New Orleans, the Crescent City, is a smorgasbord of sights, sounds, and most importantly, flavors. From classic Creole cooking to modern takes on Southern staples, the culinary scene in NOLA is as diverse and vibrant as its music and culture. With so many incredible options to choose from, narrowing down your restaurant list can be a daunting task. Worry not, intrepid epicureans, for I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to the top 10 restaurants in New Orleans, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds and leave you with memories that linger long after your last bite.
Commander’s Palace
- Outstanding features: Grand dame of Creole fine dining, established in 1880, iconic jazz brunches, tableside Bananas Foster flambé.
- Famous dishes: Turtle soup, Shrimp Clemenceau, Eggs Sardou.
- Average price: $$$ ($50-$100 per person).
- Opening hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Fri-Sat 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM, Brunch: Sat-Sun 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM.
- Address: 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA.
Let’s kick things off with a New Orleans institution. Commander’s Palace has been serving up refined Creole cuisine since 1880, and its elegant atmosphere, complete with chandeliers and jazz brunches, is as much a draw as the food itself. Don’t miss the iconic Bananas Foster flambeed tableside, a true NOLA spectacle.
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Cochon
- Outstanding features: Modern take on Cajun classics, focus on pork dishes, inventive cocktails, lively atmosphere.
- Famous dishes: Cochon Butcher plate (grilled boudin, tasso, andouille sausage), Pork Belly Bahn Mi, Grits & Grillades.
- Average price: $$ ($30-$50 per person).
- Opening hours: Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Fri-Sat 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Closed Mon-Tues.
- Address: 930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA.
This lively spot puts a modern twist on Cajun classics. Chef Donald Link’s signature pork dishes, like the Cochon Butcher plate, are must-tries, and the inventive cocktails are the perfect way to whet your appetite. Be prepared for a wait, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Brennan’s
- Outstanding features: French Quarter institution, upscale Creole cuisine, impeccable service, Bananas Foster dessert ritual.
- Famous dishes: Eggs Benedict Brennan’s, Turtle Soup, Bananas Foster.
- Average price: $$$$ ($100+ per person).
- Opening hours: Lunch: Tues-Sat 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Dinner: Mon-Sat 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM, Closed Sun.
- Address: 500 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA.
Step back in time at Brennan’s, a French Quarter mainstay known for its old-world charm and impeccable service. The menu features upscale Creole dishes like turtle soup and eggs Benedict, and the Bananas Foster dessert is a decadent way to end your meal.
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
- Outstanding features: Cultural landmark, legacy of civil rights icon Leah Chase, soulful Creole cooking, warm hospitality.
- Famous dishes: Gumbo, Fried Chicken, Bread Pudding.
- Average price: $$ ($30-$50 per person).
- Opening hours: Lunch: Wed-Fri 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Dinner: Tues-Sat 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Closed Sun-Mon.
- Address: 2372 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA
This historic restaurant is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural landmark. Leah Chase, a civil rights icon, ran Dooky Chase for decades, and her legacy lives on in the soulful Creole cooking and warm hospitality. Try the gumbo or the fried chicken, and don’t forget to soak up the rich history.
Herbsaint
- Outstanding features: Chef Donald Link’s modern American bistro, focus on seasonal ingredients, inventive dishes, elegant atmosphere.
- Famous dishes: Duck Confit with Cherry Gastrique, Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn and Fennel, Crispy Pig Ears with Pickled Vegetables.
- Average price: $$$ ($50-$100 per person).
- Opening hours: Dinner: Mon-Sat 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM, Closed Sun.
- Address: 701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA.
Chef Donald Link strikes again with Herbsaint, a modern American bistro with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently, but you can always count on finding innovative dishes like duck confit with cherry gastrique or pan-seared scallops with corn and fennel.
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Saba
- Outstanding features: A taste of the Middle East, Israeli flavors, grilled lamb skewers, hummus bi tahini, fresh pita bread.
- Famous dishes: Shawarma Plate, Spicy Cauliflower Salad, Grilled Halloumi with Watermelon and Mint.
