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The Best Restaurants in New Orleans: 16 Must-Try Spots in the Big Easy

By Eric Barton

It took a year away from New Orleans—working my second post-college job in a newsroom with fluorescent lights and lukewarm coffee—to realize just how much I’d taken the food of Louisiana for granted.

There’s a certain alchemy to eating here, where every new plate can reveal some secret about Louisiana culture: like, everybody eats red beans on Monday because it’s an easy dish on laundry day.

Now, I return to New Orleans almost every year, mostly to eat, because New Orleans never lets its culinary scene sit still. Here are 16 of the best restaurants in New Orleans, spanning established gems and newer revelations.

New Orleans

1. Compère Lapin

In the Warehouse Arts District, Nina Compton’s flagship blends her Caribbean roots with Louisiana’s bounty. Start with the conch croquettes, then move to the curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi, which feels like a warm hug after a day of exploring. Compère Lapin’s playful yet sophisticated vibe matches its namesake, a trickster rabbit from Caribbean folklore.

2. Osteria Lupo

A newcomer to Magazine Street, Osteria Lupo focuses on Northern Italian cuisine. The house-made pastas—like the squid ink tagliolini—are elegant but approachable. The industrial-chic design and open kitchen give it a big-city feel that’s a contrast to the red brick traditionalism in lots of New Orleans restaurants.

3. Mister Mao

Located in the Uptown area, Mister Mao offers an eclectic menu inspired by global flavors, reflecting Chef Sophina Uong's Cambodian-American heritage. Dishes range from Indonesian fruit salad to addictive garlic noodles, all served in a vibrant, tropically decorated space that mirrors the lively culinary narrative.

4. Palm & Pine

Located on the edge of the French Quarter, Palm & Pine is a love letter to the South. The hot sausage carimañolas, yucca fritters stuffed with spicy sausage, are a standout. Add cocktails laced with tropical spices, and you’ve got a meal that feels like a mini-vacation.

5. BABs

Chef Nina Compton strikes again, this time in the Bywater neighborhood. BABs (formerly Bywater American Bistro) offers comfort food reimagined, like the Wagyu Beef Lasagna, served with a Fontina fonduta that feels like a VIP guest at your tastebuds' party. The warm, plant-filled space makes it hard to leave.

6. Alma Café

A Bywater treasure, Alma Café serves Honduran classics with a personal touch from James Beard semifinalist Chef Melissa Araujo. The baleadas—a warm tortilla stuffed with beans, cheese, and crema—are reason enough to visit. The space is small and intimate, much like a family gathering, but with better food.

7. Costera

In Uptown, this coastal Spanish-inspired spot delivers a vibrant menu of shareable plates. Don’t miss the Braised Lamb Shank with salsa verde, which pairs perfectly with a glass of Old World Spanish wine. The casual, communal vibe at Costera ensures you’ll leave with a full stomach and, possibly, a new friend.

8. Dakar NOLA

In the Uptown neighborhood, Dakar NOLA has swiftly garnered acclaim for its exploration of West African and Creole culinary intersections. Chef Serigne Mbaye's seven-course tasting menu is both a feast and a history lesson, tracing the roots of dishes from Africa to the American South. The restaurant's commitment to storytelling and hospitality earned it the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2024.

9. The Bower

The Lower Garden District’s farm-to-table darling uses fresh ingredients from Sugar Roots Farm to craft seasonal dishes like the Seared Scallops with mushroom conserva. The Bower’s cocktail menu just nearly rivals the food, which is no small feat.

10. Birdy’s

Hidden behind the Framework building, this all-day brunch spot feels like stumbling into a whimsical backyard party. Birdy’s Brunch Board—a spread of mini pancakes, fruit, and a donut—offers something for everyone, including your Instagram followers.

11. Commons Club

The stylish dining room at Commons Club at Virgin Hotels New Orleans doubles as a social hub, complete with live music and bold Southern-Mediterranean flavors from Chef Chris Borges. The braised short ribs with polenta? As decadent as the velvet chairs in The Shag Room lounge.

12. Tujague’s

History buffs and brunch lovers converge at Tujague’s, the second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans. Try the Oysters en Brochette, which come wrapped in bacon and slathered in Crystal butter sauce—a dish as indulgent as its storied surroundings.

13. Beggar’s Banquet

Named after a Rolling Stones album, Beggar’s Banquet in the Lower Garden District offers upscale comfort food. The Duck Leg Confit with butternut squash and hot honey is a highlight, as is the tattoo-inspired mural that practically begs for a photo op.

14. Jewel of the South

Nestled in the French Quarter, Jewel of the South is celebrated for its innovative cocktail program and refined small plates. The bar's dedication to classic techniques and seasonal flavors secured it the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar in 2024. The ambiance, reminiscent of a bygone era, makes it a must-visit for cocktail enthusiasts.

15. Ayu Bakehouse

Situated in the Marigny neighborhood, Ayu Bakehouse has made a significant impact since its opening in 2022. Helmed by Kelly Jacques and Samantha Weiss, alumni of Breads Bakery, the bakery offers a diverse menu reflecting their backgrounds, including muffuletta breadsticks, chocolate babka knots, and pandan-infused coconut buns. The jalapeño cookie, paired with their in-house chai latte, is a standout.

16. MaMou

Established in November 2022 in the French Quarter, MaMou is a French restaurant that quickly gained recognition, being included in The New York Times' 2023 list of the 50 best restaurants in the United States. The brasserie, led by a powerhouse chef-sommelier team, offers modern cuisine in an art nouveau setting, with dishes that have become local favorites.