Best Restaurants in New Orleans: A Foodies Guide to NOLA

Exploring the top dining spots in the Big Easy might just be the highlight of your culinary adventures. This guide to the best restaurants in New Orleans will tantalize your taste buds with a variety of flavors, from the traditional to the innovative. In this article, we dive into a diverse selection of eateries, each offering a unique twist on local and international cuisine.

1. Luvi Restaurant

Set in a charming space once occupied by a donut shop, Luvi offers a unique pan-Asian menu that blends traditional Japanese dishes with specialties from Shanghai. The interior boasts bespoke woodwork and vibrant colors, creating a lively and inviting dining atmosphere.

• Type of Food: Pan-Asian with a focus on Japanese and Shanghai cuisine.
• Notable Dishes: Lion’s Head (crab-and-pork meatball in bone broth), Mala Holla (spicy beef slices), and Chef Hao’s Mama’s Dumplings.
• Special Features: A raw bar featuring innovative sashimi and ceviche, set in a vibrant, cozy space that was formerly a donut shop.

2. Mukbang Seafood

Inspired by the Korean trend of mukbang, this seafood restaurant offers a hands-on dining experience with a Viet-Cajun twist. Diners are encouraged to dive into their seafood boils using their hands, making for a fun and immersive meal.

• Type of Food: Viet-Cajun seafood.
• Notable Dishes: Seafood boil with blue crabs, fried shrimp, and mussels, served hedonistically without cutlery.
• Special Features: Encourages the social media trend of mukbang, where diners are encouraged to indulge voraciously.

3. Commander’s Palace

This iconic restaurant, housed in a Victorian-style turquoise mansion, is known for its refined Southern cuisine and strict dress code. It has been a culinary landmark in the Garden District for decades, famous for dishes like turtle soup and pecan-crusted gulf fish.

• Type of Food: Upscale regional classics.
• Notable Dishes: Turtle soup, gumbo du jour, and pecan-crusted gulf fish.
• Special Features: Known for its 25-cent martinis and strict dress code, housed in a Victorian-style mansion.

4. Bywater American Bistro

Located in an industrial chic space, this bistro under the guidance of Chef Nina Compton combines American cuisine with strong Caribbean influences. The menu is creative and comforting, offering a modern twist on New Orleans dining.

• Type of Food: Eclectic American with Caribbean influences.
• Notable Dishes: Jerk chicken rice, crispy hogs head boudin, and rabbit curry.
• Special Features: Weekend brunch spot; extensive wine and cocktail list.

5. La Petite Grocery

On Magazine Street, this restaurant offers a modern take on New Orleans classics using locally sourced ingredients. The atmosphere is both sophisticated and welcoming, with a menu that includes blue crab beignets and a standout cheeseburger.

• Type of Food: Modern takes on New Orleans classics.
• Notable Dishes: Blue crab beignets, turtle bolognese, and LPG cheeseburger.
• Special Features: Strong cocktail menu and an intimate setting in Uptown.

6. Herbsaint

A relaxed yet refined restaurant in the Central Business District, Herbsaint serves French and Italian dishes with a New Orleans twist. The menu features homemade pastas and classic dishes with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.

• Type of Food: French and Italian with a local twist.
• Notable Dishes: Gnocchi, homemade spaghetti, dirty rice with chicken.
• Special Features: A less ostentatious but highly regarded dining experience in the Central Business District.

7. Cochon

Cochon brings Cajun and Southern cooking to the forefront in a rustic, lively setting. Specializing in pork dishes, the restaurant offers everything from boudin to smoked meats, all prepared with a commitment to in-house production.

• Type of Food: Cajun and Southern cooking.
• Notable Dishes: House-made sausage and bacon, rabbit and catfish dishes.
• Special Features: Emphasis on smoked, cured, and fresh preparations.

8. Dooky Chase Restaurant

This Treme landmark, started by the legendary Leah Chase, is a cornerstone of Creole cuisine in New Orleans. The restaurant is famous for its fried chicken and Creole classics, served in a dining room filled with African American art.

• Type of Food: Creole.
• Notable Dishes: Fried chicken, shrimp clemenceau.
• Special Features: A historic venue that has hosted numerous celebrities and politicians.

9. Tava

In the Central Business District, Tava puts a spotlight on Indian street food, particularly dosas. The restaurant’s mantra, ‘rip it and dip it,’ invites diners to enjoy their food in a casual, hands-on manner.

