So you’re planning a fun weekend in The Big Easy, and aren’t sure where to eat among all the drinking, shopping, and sight-seeing that you’re doing? Don’t you worry, I’ve got a list of the best restaurants in New Orleans listed out for you. Whether it’s just you and one other person or a large group of people, I suggest trying to make reservations at most of these places (if they take them) to ensure you get a good table and don’t get stuck waiting in line 😉
Realistically, you won’t be able to hit all of these places up, so pin it on Pinterest, bookmark this page, or save it somehow so you can refer to it when you go back to NOLA, because you’ll definitely be going back!
Here are the Best Restaurants in New Orleans in no particular order:
Commanders Palace
One of the most famous brunches in town, make sure to wear your Sunday best and enjoy $.25 martinis and their famous milk punch with your food 🙂 Don’t forget to take a walk around the Garden District neighborhood afterwards to walk off your food, the house where they filmed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Anne Rice’s house are all walking distance, not to mention there’s a beautiful old cemetery and other gorgeous homes in the area as well.
Commander’s Palace jazz brunch is world-famous. Photo courtesy of Commander’s Palace
Compere Lapin
Zagat has named this place one of the 10 Best Restaurants in New Orleans, and for good reason! Chef Nina Compton fuses her Caribbean roots with Italian and French techniques to churn out food that is both innovative and delicious.
La Petite Grocery
Enjoy made-from-scratch Louisiana fare in a cute little cottage that used to be a grocery store in the 1800s. The food is created by Justin Devillier, who was a James Beard award winner for Best Chef in the South.
Willa Jean
One of John Besh’s many restaurants, Willa Jean is a casual bakery that happens to have frosé (frozen rosé) and really good southern inspired food. Pop in and enjoy some delicious fresh pastries, or some avocado toast or a board of pimento cheese with some fixin’s.
Pro tip: ask for the frosé to go so you can continue exploring the city
District Donuts
A comfy, casual cafe In the heart of Uptown New Orleans on Magazine street, this shabby-chic place is fantastic for caffeinated drinks, little burgers, sweets and huge gourmet donuts with innovative flavors.
Cochon Restaurant & Cochon Butcher
A trendy hotspot in a renovated warehouse, this James Beard Award-winning restaurant is serving up elevated, pork-focused Cajun fare in a group-friendly setting.
Cane and Table
This French Quarter restaurant focuses on craft “prohibition era” cocktails and a creative menu of small and large plates. Feel transported to old Havana when you step foot in this place, and make sure you know how to get there as there is no signage of the place 😉
St. Roch Market
This place is fit for foodies–a market that sells some produce, and has several food stalls selling everything from mufalettas to oysters to ice cream. Make sure to go to the very back to grab a cocktail when you get there, then peruse the stalls and enjoy some bites.
Domenica
If you’re looking to get away from Cajun food, this spot is a great alternative as they focus on artisanal wood-fired pizzas and other delicious italian dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, and it’s housed in the gorgeous Roosevelt Hotel.
Mr. B’s Bistro
Even people who live in NOLA will tell you this place has some of the best gumbo in town! It’s located in the heart of the French Quarter across the street from the Hotel Monteleone, and it’s famous for its Creole cuisine with a focus on fresh regional products.
Brennan’s
Originally open in 1946, Brennan’s recently underwent a huge renovation and the owners spared no expense. The restaurant marries classic and modern culinary techniques, and it’s an absolute must for one of your trips to The Big Easy. You’ll be sure to enjoy old-world elegance and beautiful decor.
Brennan’s famous pink exterior. Photo courtesy of Jack A. Atkinson
Shaya
One of the hottest restaurants in New Orleans right now, it was nominated for a James Beard award, and is one of the many restaurant’s in the John Besh portfolio. What makes this place unique is it’s take on Israeli cuisine. I recommend trying to make a reservation far in advance if you want to try to get in to this place, or just have a flexible schedule and let them find you a spot!
