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$$$$ | Central Business District |
If the Gilded Age is long past, someone forgot to tell the folks at August, where the main dining room shimmers with masses of chandelier prisms, thick brocade fabrics, and glossy woods. Service is anything but stuffy, however, and the food showcases the chefs' modern techniques. Nothing is mundane on the seasonally changing menu, which might include handmade gnocchi with blue crab and winter truffle or rabbit cassoulet with andouille sausage. Expect the unexpected—like pecan-smoked Two Run Farm's beef—and a truly remarkable vegetarian menu can be prepared upon request. The sommelier is happy to counsel you on the surprisingly affordable wine list.
301 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Decadent tasting menus
- Vegetarian options
- Affordable wine pairings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Reservations essential, Credit cards accepted
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$ | Warehouse District |
Around the corner from its big brother Cochon, Butcher packs its own Cajun punch with an upscale sandwich menu that dials up the flavor on local classics. With house-cured meats and olive salad, the muffuletta reveals exactly how delicious Italian-Creole can be, though the pork-belly sandwich, with refreshing mint and cucumber, also brings customers back. In addition to sandwiches, there are meaty small plates and a rotating selection of wines, beers, and well-made cocktails. There are a few tall tables for dining in, or you can get your sandwich to go. Before leaving, stock up on boudin, bacon pralines, and other to-go Cajun delicacies—all much better souvenirs than anything for sale on Bourbon Street.
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Pork-belly sandwich
- To-go treats
- Delicious cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun., Reservations not accepted, Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Central Business District |
This eatery wows diners with rustic Italian cooking, a rarity in New Orleans's culinary landscape. In the renovated Roosevelt Hotel—a 19th-century landmark—friendly and knowledgeable waiters happily help patrons with lesser-known ingredients, but it doesn't take a lengthy explanation to know that the fresh pastas and wood-fired pizzas are a must. The restaurant departs from the hotel lobby's historic, gilded decor and opts instead for sleek black walls and chain-link curtains, warmed by jewel-box displays of house-cured meats. From 2 to 5 pm daily, all pizzas and wines are half off, so come hungry. A smaller, more casual PIZZA Domenica has opened Uptown (4933 Magazine Street).
123 Baronne St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA
Known For
- Wood-fired pizzas
- Charcuterie boards
- Great happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | Warehouse District |
Chef Donald Link (also of Cochon, Cochon Butcher, and Pêche Seafood Grill) turns out food that sparkles with robust flavors and top-grade ingredients at this casually upscale restaurant. Small plates and starters such as a daily gumbo, charcuterie, and homemade pastas are mainstays. Don't overlook the rich and flavorful Louisiana shrimp and fish ceviche. Also irresistible is the Muscovy duck leg confit with dirty rice and citrus gastrique. For dessert, banana brown-butter tart will ensure return trips. The plates provide most of the color in the lighthearted, often noisy, rooms. The wine list is expertly compiled and reasonably priced. The restaurant serves an abbreviated "bistro menu" between lunch and dinner.
701 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Homemade pasta
- Muscovy duck leg confit with dirty rice and citrus gastrique
- Convivial crowds
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Central Business District |
With its elegant table settings and canvases depicting the lives of British nobility, the Grill Room on the second floor of the Windsor Court has always been a beacon of class and an elegant setting for special occasions (keep your eyes peeled: celebrities in town for local film shoots often snag tables here). The creative Cajun- and Creole-influenced dinner menu allows guests to customize a three- or five-course tasting dinner, with insightful and unusual wine selections by sommelier John Mitchell, who draws from a deep cellar with an extensive Bordeaux collection. There's also a $23 plate special offered at lunchtime weekdays, and jazz brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. If you're looking for a splurge meal in town, this is it.
300 Gravier St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Elegant dining room
- Splurge-worthy tasting dinners
- Extensive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Credit cards accepted
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | Central Business District |
Bon Ton's opening in 1953 marked the first appearance of a significant Cajun restaurant in New Orleans, and the now-famed crawfish dishes, gumbo, jambalaya, and oyster omelet continue to draw fans. The bustle in the dining room peaks at lunchtime on weekdays, when businesspeople from nearby offices come in droves for turtle soup, eggplant with a shrimp-and-crab étouffée, and warm, sugary bread pudding with whiskey sauce (it packs a serious punch). If you can sacrifice the afternoon for pleasure, try a Rum Ramsey cocktail. The veteran servers are knowledgeable and fleet-footed.
