A Local’s Guide to Where to Eat in the Big Easy
Looking for the best restaurants in New Orleans? This is a comprehensive list of many of our favorite places to eat in the Big Easy. A few of our staff members have lived here for over 50 years, and one of us has worked in the restaurant business for many years.
We’ve organized our favorite New Orleans restaurants by type of food, with several spots appearing in multiple categories. Some are well-known tourist destinations, while many are closer to our homes in Uptown New Orleans. There are also a few gems in Mid-City and other random spots outside of the French Quarter.
Many of the great New Orleans restaurants are located in the French Quarter, especially when it comes to fine dining and traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine.
Seafood Restaurants in New Orleans
We love seafood, and New Orleans is one of the best places in the world to find great seafood restaurants. Many of our favorite seafood spots are not fine-dining establishments, with the major exception being GW Fins.
Jacques-Imo’s Cafe
Located on Oak Street in Uptown New Orleans, this place is normally slammed, and it’s also not open for the entire month of August. It’s not cheap, but it’s also not really fine dining. The food is super-rich Creole-style fare, with the redfish being one of Jac’s famous dishes.
It’s arguably our favorite restaurant in New Orleans, but it’s such a pain to eat there that we don’t go very often. The wait can be a bit much, and there are no reservations for parties of fewer than five.
Deanie’s Seafood
The original Deanie’s seafood restaurant was located in Fat City in Metairie, but many years ago they opened a much larger restaurant in the French Quarter. The bar area is huge, and it’s a place we frequent. The crawfish balls and fried seafood are some of the best in New Orleans.
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant
Also a Fat City original, the main location is now in the Hilton Hotel just outside of the French Quarter. They are famous for their charbroiled oysters, which are amazing.
The new location has a bit of a tourist-trap vibe, and parking can be a pain. The original location in Metairie has easy parking, and we frequently make the drive to the OG.
Mother’s Restaurant
Located in the Central Business District just outside the French Quarter, Mother’s is one of the most famous restaurants in New Orleans—and it lives up to the hype. I first ate there almost 30 years ago, and the menu is nearly the same today.
They have my favorite jambalaya in town, and they also serve one of the best fried seafood platters in New Orleans.
GW Fins
The premier upscale seafood restaurant in the French Quarter. It’s expensive, but outstanding. The interior has a modern feel, and it’s a few blocks off the zoo that is Bourbon Street, which is a plus.
Best Po’ Boys in New Orleans
Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Located in Mid-City, Parkway looks more like a bar than a restaurant. They offer a large selection of po’ boys, with the roast beef being their signature dish.
It’s our favorite po’ boy shop in New Orleans, with the others on this list being close seconds.
Parasol’s Bar
This is a classic dive bar in the Irish Channel. They throw one massive block party every St. Patrick’s Day, but they also serve an outstanding shrimp po’ boy that has long been a local favorite.
Mother’s Restaurant
The Ferdie and the debris po’ boy are huge meals. They can be messy, but both are some of the best po’ boys you’ll find in New Orleans.
Crabby Jack’s
A lunch-only po’ boy shop by the famous Jac of Jacques-Imo’s. The duck po’ boy is something different and outstanding. It’s located near the Orleans and Jefferson Parish line and gets crowded during peak lunch hours, but you can usually get a table.
Cajun and Creole Restaurants
Many of the most famous Cajun restaurants in New Orleans appear in the Fine Dining section. Below are a few that are more casual and easier on the wallet.
Ye Olde College Inn
The pride and joy of Hollygrove, this local favorite serves rich Creole and classic New Orleans dishes. It feels like a fine-dining experience but with a more relaxed atmosphere.
Napoleon House
Located in the French Quarter, this unique historic building was once the home of a former mayor of New Orleans. It offers a casual dining experience with a Cajun flair.
Bars and Grills in New Orleans
Cooter Brown’s Tavern
One of the only true sports bars in Uptown. The food is outstanding, and they also serve oysters on the half shell. Like many Uptown spots, they no longer stay open as late as they once did.
Coop’s Place
Rumored to be one of Bob Dylan’s favorite spots when he lived in New Orleans, Coop’s serves unique dishes and has a strong dive-bar vibe. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a classic.
Fat Harry’s
We lived a few blocks from Fat Harry’s in our youth and spent a lot of time there. The food is excellent, but it’s more of a bar than a grill. It’s located right on the St. Charles Avenue parade route.
MRB Bar & Kitchen
One of the best late-night food spots in the French Quarter. The kitchen stays open late, and the charbroiled oysters and fried alligator sandwich are standouts.
Fine Dining Restaurants in New Orleans
Mr. B’s Bistro
The gumbo ya-ya is what keeps us coming back again and again. It’s also usually easier to get a reservation here than at many other famous French Quarter restaurants.
Commander’s Palace
One of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in New Orleans. Located in the Garden District just outside the Quarter. Dress well, make a reservation, and expect to spend some serious money.
Brennan’s
A legendary old-school New Orleans restaurant. Turtle soup, Bananas Foster, and classic Creole dishes define this iconic fine-dining experience.
Galatoire’s
Jackets are required for this Bourbon Street fine-dining institution. The food is excellent, and the atmosphere is old-school New Orleans at its best.
Other Favorite New Orleans Food Spots
Cochon Butcher
Located in the CBD near Mother’s, this is one of my top five favorite restaurants in New Orleans. It’s primarily a lunch spot, with a fine-dining sister restaurant next door. We frequent it often, and street parking is usually easy.
Café du Monde
They serve only coffee, water, and their famous beignets. The French Quarter location gets busy, but it’s worth the wait. The beignets are incredibly light and fluffy and make a great stop with kids.
Port of Call
Years ago, this was the most famous burger spot in New Orleans. Located on Esplanade near the French Quarter, it’s more of a bar with tropical drinks. They serve huge burgers with baked potatoes—no fries. The burger is good, not my favorite, but the experience is fun.
New Orleans Snowball Stands
Snowball stands are a big hit with kids and tourists. You’ll find them in small shops and pop-up stands all over the city. New Orleans snowballs are known for their ultra-fine ice and wide variety of flavors.
Daiquiri Shops
Most daiquiri shops in the French Quarter are pretty obnoxious, but you’ll find them throughout the city as well. Some old-school locations even used to have drive-through windows.
Lucky Dog Stands
These iconic hot dog carts are found along Bourbon Street. You can also grab a Lucky Dog at the airport or even at Tiger Stadium.
Reviews Coming Soon
- All-you-can-eat sashimi
- Caesar’s Buffet
- Reveillon dinners
- Crawfish boils
- Court of Two Sisters
- Late-night dining
- Breakfast spots
- Rick and Bannon’s
- Café du Monde (expanded review)
- Martin’s Cellar
