What types of tours do you offer?

At Accidental Cajun Experiences, we like to think we don’t just offer tours, but truly immersive experiences that showcase the best and most unique New Orleans offerings. Our base tour is a culinary walking tour that explores the unique culinary contributions of the various indigenous and immigrant groups that settled in the city.We also offer various cultural tours that explore art, music, the city’s Black masking culture, second line culture, and history. But the beauty of our experiences is they are customizable and allow you to help design your own experience based on your unique interests.

How long do the tours last?

A typical culinary tour lasts approximately 5 hours and includes approximately 6 dishes and 2 cocktails/mocktails. They are typically walking tours, although transport can be arranged. A cultural tour is 3 hours, and we do include a couple bites along the way as well.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, booking in advance is recommended, as it allows us to contact you and tailor the tour to your specific needs.

Are your tours family-friendly?

While our experiences are aimed primarily at adults, we are happy to build a custom, private tour for families with the same pricing. In our experience this provides a better guest experience.

What is included in the price of the tour?

The price of the culinary tour includes all food items and 3-4 beverages per person. The price of the cultural tour includes all of the admissions fees to various museums and attractions, plus a few bites and drinks along the way.

Do your tours run rain or shine?

Our tours do run rain or shine, except in the case of true emergency situations like hurricanes and tropical storms, or city wide emergencies.

Is transportation provided during the tour?

Depending on the specific route of the tour, transportation may be provided in some instances, but, our tours are primarily walking tours. However, transportation can be arranged for those with mobility issues at an additional cost. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Can the tours accommodate special dietary needs?

Special dietary needs can be accommodated to some degree, but not in all instances. Our company was founded by a former professional chef, so we are very conscious of dietary restrictions and allergies, and ideally we would like to say we could accommodate every request. But traditional New Orleans foodways aren’t always the most amenable to vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets. We do try to accommodate wherever possible, though.

Are private or custom tours available?

Private tours are available. Depending on the group size there may be an additional fee.

What is your cancellation policy?

We have a 48-hour cancellation policy, with a full refund during that time. We also encourage you to book directly on our site and not through a third party, because we can’t ensure that they will refund you.

What do you wear on a tour?

We recommend neat, comfortable, seasonal clothes. The temperature in New Orleans can vary a great deal, and also, it can rain here quite often. It is hot and very humid during the summer months and during the winter, it can get into the 30s (F). So check the weather daily and if you have any questions, contact us directly.

New Orleans Culinary Food Tours

The Real New Orleans- Served by a Chef Who Lives It

Culture Through Cuisine.

Accidental Cajun Experiences brings you deep into the neighborhoods, kitchens, and stories that make this city unforgettable. Founded by an award-winning chef, every tour is a feast of culture, history, and damn good food.

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Step into the Experience.

A Day in Treme

What is Creole cuisine? What makes it different from Cajun cooking? And which style of cooking typifies New Orleans? We explore all these questions and more as we guide you through the history of New Orleans through food. We move through the city’s history one bite at a time, from the indigenous roots of the city, to French and Spanish colonization, the myriad contributions of African culture, to waves of immigrants like the Italians, Irish, Germans, and Vietnamese. Along the way we will try iconic dishes as well as lesser-known local specialties, and learn how food has played a pivotal role in the history and development of the city. Our tour includes a minimum of six food stops and at least one drink stop. A leisurely walking tour, it takes approximately 5 hours and is rain or shine. So wear comfortable shoes and bring your appetite and curiosity.

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Bite into Bywater

The Bywater neighborhood has been many things over the years – a former plantation, a thriving working-class neighborhood, a working industrial waterfront, a key player in the Civil Rights movement – and now, one of the best neighborhoods in the city to find both current and classic New Orleans eateries. As we stroll the narrow streets of Bywater, lined with colorful Creole cottages and scenic shotgun houses, we’ll soak up the neighborhood’s Caribbean feel, and discuss its rich history as we savor its cuisine. A cold Barq’s root beer is the perfect accompaniment to a classic New Orleans oyster dish or po’boy. Fall-off-the-bone BBQ and Jamaican Jerked Chicken can be found right around the corner from each other. Want a new take on a classic salad? We know just the place. And a craft beer or a perfect cocktail are never far away. This tour is perfect for frequent visitors looking to branch out, or first-timers. A leisurely walking tour, it takes approximately 5 hours and is rain or shine. So wear comfortable shoes and bring your appetite and curiosity.

