When I first moved to New Orleans, I asked a local friend where he liked to go out to eat. “New Orleans is my favorite restaurant,” he replied. This was in August of 2020, since then I can count on one hand the bad meals that I’ve had in New Orleans Restaurants. From the Quarter to Lakeview, I have had some of the best culinary experiences of my life in the Crescent city.
Cajun v. Creole Influence
The cuisine of New Orleans is unique from the rest of the nation and holds steady to Cajun and Creole roots. Cajun and Creole are often mistaken as the same by tourists. Although they are similar, they have diverse histories.
Cajun defines a group of people that are of Acadian descent, or French Canadian settlers who were later exiled to Louisiana. Creole is more contested and holds no official definition, but it can be characterized as European, African, Caribbean and Hispanic individuals who were early inhabitants of the area.
Telling Cajun and Creole food apart can be tricky as in many places across southeastern Louisiana you can find fusions of it in restaurants and homes. The main tell for me is that Creole foods tends to be tomato based while Cajun food is not.
Typical Cajun Foods:
- Smoked meats
- Jambalaya
- Boudin
- Crawfish Boil
Typical Creole Foods:
- Roux based gumbo
- Shrimp creole
- Grits & grillades
- Redfish Courtbouillon
Beyond Cajun and Creole food which I have come to love, New Orleans is home to thousands of restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. I have been lucky enough to try quite a few New Orleans restaurants, and also have a fairly comprehensive spreadsheet to keep track of recommendations that I have gotten from other local friends.
Below I have organized 50 of my favorite places to eat in the city.
The 50 Best New Orleans Restaurants
Best Breakfasts & Brunches
Steins
Neighborhood: Uptown & CBD
Price: $
Steins is an authentic Jewish-Italian deli serving up traditional sandwiches and breakfasts, including Davidovich bagels from New York City. Aside from an array of specialty meats and cheeses, a go-to of mine is their house cured lox breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel. Sausage egg and cheese is another must (pictured below).
Bearcat Cafe
Neighborhood: Uptown
Price: $$
Bearcat serves breakfast and lunch options dedicated to fresh choices as well as coffee that is micro-sourced from Equator Coffee Co. Be sure to try the chai pancakes, or the Bearcat breakfast.
Ruby Slipper Cafe
Neighborhood: Uptown
Price: $$
My first time visiting the Ruby Slipper was on the champagne walk of Magazine Street. I arrived just in time for breakfast at 1:30 in the afternoon and had a phenomenal dining experience, flight of mimosas included. At Ruby Slipper you cannot go wrong with any of the benedicts, but the chicken St. Charles (pictured below) is a personal favorite of mine.
Willa Jean
Neighborhood: Warehouse District
Price: $$
Willa Jean is an upscale, retro cafe experience in the heart of the CBD. They constantly change their menu to offer in-season dishes, but you cannot go wrong with the fresh biscuits with jam or a charcuterie board whenever you go. They also have a lively mixture of “party drinks” to try with your brunch.
Atchafalaya
Neighborhood: Irish Channel
Price: $$$
Atchafalaya prides itself with being “The only of the New Orleans restaurants with 5 A’s” due to it’s lengthy name. Atchafalaya’s home is a rustic Creole cottage in the Irish channel with a wooden exterior. At brunch, the eggs Atchafalaya comes highly recommended, but you can also return later in the day for their cozy dinner menu featuring items like Gulf fish curry and andouille cornbread stuffed quail.
Best New Orleans Restaurants for Lunch
Port of Call
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$
Port of Call is consistently ranked as the best burger in New Orleans, which is reason enough to visit this establishment. You can get a classic half pound hamburger or cheeseburger, or you can mix things up and get a mushroom burger. All are served with a baked potato.
Juan’s Flying Burrito
Neighborhood: LGD & CBD, Uptown, Mid City
Price: $$
I was in New Orleans for approximately 5 days this August before Hurricane Ida forced me to evacuate, but I still managed to fit a trip to Juan’s in. We ordered the trio of dips and my friend remarked that it may have been some of the best queso that she had ever had. I ordered the Jerk chicken burrito upon our waiter’s recommendation, and it was phenomenal. Of course, house margarita on the rocks with a salt rim to wash it down.
The Palace Cafe
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$
The Palace Cafe is the one and only Brennan’s group restaurant that I recommend in New Orleans because it is just that good. They serve classic Creole food, have a full service rum bar and are located in a historic music building. You cannot leave without trying the seafood cheesecake – a savory take on the classic that you cannot find anywhere else.
St. James Cheese Company
Neighborhood: Uptown & Downtown
Price: $
St. James Cheese Company is both a cheesemonger shop as well as a restaurant. Definitely check out their storefront for a variety of cheeses, charcuterie and unique gifts, but stay for the dining menu. Try their Ploughman’s lunch if you’re looking to try a selection of cheeses or go with one of their excellent sandwiches. I personally like the melted Gruyere one best. All food is of course made with their selection of cheeses.
