Napoleon House New Orleans: The Historic Lunch Spot for a Pimm’s Cup & Muffuletta

At the corner of St Louis and Chartres Streets in New Orleans’ French Quarter, there is a restaurant that feels like you’ve wandered into a living time capsule, the Napoleon House. We walked in on an unusually cold winter afternoon.  After a long day of traveling, lunch and a cocktail were needed… and Napoleon House had been on our minds! 

The History of the Napoleon House

Part of the Napoleon House experience is taking in its incredible history.  The building dates back to 1797 and was originally the home of Nicholas Girod, a former mayor of New Orleans. 

It gets its name from a plot to rescue Napoleon Bonaparte from exile on the island of Saint Helena and bring him to New Orleans to live out his final years. Girod and his supporters, including legendary pirate Jean Lafitte, never had the chance to try to rescue the exiled leader. Napoleon died on May 5, 1821, before the plan could be carried out — but the name stuck, and the house eventually became a bar and restaurant in the early 20th century.

Today, you’re literally dining in a place that was almost the retirement home of one of history’s most famous emperors.

New Orleans has plenty of historic restaurants — but few with history quite this bold.

Eating Lunch at Napoleon House

Walking up the line wrapped around the side, with an eager mix of both locals and tourists like ourselves patiently waiting their turn. 

After about twenty minutes, it was our turn!  Walking in the well-worn floors, peeling plaster walls plastered with vintage art and portraits, and an open courtyard creates an atmosphere that could only exist in New Orleans — elegant, relaxed, and unapologetically aged. 

No TVs. No neon. Just classical music and chatter from nearby tables drifting through the packed restaurant.  It’s the kind of place where you instinctively slow down… and order a drink, which is exactly what we did. 

A Pimm’s Cup

Sitting down, we were immediately greeted by a friendly waiter. My wife and I ordered two Pimm’s Cups, which were on our table in no time. Served icy cold in a tall glass, the cocktail mixes Pimm’s No. 1 with lemonade and lemon-lime soda, and garnishes it with a cucumber. It’s crisp, herbal, slightly sweet, and unbelievably refreshing — basically designed for the Louisiana heat.  The recipe is below. 

Round two came fast because the first ones went down before we even ordered our appetizer. 

Boudin Sausage

Sipping the second cocktail, we started with a local treat, a Boudin Sausage appetizer. 

Neither of us had ever tried Boudin (pronounced “boo-dan”) Sausage before, so we were pretty excited. It was on our list of foods to try while in New Orleans.  Boudin is a classic Cajun sausage from Louisiana, made with pork, rice, spices, and, often, the “Holy Trinity” (onions, celery, and bell pepper), and stuffed into a casing. It is a true South Louisiana comfort food.

Ours came out promptly and was served grilled with fresh French bread, a small side of a pickled vegetable salad, and Steen’s mustard. You can probably guess from the picture above… it was awesome. 

The Famous Muffuletta

Then comes the real star — the muffuletta. This was so delicious!  

Warm Sicilian sesame-seed bread arrives stacked with layers of ham, Genoa salami, pastrami, melty Swiss cheese, provolone, and the signature olive salad, soaked into every inch of the loaf. The outside is lightly toasted while the inside stays soft enough to absorb the briny olive oil.

It’s salty, tangy, savory, and massive — a sandwich built for sharing but usually not shared.

Each bite tastes unmistakably New Orleans: Italian immigrant roots blended with Gulf Coast flavor and local indulgence.

Pair it with the Pimm’s Cup, and you’ve ordered one of the official lunches of the French Quarter. Having lunch at Napoleon House is a quintessential New Orleans experience.  The food, drinks, and atmosphere are unforgettable. 

Napoleon House Pimm’s Cup Recipe

• Ingredients. 
  • 1 1/4 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
  • 3 ounces homemade lemonade
  • 7-Up to top
  • Cucumber slice, for garnish
• Instructions
  • In a tall glass over ice, stir together the Pimm’s and lemonade.
  • Top with 7-Up and garnish with a cucumber. Serve with a straw.