Dinners in New Orleans
The state of Louisiana is known for its Southern hospitality, jazz music and, best of all, its cuisine. The dishes you see on menus across the region today are a medley of culture, taking inspiration from European settlers and refined over the centuries to form a truly unique, and delicious, fare. Dinners in New Orleans showcase the very best of Cajun cooking, from hearty favorites, such as gumbo and jambalaya, to regional delicacies, including alligator tail. With all sorts of dining experiences to choose from, you’re bound to find an excursion to tickle your taste buds.
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The state of Louisiana is known for its Southern hospitality, jazz music and, best of all, its cuisine. The dishes you see on menus across the region today are a medley of culture, taking inspiration from European settlers and refined over the centuries to form a truly unique, and delicious, fare.
Dinners in New Orleans showcase the very best of Cajun cooking, from hearty favorites, such as gumbo and jambalaya, to regional delicacies, including alligator tail. With all sorts of dining experiences to choose from, you’re bound to find an excursion to tickle your taste buds.
Here's your guide to dinner experiences, one of the most delicious gastronomic experiences in New Orleans.
What are the best dinner experiences in New Orleans?
VIP Steamboat Natchez jazz dinner cruise in New Orleans
You’ll begin this cruise in New Orleans by touring your vessel — the last operational paddlewheel vessel in Louisiana — with a glass of bubbly in hand, alongside a friendly crew. Once you’ve discovered all the inner workings the Steamboat Natchez, you’ll set sail along the Mississippi River, which offers a unique view of New Orleans.
As you look out over the landscape, you’ll enjoy the harmonious tones of a celebrated jazz band that will keep you entertained throughout the evening. Feast on Southwest classics, from gumbo — a stew containing meat and/or seafood, alongside bell peppers, onions, and celery — to jambalaya and bayou seafood pasta.
After these savory delicacies, you’ll end on a little something sweet, such as white chocolate bread pudding. With a full stomach, you’ll spend the rest of the night simply soaking up the atmosphere on board.
New Orleans Shrimp Boil Cabaret
This dinner tour in New Orleans takes place in the French Quarter where you’ll begin with a tasting of local delights.
You can expect to try dishes such as blue crab, be found along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as alligator tail, which is mild in flavor, and resembles chicken. With an open kitchen, you’ll be able to watch as renowned chefs prepare your meal — a shrimp boil.
This Cajun classic typically includes seafood, as well as sausage, corn and potato. Chefs use prime seafood, which has been wild caught and selected fresh that day to ensure you have the best culinary experience possible. For dessert, you’ll dine on Creole cream cheese, which is sweetened with cream and sugar, and served alongside fresh fruit.
Throughout the evening, you’ll listen to the mellow tones of a local band and take in the breathtaking views across glittering New Orleans.
Hard Rock Cafe dinner in New Orleans
Those seeking a more relaxed affair can instead head to the Hard Rock Cafe and enjoy American classics alongside an array of fascinating musical memorabilia. The Hard Rock Cafe is a popular venue for music lovers with more than 160 restaurants worldwide in major cities, such as London, Osaka and Washington D.C.
As you dine on mouthwatering delights, such as baby back ribs, rib eye steak and pulled pork sandwiches, you can look all around you to appreciate part of the chain’s colossal collection of musical artifacts. This collection includes thousands of objects that range from costumes worn by 2000s pop icons to song lyrics written by 1960s superstars.
This diner in particular is home to military attire once worn by Elvis Presley, who enlisted in the United States Army at the height of his career, fighting in the Cold War between the U.S., and the Soviet Union that lasted 44 years. You’ll also see the favorite guitar of B.B. King — a Southern blues musician who originated from Mississippi and is best known for his 1951 song, “Three O’Clock Blues".
You’ll have the option to choose between two or three courses and the music choices will keep you rocking the whole time.
Are there any combos available with dinners in New Orleans?
Steamboat Natchez evening jazz cruise with optional dinner
You can instead select a Steamboat Natchez jazz cruise with an optional dinner, perfect for large groups of people with different preferences. Those who wish to taste Cajun cuisine at its finest can choose to participate in a gastronomic experience like no other, tasting Creole delights, such as Cajun baked chicken, corn mac choux and seafood pasta.
You’ll dine in style with the smooth sounds of live jazz music in your ears and wash your meal down with a local cocktail while overlooking the coastline of New Orleans. Alternatively, those who simply wish to admire the city from afar can do so by booking this tour without an inclusive dinner.
Which places are visited on a New Orleans dinner tour?
Many dinners in New Orleans take place on board a cruise along the Mississippi River. This waterway is among the largest in the world and is the second-longest in the U.S. after the Missouri River.
