Trip Report Part 2 - The Restaurants

Question

So, now the most fun post - the food.

Before I get to where we ate, I actually wanted to list where we did NOT eat. I've never had so many places cancel or not be available to me for so many different reasons...so, here's where we didn't eat before I detail where we did tomorrow...

Mopho - made the reservation in April...and then found out the day we flew out that they closed their city site permanently due to site infrastructure issues (they are now at the airport) on May 4

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbeque - made the reservation in early May. Reservation was canceled the night before our meal b/c the restaurant HVAC broke. It happens, and you don't want to eat at a restaurant with no AC. But, now it was getting weird.

Meals from the Heart Cafe lunch (I did eventually get the vegan beignets for a dessert) - so walked down to the French Market at 11:30am for a nice allergy safe lunch, b/c it's what they do. And the cashier was there. And the chefs weren't. And the cashier had no idea when they were arriving and could take no orders. Needless to say, for an allergy person, you can't walk all the way down to a meal and then find out they can't provide it. It REALLY doesn't work. And this one made me mad b/c the vegan beignets ultimately were awesome when I got them, and I'd have loved to have tried the crab po boy, but again, you have to be reliable. That said, there's a place that came through for me at the French Market (and it was not Holy Crepes, who admitted, they couldn't handle a nut allergy), so all was not lost.

Tsunami Sushi - so, their website said they were open Memorial Day, their Facebook page 18 hours earlier literally said they'd be open Memorial Day, so we walked there...and they were not open Memorial Day. Now, we might have been getting a little snake bit. But we ended up at a GREAT alternative.

And on top of this, we did have another restaurant literally out of half their food it seemed. But this was the bad news. The good news starts tomorrow.

I post this so you know both places to be wary of and places where it will pay to have a backup plan. In fact, in New Orleans, especially if you have someone with food allergies in your party, ALWAYS have a backup plan:).

Answer

It sounds like you had an interesting time navigating some restaurant mishaps, but it's great that you also found some alternatives. Your experience underscores how important it is to have backup plans, especially when traveling with food allergies. Now, let's get to some recommendations based on your experiences and what you might want to keep in mind next time:

Restaurants to Be Wary Of:

Mopho: A popular spot that unfortunately closed their city location just before your trip. They have since moved to the airport, so it may still be worth checking out if you have a layover.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue: Their HVAC issue may have been an isolated incident, but it’s always good to call ahead to confirm your reservation, especially for restaurants where the weather or infrastructure might affect service.
Meals from the Heart Cafe: While the vegan beignets were a hit, the fact that the cafe couldn’t provide their usual service due to staffing issues and lack of communication is a red flag. Always check the operational hours and status before making the trip.
Tsunami Sushi: It’s unfortunate that you walked all the way there only to find they were closed despite online indications that they would be open. This highlights the importance of confirming operating hours, especially on holidays like Memorial Day.

Backup Plan Tip: In New Orleans, and especially with dietary restrictions, always have a backup plan in mind. This will save you a lot of stress if your first choice doesn’t work out. Even popular spots may have unexpected closures or issues.

The Good News: I’m excited to hear that you did find a great alternative! Whether it was a hidden gem or a last-minute find, those are often the best stories to share after a trip. I look forward to hearing about the rest of your dining experiences and hope you had some delicious meals along the way.

Thanks for sharing this detailed experience, and it’s a great reminder for others to always have a plan B in New Orleans, especially with food allergies or special dietary needs!

Trip Report Part 2 - The Restaurants

More New Orleans Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions