8 Great Restaurant Experiences in New Orleans

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New Orleans is a mecca for traveling foodies and there’s no secret that there are dozens of amazing restaurants and food experiences to choose from. You definitely don’t want to waste a meal by trying a restaurant you’re not sure about. We’re here to help you choose restaurants that offer a fantastic dining experience in New Orleans.

These aren’t the hot right now restaurants. These are the restaurants that you can count on for an incredible meal and a great time. Of course, these restaurants are also considered to be some of the best in the city. They are all-around great restaurant experiences in New Orleans that you can count on, when you only have a few meals to enjoy.

New orleans restaurant
Restaurant experiences in new orleans

For a refresher on the foods you should order, check out our guide to must-eats in New Orleans. We also have a great guide on the best cocktails in New Orleans that can’t be missed. To help with your planning, check out our shortcut guide to New Orleans, which includes lots of things to do, recommendations for where to stay, and what to eat and drink in the French Quarter.

Make the most of your time with this New Orleans 3-day itinerary. Now, let the eating begin!

Planning your trip to New Orleans?

Where to Stay

Best Tours and Experiences

Top Restaurant Experiences in New Orleans

Commander’s Palace

commanders palace meal

Located in the Garden District in a very distinctive mansion, Commander’s Palace has been one of New Orleans’s top fine dining restaurants for a very long time. It’s an experience you can’t miss.

It might be its long-time reputation as one of the most popular restaurants in the city that entices diners and makes reservations absolutely necessary, but it’s definitely a unique dining experience, especially for those who aren’t used to a first-class dining experience where the waiters wear tuxedos and refill your water glass after every sip.

The decor and ambiance of the restaurant make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a more genteel and old-world Louisiana. The menu showcases New Orleans’ unique and savory Creole specialties and the preparation and presentation stand up to expectations.

If you go for lunch on a weekday (when it’s easier to get a reservation), you’ll be rewarded with a 2-course lunch special for $20 and 25 cent martinis, which helps you assume the proper persona without running up the bill. Do keep in mind that the restaurant has a dress code. No shorts, no flip-flops. Try to dress classy. It’s part of the charm.

Location: 1403 Washington Ave
What to Order: Turtle soup, Pecan Roasted Gulf Fish or Crispy Soft Shell Crab

Cochon

Cochon's fried alligator
Cochon’s fried alligator

This bright, welcoming restaurant in the Warehouse district is run by two James Beard winners: Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski. The aim of Cochon is to elevate rustic Cajun Southern dishes with pork, seafood, and produce that is sourced from local farms and prepared in-house.

Their refined takes on boudin, andouille, and cochon with cracklings is nothing short of glory. Also, try their wood fired oysters with chili garlic butter as an appetizer, and wood-fired gulf fish “fisherman’s style” for a main. You really can’t go wrong here.

The cocktail list is extensive and includes flights of moonshine, which is perfect for the contemporary rustic setting. You can make a reservation, but they do hold seats at the bar, chef’s counter, and patio for walk-ins.

Next door is Cochon Butcher, a sandwich counter and wine bar located next door to Cochon. You can get meat to take home or order something more casual than next door.

Location: 930 Tchoupitoulas St Suite A
What to Order: Fried Alligator or Oysters, Chili Dusted Cracklins

Coquette

duck confit fettuccine
Duck Confit Fettuccine

Coquette is a true gem in the Garden District gem with a neighborhood bistro vibe and an innovative menu that changes regularly to reflect what’s in season and fresh. The chefs – Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus – put their creative twist on things and you’ll be amazed at what they come up with.

Current entrées (these change frequently) include Flounder with country ham, potatoes and little gem lettuces and Pork Shoulder with roasted cabbage and sour cherry. They also have a five-course blind tasting option that will blow you away.

The dining room is on the small side, with a row of individual tables and a large bar. The vibe is sophisticated with a touch of casual and it’s the perfect spot for a date night or special occasion.

Location: 2800 Magazine St
What to Order: 5 course blind tasting menu

Broussard’s

Broussard's Shrimp & Grits
Broussard’s Shrimp & Grits

While it’s fun to visit the new and exciting restaurants in New Orleans, sometimes you just want an old favorite that delivers on everything they make. That place is Broussard’s. Their shrimp and grits is a dish of perfection that you’ll definitely want to experience while in New Orleans.

Broussard’s has been a favorite fixture in New Orleans for nearly 100 years. It’s a traditional restaurant with white tablecloths and precise table service. It’s located right in the middle of the French Quarter, so it’s a must for visitors. Brunch is also a must here.

This is where you should order those classic Cajun New Orleans dishes you’ve been reading about, like Louisiana Crawfish Tails, Duck & Alligator Sausage Gumbo, Pompano Pontchartrain, and Tasso & Corn Macque Choux.

Location: 819 Conti St
What to Order: Fried oysters, gumbo, crawfish

Restaurant August

Restaurant August pasta
Restaurant August pasta

Housed in a historic 19th-century French-Creole building, August is one of John Besh’s masterpieces of fine dining. The restaurant has multiple dining rooms, each with a different feeling — one more open and bustling with activity, one more withdrawn and subtle.

While the historic building is full of character and the service is impeccable here, the food shines above it all. The menu options include an a la carte menu and a chef’s menu. The chef’s menu is a great way to taste an array of dishes, some of which aren’t included on the a la carte menu.