401 Magazine St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Crawfish, gumbo, and turtle soup
- Rum cocktails
- Business lunches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends, Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | Central Business District |
In a spacious dining room accented by nautical touches, floor-to-ceiling chalkboard panels, and local artwork, you'll find rustic Louisiana seafood dishes with a touch of city sophistication. Named after Lake Borgne in eastern Louisiana, the restaurant honors that area's many Spanish settlers with tapas and fish à la plancha along with more traditional renditions like the BBQ shrimp with cheesy jalapeño grits. Diners on a budget should note the $15 plate lunches and $5 tapas at happy hour, 3–6 pm daily.
601 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70113, USA
Known For
- Happy hour tapas
- Business lunches
- Raw oysters
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$ | Warehouse District |
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options abound at this self-proclaimed "tropical café," which playfully references the cuisines of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Fresh, local, and organic produce are used to create dishes like acarajé, a black-eyed-pea fritter stuffed with vatapá (a cashew, peanut, and coconut paste) or the Rico sandwich, a breadless creation of grilled plantains, melted cheese, vegan meat, avocado, salsa fresca, and a tangy secret sauce. Try one of the unusual fresh fruit juices: options like cupuaçu (a nutrient-packed fruit with flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, pear, banana, and chocolate), acerola (Amazon cherry), and graviola (also known as soursop, tastes like brown sugar and pears) are nearly impossible to find this side of the Amazon.
527 Julia St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Vegan options
- Excellent ceviche
- Fresh juice from exotic fruits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$ | Central Business District |
Good things really do come in small packages, like the outstanding falafel you can order at the back of this unpretentious, pocket-size Middle Eastern convenience store outfitted with a handful of tables and chairs. Grab a drink from one of the glass cases, then order from a menu of mouthwatering options, like lamb kebabs and beef gyros. The vegetarian sampler plate, with creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and fresh tabouleh is the must-order dish, though. Look for international grocery items, like pistachio cotton candy from Turkey. The kitchen is open 24/7, making it an ideal spot to grab a pita after partying.
940 Canal St., New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Known For
- 24-hour kitchen
- Late-night falafel and tabouleh
- International grocery items
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$$$ | Central Business District |
Those tired of the white-tablecloth restaurants with decades-old menus of shrimp rémoulade and redfish renditions that populate so much of the New Orleans fine dining scene will be especially pleased with Compère Lapin, a unique and distinctly contemporary ultra-fine dining experience. At the root of Chef Nina Compton's cooking are the comforting flavors and spices of St. Lucian and Italian home kitchens, but presentation and execution of her dishes are that of a top-notch professional chef. Notable favorites are the conch croquettes, Caribbean seafood pepper pot, and semolina gnocchi. The ambience of the airy dining room, with lofted ceilings and hip, minimalist decor, is romantic and quiet at times, but loud and clubby when the popular craft cocktail bar is busy.
535 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Sweet potato gnocchi and conch croquettes
- Hip, minimalist decor
- Inventive cocktails
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$ | Central Business District |
The house-roasted coffee here is delicious, but added takeaways are the cute alligator-themed mugs and memorabilia to take home (a "congregation" is the collective name for a group of alligators); the fresh pastries; and the hearty breakfast and lunch options, like the pickled greens and poached egg on toast.
644 Camp St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$ | Central Business District |
Since 1969 the Cvitanovich family restaurant has been a fixture in Metairie, just a short drive from downtown New Orleans, so when it was revealed the family would open a second location inside the Hilton Riverside hotel, locals started salivating and the word quickly spread. The charbroiled oysters are the absolute must-order (you'll want extra bread to mop up the toothsome sauce). After that you can branch out to authentic Italian pasta dishes, Maine lobster, and fried seafood entrées. Families love the place—especially because of the kids' menu—and the warm apple cobbler is the sweet stuff legends are made of.
2 Poydras St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Charbroiled oysters
- Local institution
- Kid-friendly food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted, Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | Warehouse District |
Celebrity-chef Emeril Lagasse's urban-chic flagship restaurant is always jammed, so it's fortunate that the basket weave–pattern wood ceiling muffles much of the clatter and chatter. The ambitious menu gives equal emphasis to Creole and modern American cooking—try the andouille-crusted drum fish or the barbecue shrimp (one of the darkest, richest versions of that local specialty). Desserts, such as the renowned banana cream pie, verge on the gargantuan. Service is meticulous, and the wine list's depth and range mean that you shouldn't hesitate to ask your server for advice.
