The Best Places to Eat in New Orleans

If America ever had a culinary capital, it might very well be New Orleans. Though New York City or Los Angeles might take precedence when it comes to their international range of restaurants, New Orleans’ distinct fare is unlike any other cuisine in the world. A flavorful infusion of Cajun spices, Southern barbecue, deep-fried soul food, and fresh-caught seafood, even the pickiest eater will find something to love in The Big Easy.

From classic po’ boy shacks to upscale seafood restaurants, here are some of the best places to eat in New Orleans, each of which we heartily recommend trying.

Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar

If there’s one food you simply must try when exploring New Orleans, it’s the city’s signature sandwich, the mouth-wateringly delicious po’ boy. The Big Easy’s answer to the Philadelphia cheesesteak or the Chicago hot dog, few meals in New Orleans surpass the simple charm of deep-fried seafood stuffed into a crunchy French baguette.

While there are many New Orleans restaurants that feature po’ boys on their menu, Domilise’s might just take rank as the very best po’ boy sandwich shop in the city. With protein options ranging from pork sausage and roast beef to fried shrimp and fresh catfish, Domilise’s caters to every prospective patron within its inviting front doors.

Brennan’s

As with all the best New Orleans eateries, there’s nary a bad option when it comes to Brennan’s eclectic menu. A New Orleans staple dating back to 1946, Brennan’s combines classic Creole dishes with a fittingly modern presentation (as designed by executive chef Ryan Hacker).

The results give way to a menu filled with memorable items, each more unforgettably delicious than the last. No matter which meal you choose to go with, be sure to finish your dining experience at Brennan’s with their signature bananas foster dessert.

Cochon 

Anyone who claims you shouldn’t mess with perfection clearly has never eaten at Cochon. At Cochon, diners are guaranteed to find menu options they won’t find anywhere else, from a hearty hog’s head cheese with homemade mustard and pickles to a gravy-swamped rabbit and dumpling dinner.

An upscale take on traditional Southern specialties, Cochon pairs some of The Big Easy’s finest chefs with locally sourced produce, fresh-caught seafood, and premium meats, paving the way to one of the best restaurants in all of Louisiana. 

Brigtsen’s 

Brigtsen’s may not appear as outwardly impressive as its more decorative New Orleans contemporaries like Antoine’s or Brennan’s. Within its unassuming front doors, though, lies a novel dining experience that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for Cajun cooking.

Infusing delectable Creole ingredients with largely French recipes, Brigtsen’s boasts the best of both worlds, bringing each side of the Atlantic together for one memorably bold flavor profile.

Gris-Gris

Opened in 2018 by executive chef Eric Cook, Gris-Gris has quickly become a culinary hotspot for eager travelers flocking to Louisiana’s most populated city. Offering a contemporary atmosphere coupled with tried-and-true Cajun recipes, every item on Gris-Gris’ menu is worth trying at some point or another.

While there’s certainly no bad options in terms of Gris-Gris’s menu, we recommend the redfish dinner, which includes a fried whole fish topped with seafood tomato sauce, a char-cooked lemon, and fluffy popcorn rice. To wash it down, we suggest either ordering a seasonal daiquiri, a local draft beer, or the foreboding Voodoo Queen (tequila, pomegranate, gran gala, hibiscus, rosemary, lemon, and lime).

Commander’s Palace

Another iconic venue in the Paris of the South, Commander’s Palace has been outfitting curious patrons with flavorful meals since 1880, making it one of New Orleans’ oldest restaurants (as well as one of its best).

How do you know you’re guaranteed a good meal at Commander’s Palace? Simple. Executive chef Meg Bickford specifically implemented a strict “dirt to plate within 100 miles” policy for each of her recipes.

That means every menu item – from the hickory-smoked cauliflower to the pecan-crusted gulf fish – originates within 100 miles of Commander’s location, ensuring every meal is fresh, locally sourced, and (most importantly) 100% delicious.

Daisy Dukes French Quarter

Daisy Dukes has a few locations sprinkled throughout New Orleans, but we’ll go out on a limb and say that the French Quarter’s Daisy Dukes is the best of the bunch.

Operating from 7 AM to 2 PM every day save for Wednesday, Daisy Dukes totes an assortment of exquisite breakfast, lunch, and brunch items, including eggs, shrimp and grits, Belgian waffles, and a blackened alligator platter that will leave shedding tears of rapturous joy.

Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant in the French Quarter

An off-shoot of the original Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant in Bucktown, Deanie’s French Quarter location combines its conveniently placed location with a first-rate dining experience.

At Deanie’s, diners can find any and every Southern dish they could hope to imagine, from peel and eat gulf shrimp and charbroiled oysters to gumbo, blackened redfish, and crawfish étouffée (the latter of which is Deanie’s specialty).

Jamila’s Cafe

Naturally, New Orleans specializes in Cajun-inspired dishes and traditional Southern cooking. However, that doesn’t mean the city fails to offer culinary staples outside the realm of Southern delicacies.

At Jamila’s Cafe, patrons can get their hands on a mix of Tunisian and Mediterranean dishes, each more filling than the last. While we’re never one to shy away from the Tajine of Lamb or Jamila’s Couscous à l’Agneau, we also suggest ordering some of Jamila’s local favorites, like the cafe’s signature crawfish, zucchini, and spinach bisque.

Antoine’s Restaurant

Opening its doors in 1840, very little has changed about Antoine’s Restaurant since its inception 200 years ago. Transporting patrons back to the mid 19th century with its elegant dishes and tasteful atmosphere, there’s little reason to wonder why Antoine’s has become such an iconic destination within Louisiana’s Crescent City.

Famously described as the birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller, Antoine’s offers an assortment of delicious Creole and French-inspired menu items, ranging from butter and parsley-drenched escargots to a Baked Alaska dessert roughly the size of an iceberg. Needless to say, you’ll want to come with a big appetite.

Did We Mention Your Favorite Nola Eatery?

What is your go-to spot to grab a bite when you visit New Orleans? Let us know in the comments!