• Type of Food: Indian with a focus on dosas.
• Notable Dishes: Masala dosa, lamb vindaloo dosa, and spicy garlic chicken sandwich.
• Special Features: Casual dining with an innovative twist on traditional Indian cuisine.

10. Pêche Seafood Grill

This seafood-focused restaurant from the Donald Link Restaurant Group emphasizes simplicity and freshness with dishes like whole grilled fish and seafood platters. Its raw bar and open kitchen layout add to the dining experience.

• Type of Food: Seafood.
• Notable Dishes: Whole grilled fish, seafood platters.
• Special Features: Part of the Donald Link Restaurant Group, with a focus on simplicity and freshness.

11. Willa Jean

Part bakery, part café, Willa Jean is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. The menu ranges from healthy grain bowls to decadent baked goods, all served in a bright, welcoming space.

• Type of Food: Bakery and café.
• Notable Dishes: Griddled banana bread, pimento cheese dip, and Croque Madame.
• Special Features: Renowned for its baked goods and hearty breakfasts.

12. Dian Xin

Located in the French Quarter, Dian Xin offers a unique dining experience with a focus on dim sum and other Chinese favorites. The restaurant is known for its authentic flavors and high-quality ingredients.

• Type of Food: Chinese, specializing in dim sum.
• Notable Dishes: Hong Kong-style dumplings, salt and pepper chicken wings.
• Special Features: A rare find in the French Quarter, known for its authentic and delicate flavors.

13. Paladar 511

This Italian restaurant in the Marigny blends Californian influence with traditional Italian dishes. Known for its pizzas and fresh pasta, Paladar 511 offers a stylish yet laid-back dining experience.

• Type of Food: Italian with modern Californian influences.
• Notable Dishes: Homemade ravioli, Yellowfin tuna crudo.
• Special Features: Offers a sophisticated yet accessible menu with excellent pizzas.

14. Molly’s Rise and Shine

Known for its quirky and creative breakfast options, Molly’s Rise and Shine is a favorite among those looking for a playful start to their day. The restaurant’s colorful décor and inventive menu make it a unique breakfast destination.

• Type of Food: Creative breakfast options.
• Notable Dishes: Roasted carrot yogurt, sweet potato burrito.
• Special Features: Fun and quirky décor, with a playful menu.

15. Toups’ Meatery

With a focus on meat and Cajun influences, Toups’ Meatery showcases the culinary traditions of Chef Isaac Toups’ family. The menu features hearty dishes that highlight local ingredients and bold flavors.

• Type of Food: Meat-focused dishes with Cajun influence.
• Notable Dishes: Lamb neck, double-cut pork chop.
• Special Features: Brings 300 years of family culinary tradition to the table.

16. Margot’s

This neighborhood pizza joint on Frenchmen Street focuses on wood-fired pizzas with unique toppings and high-quality ingredients. The intimate setting and excellent cocktail menu make it a popular choice for both locals and visitors.

• Type of Food: Pizza.
• Notable Dishes: Wood-fired pizzas with unique toppings like Cavoletti and Zuccha.
• Special Features: Focuses on high-quality, quick-service pizza in a vibrant neighborhood setting.

17. Chemin à la Mer

Located on the fifth floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, Chemin à la Mer offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River and a menu that celebrates the bounty of the Gulf. With a focus on French techniques and local seafood, diners can enjoy sophisticated dishes in a stunning setting.

• Type of Food: French and seafood.
• Notable Dishes: Blue crab boulettes, duck confit.
• Special Features: Offers stunning views of the Mississippi River from the Four Seasons Hotel.

18. Mopho

Mopho blends Vietnamese flavors with New Orleans culinary traditions, creating a unique fusion that includes dishes like pho with local ingredients and po’boys with a Vietnamese twist. The restaurant is casual yet vibrant, with a creative approach to both food and drinks.

• Type of Food: Vietnamese with a local twist.
• Notable Dishes: Pho with various add-ons, crispy chicken wings.
• Special Features: Combines traditional Vietnamese with local flavors in a casual setting.

19. Tan Dinh

Known for its bold Vietnamese flavors, Tan Dinh is a staple on the West Bank, offering a range of traditional dishes with a focus on authenticity and depth of flavor. The menu includes everything from pho to more adventurous dishes like clay pot catfish and marinated quail.

• Type of Food: Vietnamese.
• Notable Dishes: Pho with various meat options, marinated quail.
• Special Features: Known for its authenticity and deep menu, located in a less touristy area.

