'''Carrollton''' is the section of New Orleans that is at the far end of Uptown from the New Orleans/French Quarter. It is often considered part of Uptown, but it has its own history and traditions (including being a separate city in the 19th century), so it will be treated on its own here. The high ground of the "Carrollton Spur" was fortunately above the great flood which devastated much of the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, leaving this charming neighborhood intact.
It is at the far end of the St. Charles Streetcar line (the green cars) whose other end is on Canal Street in the Central Business District. (All the St. Charles streetcar line has been restored post-Katrina.) Carrollton is near Tulane and Loyola Universities, and many students and professors live here and patronize the local businesses. It is a mixed residential/commercial neighborhood, with urban advantages where the trees are taller than most of the buildings. Carrollton has many small business and good restaurants. The food and shopping make it an attractive place for visitors to spend half a day in between streetcar tours.
The streetcar runs through Carrollton on Saint Charles, then turns on to Carrollton Avenue at a place known as '''The Riverbend'''. You see a cluster of restaurants, shops and businesses here. There are more a walk up, beyond the one bit of late 20th century architecture visible, the mini-strip mall with the Walgreens, behind which you'll find a pleasant small park, or "parkette", surrounded by Victorian houses made into specialty shops and restaurants. The two other parts of Carrollton the visitor should know about are '''Maple Street''', which parallels St. Charles, intersecting with Carrollton just inland from the Riverbend, with row of businesses running a pleasant 6 blocks down to Cherokee. The other business street is '''Oak Street''' [http://www.onlyonoak.com/], 4 blocks further inland (away from the river and St. Charles) than Maple extending on the opposite side of Carrollton Avenue. Long less upscale than Maple, in recent years many trendy shops and restaurants have opened on Oak as well.
Get in
From the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Uptown, take the St. Charles streetcar, and for the most central location get off at the Riverbend or Maple Street stop. (Until the streetcar line's last sectionto Claiborne Avenue is restored to service, the end of the line lets you off right at the Riverbend.) Almost everything mentioned here will be within a maximum of 6 blocks walk in this pedestrian friendly neighborhood.
By car
Take the Carrollton Avenue Exit from Interstate 10, head in the "South" or "Uptown" direction. After a couple miles, at the intersection of Claiborne Avenue, Carrollton Avenue will change abruptly from an urban thoroughfare of 3 lanes each way to one lane in each direction with streetcar tracks down the grassy median and tall oaks and Victorian houses along either side, signalling that you have arrived in the Carrollton neighborhood. Continue another mile to the Riverbend with a cluster of shops where Carrollton ends at the Mississippi and the Streetcar turns on to St. Charles.
Parking is much less difficult than in the French Quarter, but you may sometimes have to park a block or so away from your destination. Notice that some areas have 2 hour parking for non-residents, with clearly marked signs-- giving you enough time for a meal or shopping, but don't leave your car long term.
Pay attention to the fact that many of the old streets, laid out long before the automobile, are one way. Some other side streets are so narrow that they should be one way but aren't, so be prepared to pull to the side to let cars coming the other direction pass if necessary.
To do and see
Walk around enjoying the Victorian residential architecture and plentiful flowering plants, sip coffee or eat a meal at an outdoor table on Carrollton Avenue while the old streetcars rumble by.
While hardly as historic as the French Quarter, Carrollton does have a couple of historic monuments:
'''Old Carrollton City Hall'''. The neoclassical building on Carrollton between Maple an Hampson is now a school
'''John Kennedy Toole's House''': Fans of the novel "A Confederacy of Dunces" can take a walk by the Pulitzer Prize winning author's former home on Hampson at the downtown river corner of Adams. There's a historic marker out front. Look from the sidewalk; it's still a private home.
Eat
Carrollton has some of New Orleans' finest restaurants; for the number and variety within a short walk of each other it is rivaled only by the French Quarter.
Budget
'''Babylon Cafe''', 7724 Maple Street. Middle Eastern, great value and excellent home-made bread
'''Chill Out Cafe''', 729 Burdette Street (''corner of the 7700 block of Maple Street''). Breakfast & Asian Fusion. 7a-8p Mon Sat; 7a-3p Sun.
'''China Orchid''', 704 S. Carrollton (in the little mall at Hampson Street). Decent standard Chinese. Lunch & dinner weekdays, Dinner only Sunday.
