Best Places to Eat In New Orleans

One of the world’s most well-known and fascinating cities is New Orleans.   For starters, it is known as the Festival Capital, of the World with dozens of different festivals that give the locals and visitors a chance to celebrate New Orleans multicultural heritage, music and don’t forget the food.  One of the biggest festivals this exciting and varied city is famous for is Mardi Gras.

If you’re looking for a place to go where there is nightlife around-the-clock, tons of live music opportunities and delicious cuisine that is a melting pot of American, French and African cultures.  Many people travel long distances to try some authentic New Orleans Cajun food.  With so many different restaurants to choose from you may be wondering how you are going to know which ones are good and which ones are not worth spending time at.  We have listed 10 of the best places to eat in New Orleans below to make your decision easier.

1. Bourbon House Seafood – Walk into Bourbon House and you will see that its focus is the local seafood scene.   The dishes are inspired by what is in season.   The menu is filled with authentic dishes inspired by New Orleans traditions and adding in tons of Creole flair.  Bourbon House is the city’s premier oyster bar &seafood restaurant with an exhilarating atmosphere that provides excellent views of Bourbon Street.  There is plenty of appealing New Orleans’ European heritage visible all throughout the restaurant with plenty of custom millwork and handcrafted, ornate wrought iron décor to please the eye.   Start your meal with the Plateaux de Fruits de Mer which includes an impressive array of Gulf shrimp, marinated crab fingers, shucked oysters and assorted seafood salads that are made according to what is in season.  After your appetizer, choose from many different dishes like the Chappapeela Pork Chop with bourbon whipped sweet potatoes or the Fresh Gulf Seafood Showcase with grilled Jumbo Gulf shrimp, crab claws bordelaise, char-broiled oysters and much more.
2. Commander’s Palace – In the middle of the Garden District you will find one of New Orleans landmarks since 1893. Commander’s Palace is known throughout the US for their award-winning food and its atmosphere.  They offer guests a glimpse of the storied past of New Orleans and has been a favorite destination for guests looking for Haute Creole cuisine and Louisiana charm. In 1974, the restaurant was taken over by the Brennan family: Ella, Dick, Dottie and John.  They gave the restaurant a brand new look that included painting the outside of the establishment Commander’s Blue which has become iconic.  The Brennan family has never wavered on their dedication to provide guests with exceptional Creole cuisine that includes Coriander Crusted Blue Fin Tuna, Cast Iron Seared Redfish, and many, many more.  Menus will change according to what Chef Tory selects from the array of local farm-raised and Bayou ingredients that are available.  One thing is for sure, you will always have an incredible selection of true Haute Creole cuisine to choose from that is fresh and of the highest quality that reflects the best the City has to offer.
3. The Ruby Slipper Café – Come join the staff at The Ruby Slipper Café for their delicious breakfast, lunch or Brunch dishes that will please your palate and give you traditional New Orleans flair to the southern breakfast classics, lunch dishes and their exceptional brunch offerings as well. The Ruby Slipper Café was founded in May of 2008 in New Orleans. They have since expanded to 8 locations including one opening in Baton Rouge in 2017, five in New Orleans and two on the Gulf. They were able to return home after Katrina, continuing their mission to provide their guests with superior food and beverages and excellent customer service that brings guests back to their restaurant again and again. You will love the menu choices that you have at the Ruby Slipper Café starting with breakfast where you can choose a Hot-Smoked Salmon Omelet or the Louisianan with features Gulf shrimp with cheddar cheese and seasoned with fresh thyme.  If you’re in the mood for lunch, try the Cochon Po’ Boy that features apple-braised pulled pork that has been slow-cooked and dressed with spicy creole slaw and delicious creole style mustard and served on fresh French bread.  The dishes are simple with a lot of flair and are sure to please.
4. Emeril’s New Orleans – Mention the name Emeril and everyone who knows anything about food knows who you’re talking about. Emeril’s New Orleans is the famous Chef and Restaurateur’s flagship restaurant that is located in a unique renovated pharmacy warehouse right in the middle of the Warehouse District. Chef de Cuisine David Slater works alongside Chef Emeril to deliver many bold dishes that are diverse and innovative to provide you with an experience that is one-of-a-kind.  The festive setting is not pretentious and the service is second to none.  Appetizer choices include Chile-butter glazed skewers of lobster and Jerk Grand Isle Shrimp along with several others that may grab your interest.  For dinner, take a look at dishes such as Truffle Roasted and Fried Chicken, Andouille Crusted Gulf Drum served with grilled local vegetables, glazed pecans, Creole Meuni’ere, and shoestring potatoes and much more.  Top off the night with a delicious dessert and you will leave fully satisfied and talking about when you will be back.
