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Restaurants

Best Restaurants in New Orleans

The best restaurants in New Orleans, from Commander's Palace and grand Creole tables to po'boy icons, oyster bars, romantic date spots, and buzzy new openings by neighborhood.

Finding the best restaurants in New Orleans means embracing a city that treats dining as both a birthright and a daily celebration.

In a single day you can pull apart a dressed shrimp po'boy for lunch, chase it with turtle soup and bread pudding souffle at a white-tablecloth Creole institution, and end the night over chargrilled oysters and a Sazerac.

New Orleans's food identity is built on Creole and Cajun roots, French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, and a fiercely proud restaurant culture that has produced some of America's most beloved chefs.

At a glance

The top pick in each category, at a glance.

CategoryOur pick
Best overallCommander's PalaceReserve
By CuisineDooky Chase's RestaurantReserve
Fine Dining & Chef-Driven RestaurantsCommander's PalaceReserve
Most Romantic RestaurantsCommander's PalaceReserve
Rooftop & View RestaurantsHot TinReserve
Vegetarian & Vegan RestaurantsSeedReserve
Po'boys & Iconic New Orleans EatsDomilise's Po-BoysReserve
New & Trendy Restaurant OpeningsAcamayaReserve

Top Picks

🍽️GetYourGuide food & wine tours, taste the best of New Orleans on a food tour. Affiliate slot (stub).

📍 Garden District

Commander's Palace

Haute Creole$$$$· Special occasion

Housed in a landmark turquoise-and-white Victorian, Commander's Palace has set the standard for haute Creole dining since 1893 and launched the careers of Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. The turtle soup, pecan-crusted Gulf fish, and tableside bread pudding souffle are institutions, delivered by some of the most polished service in the South. The jazz brunch and 25-cent martini lunches are beloved local rituals. If you want to understand why New Orleans sits at the summit of American regional cooking, this is the essential pilgrimage.

What to order: Turtle soup & bread pudding souffle

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 French Quarter

Galatoire's

French Creole$$$· Old-line & lively

A Bourbon Street institution since 1905, Galatoire's is old-line French Creole dining at its most theatrical, with tuxedoed waiters, mirrored walls, and a downstairs room where Friday lunch stretches gloriously into evening. There is no printed daily menu; you lean on your waiter for shrimp remoulade, trout amandine, and souffle potatoes. The dress code and no-reservations rule for the main floor are part of the ritual. It is a living piece of the city's social fabric, boisterous, clubby, and utterly singular.

What to order: Trout amandine

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 French Quarter

Antoine's

French Creole$$$· Historic & grand

Founded in 1840, Antoine's is the oldest family-run restaurant in America and the birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller, whose secret recipe has never been revealed. A warren of grand dining rooms sprawls across a French Quarter block, each dense with history and Mardi Gras memorabilia. The French Creole menu runs to pompano, souffle potatoes, and baked Alaska set aflame tableside. It is a dependable, generous, and deeply nostalgic window into the city's culinary past that no first visit should skip.

What to order: Oysters Rockefeller

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 French Quarter

Café du Monde

Cafe & beignets$· Open-air icon

No New Orleans food tour is complete without Café du Monde, the open-air coffee stand at the edge of the French Market serving since 1862. The menu is famously short: square, hole-less beignets buried under mountains of powdered sugar and cafe au lait cut with chicory. Open around the clock and cash-friendly, it is as much a rite of passage as a snack, best enjoyed with brass bands drifting over from Jackson Square. Expect a line, wear dark clothes at your peril, and lean into the sugar.

What to order: Beignets & cafe au lait

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Warehouse District

Cochon

Cajun$$$· Casual & lively

Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski's boisterous ode to Cajun cooking helped define modern New Orleans dining. The wood-fired, pork-forward menu roams from the namesake fried cochon de lait to smoked ribs, wood-fired oysters, and rabbit with dumplings, all delivered with bold, layered flavors and zero pretension. The energy is loud and joyful, the room bright and communal. Reservations are tough but worth the effort for one of the district's defining tables.

What to order: Wood-fired oysters

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Treme

Willie Mae's Scotch House

Southern$$· Humble & beloved

Frequently crowned home of the best fried chicken in America, Willie Mae's is a humble neighborhood kitchen that turns a simple bird into a religious experience. The wet-battered, shatteringly crisp chicken draws hours-long waits, backed by red beans, butter beans, and cornbread. Rebuilt by volunteers after Hurricane Katrina, it carries the weight of community and James Beard recognition. Come off-peak or put your name down early; there is nothing quite like the ritual of the Willie Mae's line.

What to order: Fried chicken

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Treme

Dooky Chase's

Creole$$· Soulful & historic

The late Leah Chase, the Queen of Creole Cuisine, made this Treme dining room a landmark of both food and civil rights history, where activists and presidents alike gathered over gumbo. The Friday Creole gumbo z'herbes, fried chicken, and shrimp Clemenceau anchor a heritage-rich menu displayed against a museum-worthy African American art collection. Refined yet soulful, it is a cornerstone of the city's Black culinary tradition. It remains essential for understanding New Orleans dining beyond the tourist core.

What to order: Gumbo z'herbes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Warehouse District

Peche Seafood Grill

Seafood$$$· Rustic & convivial

This Link Restaurant Group standout reimagines Gulf seafood over a live-fire hearth, and it earned a James Beard award for its efforts. The whole grilled fish, served simply with salsa verde, is the signature, alongside smoked tuna dip, fried bread, and a raw bar of just-shucked oysters. The room is airy and rustic-industrial, the mood convivial. It is a reliable, deeply local choice for anyone who wants serious cooking without a tasting-menu commitment.

