Where to Eat in New Orleans – 2024
After moving here, visitors always ask me “Where should I eat in New Orleans?” Since my last post in 2022, much has opened, closed or changed. The city continues to serve the best cajun and creole food, but many new restaurants have brought unique, upscaIe cuisine to the city. I love returning to the restaurants that never disappoint, so it’s hard to hit all the new ones. Food intake management is real!
I’ve categorized restaurants by Fine Dining, Casual Dining, Breakfast/Brunch, and Lagniappe (meaning “a little this, and a little that”). Each restaurant has neighborhood and dress code information.
Fine Dining. Most serve both lunch and dinner, unless noted.
Peche – If you can’t get in for dinner, go for lunch. If you have a big group, order the large, sharable fish of the day, like tuna collar. One of the best fish dishes I have had. The steak tartare w/ oyster aioli is ridiculous here, becoming everyone’s favorite after one bite. Everything else is amazing too, such as the cappellini. In the Warehouse district. Business casual.
R’evolution – Recently renovated, this restaurant is a special dinner experience. It’s been too long since I’ve been there. Their food prep and presentation are amazingly traditional yet creative. The Snapping Turtle Soup includes deviled quail eggs that I ate willingly, and I don’t even like deviled eggs. They change their menu regularly. Reserve in advance. In the French Quarter. Dress up!
Arnaud’s – For lunch or dinner. Select one of two dining rooms, one with jackets required and the other more casual. The latter includes jazz music during dinner and Sunday brunch. It’s a favorite for big crowd, French Quarter reservations in a pinch, even during Jazzfest. It is right off of Bourbon Street, so you’ll also see the ruckus go by. Get the Oysters Arnaud, which includes each of the many different grilled oysters they prepare. The turtle soup is great, too. French 75 is their historically famous bar, and there is a crazy Mardi Gras Museum in the restaurant, too (hoping they get some new mannequins soon). In the French Quarter. Dressy in one room, more business casual in the other.
Antoine’s – Next to Arnaud’s, this is my OG, tradtional Nola favorite. Claiming to be the oldest creole French restaurant in town, they are known for inventing Oysters Rockefeller and Eggs Sardou. The Baked Alaska is a must, as they do it right. Be snoopy and check out the whole restaurant’s unique rooms. I celebrated a “special” birthday lunch in one of their elegant private dining rooms. In the French Quarter. Jackets required for dinner, business casual for lunch..
Luke’s – For lunch or dinner. This is a regular lunch spot for us, especially after an action-packed night. Go ahead, scream “Hurray!” when they tell you that the BLT Soft Shell Crab sandwich is on the menu for the season. The burgers, brussel sprouts, shrimp and grits, and flammenkuchen are favorites. The oyster bar is impressive. In the Central Business District (CBD). Not dressy
Herbsaint – For dinner, or a long lunch. This restaurant is overlooked because I think it’s been good for so long. Now that we live next to it, we know its menu very well, and everything is fantastic. The spaghetti dish with the perfectly poached egg is a valid low carb diet-break contender. They have one of the best gumbos in the city. In the CBD. Casual dressy.
Commander’s Palace – For lunch or dinner. This iconic restaurant is a super special, celebratory spot with typical creole fare, done up a notch. Their new chef, Meg Bickford, has “spiced” things up a bit while maintaining the restaurant’s classic fare. It’s a great lunch splurge, too. Did someone say 25-cent martinis? “Crack bread pudding” is how my friend describes the Creole Bread Pudding Souffle. For foodies, watch “Commanding the Table”, a documentary on the history of Ella Brennan, the restaurant’s founder. Advance Reservations. In the Garden District. Dress attire.
