There are over 1000 restaurants in the New Orleans Metro area,
and that’s not counting the chains (and if you eat in one of them, don’t bother
with the rest of this) I’ve tried less
than a third of them, but here are the 3 things you need to know about eating
in New Orleans:
1. Don’t be afraid. You can walk into any dive-looking dump and get an incredible meal. You just never know.
2. It’s usually a steal. You won’t pay much. Prices are incredibly low compared to the rest of the country.
3. Po-boys. Especially shrimp and roast beef.
1. Don’t be afraid. You can walk into any dive-looking dump and get an incredible meal. You just never know.
2. It’s usually a steal. You won’t pay much. Prices are incredibly low compared to the rest of the country.
3. Po-boys. Especially shrimp and roast beef.
As of August 2013 here’s my by-no-means comprehensive Ranking
of my favorite Dinner Spots in New Orleans, and sometimes I even recommend a
dish:
Brigtsen’s – This Riverbend jewel is just my favorite restaurant in America. Roasted Duck
Herbsaint – Terrific and always some surprising dishes. Goat if they’ve got it.
Arnaud’s – Grand New Orleans style and flavor. Very expensive but worth it.
Bayona – Susan Spicer got justifiably famous for her originality
Emeril’s – His empire started here. Expensive, but an “experience.”
Restaurant R'evolution - Very expensive, but terrific
Commanders Palace - Finally had that great meal they promise. The Grand Dame.
Mosca’s – Time stands still at this hard to find roadhouse. Oysters Mosca – my favorite restaurant dish.
Jacques-Imo’s – hip and original
Le Foret - very impressive French
Cochon – Rising star
G W Fins – a great Fish House in the French Quarter
Muriel’s – Worthy of its location on Jackson Square
Clancy’s – Neighborhood gem
Irene’s Cuisine – French Quarter red hot spot for red sauce
La Petite Grocery – Growing reputation
Bon Ton Café – Terrific Creole. Great Turtle Soup and bread pudding
K-Paul’s – Paul Prudhomme still spicy after all these years
Adolfo’s – simple, underrated Marigny spot
Mr. B’s – the Best of the Brennan Restaurants. Gumbo Ya-Ya and BBQ Shrimp
Impastato’s – Great Italian in Metairie. You expect the Rat Pack to stroll in.
Atchafalya – new and terrific
Andrea’s – Sight of a famous wedding
Red Fish Grill – Solid French Quarter menu
Palace Café – Canal Street landmark
Upperline – Great personality in people and food
Mat and Naddie’s – Hip and unique
Galatoire’s – Great old guard restaurant
La Provence – North Shore romantic landmark
Café Giovanni – Solid Italian complete with opera singers
Mondo – a Susan Spicer Bistro in the suburbs
Katie’s – local restaurant growing in stature
Vincent’s – Italian mainstay with a couple of locations
Nola – Another Emeril mainstay, less expensive
Ralph’s On the Park – Gorgeous setting, solid food
Brennan’s – a breakfast like no other (just reopened)
Stella! – Ambitious menu delivers (closed)
Liuzza’s – famous neighborhood standard
Pelican Club – Classy spot in French Quarter alley
Peppermill – Metairie classic
Fury’s – Metairie mainstay
Tujaque’s – fading star with a limited menu
Court of Two Sisters – Old guard more famous for setting than food
Tommy’s Cuisine – Solid and on the rise
Delmonico – Emeril’s expensive remodel of a classic
Tomas Bistro – similar to Tommy’s but less ambitious in food and price
Boucherie – good main course but peach and blueberry cobbler to die for
El Gato Negro – if you can get past the best Margaritas in town.
Praline Connection – Wide variety
Sal and Judy’s (Lacombe) – Impastato family on the north shore
Middendorf’s – always been worth the drive for catfish
Venezia’s – Veteran of pizza wars
Dick and Jenny’s – uptown stalwart that didn’t blow me away
Mulate’s – stop in for the Cajun dance hall atmosphere and bread pudding
Eleven 79 – just ok
Dominique’s – great pizza
High Hat Café – hot newcomer
Vera’s – for fried seafood in Slidell
Frank’s – location on Decatur has kept it alive
Gautreau’s – highly respected, rated #1
Casamento – famous for oysters, but has never grabbed me
Maximo’s Italian Grill – assume they just had a bad night
Root - Fancy Dancy, but a little too exotic for me.
Restaurant August – No one has done more for La. Cooking than John Besh, but we weren’t as impressed
Pascal’s Manale – famous for BBQ shrimp and irritating service.
Ralph and Kacoo’s – faded glory tourist trap
Brigtsen’s – This Riverbend jewel is just my favorite restaurant in America. Roasted Duck
Herbsaint – Terrific and always some surprising dishes. Goat if they’ve got it.
Arnaud’s – Grand New Orleans style and flavor. Very expensive but worth it.
Bayona – Susan Spicer got justifiably famous for her originality
Emeril’s – His empire started here. Expensive, but an “experience.”
