If you're looking for a quieter and calmer vibe than Bourbon Street, look no further than the street right next to it. There are no chicken/pizza and daiquiri shops, there is no loud music, there are no huge flashing signs, and there are fewer crowds. Instead, there are a lot of small boutique shops and art galleries. It still has all the vibes of New Orleans with the architecture and balconies but none of the craziness and partying. It's definitely refreshing and better for your ears. read more

Royal Street - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This is a more laid back street to me. Lots of boutiques and art galleries scattered for blocks. Residential 6-8 blocks down from Canal street l. This is more like my kind of street. read more

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Located parallel to it's evil twin ( Bourbon Street), Royal Street is the Dr Jekyll to Bourbon Street's Mr Hyde. It's the more classy sibling that prefers art and culture over little brother's frat boy parties and beer chugging vomitorium escapades. You can meander all long this street and find all kinds of eateries, boutiques, shopping, arts/crafts, and architecture here. Plenty of local flavor to take in with street performers, artists, and fun people watching. Definitely the street to pick up some nicer gifts to bring back as souvenirs, or to just escape for a while with a relaxing walk away from the boozy party scene. read more

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One of New Orleans' classic restaurants, Brennan's, is located on Royal Street. Antoine's in just around the corner. Restaurant R'evolution. Galatoires. Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse. K-Paul's. Napoleon House. They're all within a block of Royal Street. That should be enough to attract you to Royal Street. There are many other shops located here and worth a look. read more

Royal Street - Brennan's restaurant, a New Orleans classic. - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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The Royal Street and Bourbon Street are parallel to each other. It is one street south of the Famous Bourbon Street. The Bourbon Street is closed to traffic at night and the Royal Street is closed to vehicular traffic at daytime. Bourbon is a drinking and adult entertainment street. The Royal Street is the opposite. The Royal Street has a lot of art Gallery. It includes the Lisa Victoria Art Gallery. This is a court yard gallery with various local artist display their master piece. The night that we have visited have 13 artists display their work. I like Kevin Thayer art. The eye of the women in the painting is attractive. He use the water spray technique that is unique that drip along the paint to create the look. The Royal Street is not just the art gallery. The jewel of the street is the street music performance. You will encounter various musicians in different form. You account a pianist play the blue or jazz; Cajun boys in their outback clothing with washboard, spoon, banjos, bucket as drum and a singer well sang; New Orleans jazz band display their funky move while playing the music; someone just sing the old hymn. The best group that we have encounter is a pair up of the electrical violin and the classical acoustic guitar. Both of them accompany each other and have their own solo to showcase their best part. I like the romantic night stroll at Royal Street compare the crazy party in Bourbon Street. read more

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I have some bias because my hotel was on this street (Hotel Monteleone) BUT Royal Street is also host to some amazing eateries, stores, and local flavor. This is definitely one of the more upscale streets in New Orleans where you can also get some good people-watching in. Street performers, artists, boutiques and more! Plus, all the main attractions in New Orleans are in walking distance from this quaint street. I love that it hosts so much local flare without the craziness that inhabits Bourbon Street (lol). Kind of a similar vibe to Frenchmen Street, but Frenchmen Street is more the place to go at night. :) Royal Street is certainly refreshing if you're tired of the party scene in New Orleans or just simply need a break. It's a more family-friendly vibe and the stores have many good souvenirs appropriate for family and friends. read more

No visit to NOLA is complete without an expedition through all the popular French Quarter areas. While on Bourbon St. you're usually dodging sloshed tourists who can't seem to locate their inhibitions or their room keys; on Royal St. you'll find yourself side stepping amazing street musicians in steampunk top hats, glorious boutique displays, and jaw dropping art exhibits. Royal is basically French Quarter's more cultured and well behaved family member at the dinner table. While Bourbon is slurring speech, drinking from a jacket flask, and trapping Aunt Betty in TMI conversations before dessert, Royal is over here discussing the subtleties of wine notes and how today's political climate is influencing the art and music movements. We found it to be a breath of fresh air and a pleasant area to explore. I loved stopping to admire the variety of musicians displaying their talents, peeking into boutiques and whining for the husband to buy me this feathery hat or those sparkly shoes, and gawking at the array of talent exhibited in the many art galleries. If you're becoming weary of spending your dollars just on alcohol and great eats, pop by Royal and indulge in a little sophistication while supporting the talented local artists. read more

