New Orleans is a food city, and its unique culture makes for truly innovative cuisine. Whether you want to experience the quintessential dishes of the region like shrimp gumbo and beignets or indulge in James Beard Award recipients, you’ll find it here. Grab a casual meal to-go or dine at a fine eatery. New Orleans is home to many wonderful restaurants, so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites you must try.
COQUETTE
Coquette is a James Beach Foundation nominee located in the Garden District on Magazine Street. Boasting a menu of contemporary Southern cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, Coquette delivers a comfortable, yet fine dining experience. Don’t miss out on the great selection of wine and cocktails.
CELLARDOOR
Located in the restored Swoop-Duggins House in downtown New Orleans, CellarDoor offers classic Southern American cuisine with a modern twist. Their menu is seasonal and changes often to accommodate the freshest flavors of the moment. Enjoy your food with classic libations, a carefully curated selection of wines by the bottle and glass, and local craft beers.
COCHON
Indulge in the Cajun cooking of Cochon Restaurant, which is fueled by locally sourced produce and meat. Stephen Stryjewski won the 2011 James Beard Foundation “Best Chef South” and Cocohn was named as a finalist for “Best New Restaurant” in 2007 by the foundation.
HERBSAINT
Serving up a menu of French-Southern cuisine with Italian inspiration, Herbsaint offers a truly enjoyable dining experience. Their romantic patio and balcony dining sits along historic St. Charles Avenue. Chef Link is a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef South in 2007, and the restaurant has received numerous accolades since it opened in 2000.
PECHE
Peche offers a menu of sustainably sourced seafood cooked over an open hearth. Using live-fire cooking techniques, Peche serves up items from the raw bar, small plates, snacks, whole grilled fish, and carefully crafted cocktails.
BAR MARILOU
Located in the warehouse district of New Orleans, Bar Marilou is a French-style restaurant specializing in creative libations and small plates. The setting is an eclectic former library perfect for happy hour.
BYWATER AMERICAN BISTRO
Bywater American Bistro features a creative menu of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Offering a casual yet elegant setting, Bywater American Bistro is a classic neighborhood restaurant.
LE PETITE GROCERY
Situated in a historic cottage that housed a grocery store in the 1800s, Le Petite Grocery offers a menu of uniquely crafted dishes that are made-from-scratch. Try classic Louisiana fare in a cozy space.
TURKEY & THE WOLF
Turkey & The Wolf serves up its own creative takes on classic deli meals. You’ll find items like a fried chicken skin sammie, open-faced mozzarella stick sandwich, and collard green melt to satisfy comfort food cravings without compromise.
PALM & PINE
Try uniquely crafted dishes inspired by the tastes of Louisiana as well as the Caribbean, Mexican, and Central America at Palm & Pine. The food menu features a selection of locally sourced ingredients from vendors and farmers throughout the region, all of which are paired with an Agave and Cane spirit program, wine, and beer.
SABA
Located in Uptown, Saba serves a variety of menu items inspired by the flavors of Israel, Bulgaria, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Palestine, and Greece. Saba specializes in family-style meals perfect for sharing.
YO NASHI
Using fresh local ingredients and Japanese techniques, Yo Nashi serves up innovative takes on the omakase dining experience. The Chef’s Omakase is an 8-10 course dinner that changes up throughout the season.
