-
$$ | Carrollton-Riverbend |
Nathanial Zimet's gutsy, down-home cooking, a unique blend of Louisiana and contemporary Southern styles, fits right in at its cozy location in a converted Uptown home. The menu here is updated monthly, but it always kicks off with small plates, including every imaginable iteration of grits: as fries, cakes, and even crackers. Large plates pack big flavors—smoked scallops, Wagyu brisket, and whole hog pulled-pork cake all deliver. Try the Krispy Kreme bread pudding, even if you haven't saved room for it. Next door is Bourrée, the restaurant's casual takeout window, specializing in chicken wings, meat-based snacks, and gourmet daiquiris, like the top-shelf Hurricane and frozen gin and tonic.
8115 Jeannette St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118, USA
Known For
- Boudin balls
- Grits of all kinds
- Krispy Kreme bread pudding for dessert
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Credit cards accepted
-
$$ | 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
-
$$ | Carrollton-Riverbend |
Oak Street might look like any other sleepy urban thoroughfare by day, but once the sun sets, the half-block stretch containing Jacques-Imo's Cafe feels like the center of the universe. Prepare for lengthy waits (two hours at times) in the festive bar for a table in the boisterous, swamp-theme dining rooms (fortunately, the bartenders are fast), but most agree the wait for the modest-looking but innovative food is worth it: deep-fried roast-beef po'boys, shrimp-and-alligator-sausage cheesecake, Cajun bouillabaisse, and fried rabbit tenderloin with Creole mustard sauce are among the only-at-Jacques-Imo's specialties. Reservations are required for parties of five or more and not accepted for smaller groups.
8324 Oak St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118, USA
Known For
- Long lines and required reservations for groups over five people
- Entertaining crowds
- Shrimp-and-alligator-sausage cheesecake
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch, Credit cards accepted
-
$$ | Bywater |
It might seem unlikely that a restaurant specializing in canned fish would be one of the most romantic places to dine in New Orleans, but N7 is just that. Once you find this hidden gem, tucked behind a barely marked large wooden fence on a quiet street off of St. Claude Avenue, the adorable, candlelit courtyard and Parisian bistro interior will whisk you away to a dreamy European evening. The canned delicacies, mostly imported from Portugal and Spain, are the most exciting things on the menu (don't leave without trying the habanero-smoked oysters), but the salads, crudos, and desserts also hold their own. A small, carefully curated wine and cocktail list add to the charm of the experience.
1117 Montegut St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70117, USA
Known For
- Habanero-smoked oysters
- French wine list
- Romantic date nights
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
-
$$ | Uptown |
You may think you’ve been transported to sexy Tel Aviv in this softly lighted but thoroughly modern dining room set on a hopping stretch of Magazine Street. Here, the inventive Israeli cooking shines: picture copper trays bedecked with small plates of classic Israeli foods, like hummus with soft-cooked eggs, red onions, pickles, and harissa; avocado toast with smoked whitefish and pink peppercorns; and grape leaves stuffed with rice and shiitake mushrooms (plus there’s puffy, made-to-order pita from Shaya’s signature wood-burning oven). Don't miss the eclectic wine and spirits list with authentic touches from the motherland, including mint tea and arak (an anise-based spirit).
4213 Magazine St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115, USA
Known For
- Lamb ragu hummus
- Pita bread from the wood-burning oven
- Wine and spirits list with Israeli options
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$ | French Quarter |
A rough-edge classic in every way, this no-frills eatery is a prime source for briny, chilled Gulf oysters; legendary shrimp, oyster, and roast-beef po'boys; and tender, expertly seasoned red beans and rice. Even locals can't resist, although most opt for the less crowded, if less charming, suburban branches (there's one in Metairie). Expect lengthy lines here in the French Quarter, often a half block long. Crowds lighten in the late afternoon, making Acme a choice respite for a mid-afternoon snack of a dozen on the half shell washed down with an Abita beer.
724 Iberville St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Some of the best and freshest oysters in the French Quarter
- Long lines
- Local specialties
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
-
$$ | Faubourg Marigny |
Rustic and charming, this cramped dining room lords over Frenchmen Street and serves big plates of classic Italian-American cuisine with a Creole twist. Decadent seafood sauces are especially pleasing for garlic lovers. There are no reservations, it's cash only, and the food and service is a little mixed, but it's always an experience here (and usually lots of fun). Put your name on the list and then head downstairs for some music and drinks at the Apple Barrel, which usually has live music, or wander Frenchmen Street as you wait for a table.