There's some gimmicky places on this street, sure, but there's so many art galleries and antique shops and museums. Loved this street to pieces. Always support the arts. Support Royal. read more

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Beautiful area, pretty houses and nice stores. I preferred this street to Bourbon street. Sadly we visited during covid and stores were still closed and the street mostly deserted. I would recommend downloading a walking tour before you go, there is much history here that you would miss without a guidebook. Less homeless than in Jackson square, but still saw some sleeping in the street during the day. read more

If you're in the mood to gaze at all the pretty things, this is the place for you. This is literally a row of art galleries and lovely jewelry stores. There is so much local flare on one street that it's overwhelming. You could spend an entire day window shopping on Royal. I've seen some of the most beautiful vintage and contemporary jewelry here, and this street encompasses the essence of New Orleans with all the visual delight. You'll probably hear and street performer or two, and there are lots of spots nearby to pop in for a coffee or adult beverage. Plan to spend a couple of hours here, or you might not have enough time to take it all in. read more

Oohh lala. I know Bourbon gets all the press, but honestly Royal Street is the best window shopping/gallery hopping street in NOLA. First off it's pedestrian only during the day so you don't have to be worried about getting run over which is nice.* Galleries feature art for every taste and just about every price point. There are clothing shops, accessory shops, antiques, housewares, restaurants, bars (of course), hotels and homes. The architecture is great. And on a hot summer day, there's usually enough shade that you won't melt into the sidewalk. Definitely plan to stroll the 13 blocks of Royal in the FQ from Canal to Esplanade. Each one offers something different from tourist kitsch to fine art to a refreshing beverage. *Side note to all the tourists in NOLA: the French Quarter is a functioning neighborhood. People drive in it. Please look before wandering out into the street. read more

Royal Street gets my vote for "Best Street in the French Quarter". You can find art galleries, boutiques, antiques, shoes, accessories, tourist traps, restaurants, bars, a museum, some amazing architecture, and a constantly changing array of street performers. Some parts of Royal street are blocked of from vehicular traffic from 11-4pm which allows you to wander around and shop and soak in all that this great street has to offer. read more

This is a good street to walk around on and take your NOLA photos because it has a lot of those really nice southern verandas. Also lots of restaurants, shops, and things, and close to most of the attractions. read more

Royal Street is to the Quarter what Magazine Street is to the Garden District- you can find it all on Royal Street. Royal Street is my favorite street in the Quarter for a few reasons: it's not packed with bars like other streets, there are a lot of gorgeous galleries to pop into and take in the lovely art, antique stores don't get any better than on Royal and the street performers and buskers add a certain charm that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. There is nothing better than walking down Royal Street on a nice afternoon and taking in the vibe of the city and maybe stopping into some shops along the way to do some browsing. Royal seems to be in the center of it all, and when you find yourself here you can guarantee that you aren't too far from a good time. If you spend enough time on this street, you will absolutely be able to catch a second line or two. read more

If you love to shop, you'll love Royal Street. Even if you don't you can stroll down the street and see what's in the windows of the many old historic building shops that line the street. It's a great place to pick up a souvenir for that favorite person at home. You'll find all kinds of locally made gifts, unique and one of a kind and made with quality. You won't find stuff like this at a souvenir shop or at the airport. There are also some antiques that are amazing. read more

I can't believe this is only 1 block from stinky Bourbon St. Completely different experience on this street than the other. Lined with shops, galleries and eateries. We loved exploring the many shops and art galleries. Stopped for some treats along the way while listening to all the corner performers made this our favorite easily. Be sure to check out Jamie Hayes Gallery for some reasonably priced souveniors and art. We went there 5 times! Stop for a coffee and beignet and enjoy the music of NOLA. read more