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Customize Your Own Experience!

Our two tours dive deep into the Culture and Cuisine of New Orleans but we realize there is even more to taste and experience in this amazing city. Whether it's 3 hours or 3 days, we welcome the opportunity to work with you in designing your perfect New Orleans Experience. Send us a message and tell us what your perfect New Orleans Experience looks like and we will work with you to make it happen!

A list of just a few of our customized offerings:

Oyster Crawl - Let's sample a variety of Oysters at a variety of different spots. Sample Grilled, Raw, Barbecued and a Po-Boy just to name a few, while learning more about the Oyster and the Oyster industry on the Gulf Coast.
Cultural Connections - Whether it is second lines, Black masking Indians, or and exploration of traditional African religions such as Voodoo, we can connect you to the experts in these fields for a richer understanding.
Crawfish/Seafood Boil - Allow us to arrange this Louisiana tradition for your group.
Mardi Gras - The party we throw for ourselves, but everyone is welcome. See it from the inside with us.
Wedding Parties/Guests -Allow us to work with you to design a custom tour or special New Orleans flavored event for the wedding party.
Corporate Events - Let's work together to make that next team meeting or customer event more fun. We know of unique venues and have unique ideas to make your event memorable!

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To explore options with us, click here to request a customized experience!

MEET JAMES CULLEN

Chef-Founded. Culture-Rich.
Deeply New Orleans.

New Orleans local James Cullen didn’t plan this life- it found him. Known to many by his longtime handle, "The Accidental Cajun," he brings a distinctly Creole lens to the table.

Chef, writer, and photographer, James digs into the soul of the city he calls home- his tours blending bold flavors with rich stories, and bringing you beyond Bourbon Street and into the heart of real New Orleans.

More Than Just Tours,
it's a Cultural Encounter

At Accidental Cajun Experiences, there’s no script- only the rhythm of the city and the moments you don’t see coming. This isn’t a sightseeing checklist. It’s a one-of-a-kind journey through New Orleans’ living culture: its music, flavors, backstreets, and stories. You’ll hear the second lines before you see them. Taste dishes you’ve never heard of. And leave with more than just pictures- you’ll take home a piece of the real New Orleans.

Meet James Cullen

    
 
 
         
   Relax780196 
 
 
 
  Best tour I have ever taken
I have never been on a tour like this in my life. James shared his amazing knowledge of New Orleans cuisine and culture. He took us to neighborhoods and restaurants we would have never ventured to on our own. He left us with better understanding of the true food and culture on New Orleans. This tour was the best I have ever experienced.
  
 
        
   Manon 
 
 
 
  Truly Unique Experience!
I've been on food tours in many cities, including New Orleans. This was hands down the best and a truly unique experience! James is an affable guide who led the tour with such authentic hospitality that it felt like hanging out with a friend, who while sharing his favorite spots in his hometown enlightened us with culinary, cultural, historical, and architectural knowledge. We tasted, walked, talked, and met local small business owners who shared personal stories of the history and culture along with tremendous pride in their work to continue the legacy. We ended the tour with full bellies and a profound insight on why New Orleans is such a captivating city.
  
