Louisiana Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Louisiana - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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1. Arnaud's
$$$$ | French Quarter |In the main dining room of this grande dame of classic Creole restaurants, ornate etched glass reflects light from charming old chandeliers while the late founder, Arnaud Cazenave, gazes from an oil portrait. The ambitious menu includes classic dishes as well as more contemporary ones, including vegetarian options. The adjoining jazz bistro offers the same food in a more casual and live music–filled dining experience. Always reliable options are shrimp Arnaud (cold shrimp in a superb rémoulade), oysters Bienville, petit filet Lafitte, and praline crêpes. Jackets are requested in the main dining room. There's also a fun Mardi Gras museum upstairs.
813 Bienville St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA504-523–5433Known For
- On-site Mardi Gras museum
- Char-grilled oyster specialties and classic cocktails
- Jackets requested in the main dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat., Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential -
2. August
$$$$ | Central Business District |If the Gilded Age is long past, someone forgot to tell the folks at August, where the main dining room shimmers with masses of chandelier prisms, thick brocade fabrics, and glossy woods. Service is anything but stuffy, however, and the food showcases the chefs' modern techniques. Nothing is mundane on the seasonally changing menu, which might include handmade gnocchi with blue crab and winter truffle or rabbit cassoulet with andouille sausage. Expect the unexpected—like pecan-smoked Two Run Farm's beef—and a truly remarkable vegetarian menu can be prepared upon request. The sommelier is happy to counsel you on the surprisingly affordable wine list.
301 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA504-299–9777Known For
- Decadent tasting menus
- Vegetarian options
- Affordable wine pairings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Reservations essential, Credit cards accepted -
3. Bayona
$$$ | |"New World" is the label Louisiana native Susan Spicer applies to her cooking style, the delicious hallmarks of which include goat cheese croutons with mushrooms in madeira cream, a Bayona specialty, and delightfully flavorful vegetable soups, like Caribbean pumpkin or cream of garlic. The imaginative dishes on the constantly changing menu are served in an early-19th-century Creole cottage that glows with flower arrangements, elegant photographs, and trompe-l'oeil murals of Mediterranean landscapes. A legendary favorite at lunch is the sandwich of smoked duck, cashew butter, and pepper jelly. Don't skip the sweets—a changing menu of homemade ice cream, panna cotta, and pastries.
430 Dauphine St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA504-525–4455Known For
- Famous smoked duck sandwich
- Global flavors from a stellar chef
- Homemade ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Mon.--Wed. -
4. Café du Monde
$ | |No visit to New Orleans is complete without a chicory-laced café au lait paired with the addictive, sugar-dusted beignets at this venerable institution. The tables under the green-and-white-stripe awning are jammed with locals and tourists at almost every hour, for very good reason. If there's a wait, head around back to the takeout window, get your coffee and beignets to go, and enjoy them overlooking the river right next door or in Jackson Square. The most magical time to go is just before dawn, before the bustle begins and can hear the birds in the crepe myrtles across the way. The metro-area satellite stores (there's even one at the airport now) typically lack the character of the original, although the newest addition in City Park is quite charming.
800 Decatur St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70116, USA504-525–4544Known For
- World's most famous beignets
- Local landmark status
- Long waits and 24-hour service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted -
5. Café Vermilionville
$$$$ | |This 19th-century inn with crisp white linens and old brick fireplaces serves French and Cajun dishes to a well-dressed crowd. Among the specialties are Gulf fish Acadian and grilled duck breast. This is a favorite spot for special occasions among Lafayette residents—and with good reason.
1304 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70503, USA337-237–0100Known For
- Historic setting
- Old-fashioned service
- Fine dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., No lunch Sat. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Cochon
$$$ | |Chef-owned restaurants are common in New Orleans, but this one builds on owner Donald Link's family heritage as he, working with co-owner Stephen Stryjewski (who received a James Beard Award for his work here), prepares Cajun dishes he learned to cook at his grandfather's knee. The interior may be a bit too hip and noisy for some patrons, but the food makes up for it. The fried boudin with pickled peppers is a must—trust us on this one—then move on to the rabbit and dumplings, and a hearty Louisiana cochon (pork) with turnips, cracklings, and cabbage. Despite the pork-centric reputation, all the vegetable sides, especially the braised collard greens, are excellent.
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA504-588–2123Known For
- Cochon de lait
- Rabbit and dumplings
- Fried boudin with pickled peppers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
7. Cochon Butcher
$ | Warehouse District |Around the corner from its big brother Cochon, Butcher packs its own Cajun punch with an upscale sandwich menu that dials up the flavor on local classics. With house-cured meats and olive salad, the muffuletta reveals exactly how delicious Italian-Creole can be, though the pork-belly sandwich, with refreshing mint and cucumber, also brings customers back. In addition to sandwiches, there are meaty small plates and a rotating selection of wines, beers, and well-made cocktails. There are a few tall tables for dining in, or you can get your sandwich to go. Before leaving, stock up on boudin, bacon pralines, and other to-go Cajun delicacies—all much better souvenirs than anything for sale on Bourbon Street.
