Time to Dine: Best Restaurants in New Orleans, LA
As you can easily see at the best restaurants in New Orleans, the city is well-known for its eclectic gastronomy and famous Cajun, Creole, and African dishes, but that’s not all that’s on the menu in one of America’s most storied destinations. Between mid-city and the French Quarter, discerning diners will be pleased to find that NOLA boasts top-notch cuisine from all over the world that’s customizable to any palate. For example: You can stop by Taqueria Guerrero Mexico for fresh and mouth-watering Mexican food, Shaya if you’re looking for unique and flavorful Israeli dishes, or Blue Oak BBQ if you’re in the mood to dig into some ribs or pulled pork. No matter what your stomach is craving, you’ll find it all here, as we run down ten of the best restaurants in New Orleans that everyone should dine at.
417 Royal St
Brennan’s is known for creating the popular dessert dish bananas foster (which you have to order, as watching it being made in front of you is a whole experience unto itself) and has been a NOLA culinary staple since 1946. Though brunch is raved about here, dinner is also a must-try, especially if you can snag a seat on the beautiful open-air patio. Be sure to sample the turtle soup, frog legs, shrimp creole kimchi, and sheep feta ravioli, which all come highly recommended. If you’re looking for something a little less ambitious, though, you could always try the roasted veal chop or the blackened redfish – it’s hard to go wrong at this world-class dining establishment.
1403 Washington Ave
Commander’s Palace is known for its 25-cent margarita specials during lunchtime, but, luckily, there’s also plenty of delicious food to go around. While the outside may look a bit kitschy, inside you’ll find an enforced dress code and more traditional fine dining. This venue boasts some of the best Creole cuisine town (no small feat among the best restaurants in New Orleans), so definitely don’t miss out on the turtle soup, gumbo du jour, or the pecan-crusted gulf fish. Still, if you’re more inclined towards ordering meat, the filet mignon or New York strip are also great options, and don’t forget some Creole bread pudding for dessert.
3835 Iberville St
Vessel is housed in a former Lutheran church and still retains a rustic dark-wood bar and traditional stained glass windows that give the entire interior a subtle glow. Grab a $6 classic cocktail like the French 75, a Mai Tai, or a Side Car between 4-6pm (or from 10pm to close) and then start off your meal with a cheese plate that’s custom chosen by the chef. For an entree, don’t miss out on the shrimp and grits or the pork porterhouse with a side of biscuits. Surprise, surprise: The house mac and cheese is also worth diving into.
7839 St Charles Ave
Vincent’s is hailed as one of the best Italian restaurants in New Orleans, and the more you visit this spot the more you’ll end up feeling like family. Its menu includes some great classic options like veal piccata, eggplant parmigiana, or chicken marsala, but there are also more unique dishes to be had here like the seafood stuffed pork chop or the meatballs on garlic toast. In terms of the wine list, try the Meiomi Pinot Noir or the Terra D’Oro Moscato to pair your meal. Note: This popular venue is conveniently located right off the streetcar, so getting back to Bourbon street is no problem.
7224, 2809 St Claude Ave
Stop by Poke-chan and hop on the raw fish bandwagon that’s sweeping the nation. Luckily, the craze hit New Orleans in a more casual way, and Poke-chan is just a counter-serve spot located in a converted double-shotgun house on St. Claude. There are a good amount of options to pick from on the menu, and you’ll find the restaurant interesting spot to hit for a quick meal, or on a Friday or Saturday night, especially if you’re on a date. Create your own bowl with white or brown rice, seafood or tofu, and toppings like sesame oil, wakame, and fried onions, or, if you’re feeling indecisive, choose from a pre-made bowl that’s on the menu for that day. If you really want to branch out, try the poke burrito. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
900 N Carrollton Ave
It doesn’t get more down-home than Blue Oak BBQ. This southern-style BBQ joint started out as a pop-up, but then became so popular it’s now a staple in the NOLA scene. If you stop by on a Tuesday, you absolutely cannot leave without trying the spicy chicken sandwich. On any other day of the week, the Pit Viper (a specialty sandwich made with pulled pork, slaw, and fresh jalapeno), the smoked BBQ burger, or the spare ribs will prove equally viable options. Also, if you’re still hungry, a side of BBQ nachos or roasted garlic mac and cheese will completely hit the spot.
617 Piety St
Pizza Delicious makes a simple offer: There’s pizza to be had here, and it’s pretty delicious. The menu changes daily, but huge and foldable New York-style slices are always an option, plus the amazingly soft and gooey garlic knots are also a staple. Toppings vary daily from pancetta, red onion, basil, prosciutto, sopressata, arugula, and more, and you’ll also enjoy rotating pasta dishes like shrimp scampi and linguine, bucatini carbonara, and even vegan spaghetti. Stay true to the New York-style and order a Brooklyn Lager to go with your meal, or just opt for some rum punch.
739 Jackson Ave
From the outside, Turkey and the Wolf looks like a regular old sandwich bar. But, once you walk in and actually try some food, you’ll see that it’s so much more than that. The meats are all high quality and locally sourced, and chef Mason Hereford’s main goal is to create dishes of comfort food nostalgic from his childhood. If you’re into lamb, you absolutely need to try the lamb neck roti, though the collard green melt is a tasty option, too. Luckily, the menu isn’t that big, but if you’re still indecisive you should just go with the fried bologna, a cult favorite. Also, the cocktails are too inventive to pass up: Try the “Don’t Go Broke in Mexico” with citrus mezcal, quinquina, and mole bitters, or the “Be Your Own 3AM,” which is made with whisky, earl gray tea, creme de fleur, luxardo, and lemon.
4213 Magazine St
Shaya has been making a bang in the New Orleans restaurant scene ever since it opened back in 2015. Even today, dinner reservations require a lot of advanced planning and a little luck. The wait is undoubtedly worth it, though, because no other place in New Orleans that manages to combine Israeli food with Turkish, North African, and Greek flavors and still give it a bit of a Southern twist. Be sure to try the grilled chicken thighs, the challah toast, or the lamb ragu hummus with some of the restaurant’s world famous pita bread. There’s also a pretty extensive wine list to pick from, but if you’re stopping by during the warmer months, the Purified Paradise cocktail makes a great palate cleanser. And, if nothing else, you can’t leave here without trying the milk and honey for dessert.
208 N Carrollton Ave
This no-frills Mexican joint is the most authentic you’ll find north of the border. Even better, anything you order here will probably cost under $10, so it’s definitely a real bargain. Try the tostadas mexicanas with chicken, the pork tacos, or the spicy shrimp tortilla. Also, table service also comes with complementary salsa and chips, including a tasty (and spicy) homemade green sauce that is pretty unique. Oh, and this place is BYOB, so be sure to bring all the tequila you can fit on your person.
CHEAT SHEET
For more on the best restaurants in New Orleans, LA, also see:
· Thrillist - The Best Restaurants in New Orleans Right Now
· Traveler - 27 Best Restaurants in New Orleans
· Eater New Orleans - 38 Essential New Orleans Restaurants