The Hispanic Traveler’s Guide to New Orleans

The city has a few personalities you’ll learn to love over a single weekend. I’m Rocío Mora, a proud Half Mexican and Half Honduran New Orleanian Latina, and I just love finding hidden surprises in the Crescent City that have strong ties to my Hispanic Roots. I’m here to show you how I spend a long three-day weekend in New Orleans when I have friends or family visiting so come follow along!

Day 1 – French Quarter

Wake a little bit before 8 a.m. and head to Jackson Square. The roads of the French Quarter can be found freshly rinsed and you’ll hear the faint sounds of the riverfront streetcar rolling on its tracks across from Jackson Square - it’s relaxing and almost therapeutic. After having a Zen moment, head over to Café Du Monde to have an essential New Orleans breakfast - beignets and café au lait.

Next, walk off those beignets and cafecito alongside the Mississippi River. It’s always nice to catch the steamboats and tugboats making their way across the water. Then make your way over to the French Market to see what the local vendors have in store for the city. Take your time looking through anything from jewelry to music and other kinds of souvenirs, there’s always something exciting to find!

After snagging a few gifts from the market, make your way to Royal Street. Peak your head into the various art shops, taking a minute or so enjoying the different courtyards, architecture, and listening to the many street musicians on nearly every corner! Stop into Kay’s Boutique just off Royal Street, a Latin-owned, Black-owned, and woman-owned clothing shop.
 
Once you’ve taken in the Spanish architecture grab some lunch at one of the best hidden gems in the French Quarter, Napoleon House. Be sure to order their famous Pimm’s Cup, a classic New Orleans cocktail and some classic dishes like shrimp po-boy, jambalaya, boudin or a muffuletta.

To pay homage to my Hispanic roots, I like to hop on the Canal Street streetcar and head to the Simon Bolivar and Benito Juarez memorials. Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan and Latin American hero, has a statue that sits on the corner of Basin and Canal. Then make your way down Basin Street and you’ll spot the ever-familiar Mexican face – Benito Juarez! He can be found on the corner of Conti and Basin. The longtime Mexican President escaped captivity and fled to the French Quarter of New Orleans.
 
For dinner, meet up with your friends at Manolito for dinner. It’s a Cuban restaurant in the heart of the French Quarter that gives off some serious La Floridita vibes. The place is decorated with flags of Cuba and Louisiana, Café Bustelo cans, and enough rum to make the walls shout “Cuba Libre!” Sitting in the restaurant with mojito in hand can make you feel like you’re in Havana.

Day 2 – Mid-City

Spend your second day in Mid-City! First stop: breakfast at Ruby Slipper for my usual Tex-Mex eggs and chorizo Migas plate with a side of Poinsettia. Cranberry Juice and Champagne counts as a side, right?
 
Afterwards, make your way over to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). Be sure to explore the outside as well, it’s equally beautiful. Take a walk throughout City Park, especially the Sculpture Garden. You should check out Colombian artist, Fernando Botero’s sculpture if you’re interested in finding more Latin American surprises in New Orleans!

Also in the park is the Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden, named for the influential Mexican American artist. Take a walk through the garden and view the 15 sculptures on display. 

Close to NOMA and City Park is Parkway Bakery & Tavern, one of the best places to grab another classic New Orleans dish – a po-boy. The line to get your hands on one of these tasty sandwiches could be as long as 30 minutes, but they are WORTH IT! You can eat your po-boy in Parkway but here’s a local tip - take your po-boy two blocks up and find a place to sit along Bayou St. John. You may just spot a few kayakers, paddle boarders, makeshift “party rafts,” or even a baby alligator!
 
Cool off along Bayou St. John with a sno-ball. Just down the street is Pandora’s Snowballs. My favorite flavor is medium pineapple sno-ball with gummy bear toppings. Don’t judge me. The kid in me is doing backflips.

Get ready for dinner… one of the best places for a meal in Mid-City is Neyow’s. If you’re looking for traditional Creole cuisine, this is the place to be. Chargrilled oysters, gumbo, shrimp Creole, and delicious pasta on the bayou.

What’s dinner without some dessert after? In New Orleans, you’ll have to learn to make room for dessert! Whenever you’re in Mid-City, you have to make it to Angelo Brocato’s for cannoli and freshly made gelato. Your visit to Mid-City would be incomplete without this classic spot.

Day 3 – Uptown to Downtown

There are plenty of places to grab breakfast Uptown along Magazine Street. After a quick bite, make your down Magazine Street to shop till you drop! This six-mile stretch has an array of boutiques to choose from – clothing, home décor, wine shops, New Orleans themed gifts, art galleries, and more!

Before you know it, it’s time for lunch. Baru Bistro and Tapas is one of the best Latin Restaurants in the city and can be found a little further up Magazine St. If you have a serious craving for Mazorcas, you need to go here.

Head over to Hot Tin for pre-dinner cocktails and the absolute best view of the city. It’s the only rooftop bar that has an entire view of the New Orleans skyline because it’s the only rooftop bar that isn’t downtown. You get spectacular sights of the city right at sunset with serious Instagrammable moments!

Grab dinner at Maïs Arepas. Order their Maíz de la Rueda - it’s the restaurant’s star player. Grilled corn on the cob with their spicy butter, aioli and cotija cheese. Other favorites – chuzos, yucca frita, aborrajados. My favorite arepa their Carnicera – grilled skirt steak with pork belly cranberry beans, avocado and ripe platanos. Here’s the only place I can get a Mora Margarita with the meal (Mora is blackberry in Spanish).