Restaurant R'evolution - Very expensive, but terrific
Commanders Palace - Finally had that great meal they promise. The Grand Dame.
Mosca’s – Time stands still at this hard to find roadhouse. Oysters Mosca – my favorite restaurant dish.
Jacques-Imo’s – hip and original
Le Foret - very impressive French
Cochon – Rising star
G W Fins – a great Fish House in the French Quarter
Muriel’s – Worthy of its location on Jackson Square
Clancy’s – Neighborhood gem
Irene’s Cuisine – French Quarter red hot spot for red sauce
La Petite Grocery – Growing reputation
Bon Ton Café – Terrific Creole. Great Turtle Soup and bread pudding
K-Paul’s – Paul Prudhomme still spicy after all these years
Adolfo’s – simple, underrated Marigny spot
Mr. B’s – the Best of the Brennan Restaurants. Gumbo Ya-Ya and BBQ Shrimp
Impastato’s – Great Italian in Metairie. You expect the Rat Pack to stroll in.
Atchafalya – new and terrific
Andrea’s – Sight of a famous wedding
Red Fish Grill – Solid French Quarter menu
Palace Café – Canal Street landmark
Upperline – Great personality in people and food
Mat and Naddie’s – Hip and unique
Galatoire’s – Great old guard restaurant
La Provence – North Shore romantic landmark
Café Giovanni – Solid Italian complete with opera singers
Mondo – a Susan Spicer Bistro in the suburbs
Katie’s – local restaurant growing in stature
Vincent’s – Italian mainstay with a couple of locations
Nola – Another Emeril mainstay, less expensive
Ralph’s On the Park – Gorgeous setting, solid food
Brennan’s – a breakfast like no other (just reopened)
Stella! – Ambitious menu delivers (closed)
Liuzza’s – famous neighborhood standard
Pelican Club – Classy spot in French Quarter alley
Peppermill – Metairie classic
Fury’s – Metairie mainstay
Tujaque’s – fading star with a limited menu
Court of Two Sisters – Old guard more famous for setting than food
Tommy’s Cuisine – Solid and on the rise
Delmonico – Emeril’s expensive remodel of a classic
Tomas Bistro – similar to Tommy’s but less ambitious in food and price
Boucherie – good main course but peach and blueberry cobbler to die for
El Gato Negro – if you can get past the best Margaritas in town.
Praline Connection – Wide variety
Sal and Judy’s (Lacombe) – Impastato family on the north shore
Middendorf’s – always been worth the drive for catfish
Venezia’s – Veteran of pizza wars
Dick and Jenny’s – uptown stalwart that didn’t blow me away
Mulate’s – stop in for the Cajun dance hall atmosphere and bread pudding
Eleven 79 – just ok
Dominique’s – great pizza
High Hat Café – hot newcomer
Vera’s – for fried seafood in Slidell
Frank’s – location on Decatur has kept it alive
Gautreau’s – highly respected, rated #1
Casamento – famous for oysters, but has never grabbed me
Maximo’s Italian Grill – assume they just had a bad night
Root - Fancy Dancy, but a little too exotic for me.
Restaurant August – No one has done more for La. Cooking than John Besh, but we weren’t as impressed
Pascal’s Manale – famous for BBQ shrimp and irritating service.
Ralph and Kacoo’s – faded glory tourist trap
Rating the Steak Restaurants separately because oddly
enough, New Orleans is a great steak town
Charlie’s Steak House – old and basic, great cooking of T-bones, onion rings
Crescent City Steak House – where the sizzling butter began
Young’s – Slidell hidden gem
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – began in NOLA and is revered
Rib Room – When you need a prime rib fix
Dickie Brennan’s Steak House – Your normal high priced steak house
Mr. John’s Steak House – same
Steak Knife – class of Lakeview
Haven’t been there yet, but hear they’re good:
Dakota (Covington), Ristorante Del Porto (Covington), Patois, Iris, Coquette, Lilette, Café Adelaide, Rue 127, La Crepe Nanou, Gallagher’s Grill, Pardo’s, Appoline, Galvez, Cypress, Sylvain, Borgne
Lunch is just as important as dinner, mainly because it’s when you start deciding where to eat dinner:
Charlie’s Steak House – old and basic, great cooking of T-bones, onion rings
Crescent City Steak House – where the sizzling butter began
Young’s – Slidell hidden gem
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – began in NOLA and is revered
Rib Room – When you need a prime rib fix
Dickie Brennan’s Steak House – Your normal high priced steak house
Mr. John’s Steak House – same
Steak Knife – class of Lakeview
Haven’t been there yet, but hear they’re good:
Dakota (Covington), Ristorante Del Porto (Covington), Patois, Iris, Coquette, Lilette, Café Adelaide, Rue 127, La Crepe Nanou, Gallagher’s Grill, Pardo’s, Appoline, Galvez, Cypress, Sylvain, Borgne
Lunch is just as important as dinner, mainly because it’s when you start deciding where to eat dinner:
January 2015 Ranking of Rick’s Favorite Lunch Spots in New Orleans
Mandina’s – their Creole cooking is simply the best. Turtle Soup, Gumbo
Mother’s – Best Sandwiches in the world. The Ferdi
Central Grocery – Home of the Muffeletta
Parkway Bakery – Terrific PoBoys
The Company Burger – Best hamburger I’ve ever had
Liuzza’s By the Track – My favorite Roast Beef Poboy
Drago’s – charboiled oysters originated and are best here. Oyster pasta!
