Spooky Eats: A Guide to New Orleans’ Most Haunted Restaurants
Since my last trip to Savannah resulted in such an enjoyable experience, I decided it was time for another adventure. This one will be even spookier as I head out to another one of America’s most haunted cities — New Orleans! Amid the city’s ornate French architecture, graceful mansions, and legendary jazz music is another interesting fact: New Orleans is home to some of the most haunted restaurants in America.
While planning my trip to New Orleans, I was looking for one-of-a-kind activities — something I have never done or tried before. I have joined a few ghost tours in the past, but never have I eaten at a haunted spot.
I mean, food and ghosts? They don’t normally go together! But I must say, dining in a haunted restaurant is definitely an experience I’ll never forget, so I made sure to look for the best ones in town. With its rich history, it’s no surprise that the city has some restaurants with legendary tales. But beware: I was told some ghostly guests might be a little too friendly.
So, are you ready? Here are some of the most haunted restaurants in New Orleans:
Muriel’s Restaurant Jackson Square
Are you traveling solo but hate the idea of dining alone in a restaurant? You won’t have to worry about that when you go visit Muriel’s Restaurant. An uninvited spirit might join you as you eat. No, I’m just kidding.
Or am I?
The Ghosts of Muriel’s
Muriel’s Restaurant has been a popular dining spot in the French Quarter area. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is charming, and the prices are reasonable.
The restaurant had to set aside a special place at the table for the previous owner’s ghost after discovering that the man’s anger at being excluded from his own home parties was the real cause of broken glassware and other destruction. After the reserved seat and table were prepared, Jourdan ceased his poltergeist-like chatter, and the restaurant resumed its normal atmosphere. A befitting tribute indeed!
Curious about what it’s like to dine with a spirit? Make a special reservation to this haunted restaurant in New Orleans in advance.
Tip: If you’re getting some drinks to go upstairs, you will walk right past the table and get the opportunity to snap a picture.
Aside from that..Don’t be fooled by the inviting atmosphere of their downstairs area. Upstairs you will find their seance room – if you muster up enough courage to visit it, that is. The room is not for the faint-hearted, as this is where Pierre Jourdan (one of the previous owners of the house) is believed to have tragically ended his life.
To add to the atmosphere, you can hear some Gregorian music playing quietly in the back.
Many guests go to Muriel’s specifically to visit the seance room, and everyone is saying that the atmosphere there is really creepy. Who wouldn’t get scared when the room has been the site of numerous seance sessions to communicate with Jourdan’s ghost?
Here’s the kicker, Muriel’s is also home to a few more spirits aside from Jourdan. Creepy shadows, shattering glasses, and unknown voices are being reported to be seen and heard from time to time. The management even compiled a list of their unseen residents along with the history of the building. You can read more about Muriel’s Jackson Square and its ghosts here.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
The Lafitte Blacksmith Shop Bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans is one of the most mysterious and exciting places to visit. Not only does it occupy one of the oldest buildings in the quarter, but its reputation for being haunted certainly adds to its allure.
Who would have thought that this quiet little old bar on Bourbon Street would prove to be one of the most haunted pubs in New Orleans..
The Ghosts of Pirate Jean Lafitte and an Unnamed Woman
The pub was named after two brothers—pirates and privateers Jean and Pierre Lafitte—who used the building as their base of operations in the 1800s. The most remarkable thing about these historical figures is that their legacy has been immortalized: Jean helped Andrew Jackson fend off British forces in the War, and he became a local hero!
According to the people who claim to have seen his spirit, Jean Lafitte doesn’t really meddle with anyone. His ghost seems to be still guarding the place as he watches and stares at people until they notice him. Then, he suddenly disappears.
It’s like he wants people to know he is watching!
He usually stands in an unnoticeable dark corner or beside the fireplace.
Because Lafitte shows his full body apparition, many consider this Blacksmith Shop Bar one of the world’s most haunted pubs. After all, only a few spirits show their full body to people. Would you like a chance to see him in person too?
You can drop by the pub on your own or join one of the many haunted walking tours in the city. When you visit this haunted restaurant in New Orleans, make sure to try some voodoo daiquiri, their signature purple drink that tastes like grape slushie! Then, go upstairs to check the second-floor room where the spirit of an unnamed woman also lives. She is known to approach her visitors by whispering to them in their ears! If you get (un)lucky, maybe you can tell us what it feels like to hear her voice. Does she really have a sweet voice, as some people claim? I want to find out!
Don’t forget to also check out some of New Orleans’s other famous haunting spots like the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. You can read all about it here.
Three Muses
If you crave something a little more bewitching than the ordinary, then Three Muses Restaurant and Bar is for you. Located in the heart of the Big Easy, Three Muses in New Orleans is much more than just a restaurant – it’s an experience!
What are the Three Muses?
If there is one thing that all guests say about Three Muses, it’s that it feels authentic.
