100 Best Restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana

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 imperial wagyu with sunchokes and crispy boudin or P&J oysters with paddlefish caviar and Pernod. A truly remarkable vegetarian menu can be prepared upon request. The sommelier is happy to counsel you on the surprisingly affordable wine list.

This women-owned bakery has killer sourdough bread, an assortment of sweets, and unique savory treats like the boudin boy, which has a Cajun sausage and boiled egg filling in a flakey croissant dough. The muffuletta bread sticks studded with olives and salami are not to be missed.

"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.

Dining at Café Degas is like being at a sidewalk café in Paris. The outdoor seating overlooks picturesque Esplanade Avenue (as does some of the indoor seating), and the inside dining area even has a tree growing through the center. The fare here is a mixture of French-bistro cooking and what you might find at a countryside inn—homemade pâtés, onion soup, steamed mussels, steaks, and crème brûlée. Daily specials are always creative and ingenious, and an evening here is inevitably romantic. Every Wednesday and Thursday, diners can enjoy a happy hour with pâté, cheese, and appetizer and drink specials from 3 to 5 pm. Wednesday evening often features live music, and all bottles of wine are 30% off on Thursday during dinner.

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 fried boudin with pickled peppers is a must—trust us on this one—as well as the wood-fired oysters with chili garlic butter. 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.

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.

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.

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.

At Dat Dog, the sprawling stand is painted in primary hues, as if the work had been outsourced to a talented kindergarten class, and the Hawaiian shirt–clad staff bustle about with the enthusiasm of amateur actors staging a musical. The menu is all about hot dogs, and frankfurter options range from standard German wieners to Louisiana alligator sausages. Even fish eaters and vegetarians have options (the apple sage "sausage" is deceivingly meaty). The long list of toppings includes guacamole, wasabi, and andouille sauce. And what goes better with a brat than an ice-cold brew? Luckily, the menu offers an exhaustive list of domestic and international beers. There are additional Dat Dog locations at  3336 Magazine Street and  601 Frenchmen Street.

This eatery wows diners with rustic Italian cooking and thin crust, wood-fired pizza. 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 pizzas are a must. The restaurant departs from the hotel lobby's historic, gilded decor and opts instead for sleek black walls and chain-mesh curtains, warmed by jewel-box displays of house-cured meats. From 3 to 5 pm daily, all pizzas and wines are half off, so come hungry. A smaller, more casual PIZZA Domenica is located Uptown (4933 Magazine Street).

This po'boy institution has been around in one form or another for more than a century, but the way the corner restaurant fills up each day for lunch is proof neither New Orleanians or its visitors are growing tired of it any time soon. Sink your teeth into a fried shrimp po'boy, or a dozen other delicious options, and you'll feel transported back in time---the quality hasn't changed in decades, and neither have the decor and atmosphere regulars have come to love so much

"Real food, done real good" is the motto at Elizabeth's, where the vinyl-print tablecloths look just like grandma's and breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. The menu offers everything from po'boys to a stellar seared duck, but the highlight is the lively weekend brunch served from 8 am to 2:30 pm that includes "lost bread" (also known as French toast), "redneck eggs" (fried green tomatoes with poached eggs and hollandaise), and a traditional country breakfast with a smoked pork chop (there's also bottomless mimosas, if you want to start the party early). The fried-oyster po'boy is huge and irresistible. The staff is spunky, and so is the Bywater neighborhood clientele. The praline bacon is a must. Breakfast is served every weekday as well, also from 8 to 2:30, and has almost the same options.

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.

With its elegant table settings and canvases depicting British nobility, the Grill Room on the second floor of the Windsor Court is a beacon of class and a lovely setting for special occasions. Keep your eyes peeled: celebrities in town for local film shoots often snag tables here. The creative modern American dinner menu features seasonal dishes including lamp chops with curry aioli and grilled squid with romesco sauce. Expect insightful and unusual wine selections from a deep cellar with an extensive Bordeaux collection. There's also a $35 plate special offered at lunchtime weekdays, and jazz brunch on weekends. If you're looking for a splurge meal in town, this is it.

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 wraparound 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.

Chef Donald Link (whose restaurant group includes Cochon, Gianna, Pêche, and La Boulangerie) turns out a menu that sparkles with robust flavors and top-grade ingredients at this casually upscale restaurant. Comforting small plates like the daily gumbo, fried oysters, 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.

Flower shops sometimes bloom into intimate fine-dining establishments in New Orleans, and this one, with just-bright-enough lighting and a sturdy mahogany bar, has caught on in a big way with the locals. In the kitchen, chef-owner Justin Devillier draws on contemporary American tastes, using Louisiana raw materials whenever he can. He's been quietly developing a reputation across the country, winning a coveted James Beard Award in the process. Standout items include the blue-crab beignets, the Gulf shrimp and grits with smoked bacon, and the creative (and extraordinary) alligator Bolognese, though many locals return to the red-leather banquettes for the signature burger and a round of cocktails.

Fried-oyster po'boys drenched in garlic butter, nightly pasta specials, and grilled Reuben sandwiches with succulent corned beef are some of the highlights here, but the pièce de résistance is a barbecue-shrimp po'boy, for which the shrimp are cooked in a lemon-pepper butter sauce with enough garlic to cure a cold. Liuzza's rewards the regulars who pour in almost every night with a rotating list of specials, so you'll always find something new here. The bar closes at 8 pm, and the kitchen closes before that, so make it an early dinner if you're planning to swing by.