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA504-588–7675Known For
- Pork-belly sandwich
- To-go treats
- Delicious cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun., Reservations not accepted, Credit cards accepted -
8. Commander's Palace
$$$$ | |No restaurant captures New Orleans's gastronomic heritage and celebratory spirit as well as this grande dame of New Orleans fine dining. The menu's classics include a spicy and meaty turtle soup; shrimp and tasso Henican (shrimp stuffed with ham, with pickled okra); and a wonderful pecan-crusted Gulf fish. The bread-pudding soufflé might ruin you for other bread puddings. Upstairs, the Garden Room's glass walls have marvelous views of the giant oak trees on the patio below. The weekend brunch is a not-to-be-missed New Orleans tradition, complete with live jazz—the band takes requests, so come armed with tip money. Jackets are preferred at dinner; shorts and T-shirts are forbidden, ripped jeans are not allowed, and men must wear closed-toe shoes.
1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA504-899–8221Known For
- Historic gem
- One of the best jazz brunches in the city
- Strict dress code (no shorts, T-shirts, or ripped jeans allowed)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
9. Coquette
$$$ | Garden District |Every neighborhood needs a hangout, and the dwellers of the Garden District's elegant mansions tend to spend their time at this fabulous corner bistro, enhanced by elaborate chandeliers and a gleaming white-tile floor. The relentlessly creative chef changes the menu almost nightly, making every meal here a new adventure. The long bar downstairs fuels the lively scene, and the window seats here, looking out on Magazine Street, are always in demand. Those seeking a quieter evening head to the upstairs dining room, where chef Michael Stoltzfus has created a menu of seasonal modern-American offerings. The seafood dishes, in particular, are stellar. The kitchen opens at 5:30 pm, but the bar gets started at 4:30 pm.
2800 Magazine St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115, USA504-265–0421Known For
- Creative menus focusing on stellar fresh seafood
- Warm vibe
- Nice views over Magazine Street
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential -
10. Domenica
$$ | Central Business District |This eatery wows diners with rustic Italian cooking, a rarity in New Orleans's culinary landscape. In the renovated Roosevelt Hotel—a 19th-century landmark—friendly and knowledgeable waiters happily help patrons with lesser-known ingredients, but it doesn't take a lengthy explanation to know that the fresh pastas and wood-fired pizzas are a must. The restaurant departs from the hotel lobby's historic, gilded decor and opts instead for sleek black walls and chain-link curtains, warmed by jewel-box displays of house-cured meats. From 2 to 5 pm daily, all pizzas and wines are half off, so come hungry. A smaller, more casual PIZZA Domenica has opened Uptown (4933 Magazine Street).
123 Baronne St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA504-648–6020Known For
- Wood-fired pizzas
- Charcuterie boards
- Great happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted -
11. Emeril's Delmonico
$$$$ | Garden District |Chef Emeril Lagasse bought the century-old Delmonico restaurant in 1998 and converted it into a large, extravagant restaurant serving some of the most ambitious reinterpretations of classic Creole dishes in town. Prime dry-aged steaks with traditional sauces have emerged as a specialty in recent years, but the menu gets more ambitious by the month. The atmosphere is lush, with high-ceiling dining spaces swathed in upholstered walls and super-thick window fabrics, and the food is decadent. House-cured charcuterie is a reliable option, as is the crisp duck leg confit, smothered pork chop, and stuffed boudin balls. "Plush" and "polish" are the bywords here, and the service is exemplary.
1300 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA504-525–4937Known For
- House-cured charcuterie
- Inventive Creole plates
- Lavish dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs., Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential -
12. Galatoire's
$$$$ | |With many of its recipes dating to 1905, Galatoire's epitomizes the old-style French Creole bistro. Fried oysters and bacon en brochette are worth every calorie, and the brick-red rémoulade sauce sets a high standard. Other winners include veal chops with optional béarnaise sauce, and seafood-stuffed eggplant. Downstairs in the narrow white-tablecloth dining room, lighted with gleaming brass chandeliers, is where boisterous regulars congregate, making for a lively and entertaining scene; you can only reserve a table in the renovated upstairs rooms. Friday lunch starts early and continues well into the evening. Shorts and T-shirts are never allowed; a jacket is required for dinner and all day Sunday. If the lines get too long, head to Galatoire's 33 Bar & Steak next door; it offers classic cuts and cocktails in a similarly adorned space.