The chop salad and cauliflower three ways are great starters. We loved the gnocchi. It was pillowy soft, topped with a rich cream sauce and black truffle shaving. The dishes are sized to share, so you can try a couple of dishes to start before digging into one of the entrees.

You will want to dress smartly for this restaurant. It’s located in the CBD, not the tourist center, but it’s not a long walk from the main hotels.

Location: 301 Tchoupitoulas St
What to Order: Potato Gnocchi, Wagyu Hanger Steak

Domenica

Domenica pizza
Domenica’s Clam Pizza (photo CC Flickr user Quinn Dombrowski)

Another of John Besh’s restaurants, Domenica is a more casual dining experience, serving modern Italian specialties. Located inside the historic Roosevelt Hotel, this modern restaurant stands out, and it’s always full.

The restaurant is spacious, with plenty of room between tables and high ceilings, so even when it’s really crowded, as it often is, it’s not overwhelming. Of course, you also must head over to the Sazarac Bar in the hotel after you eat for an old school cocktail.

Domenica has an incredible happy hour, which runs every day from 2-5pm and includes half-priced pizzas and discounts on wine, beer, and cocktails. The wood-fired pizzas have the perfect crispy/chewy crust and quality ingredients.

Try fun combinations like the Gorgonzola with speck, honey, and peaches or the roasted carrot with goat cheese, brussels strouts, beets and hazelnuts. Pasta is another favorite on the menu. If you’re going for dinner, you absolutely must make a reservation.

Location: The Roosevelt Hotel, 123 Baronne St
What to Order: Squid Ink Tagliolini with Blue Crab, Gorgonzola Pizza

Pêche Seafood Grill

peche 800
Peche’s Seafood Sampler (Photo CC Flickr User T.Tseng)

Located in the Warehouse District, Peche was inspired by the foods of Spain and Uruguay and focuses on fish cooked over an open fire, which is the centerpiece of the dining experience. Peche is one of the best seafood restaurants in town.

The restaurant works with local fishermen who harvest sustainably. They serve simple seafood dishes, with an emphasis on cooking on an open wood fire. has a very trendy nautical theme and the noise level can be through the roof, but it’s all worth it for the incredible experience.

The food and service are impeccable and there’s, of course, a great cocktail menu and wine list. If you’re wondering what to order and want to try some of the best things on the menu, get the Seafood Platter, which includes oysters, shrimp, the to-die-for smoked tuna dip, tuna and shrimp ceviche, and the chef’s daily special.

The fish varies based on availability, but no matter what you order, you won’t be disappointed. Other top picks include the whole fish and the crispy fried Brussels sprouts.

Location: 800 Magazine Street
What to Order: Seafood Platter, Catfish w/ Picked Greens 

Emeril’s New Orleans

Pork Chop at Emeril's

You might be thinking that dining at a celebrity chef restaurant might be too gimmicky and touristy, but Emeril’s New Orleans, his flagship restaurant, is anything but that.

While many of the diners probably are tourists, the restaurant is very classy and modern and it’s not in a touristy area of town. Just one look at the plates of food going out from the kitchen and you’ll know you’re in for a treat.

Emeril’s is a great mix of upscale and modern, without pretension. If you like to watch the action, the Chef’s Food Bar is where you should sit. It’s a unique and enthralling dining experience. From here, you can watch the dishes being made. We watched the making of the grilled double-cut pork chop and were immediately sold.

This classic dish is always on the menu because there would be a revolt if it was removed. The truffle fried chicken for two was also drool-worthy. The sticky buffalo duck wings we had as an appetizer were so crispy and flavorful that I almost considered canceling our entrees and ordering another plate of duck. 

Location: 800 Tchoupitoulas St.
What to Order: The duck wings and the double-cut grilled pork chop.

Where to Stay in New Orleans

It can get noisy and crazy, and all kinds of fun, on Bourbon Street, but if you don’t want to be that close to the action, we recommend staying within the French Quarter, where you can easily get to everything that’s happening.

The hotels we recommend are:

Frequently Asked Questions on New Orleans Food & Restaurants

What are some must-try dishes in New Orleans?

Some must-try dishes include gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys (shrimp, oyster, or roast beef), beignets, and crawfish étouffée.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans for food festivals?

The spring and fall seasons are excellent times to visit New Orleans for food festivals. The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience in May and the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival in October are just a couple of the many culinary events held throughout the year.

Where can I experience live jazz music while dining in New Orleans?

Many restaurants in New Orleans offer live jazz performances during dinner service. Places like Preservation Hall, The Spotted Cat Music Club, and Maison Bourbon are well-known for combining great food with live jazz music.

What types of food tours are available in New Orleans?

New Orleans offers a variety of food tours catering to different tastes and preferences. Options include walking tours focused on specific neighborhoods or food themes, bus tours that cover a broader culinary spectrum across the city, and even specialized tours like cocktail or dessert tours.

Be Prepared For Travel

Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

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8 Great Restaurant Experiences in New Orleans

4 thoughts on “8 Great Restaurant Experiences in New Orleans

  1. Chi says:

    I think it’s something ALL travel lovers should experience in person! Every restaurants seems so special place, appreciate this list.

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