The Fair Grounds in New Orleans isn't just known for the Jazz Fest and its blood pumping races—it's also a haven for food and drink enthusiasts. With a variety of local eateries and bars, visitors can indulge in everything from authentic po-boys and gumbo to fresh seafood and icy cocktails.
Whether you're enjoying a casual snack between activities or sitting down for a leisurely meal, the area around the Fair Grounds serves up a taste of New Orleans' vibrant culinary scene, making it an essential stop for anyone looking to savor the flavors of the city. These spots are just the places to visit with Jazz Fest just around the corner, as well.
1. Toast
1845 Gentilly Blvd., 504-351-3664
toastneworleans.com
If you want to enjoy a cozy brunch spot with a delicious blend of French comfort food and filling breakfast sweets, then Toast might be the perfect spot you're after. Their menu offers a wide range of breakfast options that everyone can enjoy. From their omelettes to waffles to crepes and their style of aebelskivers, this welcoming brunch spot hits the spot.
Perfect for family outings or kicking back with friends, their portions are generous and the dining area offers an inviting atmosphere and ample space for many guests. To get the most out of your trip, have a taste of their fried chicken & waffles with maple syrup & cayenne butter or their Toast Burger, a brisket burger with roasted tomato, dijonnaise, and fries. Of course, you have to end off the experience with their sweet and fluffy aebelskivers with flavors such as jam, caramel, Nutella, and lemon curd.
2. 1000 Figs
3141 Ponce De Leon St., 504-301-0848
1000figs.com
If your stomach's craving for Mediterranean cuisine, then 1000 Figs might be the perfect match for your tastes. Starting off as an offshoot of the Fat Falafel truck, this restaurant aims to give all its patrons the best of Mediterranean cuisine with traditional staples such as falafel, olives, tzatziki, and hummus filled to brim with flavor to give you and your party the best dining experience.
With a humble yet polished interior along with comfortable outdoor seating, 1000 Figs' atmosphere is teeming with positive energy no matter where you're seated while you enjoy your meal. With decadent options such as their chicken or falafel platters, their falafel and vegan falafel feasts or their falafel and chicken sandwiches, all with a wide array of wines that pair exquisitely with the dishes, everyone at the table can enjoy themselves to the fullest.
3. Liuzza's By The Track
1518 N. Lopez St., 504-218-7888
liuzzasbtt.com
If you're heading to the track, make a detour for the charming Liuzza's By The Track for their delicious cuisine and beverages before or after the races. This family-owned restaurant has been in New Orleans since 1996, with recipes passed down the generations to give every guest an authentic taste of New Orleans staples such as po-boys, gumbo, seafood, and so much more.
Their BBQ shrimp po-boy is their perfectly seasoned and delectable signature dish that combines a hearty portion of fresh shrimp sautéed in a New Orleans-style BBQ sauce and stuffed into a French bread pistolette. Of course, that doesn't mean none of their other dishes are worth mentioning, such as their savory Creole gumbo, their stellar garlic oyster po-boy, their excellent Caesar salad, or their lip-smacking catfish plate with their own unique flavors to satisfy your taste buds. So if you want to go off the beaten path and enjoy some phenomenal New Orleans cuisine, then head over to Liuzza's By The Track, where you can enjoy yourself in a cozy neighborhood spot.
4. Lola's
3312 Esplanade Ave., 504-448-6946
lolasneworleans.com
Step into a vibrant restaurant that aims to fuse the bold and invigorating flavors of local Creole cuisine with the rich and lively traditions of Spanish cuisine at Lola's. This quaint and lively establishment offers traditional Spanish dishes such as ceviche and a diverse assortment of their signature paella dishes with meat, vegetarian, and seafood options or a mixture of all those flavors.
With a lovely patio ambiance decorated with string lights and surrounded by the fragrant kitchen aromas, the energy of this restaurant is infectious. With some excellent beverages such as their Sangria, all of Lola's flavors will blend together beautifully on your tongue.
5. Santa Fe
3201 Esplanade Ave., 504-948-0077
santafenola.com
They say that variety is the spice of life, and Santa Fe decided to add a lot of spice to their dishes. Down on Esplanade Avenue, this charming family spot is ready to serve some modern Mexican cuisine with staples such as their wide variety of tacos, tamales, nachos served alongside New Orleans seafood and some Santa Fe originals, as well.
