From po’ boys to beignets, New Orleans is one of America’s most unique culinary destinations. Bring your appetite and loosen your belt for a mouthwatering tour of The Big Easy’s top restaurants.
Photo By: Charles E. Martin, Flickr, CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0
Photo By: Cafe Degas
Photo By: Galatoire’s
Photo By: Acme Oyster House
Photo By: Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
Café du Monde
Enjoy powdery beignets and a café au lait at Café du Monde. This coffee shop has been a fixture of New Orleans’ French Quarter since 1862 and is open 24 hours a day ... leaving lots of time for seconds.
Chiba
Get your chopsticks ready for a sushi break at Chiba. The Japanese restaurant comes with a New Orleans twist, with dishes like this satsuma-strawberry roll – a yellowtail, mango and jalapeno combo rolled up with scallops, then topped with strawberries and satsuma sauce, made from the citrus native to the Big Easy.
Luke Restaurant
Orleans' Franco-German brasseries of old, with dishes ranging from Jagerschnitzel (breadcrumb-coated pork) to moules et frites (steamed mussels with fries).
Kingfish
If bacon’s your thing, you’ll want to try this bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeno dish at Kingfish. A newcomer on the French Quarter dining scene, this restaurant-cocktail bar is named after Huey P. Long, the colorful Louisiana governor known as The Kingfish in his day.
Mother’s Restaurant
This seafood gumbo dish keeps diners flocking to Mother’s Restaurant. Located in New Orleans’ Central Business District, the dining spot has been in business since 1938 and boasts the "world's best baked ham." We’re told they make some pretty good po’ boys, too.
Commander’s Palace
Arguably the most famous restaurant in New Orleans, Commander’s Palace has been in business since 1880. Today this landmark New Orleans dining establishment, which entertained the likes of Mark Twain in its heyday, mixes old-time Creole favorites such as Louisiana Gulf shrimp, with newer fare like Jamaican jerked cabrito empanadas.
Upperline Restaurant
You know you’re in for a treat when the lead chef of a restaurant owns over 1,000 cookbooks. Under the culinary talents of New Orleans native Dave Bridges, Upperline serves up traditional Creole and contemporary cuisine, like this juicy plate of sauteed Gulf fish meunière.
Dominique's
The chef behind this restaurant has an incredible story to tell: Born on the island of Mauritius, Dominique Macquet grew up with Asian, Creole, African and Indian culinary influences. As a chef, he went on to cook Nelson Mandela’s first meal outside a South African prison. That wide-ranging, and passionate love of, cuisine finds a place at Dominique’s.
Napoleon House
Sink your teeth into this hot muffuletta at Napoleon House. This French Quarter restaurant also serves up traditional New Orleans dishes like gumbo, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. Wash it down with a Pimm’s Cup, heralded by these guys as “the perfect beverage to complete your experience at the Napoleon House.”
Cafe Degas
No, it’s not Miami. You’re looking at the long-running and “most Gallic” French bistro in New Orleans, according to its owners, whom we have every reason to believe. Try Café Degas’ famous French onion soup (topped with croutons and melted Swiss), jumbo lump crab meat and so much more.
Galatoire’s
Back in 1896 an immigrant named Jean Galatoire left a village near Pau, France, and settled in New Orleans. He went on to purchase Victor’s Restaurant on Canal Street, rename it … and the rest is history. Heralded by the James Beard Foundation as an "outstanding restaurant," Galatoire’s serves up dishes like this mouthwatering pompano fish with crabmeat.
Acme Oyster House
Another historic (and must-try) restaurant in New Orleans is Acme Oyster House. Since opening its doors in 1910, this French Quarter spot has gone on to become the Big Easy’s most famous oyster house. Pull up a seat and enjoy dishes like raw oysters, naturally, and this succulent plate of seafood etouffee.
Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
It’s not just the menu that draws diners to Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar, it’s the views. Kick back courtesy of patio seating, and enjoy a front-row view of the St. Charles Avenue streetcar in historic Uptown New Orleans, just beyond. And the menu? With Louisiana seafood and Creole dishes, chances are you’ll like them, too.