Cafe du Monde
Perhaps one of New Orleans’ most famous cafés (and one of the most popular among tourists), Cafe du Monde is worth the stop to get some delicious chicory coffee and freshly powdered beignets. Skip the line to sit at the cafe and take your coffee and beignets to go and enjoy them under the shaded canopy of the trees inside Andrew Jackson Square
Paladar 511
Another fabulous place to get your Italian food fix, Paladar 511 serves up pizzas, pastas & seasonal sides.
Pulp and Grind
Cute spot that sells mainly craft coffee, cold pressed juices and house made baked goods. Not a bad place to start the day and fuel up.
Salon Restaurant by Sucré
A fabulous French mid-century modern dining room atop Sucre sweet shop serving up savory dishes, small plates, drinks & desserts. Go there for high tea, or to enjoy some of the most delectable sweets in New Orleans.
tray of delectable desserts
Doris Metropolitan
This is a trendy spot that dry ages their meat at this French Quarter steakhouse, this upscale chop-house & butchery is a meat lover’s dream.
ACME Oyster House
If you’re jonesing for chargrilled oysters, this is the place to go, plus it’s in the heart of the French Quarter so it’s easy to pop in and out of. My suggestion is to go on off times so you don’t have to wait in line, it’s best to pop in and enjoy a snack as you’re getting ready for the night ahead.
SoBou
Great restaurant at the W Hotel just south of Bourbon street with a great craft cocktail program, this place serves up delicious modern Cajun food like sweet potato beignets and yellow fin tuna cones.
Galatoire’s
Another fine-dining century old New Orleans institution serving up upscale creole/Cajun fare. This place requires jackets for the gentleman dining at the restaurant, and is a New Orleans institution. This place is consistently on several best restaurants in New Orleans lists.
Central Grocery and Deli
This small Italian market sells specialty foods like the muffaletta, which the owner invented! Stop here to pick up some essentials and enjoy the best muffaletta of your life!
Willie Mae’s Scotch House
Get ready to stand in line and enjoy some of the best fried chicken you’ll ever eat in your life. This place is famous for their soul food and is located in the historic Tremé neighborhood.
Arnaud’s Restaurant
One of NOLA’s more famous restaurants, it’s defined New Orleans fine dining for the past 100 years and continues to wow diners with their fabulous jazz brunch and traditional Cajun cuisine. Make sure to check out their bar next door, Arnaud’s French 75 bar, an iconic New Orleans bar that is not to be missed.
Court of Two Sisters
This is another wonderful place in the French Quarter that knows how to do a jazz brunch well. Enjoy an amazing Cajun buffet complete with turtle soup, gumbo, Étouffée, and other fantastic delicacies.
Sylvain
What makes this one of the best restaurants in New Orleans is that it’s a fantastic French Quarter gastropub serving up craft cocktails and a boutique wine list out of a former carriage house with courtyard seats. It’s helmed by Executive Chef Martha Wiggins, and is one of my favorite places for a fantastic brunch.
Crispy pork shoulder and Coosa Valley grits with a fried farmer’s egg and roasted tomato hollandaise
Cafe Beignet
If you want to avoid the loooong line at Cafe du Monde, this is a great alternative that not only serves coffee and beignets, they serve other breakfast and lunch foods and is a great place to pop in for a snack while you’re making your way up and down both Royal and Bourbon streets.
Tout La at the Old No. 77 Hotel
Enjoy fresh pastries from the kitchen of Compère Lapin, the Warehouse Arts District’s buzzing new restaurant helmed by Chef Nina Compton. This place is great for a strong morning coffee if you’re staying in the area.
Cafe Amelie
Another French Quarter gem that serves fresh contemporary cajun cuisine, with a beautiful Princess of Monaco courtyard for scenic outdoor seating.
don’t forget to try their shrimp & grits and their incredible crab cakes!
There you have it, some of the best restaurants in New Orleans. In order to help you get your bearings and figure out where everything is, I’ve created a google map for you that includes all of these restaurants, as well as contact info so you can easily reach out to make a reservation. This map comes in handy as you’re exploring the city and get a hankering for some food or even a cocktail. I’ve also included a list of 14 bars that are some of the best or most famous in town.