While visiting New Orleans, there were two vampire-themed establishments that were on my “must see” list. One was a restaurant known as the New Orleans Vampire Café. The other was a shop called the Boutique du Vampyre. Located right near each other in the French Quarter, they’re a great way to add some vampiric flare to your time in the Crescent City.
The café is located at 801 Royal St., on the corner of Royal St. and St Ann St. The boutique is at 709 St Ann St., just past the café. Both establishments are owned by Marita Woywood Crandle, who wrote a great book about New Orleans vampire tales called New Orleans Vampires: History and Legend.
The New Orleans Vampire Café consists of an intimate dining room and bar. It has a great atmosphere with a fun, gothic décor. I especially liked the place settings in which the napkins were folded into bat shapes. The silverware was actually gold in color – likely a reference to the aversion that vampires have to silver. The menu design was appropriately spooky and there was a solid range of offerings. I ordered the vampire breakfast burger, which I found to be delicious. A fun touch is that they burn a V into the tops of their burger buns. They also have blood-themed alcoholic beverages that are served in blood bags! Overall, it was a meal experience you could really sink your fangs into.
Just steps from the café you’ll find the entrance to Boutique du Vampyre. It is a small shop filled with all sorts of vampire-related gifts. You’ll find books, art, curiosities, and more. There was even a fortune telling machine featuring St. Germain (who I’ve blogged about). I personally picked up a Vampire Café t-shirt. The atmosphere in the shop is great – very vampire gothic. It’s really a unique store and worth visiting while you’re in the French Quarter, especially if you’re a vampire enthusiast.
I had a great time eating at the New Orleans Vampire Café and shopping at the Boutique du Vampyre. It’s very rare to find establishments that are specifically focused on the theme of vampires. For someone like myself, who has an interest in the topic, it was a real treat. Next time I find myself in the French Quarter, I’ll be sure to grab another bite at the café and browse through the boutique.
Location
New Orleans Vampire Café
801 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
Official Site: nolavampirecafe.com
Boutique du Vampyre
709 St Ann St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
Official Site: boutique-du-vampyre.myshopify.com
Written by A. P. Sylvia