The 20 Best Restaurants in New Orleans

Commander's Palace is the turquoise Garden District grande dame, haute Creole since 1893 and the launchpad for Emeril and Paul Prudhomme. A friend sends you for a special occasion, absolutely. Caveats: there's a real dress code (jackets preferred for men, no shorts), and you should reserve well ahead. The 25-cent lunch martinis are legendary.

Cochon is Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski's Warehouse District temple to Cajun cooking and whole-hog cookery, all wood-fired pork, fried alligator, and rustic small plates. A friend sends you here for a serious but unfussy dinner. Caveat: it's popular and pricey-ish, so reserve ahead; walk-ins land at the bar if you're lucky.

A historic French Quarter restaurant famous for its muffaletta sandwich—a thick, soft sesame-seed round loaded with Italian meats and a distinctive vinaigrette. The courtyard atmosphere is relaxed and quintessentially New Orleans, and the kitchen handles dietary restrictions well. Be prepared for significant waits, especially during peak hours; arriving just before lunch or on quieter evenings helps.

Parkway is the Bayou St. John po-boy institution (since 1911) famous for its gravy-drenched roast beef po-boy, a genuine local favorite even presidents have eaten. A friend absolutely sends you. Caveats: it's closed Monday and Tuesday, lines can be long, and the roast beef is gloriously messy, so grab napkins.

Brennan's is a storied New Orleans fine-dining institution on Royal Street, famous for inventing Bananas Foster and delivering consistently excellent Creole cuisine in an elegant courtyard setting. Must-tries include the seafood gumbo, Eggs Hussarde, soft-shell crab, and the tableside-prepared Bananas Foster with its full theatrical history. The service is attentive and staff make special occasions memorable—but expect upscale pricing and a formal atmosphere rather than casual dining.

A legendary New Orleans institution serving traditional Creole comfort food like po'boys, jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans & rice in a casual, no-frills setting packed with decades of accumulated photos. The food is authentic and flavorful, though portions are heavy and the Famous Ferdi Special (shredded roast beef) is a standout. Be prepared: there's usually a line out the door, staff move fast and aren't patient with menu questions at the register, so study the menu on your phone before ordering.

GW Fins is the French Quarter's premier destination for serious, chef-driven seafood that goes well beyond the typical tourist fare. The menu changes daily based on what's freshest, and the wood-grilled fish preparations are consistently outstanding. The lobster dumplings and sizzling oysters are beloved starters. It's a polished, grown-up room that delivers reliably excellent food without the pretension of some fine-dining spots.

Dooky Chase's is the Treme Creole landmark run for seven decades by the late Leah Chase, a civil-rights meeting place and home to legendary gumbo and fried chicken, plus an important art collection. A friend sends you with reverence. Caveats: limited hours (closed Sun/Mon), reserve ahead, and the famous Gumbo Z'herbes is a Holy Thursday tradition.

A historic French Quarter restaurant in a 1800s building with multiple elegant rooms, known for excellent cocktails (Hurricane, Saint 75, Blackberry Basil Spritz) and dishes like turtle soup with sherry. The atmosphere is atmospheric and charming with vintage decor and a famous "ghost table" reserved for the building's resident spirit. Make a reservation well in advance—this place gets busy fast.

Antoine's is a legendary New Orleans institution since 1840, famous for its elegant historic dining rooms and classic Creole cuisine. Reviewers rave about the Oysters 2-2-2, Filet Mignon Oscar, and exceptional service, though some note the experience can be uneven and the creamed spinach is polarizing. Note that the famous birthday dessert requires an additional charge.

Domilise's is a nearly-century-old Uptown corner po-boy shop, a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick, where you order at the counter and eat fried shrimp on Leidenheimer bread by a working bar. A friend sends you for the real, un-touristed thing. Caveats: cash is king, hours are short, and it's closed Sundays.

Donald Link and Ryan Prewitt's wood-fired seafood restaurant won the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2014 and remains one of the city's finest. The whole roasted fish, Gulf shrimp, and raw bar selections are outstanding. The open, airy room with a wood-burning hearth is one of the most inviting in the city. It gets very busy and loud at peak hours, so book ahead.

A well-regarded seafood restaurant in the French Quarter known for fresh oysters, blackened redfish, and Cajun classics. Reviewers consistently praise the Rockefeller oysters, shrimp po'boy, and bread pudding with ice cream, plus attentive service from staff like Mara, Jade, and Daniel. The main caveat: it's a popular spot that can get busy, so expect crowds during peak times.

Mandina's is a Mid-City institution since 1932 serving honest, unpretentious Creole-Italian cooking to generations of New Orleans families. The turtle soup, fried seafood platters, and Italian sausage with red gravy are exactly what you want them to be. The room is old-school and comfortable, full of regulars who've been coming for decades. Cash is preferred and the vibe is refreshingly unself-conscious.

Isaac Toups' carnivore-forward restaurant is a love letter to Cajun charcuterie and bold, unapologetic cooking. The boudin, cracklins, and the whole-hog charcuterie board are essential starting points. Toups is a James Beard Award finalist whose food tastes like it comes from deep Cajun country roots. The room is loud and convivial; it's not a quiet dinner spot.

A French Quarter institution since 1788 serving classic New Orleans Creole and Cajun fare. Order the Cajun sampler to taste crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans and rice in one plate, or go for the blackened redfish, shrimp po'boy, or French onion soup—all consistently praised. One note: service can be inconsistent (some reviewers mention inattentive servers), though staff are generally friendly and accommodating.

A small, no-frills alleyway bar on Decatur Street serving authentic Cajun food in a casual, lively atmosphere. The Cajun fried chicken, jambalaya, and gumbo are standouts—flavorful and well-executed. Note that it's 21+ only, has limited seating with just a couple of tables, and the staff is known for playful ribbing, though reviewers say it's all in good fun.

A hidden-gem Caribbean fusion restaurant on Decatur Street with an exceptional cocktail program and rustic, funky atmosphere. Must-try dishes include the Fish Rundown (fried drum with crawfish), crispy braised pork ribeye with yucca hash, and crawfish croquetas; cocktails are inventive and carefully made. The casual vibe and easy reservations mean it's less crowded than other French Quarter spots, though the small, informal space fills up quickly.

A beloved neighborhood po'boy and Creole spot near Bayou St. John that's been a local institution for decades. Get the BBQ shrimp po'boy, gumbo, or roast beef po'boy with horseradish mayo—all consistently praised as some of the best in the city. Arrive early or expect a wait; the small space fills up quickly, especially at lunch.

Nina Compton's flagship restaurant blends Caribbean, Italian, and New Orleans influences into something genuinely original and delicious. The curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi is a signature dish that shouldn't work on paper but absolutely does. The space inside the Old No. 77 Hotel is stylish and comfortable. It's one of the best representations of modern New Orleans cooking.