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A view of a bowl of Creole gumbo and a bread basket on a table with a white tablecloth and red striped chairs. — Dooky Chase.

38 Essential Restaurants in New Orleans

A guide to the city’s defining restaurants spanning cuisines, neighborhoods, and price

by Clair Lorell and Eater Staff Updated Apr 9, 2024, 12:29pm CDT

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Dooky Chase.

| Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

by Clair Lorell and Eater Staff Updated Apr 9, 2024, 12:29pm CDT

Welcome to the Eater 38, our answer to the question, “Can you recommend a restaurant?” It’s a wide-ranging, varied list meant to highlight the best of contemporary New Orleans dining while spanning cuisines, neighborhoods, settings, and price points. Showcasing a mix of po’ boy shops, Creole cafes, and fine dining institutions that make New Orleans one of the most interesting places to eat in America, these are 38 restaurants that are crucial visits for any New Orleans diner.

For a guide to the best new restaurants in New Orleans, turn to the Eater Heatmap.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits

Bacchanal, a Bywater wine shop known for its amazing courtyard and live music, offers a seasonal menu of exquisite, affordable small plates like salt cod fritters, grilled sardines, and littleneck clams. There’s also a cocktail bar that offers indoor seating for when the backyard is simply too packed to accommodate. Bacchanal matured into a hotspot following Hurricane Katrina, and despite its current must-do status with tourists, remains an important part of the neighborhood.

600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine

Visit Sneaky Pickle for lunch or Bar Brine for dinner to try playful, shareable dishes that also convey a deep understanding of technique, flavor, and texture. At Bar Brine, products like hakurei turnips, tilefish, king trumpet mushrooms, or confit goose get special treatment; fresh, delicate pasta dishes combine gnocchi with walnuts and blue cheese; rice cakes pair with smoked squash and mapo tofu; and layered cocktails satisfy cravings for something light and fresh or savory and deep. The cozy, romantic neighborhood spot, known by some as “the veggie place,” is admired by omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike.

3200 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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The dining room and bar at Sneaky Pickle.

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Saint Germain

Saint Germain is one of New Orleans’s essential tasting menu experiences, an eight-to-ten-course stunner that takes diners throughout the charming, homey Bywater space. Chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith offer carefully composed, technical dishes that are exciting to the eyes and palate, a truly immersive experience (that changes monthly) highlighting ingredients like white asparagus, venison, Norwegian king crab, squab, and geoduck. Keep an eye out for frequent vegetarian tasting menu nights.

3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Bywater American Bistro

Chef Nina Compton and Larry Miller’s Bywater restaurant — recently renamed as BABs, an abbreviation of the original Bywater American Bistro — has remained a New Orleans classic since its opening in 2018, the same year that Compton won the James Beard Award for Best Chef, South. Here, she hones in on Italian cuisine, serving dishes like cool basil burrata, goat bolognese, and shrimp fra diavolo in a high-ceilinged, industrial dining room with rustic touches. Save room for brown butter biscotti.

2900 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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The interior of a restaurant with vivid blue walls, dark wood furniture, and a jeweled, netted piece of art hanging from the ceiling. — BABs.

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Plume Algiers

Tyler Stuart and Merritt Coscia call their three-year-old West Bank restaurant a “celebration of regional Indian cuisine born from one couple’s love of communal eating and the dynamic dishes of India.” That emphasis on simplicity, respect, and community comes through in the food and atmosphere. An incredible and affordable ever-evolving menu and frequent specials might include kozhi, a spicy fried chicken stew with coconut dumplings, recheado shrimp salad, pork axone, and aloo chaat.

1113 Teche St, New Orleans, LA 70114

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Tân Định

Tan Dinh is not New Orleans’s only great Vietnamese restaurant located in a strip mall, but it is perhaps the one most universally loved by East Bank and West Bank residents. Everything here is excellent, but regulars swear by specialties like the goat curry and lemongrass chicken wings. Few New Orleanians either haven’t tried it or have a bad word to say about this Gretna gem.

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1705 Lafayette St, Gretna, LA 70053

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A blue and white plate of crispy roasted duck next to cucumbers and topped with a fried rice patty. — Cơm nếp vịt nướng chao (roasted duck served with a sweet crispy rice patty).

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Saint John

For a contemporary take on the deep-rooted traditions of Creole cuisine in the French Quarter, look no further than Saint John. Chef Eric Cook has built a gold standard for modern interpretations of throwback dishes like beef daube, shrimp remoulade, and smothered turkey necks by bringing in global flavors, all around elevating the recipes of his childhood. Start with the oysters Saint John, where oysters are prepared three ways, share some gumbo, and if there’s a whole fish special, order it.

1117 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Chicken’s Kitchen

It’s always a treat to see what chef and owner Marlon “Chicken” Williams is cooking up at his uber-popular lunch plate spot in Gretna, where New Orleans favorites like smothered okra, stuffed catfish, stuffed pepper balls, and smothered turkey necks rotate daily. It’s incredible, really, just how many specialties Williams serves and excels at — both mains and sides — so it’s no surprise that the sunny, three-year-old Derbigny Street restaurant has grown into the West Bank’s favorite place to run into friends and enjoy homestyle cooking at its best. Be prepared for a (fast-moving) line during peak lunchtime hours.

