As a local tour guide here in New Orleans, I hear this question so often from my tour guests every week:
“What are the best New Orleans souvenirs from and where can I buy them?”
Many people know what they are looking for, like beads, and others want not-so-typical gifts.
In this post, I’ll share where you can find awesome souvenirs to remind you of your trip to NOLA.
I steer you to the best stores for both traditional and unique souvenirs with an eye on affordability.
In this video, my fellow tour guide Andrew talks about unique items and where to get them.
1. Masks
I’ve lived in New Orleans for many years and I never get tired of Carnival season.
It’s one of the most incredible times in New Orleans as locals and tourists dress up in colorful, flamboyant costumes.
But not everyone can afford to go all out with a fanciful costume year after year. I sure can’t!
Instead, I buy a mask. It’s an affordable and simple way to participate in the Carnival vibe.
That's why I always recommend to my tour guests that they consider getting masks since they are affordable and gorgeous.
The French Market is the best location for cheap feather ones with some stores offering 4 masks for $20.
You can also get deals on prices if you buy multiple designs.
If you want a high-end mask, I tell everyone to go to Maskarade on Royal Street in the French Quarter.
They sell masks made of many materials, some so elaborate they look like they were worn by royalty at an 18th-century costume ball in France!
Maskarade is not cheap. But their masks are exceptional. It’s worth peeking inside just to see them!
2. Hot Sauce
If you’ve tried some of Louisiana’s hot sauces, you may have screamed in pain or fallen in love.
If it is the latter, don’t go home brokenhearted!
A bottle of hot sauces is an ideal souvenir since you can find them in different sizes and prices.
You can get Tabasco sauce back home, but locals like myself think Crystal hot sauce is the real deal.
You’ll find it in many stores, like the Praline Factory in the French Quarter on 300 Royal Street.
There are many brands with their own secret recipes. I love the array of hot sauces made by the Pepper Palace in the French Market.
They are THE place to go for variety and it's where I send my tour guests whether they like mild or extreme hot sauce and everything in between.
Not sure what to get? At Pepper Palace, you can sample many of them before buying.
In addition to hot sauces, they sell seasonings and rubs, salsas, BBQ sauces, and more.
3. Voodoo Dolls
Voodoo Dolls are one of the cheapest and most simple-to-pack souvenirs you can buy in the Big Easy.
Traditionally made out of Spanish Moss, twigs, fabric, and pins, they are about 4 by 2 inches in size.
The best place to find cheap prices is in the French Market.
If you want one that is blessed and traditional, I suggest Voodoo Authentica on 612 Dumaine Street.
They have Gris Gris potion bags and candles for any of life’s occasions or nuisances you might be dealing with!
If you join us on one of our Voodoo Tours, you can go right into the shop since our tour ends there.
If you find yourself in Uptown, Miette on Magazine St. sells plush ones for sale that are kid-friendly.
Our post on the best Voodoo Shops in New Orleans will lead you to some other options.
4. Cafe Du Monde Beignet and Coffee Mix
The only Beignet mix to buy and take home is the famous Cafe Du Monde blend.
These delectable pastries are easy to make at home with this mix.
When I go to visit relatives in other states, I bring along a few boxes of this mix so they can taste a bit of my city.
You can find their mix at their French Quarter location and many local grocery stores as well, like Rouses on Royal in the French Quarter.
A unique souvenir is Cafe du Monde's Chicory Coffee blend. It goes so well with the Beignets and can be bought anywhere the mix is sold.
If you want to shop while eating at your table, you can ask your waiter. The gifts for sale are limited and cash only. But it sure is convenient!
The store also sells a variety of Cafe Du Monde-branded items like official mugs, keychains, shirts, tumblers and more.
Cafe Du Monde also has an online shop where you can buy this mix.
5. Mardi Gras Beads
Thrown down from balconies to revelers on the streets during Mardi Gras, beads are the souvenir that most screams New Orleans!
You do not need to be here during Mardi Gras nor reveal more of yourself than you’d like to bring home strings of beads.
These plastic brightly colored shimmery baubles are sold at many of the t-shirt shops in the French Quarter.
My favorite beaded necklaces have little red crawfish beads on them. Adorable and VERY New Orleans!
If you are looking for cheap beads, head to the French Market where you can haggle for a better price.
6. King Cake/Baby
One of my favorite things about Carnival season is eating King Cakes!
You may not have heard of this kind of cake which is made only around Carnival.
If you are in NOLA at that time, here’s what to expect:
A cake that's a blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll with yellow, green and purple icing (the colors of Mardi Gras).
They may be filled with fruit fillings and cream cheeses.
