COMING SOON,Y’ALL!!!
By Karen Brem, Marketing Director, Historic Mardi Gras Inn
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival isn’t just one of the top music festivals in the country — it’s one of the best food festivals in New Orleans. Period. 💥
Every year at the Fair Grounds Race Course, nearly 60 food vendors serve up the best of authentic New Orleans cuisine — and almost all of them are beloved local restaurants. No generic funnel cakes and mystery meat here. This is Louisiana flavor at its finest. 🌶️
If you’re planning to attend New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026, here’s your insider food guide — and where to stay near Jazz Fest for the full experience.
Why Jazz Fest Food Is Legendary 🎺🔥
Unlike most music festivals, Jazz Fest delivers:
✔ Locally owned New Orleans restaurants
✔ Generational family recipes
✔ Authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine
✔ Fresh Louisiana seafood
✔ Iconic festival-only dishes
This isn’t “festival food.” This is New Orleans culture on a plate. 🍽️
Must-Try Jazz Fest Food Favorites 🍤🥖
Crawfish Monica 🦞
Creamy, spicy crawfish pasta that has reached legendary status. Rich, indulgent, and absolutely worth the line.
Cochon de Lait Po-Boy 🥖
Slow-roasted pork piled high on classic New Orleans French bread. Smoky, juicy, unforgettable.
Crawfish Bread 🧀
Spicy crawfish and melted cheese baked into crusty bread — a Jazz Fest staple.
Fried Soft-Shell Crab 🦀
Crispy on the outside, tender inside. If you’ve never had one, this is your moment.
Mango Freeze 🥭
Because Louisiana heat is real — and this frozen treat might just save your life in the afternoon sun.
60 Vendors. 100% New Orleans Flavor 🎷🍽️
What makes Jazz Fest food vendors so special? They represent the best local restaurants in New Orleans.
This festival was built to celebrate culture — and in New Orleans, food is culture. From seafood platters to Creole classics, Jazz Fest showcases the culinary heartbeat of the city.
Music feeds your soul.
New Orleans food feeds everything else. 😌
Where to Stay for New Orleans Jazz Fest 🏨✨
The Historic Mardi Gras Inn is located just one short block from the French Quarter and near convenient streetcar access — making it easy to get to the Fair Grounds for Jazz Fest and back for nightlife afterward.
After a full day of live music, crawfish, po-boys, and Louisiana seafood, you’ll want:
✔ Clean, affordable accommodations
✔ A warm, welcoming staff
✔ Easy access to the French Quarter
✔ A comfortable place to recover before doing it all again tomorrow 😉
We are proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated and ready to host your New Orleans Jazz Fest getaway.
Book Early for Jazz Fest 2026 🎟️🔥
Jazz Fest brings visitors from around the world. Rooms fill quickly — especially for peak weekends.
Plan your stay now and make the most of:
🎷 Live music
🍤 Authentic New Orleans cuisine
🥖 60 legendary food vendors
🌆 The French Quarter experience
📞 504.949.5815
📞 1.800.209.9408
🌐 www.HistoricMardiGrasInn.com
Because the New Orleans Jazz Festival isn’t just about music — it’s a full-flavored Louisiana experience. 💜💛💚