629 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA 70053

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MaMou

Bright and flirty with a Parisian vibe, this charming brasserie on the edge of the French Quarter is one of the neighborhood’s best new restaurants in years. Branighan has created a fine-dining menu of Louisiana ingredients prepared with French techniques, intricate dishes like braised celery hearts with smoked beef tongue; an escargot tartlet with romesco; and poisson a la Florentine topped with caviar beurre blanc and parmesan wreath. Mamou feels both like a special occasion restaurant and a neighborhood standby, where stunning food is served in a cozy setting.

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942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Emeril's

Chef Emeril Lagasse has been a larger-than-life New Orleans presence since 1982, when he became chef of the landmark Commander’s Palace at the age of 23. His flagship restaurant, Emeril’s, offers an exemplary taste of his cooking — this is fine dining infused with a Southern sensibility and warm, approachable touches. The barbecue shrimp is one of Lagasses’s most popular dishes, as is the banana cream pie. Choose between three tasting menus: the three-course, the “classics,” or the seasonal.

800 Tchoupitoulas St (at Julia Street), New Orleans, LA 70130

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The interior of a restaurant with high ceilings, wood floors, and small tables with white tablecoths and blue-rimmed plates placed on them. — Inside Emeril’s.

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Vyoone’s

Go to Vyoone’s for the great atmosphere, classic French food, and warm hospitality — the Warehouse District hidden gem excels in all areas. A local’s favorite for special occasion dinners, group dining, and private parties, it’s equally ideal for a date, especially if you can snag a seat in the secluded courtyard. On Vyoone Segue Lewis’s contemporary French-meets-Creole menu, try the escargot, French onion soup, and soft shell entree with maque choux and crawfish cream sauce if available.

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412 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Seared scallops topped with chimichurri on top of maque choux on a rectangular white plate. — A scallop dish from Vyoone’s.

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Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

New Orleans nearly lost this Treme institution during the pandemic, but a third generation of the Baquet family came together to reopen the family-owned favorite. Li’l Dizzy’s serves dishes like grilled catfish and grits, gumbo, po’ boys, and top-notch fried chicken in a quaint, low-key corner building on Esplanade Avenue with walls covered in New Orleans, Saints, and Baquet family memorabilia.

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

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A brown takeout container holds two large pieces of fried chicken next to a styrofoam container of collard greens. — Fried chicken and greens from Lil’ Dizzy’s.

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GW Fins

GW Fins celebrates everything seasonal, fresh, and from the water, with chef Michael Nelson dreaming up dishes like the delicate lobster dumplings and creative scalibut, a scallop-encrusted filet of halibut served with royal red shrimp risotto. The white linen French Quarter restaurant’s dedication to its product — think fish collars, sheepshead, sea bass, and more — makes GW Fins a great special occasion choice.

808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

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Closeup of a white piece of fish encrusted with slices of halibut on top of brown rice and sugar snap peas. — GW Fins’s scalibut dish.

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Herbsaint

Herbsaint first introduced New Orleans to the now-prolific restaurateur Donald Link. Of all Link’s restaurants, the French, Italian, and Creole Herbsaint is a dazzling standout, one of the city’s best dining destinations for dishes like gumbo, chicken fricassee, and duck confit, with the bonus of romantic outdoor seating along the downtown St. Charles streetcar line.

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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A bowl of dark roux gumbo from Herbsaint with white rice and topped with green onions. — Gumbo from Herbsaint.

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Fritai

One of New Orleans’s best new restaurants is Charly Pierre’s Fritai, a hub for Haitian specialties and exciting cocktails in Treme. The drinks to try are made with the Haitian spirit clairin, and all pair well with dishes like the fritai sandwich, made with tender pulled pork between two fried plantains with avocado, mango sauce, and pikliz (a spicy Haitian slaw); espageti with smoked herring; and mirliton salad with grilled carrot and candied plantain.

1535 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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In a background is a plate of tender pulled pork between two fried plantains with avocado, mango sauce, and pikliz, and in the foreground is a plate of fried plaintains and grilled shrimp pikliz. — A Fritai sandwich and grilled shrimp pikliz starter.

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Turkey and the Wolf

The buzz generated by Mason Hereford’s delicious twists on childhood favorites at Turkey and the Wolf has yet to wear off, but for good reason — the sandwiches and specials that won so much acclaim upon the restaurant’s Lower Garden District debut continue to surprise, satisfy, and delight. While it was the bologna sandwich that first caught on nationwide, the collard green melt and smoked ham sandwiches are just as notable. Don’t miss the frozen margarita.

739 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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A sandwich of rye bread, coleslaw, collard greens, and sauce is cut in half on a white plate. — Turkey and the Wolf’s collard green melt.

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Maïs Arepas

David Mantilla’s Central City destination for Colombian cuisine flies under the radar, but for locals in the know, it’s a frequent visit. Bright, colorful, and lively, Maïs Arepas serves festive fresh fruit cocktails and dishes like Colombian-style ceviche, empanadas, and brochetas, and of course, a vast menu of savory, overstuffed arepas. Its sauces are also a standout — don’t miss the maiz de la rueda served with spicy butter, or the salsa rosada.

1200 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Addis Nola

Addis Nola is a cherished addition to New Orleans dining, now in its new digs on Bayou Road. The beautiful, colorful spot from owners Dr. Biruk Alemayehu, Prince Lobo, and chef Jaimito “Jaime” Lobo offer warming stews; sambusas and kitfo; and whole fried red snapper. Visit on vegan Monday and try a taste of everything, starring lentils, split peas, collard greens, mushrooms, sweet potato wot, and shiro, a dense, chickpea-based stew.

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2514 Bayou Rd, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Tables and booths inside Addis Nola.

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Stein's Market and Deli

It’s good to know your order when heading into Dan Stein’s tiny Jewish and Italian deli and crowded lunch destination on Magazine Street, but if you’re really unsure, staff will (sometimes begrudgingly) help you pick the perfect sandwich. Corned beef and pastrami are the stars here, so the Reuben or Rachel serve as shining examples of the shop’s abilities.

2207 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Stein’s storefront on magazine street with large windows next to a door. — Stein’s

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Dooky Chase Restaurant

Food world icon Leah Chase (who died at 96 in 2019), also known as the “Queen of Creole cuisine,” turned Dooky Chase’s into the legendary fine dining establishment it is now, and luckily the new generation is innovating while upholding her tradition-centric legacy. The Treme institution continues to nourish bodies and souls with dishes like gumbo z’herbes, shrimp Clemenceau (a dish of shrimp, potatoes, mushrooms, and peas), and fried chicken in the tradition of Miss Chase.

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A view of a bowl of Creole gumbo and a bread basket on a table with a white tablecloth and red striped chairs. — Gumbo at Dooky Chase’s.

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Café Reconcile

One of New Orleans most endearing restaurants (and there are many), Cafe Reconcile doubles as a successful job-training program for teens and young adults. Led by hugely talented local chef Martha Wiggins, the old-school New Orleans soul food, like seafood stuffed peppers and fried catfish, stands on its own, served in a welcoming, art-filled setting in the heart of Central City’s Oretha Castle corridor.

1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

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Sweet Soulfood

Since opening five years ago, the casual counter-service Sweet Soulfood has delighted and impressed the New Orleans vegan community and those outside it with a mashup of vegan soul food and sweets. From vegan options like chicken fried cauliflower, eggplant lasagna, and cheesy grits to bread pudding, potato salad, jambalaya, and ice cream, there’s plenty to choose from at this affordable, lively, and welcoming Treme eatery.

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1025 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Coquette

Chef Michael Stoltzfus’s Magazine Street restaurant Coquette has the feel of a Southern-style brasserie, with glowing chandeliers, tiled floors, and a warm mahogany wraparound bar as its centerpiece. This food has a true sense of Louisiana terroir, featuring small plates like pickled andouille with grilled carrots and cane syrup; mains like crawfish agnolotti and red snapper with butter beans. The vibe is approachable and lived-in, and the hospitality is warm.

2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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A round ceramic plate with a small cut of seared fish, greens, and a circle of creamy white sauce. — Coquette.

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Liuzza's by the Track

This horse-themed, no-frills neighborhood joint near the Fairgrounds attracts regulars and tourists for frosty goblets of Abita beer, bloody marys, fried seafood platters, and po’ boys. Known also for gumbo and an herbaceous barbecue shrimp po’ boy (actually a pistolette, or hollowed-out roll, rather than typical po’ boy bread), the star of the menu might be the only slightly less recognized garlic oyster po’ boy, stuffed to the brim with fried oysters.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A corner no-frills building with light yellow siding, doorfront, and old Liuzza’s by the Track sign above. — Liuzza’s By the Track Lounge and Grill in Faubourg St. John Neighborhood.

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Cafe Degas

Cafe Degas sits on one of New Orleans’s dramatically tree-lined thoroughfares, Esplanade Avenue, just a few blocks from the house Edgar Degas lived in during his several-month stint in the city. The dining room, more like an open-air patio with a pecan tree growing in the middle of it, is the quintessential New Orleans setting for dishes like mussels and frites, escargot, French onion soup, and the seasonal soft shell crab dish, at surprisingly reasonable prices.

3127 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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View of a tree-draped front porch and door opening into a restaurant with a neon Cafe Degas sign in the window. — Cafe Degas on Esplanade Avenue.

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Commander's Palace

The Garden District grand dame of New Orleans-style fine dining has a new head chef, takeout options, and expanded courtyard dining, making it a good time to revisit the famed Victorian-era mansion. Ever celebratory, Commander’s still raises the bar for hospitality and service, while delighting with reliably delicious Creole dishes like turtle soup, lacquered quail, and a not-to-be-missed bread pudding souffle.

1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Street view of a large, blue and turquoise corner building. — Outside Commander’s Palace.

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Heard Dat Kitchen

Jeffery Heard’s Central City restaurant Heard Dat Kitchen is a favorite for comforting, stick-to-your-ribs Creole-style soul dishes named after local landmarks. Heard’s blackened and fried seafood dishes, red beans, a traditional New Orleans combo of grilled cheese and gumbo, and plenty of seafood cream sauces fly out of the shop’s convenient takeout window on Felicity Street, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113

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Fried chicken on top of mac and cheese served with potato salad from Heard Dat Kitchen. — Bourbon Street Love dish from Heard Dat.

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Dakar NOLA

James Beard nominee Serigne Mbaye’s dazzling Senegalese pop-up tasting menu dinners became a permanent fixture at an intimate cottage in Uptown New Orleans in late 2022. Mbaye’s upscale riffs on traditional West African and Senegalese dishes that blend West African and Louisiana ingredients are served in a joyful communal setting accompanied by detailed explanations. Stunning dishes might include soupa konja, a sort of Senegalese gumbo; fonio salad with West African millet, finger limes, and satsuma (or other seasonal produce); and a Gulf shrimp dish made with tamarind and parsley oil, which loosely recalls a less-saucy New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp.

