New Orleans, always a favorite for Southern fare, has become a great food city with experimental chefs whipping up meals that will thrill travelers of all ages. Here are my picks for the Best New Orleans Restaurants for Families.

Best New Orleans Restaurants for Families in the French Quarter

For breakfast or a quick snack, a stop in the French Quarter for beignets is an absolute must. Think fried doughy goodness, loaded with powered sugar. My husband’s favorite was Cafe du Monde while my daughter and I loved the Cafe Beignet versions. Both spots are busy so prepare to wait in line and try to go early in the morning if you can.

A hearty breakfast is a must for parents and adults and Toast gets my vote for its convenient French Quarter location, affordability and delicious bacon! Try one of the breakfast toasts, crepes, waffles, or french toast masterpieces like coconut cream with pineapple! Add your name to the digital waitlist to avoid a long wait.

New Orleans is known for its gargantuan round muffuleta sandwiches and I can’t think of a better quick lunch for a hungry family than a stop at Central Grocery. They’re packed ready to go in half or whole sizes making them perfect to eat in the park.

Best New Orleans Restaurants for Families in the Warehouse District

Willa Jean has some of the tastiest treats in town (think scones and muffins, homemade poptarts, cookies and more) as well as a full menu of southern specialties, innovative biscuit sandwiches and kid friendly staples. Make a reservation or expect to wait.

Food Halls are a great option for traveling families as everyone can roam around and pick different foods. We loved the gorgeous Auction House Market’s offerings ranging from local specials, ethnic fare and vegan ice cream.

Kids of all ages love cheese and the St. James Cheese Company has awesome cheesy goodness ranging from the mini-moo grilled cheese to decadent sandwiches, salads and shareable cheese plates. This is a great spot for a casual lunch or a family-friendly happy hour.

NOSH stands for New Orleans Social House and we loved the laid back vibe, sharable bites (think poutine, flatbreads, oysters and sliders) and adult friendly beverages.

You can’t go wrong with an Emeril Lagass restaurant and his newest NOLA hotspot Meril was one of our best meals. The place was packed with local families celebrating birthdays with cotton candy and sparklers during our holiday visit. The tapas style menu features flavors from around the world and is perfect for sharing. Be sure to save room for dessert!

Best New Orleans Restaurants for Families on Magazine Street

I love funky decor so when I heard about Molly’s Rise and Shine, I decided to go. The place is decorated with toys, lunchboxes, posters and the salt and pepper shakers are glued onto toy cars. You order in line, grab a table and wait for the deliciousness to arrive. We shared smashed peas, feta cheese, and torn herbs on toast, a labneh dip dusted with everything bagel seasoning, zaatar and olive oil, a yummy roasted carrot yogurt with granola and a biscuit and it was one of our tastiest meals.

What’s your favorite restaurant in New Orleans? Tell me below in the comments.

Charleston is another great family destination with delicious food. Check out my Charleston recap for the scoop.