Central Grocery invented the muffuletta in 1906. Salvatore Lupo created it for Sicilian workers who needed lunch they could eat with their hands. Round sesame bread, layers of salami, ham, mortadella, provolone, and a chopped olive salad that soaks into everything. The sandwich is traditionally served cold, but a few places heat it, which changes the entire experience.
Central Grocery & Deli, 923 Decatur Street, French Quarter.
The original. Closed after Hurricane Ida damaged the building in 2021. Reopened in 2022 after extensive repairs. The muffuletta here is served cold on round Sicilian bread baked daily. The olive salad is the key ingredient: green olives, black olives, cauliflower, celery, carrots, garlic, oregano, olive oil. It marinates for days. Order a whole or half. Whole feeds two to three people. The sandwich is heavy, about two pounds. Small shop with limited seating, mostly counter space. Long lines during lunch. Open daily 9am-5pm. Cash only at the deli counter. Phone: (504) 523-1620.
Napoleon House, 500 Chartres Street, French Quarter.
Operating since 1914 in a 1797 building. The muffuletta here is served warm, which melts the cheese and makes the meat more pliable. Some purists hate this. Others prefer it. The olive salad stays cold, creating a temperature contrast. The bread gets slightly crispy on the outside from heating. Napoleon House’s version is smaller than Central Grocery’s, closer to the size of two regular sandwiches than the massive Central Grocery round. The building has a courtyard and multiple dining rooms. Classical music plays constantly. Known for Pimm’s Cups and the crumbling plaster aesthetic. Open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-9pm. Phone: (504) 524-9752.
Frank’s Restaurant, 933 Decatur Street, French Quarter.
Family-owned since 1965. The muffuletta here is Central Grocery’s direct competition, literally across the street. Frank’s claims their olive salad is better because they make it fresh daily instead of marinating for days. The bread comes from the same bakery Central Grocery uses. Served cold. The portions are massive. A quarter muffuletta is a full meal. Frank’s is a full restaurant with table service, not just a sandwich counter. They serve other Italian dishes, but most people order the muffuletta. Open daily 8am-4pm. Phone: (504) 525-1602.
Alberto’s Cheese & Wine Bistro, 1001 North Peters Street, French Market.
Small Italian deli and wine shop. The muffuletta here is served cold on bread from Leidenheimer Bakery instead of traditional round Sicilian bread. This is sacrilege to purists. The olive salad is housemade with fewer vegetables than Central Grocery’s version, more olives. The meats include mortadella, capicola, salami, and provolone. Half and whole sizes available. The shop has a few tables inside and sidewalk seating. Order at the counter. They also sell Italian imports, cheeses, and wines. Open daily 9am-6pm. Phone: (504) 218-8100.