What to order: Whole grilled fish

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Warehouse District

Compère Lapin

Caribbean Creole$$$· Refined & warm

Chef Nina Compton's acclaimed restaurant weaves her St. Lucian roots through French technique and Louisiana ingredients for one of the city's most exciting menus. The curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi is a signature, alongside conch croquettes and cobia crudo, delivered in a handsome brick-and-timber room inside the Old No. 77 Hotel. Warm, personal, and genuinely groundbreaking, it captures the cross-cultural energy that makes New Orleans dining special. Book ahead and lean into the Caribbean-inflected plates.

What to order: Curried goat with gnocchi

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 French Quarter

Bayona

New American$$$· Refined & serene

Chef Susan Spicer's serene cottage restaurant, set in a 200-year-old Creole building, has been a fine-dining anchor since 1990. The seasonal, globally minded menu is precise and produce-forward, with the smoked duck 'PB&J' sandwich and sweetbreads as enduring favorites. Leafy courtyard seating and calm dining rooms offer a counterpoint to the Quarter's louder streets. For refined cooking that feels personal rather than theatrical, Bayona is among the city's very best tables.

What to order: Smoked duck sandwich

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Riverbend

Brigtsen's

Creole-Acadian$$$· Homey & soulful

A pioneer of contemporary Louisiana cooking, Frank Brigtsen's cozy Riverbend cottage has anchored the neighborhood for decades with soulful, ingredient-driven Creole-Acadian fare that feels effortless and heartfelt. The seafood platter, rabbit, and file gumbo reward return visits as the menu shifts with the season. The vibe is homey and unpretentious, exactly the kind of place that defines the city's independent restaurant culture. It is a must for anyone exploring the streetcar end of the crescent.

What to order: Shell Beach Diet seafood platter

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Irish Channel

Turkey and the Wolf

Sandwiches$$· Playful & casual

Mason Hereford's gleefully irreverent sandwich shop landed on national best-of lists and helped rewrite the rules for casual New Orleans dining. The fried bologna sandwich and collard green melt turn nostalgia into something genuinely craveable, served on mismatched vintage plates amid wrestling posters and thrift-store kitsch. Loud, funny, and unpretentious, it is a joyful counterpoint to the city's white-tablecloth heritage. Come for lunch, order the bologna, and grab a beer from the cooler.

What to order: Fried bologna sandwich

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Garden District

Coquette

New American$$$· Refined & lively

Set in a handsome corner Victorian, Coquette delivers polished, produce-driven contemporary cooking that draws on Louisiana ingredients with a light, inventive hand. The seasonal menu is refined but approachable, and the tin-ceilinged upstairs room and buzzy downstairs bar make it flexible for any occasion. Service is warm and knowing, the wine list thoughtful. It is a strong pick for anyone seeking modern fine dining without the formality of a lengthy tasting menu.

What to order: Seasonal Louisiana plates

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 French Quarter

Central Grocery

Italian deli$· Historic counter

The Italian import grocery that invented the muffuletta in 1906, Central Grocery is the definitive source for the massive round sandwich of cured meats, provolone, and briny olive salad on sesame-seeded bread. Half a muffuletta is a full meal, best eaten on a bench along the river as the olive oil soaks the crumb. Shelves of imported goods and a marble counter preserve a genuine old-world atmosphere. It is the easiest way to check off one iconic local sandwich in a single satisfying stop.

What to order: The muffuletta

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Carrollton

Jacques-Imo's

Creole soul food$$· Raucous & artsy

A riotous, art-covered Uptown institution near the Maple Leaf Bar, Jacques-Imo's serves Chef Jack Leonardi's over-the-top Creole soul food to a nightly crowd that spills onto the porch. The alligator cheesecake, blackened redfish, and fried chicken arrive with a cornbread muffin and a wink, and you enter through the kitchen to reach your table. The dive-meets-carnival atmosphere and long waits are part of the charm. Expect a crowd, order the cheesecake, and settle in for a proper neighborhood party.

What to order: Alligator cheesecake

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Uptown

Casamento's

Oyster house$$· Vintage seafood

A gleaming, tile-covered oyster house open since 1919, Casamento's is New Orleans seafood nostalgia at its purest, run by the same family in a spotless room of vintage ceramic. The signature oyster loaf, fried oysters stuffed between thick slabs of pan bread, is essential, alongside just-shucked raw oysters and gumbo. Famously closed during the warm months when oysters are out of season, it is a true time capsule. Bring cash, plan around the schedule, and pull up to the marble bar.

What to order: Oyster loaf

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 French Quarter

GW Fins

Seafood$$$· Sleek & modern

A polished modern seafood room in the heart of the Quarter, GW Fins builds a menu that changes daily around the freshest Gulf and global catch flown in that morning. The Scalibut, lobster dumplings, and warm biscuits with sea-salted honey draw a devoted following in a sleek, contemporary space. Service is sharp and the sustainability ethos genuine. It is one of the best downtown options for travelers who want refined seafood without an old-line dress code.

What to order: Scalibut

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mid-City

Parkway Bakery & Tavern

Po-boys$· Casual local favorite

A Mid-City po-boy shrine dating to 1911, Parkway Bakery is where locals argue the roast beef version reaches its debris-soaked, gravy-dripping peak. The fried shrimp and hot sausage po-boys are equally beloved, served on crackly Leidenheimer bread in a memorabilia-packed room beside Bayou St. John. Grab a table on the patio, order 'dressed,' and pair it with a cold local beer. It is an affordable, deeply local rite of passage between neighborhood sightseeing.

What to order: Roast beef po-boy

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

Best Restaurants in New Orleans by Cuisine

New Orleans layers French, Spanish, African, Sicilian, Caribbean, and Vietnamese influences into one of America's most distinctive food cities, where a short drive can carry you from Creole gumbo in Treme to Vietnamese banh mi in New Orleans East and Sicilian muffulettas in the French Quarter.

The best restaurants in New Orleans by cuisine reward exploration beyond Bourbon Street: neighborhood institutions often outshine flashier tourist rooms.

Whether you crave fried chicken, boudin, oyster po-boys, or Lebanese mezze, the city delivers depth and authenticity across price points.

This roundup highlights standout picks spanning the culinary map, from century-old landmarks to modern reinventions, so you can build a week of eating that circles the globe without leaving the parish.

  • Dooky Chase's Restaurant

    Creole $$$

    The late Leah Chase's Treme landmark remains the benchmark for refined Creole cooking and a civil rights era gathering place. The Friday gumbo z'herbes and fried chicken draw locals and pilgrims alike, served in a room hung with African American art. It is the flagship that helped elevate Creole cuisine to fine dining status.

    What to order: Gumbo z'herbes; fried chicken

    Reserve

  • Willie Mae's Scotch House

    Southern/Soul $

    A Treme institution specializing in what many call the best fried chicken in America, with a shattering crust and juicy interior. The unassuming room and sides like red beans and rice make it deeply satisfying, and the wait moves fast. It is a must for understanding New Orleans soul food beyond the tourist corridors.

    What to order: Fried chicken; red beans and rice

    Reserve

  • Cochon

    Cajun $$$

    Donald Link's Warehouse District temple to rustic Cajun cooking celebrates the whole hog and Louisiana's bayou traditions. The fried boudin, wood-fired oysters, and Louisiana cochon with cracklins showcase serious technique rooted in Acadiana. It is destination eating for anyone chasing modern Cajun cuisine done with genuine skill and heritage.

    What to order: Fried boudin; Louisiana cochon

    Reserve

  • Dong Phuong Bakery

    Vietnamese $

    This New Orleans East anchor is the heart of the city's Vietnamese community, famous for crackly-crust banh mi and, in season, its cult-favorite king cakes. The bakery counter and rice plates reward the drive out, and the surrounding strip offers pho, groceries, and more. It anchors one of the region's best areas for Vietnamese eating.

    What to order: Banh mi; seasonal king cake

    Reserve

  • Central Grocery

    Sicilian-American $

    The French Quarter grocer that invented the muffuletta in 1906 still serves the round Sicilian loaf piled with cured meats, provolone, and tangy olive salad. Order it whole or by the half and eat by the river. A stop here is the best way to taste New Orleans' deep Sicilian-American roots.

    What to order: Muffuletta with olive salad

    Reserve

  • Mona's Cafe

    Lebanese $

    For classic Lebanese cooking, shawarma, and mezze at gentle prices, this Mid-City mainstay delivers comfort and value. Look for hummus, kibbeh, and grilled kebabs alongside warm pita that showcase the cuisine's range and generosity. It reflects the city's often overlooked Middle Eastern community and its everyday hospitality.

    What to order: Shawarma; hummus; kibbeh

    Reserve

  • Parkway Bakery and Tavern

    Po-boys $

    A Mid-City favorite serving overstuffed po-boys since 1911, from roast beef with debris gravy to fried shrimp on crusty French bread. The convivial, canal-side setting makes it perfect for a casual lunch. It is a beloved anchor of the New Orleans po-boy tradition and a reliable local ritual.

    What to order: Roast beef debris po-boy; fried shrimp

    Reserve

  • Compère Lapin

    Caribbean-Creole $$$

    Chef Nina Compton's Warehouse District dining room fuses her St. Lucian roots with Creole and Italian technique for something singular. The curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi is a signature, playful and precise. It reflects New Orleans' talent for cross-cultural cooking grounded in real craft and personal history.

    What to order: Curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi

    Reserve

  • Casamento's

    Seafood $$

    A tiled Uptown oyster house open since 1919 and famous for its oyster loaf on pan bread. Family-run and seasonal, it closes in the warm months and draws devoted crowds when it opens. It is a benchmark for Gulf oysters and old-line New Orleans seafood done simply and well.

    What to order: Oyster loaf; fried Gulf oysters

    Reserve

  • Brigtsen's

    Creole/Cajun $$$

    Frank Brigtsen's cozy Riverbend cottage serves refined Creole and Cajun cooking honed under Paul Prudhomme. The blackened redfish, seafood platters, and pecan pie make it a special-occasion standout. It is a modern neighborhood classic that helped keep contemporary Creole fine dining alive Uptown.

    What to order: Blackened redfish; seafood platter

    Reserve

Best Fine Dining & Chef-Driven Restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans fine dining is unlike anywhere else in America, anchored by centuries-old Creole grande dames and a roster of James Beard Award-winning chefs rather than Michelin stars, which the guide does not yet award in Louisiana.

The best fine dining restaurants in New Orleans range from tuxedoed, tableside ceremony at historic French Quarter institutions to chef-driven tasting menus and inventive Creole-Caribbean cooking.

Expect turtle soup, flambeed desserts, deep wine lists, and the kind of long, celebratory lunches the city is built around. These are the rooms for milestone dinners and once-in-a-trip splurges.

Book well ahead, dress the part, and settle in; New Orleans's top tables reward diners who slow down and savor the ritual.

  • Commander's Palace

    Haute Creole $$$$

    The Garden District's turreted grande dame and the most celebrated fine-dining institution in the city. This haute Creole landmark launched the careers of Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse and still dazzles with tableside service and its legendary 25-cent martini lunch. It is the ultimate New Orleans splurge and a bucket-list table for serious food lovers.