Auction House Market
Neighborhood: Warehouse
Price: $
Auction House is a unique food hall with 6 rotating vendors and a full service bar. I like to take friends here as we can go off on our separate ways to find food and reconvene with everything from sushi to Mexican food. It’s a fun and lively atmosphere with a range of options to choose from.
Bacchanal
Neighborhood: Bywater
Price: $$
Bacchanal first opened pre-Katrina, but after the storm they invited displaced guest chefs from other New Orleans restaurants to come and cook for them. Thus, they became New Orleans’ first pop-up location. Today, it is a fun and lively outdoor spot to try wine by the bottle and sample a rotating chef-curated menu. Build your own cheese plate, and if you like a wine so much you want to buy a bottle to take home they also have a full wine shop. Note: they’re only open for lunch on the weekends, all other days of the week but Tuesday visit after 5 pm.
Piece of Meat
Neighborhood: Bywater
Price: $
I first found Piece of Meat by accident while waiting out a 45 minute hold for a nearby restaurant. Friends and I went in for some to-go drinks, and left with sandwiches. This butcher shop offers a unique range of meats & cheeses as well as some classic drinks like an aperol spritz.
Cochon Butcher
Neighborhood: Warehouse
Price: $$
Cochon butcher has a lot to offer, and was actually ranked as one of Yelp’s top 100 restaurants in THE WORLD. It’s a big deal. All meat for their sandwiches is butchered and cured in house. Some local recommendations include the BBQ Pork Carolina Style Sandwich & fried gator.
Verti Marte
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $
I discovered this Po’Boy joint while on a French Quarter ghost tour one Halloween. As the tour wrapped up and the guide inquired about questions, a friend of mine raised her hand and asked “What are your favorite New Orleans restaurants around here?” Our guide didn’t even hesitate – Verti Marte. Verti Marte is a local secret for some of – if not the best – Po’Boys in New Orleans. Our guide recommended the All that Jazz Po’Boy, and when I finally got around to getting one of my own it was as amazing as I anticipated.
The Company Burger
Neighborhood: Uptown
Price: $
Although Cochon may have national recognition for their burgers, The Company Burger is another favorite burger among locals. All burgers are made with Angus beef and pickles, buns & mayo are all made in house. Order the Company Burger with a vanilla milkshake.
Best Sit Down Dinner Options
Copper Vine
Neighborhood: Warehouse
Price: $$$
Copper Vine has a romantic atmosphere with cascading twinkle lights and greenery, great food, and wine on tap. They have wine tasting events often that book out well in advance. Sit on the patio for a greenscape in the “most New York” part of New Orleans.
The Joint
Neighborhood: Bywater
Price: $
The Joint has some of the best BBQ of New Orleans restaurants. Everything that they smoke in house is good, but the brisket has been particularly recommended to me. Along with meat, try one of their classic smokehouse sides like mac and cheese or coleslaw. All made by hand.
Jack Rose/Hot Tin
Neighborhood: LGD
Price: $$$
I include Jack Rose & Hot Tin together because they are under the same ownership, Jack Rose is the bottom floor of the Pontchartrain Hotel and Hot Tin is the Rooftop bar & dining experience. Since it is in the LGD you can see the entire city-scape from Hot Tin to enjoy alongside cocktails. Jack Rose features a range of menu items from Italian to French to Spanish.
The Gumbo Shop
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$
The Gumbo Shop will always have a special place in my heart as it is one of the first New Orleans restaurants I ever visited. Needless to say – this place has staying power. The Gumbo shop serves traditional Cajun faire in an 18th century courtyard. Get the red beans and rice, and if you have room end your evening with bourbon bread pudding. It’s good just about everywhere in the city!
Court of Two Sisters
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$$$
The Court of Two Sisters is a quiet, high end dining experience off of Royal Street. They have a massive courtyard and a spacious indoor seating area, so finding a table usually isn’t too hard. Some of my favorites here include the turtle soup (you have to try it, and top it with sherry!), Caesar salad made table-side, and the bananas foster – also made table-side.
Compere Lapin
Neighborhood: Warehouse
Price: $$$
Compere Lapin serves an assortment of Creole and Caribbean menu items. Some favorites include West African peanut soup & curried goat. If you’re not already convinced, this restaurant is included in Eater’s List of the Top 38 Essential Restaurants in the USA. Give it a visit to see why.
Cane and Table
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$$
Cane & Table’s seasonally driven menu features an array of Caribbean and Cuban inspired dishes by executive chef Alfredo Nogueira. Be sure to start your meal with olive oil poached tuna and end it with the goat cheese cake.