 
        
   Kris W 
 
 
 
  You HAVE to do this food tour! James is entertaining, knowledgeable, and a local star!
My girlfriends and I wanted a quick weekend getaway and decided to give New Orleans another try. We'd been there before, but never really felt like we got a true, authentic experience. We came across Accidental Cajun Experiences and it sounded unique, so we gave it a shot. Worth every penny!!! Our guide, James, was quirky, funny and very enjoyable! He took us into the neighborhoods where the locals go, away from all the commercialized clutter and nonsense. He tailored the tour based on the type of food we like. We made 5 restaurant stops- got to sample the best dish or two from each place and even got to sample some really unique cocktails! Left completely full! It was exactly what we needed, and am so glad we did it. James said we can come back next time and he'll take us to 5 different places that he knows we'll love. He's a local chef, so it's cool to see the city through his eyes- where all the restaurant owners know him. I'm not much for history, but the stories he told were not boring at all!! I'd highly recommend this over a history tour- because with this you get both- great food AND the stories! We appreciated getting to try multiple authentic dishes, vs. going to only one place to eat. What we spent on the tour gave us food variety, history, and entertainment- all for the price of one meal and drinks at a nice restaurant.
  
 
        
   Deanna P 
 
 
 
  We Felt Like Locals – Best Food Tour Ever!
We felt like locals!First of all, let me say that we love New Orleans and visit several times a year. We always are trying to find unique and different things to do that aren’t “touristy” as we explore the city. Our guide, James, was amazing. We did the "Creole" tour. He took us to spots we would never have discovered on our own. The really cool part about it is he knew the owners in almost every place we went. We loved meeting the owners and talking to them about the food and their story.  The bonus with James as our guide is that he is a chef-so he could tell us more about the food, especially how it ties into the history of the city. He was so knowledgeable on both topics. We went to 6 places, ate everything from amazing sausages, gumbo, a po boy and even YakaMein. That was a first! Glad this was a walking tour-it balanced out the tour! Next time we are doing the Bywater tour-looks super interesting!
  
 
        
   Heather L 
 
 
 
  Five Star Service and Flavors!
We had the absolute pleasure of hiring James, The Accidental Cajun, to cater a private dinner for 20 people during our recent stay in New Orleans. —and it was hands down the highlight of our entire trip. With very little lead time, he pulled together a flawless experience that gave us a true taste of New Orleans. James provided a stellar custom experience with attention to every detail—bringing along a full team including a fantastic bartender, all of whom were warm, professional, and blended right in with our group. The food was simply masterful. His dark roux gumbo was the best we had anywhere (and we tried a lot!), and dishes like crawfish étouffée and decadent bread pudding were unforgettable. No restaurant in town matched the quality, flavor, and heart that James brought to the table that first night.He made it all look effortless, allowing us to relax and enjoy the evening without having to wash a single dish. I can't wait to come back and join one of his culinary tours to experience New Orleans through his local eyes. If you're looking for a truly authentic and elevated NOLA dining experience, look no further than The Accidental Cajun.

BEYOND THE BROCHURE

Why Tour With Us

There are a thousand ways to see New Orleans- but only one like this. This isn’t a megaphone-on-a-bus tour. It’s personal. It's unscripted. And it's led by someone who has lived, worked, and tasted this city for decades- that can introduce you to the owners of the establishments. When you travel with Accidental Cajun Experiences, you’re stepping into James’ New Orleans: whether your preference is chef-owned hole-in-the-walls, or upscale dining, you’ll experience family stories passed down over gumbo pots, and the roads less traveled a la Frost.

Chef-founded insight into the city’s real culinary backbone
Tastings of authentic local dishes at each stop, hand-picked by James
Thoughtfully curated stops that shift with the rhythm of the city
A small-group, immersive experience- never cookie-cutter
A deeper understanding of the people, food, and culture that define New Orleans.
A quench for your curiosity of the City’s flavors

This is the real New Orleans, the version you haven’t been able to find
anywhere else. You just have to know the right local

Giving Back to Our Community

We are deeply committed to what some call regenerative travel — experiences that don't just visit a culture but actively support it.
We highlight and help members of the local community.
We don't cut deals or ask for discounts from local businesses.
We respect the hard work of the cultural community that makes New Orleans unlike anywhere else on earth
We believe that spending tourism dollars intentionally is one of the most powerful ways to give back.

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