Welcome to New Orleans Cooking.com

The international port city of New Orleans has long been recognized as a “paradise for Epicureans”…the city’s rich cultural and ethnic heritage has evolved over centuries to produce a distinctive cuisine that encompasses everything from Native American dishes to the aromatic spices and herbs brought here from around the world.

To indulge in the food is to experience the colorful diversity of its inhabitants. The original native tribes, such as the Choctaw, were joined by a wide variety of settlers, including French, Spanish, Acadian, African, Caribbean, Irish, Italian, German and many more. A savory “gumbo” of languages, cooking styles and ingredients resulted, blending together to create a robust and flavorful cuisine unique to this region.

The Cajun population originally settled along the bayous and wetlands of south Louisiana, living off the fertile farmland, harvesting the abundant seafood, and hunting and trapping in the vast territory. Their distinctive seasonings and traditional family recipes have passed down through generations and have earned an international reputation. While in New Orleans, take time to enjoy some of the more popular Cajun dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya or crawfish pie, along with spicy sausages like andouille and boudin.

The term Creole, which originally referred to descendants of European aristocracy born in the New World, has evolved over time to become synonymous with the blending of cultures, as well as representing a style of cooking. Access to bountiful fresh Louisiana seafood has presented a challenge to generations of cooks to pursue the perfect shrimp etouffee, crawfish bisque or Creole bouillabaisse. In the French Quarter praline makers preserve the centuries-old traditional recipes in quaint shops or open-air markets. Freshly grown herbs and vegetables from the picturesque French Market inspire world famous chefs to create their own award-winning versions of classic local dishes.

But in New Orleans, the offerings aren’t limited to Creole and Cajun fare. The diverse population and visitors from all over the globe have embraced the culinary creativity of a large variety of ethnic influences.

New Orleans Cooking.com is the perfect place to gather information on the city’s food culture and restaurants—from casual neighborhood favorites, to fine dining in world class establishments. Browse the site for great recipes, shopping ideas, cooking schools, and visitor recommendations—this convenient site offers you everything you need to enjoy the culinary and cultural treasures of the city.