Top Best American Restaurants in New Orleans

"GQ's Golden Dish Award for Eggs Sardou, Commander’s Palace’s legacy speaks for itself. Located in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace is thought to be the original spot for a jazz brunch and patio dining. For contemporary Louisiana food and alfresco dining, look no further than Commander’s Palace."

"A favorite for visitors and locals alike, Commander's Palace is a New Orleans landmark known for its award-winning Creole fare and elegant jazz brunch. MoreCallReserveStart Your ReservationWebsite"

"The James Beard Foundation recognizes this family-owned restaurant in Tremé as an “American Classic” for what locals have long known: Willie Mae’s serves America’s best fried chicken. Willie Mae Seaton began providing nourishment with soul for the neighborhood in 1957 and, today, her great-granddaughter Kerry Seaton continues the rich tradition. President Obama and Anthony Bourdian are fans, you will be too."

"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."

" loudly harrumphs an endless of stream of out-of-town customers, eager to challenge the claim that Willie Mae’s makes “the world’s best fried chicken.” They’re usually..."

"Next up is District Donuts Sliders Brew, situated at 2209 Magazine St. With 4.5 stars out of 1,488 reviews on Yelp, the Garden District spot to score coffee and tea, doughnuts and burgers has proven to be a local favorite. Get ready for coconut mango, chocolate glazed and carrot cake doughnuts plus an assortment of savory fare like pork belly breakfast tacos, spicy smoked sausage kolaches and a croque madame with ham, havarti cheese, bechamel and a sunny-side up egg on a griddled doughnut."

"It doesn’t matter if you’re after something sweet or savory, District Donuts on Magazine street is the place for you if you crave things like sliders, beer and of course, donuts. This place prides themselves on using local ingredients and items are made to order. As for price, you can typically get sliders for less than five dollars, whereas their deal called the Brown Bag Meal can set you back around a cool ten bucks which includes waffle fries, two sliders and a soda."

"When District landed on Magazine Street, its easily Instagrammable donuts were an instant hit. But don’t let that fool you: The perfect sliders and coffee are also worth the stop, so it’s easy to make a full meal out of your trip no matter what time you stop. They’re best known for their rotating cast of 200+ fanciful flavor combinations, with options like a maple-bacon-Sriracha donut topped with candied thyme, king cake and even cannoli."

"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."

"This candlelit French Quarter restaurant is casual enough to be low-key but romantic enough to be special. Share the champagne and fries to start and the braised beef cheeks or scallops as the main. Grab cocktails to go and walk a block to St. Louis Cathedral for the backdrop to a perfect post-dinner smooch."

"Pan-fried pork shoulder is served with braised greens, Coosa Valley’s McEwen & Sons grits and mustard jus. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner daily, late-night Fri.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun."

"7005 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, (504) 301-2285; www.kitchentablearabi.com. Fried Gulf oysters are served with applewood-smoked bacon and blue cheese vinaigrette over greens."

"The fish of the day is a pan-seared fillet served with rainbow fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, citrus-ponzu glaze, vegetables, edible flowers and house-pickled red onion. Reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.-Sat., late-night Fri.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun."

"While temporarily closed during the pandemic, Manning’s Sports Bar and Grill is the quintessential place to watch the game in NOLA. It’s home to more than 30 flat-screen TVs, two 13-foot mega-screens, a sports anchor desk, a recliner dining section and unique memorabilia from Louisiana’s first football family. The pub grub of sandwiches, burgers and wraps takes on a Creole flair, and there are 24 beers on tap (plus plenty of brews in a bottle)."

"519 Fulton St., (504) 593-8072; www.facebook.com/manningsnola. An Archie burger is an Angus beef patty topped with bacon-onion jam and pimiento cheese and is served with fries. Reservations accepted."

"Whether you’re in for a date night or out with some friends, the Orleans Grapevine is a French Quarter hot spot for an amazing bar experience. With over 300 wines by the bottle and 65 wines by the glass, each visit is sure to be different from the last. Stop by for their delicious Surf ‘n’ Turf or their Bacon Happy Hour for free bacon."