5. Oceana Grille – Right on the corner of Bourbon and Conti Streets is one of the best French Quarter Restaurants in New Orleans and you’re going to want to go there. Oceana Grille has a first class reputation among New Orleans locals and for good reason. They are dedicated to providing locals and guests with superior standards of excellence and top notch customer service.  One of the many popular things about Oceana Grille is that it is one of the only restaurants in the French Quarter that serve a full dinner menu until 1:00 in the morning.  It doesn’t matter if you wake up early for a delicious breakfast of Eggs Benedict or you are still hungry late night and want one of Oceana’s popular Fried Seafood Platters.  Don’t forget to try one of the best Bloody Marys in the French Quarter while you are at it.  The traditional French Quarter Courtyard is the perfect place to sit and enjoy some appetizers and one of Oceana’s delicious cocktails.  The food, the atmosphere and the service along with the huge portions will keep you returning for years and they will be thrilled to welcome you every time.
6. Jimmy J’s Café – Everything is made from scratch at Jimmy J’s Café, one of the best kept secrets in the French Quarter. Although making things from scratch may take a little longer, it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to taste and quality.   At Jimmy J’s you can have breakfast any time of the day or night during business hours which can change each night since their policy is to stay open “Till”.   Breakfast choices include delicacies such as Blueberry Brandy Glazed French Toast or if you want something lighter, how about a smoked salmon bagel?  If you are visiting Jimmy J’s for lunch you can choose from shrimp and grits, Po-boys, soups, salads and more.  Dinnertime has equally delicious choices including Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, Fried Seafood Platters, or a spicy Cochon de Lait Po-Boy with slow braised pork with jalapenos, spicy Creole coleslaw and tasty pork jus served on crusty French bread.  Once you have tried Jimmy Jo’s you’ll be even more excited to find out that they deliver as well!
7. Chophouse New Orleans –Chophouse New Orleans is owned by Jerry and Barbara Greenbaum who wanted to create an atmosphere that was reminiscent of days gone by. Places like The Stork Club, Brown Derby and other iconic glamorous places that put the focus on elegance and class.  This old-school steakhouse will thrill you not only with their incredible tasting food but with the ambience they provide as well.  Every detail is important to the owners of this classy joint.  They serve top-quality, USDA prime meats that are from barrel cut filets.  They only allow the best cooking techniques used as well. These details are not negotiable and are the standard at Chophouse New Orleans.  For your unforgettable night at Chophouse, start with a tasty Shrimp Cocktail or baked shrimp that is baked with garlic, parmesan and butter.  Move on to your main course where you will be tempted by such dishes as a huger 16 ounce New York Strip or Redfish Amandine with Crab Meat.  There is a selection of sides that are sure to please and you can finish off your exceptional dining experience with one of their mouth-watering desserts like the genuine New York Cheesecake that is shipped direct from New York.  The laid back atmosphere and live entertainment round out the evening to make it one of the most memorable and special you will have had,
8. GW Fins – GW Fins has a philosophy about their menu that is very simple and straightforward… they let nature write it. Every day, the Chef/Owner Tenney Flynn and Executive Chef Michael Nelson work with international and local regions to ensure that every type of seafood they serve is at its peak season. Their subtle culinary techniques used in preparation along with seasonal ingredients create dishes that have wonderful flavors and delicious textures.  The fish that are served at GW Fins are received by the Chefs whole and are butchered in-house, using Master butchering skills and a specially created table that is refrigerated. This allows the fish to remain at a consistently cold temperature which maintains its freshness.  The menu changes daily depending on the variety of fresh fish the chefs receive each afternoon.   When you sit down to dine at GW Fins, your menu will have just been printed that afternoon once the chefs have determined what exquisite specials they want to thrill their guests with There is a lot of positive energy at GW Fins providing guests with a contemporary venue that is both exhilarating and relaxing.  The ambience and food combine to provide guests with a phenomenal experience you’ll be talking about for a long time.
9. Two Chicks Café – What was the inspiration behind Two Chicks Café? These two chicks loved to eat.  The friends decided that they wanted to combine their passion for food with their love for New Orleans and Two Chicks Café was born. Well… along with a lot of help from their husbands who helps put together everything from the tables in the Café to the menu you order from.  They have a simple philosophy and goal; they want you to feel like family when you are dining there.   It is the perfect place to go for breakfast or lunch with such offerings as an Under the Sea Omelet, Crab Melt, Thai Shrimp Po-Boy, or Cajun Sandwich.  If you’re in the mood for a salad, give the delicious Quinoa Salad a try.   If you’re just looking for a refreshing drink, try one of their delicious fresh juices or smoothies.
10. Mr. B’s Bistro– In the heart of the French Quarter is another New Orleans Landmark that is considered the original New Orleans gourmet Bistro. Cindy Brennan, one of the legendary Brennans, owns and manages Mr. B’s Bistro and focuses on offering Creole cuisine that focuses on fresh products from local places. They are definitely one of New Orleans’s brightest stars.  It was opened in 1979 and has become a fixture of the French Quarter.  The friendly service and vibrant and delicious food are two of the mainstays of this charming Bistro.  You will be able to choose from such signature specials as Gumbo Yaya which is a spicy chicken and Andouille sausage gumbo in a very dark roux, or how about Barbecued Shrimp and many more dishes that have a Creole and Cajun influence.  Mr. B’s Bistro is dedicated to providing warm, Southern charm and hospitality along with Louisiana inspired dishes that will make you feel welcome.