    What to order: Turtle soup; bread pudding soufflé

    Reserve

  • Restaurant August

    Contemporary Creole-French $$$$

    A refined Central Business District dining room set in a 19th-century tobacco warehouse, serving contemporary French-Creole cooking. Elegant plating, a deep wine list, and polished service make it a longtime special-occasion favorite. The gnocchi with blue crab and truffle is a signature.

    What to order: Gnocchi with blue crab; jumbo lump crabmeat

    Reserve

  • Emeril's

    Modern Creole $$$$

    Emeril Lagasse's Warehouse District flagship, reborn as an ambitious multi-course tasting experience run by his son. The menu marries New Orleans soul with modern technique and precision in a sleek, redesigned room. It is a top choice for a celebratory, chef-driven evening.

    What to order: Tasting menu; New Orleans barbecue shrimp

    Reserve

  • Antoine's

    French-Creole $$$

    The oldest family-run restaurant in the country, open since 1840 in the French Quarter. Its warren of historic dining rooms serves classic French-Creole cooking, and Oysters Rockefeller was invented here. Grand, old-world, and steeped in ceremony.

    What to order: Oysters Rockefeller; pommes soufflées

    Reserve

  • Galatoire's

    French-Creole $$$

    A Bourbon Street institution since 1905, beloved for its bustling, mirror-lined downstairs room and raucous Friday lunches. The classic French-Creole menu and tuxedoed waiters deliver timeless ceremony. Dress up and settle in for the long, festive afternoon.

    What to order: Soufflé potatoes; shrimp rémoulade

    Reserve

  • Brennan's

    Creole $$$

    A pink French Quarter landmark famous as the birthplace of Bananas Foster, flambeed tableside. Beautifully restored to its grandeur, it serves rich Creole cooking across elegant rooms and a lush courtyard. A festive choice for a celebratory brunch or dinner.

    What to order: Bananas Foster; eggs Hussarde

    Reserve

  • Compère Lapin

    Caribbean-Creole $$$

    Nina Compton's acclaimed Warehouse District room blending Caribbean roots with Creole and Italian influences. The James Beard Award-winning chef delivers vibrant, personal cooking in a stylish setting. Its curried goat is a signature not to miss.

    What to order: Curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi

    Reserve

  • Herbsaint

    French-Southern $$$

    Donald Link's refined French-Southern bistro on St. Charles Avenue, a James Beard Award winner and Warehouse District mainstay. Precise, seasonal cooking pairs with a thoughtful wine list in a warm, unfussy room. The house-made spaghetti with guanciale is a cult favorite.

    What to order: Spaghetti with guanciale; Muscovy duck leg confit

    Reserve

  • GW Fins

    Seafood $$$

    An upscale French Quarter seafood destination known for daily-changing menus built around the freshest catch. Modern, polished, and consistently excellent, with inventive dishes and warm service. The lobster dumplings and Scalibut are longtime signatures.

    What to order: Lobster dumplings; Scalibut

    Reserve

  • La Petite Grocery

    Contemporary Louisiana $$$

    Justin Devillier's Uptown bistro on Magazine Street, a James Beard Award-winning kitchen serving polished Louisiana cooking. Intimate and elegant, it balances refinement with genuine neighborhood warmth. The blue crab beignets are a must-order.

    What to order: Blue crab beignets; turtle bolognese

    Reserve

  • Coquette

    Contemporary Southern $$$

    A Garden District bistro at the corner of Magazine and Washington serving creative, seasonal Southern cooking. Warm and characterful, with a rotating menu of small and large plates and a strong wine program. A refined neighborhood favorite for a relaxed splurge.

    What to order: Seasonal small plates; blackened shrimp toast

    Reserve

Most Romantic Restaurants in New Orleans

For date nights, anniversaries, and proposals, the most romantic restaurants in New Orleans pair candlelight and gracious service with food worth lingering over.

The city offers everything from grand Creole dining rooms and hushed French Quarter courtyards to cozy neighborhood bistros with well-worn charm.

Romance here is less about stiff formality and more about atmosphere: a shaded patio, a shared bottle of wine, and a room where the evening seems to slow down. Whether you want white-tablecloth grandeur or a tucked-away table in a converted cottage, these picks set the mood.

Reserve ahead, request a quiet corner or courtyard seat if you can, and plan a leisurely, unhurried evening.

  • Commander's Palace

    Haute Creole $$$$

    Set in a turquoise Victorian mansion in the Garden District, Commander's is the grande dame of New Orleans romance. Impeccable service, a lush upstairs Garden Room, and haute Creole cooking make dinner feel like an occasion. The turtle soup and bread pudding souffle seal the deal.

    What to order: Turtle soup; bread pudding souffle

    Reserve

  • Brennan's

    Creole $$$$

    Behind its famous pink facade in the French Quarter, Brennan's offers a lush courtyard and elegant, warmly lit rooms perfect for lingering. Bananas Foster was invented here and is still flamed tableside, a sweet, showy finish to a romantic evening.

    What to order: Bananas Foster; Eggs Hussarde

    Reserve

  • Café Amelie

    Louisiana Seasonal $$$

    Tucked into a brick courtyard off Royal Street, Café Amelie is among the most romantic settings in the Quarter. Dappled light, a trickling fountain, and refined seasonal Louisiana plates make it a comfortable, unpretentious choice for couples.

    What to order: Courtyard dining; seasonal plates

    Reserve

  • Arnaud's

    French Creole $$$$

    A grand French-Creole institution glowing with gas lamps, tile floors, and beveled glass, Arnaud's oozes old-world New Orleans romance. Attentive service and classic dishes make it a reliable special-occasion room in the heart of the Quarter.

