Top Best American Restaurants in Metairie

"The crown jewel of the Brennan empire, this landmark Garden District restaurant has been a beacon of fine dining since 1880. There’s no resting on laurels here, though: Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, Jaime Shannon and now Tory McPhail have nurtured the Creole menu while making their own marks. The iconic Victorian mansion is the perfect setting for an intimate meal, large celebration or relaxed 25-cent martini lunch."

"While you’re in the Garden District or shopping on Magazine Street, you have to stop by Commander’s Palace. The place has been around since 1880, and it’s one of the most famous restaurants in New Orleans for a reason. Their famous teal and white striped exterior is what landed them on this list, but definitely check them out for fine Creole dining and their jazz brunch too."

"Since 1880, Commander’s Palace has been a hot spot in the Garden District winning numerous awards. Customers come back again and again for the award winning food and welcoming atmosphere of this place filled with history. This venue is more than a restaurant, it is a landmark."

"A tarp shades the crowds that routinely show up for lunch in what began life in Treme as a bar in 1957 and morphed into a restaurant in the early ‘70s. The pork chops and smothered veal are pure comfort, but what keeps Willie Mae’s on the food map is the kitchen’s hand-battered, fried-to-order, finger-lickin’-luscious chicken."

"The original Treme institution has reopened for pickup only with limited hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Order online from a menu of fried chicken, fried seafood platters, and pork chops; more than a dozen classic sides; and salads and desserts."

"Lauded family-owned spot since 1957, famous for fried chicken & other soul food in a humble setting. Open for lunchDress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-822-9503"

"Since it opened in October 2013, this delightful shop on Magazine Street and Jackson Avenue has been making all of New Orleans’ donut and coffee dreams come true. With flavors like miso praline and olive oil, NOLA cream, brown butter pistachio, Sriracha with candied thyme, lemon poppyseed, and Vietnamese iced coffee, District is serious about its roster of “fancy donuts.” In addition to donuts big enough for two, District’s other breakfast creations include kolaches, pork belly, egg and avocado breakfast tacos, and buttermilk biscuit egg sandwiches with miso-praline bacon. Plus, their cinnamon roll is topped with extra sugar and brûléed under a blow torch, which is pretty awesome if you ask me."

"Innovative, creative, and delicious are three adjectives you could use to describe the donuts at District Donuts Sliders Brew. The name of the restaurants comes from the fact that they mainly offer donuts, sliders, and ice-cold brews. Everything on the menu is so delicious that we suggest heading in to sample all three."

"Clearview Parkway, Suite D, Jefferson, (504) 605-7944; 2209 Magazine St., (504) 570-6945; 5637 Magazine St., (504) 313-1316; www.districtdonuts.com. Creative doughnut flavors include hibiscus, lemon icebox, red velvet, white chocolate-strawberry-Champagne, strawberry cheesecake, Chocolate milk and cookie dough."

"Just off Jackson Square in the always-crowded French Quarter, this tucked-away gastropub manages to slip under the tourist radar thanks to a nearly hidden entrance. Stroll down a narrow alleyway to find your way inside, then bask in flattering candlelight as you fill up on hearty dishes such as Buffalo-style fried veal sweetbreads, tender braised beef cheeks and a crispy pork Milanese served over creamy white beans. End the night on a sweet note with the most romantic soda float you’ve ever had, made with local Abita root beer, caramel ice cream and a ginger crisp."

"French QuarterCozy American gastropub with plant-filled back patioThis cozy, candlelit restaurant just off Jackson Square is perfect for when you want to get close -- as in, literally close, because you’ll need to huddle over the light to read the menu -- but it’s about as intimate of a space as you’ll find in the city’s busiest neighborhood. While some offerings have been recently updated, you’ll still find the option to impress your date by ordering the $90 champagne and fries combo."

"Slylvian is an awesome, farm-to-table upscale dining space located just a block off of Jackson. Set in a carriage house built in the late 1700s, the building honors the French Quarter neighborhood’s roots. Slylvain doubles as a restaurant and bar with exquisite food and classy house cocktails."

"Whether you’re in for a shot of beer or some quality food, Gordon Biersch has you covered. This pub-style restaurant creates their own award-winning beer to compliment their delicious bar snacks for a truly original time. Try their GB Beer Mushroom Chicken served with asparagus and a bit of brew in their stunning location, and then you’ll see what makes Gordon Biersch the winner of “Best Bar Patio” by beer-drinkers as well as the 2nd best place to drink beer in New Orleans."

"A post shared by Gordon Biersch New Orleans (@gb_nola) on Nov 26, 2017 at 2:36pm PST. Chain hangout for house-brewed, German-style beer & a pub menu served in a casual setting. Located right across from Harrah’s Casino and within walking distance of the French Quarter."

"They use fresh ingredients from a carefully vetted list of local farmers, and from what I’ve heard their sandwiches are to die for. I sadly didn’t get a chance to visit – this is true of the next two restaurants as well – but I’m still kicking myself about it. Visions of their vegan Reuben made with smoked tempeh, homemade sauerkraut and caramelised onions will probably haunt my dreams until I finally try it."

"BywaterRecently reopened after sustaining and recovering from fire damage in 2019, the Sneaky Pickle has picked up right where it left off, offering a mostly vegan menu with three hearty meat dishes to please that one friend who refuses to try anything new. Everything’s made fresh in-house, and the menu changes according to seasonality and availability from local farms."