The river’s source is at Lake Itasca and it runs through 10 states on its journey to the Gulf of Mexico, covering more than 3,760 kilometers of land. Beginning in Minnesota, the river runs through Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and of course, Louisiana, where New Orleans is situated.
Prior to the 16th century, the river was home to Native Americans. However, once European settlers arrived, it was used as a barrier between lands claimed by the Spanish and French. One of the most significant spots on the river is the Port of New Orleans, which was established by the French in the first half of the 18th century.
Originally used for exporting tobacco and cotton, international trade options grew over the centuries, and today, it is one of the busiest ports in the U.S., shipping all manner of goods, from cars to coffee and everything in between.
New Orleans is the spot where the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, meaning that the city’s cuisine is largely centered around seafood. While all manner of marine creatures feature on menus here, shrimp is a particular favorite among locals. Crawfish, blue crab and oysters are also Southern staples, used in regional dishes such as gumbo, and blue crab beignets.
Ruled by France for over 100 years, New Orleans cuisine has been inspired by this region of Europe and many dishes include French elements, such as roux. Jambalaya is one of the region’s most beloved dishes and is created using myriad seafood and/or meats, simmered with rice, vegetables, and cajun spices.
Muffuletta is another popular dish, which was brought to the area by Italian immigrants. This sandwich uses Sicilian sesame bread and is stuffed with an olive salad, cold cuts, and cheese.
How much do dinner tours in New Orleans cost?
Dinner tours in New Orleans range in price according to a number of factors, such as group size, inclusions and duration.
Combination jazz and sightseeing boat tours cost between US$50 and US$60 per person, without a meal. Children aged 6 to 12 cost between US$20 and US$30 each while those under 6 travel free with a paying adult.
Alternatively, if you choose to include dinner, you’ll pay between US$90 and US$100 per adult. Children, aged 6 to 12, cost US$40 each while those aged from 3 to 5 cost between US$10 and US$20 each. In this case, children under 3 are free with a paying adult.
Hard Rock Cafe dining experiences in New Orleans range from US$30 to US$60 per person, depending on whether you select a two-course or three-course meal.
If you opt for a cabaret dinner, you’ll pay approximately US$100 per person and be part of a group capped at 30 guests.
A VIP jazz dinner cruise in New Orleans costs just under US$170 per person aged 5 or over. Children under 5 are welcome to participate in this excursion and incur no additional fee. Adults can upgrade their experience to include an open bar for an additional US$20 each. You’ll be part of a small group, limited to just eight guests.
What is included in dinner cruises in New Orleans?
Typically, dinners in New Orleans include your meal, and in many cases, some alcoholic beverages.
On a VIP jazz dinner cruise, you’ll qualify for early boarding and receive a complimentary champagne cocktail and starter. You’ll also receive a CD of the jazz band playing on your cruise, as well as a photograph commemorating your experience,
Where do dinner tours start?
Dinners in New Orleans begin at various locations across the city, depending on the type of excursion you select. Those participating in a jazz dinner cruise will head to the tour operator’s office, located along the waterfront, where they’ll board their vessel and set sail down the Mississippi River. In other cases, you may meet at the restaurant itself or another notable location in the city.
You can see the exact meeting location of each dinner in New Orleans before booking. This gives you plenty of time to plan your route and arrange any necessary transportation ahead of time.
New Orleans is home to an extensive public transportation network, which includes buses, streetcars and ferries. While public transportation can be slow, it does cover almost every corner of the city, helping you to navigate its districts and streets with ease.
How long do dinner experiences last?
Generally, dinners in New Orleans last approximately 2 hours, making them easy to slip into any itinerary. While each excursion differs, you can expect these experiences to begin around 7 PM and finish around 9 PM, leaving you with several hours to continue exploring the city or head back to your hotel, and relax.
Are dinner tours wheelchair friendly?
Dinners in New Orleans range in their accessibility. Cabaret dining experiences and those that take place in the Hard Rock Cafe are wheelchair friendly.
Jazz dinner cruises, on the other hand, are partially accessible. In cases of partial accessibility like this, you can contact the tour operator directly to discuss any additional needs and see whether they can cater to every member of your party.
When is the best season for dinner experiences in New Orleans?
The best seasons for dinner experiences in New Orleans are in the spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) when it's cooler and less humid.
However, if you'd like to experience New Orleans at its most festive, visit during Mardi Gras in February.
Top tips
- If you have any specific dietary requirements, make sure to inform your tour operator beforehand to ensure they can accommodate you.
- Bring a light jacket especially if you're going on an evening cruise, as it's cooler on the water.
- Should you plan on drinking, make sure you have transport available for after your dinner experience.