Whether you enjoy cheese boards as an appetizer, an after-dinner treat, or a complete meal, we can all agree that they are the superior dish. New Orleans is the home of so many amazing restaurants and food, and the cheese plates here certainly live up to those standards. If you’re a cheese lover make sure to check out the restaurants below, and even consider taking the time to craft your own flavorful cheese plate!
Bacchanal
Located in the beautiful Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans is arguably the city’s best cheese plate (I mean, just look at the cover photo). Although Bacchanal is a bit far from campus, it is absolutely worth the trip. They have a great selection of cheeses and meats that you choose yourself and they serve them on a huge platter complete with all the necessities: warm bread, olives, candied nuts, jams, and pickled vegetables. The presentation is beautiful, overflowing with enough food for a group of friends. The five cheeses we selected were all delicious, everyone ended up having a different favorite! The atmosphere at Bacchanal is equally amazing. They have a huge outdoor area with string lights and live music; the entire restaurant is welcoming and lively. Make sure to put this on the top of your list of places to eat in New Orleans! I recommend going early to beat the line and find a spot outside.
St. James Cheese Company
Happy hour at St. James Cheese Company is the best place for a not-too-pricey, but delicious, cheese plate. Their Uptown location is only a short distance from campus and offers the biggest selection of cheeses and meats that I’ve seen in New Orleans. One of my favorite things about St. James is that although we didn’t choose our own cheese, they surprise all their customers with a unique selection of cheeses; no two cheese plates are the same. I was super excited when they brought out my cheese plate and one of my all-time favorite cheeses was featured: Cowgirl Creamery’s Red Hawk (top left). Everything they served was delicious and I especially loved their mustard and jams. St. James truly is the one-stop-shop for all your cheese, meat, and jam necessities if you’re having a dinner party or want to bring some cheese home for a snack!
(Uptown happy hour: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 5-8pm. $10 cheese plates!)
Chais Delachaise
Right around the corner on Maple Street, Chais Delachaise offers a mouthwatering selection of food including two amazing cheese & charcuterie boards. I suggest the Euro Board, which includes some truly amazing cheeses and meats. The overall combination of flavors on this cheese board was phenomenal. We smothered everything in the lemon jam, and it was genuinely one of the best flavors I have ever tasted. The lavender honey goat cheese and tarragon butter were unique and delicious. I also love that they include freshly baked bread from the Patisserie just a few doors down. I highly recommend dedicating a few hours to taking a stroll over to Chais Delachaise and indulging in a relaxing afternoon eating a cheese board on their beautiful outdoor patio. You will easily clear the plate, probably even wanting to lick it clean and ask for more when you’re done.
A Homemade Cheese Board
Whether I’m at home in California or in my dorm at Tulane, I can’t resist making my own cheese board every once and awhile. Since everyone has different tastes, this is the perfect way to make a cheese board 100% filled with foods you love. The first step to making your own cheese plate is a trip to the store. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s both have great cheese selections, or even take a trip back to St. James to pick up your supplies. Make sure to get a variety: hard cheeses, creamy cheeses, a baguette, crackers, fruit, jam, prosciutto, salami, etc. The key to making a beautiful cheese board is making it crowded, filled to the brim with foods you love. Somehow eating something is so much more fun when you make it yourself! Share it with a few friends because nothing brings people together like amazing food!
Cover Photo: Renee Bunszel
About Renee Bunszel
Renee Bunszel is a sophomore from the Bay Area, and an English major and SLAMM minor. Renee loves reading, writing, and eating all the delicious food in New Orleans!
Renee Bunszel is a sophomore from the Bay Area, and an English major and SLAMM minor. Renee loves reading, writing, and eating all the delicious food in New Orleans!