"We’d give anything to try the Vegan Reuben sandwich or the Smokey Tempeh flatbread with vegan garlic aioli, carmelized onions, and slaw. Oh, and check out this mac and cheese with peas, mushrooms, tomatoes, greens, and cashew chorizo."

"Located in the historic Gem Theater—one of only two remaining African American movie theaters still standing in the city—Zony Mash Beer Project is both a brewery and an entertainment space. Named after the title of an album of rare B-side songs by New Orleans funk band The Meters, Zony Mash offers 21 taps in the tasting room and a robust line of brews using ingredients like coffee from local roaster, Congregation; additions include carrot and dragon fruit juices, coriander and butterfly pea. Year-round brews include Tiny Bubbles (a sparkling ale), Pillow Talk (a “fluffy” IPA) and Run for the Rosé (a wine hybrid ale)."

"Zony Mash is beautiful on the inside, a stunningly re-imagined microbrewery-take on the former Gem Theater. But its outdoor beer garden has been the center of the action lately, showcasing a rotation of popup eateries, as well as Zony Mash brews sold from the brewery’s tricked-out beer bus. As owner Adam Ritter said, “When the weather is nice, and it’s feeling right, it’s great.” Recent eats have included Zee’s Pizzeria and Doughtown’s Detroit-style pies as well as Bub’s Burgers, Southerns (of fried chicken sandwich fame) and the culinary talents of Luncheon."

"Located in the Broadmoor neighborhood, Broad Street Cider produces handcrafted ciders and meads in small batches with no artificial flavors or added sugars. The dry and semi-dry ciders and meads are gluten-free, unfiltered, unpasteurized and have no added sulfites. Head to the taproom for not only the standard offerings but also limited specialty releases available on draft and to-go in jar fills."

"Address: 2723 S Broad StreetNew Orleans, LA 70125Phone: (504) 405-1854Website. Try a craft brewery experience with a twist at Broad Street Cider. At Broad Street, they’re making hand-crafted ciders and meads in small batches based on apple juice from Michigan and the Pacific Northwest."

"So far, Broad Street Cider is the only cidery in New Orleans. No worries though, they’re pumping out enough variety to keep visitors and locals intrigued. When I visited there nearly a dozen ciders on tap, plus a number of guest taps."

"Eric and Leah Jensen have created a community haven on the corner of Lesseps and Royal Streets, with a giant beer garden and a cool, funky vibe. Try hop-forward beers like Green With Envy NEIPA, lagers like the Czuck Pilsner, or something similar to a farmhouse style like the Berry Poppins black and raspberry gose. Parleaux also serves non-alcoholic drinks and hosts food trucks and pop-ups like La Monita and Tacocat."

"This neighborhood craft micro-brewery and taproom in the Bywater produces high-quality, small-batch brews with a funky twist inherent to New Orleans. The rotating tap list changes constantly, and the brewery prides itself on not having a flagship beer. Instead, the 12 taps are a virtual laboratory of experimental brews that push the boundaries of typical beer styles."

"The refined Uptown park around Audubon Zoo is a bit older, having been landscaped in the 1880s on what used to be a plantation and staging area for Buffalo Soldiers in the Civil War. If you’re mesmerised by New Orleans’ twisting live oaks you’ll love Audubon Park, which has trees that go back to its plantation days. Before this space could be laid out by the eminent John Charles Olmsted, it hosted the World Cotton Centennial of 1884, a world’s fair."

"A scenic ride through Uptown on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line takes you right to the park’s entrance. Stunning oak trees draped with Spanish moss, tranquil lagoons, and sprawling green lawns can be found in every corner of the park, along with exciting attractions like the Audubon Trail Golf Course and Audubon Zoo. This natural space dates back to 1898, and its beautiful landscape draws visitors and locals alike."

"Previously called Upper City Park, Audubon Park is located across from Tulane University. Audubon dates to the 1800’s. Audubon was originally part of the Bore Family Plantation."

"The St. Louis Cathedral isn’t one of New Orleans’ most-flocked-to points of interest for nothing. It has a special place in history as America’s longest-running, an active church of the Roman Catholic faith. The cathedral’s history stretches back to 1789, which is when it was dedicated to France’s Louis IX, but as far back as 1718, there was already a church on the grounds."

"This cathedral is one of the oldest in the United States and for this reason, has some interesting history behind its stunning exterior. It was officially named the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, and had its first version built in 1718. However, there were three more reconstructions, the final expansion and rebuilding happening in 1850."

"(400 Dauphine St.) This 24-hour full-service restaurant and bar in the French Quarter is always available and ready to accommodate. You will find a wide variety of options on the menu ranging from traditional New Orleans fare to downhome comfort food, all under $20. Deja Vu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day long and is available for dine-in, carry out or delivery."

"The original building, constructed in the 1850′s at the corner of of Conti and Dauphine Streets, was in the area known formerly as the red light district of New Orleans."

"Hands down best (I Know, I know...) Bloody Mary in the Quarter, possibly New Orleans... And the food is way better than you think when you walk…"

"Magazine Street is a great place to grab a meal (we loved the Red Dog Diner) and then duck into some shops to check out Mardi Gras costumes, eccentric souvenirs, antiques, and more! Spend the evening on a ghost tour."

"Had a terrific snack at Red Dog Diner as we made our way around the Garden District in NOLA. We ordered pimento cheese spread and ice tea."

"3325 St. Claude Ave., (504) 459-4571; www.pollysbywatercafe.com. Corned beef hash is topped with two eggs and served with a biscuit."