    What to order: Shrimp Arnaud; souffle potatoes

    Reserve

  • Coquette

    New Southern $$$

    A warm, intimate bistro in a corner Garden District building, Coquette pairs candlelight with inventive Southern cooking. The relaxed-but-refined mood and thoughtful wine list make it an easy, affordable pick for couples who want good food without pretension.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting; wine pairings

    Reserve

  • Bayona

    New World $$$

    Susan Spicer's beloved restaurant occupies a cozy 200-year-old cottage on Dauphine Street with low light and a hidden courtyard. Refined, globally inflected cooking and a great wine list make for a classic, unhurried romantic evening.

    What to order: Duck breast; smoked quail salad

    Reserve

  • GW Fins

    Seafood $$$$

    A polished, upscale seafood room in the French Quarter, ideal for special-occasion dinners. Impeccably fresh fish, warm lighting, and a strong wine list make it a sophisticated, reliably romantic downtown option for a leisurely dinner.

    What to order: Scalibut; lobster dumplings

    Reserve

  • Compère Lapin

    Caribbean Creole $$$

    Nina Compton's stylish Warehouse District room blends Caribbean flavor with Louisiana ingredients in a warm, brick-and-candlelight setting. Plush and intimate, it makes a sophisticated, flavor-rich date destination just outside the Quarter.

    What to order: Curried goat; conch croquettes

    Reserve

  • Restaurant R'evolution

    Cajun-Creole $$$$

    An opulent, dimly lit dining room inside the Royal Sonesta, R'evolution layers antiques, chandeliers, and plush banquettes for a lavish date night. Refined modern Cajun-Creole cooking and a deep wine list make it a celebratory, timeless choice.

    What to order: Death by Gumbo; handmade pasta

    Reserve

  • Sylvain

    American Tavern $$

    A cozy, candlelit gastropub in a converted French Quarter carriage house, Sylvain suits couples who want charm without formality. Craft cocktails, a snug courtyard, and elevated tavern fare make for a relaxed, low-pressure evening together.

    What to order: Chicken sandwich; craft cocktails

    Reserve

Best Rooftop & View Restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans is a low-slung city, so the spots that rise above it feel all the more special, offering sweeping looks at the Mississippi River, the CBD skyline, and the rooftops of the French Quarter.

The best rooftop and view restaurants here range from sleek hotel bars and poolside terraces to historic balconies overlooking Jackson Square. The warm months are peak season, when terraces fill fast and an early arrival or a reservation makes all the difference.

Many of these places lead with the setting and the cocktails, so calibrate your food expectations accordingly. Whether you want a Sazerac at sunset over the river or a Creole dinner above the Cathedral, these spots deliver some of the city's most memorable views.

  • Hot Tin

    American $$$

    The rooftop bar atop the Pontchartrain Hotel in the Lower Garden District, Hot Tin pairs vintage, bohemian decor with wide views of the Mississippi River and the downtown skyline. It is a prime golden-hour perch for cocktails and small bites along St. Charles Avenue.

    What to order: Cocktails; river and skyline views

    Reserve

  • Alto

    Italian $$$

    The rooftop pool bar at the Ace Hotel in the Warehouse District, Alto serves Italian small plates and wood-fired pizza beside the water. The relaxed, stylish terrace makes it a favorite for daytime lounging and evening drinks.

    What to order: Wood-fired pizza; Italian small plates

    Reserve

  • Monkey Board

    American $$

    Perched atop the Troubadour hotel downtown, Monkey Board is a laid-back rooftop bar with casual bites and skyline views. Its easygoing vibe makes it a solid choice for after-work drinks or a low-key evening above the CBD.

    What to order: Cocktails; bar bites; skyline views

    Reserve

  • Above the Grid

    American $$$

    The rooftop bar and pool at the NOPSI Hotel in the CBD, Above the Grid offers cocktails and shareable plates with views stretching toward the river and the skyline. The breezy terrace is a popular warm-weather spot for drinks.

    What to order: Cocktails; river and skyline views

    Reserve

  • Catahoula Hotel Rooftop Bar

    Latin American $$

    Tucked atop a boutique hotel in a restored Creole townhouse in the CBD, this intimate rooftop leans into Peruvian-inspired pisco cocktails and small bites. The compact terrace is an atmospheric, under-the-radar pick for sunset drinks.

    What to order: Pisco cocktails; small bites

    Reserve

  • The Pool Club

    American $$

    The rooftop pool bar at Virgin Hotels New Orleans in the Warehouse District, The Pool Club serves cocktails and poolside bites with skyline views. The energetic, resort-like setting is well suited to groups and warm-weather afternoons.

    What to order: Cocktails; poolside bites; skyline views

    Reserve

  • Tableau

    Creole $$$

    A Dickie Brennan restaurant on the corner of Jackson Square, Tableau serves refined Creole cooking with balcony seating overlooking the square and St. Louis Cathedral. The wraparound terrace is one of the French Quarter's most scenic dining perches.

    What to order: Gulf fish; balcony over Jackson Square

    Reserve

  • Muriel's Jackson Square

    Creole $$$

    A historic Creole restaurant facing Jackson Square, Muriel's offers coveted balcony tables overlooking the square and the Cathedral. The classic dishes and atmospheric setting make it a memorable choice for a view-forward dinner.

    What to order: Turtle soup; Jackson Square balcony

    Reserve

  • Vue Orleans

    American $$

    A rooftop observation experience atop the Four Seasons near the river, Vue Orleans offers 360-degree indoor and outdoor views over the French Quarter, the CBD, and the Mississippi. Come for a drink and the vantage point over the crescent of the river.

    What to order: Cocktails with panoramic views

    Reserve

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans has a reputation for seafood, sausage, and slow-cooked meat, but its plant-based scene has quietly become a genuine strength, with dedicated vegan and vegetarian kitchens alongside omnivore spots that treat vegetables as headliners.

