Sheba. Gabrielle Geiselman Milone
New Orleans may be reminiscent of crawfish, cookies and beignets, but there’s a lot more to the city than what’s found on Bourbon Street. NOLA has pretty much every type of cuisine you can imagine – whether you want to enjoy all the old-school classics like red beans and rice or try the liveliest spot in town, there really is something for everyone.
If you’re planning a trip to the city of Louisiana and want to make sure you visit the latest hotspots along with historical showcases, there are plenty of restaurants across the city to add to your agenda.
Read below to discover the must-book restaurants, from classic Italian with a trendy twist to elegant French-Creole favourites.
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Galatoires. Galatoires
209 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
There’s a reason this fine dining restaurant has stood the test of time. Since opening in 1905, the Franco-Creole restaurant has hosted the city’s finest, including politicians and celebrities, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you enter the lavish dining room, one of the oldest in the country is. Tennessee Williams was a regular and even included the restaurant in a scene End station longing. More recently, the iconic locale has also received praise American Horror Story: Apocalypse.
As for the menu? Be sure to order the casserole potatoes – you’ll think of them long after you’ve eaten. Pair the potatoes with a classic New Orleans cocktail (perhaps a Sazerac or the house specialty) and sample the fresh Gulf Coast seafood. The shrimp tartar sauce and oysters en brochette (fried oysters with bacon) are two of their most famous appetizers.
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Be prepared, however, as the timeless decor and elegant ambiance come with a strict dress code. So if you’re planning a trip to the restaurant, be sure to bring a jacket, despite the heat, as collared shirts for men make jackets a necessity in the evening. The tuxedo servers have been there for years and know the regulars by name. While lively restaurants spring up monthly in a city known for its hospitality scene, Galatoire’s remains the ultimate place to see and be seen. Dominik.
123 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
An Italian favorite for visitors and locals alike, Domenica is housed in the historic Roosevelt Hotel. Located in the CBD, this dining room is perfect for happy hour cocktails with plates of pasta or private events in its hidden room, The Cellar, accessible only through the kitchen.
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Originally headed by Executive Chef Alon Shaya (who later created the menu at Shaya, followed by Saba and Miss River), the menu truly offers something for everyone. The vibe is impeccable — think crystal chandeliers and colorful modern art. Food photographers, but beware because it’s definitely not an Instagram restaurant. Instead, the lights are dim, making it perfect for romantic dinner dates.
Order some of the pastas for the table to try, and while the pizza is delicious, it’s even better at the more casual Pizza Street counterpart, Pizza Domenica. Be sure to try the seasonally rotating burrata or the roasted Tuscan kale, which is a must. Domenica also has one of the best desserts in town, and in a city full of pastry chefs, that’s really saying something. Made with chocolate hazelnut pudding and bits of chocolate bark, Gianduja Budino tastes like the childhood pudding your mom made, but with a touch of grown-up Nutella.
Commander’s Palace. LA gourmet trip
1403 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
It’s no trip to New Orleans without a stop in the Lower Garden District for the famous jazz brunch at the Commander’s Palace… and, of course, a picture under the blue and white awning. This Creole restaurant has been a local landmark since 1893 and has won a whopping seven James Beard Foundation Awards.
The food here isn’t quite as creative as at newer restaurants, but it’s more than worth making a reservation for the experience and cocktails alone. During lunch, Commander’s is known to offer 25-cent martinis, so you can feel like you’re in for a real Mad Men moment. Warning: the food tends to be heavy, so go hungry and prepare to indulge. Sheba. Gabrielle Geiselman-Milone
5757 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115
If you’re a hummus fan, put this restaurant on Uptown Magazine Street on your list of must-visit New Orleans restaurants. Saba has some of the best Israeli food in the country — seriously, it’s on par with Michael Solomonov’s New York and Philadelphia restaurants.
After Alon Shaya left the Besh group, he opened Saba, known for its fluffy fresh-out-of-the-oven pita, salatim (the Hebrew word for salad) and a range of hummus with inventive ingredients. Go with friends so you can share the small plates; the labneh is unbeatable. You should also order a selection of hummus because one just isn’t enough. The Louisiana blue crab stands out, as does the black garlic Brussels sprouts that will convert even the most die-hard sprout haters. The cocktails are equally exciting, mixing NOLA traditions with an Israeli influence.
Make reservations in advance as this place fills up quickly with locals, but pro tip: if you can’t get a reservation here, you can always visit the chef’s former restaurant, Shaya, which may have vacancies. The menus are fairly similar, although the chef is still behind Saba, meaning the menu is even more creative and innovative.
Lengua Madre. Denny Culbert
1245 Constance St., New Orleans, LA 70130
This modern Mexican restaurant in the Lower Garden District has been attracting attention since it opened in Summer 2021. Lengua Madre is a true dining experience, and reservations are required for Chef Ana Castro’s famous five-course tasting menu.
While Lengua Madre accommodates allergies and dietary restrictions, don’t expect to see the menu beforehand. According to the restaurant’s website, “The element of the unknown, immersion, and trust is part of the Lengua Madre experience.” That unknown element also seems to have helped Lengua Madre land on the New York Times Restaurant list 2021. Liliette. Rebekah Todd
3637 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Lilette is classic New Orleans but with an updated twist. Lunch at this Uptown Magazine Street destination will make you feel like you’re dining in the best possible way in Europe, as the menu is inspired by both French and Italian cuisine. Lilette’s chef, John Harris, was named Best Chef by New Orleans Magazine and was a four-time James Beard finalist for Best Chef South.
It’s romantic enough for a date but will also impress any relatives you bring over for lunchtime. If you can’t get a seat in the restaurant, the bar is also quite cozy. There are a few similar restaurants on Magazine Street if you’re looking for a tasteful but relaxed atmosphere, but try Coquette or La Petite Grocery for an equally upscale vibe. Turkey and the wolf. Turkey and the wolf
739 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
Turkey and the Wolf will probably remind you of your favorite pub from the old days. It’s still one of the liveliest restaurants in town, having opened in 2017 with a single sandwich; Chef Mason Hereford is famous for his twists on childhood comfort meals, which means there’s always a line out the door — and sometimes around the block.
Located on a residential street, hotspot Lower Garden District serves sandwiches, but they’re definitely not boring lunchbox classics. Instead, Hereford reinvents everyday ingredients. He’s famous for his collard green melt, made with slow-cooked cabbage, Swiss cheese and pickled peppers, as well as his fried bologna and his reimagined wedge salad, made with all the bagel spice as a topping. End your meal with ice cream with potato chips.
Turkey and the wolf won big with Bon appetit in 2017, when Food magazine declared, “The best new restaurant in America is a sandwich shop.” It topped it, too food and wine List for Restaurant of the Year and was nominated for a James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant. If you can’t make it (or don’t feel like standing in line), there’s also a Turkey and the Wolf cookbook.
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