"Orleans Grapevine is a French Quarter Wine Bar & Bistro with a casual fine dining component as well. Start with the wine, which can be ordered by the glass or bottle. Come in between 4-6 pm to try a "Wine Flight", a three wine sampling to expand your horizons."

"This breakfast and lunch spot is a local favorite on Magazine Street. Slim Goodies serves classic comfort food with bold twists, all made with fresh ingredients (and lots of love). Everyone loves the slammers: hash browns slathered in something delicious – think crawfish étouffée or chili with bacon and cheddar cheese – but the sweet potato pancakes are not to be missed."

"What you're getting: The Creole Slammer If you haven’t had the Creole Slammer at Slim’s, you have yet to fully live. What could be better than a plate of hash browns and eggs than a plate of hash browns and eggs generously topped with crawfish étouffée and a buttermilk biscuit?. Fair warning: there’s a sizable wait on weekends if you don’t get there early enough."

"Ten years old and going strong, Magazine Street's quirky, always-slammed early morning to lunch time diner, is known for their Slammer options, a hangover-helper made with hashbrowns and scrambles of various sort (eggs, chili, tofu, what have you). There is also a potato latke/crawfish etouffee dish called the Jewish Coonass, not PC, but a fan favorite."

"T & T Seafood, a Cajun/Creole and Chinese spot that offers seafood and more in St. Thomas, is another much-loved, budget-friendly go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 15 Yelp reviews. Head over to 548 Jackson Ave. to see for yourself. Yelper C.S D., who reviewed T & T Seafood on April 8, wrote, "I only tried the crawfish but they were delicious! It was definitely a hole in the wall joint, which is proving to be where the good food is."

"701 Poydras St., Suite 130, (504) 412-8326; www.empirestatedeli.com. A Bronx Bomber features Boar’s Head Genoa salami, pepperoni, sweet capocollo, sharp picante provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato. Pepperoncini peppers are an optional addition."

"Start the day with a bike tour of Marigny and Bywater The two neighborhoods this tour goes on is Marigny and Bywater. These are “coming up” areas, kind of a little hipster and definitely not the standard places to visit. You’ll go to the bike shop in the French Quarter to meet the tour instructor then ride off!"

"After lunch take at least 15 minutes to explore the next few blocks of colorful homes in Marigny. There isn’t much else to do other take great photos and enjoy the neighborhood that has alot of character before heading back to the French Quarter."

"Internationally renowned artist, Chris Roberts-Antieau offers up her whimsical and bizarre world of fabric appliqué in her galleries in Nola and Santa Fe!"

"This Sicilian family-run Chalmette icon is about a 20 drive from downtown, but well worth the trip with a cafeteria style operation where huge portions of macaroni and cheese, red gravy, stuffed peppers, and perfectly fried soft shell crabs are doled out on the daily."

"On a recent visit for $23, two of us had a meal that was packed home to easily feed six. There is a 20-minute wait for a four-piece order of perfectly executed fried chicken. It is worth the wait and comes with a side of whatever “vegetable” you choose."

"Harrah’s Hotel, 525 Fulton St., (504) 587-7099; 3633 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-3600; www.ruthschris.com. Steaks such as New York strips, rib-eyes, porterhouses and filets are cooked in an 1,800-degree broiler. Reservations recommended."

"In many cities, Ruth’s Chris dominates local steak houses with unforgettable steaks, seafood, and sides. At the location in New Orleans, Executive Chef Vernell Gibson has elevated ..."

"Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in New Orleans is a classic and consistent staple, serving the finest USDA Prime beef steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes, and homemade desserts."

"You'll distinguish Annunciation's Old World version of turtle soup for its redder tone. It's definitely worth downing a bowl or two -- as is the rest of the seasonal menu. New Orleans gets hot, so it's worthwhile to mark a few sno-ball locations on your map."

"1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245; www.annunciationrestaurant.com. Fried eggplant is stuffed with Louisiana shrimp, lump crabmeat and crawfish and served with Creole lemon-butter sauce. Reservations accepted."

"Housed in a restored warehouse, Annunciation is another higher end place. It specializes in Creole and Southern cuisine. Ardelle really enjoyed the shrimp étouffée."