New Orleans tops the list for culturally unique cities in the United States. Curious travelers come for its lively festivals, unparalleled music scene, and storied restaurants. If you are lucky enough to visit New Orleans, you’ll definitely want to take a piece of this vibrant city home with you. And there are no shortage of amazing New Orleans souvenirs at all price points.
You’ll find a distinctive flavor and rhythm in this city. From regional delicacies to festival freebies, you are sure to please your loved ones with souvenirs from your travels. Get ready for a colorful experience perusing the French Quarter or even just the corner market.
New Orleans Souvenirs for Foodie Friends
Creole and Cajun Staples
Visit any supermarket to take home a variety of Creole and Cajun favorites. Grab some jambalaya mix, roux, or gumbo base. Head to one of the popular Rouses Markets — there is even a location in the French Quarter. Or hop on the St. Charles streetcar to visit Zara’s Lil’ Giant Supermarket & Po’Boys (4838 Prytania St.).
Pralines
Pralines are a delectable mix of toasted pecans, sugar, cream, and butter. This Southern confection is a quintessential edible souvenir. But if you eat them all before you get home, we won’t tell! Pralines are just one of the treats included in our review of must-try Louisiana desserts.
Café du Monde Chicory Coffee and Beignet Mix
The French Quarter institution Café du Monde is a favorite for people-watching and 24-hour deliciousness. Drink a café au lait, which is equal parts scalded whole milk and chicory coffee, then pick up a can of chicory coffee as a trophy of your travels. We also recommend springing for their famous beignet mix to fry up the hot, powdery pastry when you get back home.
Angelo Brocato’s Cannoli
Started by a Sicilian immigrant in 1905, Angelo Brocato’s is a gelato and pastry shop operating in the Mid-City neighborhood. Their chocolate and vanilla cannoli make an elegant souvenir, and you can even order a cannoli kit shipped overnight to your recipient.
Insider’s Tip: Hungry for a full Creole-Italian meal? We suggest Vincent’s Italian Restaurant, one of our top Italian restaurant picks.
Crystal Hot Sauce
First developed in New Orleans in 1923, Crystal Hot Sauce has drawn a cult following from foodies the likes of which include celebrity chef David Chang. This Louisiana favorite uses the whole cayenne peppers – skins and seeds included – as the main ingredient. We eagerly douse it on oysters, po’boys, and red beans. Bring some back on your flight home, so you can say Beyonce’s line to the TSA with a straight face: “I got hot sauce in my bag, swag.”
Mardi Gras Gifts
Mardi Gras Beads and Throws
Mardi Gras is synonymous with the colorful plastic beads that fill the air with excitement. With an estimated 25 million pounds of beads thrown in the parades every year, you’ll be able to take home as many bead necklaces as you can shoulder.
But the ubiquitous beads aren’t the only coveted items thrown during the parades by the Mardi Gras krewes. More unique throws can be harder to procure, including the legendary Krewe of Zulu’s painted coconuts, the all-female Krewe of Muses’s bejeweled shoes, and even the irreverent Krewe of Tucks’s colored toilet paper rolls. Whatever you nab, you’ll come away with a fun collection to remember the festivities by.
Mardi Gras Masks
Transform yourself by selecting a mask to revel in at the Mardi Gras festivities—or get one to decorate your wall at home. Many celebrants don them on Fat Tuesday, but masks are actually required by law for all parade float riders! You will find many ornate styles in the specialized mask shops in the French Quarter.
Dong Phuong Bakery’s King Cake
Many swear the best king cakes are baked at Dong Phuong Bakery, a 2018 James Beard Award recipient. King cakes are available January 6 through Mardi Gras Day, and you can make the most of the trip to New Orleans East by also grabbing a few banh mis for lunch. In-store lines can be long for this coveted delicacy, and they do run out daily. Thankfully, Dong Phuong offers an online ordering option so you can enjoy their signature Mardi Gras flavor anywhere in the US.
Unique Souvenirs from New Orleans
Occult Items
New Orleans offers many shops dedicated to the occult, and most are found in the French Quarter. Pick up a voodoo doll to use for a spell and grab a gris gris bag for good luck. Or visit a botanica shop for even more spiritual resources. There are botanicas located all throughout this enchanted city. All throughout this enchanted city you can find botanicas offering items such as saint candles, Santeria statues, incense, and folk medicine.
French Quarter T-Shirts
In the French Quarter you will find a variety of t-shirts that proudly celebrate the local culture. Popular imagery include the fleur-de-lis, crawfish, jazz, alligators, oysters, Saints football, and the “laissez les bons temps rouler” party spirit. You’ll surely find the perfect tee that will commemorate your trip to the Crescent City!
Jewelry
New Orleans is rich with jewelry at all price points. Fun items such as king cake earrings can be found at the French Quarter gift shops on Royal Street, or check out the Art Bazaar on Frenchmen Street to meet some of the local artisans while you shop. For more superlative luxury items, head to Canal Street on the edge of the French Quarter.
Antiques
High-end antiques abound in this city of historic neighborhoods. Take a jaunt over to Magazine Street in the Garden District or Royal Street in the French Quarter for your fill of art, jewelry, and European home furnishings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Artwork from Jackson Square
A select number of local artists display their work along the wrought iron fence that encompasses the timeless Jackson Square at the foot of Saint Louis Cathedral. Stroll through the stalls to enjoy the charming atmosphere or to find a beautiful handmade souvenir.
Now that you have an idea of the top New Orleans souvenirs to shop for, head out with some cash and curiosity to see what you find for yourself!
Sara enjoys traveling off the beaten path. As a student, exchange experiences to Spain and Russia solidified her love of cultures, people, and local festivities. Sara has visited over 20 countries, but since 2020 she’s enjoyed exploring her own neck of the woods: Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.