2 Best Restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana

You may think you’ve been transported to sexy Tel Aviv in this softly lighted but thoroughly modern dining room set on a hopping stretch of Magazine Street. Here, the inventive Israeli cooking shines: picture copper trays bedecked with small plates of classic Israeli foods that lay the groundwork for unforgettable creative takes like fried chicken hummus, sujuk pide, and Gulf shrimp kebab. (Plan to order more of the puffy, made-to-order pita from Shaya’s signature wood-burning oven.) Don't miss the eclectic wine and spirits list with authentic touches from the motherland, including mint tea and arak (an anise-based spirit).

James Beard Foundation Award-winner Alon Shaya helms this lively Israeli restaurant dedicated to his grandfather, using fish, meat, and produce sourced from local area farms to create dishes influenced by the tastes of the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. Rich Bulgarian lutenitsa, unforgettable Moroccan carrots, and blue crab hummus flavored with lemon and butter are just a few of the restaurant's winning options