18 Must-Try Po’boy Spots In New Orleans
New Orleans lives and breathes po’boys, and you can taste that pride in every crunchy bite. From classic roast beef drippings to Gulf-fresh shrimp, each shop tells a story with bread, debris, and hot sauce.
You are about to uncover local legends and secret favorites that locals swear by and visitors never forget. Bring an appetite, because once you start, you will want to try them all.
1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Parkway is that friend who always shows up when cravings hit. The roast beef po’boy comes drenched in rich debris and gravy that soaks the crisp Leidenheimer loaf just right.
Order it dressed and grab extra napkins, because the delicious mess becomes the point. You will not forget that first bite.
Seafood lovers chase the golden fried shrimp version, stacked high and seasoned perfectly. The line moves fast, the vibe is easy, and the beer is cold.
Sit inside by the historic photos or snag a picnic table outside. Either way, you are in po’boy heaven.
2. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar
Domilise’s feels like stepping into a neighborhood time capsule. The counter crew moves with practiced speed, stacking shrimp and oyster po’boys like a well-rehearsed band.
You will eat standing, sitting, or leaning, and none of it matters when that bread crackles and the hot sauce hits. It is pure New Orleans comfort.
Order shrimp and oyster half and half for the perfect mash-up of crunch and brine. Dress it, add pickles, and let the mayo glue it all together.
The bar pours cold beer, the stories flow, and you leave grinning. This is a must.
3. Killer PoBoys (French Quarter)
Killer PoBoys brings bold twists without losing the soul. The glazed pork belly po’boy, slick with citrus and herbs, packs sweet heat and crunch.
You still get that New Orleans bread snap, but the flavors go globetrotting. It is playful, satisfying, and perfect for wandering the Quarter afterward with happy hands.
Vegetarians get love here too, like roasted sweet potato with black-eyed pea spread. Ask for extra pickled veggies if you like brightness.
The line can snake, yet it moves quickly. Grab napkins, trust the specials, and enjoy something delightfully different.
4. Guy’s Po-Boys
Guy’s is where overstuffed becomes a lifestyle. The shrimp po’boy practically explodes from the loaf, seasoned to the edge with pepper and salt.
If you like heat, add hot sauce and let the mayo balance it. The bread has that New Orleans crunch that keeps everything honest and handheld.
Roast beef brings the comfort factor, dripping debris like a savory waterfall. Service is quick and welcoming, even when the line stretches.
Seating is tight but lively, and you will make friends fast. Affordable, generous, and reliably delicious, it hits every po’boy note.
5. Mahony’s Po-Boys & Seafood
Mahony’s balances tradition with crowd-pleasing creativity. The fried oyster po’boy tastes like the Gulf in crispy form, with a kiss of lemon and hot sauce.
Soft-shell crab steals the show when in season, legs peeking out of the loaf like a delicious monster. You will need two hands and a plan for drips.
The debris fries are dangerously good, perfect for sharing if you are generous. Staff keeps things moving with smiles, even during rushes.
There is a solid beer lineup and comfortable seating. Bring an appetite and an adventurous mood.
6. Johnny’s Po-Boys
Johnny’s is a Quarter institution that fuels busy days. The menu is sprawling, but keep it simple with shrimp, oysters, or the messy roast beef.
Dressed is the way, unless you have a strong plan otherwise. You can grab and go or squeeze into a seat and watch the parade of regulars.
Breakfast po’boys also shine for early cravings. Portions are big, prices fair, and speed impressive.
The bread keeps its structure without cutting your mouth, which matters. It is tourist friendly yet still loved by locals, and that tells you plenty.
7. Tracey’s Original Irish Channel Bar
Tracey’s is party energy wrapped around serious po’boys. Game days turn the place electric, and you will see trays of shrimp, oyster, and roast beef being carried like trophies.
The bread stays crisp even under heavy fillings, which feels like a small miracle. Grab a stool and settle in for stories.
Roast beef debris is a star, deeply savory and comforting. Order dressed, splash on Crystal, and breathe between bites.
Service keeps things friendly and fast under pressure. It is the kind of bar you wish sat on your corner back home.
8. Clesi’s Restaurant & Catering
Clesi’s feels like a backyard boil with a kitchen attached. The fried catfish po’boy is flaky and tender, perfectly seasoned, and finished with tangy sauce.
Shrimp comes hot and crunchy, begging for lemon and hot sauce. If crawfish season is on, pair a po’boy with a pound for maximum joy.
It is casual, welcoming, and easy to love with friends. Grab a picnic table and let conversation stretch.
Portions satisfy without breaking the bank. You leave smelling like spice and smoke, which counts as a souvenir.
9. R&O’s Restaurant
R&O’s sits near the lake and serves comfort on bread. The roast beef is richly seasoned, with debris that melts into the loaf.
Shrimp po’boys arrive stuffed and crisp, with a clean fried flavor that begs for hot sauce. It is the kind of place where families linger and laughs carry.
Pizza and sides tempt, but the po’boys are the move. Portions are generous, prices fair, and service warmly attentive.
After eating, a lakeside stroll feels right. You will plan your next visit before you reach the car.
10. Liuzza’s by the Track
Liuzza’s by the Track is legendary for that BBQ shrimp po’boy. It is messy, buttery, peppery, and absolutely worth the drips running down your arm.
The hollowed loaf cradles the sauce like a bowl, turning every bite into a celebration. You will need extra napkins and maybe a bib.
The vibe is relaxed on weekdays and electric during Jazz Fest. Cold goblets of beer cut the richness perfectly.
Service is down to earth and fast. If you love saucy po’boys, this becomes a ritual stop.
11. Olde NOLA Cookery
Olde NOLA Cookery sits right on Bourbon but still brings solid po’boys. The fried oyster version has a briny sweetness with every crunch, dressed and balanced with lemon.
Shrimp delivers the greatest hits too, reliably crispy and seasoned. It is convenient, flavorful, and perfect for a quick refuel between strolls.
The menu runs wide, so bring friends with different cravings. Portions are hearty, and service keeps the pace even when the street is buzzing.
Ask for extra napkins and hot sauce. You will be ready to keep the night rolling.
12. Mother’s Restaurant
Mother’s is famous for debris, and the roast beef po’boy proves why. The gravy seeps into the loaf while shreds of beef melt into every bite.
Order it dressed and add a dab of mustard for bite. The line moves briskly, cafeteria style, and you will be eating before you know it.
Ferdi specials tempt with baked ham plus debris, a glorious combo. Portions are hefty, the energy lively, and photos on the wall tell a story.
It is touristy, yes, but still essential. Bring patience and appetite.
13. Short Stop Poboys
Short Stop is a Metairie classic where locals stock up for parties and game days. The hot sausage po’boy brings spicy comfort that pairs beautifully with cold drinks.
Roast beef is tender and deeply seasoned, while shrimp stays crispy even after a short drive. Everything is built for sharing and snacking.
Orders fly out fast, prices are right, and parking is easy. You can customize dressing and size to match your hunger.
Grab extra napkins and chips for the road. It is an everyday po’boy hero that never disappoints.
14. Gene’s Po-Boys (legacy spot)
Gene’s is part of po’boy lore, remembered for late-night fixes and that unmistakable pink facade. While ownership has changed over time, the spirit remains in every memory, dripping gravy and hot sauce.
It captured the essence of grab-and-go satisfaction. You feel the city’s heartbeat in places like this.
Seek nearby shops that honor the same no-fuss, big-flavor tradition. Order hot sausage or roast beef, dressed, and keep it simple.
That classic formula never fails. The legacy lives on in every crunchy loaf and generous filling around town.
15. Bearcat CBD
Bearcat surprises with a lighter, fresher po’boy angle. Blackened Gulf fish arrives flaky and spicy, layered with crisp greens and herbaceous sauce.
The bread still crackles, but the overall bite feels bright and balanced. Perfect when you want big flavor without the heavy fry.
There are great sides and thoughtful drinks, from coffee to cocktails. Service is upbeat, and the space has easy daytime energy.
Ask about specials because they change with seasonality. You will leave satisfied, not sleepy, and ready to keep exploring.
16. Melba’s Poboys
Melba’s is a round-the-clock lifesaver for po’boy cravings. The shrimp po’boy hits that late-night sweet spot, crunchy and generously portioned.
Hot sausage adds a fiery kick that pairs with a cold daiquiri perfectly. You will see every kind of New Orleanian stopping in, which makes it fun and authentic.
Service is quick, prices friendly, and parking usually workable. It is a dependable option when everything else is closed.
Add extra pickles if you love tang. You will leave satisfied and smiling, day or night.
17. Manhattan Jack
Manhattan Jack brings bakery magic to the po’boy game. The bread is the star, baked crisp with an airy interior that holds up to saucy fillings.
Try roasted turkey or brisket with a hit of creole mustard for balance. It feels polished but still very New Orleans in spirit.
Coffee is strong, pastries tempting, and service warm. The space invites lingering, though sandwiches travel well for picnics.
Ask for extra dressing on the side to dial flavors. When bread matters to you, this spot delivers.
18. Stein’s Market & Deli
Stein’s crafts serious sandwiches, and their po’boys follow suit with top-notch meats. Think pastrami or roast beef on local loaves, dressed with precision.
The balance of fat, acid, and crunch lands just right. It is the kind of sandwich that makes you go quiet for a minute.
The deli case tempts with cheeses and extras, plus strong coffee to keep your day going. Seating is limited, but turnover is quick.
Grab chips and a pickle to round things out. Magazine Street strolls taste better afterward.
