Long lines in New Orleans

The viral places people queue for, what to get when you reach the front, how long the wait usually is, and how to beat it. Waits are typical, not live.

11 places in New Orleans · by Chef Amazing · updated October 23, 2026
Photo: dookychaserestaurants.com

1. 1

   Café du Monde

   French Quarter

   Get: Beignets under powdered sugar, and a café au lait

   The beignet stop every visitor makes. Expect: 20 to 45 min for a table at peak times. Beat it: go late at night or early in the morning, or use the to-go window out back.

   Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in New Orleans.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Willie Mae's NOLA

   Downtown (Baronne St)

   Get: Fried chicken with butter beans

   The James Beard classic, now downtown on Baronne St. The fried chicken is still called the best in America. Expect: 30 min to over an hour at lunch. Beat it: go at opening on a weekday.

   898 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Acme Oyster House

   French Quarter

   Get: Chargrilled oysters

   The line on Iberville Street is a French Quarter landmark. Expect: 30 to 60 min on weekends. Beat it: go mid-afternoon on a weekday.

   Also on the list: New Orleans: what to eat and where.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Parkway Bakery & Tavern

   Mid-City

   Get: A roast beef po'boy with debris gravy, or fried shrimp

   The po'boy shop that presidents and crowds keep coming back to. Expect: lines on weekends and after games. Beat it: go on a weekday at 11am.

   Critics: Read Michelin Guide 2025, The Infatuation 2025, Time Out.

   The crowd: 4.6 of 5 on Tripadvisor (1,478 ratings).

   Also on these lists: Breakfast and sandwiches in New Orleans, The big-night tables of New Orleans.

   538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Hansen's Sno-Bliz

   Uptown

   Get: A sno-ball in cream of nectar flavor, with condensed milk

   A sno-ball stand open since 1939, with a line every summer afternoon. Expect: 30 to 60 min on summer afternoons. Beat it: go right at opening. It's seasonal, spring to fall.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Mother's Restaurant

   Central Business District

   Get: The Ferdi po'boy (ham, roast beef, debris and gravy)

   A cafeteria-style counter feeding the CBD since 1938. Expect: 20 to 45 min at lunch. Beat it: go after 2pm.

   401 Poydras St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Cochon Butcher

   Warehouse District

   Get: The muffuletta (hot) and the pork belly sandwich with cucumbers

   Donald Link's butcher shop and sandwich counter. Expect: 20 to 40 min at lunch. Beat it: go mid-afternoon.

   Also on the list: New Orleans: what to eat and where.

   930 Tchoupitoulas St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Turkey and the Wolf

   Lower Garden District

   Get: The fried bologna sandwich and the collard green melt

   Once named the best new restaurant in America, a sandwich shop with a sense of humor. Expect: 30 to 60 min at lunch on weekends. Beat it: go at opening on a weekday.

   Critics: 81% liked it, from 6 reviews (2016 to 2025). Slipping: the recent write-ups are worse than the old ones. Read Michelin Guide 2025, The Infatuation 2024, Bon Appétit 2017, The Advocate 2017.

   The crowd: 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor (260 ratings).

   Also on the list: The big-night tables of New Orleans.

   739 Jackson Ave · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Dooky Chase's Restaurant

   Tremé

   Get: The lunch buffet: fried chicken, gumbo, red beans

   Leah Chase's Creole landmark, where civil rights were planned over gumbo. Expect: 20 to 40 min at Friday lunch. Beat it: book a table, or go Tuesday to Thursday.

   Also on these lists: The best gumbo in New Orleans, The big-night tables of New Orleans.

   2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Central Grocery

    French Quarter

    Get: A whole muffuletta to share (half is plenty for two)

    The 1906 grocery that invented the muffuletta, back since 2024 after Hurricane Ida. Expect: 15 to 30 min at lunch. Beat it: go in the morning.

    Also on the list: New Orleans: what to eat and where.

    923 Decatur St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar

    Uptown

    Get: A fried shrimp po'boy, dressed, with gravy

    A corner po'boy shop that's been family-run for over 100 years. Expect: 20 to 40 min at lunch. Beat it: go after 2pm. Cash only.

    Critics: 83% liked it, from 5 reviews (2022 to 2025). Read Michelin Guide 2025, The Infatuation 2025, Time Out, Culinary Backstreets 2025.

    Also on these lists: Breakfast and sandwiches in New Orleans, The big-night tables of New Orleans.

    5240 Annunciation St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing