Afrodisiac

Jamaican me crazy mon, fo sho for Afrodisiac. Talkenbout goodt OXTAILS, smothered cabbage, jerk chicken, turkey necks, plantains and everything else. They are located in Gentilly, which is in the center of the city.

 Dakar Nola

Dakar NOLA is a modern Senegalese tasting menu restaurant. The menu is inspired by Chef Serigne Mbaye’s most cherished memories of his childhood in Senegal, where he learned to cook at his mother’s knee. I attended a dinner with Dakar at Southern Food & Beverage Museum and I really enjoyed the food. My fave was the jolof rice. Dinners at Dakar NOLA feature multiple courses, some served family style in homage to West African dining traditions. It’s Communal Dining, which means you are seated with other guests at table for six. This is intentionally designed to bring strangers, acquaintances, and loved ones closer together through food.

 Dooky Chase

Dooky Chase restaurant is no doubt a historic gem in the Treme. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant opened its doors for business in 1941. What was initially a sandwich shop and lottery ticket outlet in 1939 blossomed into a thriving bar and later a respected family restaurant in Treme. Founded by Emily and Dooky Chase, Sr., Dooky Chase’s Restaurant soon became the meeting place for music and entertainment, civil rights, and culture in New Orleans. They are known for the delicious Red Beans, Fried Chicken, Gumbo and don’t skip on the desserts. Love the bread pudding. The bartender Eve Haydel is one of the best. You can always have a drink at the bar if you do not have a reservation, if there are seats available. The history of Dooky Chase makes me feel celebrated in a world that makes us feel so tolerated. This is one of my favorite places for family birthday celebrations.

Chapter IV Creole Restaurant is a newer restaurant opened in 2023, by Chef Dook Chase and his wife, Gretchen, Chapter IV features a modern take on classic Creole dishes passed down from Chef Dook's grandmother, the late Chef Leah Chase. This is great for lunch or Sunday brunch. I would recommend the Oyster Rockefeller, BBQ Shrimp, Smothered Okra, Crab Fried Rice and Creole Grits.

 Frittai

Hatian food to die for. No pun intended - Black people! For appetizer try the Frittay platter. Delicious Combination of Akra, Fried Green Plantains, Sweet Plantains, Griyo (Double Cooked Pork), Andouille Sausage, Pikliz & Pikliz Dip. The CRAB MAC & CHEESE is my FAVORITE dish here. The passionfruit wings are good and get the whole fish or creole chicken.

 Nice Guys

I split them up. Yeah! Nice Guys & Headquarters. They are like the girl and boy twin. The girl is good but that guy. Whew chile. Grass walls, twerikin and good times happening all here. No sections but you definitely need to RSVP for these places in New Orleans. Don’t want until the last minute to book. You will be disappointed. Nice Guys got the ROLLIN drinks. OKAY. BABY BABY BABY. Double fistin the next four years. Right chea. Yes bring it on Natalie and Glenn. Try everything. Went on a Where Black Nola Eats Tour and we had a blast with DJ Captain Charles and Rude Jude is always reppin a good choo choo time.

 Morrow’s hospitality

Morrow’s Hospitality Group has several restaurants under their business. Morrow’s, Morrow’s Steak, Sun Chong and Monday. Hide & Seek , Treehouse and Larry Morrow Events are night clubs, which are also part of the Morrow’s brand. Morrow’s was my first love. Larry and Lenora brought a different vibe to the city with this gem. The BBQ Craw Claws, Charbroiled oysters, Gumbo, Cheesy Bread and the list goes on and on are so good. The Gumbo Ramen was introduced here. It’s SPICY and addictive. Sun Chong is an Asian American Restaurant & Bar influenced by Hip Hop. The Juicy Fried Korean Chicken and dumplings are delicious. Morrow’s Steak is my all time favorite. Love the bartenders and servers. World class people here. I love the atmosphere and the vibes just give me Miami or someplace outside of New Orleans. Larry is going to give you all of the vibes, tree walls and good people. New restaurant opening soon: Spicy.

 PeeWee’s Crabcakes

Pee Wee a OG! You look up OG in the dictionary and his pic might just pop up. I am not PLAYIN in your face. He has been around for so many years, he is the Original Gangsta of ELEVATED food concepts. You can’t argue with that. I have been following food for a while now and he has the creative touch for food. I love the crab cakes (duh) and Hennessey bbq shrimp are pretty legit. The crawfish bread and loaded seafood potato’s are giving a good night sleep. OKAY. Last time I saw Peewee was during a NOWFE tasting. Everything was delicious.

