Book lovers rejoice, the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University is upon us! Four days of authors, panels, music, food, and community will take over Tulane’s Uptown campus this week, from Thursday, March 12 through Sunday, March 15. The entire festival is FREE and open to the public.
That’s right, this incredible celebration of the written word and New Orleans culture is completely free to attend (and absolutely worth the trip to New Orleans if you’re coming from out of town). Now in its fifth year, the festival continues to bring hundreds of prestigious authors from all backgrounds and areas of expertise together, with dozens of events that come together to make up this magical festival. Dubbed the “Mardi Gras of the Mind,” the festival focuses not only on books and their authors, but also live music, local food, and conversations of all kinds.
I sat down with co-chair Cheryl Landrieu to talk about the upcoming celebration and all that’s in store.
“Opening night is when it all comes together. There’s a lot of excitement swirling. People are all so happy. I love that feeling of creating something out of nothing and then seeing everybody show up.”
This year, Opening Night will focus on America at 250 and will be presented in conjunction with The Atlantic. The evening will feature esteemed journalists and writers, including New York Times bestselling author Clint Smith, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed, bestselling biographer Walter Isaacson, and acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns. The conversation will be moderated by The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, and promises to be one of the highlights of the festival.
Together, these distinguished voices will examine the evolution of the American experience. (As someone who just finished Ken Burns’ latest documentary on the American Revolution, I am absolutely stoked for this one.)
Beyond opening night, guests can expect author sessions, panels, and opportunities to meet the authors. Big tents will be set up on the quad and will feature food, a full bookstore, and a stage for live music.
“It’s a requirement in New Orleans that you have food and music. You just could not have a festival without it. It might be intellectual and educational, but it’s got to have food and music,” Cheryl told me with a smile.
Expect to see the likes of local legends Francolini’s and Barracuda Taco Stand at the fest, along with many other favorites. There will also be chef and culinary panels, including a session entitled NEW New Orleans Cuisine: Then & Now with Emeril and E.J. Lagasse (and this one is at the top of my list to attend).
Other panels and conversations will include national and local chefs, writers, and food leaders, including Edgar “Dook” Chase IV, John Currence, Kelly Jacques, Ti Martin, Ian McNulty, Jordan Salcito, Alon Shaya, Arvinder Vilkhu and Bronwen Wyatt, as well as restaurateur Cathy Whims.
“In New Orleans, food is part of the culture, so our festival reflects that.”
Highlights that I’m looking forward to at the fest include The Eleventh Hour: A Conversation with Salman Rushdie, A Conversation with Anderson Cooper + Dax Shepard, and Making Jazz Fest: The Soul of New Orleans with co-founder and producer Quint Davis.
Another session I’m especially excited about is Culinary Heritage: Memory, Place & the Responsibility to Preserve with Edgar “Dook” Chase IV and John Stubbs, moderated by Ti Martin.
The fest will conclude with Family Day on Sunday, where sponsor Scholastic provides thousands of free books for children in attendance, and every child gets to choose their own.
“Scholastic is a big believer in allowing young people not just to be given a book, but to look for something that interests them,” Cheryl says. “They’ve found that it encourages them to read more.”
There are over 100 sessions and panels this year at the New Orleans Book Festival, so there are limitless itinerary combinations. Cheryl recommends planning your day with anchor sessions you want to see and having backups should a session be full. Allow some downtime between sessions so you can peruse the bookstore and fabulous merch, enjoy some local bites, and explore the beautiful campus. See the full roster of authors here and get the daily schedule here.
Audubon Park is also right across the street and the perfect place for a walk before or after your day at the fest (and a wonderful place to sit and read).
While you’re making your plans for Book Fest, don’t forget to make those dinner reservations. You know I have y’all covered for all of your dining when you’re in the Big Easy! Read on for 20 of my recommendations!
In The Tulane Neighborhood
Jacques-Imo’s
8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118 (Uptown + Near Tulane)
Expect a wait, but know that it’s well worth it. Reservations are only available for parties larger than 6 (attempt to get them by giving the restaurant a call). The barbecue shrimp are so saucy and flavorful, and the redfish is classic and perfect. Make sure to order the alligator cheesecake for an appetizer.
Clancy’s Restaurant
6100 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70118 (Uptown + Near Tulane)
If you are looking for true old school New Orleans experience, where the servers don tuxedos and the vibe is Southern elegance, Clancey’s is a must. It’s situated in the most darling house, and offers a fabulous bar should you be lucky enough to nab a seat. Everything I’ve had here is amazing, and their dessert is sinful (the butterscotch budino is to die for).
Hot Stuff
7507 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118 (Uptown + Near Tulane)
Southern, cafeteria-style eats await at this meat and three Maple Street classic. Grab a tray and push it down the line of fried chicken, meatloaf, black-eyed peas, mac and cheese, and all the classics. The smothered chicken over mashed potatoes is one of my all time favorite dishes.
