33 Best Restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana

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.

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).

"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.

Founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi, N7 is easily one of the most romantic dining experiences in town. Once you find this hidden gem, tucked behind a barely marked large wooden fence on a quiet street off of St. Claude Avenue, the adorable, candlelit courtyard and Parisian bistro interior will whisk you away to a dreamy evening. You will be able to find divine French classics like the French onion soup, bouillabaisse, and escargot, as well as delicious Japanese staples like chicken karaage and smoked mackeral. A small, carefully curated wine and cocktail list add to the charm of the experience.

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).

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.

Rustic and charming, this cramped second floor dining room lords over Frenchmen Street and serves big plates of classic Italian-American cuisine with a Creole twist. Decadent seafood sauces are especially pleasing for garlic lovers. There are no reservations and the food and service is a little mixed, but it's always an experience here (and usually lots of fun). Put your name on the list and then head downstairs for some music and drinks at the Apple Barrel, which usually has live music, or wander Frenchmen Street as you wait for a table. The stairs preclude guests in wheelchairs.

Every dish on the short menu here shows an obsessive attention to detail. The main attraction are the pizzas, which follow Neapolitan rules and use only flour, water, yeast, and salt for their dough; they enter an 800°F oven—imported from Naples—and emerge a minute later charred and fragrant. The starters feature gnocchi, arancini, and house-cured meats that hang inside a glass-walled room in the back. Despite the seriousness of the kitchen, the vibe out front is casual and contemporary. This welcoming pizzeria, like many other places on lively Freret Street, suits the needs of neighbors but turns out food worthy of a visitor's attention.

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.

This lofted space has great vegetarian options and hearty sandwiches that skew creative; think a BLT with kimchi and thick-slab bacon or smoked cauliflower, broccoli falafel, and braised beef with Bloody Mary seasoning. Cocktails are equally unique, utilizing shrubs, fresh juices, and kombucha. At night, the industrial space and romantic rooftop is used for private and community events.

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options abound at this self-proclaimed "tropical café," which playfully references the cuisines of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Fresh, local, and organic produce are used to create dishes like acarajé, a black-eyed-pea fritter stuffed with vatapá (a cashew, peanut, and coconut paste) or the Rico sandwich, a breadless creation of grilled plantains, melted cheese, vegan meat, avocado, salsa fresca, and a tangy secret sauce. Try one of the unusual fresh fruit juices: options like cupuaçu (a nutrient-packed fruit with flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, pear, banana, and chocolate), acerola (Amazon cherry), and graviola (also known as soursop, tastes like brown sugar and pears) are nearly impossible to find this side of the Amazon.

This eatery has been a haven for Uptown seafood lovers since 1919. Third- and fourth-generation family members still wait tables and staff the immaculate kitchen in back, while a reliable handful of oyster shuckers ensure that plenty of cold ones are available for the standing room–only oyster bar. Specialties from the diminutive menu include buttery char-grilled oysters, fried shrimp, trout, soft-shell-crab platters, and the restaurant's iconic fried "oyster loaf" sandwich (two thick slices of white bread stuffed with fresh and greaseless bivalves). Everything is clean, and nothing is superfluous. Even the oyster shells are turned into art on the walls by one of the owners.

Good things really do come in small packages, like the outstanding falafel you can order at the back of this unpretentious, pocket-size Middle Eastern convenience store outfitted with a handful of tables and chairs. Grab a drink from one of the glass cases, then order from a menu of mouthwatering options, like lamb kebabs and beef gyros. The vegetarian sampler plate, with creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and fresh tabouleh is the must-order dish, though. Look for international grocery items, like pistachio cotton candy from Turkey. The kitchen is open 24/7, making it an ideal spot to grab a pita after partying. There is a smaller location at 117 Decatur St. in the French Quarter.

This famous spot has hosted multiple presidents, musicians, civil rights activists, actors, and literary figures, and you can soak in the history just by viewing the many pictures and articles from over the decades that cover the wall. Come for the lunch buffet during the week for a chance to sample the famous fried chicken, red beans, and other soulful staples. Dinner service is offered Friday and Saturday night only. Chef Leah Chase, the restaurant's beloved matriarch, passed away in 2019, but her legacy lives on.

This lively neighborhood gathering space is more than just your average corner bar. For example, it streams European soccer games (opening as early as 6 am to do so) and hosts a popular trivia night on Monday. The kitchen serves quality American pub food with the occasionally Irish option thrown in for good measure.

If you're trying to find the quintessential New Orleans neighborhood restaurant, look no further: team pennants and posters vie for space on the paneled walls of the low-ceiling bar and dining room, while a jukebox blares beneath them. From the kitchen's steaming cauldrons come boiled shrimp, crabs, and crawfish, piled high and ready to be washed down with ice-cold beer. The daily po'boy roster might feature fried crawfish tails or oysters, meatballs in tomato sauce, or roast beef with gravy, but the fried-shrimp po'boy is Frankie & Johnny's calling card.

At Chef Aom Srisuk's second Thai restaurant in town, the fish is fresh, the curries are creamy, and the noodles are cooked to perfection. Try one of their Seafood Signature Dishes, with ingredients sourced from the Gulf Coast: the whole fried sea bass with spicy bird chili sauce is an explosion of flavor. There's a full bar and a well-priced happy hour.

