Where to Eat in and Around New Orleans’s City Park

All that fresh air can work up an appetite. Although the many restaurants in Bayou St. John are close to City Park, that neighborhood has its own vibe (and dining guide). This lineup of restaurants and cafes in and around the park are all less than two miles away from the entrance facing NOMA. Another reason to get those steps in.

Morning Call Coffee Stand

After a forced 2019 closing at its original spot in City Park, the circa 1870 coffee and beignet shop reopened to a new home across from the streetcar terminal at Canal. Sharing a covered porch with neighbor Bud’s Broiler, the new place has room for 200 and was built to suit. Although beignets and coffee are its calling card, Morning Call also dishes New Orleans comfort food, from mini muffulettas and creamy red beans and rice to jambalaya until midnight.

Bud's Broiler

This no-frills local chain founded in 1952 is much loved for its menu of affordable, charcoal-broiled burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Although there are options like the chicken nugget sandwich, hotdog, or a smoked sausage po’ boy, why? Get the hickory-smoked sauce on a dressed cheddar burger and be happy.

Second Line Brewing

Second Line Brewing, not far from Delgado, is a kid and dog-friendly hang with great beer and a revolving array of food trucks and pop-up vendors in the Beer Garden. Pair an icy pilsner, IPA, or ale with smashed burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, or Vietnamese tacos; even Polish comfort food shows up on occasion. For what’s dishing now, check out their social media or event page.

MoPho

Michael Gulotta opened MoPho, his first restaurant, in 2014 just a stroll away from City Park. Combining Louisiana influences with Southeast Asian flavors, Gulotta’s passion for exotic flavors dates back to when he was obsessed with ’80s cooking show Yan Can Cook as a kid. His Monday version of red beans and rice with pork katsu is ridiculously good.

Monday | Restaurant + Bar

One of the restaurants in the ever-expanding Morrow family portfolio, Monday offers an all-day happy hour on Monday, a day when many restaurants close — its day to shut down is Tuesday. The menu ranges from oysters and pizza to wings and fried seafood. There’s lots of outdoor space and TVs for game day.

Clesi’s Seafood

This family-run seafooder is well known for its seasonal crab, crawfish, and shrimp boils. But Clesi’s also serves chargrilled oysters, jambalaya, po’boys, and fried seafood, all in a lively, kid-friendly setting with a great patio.

Ralph's on the Park

Easily the crowned jewel of City Park restaurants, Ralph’s on the Park invites verdant live oak views into its elegant circa 1860s dining room. Love a seat at the cozy bar too, perfect for ordering the three appetizers and a glass of wine for $38 special or just waiting for a table. Good news, the Shrimp Skully and the debris tartine are both options. Executive chef Knut Mjelde brings a modern global sensibility to deeply comforting Southern flavors.

Toups Meatery

One look at chef Isaac Toups’ menu and it’s easy to see that Cajun culinary traditions are alive and well in New Orleans. The chef’s eponymous meatery in Mid City never fails to impress with meat specialties, like the famous lamb neck, the double cut pork chop, and a killer chef’s lunch (boudin, burger, and a beer). It’s also open for lunch and dinner everyday (and brunch on weekends), so you can plan this City Park + Meatery visit any day of the week.

Pandora's Snowballs

Visiting City Park in the warmer months? Then a stop at this Mid City favorite is a must. Pandora’s goes heavy on the syrup and flavors range from the tame, like wild cherry, to the funky, like the creamy Tootsie Roll. There are ample shady, picturesque spots to enjoy a sno-ball. There’s also hot tamales for sale, a classic combo.

Acorn

It may be set in the Louisiana Children’s Museum in the heart of the park, but there are plenty of options for grown-ups at Dickie Brennan’s light-filled Acorn Cafe. Beyond pizza, there are tasty bowls and salads and a dynamite breakfast menu. Come for 9 a.m. before the museum is even open, and munch on a breakfast burrito or avocado toast on the patio overlooking the lagoon.

Blue Oak BBQ

It’s less than a 15-minute walk from the park to Blue Oak BBQ, the smoked meat emporium that goes beyond the usual with dishes like the Blubano — a pulled pork Cuban, barbecue nachos, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich. Get the garlic mac and cheese for a side.

Cafe NOMA

Ralph Brennan is behind Cafe NOMA, the airy cafe inside NOMA. Chef Chris Montero dishes fab butternut squash soup, a Waldorf salad with chicken and blue cheese, Buffalo chicken flatbread and a bacon cheddar grilled cheese on brioche. There are pastries and sweets too.

Filmore in the Oaks

Golfers and non-putters alike flock to Filmore in the Oaks, a clubhouse cafe and bar at the edge of the park’s Bayou Oaks North Course. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and drinks, the menu of egg specials, sandwiches, and salads is best enjoyed on the porch overlooking the greens. The weekday 2 to 5:30 p.m. happy hour includes $5 bites like coconut shrimp and meat pies.

Deutsches Haus

Although most known for its annual Oktoberfest, Deutsches Haus serves German-accented food six days a week. Have a brat, with or without sauerkraut; a flammkuchen, German-style pizza with white cream sauce and sausage, and of course pretzels.