Former contractor Jay Nix resurrected more than just a dilapidated building when he reopened Parkway: he also brought back to life a dormant community spirit. You can find neighbors and dedicated regulars from all over the city sinking their teeth into Parkway's po'boys: the roast beef with gravy and fried shrimp varieties are especially popular. Other locals simply wander in for a beer at the bar and to take in the New Orleans nostalgia decorating the walls (former President Obama was just one of many famous guests). For dessert, choose from a selection of rum cake, bread pudding, and banana pudding—all made fresh daily. Parkway is busy most weekends, especially during Jazz Fest, given its proximity to the Fair Grounds. Their famous fried oyster po'boy is only available on Wednesday and Thursday.

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).

As the restaurant's name might hint, on the menu here you'll find meat, meat, and more meat, from chicken liver mousse and charcuterie to a lamb neck with black-eyed-pea salad and a double-cut pork chop with a local cane syrup gastrique. Chef Isaac Toups, a Top Chef contestant and crowd favorite, is hardly the only young American chef obsessed with animal flesh, but at this intimate spot with DIY elegance, he adds a Louisiana edge with items like boudin, cracklings, and sides of dirty rice. But don't worry, not everything coming out of the kitchen is meat: they make their own pickles, too.

Chef-owner couple Theresa Galli and Gavin Cady turned their popular food truck into an institution for Mediterranean food-lovers. The falafel is the centerpiece—try the overstuffed falafel sandwich with veggies and sauce, or the massive "Falafel Feast" for sharing. Don't skip the shareable mezze plates, or the opportunity to dip their house-made French fries into toum (Middle Eastern creamy garlic sauce). The simple brick-and-wood interior is warm and inviting, if not cramped during busy hours. In spring and fall, the best seat is at a sidewalk café table out front.

Classic and hearty New Orleans-fare dominates at this casual eatery, where chef-owner Manny January---formerly the sous chef at Galatoire's---cooks up a storm with fresh ingredients and abundance of flavor. Grilled lamb chops, marinated and cooked with just a hint of char, became a crowd favorite, something not seen at most restaurants along this gritty stretch of Claiborne Avenue.

A rough-edge classic in every way, this no-frills eatery is a prime source for briny, chilled Gulf oysters; legendary shrimp, oyster, and roast-beef po'boys; and tender, expertly seasoned red beans and rice. Even locals can't resist, although most opt for the less crowded, if less charming, suburban branches (there's one in Metairie). Expect lengthy lines here in the French Quarter, often a half-block long. Crowds lighten in the late afternoon, making Acme a choice respite for a mid-afternoon snack of a dozen on the half shell washed down with an Abita beer.

Though some people believe Antoine's heyday passed before the turn of the 20th century, others wouldn't leave New Orleans without at least one order of the original oysters Rockefeller—baked oysters topped with a parsley-based sauce and bread crumbs. Other notables on the bilingual menu include pommes de terre soufflées (fried potato puffs), poissonamadine or meuniere (fish prepared in toasted almond or brown butter-and-lemon sauce), and baked Alaska. Tourists are generally shown to the front room, but walking through the grand labyrinth is a must. Be prepared for lackluster service. A jacket is preferred, but casually dressed diners can order most of the classic menu at the adjoining Hermes Bar.

Even with reservations, expect to wait for weekend brunch at this Uptown institution, but your taste buds will thank you later. Locals tend to linger over sultry Creole creations like étouffée omelets and house-made boudin sausage, a DIY Bloody Mary bar, and jumping live jazz on weekends. At dinner, the food is just as delicious, but the vibe is more romantic. The shrimp and grits are a standout, as is the blue crab raviolo, but there are plenty of other excellent choices. As a bonus, the expertly cultivated wine list shows plenty of options for under $50.

Renovated and under new ownership by famed restauranteur Dickie Brennan, visitors in Audubon Park can eat in an airy dining room overlooking the park's golf course, or relax with a drink on the veranda.

What owner Elizabeth Hess started as a coffee shop and bakery has evolved into a full-on café that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Besides a robust coffee program and baked goods, you'll be able to find well-made salads, cheese plates, sandwiches, and pastas. There is a happy hour every Tuesday to Saturday, from 4 to 6 pm.

Once you find the place---tucked behind the other businesses in this complex---it's easy to see why Birdy’s is a local favorite for brunch. The covered outside patio is perfect for large groups, and there’s something for everyone: from a long list of specialty coffees, juices, and cocktails, to satisfying egg plates and several salads that are anything but boring. In front of the building, its sister restaurant, The Bower, serves locally sourced New American cuisine for dinner.

Pitmasters Ronnie Evans and Philip Moseley have expertly turned what started as a popular pop-up at music venue Chickie Wah Wah's into one of the most popular barbecue joints in New Orleans. The beef brisket and pulled pork are both crowd favorites, but there are also ribs, a rotating variety of chicken wings, and an impressive line-up of sides. If you're eating with a group, you don't have to choose: the "All Meats & All Sides" lives up to its name. Located just a few blocks away from City Park, Blue Oak is a perfect place to end a warm day in New Orleans, especially if you are hoping to catch a Saints game.