Best Pastries in Mid-City

"The quintessential museum of Louisiana, the permanent collection includes nearly 40,000 world-class works of regional, national and international art, such as Picasso, Braque, Dufy and Miró, and drawings by Degas, who worked just blocks from the museum when he visited maternal relatives in the early 1870s. Lectures, book clubs, film presentations, art classes and musical performances are all presented with aplomb – and you can even take yoga classes in the sublimely beautiful Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, where works of the 20th century's master sculptors reside in a sub-tropical sanctuary. 1 Collins C Diboll Circle, noma.org."

"New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, (504) 482-1264; www.cafenoma.com. An Americana grain bowl includes chicken breast over wild rice, sweet potatoes, cranberries and baby spinach with warm bacon vinaigrette."

"When I walked into Revelator Coffee and saw all of their unique blends and espresso machines at work, I knew I was in for a treat. Their coffee tastes legit, and you can even buy some coffee grinds to DIY at home. Along with the relaxing music playing, the sounds of their espresso machines were extremely therapeutic while studying."

"Urban South Brewery on Tchoupitoulas Street combines the heritage of European beer making with the brashness of new American styles. The brewery and taproom opened in 2016, and, last February, the company opened a research and development brewery and taproom in Houston to focus on new beer releases. Popular brews in its lineup include Paradise Park American Lager, Holy Roller Hazy Juicy IPA and Who Dat Golden Ale."

"Urban South Brewery debuted in April 2016 with two flagship brews, Charming Wit and Holy Roller IPA. It didn’t take long for them to make a name for themselves thanks to the great IPAs they regularly brew. By far, this was the most recommended brewery in New Orleans and somehow I was lucky enough to book an Airbnb one block over. This is one of those New Orleans breweries we all need to be keeping our eyes on."

"When most people think of New Orleans bars, they picture people slamming down sugary Hurricane drinks and mass-produced beers. While there’s certainly plenty of that going on, the city is also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene. One of the best bars in New Orleans to get your hop fix is Courtyard Brewery."

"Open for just under a year, The Courtyard Brewery has already changed the New Orleans beer game. It provides a very different—but still excellent—craft beer experience from the nearby Avenue Pub. Co-founder Scott Wood brews and sells his own beers amongst a variety of hand-picked guest taps."

"It opened in 2014 and is well-known for being neighbor-oriented. Courtyard Brewery currently offers 27 drafts which brews cruisers can enjoy while eating at food trucks. You will find various food trucks just outside of Courtyard Brewery."

"With a variety of crispy toasts for you to try (avocado’s our favorite), savory grain bowls, salads, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies, The Daily Beet’s tasty, fresh vegetarian creations can be found downtown on Girod or in a brightly lit stall in St. Roch Market. The only thing that’s more pleasing than the delish food is the collection of bright and beautiful photos on The Daily Beet’s Instagram. Stay in the neighborhood a while and try out another incredible restaurant for dinner."

"Conveniently located in New Orleans Central Business District, the Daily Beet serves a variety of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and light breakfast bites. Try their house acai bowl topped with goji berries, coconut flakes and a drizzle of honey, or opt for something more savory with their avocado toast made with cherry tomatoes, sea salt and chili flakes."

"Multiple locationsJuan’s several New Orleans locations provide great, cheap food alongside enormous margaritas served by highly disinterested, heavily tattooed punk-goth-hipster types. The vibe is relaxed and the veggie and vegan options are plentiful. There are a lot of menu items covered in cheese, but if dairy ain’t your thing, there’s still plenty to enjoy."

"New Orleans isn't exactly known for its Mexican food, but don't let that stop you from heading to Juan's Flying Burrito. This is another of my absolute fave NOLA restaurants that I've been enjoying for years. Everything on the menu is delish, but I especially love their Green Goat Quesadilla and Veggie Punk Burrito (get it wet)."

"Juan’s first “lit up” on a really funky stretch of Lower Magazine Street in early 1997. The menu is trippy and fun, and the atmostphere even more so, attracting a clientele inspired to do the same. Though most items on the menu ring in under $10, Tuesdays bring the ultimate Bargain Betty with $2 street style tacos."

"Though it only opened in 2010, High Hat Cafe has already woven itself into the fabric of the neighborhood, with its menu of Louisiana staples that give it the feel of a longtime fixture. On Burgers, Brew & ’Que, Michael described the Fried Oyster Remoulade Po’ Boy as the “most crispy, savory and preeminent po’ boy in the entire city.” Gulf oysters are coated in a cornmeal dredge, deep-fried, then tossed in a housemade remoulade that forgoes the traditional mayonnaise base in favor of vinaigrette for a tangier taste. The oysters come nestled on a classic po’ boy loaf (airy on the inside and crunchy on the outside) that’s slicked with mayonnaise and topped with lettuce and tomato."

"Located on “Pimento Cheese Row” the bar is set high for this dish adapted from the owner's family recipe. Allison Richard, chef of High Hat Café says, “The real game changer is grating your own cheese.” She adds, "Fresh garlic and Hellmann's mayonnaise—the only kind I use—round it out."

"A High Hat burger is topped with pimiento cheese and served with fries. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily."

"For over three decades, Pho Tau Bay has remained a go-to place for Vietnamese food in New Orleans - and with good reason. Their traditional Vietnamese menu features an extensive selection of authentic dishes, drinks and sweets. Begin your meal with their signature, freshly prepared spring rolls made with shrimp, pork, vermicelli and fresh herbs."

"Pho Tàu Bay, family-owned and a local favorite, recently reopened its doors in the Central Business District. Sometimes it has caramelized flan for dessert, the perfect counterbalance to a satisfyingly salty broth."

"A New York po-boy includes corned beef, pastrami, salami, turkey, Swiss cheese and kosher pickles on a Leidenheimer roll and is served with fries, onion rings, potato salad, coleslaw or fruit."