Traveling with kids presents a special challenge, especially in a festive town like New Orleans. Where can you take them where they won’t be just completely blindsided with partygoer shenanigans? They need a place where happy excited kids on vacation will be not only tolerated, but welcome with open arms.

And that restaurant better have a kids coloring menu.

Never fear – we did all the footwork and research for you! The following list is the most family friendly dining experiences we had in New Orleans, hope it helps you in planning your next road trip with the kids!

Remoulade

309 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 523-0377

The very first night we were in town, our band of weary travelers pulled into NOLA at about 8pm. We had zero idea where to go for dinner, and we started wandering fairly aimlessly. We thought maybe Bourbon Street? But then thought better of it. As we walked past Arnaud’s, I poked my head in the door to see if they had any recommendations.

“Obviously we aren’t quite dressed for an establishment such as yours,” I told the host. “But we just rolled into town, we have zero idea where to take our kids for dinner that isn’t on Bourbon Street… Any ideas?”

They helpfully suggested their sister restaurant Remoulade, and even took us through the secret hallway that attaches the two restaurants so we wouldn’t have to parade our littles down the party on Bourbon Street.

It was noisy enough to drown out the din of two very over tired children, and their sampler of Louisiana dishes was amazing.

Café Beignet

(504) 524-5530

Before we went on vacation, Phil promised Grandma he’d have a beignet for her.

Then he found out beignets don’t involve any kind of chocolate, and he’s a kid that really likes his chocolate.

Josh and I shared an order of beignets, though, and they were amazing. A little like funnel cake, with lots more powdered sugar on top. As I held a beignet out for Josh to bite into, I don’t know what came over me but I twisted my wrist to the side at just the right moment and did an old timey makeup pouf on the side of his face, leaving a huge spot of powdered sugar.

Because sometimes the ridiculousness the restaurant has to endure in a family dining experience isn’t the kids.

Pier 424

(504) 309-1574

Pier 424 was a reminder that you can still eat like an adult that likes nice things in a family friendly restaurant.

I miss these crab cakes, guys.

For serious.

Oceana Grill

(504) 525-6002

All kids. Every single one. Has the same agenda when they go out to eat.

Sit down. Get crayons and kids menu. Color. Stop only when food arrives.

It is a godsend for parents, because it gives us just a minute or two to stop, think clearly about what to order for dinner, and take just the tiniest sip of water.

If your restaurant doesn’t have a kids coloring menu, it’s not truly legit family friendly dining.

 

Warehouse Grille

(504) 322-2188

Warehouse Grille is a bit off the beaten path in terms of family friendly restaurants in the French Quarter – it’s actually more in the downtown area. We ended up there because it was a super short walk from the Louisiana Children’s Museum.

I had pasta with shrimp on it, which ended up being a total slam dunk that I shared huge portions of with the kids. Josh got a tasty burger, and we both seriously considered the burger that came with grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun.

Not a joke.

Royal House

(504) 528-2601

Royal House was our final restaurant in our New Orleans family dining adventures, and it was hands down my favorite. Really chill relaxed atmosphere, loved the upstairs dining area, and they upped the coloring menu game by having entire paper tablecloths.

You know how much kids love coloring menus? Kids love paper tablecloths they can color on even more.

The food Josh and I ate was insane, the service was fabulous, and the macaroni and cheese from the kids menu was Kraft. If you come here, order the crab claws appetizer.

Sucre

622 Conti Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 267-7098

One of our early jaunts around the French Quarter in New Orleans took us past Sucre’s window on Conti Street, and the macaron cakes in the window caught my eye and dragged me fifteen feet. But then I figured we wouldn’t make it back there as our vacation continued…

Oh guys.

We made it there on our last evening in New Orleans, and it was everything I dreamed of and more.

Desserts as far as the eye can see…

Ice cream for the less adventurous dessert eaters…

A healthy tolerance for family fun times…

And macarons. Glorious macarons. As far as the eye could see, in the more interesting flavors I crave.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m an equal opportunity macaron eater. But the ones I love best go beyond the standard chocolate, vanilla, or even salted caramel.

If there was a dirt flavored macaron, I’d eat it.

If there was one called mushroom, I’d take a bite.

I just like odd flavors of macarons, okay?

So this time, I got to try blackberry lemon, Georgia peach, and watermelon. The kids both discovered they also love the French cookies, too. And sharing those amazing little cookies with my kids on our last evening of our family vacation just about put the perfect cherry on top of a completely amazing road trip adventure.

What’s your favorite family friendly restaurant in New Orleans?

If there’s one we missed, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!