There’s not one city in America, I would say the world, but there’s no place other than New Orleans that dishes up some of the best food. My city is a big ole flavorful pot of gumbo infused by different cultures such as African American, Native American, Caribbean, French, Spaniard, and Italian. But in my eyes, Everything began with a group of American Indians who welcomed the French shortly after 1700; American Indians contributed corn and local shellfish, while Spaniards brought larger fish and the first European food preservation and preparation methods. Then, in 1767, Spaniards added their cuisine, influenced by the Moors’ incursions to Spain during the Crusades.
Spaniards brought Islenos Africans from the Canary Islands who settled in St Bernard District. Other enslaved Africans arrived from the Caribbean and further developed okra, kale, rice, sugar, and peanut growing methods on nearby plantations. Some became slave cooks or earned their freedom as independent caterers. This activity led to Gumbo and Jambalaya, among others. The French returned to control the land by 1800 before selling it in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase to the United States. If only briefly, the French reasserted their preference for the aristocratic presentation of excellent food and a taste for desserts. Those delightful pralines taste like an African cook’s response to a French sweet tooth.
Many free African cooks lived in the backyards of French Quarter homeowners, while enslaved cooks and independent caterers tended to many Garden District aristocrats of the 1800s and early 1900s. Finally, Italians arrived in the 1890s, bringing their gastronomic culture and imported sausage, fruit & vegetables to the mix. The tasty Muffaletta cold-cut sandwich of lettuce, tomato, sausage, and spices is a welcome result.
As the African American presence grew in the 1900s, their influence played a more significant role in Creole cuisine and the emerging hybrid known today as Creole-Soul Food. And today, I’m showcasing some New Orleans Restaurants owned by African Americans; New Orleans Natives own some, and some are not.
I have had the list updated since my last posting in 2020. Sadly, numerous New Orleans bars, restaurants, bakeries, and cafes have closed their doors permanently due to pandemic-related circumstances.
I have had the list updated since my last posting in 2020. Sadly, numerou New Orleans bars, restaurants, bakeries, and cafes have closed their doors permanently due to pandemic-related circumstances.
- 14 Parishes (JAMAICAN)
Photo by14 Parishes
- Addis xNOLA:(Ethiopian/Vegetarian)
Muamba De Gahlina * chicken stewPhoto byFacebook
- Adrian’s Bakery: (Baked Goods)
Photo byFacebook
- Afrodisiac: (Jamaican/Creole-Soul)
Curry Shrimp topped Catfish, Rice and Peas, Fried Plantain, and sauteed summer veggies.Photo byFacebook
- AJ’s Jazzy Grill (Creole Soul)
Fried Seafood PlatterPhoto byFacebook
- Baby’s Snack Box: (Creole Soul/Sweets)
Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Babys-Snack-BOX/311565035609133
- Baldwin & Co.: (Coffee Shop)
dirty yellow house latte. A healthy blend of espresso, turmeric, honey, oat milk, cinnamon, and gingerPhoto by@baldwinandcompany
Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Barrow’s Catfish: (Creole-Soul) *Temporarily Closed
Fried Catfish and Potato Salad.Photo byhttps://barrowscatfish.com
- Baru Restaurant: (Latin-Caribbean)
FISH TACOS & SALSA MACHA.Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/BaruBistroTapas
- BARONESS ON BARONNE: (Cocktails/Creole Soul/Tapas)
Pan-Fried Prawns.Photo byhttps://baronessnola.com
- Bennachin: (African-Gambia & Cameroon)
Photo byBennichian Restaurant
- Boswell’s Jamaican Grill (Jamaican)
Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Bayou Soul Food and Spirits (Creole-Soul, Comfort Catering)
BBQ Shrimp.Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/BayouSoul/photos
- Beaucoup Eats (Creole-Soul, Veteran-Owned)
