Things to Do
Dining
Experiences
GARDEN DISTRICT RESTAURANTS
New Orleans boasts one of the most vibrant and diverse restaurant scenes in the United States, deeply rooted in Creole, Cajun, and Southern culinary traditions. The city is home to world-famous establishments like Commanders Palace and Café du Monde, alongside a thriving community of local seafood joints, po’boy shops, and innovative fine-dining experiences. Known for its rich flavors and unique dishes, New Orleans cuisine features staples such as gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, and chargrilled oysters. The restaurant industry plays a crucial role in the city’s economy, attracting millions of tourists annually while supporting thousands of local jobs. From historic French Quarter eateries to hidden neighborhood gems, the dining scene reflects the city’s cultural melting pot and deep culinary heritage. Despite challenges like hurricanes and economic shifts, New Orleans restaurants continue to thrive through resilience, creativity, and an unwavering passion for good food.
Emeril’s Delmonico
1300 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 525-4937
www.emerilsrestaurants.com
Located on the famed St. Charles Avenue streetcar line in New Orleans, Delmonico is a legendary, century-old institution and an icon in the restaurant industry since 1895. In 1997, Chef Emeril Lagasse assumed the reins of this cornerstone of traditional Creole dining and undertook an extensive historic renovation. The New Orleans Delmonico legacy continues today at Emeril’s Delmonico, where we serve a modern style of Louisiana’s Creole cuisine with Emeril’s warm style of service in a grand setting. The elegant bar serves both classic and signature cocktails and offers a daily happy hour and live music on the weekends. Chef Anthony Scanio prepares favorites like Gumbo, Crabmeat Remick and Pork Cheeks with Dirty Rice. House made charcuterie and steaks, including in-house dry aged beef, pair beautifully with the extensive wine list. Emeril’s Delmonico offers the perfect setting for your dinner or private event.
Houston’s
1755 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 524-1578
www.houstons.com
Located on St. Charles Avenue at Felicity Street, Houston’s features a rotating trio of jazz musicians playing nightly in the dining room. Be sure to try the crispy ‘Oyster’s St. Charles’ with creamed spinach that originated here.
Everything on our diverse menu of American classics is prepared daily from scratch and presented with the utmost care. Our burgers are made from house-ground chuck and brisket; we carefully select fish and filet in-house each day to ensure quality; and we bake fresh bread each morning.
Lula Restaurant Distillery
1532 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 267-7624
www.lulanola.com
In the heart of New Orleans, expertly crafted food, spirits and cocktails come together in a unique privately owned micro-distillery and restaurant. We are quintessentially southern with a distinct Louisiana influence. We are Lula Restaurant-Distillery. As the first and only restaurant-distillery in New Orleans, Louisiana and in the Southeast US, we promise to offer you an incredible experience in the shadows of our copper still and along the historic streetcar line of St. Charles Avenue
Satsuma Cafe
3218 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA (504) 304-5962
www.satsumacafe.com
Satsuma Cafe opened its doors in 2009 with hopes of providing freshly made juices, breakfast and lunch using quality, local and organic ingredients. Owners Peter and Cassi Dymond were committed to bringing healthier food to the community by creating almost everything in the kitchen from scratch. Satsuma Cafe continues to strive to be mindful of where the food that we serve is grown, produced and handled. We believe that our customers should not have to guess whether there is high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives or additives in the food we serve as we are committed to our menu not only being simple and fresh, but also unaltered.
Commanders Palace
1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 899-8221
www.commanderspalace.com
Commander’s Palace, nestled in the middle of the tree-lined Garden District, has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893. Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm. The winner of seven James Beard Foundation Awards, Commander’s Palace has evolved into a culinary legend.
Surrey’s Cafe and Juice Bar
1418 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 895-5757
www.surreysnola.com
Surrey’s is an eclectic and funky Cafe and Juice Bar with two convenient locations on historic Magazine Street in New Orleans. Our sweet and savory menu specializes in local food items with a hint of latin flavor. Surrey’s is the oldest organic juice bar in New Orleans. Both of our locations are open 7 days a week from 8 am to 3 pm, serving breakfast and lunch all day. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis, as we do not accept reservations
Shaya
4213 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-4213
www.shayarestaurant.com
Shaya restaurant marries Israeli staples with Southern flavors and modern techniques, striking a balance between innovation and tradition. Shaya approaches Israeli cuisine as a grand mosaic, drawing influence and inspiration from North Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Greece. The contemporary menu reflects the ongoing evolution of Israeli food and celebrates the abundance of Louisiana. Shaya highlights seasonal, responsibly, and locally sourced ingredients. The wood-fire oven is central to both the menu and the dining experience, from the incredible homemade, wood-fired pita to vegetable-centric small plates and heartier entrees. Many of the dishes on the diverse menu are meant to be shared and enjoyed throughout many courses.
Dakar NOLA
3814 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 493-9396
www.dakarnola.com
Dakar NOLA offers Senegalese food with a modern twist. We are a pescatarian, tasting menu, reservations only concept with 2 seatings: We offer 2 different seating options *Communal dining with other guests up to 6 max *Private table with your party only Our menu changes often and features seafood only dishes. Most items are dairy and gluten-free. We do not offer any a la carte dining options We are unable to accommodate the following allergies: Fin fish, soy, shellfish aroma/fumes, allium, honey We can NOT accommodate a Vegan diet or a vegetarian that does not eat food cooked in seafood broth.
Deanie’s Seafood
2200 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 962-7760
www.deanies.com
Deanie’s Seafood is loved by locals as the “Best Seafood Restaurant” (Times Picayune), “Best Place for Crawfish” (Tops of the Town 2014, New Orleans magazine) and the favorite place for fresh Louisiana seafood prepared in our signature Creole seasonings. For over 50 years Deanie’s has been serving huge portions of the best boiled, broiled and fried seafood. Its two restaurants in Bucktown and the French Quarter earned a Zagat food and service rating of “very good to excellent,” and its French Quarter private dining spaces are perfect for special events, rehearsal dinner and weddings. Join us in Bucktown and in the French Quarter or visit Deanie’s Louisiana seafood market online at shopdeanies.com for fresh seafood and Deanie’s prepared items shipped anywhere in the United States.
Gris Gris
1800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 272-0241
www.grisgrisnola.com
Since opening in 2018, Gris-Gris has been named New Orleans’ best new neighborhood restaurant by featuring refined, Southern cuisine, and local favorites in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Gris-Gris has been named Eater New Orleans’ Reader’s Choice for both 2018 Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year, New Orleans City Business’ 2018 Restaurant of the Year, New Orleans Magazine Best Restaurants of 2019 and TimeOut.com Best New Orleans Restaurants 2019 as well as Gambit and New Orleans Magazine’s “Best Balcony”, “Best Happy Hour”, and “Best Brunch”.