3814 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Mosquito Supper Club

Melissa Martin’s Mosquito Supper Club in the Milan neighborhood honors Louisiana, serving food that’s been passed down through generations in a homey, eclectic space that seems to nurture conversation. Beyond the atmosphere, the restaurant celebrates Gulf coast seafood with dishes like shrimp okra gumbo, oyster soup, stuffed crab, and other elegant versions of the dishes from Martin’s childhood.

3824 Dryades St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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A handcrafted pottery bowl filled with an oyster stew, light orange in color. — Oyster soup.

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Saffron

Saffron’s highly-praised debut on Magazine Street was years in the making: Prior to its opening, the Vilkhu family served a menu of modern Indian food in a West Bank strip mall, on weekends only, for five years. Devoted diners eventually convinced the family to go all in on the business, and the result is a modern, dazzling space with a buzzing energy and dishes that at times fuse Indian and Louisiana cuisines, and at times fuse North and South Indian. Among the many standouts are the lamb chops, Kerala seafood curry, any of the shrimp dishes, and the paneer pudha.

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4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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An elegant, upscale dining room with deep red suede chairs, red tables, dark walls, wood beams, and golden light fixtures. — The dining room at Saffron.

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La Petite Grocery

Justin Devillier’s Uptown gem doesn’t disappoint for any fine dining occasion, whether a business lunch or a romantic anniversary dinner. From its elegant Magazine Street storefront to its cozy, dimly lit dining room, La Petite Grocery is a charmer. Don’t miss dishes like the turtle Bolognese or blue crab beignets, which were some of the first to pop up on fine dining menus in the city and are now a common small plate.

4238 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Overhead view of a light brown broth-based stew filled with head-on prawn, clams, and chunks of crab. — Shellfish stew from La Petite Grocery.

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Zasu

Don’t be misled by the quaint little Mid City building that holds Zasu — Sue Zemanick’s restaurant is a powerhouse, delivering a memorable meal every time. James Beard Award-winning Zemanick and chef de cuisine Jeff McLennan wow with intricate preparation of seasonal Gulf coast products. While the menu changes, a few dishes have stayed consistent since it opened in 2019: grilled baby octopus and delicate pierogies among them.

127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A thick piece of white fish seared brown sits on top of a base of potatoes, green beans, and squash on a green and white plate. — A fish dish from Zasu’s seasonal menu.

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Casamento's

Casamento’s oyster-shuckers have been holding court on Magazine Street since 1919, when this family-owned oyster classic opened. Per tradition, the restaurant closes during the summer as it has since it was difficult to keep oysters cold during hot months. What to order: raw oysters; an oyster loaf (like a fried oyster po’ boy, but on toasted, thick, white sandwich bread); and a Dixie beer. Casamento’s Creole style gumbo is the opposite of the dark and rich gumbos that have become so popular. Instead, it’s filled with tomatoes and okra, making it somewhat lighter.

4330 Magazine St (at Napoleon Ave.), New Orleans, LA 70115

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Mister Mao

Mister Mao isn’t where you go for a taste of New Orleans tradition, but it is the place to expand your horizons while tasting stunningly delicious food. This funky Uptown spot offers eclectic bites from roving dim sum carts — think garlic noodles, lechon kawali, and bhali — during happy hour and brunch, while at dinner, shiitake-crusted scallops with sweet potato mochi explode with flavor, balanced by savory cocktails infused with Malort and aquafaba. Dessert is another unpredictable bright spot and often includes a chance to try goods from small local makers.

4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Queen Trini Lisa

This eponymous island soul food restaurant from Queen Trini Lisa, a New Orleans chef from Trinidad, brought a joyful, friendly destination for doubles to Mid City in early 2022. Airy and colorful, the corner restaurant offers a slew of Trinbagonian specialties, with the fish sandwich, oxtail soup, curry chicken, and Caribbean-style spinach all standouts. Try the doubles, of course — as Queen Trini Lisa says, “More doubles, less troubles!”

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4200 D'Hemecourt St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Luvi Restaurant

Remaining one of the most exciting restaurants in New Orleans since opening in 2018, Luvi is a petite and colorful Uptown cottage where chef Hao Gong wows with his mastery of Japanese and Chinese cuisines. Gong, who worked for years at Sake Cafe, nails dishes of raw and nearly raw fish paired with the likes of cucumber and yuzu vinegar and pink dragon fruit, as well as Shanghai comfort food like dumplings, dan dan noodles, and bam bam chicken.

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5236 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Overhead view of a blue and white porcelain bowl filled with light brown broth and dumplings and topped with scallions. — Curried favor dumplings from Luvi

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Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar

It’s impossible to say any shop has the best po’ boys, but these make a strong claim to that title. Domilise’s doesn’t look like much from the outside on an Uptown corner; adorned only with a hand-printed sign, it’s been that way for decades. Inside, longtime employees sling giant po’ boys to locals, politicians, visiting celebrities, and anyone with good taste. The po’ boys might be considered pricey (a large shrimp goes for about $16), but they’re generous and worth every penny, especially the melty roast beef and crispy fried shrimp, fully dressed.

5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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A counter bar has four green0topped stools in front of it, a wall behind is covered in family and New Orleans memorabilia. — At the bar inside Domilise’s.

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Brigtsen's Restaurant

Frank Brigtsen, prize pupil of legendary chef Paul Prudhomme, opened this namesake restaurant in a cozy Riverbend shotgun with his wife, Marna, in 1986. Since then, Brigtsen has become one of the most respected chefs in New Orleans with his modern but familiar Creole cuisine, like New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp with calas, a once nearly extinct fried rice ball that street vendors used to sell near the French Market and at Congo Square.

