One of the best parts of working at The Shop in New Orleans is having so many great places to eat just steps from your desk. South Market sits at the intersection of the CBD, Warehouse Arts District, and Sports & Entertainment District, putting an impressive range of restaurants, cafés, bars, and quick bites within an easy walk.

Whether you need a quick lunch between meetings, somewhere to grab coffee and get some work done, or a restaurant for a team dinner, there’s no shortage of options.

Here are a few of our favorites to keep in mind the next time you’re hungry.

For a Quick Lunch

Willa Jean

A South Market staple, Willa Jean is a great option when you want something that feels distinctly New Orleans without turning lunch into an all-afternoon affair. The restaurant combines Southern cooking with a modern café atmosphere, making it a popular choice for breakfast, lunch, coffee, baked goods, or a mid-afternoon treat.

It’s also an easy place to bring an out-of-town guest who wants to experience a little bit of New Orleans cooking without venturing far from the office.

Poke Loa

When you need something quick and customizable, Poke Loa is an easy choice. Build a bowl around your preferred combination of seafood, vegetables, rice, and toppings, making it particularly convenient when everyone in your group wants something different. South Market lists Poke Loa among its food and beverage tenants.

The Daily Beet

For something on the lighter side, The Daily Beet offers healthy café fare and juices. It’s a particularly good option when you want lunch that won’t leave you ready for an afternoon nap.

For Coffee and a Quick Bite

District All-Day Delicious

Sometimes you need coffee. Sometimes you need breakfast. Sometimes you need both.

District All-Day Delicious offers grab-and-go and dine-in American fare alongside specialty coffee and house-made ice cream. It’s a convenient option for an early start, a mid-morning break, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

The Café at The Barnett

Located inside The Barnett, The Café offers all-day coffee and café fare with a focus on farm-driven, responsibly sourced ingredients. It’s another good spot to escape the office for a few minutes without actually going very far.

And, of course, members of The Shop have coffee waiting for them back at the workspace when you don’t want to leave at all.

For Happy Hour or After-Work Drinks

Seaworthy

If you’re looking for a spot to transition from work mode to evening mode, Seaworthy is a South Market favorite. The seafood-focused restaurant and oyster bar pairs its menu with cocktails and wine, making it a natural choice for a post-work drink, date night, or dinner with coworkers.

High-Five

For a more relaxed rooftop setting, head to High-Five at The Barnett. The poolside garden serves small plates and cocktails, offering a change of scenery without leaving South Market.

For a Team Dinner

Morrow Steak

When the occasion calls for something a little more substantial, Morrow Steak brings an Asian influence to the traditional steakhouse. It’s one of the newer additions to South Market’s dining scene and is a good choice for a client dinner, celebration, or team outing.

Brutto Americano 

For Italian food and wine, Brutto Americano is another nearby option. The restaurant is part of The Barnett and adds another style of dining to an already diverse neighborhood food scene. South Market’s current directory includes it among the district’s restaurants.

Tacos Del Cartel

For something more casual, Tacos Del Cartel brings Mexican-inspired dining to South Market. It’s a good option when the group wants tacos, drinks, and a livelier atmosphere rather than a formal dinner.

Don’t Forget Dessert

South Market isn’t just about lunch and dinner. The district’s food and beverage directory includes several spots for coffee, sweets, and afternoon treats, including the Café at The Barnett, Bittersweet Confections, Aunt Sally’s Original Creole Pralines, and Swiss Confectionery.

And sometimes a little sugar is exactly what you need to get through that last afternoon meeting.

Your Neighborhood, Your Lunch Break

One of the biggest advantages of working at The Shop at the CAC is being surrounded by a neighborhood that makes it easy to step away from your desk. South Market has grown into a destination of its own, with restaurants ranging from casual lunch spots to destination-worthy dinners, all within a few blocks.

So the next time you’re debating where to eat, don’t overthink it. Walk downstairs, walk outside, and explore South Market.

After all, one of the perks of working in New Orleans is having a pretty good excuse to take a lunch break.

Hungry yet? Explore everything South Market has to offer and discover your next favorite spot. Explore South Market