For many, Gentilly has become almost an extension of Lakeview. It has a family-friendly atmosphere, with lots of places to eat and chill dotted among the residential areas.
Breakfast
Pontilly Coffee and Snowballs
To start your day off right, you’ll probably want a nic cup of coffee. Tucked away across from the Baptist Seminary, these hidden gems have indoor and outdoor seating and tables for up to 6 people if you want a quiet meeting space. The coffee shop doesn’t close until 9 p.m., so it’s a nice place to sit and study. All of the profits go to Bethel Community Baptist Church, which operates faith-based treatment programs. The prices are reasonable, with a 20-oz iced coffee at $2.75 and a large cup of Cafe’ Americano ringing in at $2.75. The snowball stand also offers snacks like chips, nachos and hot dogs.
Daytime Activities
Joe Bartholomew Golf Course
After you’ve gotten your hot cup of joe, it’s time to explore. This quiet golf course sits across from Southern University of New Orleans’ campus, nestled in the back of Pontchartrain Park. The public course offers 18-holes and was opened in 1956 as the Pontchartrain Golf Course. It underwent renovations in 1979, and was renamed to honor the first African-American inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.
Lakefront Marinas
Gentilly sits along Lake Pontchartrain, with Southern University of New Orleans and the University of New Orleans both bordering the lake. Everyone who grew up here has memories of being on the lake, whether it’s sitting by the stairs watching the waves come up, or running on the levees as a child. The lake always offers a beautiful view, and it’s a great place to sit alone and think or gather some friends to chill and have fun.
Pontchartrain Park
Home of the Pontchartrain Park Patriots, this park boasts lots of club athletics. If you and your kids are just visiting, there is a playground with equipment, baseball field, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a fenced field for play.
Lunch
Zimmer’s Seafood
So, sometimes there’s a line out of the door here, but that’s how you know the food is good. When crawfish is in season, getting at least four pounds is your best bet. It’s amazing. You can also get seafood plates here, like shrimp po-boy or soft shell crabs, shrimp salad as well as their fresh seafood. It’s perfect for grabbing some food before dinner or taking a pound of seafood out to the lake.
Happy Hour/Night Time
Daquiris & Company
It’s the end of the day, and maybe you don’t like lines that are always out to Chef Menteur at the daquiri shop near the seminary. This shop has lots of seating, and it’s where people in the neighborhood come to grab a drink after work. There’s even a food menu so you can get something in your stomach before that house special takes over.