Sofia
Neighborhood: Warehouse
Price: $$$
Sofia is a favorite if you’re looking for a higher end Italian dining experience in the city. In fact, it was voted myNewOrleans.com’s restaurant of the year in 2019. Be sure to try their house made ricotta cheese, seafood risotto featuring fresh gulf caught sealife, and prosecco for desert served with your choice of sorbet.
The Country Club
Neighborhood: Bywater
Price: $$$
I visited the Country Club in the off season while the pool wasn’t open, but we still sat poolside in the evening and enjoyed the atmosphere. They also have a large, ornate indoor sitting area that we walked through. I love making a dinner of appetizers, and we ended up splitting the crab & mascarpone beignets (my favorite), boudin balls, arancini, crispy cauliflower and red beans & rice. They also do drag queen brunch on Sundays!
Velvet Cactus
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Price: $$
The Velvet Cactus is a bit off the beaten path compared to other New Orleans restaurants, but so amazingly worth the trip. They have a funky atmosphere with lots of lounge space and a cantina. Table service is available but since they’re so popular you can also sit freely in the courtyard and order food & drinks at the bar. I visited in October and had a seasonal apple cider margarita that was phenomenal and the best crawfish queso I’ve ever had.
Peche
Neighborhood: Warehouse
Price: $$$
Peche is so well regarded that it is a James Beard Winner. Their menu has a heavy seafood focus. Start with their smoked tuna dip, and order their specialty – a whole grilled fish for the table.
Gris Gris
Neighborhood: LGD
Price: $$$
Gris Gris was voted New Orleans’ best new neighborhood restaurant in 2018, and has gone on to obtain other accolades since this. Their Cook was also featured on shows such as Top Chef New Orleans and Gordon Ramsay’s Unchartered. Any of their dishes featuring oysters are excellent, and beyond these options you truly cannot go wrong in this establishment. It’s Gordon Ramsay approved, afterall.
Barracuda
Neighborhood: Irish Channel
Price: $$
Barracuda is a staple of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. I think I probably went at least twice a month last school year. They have great happy hour specials, some of the best margaritas in town, and Mexican food that cannot be beat. Try all of their dips, and the farmers tacos are my favorite.
Drago’s
Neighborhood: Metairie
Price: $$
There are a few places to visit Drago’s, but the original is located right outside the city in Metairie. For over 60 years now, Drago’s has consistently served excellent seafood. What makes them famous however is their Charbroiled Oyster. They were the first place in the world to do it! Start with a dozen or so of these delicacies, and work your way through the menu from here.
Touristy New Orleans Restaurants Worth the Trip
Cafe Beignet
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $
There’s a heated debate in the city on which beignet New Orleans restaurant is better – Cafe Du Monde or Cafe Beignet. My opinion: Cafe Beignet all the way. The original restaurant on Royal Street is located in a quieter part of the Quarter and has a closed off outdoor seating area. Beyond their beignets being excellent, Cafe Beignet also offers a full breakfast menu and (usually) daiquiris. Cafe DuMonde is strictly beignets and coffee.
Camellia Grill
Neighborhood: Riverbend
Price: $
Camellia Grill is an iconic uptown New Orleans restaurant serving some of the best diner (or hangover) food in New Orleans. Their only seating is an intimate counter where you can watch all of your food prepared in front of you. You truly cannot go wrong with anything on their menu, but some of the best options include the cheeseburger late night, any of their pancakes and of course a grilled chocolate pecan pie.
Central Grocery
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $
Central Grocery is a hole-in-the-wall shop serving the original Mufuletta. They also have an impressive storefront of Italian food items to shop while you wait for your sandwich to be prepared. Try a Mufuletta from Central Grocery, and then compare it to another favorite in the city – the Napoleon House – to see which is really better.
Dooky Chase
Neighborhood: Mid City
Price: $$
Dooky Chase is an important historic restaurant in New Orleans. It frequently gets famous visitors, including two US presidents – George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Leah Chase – longtime chef and member of the family was nicknamed the ‘Queen of Creole Cuisine’ due to her skill in the kitchen. Try anything from their classic menu.
The Napoleon House
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$
At first glance the Napoleon House is higher end, however their food is casual and classic. You cannot go wrong sticking to the basics and ordering a warm muffaletta with a Pimm’s Cup to wash it down. Central Grocery may have the original muffuletta, but The Napoleon House may possibly have my favorite in the city.
Antoine’s
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$$
Antoine’s is worth the visit for many reasons, one of which being it is the country’s oldest family-run restaurant – originally opened in 1840. For nearly 200 years, Antoine’s has been serving fine food in the heart of the French Quarter. Their menu has changed through the centuries, but some things have remained on the menu for nearly that long. Try the oyster’s rockefeller, cafe brulot and baked alaska for a start.
