Toups Meatery in Mid-City is the best place in New Orleans to ear your body weight in charcuterie, and drink a pitcher of cocktails along the way.

Bacchanal in the Bywater is a wine-fueled utopia, with nightly live music, a huge backyard, and an atmosphere that could never be duplicated.

Next door to the restaurant is Cochon Butcher, which is way more casual than its neighbor, but still serves great sandwiches and drinks.

If you only have brunch once in New Orleans, make sure it’s at Brennan’s in the French Quarter.

When you want a taste of true, classic New Orleans, grab lunch and 25 cent martinis at Commander’s Palace in the Garden District.

N7 is hidden away on a side street in the Bywater, serves fancy canned seafood, and feels like a secret dinner party you randomly stumbled across.

Blue Nile on Frenchmen hosts live music every night, and has a great outdoor balcony for when you need a breather between sets.

Turkey and the Wolf is the best sandwich shop in New Orleans, and maybe the entire universe.

Compere Lapin in the Warehouse District is a great group dinner spot, with large tables, a diverse menu, and lots of interesting wine.