out all the variations they have of jambalaya, including the Cajun Jambalaya and Pasta Jambalaya.
4. Buffa's Bar & Restaurant
1001 Esplanade Ave., (504) 949-0038, buffasbar.com
Open seven days a week, Buffa's Bar and Restaurant has been around since 1939. This upbeat bar and restaurant has live music shows and performances practically everyday.
Stop by to listen to live music and grab a bite to eat. Ever heard of Bratwurst Jambalaya? Check out their Bratwurst Jambalaya, which is made with beer-soaked Johnsonville Brats and onions. This jambalaya comes in a cup for $9.50 or a bowl for $13.50.
5. Evangeline
329 Decatur St., (504) 373-4852, evangelineneworleans.com
Head to the French Quarter and grab a seat at Evangeline, the perfect place to try some Cajun must-haves. If you are looking to try some unique Cajun foods like boudin, alligator Creole, or fried green tomatoes, this is where you need to go.
Of course, you can't go there and not get their Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya. With Louisiana smoked sausage, chicken, holy trinity seasoning (onions, celery, and peppers, if you are wondering), and a home-made stock, this jambalaya is a must.
6. Mother's Restaurant
401 Poydras St., (504) 532-9656, mothersrestaurant.net
Since its establishment in 1938, Mother's Restaurant serves breakfast all day, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Their menu consists of traditional New Orleans-style foods like po-boys, red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, and their famous Jerry's Jambalaya.
Jerry's Jambalaya is an award-winning dish filled with chicken and sausage. Since we are in the middle of the Lenten season (for those who partake in Lent), they have a special shrimp jambalaya.
7. Desire Oyster Bar
300 Bourbon St., (504) 553-2281, sonesta.com
Located inside The Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street, this oyster bar serves gumbo, po-boys, oysters, fried shrimp and catfish plates, and jambalaya.
Their bowl of jambalaya is $18 and served the traditional way with Cajun spices, chicken, and sausage. Book a stay at The Royal Sonesta to try their jambalaya or, if you are a local, just make your way down Bourbon Street and enjoy Desire Oyster Bar.
8. The Original Pierre Maspero's
440 Chartres St., (504) 524-8990, originalpierremasperos.com
Nestled inside a historic building in the French Quarter, The Original Pierre Maspero's has been around and serving Cajun food since 1788. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a Creole flare.
Their Blackened Chicken Jambalaya comes with a heaping of jambalaya and sausage with large pieces of blackened chicken on top. The blackened chicken can also be substituted with blacked Gulf shrimp if that's more your style.
9. Short Stop Poboys
119 Transcontinental Dr., (504) 885-4572, shortstoppoboysno.com
Although Short Stop Poboys has every kind of po-boy you can imagine, they sell much more than that. Their jambalaya is a little different than other restaurants that have a more tomato-based jambalaya.
With ground pork and smoked sausage, their jambalaya tastes similar to dirty rice. They serve a small (six oz.) for $2.90, medium (12 oz.) for $5.00, and a large (16 oz.) for $6.75.
10. New Orleans Creole Cookery
508 Toulouse St., (504) 524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com
Spring in New Orleans is filled with warm weather and sunny skies, which means it's the perfect time to sit outside, grab a bite of food, and relax. Head to New Orleans Creole Cookery to eat delicious food and listen to Jazz music while sitting outside in their courtyard patio. Their menu literally has every Creole food imaginable, including two different types of jambalaya.
Of course they serve a traditional jambalaya with chicken and sausage, but they also serve a vegetarian jambalaya or pasta. It can be hard to find vegetarian dishes in New Orleans, especially a jambalaya. Luckily, their Vegetarian Jambalaya or Pasta is served with vegetables and Cajun spices, and you have the option to chose rice or pasta.
Try More Creole Foods in NOLA
Jambalaya isn't the only Creole dish that you need to try. There are so many more restaurants around New Orleans that serve lots of Creole, Cajun, and NOLA favorites, like po-boys, of course. It wouldn't be New Orleans without a good oyster po-boy or roast beef po-boy