'''Favori''', 7507 Maple at Cherokee. New Orleans neighborhood deli, with "po boy" sandwiches and a few dishes like jambalaya. Eat there or take out; delivers in the neighborhood. Similar to the French Quarter's famous "Verdi Mart", but cleaner and doesn't sell booze. Closed Tuesdays. Tel 866-8140
'''Gelato Pazzo''' 8115 Oak St. [http://www.gelatopazzo.com/] panini sandwiches and salads for lunch along with a variety of fresh made gelatos.
'''Jazmine'''. Vietnamese, and bubble-tea. 614 S Carrollton Ave. Closed Mondays.
'''La Madeline''', Carrollton St. at St. Charles St. Small chain of French style cafes, this was one of its first locations and is a local favorite for breakfast; good lunch or dinner as well.
'''Lebanon's Cafe''', 1506 S. Carrollton. Good Middle Eastern, half a step above Babylon in price
'''Louisiana Pizza Kitchen''', 615 S. Carrollton. New Orleans style nouveau pizzas.
'''Cafe Nino's''', 1510 S. Carrollton. Nino came here from Italy, bringing good inexpensive Italian food, via a stop in Philadelphia, where he picked up how to make a great Cheesesteak Sandwich.
'''Oak Street Cafe''', @Oak and Dublin: Homemade breakfast and Po Boys
'''Pepperoni's Cafe'''', 8120 Hampson. Pizza, calzones, pastas, salads, po-boys.
'''Refuel Cafe''', 8124 Hampson Street; Breakfast, lunch and brunch. Omelettes, waffles, gourmet sandwiches, coffees and teas. Open Tu-F 7AM-3PM; Sa,Su 9AM-3PM.
'''Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe''', 7801 Panola Street, 3 blocks down from Carrollton Avenue. Tucked away in a residential section of Carrollton distant from the neighborhood's other restaurants and businesses, Riccobono's does a thriving business of locals for breakfast and lunch. Omelettes, sandwiches, and salads are the specialties.
'''Squeal Bar-B-Q''' 8400 Oak. Tel 302-7370
'''Station 8801''', 8801 Oak Street. Tu-Sa, 11AM-Midnight. At the far upper end of Oak Street half a dozen blocks up from Carrollton Avenue, Station 8801 offers simple "Good Eats & Drinks"; burgers, sandwiches, soft and hard drinks.
Snacks
'''Gelato Pazzo''' 8115 Oak St. [http://www.gelatopazzo.com/] a variety of fresh made gelatos.
'''Plum Street Sno-Balls''', Plum at Burdette: a local delicacy during summer, finely shaved ice with your choice of many custom made syrups. A gourmet version of the northern "snow cone". On Plum Street, a pleasant 3 block walk down from Carrollton Avenue, open 2pm-dark during the long New Orleans summer.
'''Queen of the Ball''' 8116 Oak Street. Carrollton's other favorite for snow balls.
'''Refuel Cafe''' 8124 Hampson Street; see listing above.
'''YouGurt''', 7638 Maple Street: A large variety of frozen yogurts, along with "bubble teas" and other snacks.
Coffee Shops
'''PJ's''', 7624 Maple St. Carrollton's favorite for upscale coffees. Their excellent iced coffee is great on a hot day. Wi-fi. Open 6AM-10PM daily.
'''Rue De La Course''', 1140 S. Carollton, at the corner of Oak Street: Watch the people and streetcars go by from one of the outdoor tables, or sip indoors in the building which was built as a bank back in the 1910s. Look up the walls for the architectural detail of bats sipping coffee mugs. Wi-fi. 6:30AM-Midnight
'''Refuel Cafe''', 8124 Hampson Street; see listing above.
'''Starbucks''', 7700 Maple Street. National chain.
'''Zotz Coffeehouse''', 8210 Oak Street. Bohemian-gothy coffeehouse with a wide variety of snacks of varied quality. Open until 2AM. Rents computer time & internet access in addition to free wi-fi. 861-2224.
Mid range
'''Basil Leaf''', 1438 S. Carrollton. Thai Cuisine
'''Cafe Volage''', 720 Dublin St. Classic French with some local touches.
''' Dante's Kitchen''' 736 Dante St., (504) 861-3121, ''2 blocks from the St. Charles/Carrollton river bend'', [http://www.danteskitchen.com]. "Contemporary Louisiana comfort food".