800 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Barbecue shrimp
- Decadent desserts
- Long wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun., Reservations essential, Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | Warehouse District |
An evening at this corner restaurant combines a sophisticated night out with nourishing, down-to-earth food. Chef Rebecca Wilcomb, the former James Beard Award–winning Chef de Cuisine at Herbsaint, named the restaurant after her nonna, who is also responsible for the menu’s tortellini en brodo recipe, a hearty-yet-light favorite from Northern Italy. Elsewhere on the menu, Wilcomb draws inspiration from seasonal ingredients found at local farms. The five-course “Feed Me Menu” makes for a festive group meal, served family-style with optional wine and digestif pairings.
700 Magazine St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Seasonal, local ingredients
- Fresh pasta
- Group meal menus
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$$ | Central Business District |
The rustic interior, reminiscent of 1920s and '30s Louisiana fish camps, is the perfect backdrop for shrimp gumbo, spicy boiled shrimp, fresh Gulf fish, hearty fisherman's stew, and a lemon icebox pie that will make you fall in love with New Orleans all over again. Except for freshwater catfish and Canadian mussels, all the seafood comes from the Gulf of Mexico and often straight from the fishermen. Produce and pork are also local, and salad dressings are homemade. Near Harrah's Casino, Grand Isle is generally packed, but it's worth the wait (which also gives you an excuse to spend some time at the elegant mahogany bar).
575 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Fresh Gulf fish
- Local produce
- Big crowds
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | Warehouse District |
Need a break from the bounties of the sea prevalent in New Orleans restaurants? Book a table at this classic Argentine steak house, where wine and meat are simple but satisfying priorities. While most steak houses are clubby, masculine, and hard on the wallet, this Warehouse District eatery feels more like a party. The kitchen coaxes flavor from less expensive cuts, like flank and hanger steaks. Sides include empanadas, thick rounds of provolone grilled and sprinkled with oregano, and homemade pasta, a nod to Argentina's large Italian population. After dinner at La Boca, you'll walk outside and be surprised to discover that you're not in Buenos Aires.
870 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Malbec-heavy wine list
- Flank steak
- Grilled provolone as a side
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
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$ | Warehouse District |
This bar, courtyard, and dining room are a nice spot for a margarita, fresh seafood, or a Southwestern-style snack. The menu pays homage to surfing pioneers with bios and specialty dishes. On weekends, tables are cleared near the bar for impromptu dance parties.
701 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
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$$ | Warehouse District |
There are two very good reasons to visit Marcello's: comforting Sicilian-American dishes at a reasonable price, and the well-stocked wine store (and cellar) next door, where diners choose from a wide selection of Italian wines to accompany their meal (markups are slightly below regular restaurant prices). Southern Italian food might not scream New Orleans, but the convivial bistro atmosphere, made more picturesque by the passing St. Charles streetcar, will make you feel part of the neighborhood crowd.
715 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Great wine cellar
- Grilled artichokes
- Pork marsala
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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$$$ | Central Business District |
After gaining notoriety for his Southeast Asian–inspired cuisine at Mopho in Mid-City, Chef Michael Gulotta moved into new territory, with a sophisticated small-bites menu for a downtown crowd. House-made pasta, cured meats, local seafood, and roti bread are accompanied by flavors like ginger, turmeric, and coconut. On weekends, the kitchen serves a dim sum–style brunch, a great chance to try a diverse showcase of the chefs' talents.
611 O'Keefe Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70113, USA
Known For
- Dim sum–style brunch
- House-made noodles
- Crispy fried oysters
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$ | Central Business District |
Tourists and locals line up for solid, if unspectacular, down-home eats at this island of blue-collar sincerity amid downtown's sea of glittery hotels. Mother's dispenses baked ham and roast beef po'boys (ask for "debris" on the beef sandwich and the bread will be slathered with meat juices and shreds of meat), home-style biscuits and jambalaya, and chicken and sausage gumbo in a couple of bare-bones yet charming dining rooms. Breakfast service is a bit slow, but that doesn't seem to repel the hordes fighting for seats at peak mealtimes. Service is cafeteria-style, with a counter or two augmenting the tables.
401 Poydras St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Greasy spoon, cafeteria-style vibe
- Big crowds
- Roast beef debris po'boys
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted, Credit cards accepted