611 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70117, USA
Known For
- Cash-only policy
- No reservations so be prepared to wait
- Lively and fun atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$ | Uptown |
Even with reservations, expect to wait for weekend brunch at this Uptown institution, but your taste buds will thank you later. Locals tend to linger over sultry Creole creations like étouffée omelets and house-made sausage, a DIY Bloody Mary bar, and jumping live jazz on Saturday and Sunday. At dinner, the food is just as delicious, but the vibe is more romantic. The shrimp and grits are a standout, but there are plenty of other excellent choices. As a bonus, the expertly cultivated wine list shows plenty of options for under $50.
901 Louisiana Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115, USA
Known For
- Bloody Mary bar
- Jazz brunch
- Excellent shrimp and grits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Tues. and Wed., Reservations essential
-
$$ | Mid-City |
Dining at Café Degas is like being at a sidewalk café in Paris, even though the restaurant is completely covered: there's a tree growing through the center of the dining room, and the front windows overlook picturesque Esplanade Avenue. The fare here is a mixture of French-bistro cooking and what you might find at a countryside inn—homemade pâtés, onion soup, steamed mussels, steaks, and crème brûlée. Daily specials are always creative and ingenious, and an evening here is inevitably romantic. Every Wednesday and Thursday, diners can enjoy a happy hour, with pâté, cheese, and appetizer and drink specials from 3 to 6 pm.
3127 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70119, USA
Known For
- Romantic setting
- Authentic French food
- Great pâté and charcuterie
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Credit cards accepted
-
$$ | Uptown |
Set back from Magazine Street in a gorgeous converted town house (eating on the large veranda on warm evenings is especially a treat), the sophisticated menu showcases (mostly) local seafood, as well as the best East and West Coast oysters. The whole roasted fish and anything from the raw section of the menu are always good choices. Non-seafood entrées and sides include roasted carrots, bacon fried rice, and airline chicken.
3607 Magazine St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115, USA
Known For
- Whole fish
- Fresh oysters
- Charming setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
-
-
$$ | Central Business District |
The rustic interior, reminiscent of 1920s and '30s Louisiana fish camps, is the perfect backdrop for shrimp gumbo, spicy boiled shrimp, fresh Gulf fish, hearty fisherman's stew, and a lemon icebox pie that will make you fall in love with New Orleans all over again. Except for freshwater catfish and Canadian mussels, all the seafood comes from the Gulf of Mexico and often straight from the fishermen. Produce and pork are also local, and salad dressings are homemade. Near Harrah's Casino, Grand Isle is generally packed, but it's worth the wait (which also gives you an excuse to spend some time at the elegant mahogany bar).
575 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Fresh Gulf fish
- Local produce
- Big crowds
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
-
$$ | French Quarter |
The walls here are festooned with enough snapshots, garlic braids, and crockery for at least two more restaurants, but it all just adds to the charm of this cozy Italian-Creole eatery. From Irene DiPietro's kitchen come succulent roast chicken brushed with olive oil, rosemary, and garlic; delicious, velvety soups; and fresh shrimp, aggressively seasoned and grilled before they join linguine glistening with herbed olive oil. Waits here can stretch to the 60-minute mark during peak dinner hours, which is just enough time for a bottle of wine in the convivial little piano bar.
529 Bienville St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70116, USA
Known For
- Piano bar on-site
- Local vibe
- Long waits for a table
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch, Reservations essential, Credit cards accepted
-
$$ | St. Claude |
As the Bywater dining scene has largely shifted towards the new, trendy, and exploratory, this historical location on Poland Avenue has stood its ground, remaining one of the only classic New Orleans dinner joints in the area. Expect large portions of fried and boiled seafood favorites, like catfish, redfish, oysters, and shrimp, as well as po'boys, stuffed flounder, and surf-and-turf plates. It's a fun, casual spot, and you will not leave hungry.
738 Poland Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70117, USA
Known For
- Local seafood
- Family-style portions
- No-frills atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner Tues.