Place yourself inside an old-style building and take in the history of Frenchmen Street, where the restaurant is located. There are plenty of haunted vibes lurking in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. The haunted Andrew Jackson Hotel, LaLaurie Mansion, and Pere Antoine Alley are just a few minutes away from Three Muses. No wonder this restaurant is a popular stop after a thrilling ghost tour in New Orleans.
After you’ve had your fill of scares, you can relax with delicious bites and drinks. From creamy mac and cheese to crispy tacos, the three muses of food, music, and drink intertwine here to create an atmosphere that resonates with every guest.
In a way, the vibe of Three Muses feels like a haunted restaurant: its walls seem alive with the rhythm of piano and jazz music and the flavor of unique cocktails.
I will definitely come for the spooky vibes and stay for the delectable food!
Cafe Du Monde
One of the best outdoor cafes famous for its sugar-coated beignets is Cafe Du Monde. They have several branches around New Orleans, the most prominent in French Market, Decatur Street, Riverwalk, and City Park.
Ghost Sightings Near Cafe Du Monde
One of the fascinating legends in New Orleans is about the spirit of the Mona Lisa. Many dubbed her as the heartbroken ghost of City Park. She came from a wealthy family but fell in love with a sailor. As we know, falling in love with a man from a different social background was like a scandal during that time! It simply was forbidden. The heartbroken girl could not take it and eventually drowned herself in a nearby lake.
Honestly, no one can prove that Mona Lisa did exist, but many believe that the statue of an unknown girl in City Park from the 1930s was actually her. We can’t find the statue today as it was destroyed in an accident. And this was when Mona Lisa started haunting couples spending time together along the Mona Lisa Drive.
Don’t you think it would be thrilling to drive along Mona Lisa Road after getting your fill at Cafe Du Monde?
Tip: Don’t miss out on their famous beignets as you’re in the area, you will regret it!
Want more? Check out my map with 24 haunted restaurants and bars in New Orleans!
D.B.A. New Orleans
Another on my list of most haunted restaurants in New Orleans is D.B.A, a popular bar that offers live music and an extensive beer selection in the neighborhood of Marigny. It opened its doors in 2000 and is proven to be an instant hit with the locals.
The Creepy Neighbors of D.B.A. New Orleans
Admittedly, this bar is not famous for having its own resident ghosts. But this is quite a popular place to rest after joining a ghost tour in the city!
The location is perfect since it is close to the most haunted spots in New Orleans, like the super creepy Lalaurie Mansion and Gardette-LePretre Mansion.
Both houses are well-known for their ghost encounters, but not everyone is aware of the dark history surrounding them, including death and murders. Unrest spirits continue to haunt the houses and will probably stay there for the future. This is why joining an organized tour is perfect for thrill-seekers like us! We get access to haunted spots and, at the same time, learn about the past.
The Spotted Cat Music Club
If you’re on the hunt for a thrilling good time, why not spice things up a bit and have your spiked evening drink at The Spotted Cat Music Club? 
Unwinding at The Spotted Cat Music Club After a Ghost Tour
The Spotted Cat Music Club is one of the most popular spots in New Orleans, and it’s not just because of the great music.
A five-minute drive from the club is New Orleans’ infamous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Here lies the herbalist and midwife Marie Laveau. Legends say she practiced spiritism, earning her the title of Louisiana Voodoo Queen.
Laveau has gained quite a following; some even go to her grave to worship her. For me, such a sight would be a unique experience and something I will never forget.
However, note that if you wish to visit her mausoleum at Cemetery No. 1, you must join a walking ghost tour for entry access.
For a more spooky night, you can also head to the nearby Old Ursuline Convent Museum, where the first vampires are said to have originated. Do you think you would be able to survive the night?!
If you are in New Orleans and not sure where to stay, then why not extend the fright-filled fun and stay at one of New Orleans’s famous haunted hotels? It is sure to be a thrilling experience.
Get Ready to Visit the Most Haunted Spots and Restaurants in New Orleans
New Orleans is a city well-known for its haunted history, and several restaurants capitalize on this. If you’re looking for a spooky dining experience, you have many options to choose from. But the question is: would you be brave enough to go?
These haunted restaurants are not for the faint of heart, but they promise an unforgettable dining experience. So if you’re feeling adventurous and are looking for a new place to explore, add New Orleans to your list – and be sure to visit some of the haunted restaurants!
XO,
Anna
P.S. Need ideas for this Halloween? If you’re visiting New Orleans during spooky season you can’t miss these iconic (and scary) events and festivals that the city holds every year!
Anna is a traveler, blogger, and entrepreneur who can’t keep herself still. She’s always on the move, whether working hard on a new passion project or exploring a new city as a part-time digital nomad. Dare to keep up? Check out The Tatted Nomad for everything digital nomad, social media marketing, mental health, and travel (and to see her latest addition, Novah, her service dog and travel companion). As a psychotherapist (to be) she also offers insights about your mental health related questions – anything you see that isn’t covered but you have questions about? Let her know!