Radosta – a quintessential roast beef poboy
Parasol’s – another one
Bear’s – roast beef poboys on the north shore
Camellia Grill – an institution now has 2 locations
Acme Oyster House – great oysters, good sandwiches in several locations
Felix’s Oyster House – quintessential oyster bar but don’t eat anything else
The Gumbo Shop – aptly named, best gumbo in city
Willie Mae’s Scotch House – famous for fried chicken
Galley Seafood – where soft shell crabs go to be eaten
Joey K’s – Magazine street must.
Johnny’s Po-Boy Shop- the quarter’s best po-boys
Crabby Jack’s – Big and terrific portions
Deanie’s on Haynes – lunch in New Orleans East
Port of Call – Esplanade burger legend
Dooky Chase – Leah Chase is beloved. Lunch buffet on Friday
Mr. Ed’s – Metairie’s best traditional
Russell’s Marina Grill – originated the Onion Mum
Domilese – legendary
Popeye’s – ok I put a chain on the list, but it’s just better in New Orleans
Walker’s BBQ – cochon de lait poboy
Rivershack Tavern – can you eat alligator?
Ye Old College Inn – you can’t go wrong
Shortstop Po-boys – consistent landmark
Mama Rosa’s – the best Pizza I ever had, but never sure if they’re in business
Café Maspero – I don’t get the popularity, but somehow the tourist’s find it
Coop’s – great at 10 pm as well.
Parran’s – for roast beef poboys in Metairie
R and O’s – the best lakefront stop
Giorlando’s – now menu has expanded beyond the city’s best ham/cheese poboy
And finally, the other musts:
Angelo Brocato’s – from cannoli to gelato to pastries, a frequent dessert stop
Hanson’s Sno-bliz – you just think you’ve had a sno-ball
The Coffee Pot – Breakfast in the quarter
Café du Monde – Beignets
Plum Street Snoball – one of many snow ball stands that lure you in
Mandina’s – their Creole cooking is simply the best. Turtle Soup, Gumbo
Mother’s – Best Sandwiches in the world. The Ferdi
Central Grocery – Home of the Muffeletta
Parkway Bakery – Terrific PoBoys
The Company Burger – Best hamburger I’ve ever had
Liuzza’s By the Track – My favorite Roast Beef Poboy
Drago’s – charboiled oysters originated and are best here. Oyster pasta!
Radosta – a quintessential roast beef poboy
Parasol’s – another one
Bear’s – roast beef poboys on the north shore
Camellia Grill – an institution now has 2 locations
Acme Oyster House – great oysters, good sandwiches in several locations
Felix’s Oyster House – quintessential oyster bar but don’t eat anything else
The Gumbo Shop – aptly named, best gumbo in city
Willie Mae’s Scotch House – famous for fried chicken
Galley Seafood – where soft shell crabs go to be eaten
Joey K’s – Magazine street must.
Johnny’s Po-Boy Shop- the quarter’s best po-boys
Crabby Jack’s – Big and terrific portions
Deanie’s on Haynes – lunch in New Orleans East
Port of Call – Esplanade burger legend
Dooky Chase – Leah Chase is beloved. Lunch buffet on Friday
Mr. Ed’s – Metairie’s best traditional
Russell’s Marina Grill – originated the Onion Mum
Domilese – legendary
Popeye’s – ok I put a chain on the list, but it’s just better in New Orleans
Walker’s BBQ – cochon de lait poboy
Rivershack Tavern – can you eat alligator?
Ye Old College Inn – you can’t go wrong
Shortstop Po-boys – consistent landmark
Mama Rosa’s – the best Pizza I ever had, but never sure if they’re in business
Café Maspero – I don’t get the popularity, but somehow the tourist’s find it
Coop’s – great at 10 pm as well.
Parran’s – for roast beef poboys in Metairie
R and O’s – the best lakefront stop
Giorlando’s – now menu has expanded beyond the city’s best ham/cheese poboy
And finally, the other musts:
Angelo Brocato’s – from cannoli to gelato to pastries, a frequent dessert stop
Hanson’s Sno-bliz – you just think you’ve had a sno-ball
The Coffee Pot – Breakfast in the quarter
Café du Monde – Beignets
Plum Street Snoball – one of many snow ball stands that lure you in
In New Orleans and need to know - feel free to call me. Happy calories.
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