With seafood dishes such as their garlic shrimp, seafood pasta, and their pescado fresco, the variety of flavors can't be beat, and that's not even mentioning their Santa Fe originals such as their Santa Fe Hot Wings, the Santa Fe Seafood Combo, or their Santa Fe Burger. So if you need a restaurant for the whole family that serves Mexican cuisine bursting with taste, then Santa Fe is just the place.
6. Don Villavaso on the Bayou
3111 Grand Rte Saint John St., 504-784-8179
facebook.com/donvillavasoonthebayou
Resting by the waters of the New Orleans bayou, Don Villvaso on the Bayou offers a unique atmosphere of rustic Southern charm paired with the distinct flavors of their food and beverages. Offering mouthwatering dishes such as their VASO Wings marinated in perfect Creole seasoning, their seared lamb Lollichops, or their stellar Gulf shrimp sandwich, this is the perfect spot to enjoy a filling meal on the coast of New Orleans.
With beverage classics such as the Bayou Punch, the French 75, or the Cadillac, this spot offers a casual dining and bar experience with the best of New Orleans' flavors for an easygoing dining experience.
7. Cafe Degas
3127 Esplanade Ave., 504-945-5635
cafedegas.com
Nestled in the heart of Mid-City, Cafe Degas offers an intimate, rustic ambience with classic French cuisine, hearty seafood dishes, and expertly paired wines, which helps separate this establishment from the many Creole-inspired restaurants that dominate the city's culinary scene.
Offering different types of meals on different days such as brunch on weekends or lunch from Wednesday to Friday, no one experience at Cafe Degas is ever truly the same. Enjoy French classics such as escargots a la bourguignonne, l'assiettes de pates plate, or l'onglet de boeuf, which gives all patrons a true taste of France. So if you're feeling romantic or just want to expand your palette, Cafe Degas will give you that goût de la vie.
8. Jockey's Pub & Sports Bar
1841 Gentilly Blvd., 504-309-9727
instagram.com
Jockey's Pub & Sports Bar in New Orleans is the perfect place to grab a drink, catch a sports game, soak in the electric atmosphere, and get a feel for the city's pulse. With a large selection of liquors and beers, this sports bar will have a bit of everything for everyone in your party.
With $5 Margaritas on Saturdays and Bloody Marys on Sundays, Jockey's Pub
& Sports Bar is dedicated to serving customers with good drinks and an
welcoming atmosphere. With Pac-Man, foosball, a jukebox, and the big game on TVs,
you and your friends will always have something to do together at this charming
establishment, with the best drinks this side of New Orleans has to offer.
9. Brooks Seahorse Saloon
1648 Gentilly Blvd., 504-218-4217
facebook.com
With Brooks Seahorse Saloon, their aim is make all patrons giddy and have an amazing time. Located right across the Fair Grounds, this venue offers all manner of stiff drinks such as draft beers and sweet mimosas, along with a few menu items to snack on such as burgers, chicken tenders, sandwiches, egg rolls, and salmon tacos.
With a laidback and welcoming atmosphere, this venue features live music, amazing and kind service, and that quintessential New Orleans vibe that all their patrons bring to give the Seahorse its charm. With good drinks and a good attitude, this local spot will give you some of the best memories this part of New Orleans.
10. Thai'd Up NOLA
1839 Gentilly Blvd., 504-644-5790
thaidup.co
Sometimes you and your friends want to try out something new, but you're all tied up with so many options. If that's the case, then Thai'd Up NOLA will make that decision much easier with their menu of authentic Thai cuisine. Serving dishes such as their kai yang, their creamy tom yum soup, or their stir-fry drunken noodles, the flavors will just melt in your mouth.
With impeccable service, unique flavors, and the perfect ambience for eating out, this restaurant ensures that all of their Thai cuisine are made perfectly to give you and your friends the best time just before or just after your visit to the Fair Grounds. Do yourself a favor and head over to Thai'd Up NOLA for a true taste of Thai cuisine in the Big Easy.
Amazing Meals Near the Fair Grounds
If you're wandering near the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, you're in for a real treat—both in terms of food and vibes. The restaurants in this area don't just feed you; they wrap you up in the culture and the soul of the city. Whether you're strolling down a quiet street or stepping off the beaten path, the air's thick with the kind of seasoning that makes everything feel like an event.
