Southern cuisine is known for its comfort food, hearty ingredients, and strong connection to the agricultural roots of the South. When people think of New Orleans, they often associate it with Creole and Cajun cuisine—delicious in its own right but distinct from traditional Southern cooking. Southern food is a broader category encompassing a range of dishes from states like Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and it has found a home in New Orleans. This guide explores some of the most beloved Southern dishes and where to find the best places to enjoy them in and around New Orleans.
Classic Southern Dishes
Fried chicken is the cornerstone of Southern cuisine. The crispy, golden exterior paired with juicy, tender meat makes it a universally loved dish. While New Orleans is known for its spicy renditions of fried chicken, like that at Popeyes or Willie Mae’s Scotch House, traditional Southern fried chicken tends to be simpler, allowing the seasoning in the flour and buttermilk brine to shine through.
Biscuits and gravy is a quintessential Southern breakfast dish. It features fluffy, buttery biscuits smothered in a creamy, peppery sausage gravy. The texture contrast between the biscuits and the thick gravy makes it one of the ultimate comfort foods of the South.
Collard greens, slow-cooked with smoked ham hocks or bacon, are a Southern staple known for their hearty flavor. They are often accompanied by cornbread to soak up the rich, savory broth.
Fried green tomatoes bring the best out of humble green tomatoes. Dipped in a cornmeal batter and fried to crispy perfection, they are often served as an appetizer and pair well with a remoulade or aioli for dipping.
Chicken and dumplings is a warm, comforting dish perfect for colder months. It consists of a flavorful chicken stew and thick, pillowy dumplings that soak up the broth.
Baked macaroni and cheese is another classic that has found its way into the heart of Southern cuisine. This dish is known for its rich, cheesy goodness, often baked to golden perfection.
Best Southern Food Spots in New Orleans
Though Creole and Cajun food reign supreme in New Orleans, there are plenty of places to find authentic Southern dishes that focus on simplicity and comfort.
Dooky Chase’s serves fried chicken that impresses Southern food purists. The skin is perfectly crispy, and the seasoning blends traditional Southern spices without overwhelming the chicken’s natural flavor. Dooky Chase’s is a New Orleans treasure.
Ruby Slipper Café offers a classic Southern breakfast with its buttery biscuits and sausage gravy, making it a top brunch spot for those seeking comfort food in the city’s heart.
At Willie Mae’s Scotch House, you can indulge in more than fried chicken. Their rich and hearty chicken and dumplings provide a taste of Southern home cooking right in New Orleans.
Atchafalaya, located in the Irish Channel, is known for its unique take on Southern classics, including fried green tomatoes. The crisp exterior of the tomatoes pairs beautifully with a house-made remoulade, offering a Southern delicacy with a local twist.
Head to Coop’s Place for some of the best collard greens in the city. Their slow-cooked greens are rich and smoky, thanks to the ham hocks that flavor them. Coop’s keeps things simple, focusing on the flavors that make Southern food so beloved.
Cochon in New Orleans is a must-try. They serve some of the best baked mac and cheese in town.
Expanding Beyond New Orleans
Suppose you want to venture beyond New Orleans for authentic Southern comfort food. In that case, several spots in the surrounding areas offer exceptional dishes that embody the heart of Southern cuisine.
Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop in Metairie is a hidden gem. It is known for its gumbo but also serves Southern favorites like fried chicken and catfish. This cozy spot offers a relaxed environment to enjoy hearty, traditional Southern dishes.
Chicken’s Kitchen on the Westbank serves up soul-warming plates of Southern classics like smothered chicken, collard greens, and cornbread. The family-run spot makes everything from scratch, providing an authentic Southern dining experience.
Koz’s Restaurant in Harahan is another spot that should be on your radar for Southern comfort food. They specialize in dishes like fried catfish, shrimp, and grits, and their chicken fried steak is a must-try for any Southern food lover.
A Taste of Southern Tradition in New Orleans
Southern cuisine may be defined by its simplicity and reliance on hearty ingredients, but its flavors are anything but ordinary. In New Orleans, where culinary traditions run deep, these Southern dishes have found their place alongside local specialties, offering comfort and nostalgia for those who seek a taste of the South. Whether you’re craving a plate of fried chicken, a bowl of chicken and dumplings, or a side of baked macaroni and cheese, New Orleans has plenty of spots to explore Southern flavors while enjoying the city’s unique culture.