You can pick them up at locally owned Rouse’s grocery stores.
But I think it is worth trekking to Magazine Street in Uptown to try a fancier version of this cake from Sucre.
You can also pick a traditional one up from the Haydel’s pop-up down the street.
Another popular option is Randazzo’s, as they specialize in the treat.
Not in New Orleans around Carnival? Order them from Randazzo's online and they will ship right to your front door -- baby and all!
7. Cajun Spices
I hope you have had some great meals while in New Orleans. Perhaps you’ve had food so good you’d like to bring it home for a souvenir!
Well, you can. Sort of. If you like cooking, prepare classic Cajun meals yourself!
To do that, you’ll need some quintessentially New Orleans spices.
I recommend the World Famous N’awlins Cafe and Spice Emporium, a stop on our free French Quarter Food Tour.
Here you can buy local small-batch spice packets and national brands.
Easy to pack and very affordable!
8. Pralines
If you’ve had pralines, you know you will want some more when you get home.
Then your friends and family who didn't come to NOLA with you will want some.
So grab a few boxes to go!
Leah’s Pralines is a favorite among travelers, and I love them.
We stop off there on our free food tour. Look at those smiling faces in the picture below. Those are praline happy faces!
Leah’s has traditional, dark chocolate, creamy, and other types of pralines. They also have peanut brittle and fudge. It’s all made fresh daily.
Leah’s Pralines has been in business for over 72 years, so they know what they are doing.
I think Aunt Sally’s is good too, especially if you want to give pralines as gifts to a group of people, like work colleagues as the gift boxes include individually wrapped pralines.
9. Fleur de Lis
Fleur De Lis is the symbol of the Royal House of Bourbon and Louisiana.
You will see it everywhere and on practically everything, from flags to paperweights to just about anything you can think of!
If you have to bring home gifts for a lot of people, you cannot go wrong with anything Fleur De Lis-covered.
Fleurty Girl has several locations and has tons of accessories and household goods with the Lis on them.
The name says it all!
10. Music
New Orleans is alive with music day and night. Bring it home with you, old-fashioned style. On vinyl!
From time to time on my tours, I have guests who ask me where they can buy records.
If you want to sift through stacks of vinyl, Louisiana Music Factory is the best place in the Quarter to buy local music.
They frequently have in-store live music.
If you are in Uptown, check out Peaches on Magazine, which has a selection of artists you won't find anywhere else.
Collectors of rare 45s will love Euclid Records in the Bywater.
11. Local Artwork
If you want one-of-a-kind souvenirs, consider buying local artwork.
Local artisans sell their works at the once-a-month flea markets at the Piety Street Art Market and the Palace Art Market.
At Jackson Square, there are always artists who will negotiate prices with you.
If you’re in Uptown, the Zele Market is open every day and you can find photographers, sculptures, clothing makers, and much more.
For very special, high-end works of art, you can check out the art galleries on Royal Street or Julia Street art galleries.
12. Shotglasses
They are small. They are fun. They are everywhere!
Just about every gift shop in the French Quarter sells them.
Want a unique shotglass? Check out Cafe Du Monde and Mardi Gras World.
BONUS - POSTCARDS
All guests on our walking tours receive a free postcard of New Orleans. Here's one example.
Put it on your fridge with a magnet to remind you of the awesome time you had or on your desk at work and make your coworkers jealous!
Other Types of Souvenirs
If you have some items on your gift shopping list not mentioned above, try these stores that sell other types of souvenirs.
Combine your love of literature with your love of New Orleans.
This vintage bookstore is in the former home of one of America’s greatest authors, William Faulkner.
This shop on Pirate’s Alley focuses on literature by authors who lived or penned their works in New Orleans.
This kitchenware and gourmet grocery shop has food-related souvenirs.
What could be more fitting since food has likely been such a memorable part of your trip?
Pick up cookbooks with New Orleans recipes and aprons to wear in the kitchen.
Can't wait to cook up somethin’? Grab some chocolates and pralines to eat now!
This lovely boutique sells an eclectic mix of gifts, from New Orleans-inspired garments, jewelry, local art, candles, home decor, fragrances, posters, and more.
Tips and Tricks
1) If you want typical t-shirts, shot glasses, and sunglasses you will find those items all over the French Quarter.
Many of the shops have the same merchandise so go for the cheapest.
2) For unique souvenirs go to the local markets and food shops.
3) There are usually souvenirs related to popular events in the city.
For example, if you plan to come during a celebration like Mardi Gras, look out for souvenirs specific to that activity.
4) Try negotiating prices. It may not always work out, but it’s worth a shot!
Happy shopping!
