Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – Dining

Food is a big deal in the Big Easy. Like, a really big deal. That’s why the dining options offered at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, are anything but average. Attendees expecting conventional convention center fare are in for a pleasant and delicious surprise once they see what their taste buds are really in store for.

Local favorites like po’ boys and muffulettas make an appearance on the menus of the convention center’s unique concepts alongside gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, fresh salads, and more. Also, a Starbucks located in the atrium of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center between Lobbies B and C provides weary attendees with their much-needed caffeine fix.

Many other eateries can be found just steps from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center as well. The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, a nearby outlet mall, features a robust selection of quick and full service chain restaurants. If an authentic taste of New Orleans cuisine is what you crave, dine at one of the local establishments near the convention center instead.

With so many options to choose from, deciding where to eat while in New Orleans can be a real ordeal. It doesn’t have to be though! Check out the descriptions below for more information about some of the dining options available in and around the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

On-Site Dining

Thanks to Centerplate, the facility’s exclusive food and beverage service provider, many of the concepts at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center reflect the Crescent City’s unique culinary identity. This hasn’t always been the case however.

Before Centerplate stepped in back in 2011, the food being served at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center could best be described as “generic.” Think pizza, burgers, and salads; food that you could find at any other convention center around the country.

The quality and selection of food available at the convention center’s concepts has improved significantly since Centerplate’s menu makeovers. Now they’ve got po’ boys piled high with fried catfish and roast beef; grilled cheese sandwiches upgraded with ingredients like tender, savory ham; heaping bowls of red beans and rice; and so much more.

If you find yourself craving a jolt of caffeine at the beginning of or midway through your day at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, you won’t have to go far to find a good cup of coffee. In the atrium between Lobbies B and C is a Starbucks that serves all kinds of coffee drinks along with pastries and other tasty eats.

Since opening in 2003, this Starbucks has been one of the convention center’s most appreciated amenities. It just goes to show how conventiongoers can’t get enough of their sweet, sweet caffeine.

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk

If you’re looking to jazz up your lunch plans after a couple days of eating at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center or are trying to find a place to go for dinner at the end of the day, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is always a solid option.

This outlet mall is located along the Mississippi River waterfront, stretching from Canal Street all of the way to the convention center. Getting there from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center should take less than 10 minutes on foot.

No matter what you’re in the mood for, Riverwalk likely has a restaurant that suits your fancy. The dining options offered there include two full service restaurants and over 15 fast casual eateries.

Mike Anderson’s Seafood and Mona’s Café are Riverwalk’s two full service establishments. The menu at Mike’s keeps things local with dishes like crawfish étouffée, fried catfish, and of course, po’ boys. Specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, Mona’s Café serves an eclectic mix of exotic eats, including gyros, fried kibbeh, falafel, shawarma, and more.

Chances are you’re going to be quite busy during your visit to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, so a full service meal might not be the way to go. If that’s the case, Riverwalk has plenty of quick service options to choose from instead, including familiar favorites like Auntie Anne’s, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and Smoothie King.

Local Restaurants

While the food at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Riverwalk’s restaurants may be delicious, you’ve got to dine at a local joint to experience a true taste of the New Orleans’s thriving food scene. Only then will you understand why foodies flock to this city in droves.

For breakfast, you can’t beat Two Chicks Cafe. Enjoyed by conventiongoers and local residents alike, this quaint café serves hearty dishes, including crab cake Eggs Benedict and fluffy buttermilk pancakes, along with lighter options, such as parfaits and build-your-own omelets. Best of all, it’s located right across the street from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center!

Two Chicks Cafe serves lunch as well, but we’re not about to let you dine at the same place twice with all of the can’t-miss restaurants that line the streets of New Orleans. Nearby lunch and dinnertime dining options include the renowned Cochon and its neighbor, Cochon Butcher, the Bon Ton Café, Acme Oyster House, and Brennan’s.

All of these restaurants are located less than a 25-minute walk from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and serve local staples like gumbo, muffulettas, and fried catfish. Now pull up a chair and laissez les bons temps rouler!