Foodie Fever in the Big Easy: Why New Orleans Eats Are a Group Travel Must
Who: Families & friend groups with tastebud wanderlust
What: Group-friendly eats, tours, and food festivals
Where: All around New Orleans, most are walkable from The Natchez
When: Year-round
How much: Free to $$$ (tours & tastings vary)
The #1 Food City in the World—What That Really Means
When Time Out surveyed locals and experts worldwide to crown the best food city for 2025, New Orleans sizzled to the top. Why? This city blends culinary cultures like a jazz band blends instruments. French finesse, African spice, Southern soul, and global influence all simmer together into iconic dishes—gumbo, jambalaya, muffulettas, oysters Rockefeller, and crawfish étouffée, to name a few.
For group travelers, that culinary mix isn’t just exciting—it’s inclusive. Everyone finds something they love, whether they’re vegan foodies, meat lovers, or gluten-free grazers. And that food? It comes with a side of music, stories, and shared joy.
Where to Go: Eat Like a Local
Start your day in the French Quarter with pillowy beignets and chicory coffee at Cafe du Monde. Then take a short stroll to French Market's food stands, where your crew can snack on gator bites, fresh pralines, and grilled oysters.
Next, dive into the neighborhoods:
Marigny: Head to Acamaya for authentic Mexican seafood and street eats served with a funky, artistic vibe that fits right in with the neighborhood’s bohemian charm. It’s casual, flavorful, and perfect for groups.
Uptown: Try lunch at Turkey and the Wolf, a playful sandwich shop that James Beard can’t stop praising.
Mid-City: Split a po’boy (or three) at Parkway Bakery, then roll over to City Park for group paddleboat fun.
At dinner, explore the modern side: Senegalese cuisine at Dakar NOLA, upscale Indian at Saffron, or cocktails and shared plates at Palm & Pine.
Coolinary in August: Fine Dining Without the Fine Price
Visiting in August? You’re in luck. Coolinary New Orleans is a month-long celebration where top-tier restaurants across the city offer specially priced prix fixe menus. It's a delicious deal for groups who want to taste the city’s best without breaking the bank.
From white-linen classics like Commander’s Palace to new stars like Coquette and GW Fins, Coolinary is the perfect excuse to schedule a culinary crawl. Lunch or dinner, casual or fine, there’s a spot for every taste—and with The Natchez’s central location, you’re never far from your next bite.
Group-Friendly Foodie Fun
New Orleans isn’t just about eating—it’s about experiencing food. Here’s how your group can dive deeper:
Cooking Classes: Learn to stir a perfect roux at New Orleans School of Cooking. Great for bonding and plenty of laughs.
Food Tours: Join a walking tasting tour through Marigny or the Garden District. Think praline samples, historic tidbits, and local lore.
Festivals: Plan your visit around a food fest—Creole Tomato Fest, Beignet Fest, or Po’Boy Fest all let you graze together, live-music style.
Why Stay at The Natchez for a Foodie Trip?
The Natchez New Orleans places your group steps away from all the action. Spacious suites let you relax after those feast days, and our rooftop pool and lounge make the perfect setting to toast a successful culinary mission.
Want to try your market haul? Our in-room kitchens and gormet grilling station mean you can even host your own gumbo night.
One Last Bite
From late-night muffulettas on Decatur to brunch under the oaks on Magazine, New Orleans is a city where food brings people together. Whether you’re catching up with college friends or treating the whole family to a new kind of reunion, there’s no better place to do it.
And when you stay at The Natchez, all of it—the flavors, the festivities, the magic of the moment—is just outside your door.
Ready to taste the #1 food city for yourself? Gather your crew. New Orleans is calling.