The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in New Orleans span comfort-food cafes, vegan soul food, tropical Latin bowls, and globally inspired kitchens serving everything from meat-free po-boys to plant-based brunch.

Many of the city's produce-driven chefs source from Gulf Coast farms and local markets, so vegetable dishes here are anything but an afterthought.

Whether you are fully vegan, vegetarian, or simply eating lighter, these picks prove that meat-free dining in New Orleans can be creative, satisfying, and celebratory rather than restrictive.

  • Seed

    Vegan $$

    A stylish, fully vegan restaurant in the Lower Garden District serving plant-based comfort food in a bright, welcoming setting. It demonstrates how far the city's meat-free dining has come, with satisfying takes on familiar favorites that appeal to vegans and curious omnivores alike.

    What to order: Buffalo cauliflower; vegan mac

    Reserve

  • Sweet Soulfood

    Vegan Soul $$

    A cafeteria-style vegan soul-food spot on Bayou Road serving hearty plant-based takes on Southern comfort classics. Its rotating steam-table lineup of greens, beans, and mac makes it a meaningful stop for filling, flavorful vegan dining.

    What to order: Plant-based soul-food plate; greens

    Reserve

  • Breads on Oak

    Vegan Cafe $$

    An all-vegan bakery and cafe with locations in the Riverbend and CBD, known for artisan breads, pastries, and hearty sandwiches. Casual and reliable, it is a go-to for satisfying vegan versions of baked goods and brunch.

    What to order: Vegan pastries; sandwiches

    Reserve

  • Carmo

    Tropical $$

    A tropical cafe in the Warehouse District drawing on Latin American and Caribbean flavors, with an extensive range of vegan and vegetarian bowls, salads, and plates. Its bright, produce-forward menu makes plant-based eating feel vibrant and celebratory.

    What to order: Plant-based tropical bowls; salads

    Reserve

  • Sneaky Pickle

    Vegetarian $$

    A largely vegetarian spot on St. Claude Avenue famous for its tempeh Reuben and creative meat-free comfort food, with plenty of vegan options. Casual, friendly, and beloved by locals, it remains a neighborhood go-to for plant-based indulgence.

    What to order: Tempeh Reuben; vegan sides

    Reserve

  • Meals from the Heart Cafe

    Creole Vegetarian $

    A health-focused cafe in the French Market serving vegan and vegetarian Creole dishes, veggie po-boys, and wholesome plates. Its dedicated, wellness-oriented approach makes it a welcome plant-friendly option in the heart of the French Quarter.

    What to order: Veggie po-boy; plant-based Creole

    Reserve

  • The Daily Beet

    Plant-Based Cafe $$

    A plant-based cafe with several locations serving nourishing bowls, smoothies, and toasts. Its fresh, health-minded menu and easy neighborhood presence make it a comfortable, reliable stop for lighter meat-free meals.

    What to order: Grain bowls; smoothies

    Reserve

  • Bearcat Cafe

    Cafe $$

    A popular brunch spot with locations in the CBD and on Freret, offering a full "GoodCat" plant-based menu alongside its indulgent options. Its creative vegan dishes and lively vibe make it a strong choice for a meat-free morning out.

    What to order: GoodCat vegan brunch

    Reserve

  • Killer PoBoys

    Po-Boys $$

    A French Quarter kitchen reinventing the po-boy with globally inspired fillings, including a standout vegetarian sweet potato version. Its inventive, made-to-order approach makes it a great meat-free stop within a beloved local tradition.

    What to order: Sweet potato po-boy

    Reserve

  • Saba

    Israeli $$$

    While not exclusively vegetarian, Alon Shaya's Israeli restaurant Uptown offers standout vegetable-forward dishes worth seeking out. Its hummus, salatim, and wood-fired vegetables make it a great option for flexitarians dining with meat-eaters.

    What to order: Hummus; vegetable mezze

    Reserve

Best Po'boys & Iconic New Orleans Eats

You cannot claim to know the best restaurants in New Orleans without diving into the city's iconic hometown foods: overstuffed po'boys, powdered-sugar beignets, dark-roux gumbo, and the Sicilian-born muffuletta.

The po'boy is the headline act, a crusty French-bread sandwich packed with fried shrimp, oysters, or slow-cooked roast beef debris, dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo.

Beyond sandwiches, a bowl of gumbo, a plate of red beans and rice on Monday, and a table of boiled crawfish in spring are essential rites of passage. These dishes are affordable, unpretentious, and deeply tied to the city's Creole and Cajun roots.

Come hungry, embrace the mess, and taste the foods that define New Orleans's culinary identity worldwide.

  • Domilise's Po-Boys

    Po'boys $

    The definitive po'boy for many, a family-run Uptown shop serving fried shrimp and roast beef on crusty Leidenheimer bread. Cash-only, unfussy, and beloved for generations, it is dependable, generous, and quintessentially New Orleans.

    What to order: Fried shrimp po'boy

    Reserve

  • Parkway Bakery & Tavern

    Po'boys $

    Beloved by locals for its towering roast beef po'boy, dripping with debris gravy that soaks the French bread. The neighborhood-tavern vibe near Bayou St. John makes it a proper po'boy pilgrimage stop.

    What to order: Roast beef debris po'boy

    Reserve

  • Central Grocery

    Muffuletta $$

    The original home of the muffuletta, where the round sesame loaf stacked with cured meats, cheese, and olive salad was reportedly born. A historic Italian deli in the French Quarter, it offers the classic sandwich where the tradition began.

    What to order: Original muffuletta

    Reserve

  • Café du Monde

    Café / Beignets $

    The essential stop for beignets and chicory café au lait. Open around the clock by the French Market, its powdered-sugar-dusted fritters are an affordable, only-in-New-Orleans rite in a bustling open-air setting.