Pimento cheese plates, boudin balls, gumbo, grits, black-eyed peas, and banana pudding rule at this vibrant, southern-inspired restaurant on the busy Freret Street corridor. Choose from hearty entrees like catfish plates, barbecue shrimp, and a fried oyster rémoulade po'boy. Locally famous cocktails like the Hurricane, Sazerac, and Pimm's Cup are available at the bar

You can't miss this bright, yellow-striped building, but it's the smell of the meat—pork shoulder, pork ribs, beef brisket, and chicken—cooking in the custom-made smoker that will draw you in. In a town not generally known for barbecue, the Joint is an exception, which is why it draws hungry patrons from far and wide. The meat is the thing, but don't skip the side dishes, which go above and beyond in concept and execution, particularly the sweet-and-spicy baked beans and the crispy-on-the-outside mac 'n' cheese. Pecan, key lime, and peanut butter pies are fitting country desserts.

What happens when a fine-dining chef opens a po'boy joint? You get delicious local shrimp and hand-cut French fries, alongside nontraditional sandwich options like chicken livers with coleslaw and vinaigrette, or fried shrimp and oysters covered in cheddar cheese and bacon. Despite the ambitions in the kitchen, this restaurant still feels like a low-key neighborhood hangout. The crowds are equal parts working class and professional, with a good number of families. The po'boy is New Orleans's own version of fast food, but here the waits can sometimes stretch to half an hour. It's wise to avoid peak meal times, or, if you're not in a hurry, order an Abita beer and settle into a seat on the patio. During brunch, they have bottomless drink options for a reasonable price.

Also known as "the pink house," Mandina's has been a neighborhood favorite for locals since 1932. Although this Canal Street fixture right on the streetcar line has expanded over the years, nothing has diminished the full flavors of shrimp rémoulade, crawfish cakes, turtle soup, or (on Monday) the iconic red beans and rice served with Italian sausage. Excellent étouffée, po'boys, fried seafood, and pastas are also on the menu. And if you're looking for the ideal bar and restaurant to spend a football Sunday in, complete with flat-screen TVs and the iciest beers in town, this is also your place.

This inviting pizzeria in the first floor of the owner's home offers an outstanding assortment of wood-fired pizzas with classic Italian toppings. The drink menu is surprisingly strong, with an ample wine list, specialty negronis, and refreshing spritzes.

This airy, industrial space has two identities, depending on the time of day. Weekend brunches are bustling and lively and feature their popular boozy brunch drinks and the to-die-for lemon ricotta pancakes; at night, dinner unfolds under chandeliers and pendant lamps when the open kitchen serves up house-made pastas and pizza. Tables of locals and dates unwind over wine and sophisticated comfort foods. Whichever you choose, it's best to make a reservation. Expect a lively, loud atmosphere.

Families, lifelong Bywater residents, and visitors all flock to "Pizza D" for its New York–style pizza in New Orleans. A tall can of PBR and a slice of cheese will satisfy most, but delve into the specialty pies, pastas, and surprisingly pleasing salads for the full experience. There's plenty of room to eat in this converted garage (and yard out back) with a decidedly divey ambience, but expect long lines at the counter during weekends.

What started as a funky little spot in a ramshackle building on St. Claude Avenue is now a Bywater go-to for new American fare with an emphasis on vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Try the scrumptious buffalo tofu wrap; for meat-lovers, the wagyu burger is juicy and filling.

This sleek venture (whose name is short for "South of Bourbon Street") from the Commander's Palace team puts cocktails, beer, and wine front and center. The menu includes Louisiana-style snacks, such as grilled alligator sausage or cracklings with pimento-cheese fondue, and the cocktails are a mix of pre-Prohibition classics and crowd-pleasing originals. A row of self-service machines dispense wines by the taste or the glass, and a few coveted tables even have personal beer taps. The chef grew up in Puerto Rico, so Latin flavors creep into many dishes, like the oyster tacos or shrimp and tasso pinchos.

This revamped food hall offers visitors a chance to sample from a wide array of flavors. Expect a mosaic of local food artisans dishing both local favorites as well as global cuisine, ranging from Malaysian and Burmese to Mexican and Italian. There's also a chic oyster bar, bottles of wine, and a generous happy hour.

When chefs across America started ditching white tablecloths and applying fine-dining flair to burgers and bar food instead, chef Scott Boswell attempted to do the same with the rich, homey comfort food of Louisiana. Though some grumble about paying a premium for what is, at heart, New Orleans neighborhood fare, this crisply decorated café sits on a coveted corner of Jackson Square—and that view is priceless. At breakfast, pancakes are covered in Louisiana cane syrup and eggs Benedict are topped with homemade Cajun boudin. At lunch, oyster po'boys get an extra zing from rémoulade dressing with a touch of heat, and the Club Stanley is topped with spicy pesto Caesar dressing.

This Thai restaurant fits into its artsy neighborhood with servers wearing all black and a trendy, art-gallery approach to decorating. You can't go wrong with any of the curries, but the fried whole fish with three spicy chili sauces is a showstopper. Creative homemade desserts take the form of "dragon puffs" (think Thai-style beignets) and black-rice pudding. A full bar includes cocktails with Thai-influenced ingredients like lemongrass simple syrup and a bloody Mary with Thai chili-garlic infused vodka.