The best food in Marigny/Bywater
New Orleans is a city known for its food. Throughout modern history, this place has been home to people from all over the world, which has deeply influenced the local food scene. From cajun to creole to Mexican to seafood, the New Orleans culinary experience is like a patchwork quilt. Some squares could not be more different from each other, but it comes together for a beautiful overall design which has characterized the city as a premier foodie destinations in the country.
I lived in New Orleans for 3 months. Specifically, I lived in Bywater, about a 30-minute walk east of the French Quarter. Staying in the Marigny/Bywater area was the best part of my time in New Orleans. Not only is it quieter than the French Quarter, more full of residents than tourists, but these neighborhoods are also full of surprises and local charm. The food is less expensive, and arguably more authentic.
Whether or not you stay in Marigny/Bywater when visiting New Orleans, you should definitely enjoy the food options in the area.
Rosalita's Backyard Tacos
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Rosalita’s is an unexpected gem in the heart of Bywater. You enter the restaurant to place your order, then make your way down an alley between the building and the neighboring house. The backyard is set up with tables and chairs, umbrellas, and decorative lights.
The menu is straight-forward. Expect Mexican fare, including tamales, empanadas, and chile relleno, but the star of the show are the tacos. Try a unique taco (beef tongue, anyone?) and pair it with a homemade pineapple-cilantro juice or a margarita.
This is the perfect spot for a meal and some time outside on a nice day. It gets busy during peak lunch and dinner times, so I recommend visiting in between. Stop in for an early dinner or afternoon pick-me-up if you have a late dinner reservation.
Elizabeth's Restaurant
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Elizabeth’s is a delightful restaurant next to Crescent Park, covered floor to ceiling in funky local art. It is a large space spanning two stories and multiple dining rooms, yet still fills up entirely during brunch hours. Even if there is a wait list when you arrive, it is worth the wait!
The food here is quintessential southern cooking. There are the classics, including boudin balls, shrimp and grits, catfish, and gumbo. The menu also features interesting takes on the classic southern flavors, like praline bacon, duck waffle, and eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes.
Elizabeth’s has a full bar as well and let me say I was shocked at the size of the mimosa! I could have split it with two other people (but I didn’t). I highly recommend this spot for brunch.
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
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Bacchanal is more than just a place to eat, but should be considered an activity in itself. This is a wine and cheese store featuring an outdoor seating area and music venue. In the outdoor space, you can order small plates while you enjoy live music. Admittedly this is not the best place for a full meal, but delightful snacks and drinks. Find the bar inside the treehouse, where you can order quality wine or fun cocktails.
They have live music every day! Be sure to check their website for the events calendar. The performance is casual, so you can enter and leave while the music is ongoing. Sometimes there will be multiple musicians in a day, so be sure to plan your itinerary accordingly.
Bacchanal is one of my favorite gems of New Orleans, a place to enjoy nice wine and listen to local musicians while enjoying the warm weather.
St. Roch Market
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Located in a stunning historical building, St. Roch Market is a food hall with multiple eateries and cafes. The building was a market in 1875, and the space has been reborn and transformed into the community treasure it is today.
Food options include Egyptian-style Middle Eastern cuisine, Burmese and Malaysian cuisine, poke and sushi, Italian food, an oyster bar, southern and elevated New Orleans cooking, and charcuterie. That’s not including the drinks! There is an alcohol bar, fresh juice shop, and a coffee shop as well.
The market comes alive during meal times, with people bustling between food stalls and families creating smorgasbords with their individual food choices. Located in Marigny on St. Claude Ave, this is a great place to stop in between Bywater and the French Quarter.
Budsi's Authentic Thai
Click here for the Google Map location.
The magic of this restaurant is within its own name. Come here for authentic Thai cuisine! You will find all the classics (pad thai, drunken noodles, tom yum soup, colorful curries) but Budsi’s offers more than the basic American-Thai restaurant.
There is an entire section of the menu dedicated to Isaan cuisine. Isaan is a region in northeastern Thailand, and the food is more bold than other Thai cuisine. It is heavily influenced by Lao culinary practices, often resulting in flavors that are more spicy, sour, pungent, or strong.
Budsi’s menu also focuses on street food so you can experience that authentic Thai flavor. Located off the main drag but close to Frenchmen Street, this is one of the lesser-known places in New Orleans but definitely worth a visit.
Food in New Orleans: Final Thoughts on Where to Eat in Marigny/Bywater
It’s no surprise that New Orleans is known to be one of the best foodie destinations in the United States. As a large city with a diverse population, you can get nearly any cuisine you can imagine! And it might surprise you – I never expected Thai food in New Orleans to be one of my favorite dining experiences, but I am so happy I stumbled into the little jewel that is Budsi’s.
Marigny/Bywater is the hidden gem of New Orleans, so it only make sense that it contains some of the best places to eat in New Orleans.
If you want information on where to stay, how to get around, and what to do in New Orleans, check out my Complete New Orleans Travel Guide.