20. Doris Metropolitan

This high-end steakhouse near the French Quarter showcases dry-aged steaks in a sophisticated setting. Doris Metropolitan blends a modern aesthetic with a menu that also features Mediterranean influences, providing a unique dining experience for steak lovers.

• Type of Food: Steakhouse.
• Notable Dishes: High-end steaks, Beetroot Supreme.
• Special Features: Offers a cosmopolitan dining experience near the French Quarter with an impressive dry-aging display.

21. Ralph’s on the Park

Overlooking City Park, this restaurant offers a blend of traditional Creole cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and classic New Orleans dishes, served in a setting that combines elegance with the natural beauty of its surroundings.

• Type of Food: Creole-French.
• Notable Dishes: Oysters in individual pies, Gulf fish amandine.
• Special Features: Combines traditional Creole-French cuisine with innovative twists, located next to the historic City Park.

22. Sylvain Restaurant and Bar

Nestled just a block away from Jackson Square, Sylvain Restaurant and Bar seamlessly blends the essence of a traditional French Quarter carriage house with a contemporary culinary experience. The menu showcases iconic Southern fare infused with locally inspired cocktails, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ vibrant gastronomic scene against the backdrop of its historic charm. Classic New Orleans favorites, using seasonally and locally sourced ingredients.

• Type of Food: Iconic Southern fare with innovative twists.
• Notable Dishes: Sylvain Burger, Champagne and Fries
• Special Features: Occupies a historic carriage house from the late 1700s, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, just a block off Jackson Square.

As we explore the diverse and vibrant culinary landscape of New Orleans, it becomes clear that the city’s food scene is as rich and varied as its culture. From the traditional flavors at Commander’s Palace to the innovative fusion at Mopho, each restaurant offers a unique window into the soul of New Orleans cuisine. This exploration not only highlights the traditional Creole and Cajun influences but also showcases how global flavors are seamlessly woven into the city’s fabric, creating a dining experience that is both rooted in tradition and boldly contemporary.

23. GW Fins

Located in the heart of New Orleans, stands as the city’s premier upscale seafood destination. This sophisticated restaurant is renowned for its commitment to serving only the freshest seafood sourced locally, nationally, and internationally, always at its seasonal peak. The menu at GW Fins is a testament to innovation, changing daily to feature the latest catches and culinary trends, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience with each visit. The modern, elegant ambiance complements the high-quality dishes, making it a favorite among seafood aficionados.

• Type of Food: Upscale seafood.
• Notable Dishes: The menu changes daily, but expect to find exquisite preparations of fish and other seafood that highlight their natural flavors.
• Special Features: A dynamic menu that updates daily to offer the freshest seafood available, served in a contemporary and stylish setting.

Key Takeaways: Savoring New Orleans’ Culinary Diversity

• Variety and Innovation: New Orleans restaurants excel in combining traditional Southern, Creole, and Cajun cuisines with global influences, offering diners a unique taste experience.
• Ambiance and Experience: Each eatery provides a distinctive dining atmosphere, from the elegant to the eclectic, enhancing the overall culinary journey.
• Local and Fresh Ingredients: A common thread among these top dining spots is their commitment to using locally sourced ingredients, which supports the regional economy and provides freshness in every dish.

Frequently Asked Questions about New Orleans’ Restaurants

1. What are some must-try dishes for a first-time visitor to New Orleans?
   • For a truly local experience, try the turtle soup at Commander’s Palace, the seafood boil at Mukbang Seafood, and beignets at any café for a sweet treat.
2. Are there options for vegetarians in these New Orleans restaurants?
   • Absolutely, many New Orleans restaurants, including Bywater American Bistro and Paladar 511, offer vegetarian dishes that are creatively prepared to match the robust flavors of the region.
3. Can I find gluten-free options at these restaurants?
   • Yes, restaurants like Luvi and Dian Xin cater to gluten-free diners with a range of options that ensure no one misses out on the gastronomic pleasures of New Orleans.
4. How should I dress for a dinner at Commander’s Palace?
   • Commander’s Palace has a dress code that requires collared shirts and closed-toe shoes, so dressing smartly is recommended to match the upscale setting.
5. Is it necessary to make reservations at these New Orleans restaurants?
   • While not always mandatory, reservations are highly recommended, especially for popular spots like Commander’s Palace and Doris Metropolitan, to ensure you secure a table.