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Royal Street is a lovely street full of businesses and cafes and located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. We walked down the street when we visited New Orleans in Jan 2017. It was a lot of fun passing by the stores and perusing them. The architecture down this street is stunning as well and is in keeping with the beautiful classic New Orleans architecture throughout the city. I would love to visit again. It's definitely a nicer, more classy alternative to the rowdy Bourbon Street! read more

Our hotel was located on Royal Street, so got to see alot. It was quieter than Bourbon Street, and we enjoyed wandering past the many shops and art galleries, although most stores were closed on Christmas Day. There were some entertaining street performers and music along the way and beautiful architecture of the buildings. read more

Royal Street - Local Flavor Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I like this street more than Bourbon Street, however the city really needs to fix the potholes, standing water, and homeless.

I LOVE Royal Street! Believe the travel magazine/website hype about Royal St. It has everything that you would want on a street. From a national chain drug store to beautiful government buildings. From legendary restaurants to little cafes From high end antique stores to traditional tourist shops, this street has it all. If you're fortunate, you might witness a second line from a wedding or well known street musicians. Come over one block from Bourbon Street, you'll be glad you did! read more

It is fun to just walk down Royal and see the various shops and businesses. There is always foot traffic, day or night, and no one is pushy about trying to sell you things. One block over from Bourbon Street, it is a quieter alternative. read more

A visit to New Orleans and he French Quarter cannot happen without a stroll down Royal street. Amazing restaurants, shopping, street performers, and art galleries. It's what I love about NOLA. Yes it's touristy but that's why you're there. read more

My friend and I wandered onto Royal Street on our way to Frenchman Street. We got distracted by all the adorable little shops, art galleries, and lively music on the streets. It was refreshing to be off of Bourbon Street and for a more relaxed stroll through the French Quarter. read more

Bourbon has the bars, but Royal has the upscale restaurants, beautiful well kept buildings, and art. Royal is much quieter that Bourbon, but only a black away. I would much rather stay and Royal. read more

We hardly ever walked on Bourbon Street, but we walked up and down Royal Street almost every day and each time we saw something we had not seen before. There were many shops with all different kinds of merchandise from souvenirs to antique shops and many wonderful restaurants to choose from. On almost every block there was a street band and one was better than the next. The whole experience was very enjoyable and entertaining. read more

This is a very cool street when you are in the French quarter in New Orleans. It holds the old courthouse which is currently a massive police station which is beautiful, and it is full of antiques and art galleries. My favorite place is the Kezic gallery. Diego Lukezic is the artist represented by this gallery and his pieces are amazing. I had the pleasure of buying one as he is an up-and-coming artist. He is a local artist in New Orleans. We found antique shops with vintage Chanel and Dior and many shops with vintage furniture and silverware and chandeliers. This street is amazing for beautiful discoveries. It holds small cafés throughout which helps pass the time. This is a street for those who enjoy culture and who would like to potentially avoid the madness of Bourbon street, even in the daytime! Beware: stores close at 7 PM. I found out that the reason for this is because New Orleans is known for food and entertainment/culture. Therefore shopping is no longer present after 7 PM some more stores will close down. read more

With my family we spent more time on Royal street than Bourbon. More shopping, good food, and less odor.

This street was filled with antique shops, museums, and tons of restaurants! It was easily the most popular street in the Quarter. It was also beautiful to look at. Though there were tons of restaurants, there were pretty much none that I could eat at because I am a vegetarian. Lots and lots of seafood. I'm sure many of you would love the gumbo, jambalaya, and po' boys they had, there were many restaurants to choose from with this type of selection. Still, I loved walking down this street. I am a 23 year old female and was traveling by myself, and I always felt safe on this street (well, I felt safe in the French Quarter in general). read more

My fave street in New Orleans. Great food, music, sight-seeing. Everything we want is there.