-
$$ | French Quarter |
Named after former Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long, who went by the nickname "Kingfish," this stylish French Quarter restaurant pays homage to the Jazz Age, with its pressed-tin ceilings and suspendered bartenders (the excellent craft cocktail list was written by local legend Chris McMillian). Drinks do not disappoint, and as for food, expect Southern-inspired small plates with a local twist, like mirlitons (a type of squash) stuffed with cornbread dressing and smothered in an arugula and mushroom Alfredo sauce.
337 Chartres St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Snazzy cocktails
- Small plates of modern Southern cuisine
- Jazz-friendly atmosphere
-
$$ | Uptown |
French chic for the budget-minded is the style at this welcoming neighborhood bistro, where during peak hours there might be a half-hour wait for a table. Woven café chairs on the sidewalk and awnings that resemble metro-station architecture evoke the Left Bank of Paris, and the Gallic focus is also evident in dishes like the filet mignon, served with a choice of several classic French sauces. Other good options are the pâté maison, moules-frites, and the lavish dessert crêpes. The cheese plate is filled with fromage from beloved local cheese shop St. James Cheese Company. Space is a little tight in the oddly configured dining areas, but the whimsical paintings and profuse greenery combine to create an inviting feel.
1410 Robert St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115, USA
Known For
- Tasty crepes and moules-frites
- Intimate, slightly crowded setting
- Classic French vibes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat., Reservations not accepted, Credit cards accepted
-
-
$$ | Mid-City |
Also known as "the pink house," Mandina's has been a neighborhood favorite for locals since 1932. Although this Canal Street fixture has expanded over the years, nothing has diminished the full flavors of the shrimp rémoulade, the crawfish cakes, the turtle soup, or (on Monday) tender red beans with Italian sausage. Excellent étouffée, po'boys, fried seafood, and pastas are also on the menu. And if you're looking for the ideal bar and restaurant to spend a football Sunday in, complete with flat-screen TVs and the iciest beers in town, this is also your place.
3800 Canal St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70119, USA
Known For
- Delicious turtle soup
- Large plates of classic Southern-Creole cuisine
- Sunday football viewings
-
$$ | Warehouse District |
There are two very good reasons to visit Marcello's: comforting Sicilian-American dishes at a reasonable price, and the well-stocked wine store (and cellar) next door, where diners choose from a wide selection of Italian wines to accompany their meal (markups are slightly below regular restaurant prices). Southern Italian food might not scream New Orleans, but the convivial bistro atmosphere, made more picturesque by the passing St. Charles streetcar, will make you feel part of the neighborhood crowd.
715 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Great wine cellar
- Grilled artichokes
- Pork marsala
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
-
$$ | Faubourg Marigny |
This airy, industrial space has two equally enjoyable identities, depending on the time of day. Weekend brunches are bustling and lively and heavily feature their popular boozy brunch drinks and the to-die-for lemon ricotta pancakes while at night, things are more subdued under the chandelier and pendant lamps when the open kitchen serves up housemade pastas and pizza. Tables of locals and dates unwind over wine and sophisticated comfort foods. Whichever you choose, it's best to make a reservation.
511 Marigny St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70117, USA
Known For
- Wood-fired pizza
- Lemon ricotta pancakes
- Italian farm-to-table comfort food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch weekdays
-
$$ | French Quarter |
This sleek venture (whose name is short for "South of Bourbon Street") from the Commander's Palace team puts cocktails, beer, and wine front and center. The menu includes Louisiana-style snacks, such as grilled alligator sausage or cracklings with pimento-cheese fondue, and the cocktails are a mix of pre-Prohibition classics and crowd-pleasing originals. A row of self-service machines dispense wines by the taste or the glass, and a few coveted tables even have personal beer taps. The chef grew up in Puerto Rico, so Latin flavors creep into many dishes, like the oyster tacos or shrimp and tasso pinchos.
310 Chartres St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA
Known For
- Delicious fish tacos
- Louisiana classics with a Latin flair
- Self-service wine machines
-
$$ | Faubourg Marigny |
This revamped food hall offers visitors a (slightly overpriced) chance to sample from a wide array of flavors. Vendors offer casual local favorites as well as global cuisine, from Haiti to Burma; there's also a chic little oyster bar, bottles of wine and specialty foodstuffs to take home, and a full bar with a generous happy hour.
2381 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70117, USA
Known For
- Unique global fare
- Something for everyone
- Local oysters
