Food tours in New Orleans
A food tour is the quickest way to eat your way around New Orleans. The most comfortable months are February to April and October–November, with highs around 74°F (23°C) and about 8 rainy days a month.
Photo: thepipe26, CC BY 2.0
Top food tours in New Orleans
New Orleans Food and History Walking TourFrom $85View 
New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group OptionFrom $85View 
New Orleans Food Walking TourFrom $44View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
What to eat and drink in New Orleans
Expect to taste the local staples. Ones to look for:
- Gumbo
- A thick Louisiana stew of seafood or chicken and sausage over rice, built on a dark roux.
- Jambalaya
- Rice cooked with sausage, chicken or seafood, peppers and Cajun spices.
- Beignet
- Square fried dough piled with powdered sugar, eaten with café au lait.
- Po' boy
- A long sandwich on crisp French bread, filled with fried shrimp, oysters or roast beef.
- Crawfish
- Small freshwater crustaceans, boiled with spices in season (roughly January to June) and eaten by the pound.
- Muffuletta
- A round loaf filled with cured meats, cheese and chopped olive salad.
- Étouffée
- Shellfish (often crawfish) smothered in a thick, spiced sauce over rice.
- Red beans
- Red beans and rice slow-cooked with sausage, traditionally on Mondays.
How to pick a good food tour
- Skip a big meal beforehand: most tours serve the equivalent of lunch or dinner across six to ten stops.
- Small groups of 12 or fewer get served faster and fit into tiny counters and bars.
- Check what's included. Some tours count drinks as stops, others charge for them on the day.
- Ask about dietary swaps before you book. Many tours can replace meat or gluten dishes if they know ahead.
New Orleans month by month
Averages for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 62 (17) | 66 (19) | 72 (22) | 78 (26) | 85 (30) | 90 (32) | 91 (33) | 91 (33) | 88 (31) | 81 (27) | 71 (22) | 65 (18) |
| Low °F (°C) | 46 (8) | 50 (10) | 55 (13) | 62 (17) | 69 (21) | 75 (24) | 76 (25) | 77 (25) | 74 (23) | 64 (18) | 54 (12) | 48 (9) |
| Rainy days | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:22 pm | 5:49 pm | 7:08 pm | 7:27 pm | 7:46 pm | 8:03 pm | 8:03 pm | 7:42 pm | 7:06 pm | 6:30 pm | 5:04 pm | 5:02 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for food tours in New Orleans?
February to April and October–November. Expect highs around 74°F (23°C) and about 8 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are July and August.
What food is New Orleans known for?
Gumbo: a thick Louisiana stew of seafood or chicken and sausage over rice, built on a dark roux. Jambalaya: rice cooked with sausage, chicken or seafood, peppers and Cajun spices. Beignet: square fried dough piled with powdered sugar, eaten with café au lait.
Where can I book food tours in New Orleans?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
More things to do in New Orleans
Cooking classesAll year
Boat toursBest Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Zipline toursBest Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Walking toursBest Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Bike toursBest Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Helicopter toursBest Feb–May, Oct–Nov
Segway toursBest Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Hot air balloon ridesBest Feb–May, Oct–Nov
Private toursBest Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Sunset cruisesBest Mar–May, Oct–Nov
