New Orleans Guide: Maypop
Address | 611 O'Keefe Ave, New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is known as a foodie paradise so sifting through the options and paring down our list for our four-day stay was made easier by calling upon my Chef friends for their favorite New Orleans dinning recommendations. Our first night in the Big Easy we decided to try Southeast Asian-New Orleans fusion restaurant, Maypop.
The setting at Maypop is cool and inviting on a hot summer evening. The industrial building is bright with floor-to-ceiling windows, and warmed with hanging plants, and hanging map murals on the walls. With a full bar and large dining room it’s a great space for larger gatherings or an intimate dinner for two.
I found the dishes at Maypop to be wonderfully unique and well executed and would recommend to you on a visit to New Orleans. Here’s what we ordered.
*Note: My wife and I shared the dishes we ordered so on the salad and crab noodles what you see in the photos are half orders.
The kitchen brought us complimentary Curry beignets with a tom yum cream cheese. I don’t see this on their posted menu but it was really delicious. Savory, great texture and combination of flavors.
CRISPY FRIED OYSTERS FROM P&J OYSTER HOUSE
bourbon barrel soy aïoli, manchego cheese, spicy cucumber
This was a pretty dish with the black aïoli base making an excellent presentation. Nicely executed dish, the oysters were well prepared with a nice hint of spice.
BIBB LETTUCE SALAD
Coconut Cucumber Ranch, Green Tomato Relish, Cashew Crisp, Chaat Spice
Initially we weren’t going to order a salad but our server told us that this Maypop signature salad is so popular that when they reopened after lockdown, lines formed just for the salad. Believe it. This salad was excellent. The coconut cucumber ranch is delicious.
HAND-PULLED LAMAIN NOODLES WITH LOUISIANA BLUE CRAB
Singapore Style Chili Sauce, Egg Yolk, Pickled Sweet Peppers.
The noodles were cooked to perfection nice and chewy. A great balance of heat and sweetness and a generous serving of crab.
Petite dessert! We were saving room to head to Cafe Beignet for dessert but these coconut and coco powder covered caramels with a little spice were brought out with the check and delicious.
Overall our dinning experience at Maypop was excellent and most importantly the food was delicious. A great spot to experience the New Orleans food scene.