723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

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A plate of dark brown liquid with shrimp and a calas cake in the middle. — New Orleans BBQ shrimp with shrimp calas griddlecake.

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Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits

600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Bacchanal, a Bywater wine shop known for its amazing courtyard and live music, offers a seasonal menu of exquisite, affordable small plates like salt cod fritters, grilled sardines, and littleneck clams. There’s also a cocktail bar that offers indoor seating for when the backyard is simply too packed to accommodate. Bacchanal matured into a hotspot following Hurricane Katrina, and despite its current must-do status with tourists, remains an important part of the neighborhood.

600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine

3200 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Sneaky Pickle for lunch or Bar Brine for dinner to try playful, shareable dishes that also convey a deep understanding of technique, flavor, and texture. At Bar Brine, products like hakurei turnips, tilefish, king trumpet mushrooms, or confit goose get special treatment; fresh, delicate pasta dishes combine gnocchi with walnuts and blue cheese; rice cakes pair with smoked squash and mapo tofu; and layered cocktails satisfy cravings for something light and fresh or savory and deep. The cozy, romantic neighborhood spot, known by some as “the veggie place,” is admired by omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike.

3200 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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The dining room and bar at Sneaky Pickle.

Saint Germain

3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Saint Germain is one of New Orleans’s essential tasting menu experiences, an eight-to-ten-course stunner that takes diners throughout the charming, homey Bywater space. Chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith offer carefully composed, technical dishes that are exciting to the eyes and palate, a truly immersive experience (that changes monthly) highlighting ingredients like white asparagus, venison, Norwegian king crab, squab, and geoduck. Keep an eye out for frequent vegetarian tasting menu nights.

3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Bywater American Bistro

2900 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Chef Nina Compton and Larry Miller’s Bywater restaurant — recently renamed as BABs, an abbreviation of the original Bywater American Bistro — has remained a New Orleans classic since its opening in 2018, the same year that Compton won the James Beard Award for Best Chef, South. Here, she hones in on Italian cuisine, serving dishes like cool basil burrata, goat bolognese, and shrimp fra diavolo in a high-ceilinged, industrial dining room with rustic touches. Save room for brown butter biscotti.

2900 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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The interior of a restaurant with vivid blue walls, dark wood furniture, and a jeweled, netted piece of art hanging from the ceiling. — BABs.

Plume Algiers

1113 Teche St, New Orleans, LA 70114

Tyler Stuart and Merritt Coscia call their three-year-old West Bank restaurant a “celebration of regional Indian cuisine born from one couple’s love of communal eating and the dynamic dishes of India.” That emphasis on simplicity, respect, and community comes through in the food and atmosphere. An incredible and affordable ever-evolving menu and frequent specials might include kozhi, a spicy fried chicken stew with coconut dumplings, recheado shrimp salad, pork axone, and aloo chaat.

1113 Teche St, New Orleans, LA 70114

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Tân Định

1705 Lafayette St, Gretna, LA 70053

Tan Dinh is not New Orleans’s only great Vietnamese restaurant located in a strip mall, but it is perhaps the one most universally loved by East Bank and West Bank residents. Everything here is excellent, but regulars swear by specialties like the goat curry and lemongrass chicken wings. Few New Orleanians either haven’t tried it or have a bad word to say about this Gretna gem.

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1705 Lafayette St, Gretna, LA 70053

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A blue and white plate of crispy roasted duck next to cucumbers and topped with a fried rice patty. — Cơm nếp vịt nướng chao (roasted duck served with a sweet crispy rice patty).

Saint John

1117 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

For a contemporary take on the deep-rooted traditions of Creole cuisine in the French Quarter, look no further than Saint John. Chef Eric Cook has built a gold standard for modern interpretations of throwback dishes like beef daube, shrimp remoulade, and smothered turkey necks by bringing in global flavors, all around elevating the recipes of his childhood. Start with the oysters Saint John, where oysters are prepared three ways, share some gumbo, and if there’s a whole fish special, order it.

1117 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Chicken’s Kitchen

629 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA 70053

It’s always a treat to see what chef and owner Marlon “Chicken” Williams is cooking up at his uber-popular lunch plate spot in Gretna, where New Orleans favorites like smothered okra, stuffed catfish, stuffed pepper balls, and smothered turkey necks rotate daily. It’s incredible, really, just how many specialties Williams serves and excels at — both mains and sides — so it’s no surprise that the sunny, three-year-old Derbigny Street restaurant has grown into the West Bank’s favorite place to run into friends and enjoy homestyle cooking at its best. Be prepared for a (fast-moving) line during peak lunchtime hours.

629 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA 70053

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MaMou

942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Bright and flirty with a Parisian vibe, this charming brasserie on the edge of the French Quarter is one of the neighborhood’s best new restaurants in years. Branighan has created a fine-dining menu of Louisiana ingredients prepared with French techniques, intricate dishes like braised celery hearts with smoked beef tongue; an escargot tartlet with romesco; and poisson a la Florentine topped with caviar beurre blanc and parmesan wreath. Mamou feels both like a special occasion restaurant and a neighborhood standby, where stunning food is served in a cozy setting.

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942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Emeril's

800 Tchoupitoulas St (at Julia Street), New Orleans, LA 70130

Chef Emeril Lagasse has been a larger-than-life New Orleans presence since 1982, when he became chef of the landmark Commander’s Palace at the age of 23. His flagship restaurant, Emeril’s, offers an exemplary taste of his cooking — this is fine dining infused with a Southern sensibility and warm, approachable touches. The barbecue shrimp is one of Lagasses’s most popular dishes, as is the banana cream pie. Choose between three tasting menus: the three-course, the “classics,” or the seasonal.