Vaucresson’s Creole Cafe & Deli

Julie & Vance Vaucresson are legends in the city. This restaurant is 100% family owned. They rep the 7th ward like nobody’s business. They are Jazz Fest vendors and you will love them personally as well. They are known for the Creole Sausage, Gumbo, Fish plates, Potato Salad and more. Crawbabies is there and she can COOK. Chef Bunny is an OG and she knows the game. LET HER COOK.

Vaucresson’s Sausage Company is a third-generation business that makes authentic Creole products served in restaurants, grocery stores, and festivals throughout the New Orleans region. Since 1899, the Vaucresson family has produced their sausage products in the 7th ward of New Orleans.

Justini’s

Jessica Justini is a restaurant and cocktail bar in the Marigny area. The drinks are gorgeous and strong. The menu is carefully curated with hot sausage tacos, salmon tacos, chilli wings and the grilled chicken salad is PRETTY AWESOME with the house dressing. I enjoy going to Justini’s with the girls. We usually host a witchy brunch here in October. The Galentine’s cocktail menu hits hard. I loved the taste of all of Justini’s cocktails. The music and television also add to the dope vibes here. A romantic date here would not be out of the question. The space is intimate yet fun for groups. I enjoy sitting at the bar alone and talking to the bartenders. My twin sister, Rhonda also does the same.

Orleans Brothers

One word, Gumbo! It’s the real deal. No lies told here. If you are looking for authentic, slap ya in the face gumbo with the file’ kick - come here. Also very good crawfish pies. They are known for those pies. Pick up a few for a holiday and your friends/family will thank you.

Mr. Shrimps Kitchen

Mr. Shrimps is PRESSURE! Seafood game is on lock. Larry Thompson, Jr. was raised in New Orleans, enjoying the unique spices and flavors of their cuisine. He has been drawn to food In November of 2023, Mr. Thompson opened Mr. Shrimp's Kitchen located in the Riverwalk food court. There are not many in this mall. If you haven’t experienced a Seafood Boil plate, whoa you need to stop, drop and shut it down and get there quick. Run, don’t walk! The Seafood Boil has shrimp, potatoes and corn. You can also add beef sausage and their succulent fall off the bone turkey necks and DUNGENESS CRABS.

Neyow’s Creole Cafe

Bow wow wow..yippie you made it to Neyows to try that drink yet?

Compere Lapin & Bab’s Nola

Chef Nina a James Beard award winning bad a$$ chef and bestie in my head. Oh, we eat at all the demure Caribbean dishes. Chef Nina owns Compere Lapin and Bab’s Nola (formerly Bywater American Bistro). I have not visited the newly opened Bab’s Nola yet but I have visited Bywater on a date with my husband. It is very cozy and romantic. Bywater has a very savory dinner menu. I recommend the Spaghetti with Tomato Basil and the Wagyu Beef Lasagna . The decor is absolutely breathtaking and photoshoot fresh. I highly recommend the ambiance in her restaurants for great photos.

Sweet Thangs Nola

Stricen Carter is her name! She has some of the most iconic flavored sno balls. You can get more than sno balls here though. Nachos, wings, tacos. Stricen does pop ups as well. If you need a local sno ball or sometimes she does travel to Houston, definitely visit her page soon.

 Meet Me At The Bar

Founders Chante “Ce” McDonald and Ciara “CeCe” Coleman created Meet Me At The Bar (MMATB)  to connect people over cocktails. They drive their business mission by connecting people over cocktails through curated experiences and products. 

I attended an MMATB experience for a night out with my girls. We were so lucky to catch The Grey Goose Essences Cocktail Experience at The Business Bar. My girls and I became the bartenders while CeCe and Ce demonstrated how to make Grey Goose Essence cocktails. I enjoyed recreating summer inspired cocktails and I love the swag to try it at home. The whole vibe at the event was interactive and friendly. Essentially, it was a dope mixology party, and the drinks were the bomb! I am always on the lookout for Met Me At the Bar events. Like they say, ‘The bar never closes’. Make sure you check out their page and events.

All Hail Ce & CeCe! Keep curating dope experiences for the city of New Orleans. I love to see it, read about it and be part of it. - Lynn

Photography by: SheShoots_