Shug’s Bagels
7505 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118 (Uptown + Near Tulane)
Bagel lovers, delight! Shug’s is super close to campus (it sits right next door to Hot Stuff). From pizza bagels to their classic breakfast Shug bagel (pictured above), you’re sure to leave full and happy from here. Shug’s is open until 2AM should a late night bagel craving strike!
Vincent’s Italian Cuisine
7839 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 (Uptown + Near Tulane)
This old school spot is serving up American-Italian favorites on St. Charles Avenue. Watch the street car drive by while you gorge on favorites like chicken parm and lasagna. The tiramisu here is delightful and the best way to end your meal.
LUVI Restaurant
236 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Great sushi, great noodles, great vibes. Luvi is a gem. Pan-asian flavors come together in a stunning setting at LUVI. They offer a raw tasting menu should you be in the mood. The dumplings and hot splash noodles here are two of my personal favorites.
Around New Orleans
Molly’s Rise and Shine
2368 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (The Garden District)
Molly’s Rise and Shine is like a hug on a plate, no matter what you get. The daily baked biscuits are buttery, flaky, and perfect, and their biscuits and gravy are the best I’ve had (they use miso in the gravy and the umami bomb this creates in your mouth is truly transcendent).
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29
321 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (The French Quarter)
Great eats and one of the most prestigious cocktail program in the city. Latitude 29 is tucked away in the French Quarter and serves an extensive selection of original and classic rum cocktails. I was delighted to learn on my last visit that they have many non-alcoholic options ons their drink list. Try the pimento cheese rangoons!
Mister Mao
4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115 (Uptown)
Bold, global flavors await at Mister Mao, who was awarded a MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand award last year. I think their brunch is the best in the city, as it consists heavily of dumplings and the most buttery of garlic noodles on the menu.
Sylvain
625 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (The French Quarter)
A French Quarter jaunt loved by locals and tourists alike. They serve one of the best burgers in town (though you really can’t go wrong here). The patio and indoor dining are both delightful, and if you’re lucky enough to belly up to the bar, I suggest you stay there.
Cafe du Monde
800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
No trip to New Orleans is complete without a trip to Cafe du Monde. Though there are lots of great beignets in the city, there’s just something special about having a sugary mountain of them with café au lait in the French Quarter watching the carriages go by.
Fives Bar
529 St Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116
Oyster lovers, this one’s for you! A stunning bar awaits you with fabulous craft cocktails (and they always have a yummy non-alcoholic option on the menu, too)! We lived in the Quarter the first few months we lived in New Orleans and this was one of my favorite places to visit. They are open for lunch, it’s loved by locals, and the lobster roll here is a masterpiece.
St. Pizza
1152 Magazine St Suite 101, New Orleans, LA 70130 (Lower Garden District)
The pizza here is fantastic, but so is everything else. The heaping Caesar Salad is one of the best salads in town and their chocolate chip cookie is perfection. If you are a wine lover you must stop next door at their sister wine shop, Patron Saint where you can shop for bottles or enjoy glasses on site. (They have great non-alcoholic options, too!)
Atchafalaya
901 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115 (Irish Channel)
You can have a truly perfect New Orleans meal here. The cocktail program is incredible, as is the food. The dining room is lovely, and the outdoor dining is also a wonderful option on a nice day. This is a spot we took my husband’s parents last time they visited but you’d also have a great time sitting at the bar solo (which I have also done and thoroughly enjoyed).
LUFU NOLA
The French Quarter and the Central Business District
Buckle in and expect big flavors at LUFU, which showcases and celebrates the many regions of India. Chef Shan and his team have created something really special here. The Chicken Biryani (pictured above) is an experience you need to have.
Hungry Eyes
Martinis and some of the best food in town await at neon lit, 80s-themed Hungry Eyes. Their tasting menu, dubbed “Indecisive Snacks” may be the best (and most delicious) multi-course meal in town (and it changes daily).
The Daily Beet
The Irish Channel and the Central Business District
The Daily Beet is the best spot to go for a green juice and a healthy breakfast, which is often needed in New Orleans after one too many cocktails the night before. I always feel so nourished and good when I leave here.
Coquette
2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 (The Garden District)
A classic with one of my favorite bars in the city. Everything on the menu is fabulous, though I will say I find myself here most often for dessert. (Dessert changes regularly here, but it is always delicious).
The Napoleon House
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (The French Quarter)
A French Quarter favorite. The Muffaletta here is famous (and rightly so), and it’s also perhaps the best place in town to get a Pimm’s Cup. They’ve got a great cup of gumbo should the mood strike you.
Station 6
105 Metairie-Hammond Hwy, Metairie, LA 70005 (Bucktown)
If you’re craving seafood and good times, then head up to Bucktown for a meal at Station Six. These sizzling garlicky shrimp are a must order for me every time. The red fish is always. a home run for me, and if the fried crab is available – get it.
Enjoy reading, eating, and playing your way through New Orleans! See you at the Book Fest!
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