Clancy’s – This is a compulsory stop for all my visitors. I dine here at least four times a year. Located in an unassuming Uptown neighborhood, everything on the menu makes me salivate, and the staff is friendly. Turtle soup, black drum, veal dishes, lemon ice box pie are favorites. MAKE a reservation here if you come to Nola. Uptown aka Black Pearl. Advanced Reservations. Business Casual`
Notables:
- Galatoire’s – For lunch or dinner. I’m including this because I have to. Like Antoine’s, Galatoire’s is a historic, traditional, true Creole restaurant. Friday lunch is a scene, and a town tradition. People hire “line sitters”. Some locals would frown that I haven’t been there yet for a regular meal. However, a better offer always presents itself. Order anything creole. In the French Quarter. Jackets required for dinner, business casual for lunch.
- St. John – I’m tempted to place this in the Casual Dining section, and remove it from this “Notables” section. Why? Because the atmosphere has been casual and the creole food is always excellent. But now, they have moved one block away from me! Unassuming yet always delivering, I hope nothing changes. The gumbo is awesome; the porkchop will get totally consumed. The seafish is cooked perfectly, and they have brunch too! I think they will know me by name. In the CBD, business casual to play it safe.
Casual Dining – Don’t worry about a dress code. Just go eat here.
Cochon – For dinner or lunch. Pork lovers, unite. My husband hesitates going to Cochon, but once we start dining, he’s satisfied. Outside of the fried livers, all the Small Plates are tremendous. If you can’t get a reservation, or want something more casual, go around the block to Cochon Butcher. Best BLT ever (off the menu). In the Warehouse District.
Liuzza’s On the Track – For lunch. There is only one thing I have ever ordered here, and it is divine: The BBQ Shrimp Po Boy. You’re on your own after that. Bloddy Marys are good here, too. Near the Racetrack/Jazzfest Fairgrounds.
Mopho – For lunch or dinner. This restaurant, in an unassuming strip mall, seems immemorable until you eat their food, and swear that you will return forever. There’s a weekly, daily special, that is available until they run out of it. The Saturday cochon de lait (pig) can sell out by dinnertime. Chicken & waffles on the weekend are a crowd pleaser. The chicken wings are delicious. There’s a pho for hangovers. The bottom line – Mopho’s ability to take Vietnamese cuisine flavors and incorporate them into everything on the menu is divine. Mid-city area.
Jacques Imo’s – For dinner. Super colorful and boisterous, this Oak Street charmer has great Cajun food, including shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake. No reservations, but just keep drinking at the bar. I try and get back there whenever I can. “Jacque” is a great host. Near Tulane, Uptown.
Willa Mae’s – For lunch only. This is the simplest, finest Southern cooking you will have. America’s Southern Classic Restaurant James Beard winner here. There are regularly lines out the door, so be strategic with your timing. Order fried chicken; everything else is incremental. Treme neighborhood.
Venezia – I’ve moved this restaurant’s classification from “Lagniappe” to “Casual”. Yes, it’s100% Italian, but if you’re looking for an OG, red sauce, neighborhood establishment, this is it. The well-priced menu, generous portions, and attentive staff make it a great, impromptu place for a big crowd. It’s a little Northeast flavor in New Orleans. Afterwards, go to Angelo Broccato’s for dessert, right down the street. Mid-City.
Rosedale – This Mid-City hideaway has become a favorite when looking for typical New Orleans fare. A Susan Spicer restaurant, she’s successfully gotten to the basics of Creole/Cajun fare with fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese sandwiches, bbq sandwiches, sauteed gulf fish and pecan pie. Worth getting a little lost to find! Mid-city
Saint Pizza – Damn you, NY Times, you’ve told the world about this restaurant. You can order pizza to-go or you can dine in their small, but cozy restaurant space where the meatballs and Chicken Parmesan are the real deal. OR you guys can order by the slice at the order-window up front. For Northeasterners in Nola, this is a colossal break-through. I recommend eating the pizza on-site. Garden District.
Cafe Degas – New to my list, this unassuming restaurant has bistro French food, set in a garden-like atmosphere. On a rainy afternoon, I wanted to sit for hours after our eggs, salads and sandwiches. I look forward to trying dinner there, but if you’re looking for a relaxing place for a lunch or brunch bite, this is it. Mid-City/Bayou St. John
Breakfast/Brunch – You could try these at other mealtimes, but these are my mid-day favorites. Notice I didn’t write “My Morning Favorites”. Don’t judge me because cocktails are highlighted in almost all of these picks.