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA504-525–2021Known For
- Amazing rémoulade sauce
- Formal dress required (business at lunch, jackets for men after 5)
- Old-school vibes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations essential, Jacket required -
13. Gris-Gris
$$$ | Garden District |If you're looking for an opportunity to converse with a top New Orleans chef, then Gris-Gris is your best bet. The first level of this Magazine Street restaurant is a wrap-around chef's table where you can watch all the action in the kitchen while enjoying homey and refined classics like shrimp and gris-gris grits and chicken gizzards served with grit cakes, carmelized peppers and onions, and gravy. On the second floor, you can sit at a lively indoor bar or on the balcony. Reservations are recommended.
1800 Magazine St., New Orleans, Louisiana, USA504-272–0241Known For
- Engaging atmosphere
- Classy comfort food
- Great cocktails
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14. Herbsaint
$$$ | Warehouse District |Chef Donald Link (also of Cochon, Cochon Butcher, and Pêche Seafood Grill) turns out food that sparkles with robust flavors and top-grade ingredients at this casually upscale restaurant. Small plates and starters such as a daily gumbo, charcuterie, and homemade pastas are mainstays. Don't overlook the rich and flavorful Louisiana shrimp and fish ceviche. Also irresistible is the Muscovy duck leg confit with dirty rice and citrus gastrique. For dessert, banana brown-butter tart will ensure return trips. The plates provide most of the color in the lighthearted, often noisy, rooms. The wine list is expertly compiled and reasonably priced. The restaurant serves an abbreviated "bistro menu" between lunch and dinner.
701 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA504-524–4114Known For
- Homemade pasta
- Muscovy duck leg confit with dirty rice and citrus gastrique
- Convivial crowds
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Credit cards accepted -
15. Johnson's Boucaniere
$ | |This outstanding boucaniere (Cajun French for smokehouse) is run by the next generation of the family that once operated the iconic Johnson's Grocery in Eunice, Louisiana. Music from young local bands plays over the sound system and is available for purchase; customers sit on the covered porch and dig into boudin sausages, sandwiches, and the heartily recommended barbecue—smoked in-house and rubbed with Cajun-style seasonings. It's a laid-back, friendly place with a refreshing blend of tradition and modern style.
1111 St. John St., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501, USA337-269–8878Known For
- Boudin sausages
- Cajun-style barbecue
- Laid-back vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner. -
16. Magnolia Café
$$ | |This low-key and unassuming restaurant turns into a St. Francisville hot spot on Friday and Saturday nights. During the day, locals and tourists flock to "the Mag" for sandwiches, pizza, steaks, and Southern and Mexican dishes. At night, go for cocktails or dinner; on Friday evening there's a live band.
5689 Commerce St., St. Francisville, Louisiana, 70775, USA225-635–6528Known For
- Live music on weekend nights
- Nice cocktails
- Blend of local and Mexican flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Wed. -
17. Mike Anderson's
$$$ | |Locals praise the seafood at this busy spot, and rightly so: the food is consistently good, fresh, and served in large portions. The fried seafood platter—shrimp, oysters, crawfish tails, catfish, and stuffed crab served with onion rings, hush puppies, and a choice of salad or various coleslaws—is your best bet.
1031 W. Lee Dr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70820, USA225-766–7823Known For
- Seafood platters
- Mahi-mahi topped with Gulf shrimp and Louisiana crawfish
- Several types of oysters
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18. Pamplona Tapas Bar
$$$$ | |An authentic interior (one wall is covered with bullfighting posters) creates just the right mood for chef Kris Allen's wide array of sophisticated small plates and one of the best wine lists in the area. The bacon-wrapped dates, the lamb sliders, and the foie gras are especially delicious.
631 Jefferson St., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501, USA337-232–0070Known For
- Traditional and inventive tapas
- Energetic atmosphere
- Great paella
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat. -
19. Pat's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant
$$$ | |Overlooking Bayou Amy, Pat's is the real deal, with heaping platters of seafood. On a cool night, get a table on the porch overlooking the bayou and go for the shrimp dinner, which presents the local favorite no fewer than eight different ways. The Atchafalaya Club, which is the area hot spot for Cajun dancing on Saturday and Sunday nights, is next door. Accommodations are also available at Pat's Edgewater Inn, located on the same stretch.
1008 Henderson Levee Rd., Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, 70157, USA337-228–7512Known For
- Great seafood platters
- Crab dinners
- Serene views
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20. Spuddy's Cajun Foods
$ | |Midway between Laura and Oak Alley plantations, downtown Vacherie is short on sights but long on flavor, thanks in no small part to this down-home lunchroom. Photos and murals on the walls tell tales of local history, while po'boys, jambalaya, and fried catfish fill the tables. You can also pick up some homemade sausages as an edible souvenir. Owner Spuddy is a wealth of knowledge; call up and ask about his "Cajun Cooking Experience."
2644 Hwy. 20, Vacherie, Louisiana, 70090, USA225-265–4013Known For
- Rotating lunch specials
- Homemade sausages
- Unforgettable owner
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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