Overview
Central City is a section of New Orleans to the west (upriver) of the Central Business District and north (lakewards or away from the river as locals say) from the downriver section of Uptown. Some locals also call it "the 3rd Ward", although legally that designation includes a wider area including much of the Central Business District.
4 sights · 4 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Central City
Southern Food and Beverage Museum
Museum founded in 2004 about the food of the southern US.
Ashé Cultural Center
Ashé's mission, essentially, is to be a community gathering space for the creation of art, but also to help drive community renewal. You'll need to check the website, but they have occasional events that would appeal to …
Lafayette Cemetery #2
Unlike the interesting Lafayette Cemetery #1, #2 has not been maintained and is not terribly safe anyway. The same can be said for adjacent St. Joseph Cemetery #1. New Orleans has many more interesting and safer cemeteri…
Hotel Hope
This homeless shelter for women and children used to be the Crescent Palms Motel, which originally opened as Mason's Hotel, a black-owned hotel where black guests would be welcomed. As such, it attracted and hosted not a…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby New Orleans)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 11 mi away (major hub). Directions
- GPT Gulfport Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport — 69 mi away. Directions
A car is without a doubt the best way to get around Central City, if for no other reason than that it is much safer to avoid waiting at bus stops and taking long walks through the neighborhood. Parking is relatively easy. Taxis will drop you off here, but you may have a lot of difficulty getting one to pick you back up, even when called.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $4 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ashé Cultural Center, Southern Food and Beverage Museum
- Lunch Cafe Reconcile
- Afternoon Lafayette Cemetery #2, Hotel Hope
- Dinner Cajun Seafood
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are a couple really good places in Central City, with Cafe Reconcile being by far the most famous and popular! There are no real bars to speak of, but most establishments have no problem with you bringing in a beer from a liquor store.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The area of "Central City" centered around Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard (historically known as Dryades Street) was a center of African-American commerce and culture in the first half of the 20th century. The end of racial segregation ironically hurt the neighborhood, as much of the African-American business as well as people went to other parts of the city. The area perhaps hit bottom in the 1980s, then the first projects to revitalize the historic neighborhood began.
Another blow came in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. As the city repopulated afterwards, Central City became notorious for shockingly high rates of violent crime, as rival gangs and drug dealers exchanged gunfire in the streets.
Although crime has gone down from mid-2009 to early-2012, Central City is still a dangerous neighborhood, not recommended for casual visitors. Projects to revive the historic O.C. Haley business strip are starting to show fruit, though it still has a long way to go. Those who decide to visit should be particularly aware of their surroundings and inquire about conditions in advance.
Get in
By car
A car is without a doubt the best way to get around Central City, if for no other reason than that it is much safer to avoid waiting at bus stops and taking long walks through the neighborhood. Parking is relatively easy. Taxis will drop you off here, but you may have a lot of difficulty getting one to pick you back up, even when called.
By bus
Bus 91 runs from Rampart St at the north end of the French Quarter (a good pick up spot is at Canal and Rampart) and will take you directly along Oretha C Haley Blvd to the art centers and Cafe Reconcile.
See
See Ashé Cultural Center
Ashé's mission, essentially, is to be a community gathering space for the creation of art, but also to help drive community renewal. You'll need to check the website, but they have occasional events that would appeal to a visitor, like drum workshops, film screenings, etc.
See Lafayette Cemetery #2
Unlike the interesting Lafayette Cemetery #1, #2 has not been maintained and is not terribly safe anyway. The same can be said for adjacent St. Joseph Cemetery #1. New Orleans has many more interesting and safer cemeteries; skip these.
See Hotel Hope
This homeless shelter for women and children used to be the Crescent Palms Motel, which originally opened as Mason's Hotel, a black-owned hotel where black guests would be welcomed. As such, it attracted and hosted not a few African American celebrities, like Mary Wells, The Drifters, the Marvelettes and Martha and the Vandellas. You can appreciate it from the outside even though the neighborhood is a bit rough, or maybe drop in and make a donation.
Do
- Mardi Gras Indians Uptown Super Sunday Once a year, "Mardi Gras Indian" tribes from the upriver sections of the city have a grand parade, with elaborate costumes and multiple brass bands, starting around LaSalle Street on the downriver side of Washington Avenue. Usually held on a Sunday shortly after St. Joseph's Day (March 19); check with local publications or radio WWOZ 90.7 FM for details if you're in town this time of year.
Buy
Eat and drink
There are a couple really good places in Central City, with Cafe Reconcile being by far the most famous and popular! There are no real bars to speak of, but most establishments have no problem with you bringing in a beer from a liquor store.
Eat Cafe Reconcile
Reconcile is one part tasty Creole restaurant and one part social work—the mission is to train 16-22 year-olds from the neighborhood for a career in the restaurant industry, by giving them experience and instruction for serving and line cooking. So you'll be eating well and feeling good about where your money is going. The interior is a really nice bright place to hang out too. For dessert, you must try their award-winning Bananas Foster Bread Pudding.
Eat Cajun Seafood
This is a great takeout for seafood boil (crab, shrimp, and especially the spicy crawfish), but it also has good po' boys, wings, and MSG-laden Chinese food for good measure. In other words, this place is take out for a party in your hotel room just waiting to happen.
Eat Philly's Cafe
Solid Philly cheesesteaks in a town where a good cheesesteak is hard to come by.
Eat Heard Dat Kitchen
New Orleans' most dangerous BBQ. It's quite good, but the neighborhood is rough. Even the inside looks like it might cut you if you look at it the wrong way. If you have any fear of the city, this place is not for you. If on the other hand, you will brave the mean streets for some mean meats, by all means, stop by and grab some ribs. "BYOB".
Go next
Travel pretty much in any direction and you will see a big contrast (try the upscale old money Garden District just a short drive riverwards/south!), as Central City is much poorer than the surrounding neighborhoods. If you are in New Orleans with an interest in African American history, the Tremé is really the local star.
Nearby
Jefferson
City / town · 10 listings · 5 mi away
Metairie
City / town · 18 listings · 7 mi away
Chalmette
City / town · 1 listings · 7 mi away
Avondale
City / town · 3 listings · 7 mi away
Kenner
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
Saint Rose
City / town · 1 listings · 14 mi away
Jean Lafitte
City / town · 7 listings · 14 mi away
Luling
City / town · 4 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
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