The Dungeon
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $
The Dungeon is a tourist must. You enter through a narrow corridor and the entire bar is low lit and feels like being in a haunted house. You can sit in cages, check out the spooky artifacts on the wall and order a classic New Orleans cocktail like a hurricane. No photography is allowed in this bar!
Pat O’Brien’s
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $
Love it or hate it, you must get to Pat O’Briens at least once. Of the bars on Bourbon they have to be my favorite. It’s a good place to go in between clubbing when you still want a lively atmosphere with slightly less commotion. The interior is a classic dueling piano bar where you can request songs for a dollar (and they will play anything). The outside is a large courtyard with a flaming fountain in the center. They have the original hurricane, and in my opinion the best in the city.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $
Lafitte’s and Pat O’Briens have a long history of serving rival hurricanes. Some think Pat’s is better (me) while others argue that Lafitte’s is best. My advice: try one of each! Be warned, Lafitte’s puts a rum floater on top so they’re strong. Drinks aside, Lafitte’s a a must stop because it’s the oldest bar in America and has the feel of an ancient saloon. It is also one of the tamer bars on Bourbon, but can certainly still get rowdy.
The Carousel Bar
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$
The Carousel bar can be difficult to get a seat at, but if you do it’s so worth it. The bar spins around, well, like a carousel. It goes slow enough that you don’t really notice it, but fast enough that you can see the entire room in about 10 minutes. It’s higher end and a fun place to order a glass of champagne and people watch.
Best Unique Bars & Nightlife
Vessel NOLA
Neighborhood: Mid City
Price: $
Vessel is fun mainly because of the atmosphere. The building is a historic 1914 church that was converted into a bar & restaurant. Although the food & drink selection there is great, the absolutely unique atmosphere makes the experience.
Cornet’s
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Price: $$
Cornet’s is my tourist bar & restaurant of choice. Whenever I have people staying with me in the city who want a night on Bourbon, Cornet’s is my first stop for dinner. They have a spacious balcony overlooking Bourbon and some of the best bar food you’ll find on the Street. You can’t go wrong with the gator bites and the Sachmo sampler.
The Maple Leaf
Neighborhood: Uptown
Price: $
The Maple Leaf is a world famous music bar and has had live bands perform 7 nights a week since the 1970’s. Aside from classic New Orleans jazz, zydeco and jam bands, The Maple Leaf has seen some of the greats ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Bonnie Raitt.
Tipitina’s
Neighborhood: Irish Channel
Price: $$
Like the Leaf, Tipitina’s is yet another famous music bar and club in the city opened in the 1970’s. Check out their schedule for a list of performances or show up at the door. Some of the best performers to grace the stage include the Goo Goo Dolls, Dr. John, Tim McGraw and Bonnie Raitt.
The Spotted Cat
Neighborhood: Treme
Price: $
The Spotted Cat is one of the most famous jazz clubs on the most famous jazz street in New Orleans – Frenchman. They almost always have live jazz bands playing and are a more mellow nightlife option.
Wrong Iron
Neighborhood: Mid City
Price: $$
Wrong Iron is a brewery in Mid City with a spacious outdoor area and plenty of beer on tap. It’s a great place to go with friends on a weekend and just relax in the beer garden.
Delachaise
Neighborhood: Garden District
Price: $$
Delachaise is a wine bar overlooking St. Charles Avenue with some of the best options for a quick bite to eat. They typically have a bonfire going at night and are draped in twinkle lights. Try any of their house wines, and definitely order the Goose fat fried fries – they were voted the best in Louisiana.
Sidecar
Neighborhood: Warehouse
Price: $$
Sidecar is a large warehouse-type bar with an expansive seating area. It is almost directly under the underpass, however this allows for a unique atmosphere in the middle of New Orleans. At Sidecar you should order their namesake – a Sidecar. This, much like Wrong Iron, is a popular student and young professional hangout.
Zany Mash
Neighborhood: Mid City
Price: $
New Orleans has an expansive brewery scene, and Zany Mash is among my favorites. First off, the beer is great. However, something unique about this place is that it is a converted movie theater. Zany Mash is always playing some movie on silent in the background to check out as you sip your brew.
Honorable Others
Creole Creamery
Neighborhood: Uptown
Price:$
Creole Creamery is possibly the best ice cream in the city, and for cheap. Located right on Magazine street, they serve up classic flavors as well as other more unique ones. My personal favorite is the lavender honey ice cream – it’s outstanding.
Hansen’s Sno Blitz
Neighborhood: Touro
Price: $
You cannot leave the city without trying at least one sno ball. There are no shortage of joints to check out in the city but Hansen’s is a personal favorite. They have a wide selection of flavors, but I’d recommend branching out to something unique like the tart satsuma.
Happy dining!
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