800 Tchoupitoulas St (at Julia Street), New Orleans, LA 70130

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The interior of a restaurant with high ceilings, wood floors, and small tables with white tablecoths and blue-rimmed plates placed on them. — Inside Emeril’s.

Vyoone’s

412 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Go to Vyoone’s for the great atmosphere, classic French food, and warm hospitality — the Warehouse District hidden gem excels in all areas. A local’s favorite for special occasion dinners, group dining, and private parties, it’s equally ideal for a date, especially if you can snag a seat in the secluded courtyard. On Vyoone Segue Lewis’s contemporary French-meets-Creole menu, try the escargot, French onion soup, and soft shell entree with maque choux and crawfish cream sauce if available.

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412 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Seared scallops topped with chimichurri on top of maque choux on a rectangular white plate. — A scallop dish from Vyoone’s.

Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

New Orleans nearly lost this Treme institution during the pandemic, but a third generation of the Baquet family came together to reopen the family-owned favorite. Li’l Dizzy’s serves dishes like grilled catfish and grits, gumbo, po’ boys, and top-notch fried chicken in a quaint, low-key corner building on Esplanade Avenue with walls covered in New Orleans, Saints, and Baquet family memorabilia.

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

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A brown takeout container holds two large pieces of fried chicken next to a styrofoam container of collard greens. — Fried chicken and greens from Lil’ Dizzy’s.

GW Fins

808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

GW Fins celebrates everything seasonal, fresh, and from the water, with chef Michael Nelson dreaming up dishes like the delicate lobster dumplings and creative scalibut, a scallop-encrusted filet of halibut served with royal red shrimp risotto. The white linen French Quarter restaurant’s dedication to its product — think fish collars, sheepshead, sea bass, and more — makes GW Fins a great special occasion choice.

808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

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Closeup of a white piece of fish encrusted with slices of halibut on top of brown rice and sugar snap peas. — GW Fins’s scalibut dish.

Herbsaint

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Herbsaint first introduced New Orleans to the now-prolific restaurateur Donald Link. Of all Link’s restaurants, the French, Italian, and Creole Herbsaint is a dazzling standout, one of the city’s best dining destinations for dishes like gumbo, chicken fricassee, and duck confit, with the bonus of romantic outdoor seating along the downtown St. Charles streetcar line.

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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A bowl of dark roux gumbo from Herbsaint with white rice and topped with green onions. — Gumbo from Herbsaint.

Fritai

1535 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116

One of New Orleans’s best new restaurants is Charly Pierre’s Fritai, a hub for Haitian specialties and exciting cocktails in Treme. The drinks to try are made with the Haitian spirit clairin, and all pair well with dishes like the fritai sandwich, made with tender pulled pork between two fried plantains with avocado, mango sauce, and pikliz (a spicy Haitian slaw); espageti with smoked herring; and mirliton salad with grilled carrot and candied plantain.

1535 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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In a background is a plate of tender pulled pork between two fried plantains with avocado, mango sauce, and pikliz, and in the foreground is a plate of fried plaintains and grilled shrimp pikliz. — A Fritai sandwich and grilled shrimp pikliz starter.

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Turkey and the Wolf

739 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

The buzz generated by Mason Hereford’s delicious twists on childhood favorites at Turkey and the Wolf has yet to wear off, but for good reason — the sandwiches and specials that won so much acclaim upon the restaurant’s Lower Garden District debut continue to surprise, satisfy, and delight. While it was the bologna sandwich that first caught on nationwide, the collard green melt and smoked ham sandwiches are just as notable. Don’t miss the frozen margarita.

739 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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A sandwich of rye bread, coleslaw, collard greens, and sauce is cut in half on a white plate. — Turkey and the Wolf’s collard green melt.

Maïs Arepas

1200 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130

David Mantilla’s Central City destination for Colombian cuisine flies under the radar, but for locals in the know, it’s a frequent visit. Bright, colorful, and lively, Maïs Arepas serves festive fresh fruit cocktails and dishes like Colombian-style ceviche, empanadas, and brochetas, and of course, a vast menu of savory, overstuffed arepas. Its sauces are also a standout — don’t miss the maiz de la rueda served with spicy butter, or the salsa rosada.

1200 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Addis Nola

2514 Bayou Rd, New Orleans, LA 70119

Addis Nola is a cherished addition to New Orleans dining, now in its new digs on Bayou Road. The beautiful, colorful spot from owners Dr. Biruk Alemayehu, Prince Lobo, and chef Jaimito “Jaime” Lobo offer warming stews; sambusas and kitfo; and whole fried red snapper. Visit on vegan Monday and try a taste of everything, starring lentils, split peas, collard greens, mushrooms, sweet potato wot, and shiro, a dense, chickpea-based stew.

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2514 Bayou Rd, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Tables and booths inside Addis Nola.

Stein's Market and Deli

2207 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

It’s good to know your order when heading into Dan Stein’s tiny Jewish and Italian deli and crowded lunch destination on Magazine Street, but if you’re really unsure, staff will (sometimes begrudgingly) help you pick the perfect sandwich. Corned beef and pastrami are the stars here, so the Reuben or Rachel serve as shining examples of the shop’s abilities.