Willa Jean’s – A great breakfast and lunch spot. I need strong discipline to not order their Frose, a frozen rose slurpee-like drink every time I go. The baked goods here are so good, it’s hard to decide which one to order, but go for the coconut cake. Egg, and salad dishes are excellent. The cornbread IS worth the calories. In the CBD. Casual.
Ruby Slipper – Breakfast & lunch only. The Ruby Slipper is a classic restaurant for your Nola morning “trifecta” – water, coffee, Bloody Mary. I could try everything on the food menu; I’m working on this goal. They have many locations now but my favorite, most crowded, and nearby spot is the CBD establishment. CBD, Marigny, Garden District, plus other locations. You could probably wear your jammies here.
Brennan’s – The restaurant that defined “brunch”, this renovated and historically significant institution is the home of Bananas Foster and a few other menu staples. The food is sumptuous, and of course the Bloody Marys are fantastic. You could have dinner here, but the brunch menu is so amazing, you’d be missing out on the best meal. There’s a beautiful wine/party room in the back for big groups. In the French Quarter. Business casual.
La Petite Grocery – Yes, it’s a lovely place to eat for dinner, but it’s one of my favorite brunch places. The Big Red Hammer is one of the best Blood Marys in town. They serve it with a FORK. Food is almost irrelevant after one of these. In the Garden District, on Magazine Street. Business casual.
Apolline – This restaurant is making the list because a) it’s open for brunch Tuesday through Sunday b) it serves a great dinner, too and c) Bottomless bloodies and mimosas. OR the Deluxe Bloody Mary which puts La Petite Grocery’s Bloody in second place. Cinnamon bacon, Shrimp & grits, and Eggs Apolline are recommended. Uptown. Smart casual.
Bearcat – I hesitate telling you about Bearcat, because it will make their no-reservation waits longer. Be prepared for a line to dine. The biscuits are awesome, the egg dishes divine. They serve gluttonously yummy dishes along with vegan, gluten-free choices. Some of their cocktails have cereal in them. I’m going to have to get out of the Bloody Mary box, and try one of them. Open Wednesday through Sunday. CBD and Uptown. Casual.
Cafe du Monde – I’m mentioning this place because if you visit New Orleans and don’t come here, you’re missing a tradition. Yes, it’s touristy. Let me tell you what the menu is right now: Beignets (confectionary sugar decadence), coffee, iced coffee, frozen coffee, orange juice, milk and water. The wait line goes quickly, or you can get the food to go. But it’s worth it to just sit back in their simple patio. You can pretty much eat here ANY TIME of the day. In the French Quarter. Very casual. (Pssst – go to City Park, visit the vast NOMA sculpture garden, take a stroll, and visit Cafe du Monde’s large, uncrowded location.)
Lagniappe aka “Other Stuff” – These establishments serve specialty food or drinks.
Angelo Bracato’s – After you’ve eaten at Venezia, you go here. Or you just need an Italian pastry, cookie or gelatto fix. I walked in, my husband asked me if I wanted anything, and I said, “Yes. Everything.” Mid-City
Bar Marilou – Nestled in the Maison de la Luz Hotel, this cozy, loungy, gorgeous bar has a great vibe. There’s a delicious, limited food, but the stars are the ambiance and cocktails. The employees’ attitude can get large here so even though I’m around the corner, I hesititate for a potential vibekill. CBD
Pluck – If there is a haven for oenophiles, this is it. With such a vast, eclectic, and well-balanced collection, you could grow indecisive on what to choose. So do what I do, and taste whatever bottle they’ve decided to open that day. I’ve found so many different varietals and regions here. The accompanying foods – charcuterie, salads, steak, sandwiches are delicious too. Skye, the owner, has generated a gem here. CBD
