Carrollton is a big ole street. I don’t know what I was thinking telling myself I could traverse it all in one day. So, this guide covers the avenue from City Park to about Tulane Avenue. And if you find yourself in this stretch, you’ll also find more than enough to fill your day.
Morning
I’ll keep it 100, I tried to go to Cafe Du Monde in City Park first. Surprise! They don’t open until 9 a.m. By that time I’m already dying of caffeine starvation, so I went to The Bean Gallery, which is just a short drive or a walk from the park. The baristas were really sweet to a first-timer. And there’s free WiFi and a community library for bonus points. There’s also plenty of patio seating if that’s your thing.
In 2016, New Orleans native and local artist Kristin Malone opened this storefront full of locally made home items and decor made by other local artists. I really love that it’s a home store within an actual home, occupying one side of a duplex, and there is lots to shop for. Downstairs has a kids section, and upstairs are even more items like candles and T-shirts.
Tubby and Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop
So this might be my new secret hideaway. It’s located in the same house as Home Malone, and it’s locally owned. The shop is named after the owner Candice Huber’s grandparents, who grew up in the Mid-City neighborhood. There’s a room upstairs to read to the little ones and a game/study room. Free WiFi is also a plus, so if you need somewhere quiet to read or want to gather up friends to try some board games, here’s your new hideout. Thank me later.
Lunch
I’m all about Vietnamese spots. Usually, I have to pick between pho and banh mi. Not here, the lunch special features both! The bubble tea here is also really good.
Since 1905, the Brocato family has been making some of the best Italian and Sicilian dessert in town. Their store feels like stepping back in time, with slow-turning ceiling fans, glass apothecary jars of candy and glass-topped tables.
Evening
Across the street is Revel, a gorgeous bar run by fourth-generation bartender Chris McMillian and his wife, Laura. You can always catch at least one of them there. McMillian is named by Imbibe Magazine as one of the top 25 most influential cocktail personalities and is always welcoming about cocktail history and suggestions. Because I have the alcoholic sophistication of a 22-year-old, I ordered my usual rum punch, but Laura suggested a Pimm’s Cup instead. It was light and refreshing with the fruitiness I needed to hide my potential bad decisions later in the night. Their kitchen is open at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