2207 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Stein’s storefront on magazine street with large windows next to a door. — Stein’s

Dooky Chase Restaurant

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Food world icon Leah Chase (who died at 96 in 2019), also known as the “Queen of Creole cuisine,” turned Dooky Chase’s into the legendary fine dining establishment it is now, and luckily the new generation is innovating while upholding her tradition-centric legacy. The Treme institution continues to nourish bodies and souls with dishes like gumbo z’herbes, shrimp Clemenceau (a dish of shrimp, potatoes, mushrooms, and peas), and fried chicken in the tradition of Miss Chase.

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A view of a bowl of Creole gumbo and a bread basket on a table with a white tablecloth and red striped chairs. — Gumbo at Dooky Chase’s.

Café Reconcile

1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

One of New Orleans most endearing restaurants (and there are many), Cafe Reconcile doubles as a successful job-training program for teens and young adults. Led by hugely talented local chef Martha Wiggins, the old-school New Orleans soul food, like seafood stuffed peppers and fried catfish, stands on its own, served in a welcoming, art-filled setting in the heart of Central City’s Oretha Castle corridor.

1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

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Sweet Soulfood

1025 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Since opening five years ago, the casual counter-service Sweet Soulfood has delighted and impressed the New Orleans vegan community and those outside it with a mashup of vegan soul food and sweets. From vegan options like chicken fried cauliflower, eggplant lasagna, and cheesy grits to bread pudding, potato salad, jambalaya, and ice cream, there’s plenty to choose from at this affordable, lively, and welcoming Treme eatery.

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1025 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Coquette

2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Chef Michael Stoltzfus’s Magazine Street restaurant Coquette has the feel of a Southern-style brasserie, with glowing chandeliers, tiled floors, and a warm mahogany wraparound bar as its centerpiece. This food has a true sense of Louisiana terroir, featuring small plates like pickled andouille with grilled carrots and cane syrup; mains like crawfish agnolotti and red snapper with butter beans. The vibe is approachable and lived-in, and the hospitality is warm.

2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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A round ceramic plate with a small cut of seared fish, greens, and a circle of creamy white sauce. — Coquette.

Liuzza's by the Track

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

This horse-themed, no-frills neighborhood joint near the Fairgrounds attracts regulars and tourists for frosty goblets of Abita beer, bloody marys, fried seafood platters, and po’ boys. Known also for gumbo and an herbaceous barbecue shrimp po’ boy (actually a pistolette, or hollowed-out roll, rather than typical po’ boy bread), the star of the menu might be the only slightly less recognized garlic oyster po’ boy, stuffed to the brim with fried oysters.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A corner no-frills building with light yellow siding, doorfront, and old Liuzza’s by the Track sign above. — Liuzza’s By the Track Lounge and Grill in Faubourg St. John Neighborhood.

Cafe Degas

3127 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Cafe Degas sits on one of New Orleans’s dramatically tree-lined thoroughfares, Esplanade Avenue, just a few blocks from the house Edgar Degas lived in during his several-month stint in the city. The dining room, more like an open-air patio with a pecan tree growing in the middle of it, is the quintessential New Orleans setting for dishes like mussels and frites, escargot, French onion soup, and the seasonal soft shell crab dish, at surprisingly reasonable prices.

3127 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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View of a tree-draped front porch and door opening into a restaurant with a neon Cafe Degas sign in the window. — Cafe Degas on Esplanade Avenue.

Commander's Palace

1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

The Garden District grand dame of New Orleans-style fine dining has a new head chef, takeout options, and expanded courtyard dining, making it a good time to revisit the famed Victorian-era mansion. Ever celebratory, Commander’s still raises the bar for hospitality and service, while delighting with reliably delicious Creole dishes like turtle soup, lacquered quail, and a not-to-be-missed bread pudding souffle.

1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Street view of a large, blue and turquoise corner building. — Outside Commander’s Palace.

Heard Dat Kitchen

2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113

Jeffery Heard’s Central City restaurant Heard Dat Kitchen is a favorite for comforting, stick-to-your-ribs Creole-style soul dishes named after local landmarks. Heard’s blackened and fried seafood dishes, red beans, a traditional New Orleans combo of grilled cheese and gumbo, and plenty of seafood cream sauces fly out of the shop’s convenient takeout window on Felicity Street, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113

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Fried chicken on top of mac and cheese served with potato salad from Heard Dat Kitchen. — Bourbon Street Love dish from Heard Dat.

Dakar NOLA

3814 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

James Beard nominee Serigne Mbaye’s dazzling Senegalese pop-up tasting menu dinners became a permanent fixture at an intimate cottage in Uptown New Orleans in late 2022. Mbaye’s upscale riffs on traditional West African and Senegalese dishes that blend West African and Louisiana ingredients are served in a joyful communal setting accompanied by detailed explanations. Stunning dishes might include soupa konja, a sort of Senegalese gumbo; fonio salad with West African millet, finger limes, and satsuma (or other seasonal produce); and a Gulf shrimp dish made with tamarind and parsley oil, which loosely recalls a less-saucy New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp.

3814 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Mosquito Supper Club

3824 Dryades St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Melissa Martin’s Mosquito Supper Club in the Milan neighborhood honors Louisiana, serving food that’s been passed down through generations in a homey, eclectic space that seems to nurture conversation. Beyond the atmosphere, the restaurant celebrates Gulf coast seafood with dishes like shrimp okra gumbo, oyster soup, stuffed crab, and other elegant versions of the dishes from Martin’s childhood.

3824 Dryades St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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A handcrafted pottery bowl filled with an oyster stew, light orange in color. — Oyster soup.

