22 May 2023
Campechano breakfast from Alma Cafe. | Randy Schmidt/Eater NOLA
This downriver neighborhood is home to some of the city’s best spots for po’ boys, baleadas, jerk chicken, and more
The historic Bywater neighborhood abuts Faubourg Marigny, stretching from the railroad tracks at Homer Plessy Way to the Industrial Canal about a mile and change downriver from the French Quarter. With a mix of residential and commercial space along the Mississippi, it used to be considered gritty. Back in the day, tourists cabbed in to hear Kermit Ruffins play a weekly gig at Vaughan’s on a Thursday night, but there wasn’t much else to recommend.
Fast forward 15 years and Bywater is a red hot address, with a smattering of funky eateries ranging from budget to highbrow. St. Claude Avenue in particular is alive with activity, with options ranging from wine bars to a Honduran breakfast restaurant. Without further delay, here are the best of the area.
Missing your favorite spot in Bywater? Leave a comment or reach out at [email protected].