    What to order: Beignets; café au lait

    Reserve

  • Dooky Chase's Restaurant

    Creole $$

    A Treme institution famous for Leah Chase's Creole cooking and civil-rights-era history. Its gumbo z'herbes, fried chicken, and buffet of Creole classics reward visitors with deeply flavorful, soulful cooking.

    What to order: Gumbo z'herbes; Creole fried chicken

    Reserve

  • Willie Mae's Scotch House

    Southern / Soul Food $

    A no-frills Treme legend serving what many call the city's best fried chicken, crisp-skinned and juicy. Standing in line for a plate with red beans and cornbread is a quintessential, unpretentious New Orleans meal.

    What to order: Fried chicken; red beans and rice

    Reserve

  • Commander's Palace

    Haute Creole $$$

    The grande dame of Garden District haute Creole dining, set in a turquoise Victorian landmark. Turtle soup, bread pudding souffle, and 25-cent martini lunches make it the city's most dramatic, over-the-top Creole experience.

    What to order: Turtle soup; bread pudding souffle

    Reserve

  • Casamento's

    Oysters / Seafood $$

    A preserved, tile-lined Uptown oyster house serving raw oysters and the famous oyster loaf on pan bread. Open only in months with an R, its old-school charm is nostalgia and lunch rolled into one memorable experience.

    What to order: Fried oyster loaf

    Reserve

  • Cochon

    Cajun $$

    A Warehouse District standout showcasing Cajun cooking from chef Donald Link, with wood-fired oysters, boudin, and its namesake pork. Rustic and lively, it represents the Cajun country roots that run through New Orleans dining.

    What to order: Wood-fired oysters; fried boudin

    Reserve

  • Coop's Place

    Cajun / Creole $

    A classic French Quarter dive serving unpretentious Cajun and Creole plates that locals love. Its rabbit and sausage jambalaya, fried chicken, and cold beer represent the city's everyday, no-fuss eating tradition.

    What to order: Rabbit and sausage jambalaya

    Reserve

Best Restaurants in New Orleans by Neighborhood

New Orleans is a city of tight-knit neighborhoods, and the best restaurants here are spread across them rather than clustered in one dining district.

The French Quarter and the Garden District anchor the grand Creole tradition, while the Bywater, the Faubourg Marigny, and the Lower Garden District reward those who seek out the independent, chef-driven downriver scene.

The Warehouse District and Mid-City serve everything from Cajun feasts to old neighborhood classics, and Treme carries deep Creole and cultural roots.

Using neighborhoods to plan your meals lets you pair dining with sightseeing, streetcar rides, and a genuine sense of local life. This roundup spotlights a signature restaurant in several key areas to help you eat your way across the city.

  • French Quarter, Galatoire's

    French-Creole $$$

    The Bourbon Street institution that has defined classic Creole dining since 1905, famous for its convivial Friday lunches and tuxedoed waiters. The French Quarter is the historic heart of the city, and this white-tablecloth landmark is its most beloved dining ritual. Dress up and settle in.

    What to order: Souffle potatoes; shrimp remoulade

    Reserve

  • Garden District, Commander's Palace

    Haute Creole $$$$

    The turquoise Victorian that launched Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme and still sets the standard for haute Creole cooking. Its garnet-toned garden room, jazz brunch, and 25-cent martini lunches make it the essential reason to plan a meal around the Garden District's oak-lined streets.

    What to order: Turtle soup; bread pudding souffle

    Reserve

  • Treme, Dooky Chase's

    Creole Soul $$

    Leah Chase's landmark Creole soul food restaurant, a civil rights meeting place hung with African American art. It anchors historic Treme with gracious hospitality and remains the definitive place to understand the neighborhood's cultural roots.

    What to order: Gumbo z'herbes; fried chicken

    Reserve

  • Uptown, Clancy's

    Creole Bistro $$$

    A tucked-away, clubby Creole bistro adored by locals in a residential Uptown pocket. Warm service and time-honored dishes make it the ideal introduction to the neighborhood's quiet, walkable charm.

    What to order: Fried oysters with brie; veal

    Reserve

  • Bywater, Bacchanal

    Wine Garden $$$

    A rambling wine shop with a string-lit backyard, live music, and a chalkboard of small plates that helped define the Bywater's creative revival. Casual and convivial, it captures the downriver neighborhood's artsy, laid-back energy.

    What to order: Cheese boards; small plates

    Reserve

  • Warehouse District, Cochon

    Cajun $$$

    Donald Link's ode to Cajun cooking, all wood-fired meats and Louisiana boucherie tradition, that helped ignite the Warehouse District's arts-and-dining boom. Rustic and lively, it pairs perfectly with a day at the neighborhood's galleries and the WWII Museum.

    What to order: Fried alligator; boudin; wood-fired oysters

    Reserve

  • Mid-City, Mandina's

    Creole-Italian $$

    A cheerful neighborhood institution since 1932, serving Creole-Italian comfort food to generations of locals. Affordable and unpretentious, it is a rewarding stop when exploring Mid-City, City Park, and the Canal streetcar line.

    What to order: Trout amandine; turtle soup; po-boys

    Reserve

  • Faubourg Marigny, The Elysian Bar

    Modern Bistro $$$

    A chic, sunlit restaurant inside the restored Hotel Peter and Paul, pairing seasonal cooking with a stylish crowd. Its creative energy and cocktails make it a compelling reason to wander the colorful Creole cottages of the Marigny.

