Best Restaurants, Must Try Places 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 legendary French Quarter restaurant honors New Orleans tradition with its infamous cuisine, architecture, and ambiance. With its unique Creole menu and its old-world dining rooms, a meal at Brennan’s turns into a historical experience that remains with both natives and visitors. Permitting weather conditions, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on its interior patio with Chef Slade Rushing providing a new life to old style."

"If you love eating breakfast outside in cute courtyards, and authentic Creole cuisine, then you’ll love Brennan’s on Royal Street. It’s one of the classic New Orleans French Quarter restaurants. All four of us thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast in their gorgeous courtyard, a setting that made us feel like we were in Paris, and we could have sat there for breakfast, lunch and dinner!"

"It’s hard to miss the large, pink restaurant on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Brennan’s is where the iconic dessert, bananas Foster, originated—granting the venue much-earned glory. Here, the signature flaming dish is prepared tableside."

"For more than a century, there’s been a long line outside Galatoire’s, the most famous restaurant on one of the world’s most famous streets (Bourbon). Like the city itself, Galatoire’s is a restaurant that combines elegant with raucous. From the Soufflé Potatoes appetizer followed by Black Drum topped with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat to Carmel Cup Custard and a cup of Flaming Café Brûlot, this is an experience not to be missed."

"Amidst the chaos (and, let’s face it, uncouthness) of Bourbon Street is a refined, old-line restaurant where waiters wear black bow ties and business people make deals during marathon lunch-into-dinner sessions. Here you’ll dine on famed traditional Creole dishes like shrimp rémoulade and trout amandine."

"Galatoires is a well-established restaurant that first opened its doors in 1905. Since then, it has maintained an excellent reputation for the quality of the food served. It is also known for delivering top-quality customer service."

"Nationally recognized as one of the top-rated restaurants in New Orleans, GW Fins is a stylish eatery located between Bourbon and Dauphine Streets. Featuring a menu filled with fresh catches, such as the yellowfin tuna crudo, the house-cured salmon carpaccio, and the cobia crudo, GW Fins gives guests the option of pairing the main entrées with a side of their one-of-a-kind jambalaya. This French Quarter gem, open on Sundays through Thursdays from 5:00 p.m."

"While better known for its seafood, GW Fins certainly has no shortage of vegan options for even the most finicky of eaters. Owned and operated by Gary Wollerman, GW Fins makes our ..."

"Opened in 2001, GW Fins is a restaurant that specializes in fish. The restaurant itself buzzes with energy, so it's a fun place to go for a meal that feels enlivening and electrify..."

"Our most popular location at 601 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans is often requested for private events, so act quickly to reserve a date!. Its balcony, one of the most famous in New Orleans, stands above the sights and sounds of the Marigny neighborhood and makes for a uniquely New Orleans experience....Mehr"

"The colorfully decorated hot dog shop serves a full menu of crazy hot dog combos in New Orleans as well as at outposts outside of the city. Sides are equally inventive with a selection of loaded fries and tater tots. Plus, Dat Dog has a full bar featuring craft beers, daiquiris and specialty cocktails."

"The gourmet hotdog spot has a large, colorful outdoor space on Magazine Street near Louisiana Ave. Order at the counter, and grab yourself one of the many picnic tables to enjoy your meal. If you’re looking to catch a game, TVs are located around the outdoor area as well. Photo courtesy: Dat Dog"

"This bright and cheery coffee shop/bakery serves bagels, egg-stuffed croissants, donuts, crumb cake, scones, brownies, and blondies. All the breakfast and lunch sandwiches are served on house-baked bread, biscuits, or bagels, and there’s always a huge array of chocolate confections on display. Hopefully your eyes aren’t bigger than your stomach."

"509 Canal St., (504) 323-2109; www.creolehouserestaurant.com. Canal Street redfish is a panko-crusted fillet topped with sauteed shrimp and Cajun garlic sauce and served with sauteed vegetables. Reservations accepted."

"There’s no sign outside Gautreau’s, just the number 1728 discreetly marking a nondescript house in a residential neighborhood. Cross the threshold to find a refined but welcoming dining room, where savvy diners,... Top ChoiceLouisianan in Uptown & Riverbend"

"1728 Soniat St., (504) 899-7397; www.gautreausrestaurant.com. Roasted duck breast is served with mole reduction, corn truffle, cipollini onions and English pea risotto. Reservations recommended."

"Gautreau’s Restaurant enjoys considerable critical acclaim – Zagat called it the best restaurant in New Orleans in 2014 – as well as a loyal clientele among local foodies."

"For al fresco views of the downtown skyline that are worthy of your Instagram feed, Monkey Board is your best bet. With park benches and lounge chairs, graffiti walls and hanging lanterns, The Monkey Board aces the rooftop park vibes. There’s an excellent selection of crafted specialty cocktails, as well as Southern-inspired bites."

"833 Howard Ave., (504) 299-8792; G’s Kitchen Spot, Balcony Bar, 3201 Magazine St., (504) 894-8888; 4840 Bienville St., (504) 483-6464; www.gspizzas.com. A Bienville Supreme pie includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, black olives, mozzarella and tomato sauce."

"After exploring the Mid-City cemeteries, stop by G's Pizza to refuel. This funky little spot is tucked away on Bienville (there are two other NOLA locations, too), and they serve delicious pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches. I love their NOLA Green Roots Pizza!"

"It’s hard to head to the south and not indulge a bit in some soul food, even if you’re vegan. Sweet Soulfood is without a doubt one of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans, serving visitors plant-based versions of delicious dishes such as jambalaya, rice pudding, and even chicken-fried cauliflower. Best Vegan Food in NOLABest Vegan Restaurants New OrleansLouisiana Vegan FoodNew Orleans VeganVegan Restaurants in NOLA"

"The first to cater to the emerging trend of vegan soul food, carnivores will not miss a thing at this Treme hotspot. The colorful cafeteria-style joint turns out fresh takes on New Orleans classics like red beans and rice on Mondays and crispy fried chickpea cakes instead of fried catfish on Fridays. The menu changes daily and the portions are hefty so sharing is the way to go."

"If you’re vegan and missing that authentic soul food that NOLA’s famous for, then you’re in luck!. Sweet Soulfood is the perfect spot to try out plant-based alternatives to Southern cuisine staples. You have to leave with this place with a tub of vegan ice-cream."

"Mid CityLiterally every meat item on this menu has a vegan counterpart, from the classic Philly to poutine to the vegan Far East Philly which combines steak seitan, fried pickle onions, and vegan cream cheese. Even the dessert has been vegan-ified -- the Yum Bun takes vegan ice cream and sprinkles it with cereal served on top of a hot vegan honey bun."

"Trilly Cheesesteaks serves up some of the most delicious cheesesteaks in Louisiana. And, even though they’re famous for their traditional sandwiches, it’s the vegan cheesesteaks that really steal the show."

"This soft serve chain started five years ago in Sydney, with franchises now in Texas, Virginia and here in New Orleans, the second U.S. location. Aqua S dishes Instagrammable soft serve in flavors like cappuccino, Arnold Palmer, and cotton candy that look and taste just like how they sound. This location is owned by sisters Loan Le and Yen Truong, who fell in love with the place in Houston."

"This outpost of the Australian brand is famed for its creamy, bright-blue, sea-salt soft serve and Instagramable décor begging for selfies. With a library of more than 100 flavors, only a few are offered at a time, and they change every two weeks. A recent favorite—pancake swirled with sea salt—was cool, salty-sweet hominess."