- Average price: $$ ($30-$50 per person).
- Opening hours: Dinner: Mon-Thurs 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Fri-Sat 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Closed Sun.
- Address: 542 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA.
Craving something different? Take a trip to the Middle East at Saba, where Israeli flavors shine in dishes like grilled lamb skewers and hummus bi tahini. Don’t forget to order the pita bread, made fresh daily and perfect for scooping up every last bit of goodness.
Brigtsen’s
- Outstanding features: Contemporary Creole cooking, seasonal ingredients, unexpected twists on classics, Warehouse District location.
- Famous dishes: Pan-Roasted Duck with Blackberry Gastrique, Shrimp and Tasso Hoppin’ John, Grilled Oysters with Herbs and Garlic Butter.
- Average price: $$$ ($50-$100 per person).
- Opening hours: Dinner: Tues-Sat 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM, Closed Sun-Mon.
- Address: 718 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA.
This family-owned gem in the Warehouse District offers up some of the best contemporary Creole cooking in the city. The menu features seasonal ingredients and unexpected twists on classic dishes, like the pan-roasted duck with blackberry gastrique.
Liuzza’s by the Track
- Outstanding features: New Orleans tradition, heaping plates of pasta, po-boys, red beans and rice, family-owned.
- Famous dishes: Muffuletta Po-Boy, Pasta Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice with Sausage.
- Average price: $ ($10-$30 per person).
- Opening hours: Lunch: Mon-Sat 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Dinner: Mon-Sat 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Closed Sun.
- Address: 2500 Metairie Rd, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA.
For a taste of New Orleans tradition, head to Liuzza’s by the Track in Mid-City. This no-frills joint serves up heaping plates of pasta, po-boys, and red beans and rice, all cooked with generations of love and experience.
Jacques-Imo’s Café
- utstanding features: New Orleans comfort food, jambalaya, po-boys, gumbo, dirty rice, potato salad, French Quarter location.
- Famous dishes: Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo, Fried Chicken Po-Boy, Red Beans and Rice.
- Average price: $ ($10-$30 per person).
- Opening hours: Lunch: Daily 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Dinner: Sun-Thurs 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Fri-Sat 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
- Address: 837 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA.
Get your fill of authentic New Orleans comfort food at Jacques-Imo’s Cafe. This French Quarter spot is famous for its jambalaya, po-boys, and gumbo, all served with heaping sides of dirty rice and potato salad.
Willie Mae’s Scotch House
- Outstanding features: Undisputed king of fried chicken, perfectly seasoned and crispy, legendary sides like mac and cheese and collard greens, Mid-City location.
- Famous dishes: Fried Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Collard Greens.
- Average price: $ ($10-$30 per person).
- Opening hours: Lunch: Tues-Fri 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Dinner: Tues-Sat 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Closed Sun-Mon.
- Address: 1400 N Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA.
No trip to New Orleans is complete without indulging in some fried chicken, and Willie Mae’s Scotch House is the undisputed king of the coop. The perfectly seasoned and crispy chicken is legendary, and the sides, like mac and cheese and collard greens, are just as good.
This is just a taste of the incredible culinary scene that awaits you in New Orleans. So, grab your appetite and your sense of adventure, and get ready to embark on a delicious journey through the Big Easy.
Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to factor in the time of day when making your restaurant choices. Many New Orleans restaurants offer brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night menus, each with its own unique offerings.
Conclusion
Discovering New Orleans through its top 10 restaurants unveils a tapestry of flavors and experiences. These culinary gems encapsulate the city’s essence, blending tradition with innovation and a profound love for food.
From the iconic Creole dishes to inventive fusions, each restaurant visited is a testament to New Orleans’ vibrant soul. This journey isn’t just about taste—it’s an immersion into the city’s culture, hospitality, and commitment to culinary excellence.
As you bid farewell to this gastronomic adventure, may the memories linger, reminding you of the diverse, creative, and unforgettable flavors that make New Orleans a true haven for food enthusiasts. Cheers to the moments and tastes that define this vibrant city.