Saffron

4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Saffron’s highly-praised debut on Magazine Street was years in the making: Prior to its opening, the Vilkhu family served a menu of modern Indian food in a West Bank strip mall, on weekends only, for five years. Devoted diners eventually convinced the family to go all in on the business, and the result is a modern, dazzling space with a buzzing energy and dishes that at times fuse Indian and Louisiana cuisines, and at times fuse North and South Indian. Among the many standouts are the lamb chops, Kerala seafood curry, any of the shrimp dishes, and the paneer pudha.

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4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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An elegant, upscale dining room with deep red suede chairs, red tables, dark walls, wood beams, and golden light fixtures. — The dining room at Saffron.

La Petite Grocery

4238 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Justin Devillier’s Uptown gem doesn’t disappoint for any fine dining occasion, whether a business lunch or a romantic anniversary dinner. From its elegant Magazine Street storefront to its cozy, dimly lit dining room, La Petite Grocery is a charmer. Don’t miss dishes like the turtle Bolognese or blue crab beignets, which were some of the first to pop up on fine dining menus in the city and are now a common small plate.

4238 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Overhead view of a light brown broth-based stew filled with head-on prawn, clams, and chunks of crab. — Shellfish stew from La Petite Grocery.

Zasu

127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Don’t be misled by the quaint little Mid City building that holds Zasu — Sue Zemanick’s restaurant is a powerhouse, delivering a memorable meal every time. James Beard Award-winning Zemanick and chef de cuisine Jeff McLennan wow with intricate preparation of seasonal Gulf coast products. While the menu changes, a few dishes have stayed consistent since it opened in 2019: grilled baby octopus and delicate pierogies among them.

127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A thick piece of white fish seared brown sits on top of a base of potatoes, green beans, and squash on a green and white plate. — A fish dish from Zasu’s seasonal menu.

Casamento's

4330 Magazine St (at Napoleon Ave.), New Orleans, LA 70115

Casamento’s oyster-shuckers have been holding court on Magazine Street since 1919, when this family-owned oyster classic opened. Per tradition, the restaurant closes during the summer as it has since it was difficult to keep oysters cold during hot months. What to order: raw oysters; an oyster loaf (like a fried oyster po’ boy, but on toasted, thick, white sandwich bread); and a Dixie beer. Casamento’s Creole style gumbo is the opposite of the dark and rich gumbos that have become so popular. Instead, it’s filled with tomatoes and okra, making it somewhat lighter.

4330 Magazine St (at Napoleon Ave.), New Orleans, LA 70115

Mister Mao

4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Mister Mao isn’t where you go for a taste of New Orleans tradition, but it is the place to expand your horizons while tasting stunningly delicious food. This funky Uptown spot offers eclectic bites from roving dim sum carts — think garlic noodles, lechon kawali, and bhali — during happy hour and brunch, while at dinner, shiitake-crusted scallops with sweet potato mochi explode with flavor, balanced by savory cocktails infused with Malort and aquafaba. Dessert is another unpredictable bright spot and often includes a chance to try goods from small local makers.

4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Queen Trini Lisa

4200 D'Hemecourt St, New Orleans, LA 70119

This eponymous island soul food restaurant from Queen Trini Lisa, a New Orleans chef from Trinidad, brought a joyful, friendly destination for doubles to Mid City in early 2022. Airy and colorful, the corner restaurant offers a slew of Trinbagonian specialties, with the fish sandwich, oxtail soup, curry chicken, and Caribbean-style spinach all standouts. Try the doubles, of course — as Queen Trini Lisa says, “More doubles, less troubles!”

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4200 D'Hemecourt St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Luvi Restaurant

5236 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Remaining one of the most exciting restaurants in New Orleans since opening in 2018, Luvi is a petite and colorful Uptown cottage where chef Hao Gong wows with his mastery of Japanese and Chinese cuisines. Gong, who worked for years at Sake Cafe, nails dishes of raw and nearly raw fish paired with the likes of cucumber and yuzu vinegar and pink dragon fruit, as well as Shanghai comfort food like dumplings, dan dan noodles, and bam bam chicken.

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5236 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Overhead view of a blue and white porcelain bowl filled with light brown broth and dumplings and topped with scallions. — Curried favor dumplings from Luvi

Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar

5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115

It’s impossible to say any shop has the best po’ boys, but these make a strong claim to that title. Domilise’s doesn’t look like much from the outside on an Uptown corner; adorned only with a hand-printed sign, it’s been that way for decades. Inside, longtime employees sling giant po’ boys to locals, politicians, visiting celebrities, and anyone with good taste. The po’ boys might be considered pricey (a large shrimp goes for about $16), but they’re generous and worth every penny, especially the melty roast beef and crispy fried shrimp, fully dressed.

5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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A counter bar has four green0topped stools in front of it, a wall behind is covered in family and New Orleans memorabilia. — At the bar inside Domilise’s.

Brigtsen's Restaurant

723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Frank Brigtsen, prize pupil of legendary chef Paul Prudhomme, opened this namesake restaurant in a cozy Riverbend shotgun with his wife, Marna, in 1986. Since then, Brigtsen has become one of the most respected chefs in New Orleans with his modern but familiar Creole cuisine, like New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp with calas, a once nearly extinct fried rice ball that street vendors used to sell near the French Market and at Congo Square.

723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

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A plate of dark brown liquid with shrimp and a calas cake in the middle. — New Orleans BBQ shrimp with shrimp calas griddlecake.

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