Beaucoup Bowl.Photo byFacebook
- Bertha’s Place Bar & Grill (Creole-Soul)
- B Sweet Cakes and Bistro: (CBertha’sul/Bakery)
Photo byhttps://www.bsweetorelse.com/
- Best Life Pharmacy & Restaurant (Weight Loss Meals)
Photo byhttps://bestlifepharmacy.com
- Black Swan Food Experience: ( Cajun and Creole Catering)
- Buttermilk Drop Bakery :(Bakery/Breakfast)
Photo byhttp://www.buttermilkdrop.com
- Bywater American Bistro: (American)
Burrata/ Peaches/ Jerk Peanuts/ Croutons/ Soft HerbsPhoto byhttp://bywateramericanbistro.com/
- Café Carmo (Vegan, Caribbean)
House-cured capocollo, hummus, pickled vegetables, and olivesPhoto byhttps://cafecarmo.com
Fried Stuffed Bell Pepper with Crabmeat dressing stuffed shrimp.Photo byDeatra Hollins
Stuffed Shrimp.Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Café Porche: (Creole-Soul)
Shrimp po’boy with a cup of gumbo.Photo byFacebook
- Café Reconcile: (Creole Soul)
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding with a Big Shot Pineapple-glazed banana and Abita Strawberry Lager Praline.Photo byKim Ranjbar *Facebook
- Café Sbisa: (French/Creole-Soul)
Fried Oysters SbisaPhoto byCafe Sisba *Facebook
- Café Abyssinia (Ethiopian)
Photo byFacebook
- Catty Car Corner: (Creole-Soul)/American
Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/cattycar1340/photos
- Chef D’z Café (Creole-Soul)
CrabcakePhoto byFacebook
- Chicken’s Kitchen: (Creole Soul/BBQ)
Photo byChicken Kitchen
- Chicken & Watermelon: (Creole Soul)
Photo byhttps://www.chickenandwatermelonnola.com
- Coco Hut (Caribbean)
Jerk Chicken, Cabbage, and Rice.Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Cocoa & Cream Mobile Foods and Catering Service, LLC: (Creole/Soul)
Photo byFacebook
- COFFEE BLISS: (Coffeeshop)
Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/1683northbroad?ref=page_internal
- Compere Lapin: ( Caribbean & European with New Orleans inspiration )
Photo byFacebook
- Creole Lunch Box: (Creole Soul)
Creole Okra Gumbo, Baked Lasagna, Fish or Shrimp plate served w/ baked mac & cheese, peas & potato salad.Photo byFacebook
- Cupcake Fairies: (Bakery)
Photo byhttps://cupcakefairies.business.site
- Da Grill Mobile Catering: (BBQ and Creole Soul)
- Dakar NOLA: (African/Senegambia/Creole Soul)
Photo byDakar NOLA
- Don Villavaso on the Bayou: (Creole-Soul, Oyster & Cigar Bar)
White Beans & Rice with Fried Catfish and Chicken.Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Dooky Chase’s Restaurant (Creole-Soul): Baby’s Chase’shase, New Orleans’ matriarch of Creole cuisine, fed civil rights leaders, musicians, and presidents in a career spanning seven decades, passed away last night. She was 96. Rest In Peace, Mrs. Leah Chase.
Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Diva Dawg Food Truck: (Specializing in Hot Dogs and Creole Soul)
Red Beans Chili Dog.Photo byFacebook
- Espe’s Kitchen: (Soul)
- Es Espe’sa’s Express: (Creole Soul)
Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/estralitascafe
- Fire Food & Spirits (Creole Soul and Cajun) * Temporarily closed
CREAMY CRAWFISH AND SHRIMP PASTA.Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Five Star Creole Dishes Catering: (Creole Soul)
- Fritai Nola: (Haitian)
Photo byFacebook
- Halfshell on the Bayou ( Creole-Soul& Seafood) Best Gumbo
Seafood Gumbo.Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Heard Dat Kitchen: (Creole-Soul)
Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Heavenly Sweets Bakery LLC: (Bakery)
Pecan Baklava.Photo byhttps://www.keepitheavenlysweet.com
- J’s Creole Wings: (Creole Soul and Wings)
Photo byhttps://www.jscreolewings.com/
- ICE CREAM 504: (Ice Cream)
Photo byhttps://www.icecream504.com
- I-tal Garden: (Vegan/Creole Soul)
Photo byhttps://italgardennola.com/
- J’s Seafood Dock at The French Market (Seafood)
Soft Shelled Crab.Photo byJ’s Seafood Dock at The French Market
- Johnny’s Jamaican Grill: (Jamaican)
Oxtails, peas, and rice.Photo byhttps://johnnysjamaicangrillonline.com
King CakePhoto byLaurel St.