    What to order: Seasonal plates; cocktails

    Reserve

  • Lower Garden District, Turkey and the Wolf

    Sandwiches $$

    Mason Hereford's irreverent, James Beard-winning sandwich shop that put playful, high-low cooking on the national map. Colorful and casual, it is a fun anchor for exploring the shops and bars of the Lower Garden District and Magazine Street.

    What to order: Fried bologna sandwich; collard greens melt

    Reserve

  • Riverbend, Brigtsen's

    Contemporary Creole $$$

    Frank Brigtsen's cozy cottage of refined contemporary Creole cooking near the end of the St. Charles streetcar line. Intimate and gracious, it rewards a trip to the leafy Riverbend and Carrollton area.

    What to order: Seafood platter; roast duck

    Reserve

Best New & Trendy Restaurant Openings in New Orleans

New Orleans's dining scene never stands still, and the best new and trendy restaurant openings in New Orleans keep the city on the national radar year after year.

Recent momentum has centered on Bywater's continued growth, ambitious neighborhood debuts along Freret Street and the Marigny, and acclaimed chefs branching out from flagship kitchens to launch second and third concepts.

New openings tend to book up fast on buzz alone, so flexibility with dates and early or late seatings helps. Because the freshest spots evolve quickly, it is always worth checking current local coverage before you go.

These picks highlight recently opened and buzzy restaurants that capture where New Orleans dining is heading right now.

  • Acamaya

    Mexican $$$

    The Bywater coastal Mexican restaurant from chef Ana Castro and her sister Lydia, serving masa, Gulf seafood, and dishes rooted in family tradition. Its warm room and inventive cooking quickly made it one of the city's most talked-about arrivals.

    What to order: Masa; Gulf seafood

    Reserve

  • Saint-Germain

    Tasting Menu $$$$

    An intimate Bywater tasting-menu restaurant tucked behind a natural wine bar, serving a multicourse menu in a candlelit courtyard setting. Its refined cooking and reservations-only format made it one of the city's most sought-after tables.

    What to order: Multicourse tasting; natural wine

    Reserve

  • Thalia

    Vegetable-Forward $$$

    Nina Compton's vegetable-forward restaurant brings bright, produce-driven cooking to downtown New Orleans. Its lighter, seasonal approach marks a fresh direction from one of the city's most celebrated chefs.

    What to order: Seasonal produce-driven plates

    Reserve

  • Vals

    Tacos $$

    A Freret Street taqueria known for tacos and frozen margaritas in a lively, colorful patio setting. Its casual energy and crowd-pleasing menu made it an instant neighborhood magnet.

    What to order: Tacos; frozen margaritas

    Reserve

  • Costera

    Spanish $$$

    An Uptown Spanish restaurant serving paella, tapas, and coastal Iberian dishes in a warm, contemporary room. Its confident cooking and shareable format keep it popular for groups.

    What to order: Paella; tapas

    Reserve

  • Miss River

    Creole $$$$

    Chef Alon Shaya's grand Creole restaurant inside the Four Seasons brings polished takes on Louisiana classics to a glamorous riverfront setting. Its tableside touches and celebratory feel made it a downtown showpiece.

    What to order: Louisiana classics; tableside service

    Reserve

  • Couvant

    French Brasserie $$$

    A French brasserie inside the Eliza Jane hotel in the Warehouse District, serving classic bistro dishes in a bright, tiled room. Its polished cooking and lively energy made it a see-and-be-seen destination.

    What to order: Steak frites; classic bistro fare

    Reserve

  • Marjie's Grill

    Southeast Asian $$

    A Mid-City spot blending Southeast Asian flavors with Gulf South ingredients for a bold, wood-fired menu. Its cross-cultural cooking reflects one of the city's most exciting culinary directions.

    What to order: Wood-fired Gulf and Southeast Asian plates

    Reserve

  • Hungry Eyes

    American $$

    Mason Hereford's retro Marigny bar and diner serves playful food and cocktails in a neon-lit, nostalgic room. Its irreverent spirit captures the creative, casual side of the city's new wave.

    What to order: Playful diner fare; cocktails

    Reserve

  • St. Roch Market / food halls

    Food Hall $$

    Curated food halls like St. Roch Market gather standout local vendors under one roof, offering an easy way to sample multiple cuisines and up-and-coming cooks in a single, casual visit.

    What to order: Multiple local vendors under one roof

    Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is New Orleans most famous for?

New Orleans is most famous for gumbo and beignets. Locals also love po'boys, jambalaya, red beans and rice, crawfish etouffee, and the muffuletta, plus grand Creole dining at spots like Commander's Palace.

Where can I get the best beignets in New Orleans?

Cafe du Monde in the French Market is the classic, open around the clock for beignets and cafe au lait. Cafe Beignet on Royal Street and Morning Call are strong alternatives. Try more than one.

Do I need reservations for top New Orleans restaurants?

Yes. Institutions like Commander's Palace, Herbsaint, and Compere Lapin need reservations booked well ahead. Galatoire's downstairs is famously walk-in only for the Friday lunch scene. Book early or sit at the bar.

Which New Orleans neighborhoods are best for dining?

The French Quarter has the grand Creole classics, while the Warehouse District and CBD hold buzzy tables. Uptown and the Garden District are chef-driven, the Bywater and Marigny feel indie and creative, and Mid-City offers local favorites.

How expensive is fine dining in New Orleans?

New Orleans's top tasting menus and grand dining rooms are a splurge, typically $$$$ per person before wine. Neighborhood po'boy shops, oyster bars, and lunch spots like Willie Mae's offer great value. Check current menus.

Are there good vegetarian and vegan options in New Orleans?

Yes. Vegan and vegetarian spots include Seed, Sneaky Pickle, and Breads on Oak. Many kitchens will prepare vegetarian gumbo or red beans on request, and Turkey and the Wolf offers inventive meat-free plates.