''' Fresco's,''', 7625 Maple Street, [http://www.frescocafe.us]. Light Mediterranean and pizza. Lunch and dinner, open until 3AM.
'''GB's Patio Bar and Grill''', 8117 Maple Street, 504-861-0067. Great freshly-ground meat burgers.
'''Hana Japanese Restaurant''', 8116 Hampson. Sushi at the Riverbend.
'''Iris''' 8115 Jeannette Street (just up from Carrollton Avenue), 504-862-5848. Continental
'''Jacques Imo's''', 8320 Oak Street. Trendy New Orleans food.
'''Jamila's''' 7808 Maple St. Good quality hearty Mediterranean & Tunisian.
'''La Macarena Pupuseria & Latin Cafe''' 8120 Hampson St. (''half block up from Carrollton Avenue). Good fresh Central American style food.
'''Maple Street Cafe''' 7623 Maple. Upscale foods like filet mignon at a moderate price.
''' One Restaurant and Lounge''' 8132 Hampson St., [http://www.one-sl.com]. Great modern Louisiana food.
'''Salt Water Grill''' 710 S. Carrollton Avenue (''they moved 5 blocks closer to the river in 2008'') [http://wwwsaltwatergrillnola.com] Seafood, po-boys, and more.
'''Sara's''', 724 Dublin: Indian food.
'''Vincent's''', 7839 Saint Charles Av., (504) 866-9313. Creole-Italian.
Splurge
''' Brigtsen's''', 723 Dante St., [http://www.brigtsens.com]. One of New Orleans' finest. Reservations needed.
''' Mat and Naddie's''', 937 Leonidas St., (504) 861-9600, [http://www.matandnaddies.com]. Fresh local ingredients, eclectic decoration.
Drink
'''Bruno's''', Maple Street & Hillary, Old style college bar that's been here since the 1930s, attracts an older crowd early evenings and a young one late (Moved across the street from their old location in 2006)
'''Carrollton Station''', 8140 Willow Street, at Dublin a block up from Carrollton
'''Cooter Brown's'''', 509 S. Carrollton. At the riverbend, just towards the levee from where the St. Charles Streetcar turns on to Carrollton Avenue. One of the city's best beer selections, usually at least a few dozen on tap and hundreds in bottles. Also makes burgers & cheese fries through the night.
'''Maple Leaf Bar''', 8316 Oak. Great live music bar featuring local acts like Rebirth Brass Band on a standard schedule, as well as out-of-town favorites; see "Live Music" section below for more. With a front bar, back bar, lovely patio / courtyard, & pool table.
'''Snake & Jake's Christmas Lounge''', 7612 Oak St. Dimly lit shanty, which if you would ever see in the daylight while sober, you'd probably never go in, but if you're in the mood for a funky dive, it's just so darn fun around 3 - 4 am when your other favorites are starting to peter out. Fun bartenders; open 9pm 'til the sun comes up most days! On Oak St., a few blocks down from Carrollton Avenue, between Adams & Hillary Streets. Great fat orange kitty, Jake, who will gladly keep you company on one of the fluffy couches for the evening.
Live Music
'''Carrollton Station''', 8140 Willow Street, at Dublin a block up from Carrollton
'''Maple Leaf Bar''', 8316 Oak, 866-9359: Contemporary New Orleans brass bands like Rebirth, (who actually play here every Tuesday night when they are not travelling); also R&B, Cajun, Zydeco, and more at this funky legendary local music venue -- includes the college crowd when school is in; dancing; late-night shows; casual; funky. (Despite the name, remember it's on Oak Street, 3 blocks up from Carrollton, not Maple).
Contact
'''Nix Branch, New Orleans Public Library''', 1401 S. Carrollton Avenue (''at Willow'') Use an hour time on computers with internet access; $3 for visitors. 10 am - 6 pm, Mon - Thurs; 10 - 5 Sat
'''PJ's Coffee''', 7624 Maple. Coffee house has bring-your-own-computer wireless access. Open 6am - 11 pm daily.
'''Rue de la Course''', 1140 S. Carrollton. In shop wi-fi. 6:30am - midnight
'''Zotz Coffeehouse''', 8210 Oak Street. Computer time rental and internet access. Open til 2 am. 861-2224