- LeRoux’LeRoux’sn Shack (Creole-Soul/Seafood)
Fried Wing and French Fries with Creole SaucePhoto byFacebook
- Lil Dizzy’s Cafe (Creole-Soul/Comfort Food) has Good Food and authentic Nola cooking.
Photo byDeatra Hollins
Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Loretta’s Authentic Prali Loretta’sle-Soul, Sweets)
PralinesPhoto byLoretta’s Pralines
- Mad Chef at 59th: (Original Cajun and Creole Seasoning)
- Ma Momma’s House: (Creole Soul/Comfort)
Photo byMa Momma’s House
- McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin: (Creole Soul)
Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Meals From The Heart (Vegan)
Vegan Hot Sausage PoBoy.Photo byMeals From The Heart
- Mister Apple: (Dessert)
Photo byhttps://www.misterapple.net/
- Morrow’s NOLA (Creole Soul & Korean )
Bread Pudding with Sweet Cream SaucePhoto byDeatra Hollins
Fried Catfish and Shrimp PastaPhoto byDeatra Hollins
- Neyow’s: (Creole-Soul/ Comfort)
Seafood GumboPhoto byhttps://www.facebook.com/photo
- NOLA CAKE STUDIO: (Bakery Supplies)
Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063303276070
- Pra_LEES (Creole Soul/Comfort)
Fried or grilled shrimp over a bed of crab rice.Photo byPra-Lee’s
- Peewee CrabCakes On-The-Go: (Creole Soul/Seafood)
Seafood Boil.Photo byhttps://www.peeweescrabcakes.com
- Pepperoni Ray’s: (Pizza)
Hot Sausage PizzaPhoto byDeatra Hollins
- Queen Trini Lisa: (Trinidadian)
Photo byhttps://www.queentrinilisa.com/
- Ray’s On The Ave (Creole-Soul)
Fried Chicken and Shrimp.Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/raysontheave
- Real Clever Cuisine Catering: (Vegan/Creole Soul)
Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/realclevercuisine
- Rolling Fatties NOLA (Mexican) * Temporarily closed.
Photo byFacebook Rolling Fatties
- Red Rooster: (Creole/Soul)
Photo byhttp://www.redroosternola.com
- Rendez-Vous Créole: (Haitian/Creole Soul)
Photo byFacebook
- Salads Galore & More: (Health Food)
Photo byhttp://www.saladsgalorenola.com
- Sheaux Fresh Sustainable Foods: (Fresh Fruits & Vegetables)*Catering and PopUp
Photo byhttps://www.instagram.com/sheauxfreshfoods
- Sno’LA: (Dessert/Snowballs)
Photo byhttps://snolasnowballs.com
- Stop Jockin’ Sno-Ball Stand: (Desserts)
Photo byhttps://www.facebook.com/stopjockinsnoball
- Sweets Soulfood: (NOLA Vegan)
Vegan Bread Pudding Topped with Ice Cream.Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Tangerine Kitchen ( Afro-Vegan)
Photo byhttps://www.tanjarinekitchen.com
- THE ROYAL CAKERY: (Bakery)
7-Up Pound CakePhoto byThe Royal Cakery
- The Cupcake Collection: (Bakery)
Sweet Potato Cupcake,Photo byhttps://www.thecupcakecollection.com
- The Munch Factory: (Creole-Soul/Comfort)
Fines Herb Chicken.Photo byThe Munch Factory
- Two Sisters In Da East: (Creole-Soul)
Bell Pepper Plate.Photo byhttps://www.instagram.com/2sistersndaeast/?igshid=njmxxma511yw
- TWISTED WAFFLES: (American/Creole Soul)
Cookie Monster by Twisted Waffle
- Vyonne’s Restaurant: (Modern French)
Onion Soup.Photo byhttps://www.vyoone.com/
- We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp: (Creole-Soul)
Photo byDeatra Hollins
- Willie Mae’s Scotch House (Creole Soul)
Willie Mae’s Scotch House (Creole-Soul).Photo byDeatra Hollins
Fried Chicken, Red Beans & Rice with Pickled Meat and Corn.Photo byDeatra Hollins

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