Don’t get us wrong…

There are a few good options at the convention center. The red beans and rice, when offered, is good. However, this is New Orleans we are talking about. Why eat convention food when you have one of the world’s greatest culinary adventures right outside the convention doors? Here are a few of our favorite restaurants near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. So while you are enjoying Wizard Word (you can see all of our Wizard World coverage here), you might want to try a few these out after the show.

This is not by any means a definitive list. We aren’t rich enough to eat at all the restaurants near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  Looking at the map, there are way more restaurants that we want to try and never have. Therefore, these are just some restaurants within walking distance, which actually does cover almost the entire CBD.

A Few Recommendations

Mulate’s New Orleans:  To be honest, I haven’t been here in years. But it does have some decent cajun fare, and if it is a night with live music, that makes it worth it.

Cochon Butcher: This is my number one recommendation. Everything I’ve had here has been great.

Cochon: The fancier big brother is right next door to Butcher.  While I think Butcher is better, this is world class food.

Drago’s Seafood: Don’t look at the menu.  Order oysters either raw or charbroiled…preferably both. If you are still hungry, order another dozen.

Lucy’s Retired Surfer’s Bar & Restaurant: This is where we end up after a lot of conventions over the years (comic cons and others). The food was excellent, the company better, and the scorpion was weird.

Carmo: If you are craving something a little healthier, this is the place for you.  They do have vegetarian and vegan options. I have yet to have a bad meal or drink there.

Gordon Biersch Brewery:  If you are looking for a great pub atmosphere, this should be high on your list.

St. James Cheese Company: If you like cheese, these people are the best cheesemongers in the city. (Note: we have not tried this particular location).

Herbsaint:  If you are dressed up (and I mean Sunday dressed not cosplay dress – unless they are the same), this is our favorite restaurant in the city.

The American Sector Restaurant: This restaurant is attached to the World War II Museum. We haven’t been in a while but we always have had good meals there.

Some of the other restaurants in the area that we haven’t tried but would love to:

• Galliano Restaurant
• Root
• Emeril’s
• Grand Isle
• La Boca
• Tommy’s Cuisine
• Peche Seafood Grill
• Compere Lapin
• Meril
• Legacy Kitchen
• Mother’s (wait…what? We have never eaten at Mothers?)

A Little Further…

The world famous Cafe De Monde is not a far walk in the French Quarter. In fact, the Quarter is not that far at all.

About The Author