Top Best American Restaurants in Gentilly

"Visitors to the Garden District can’t miss the iconic striped awning in front of this historic restaurant near Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse propelled the restaurant to worldwide fame as their careers took off and now Commander’s Palace is renowned for its excellent versions of Creole classics, its refined but festive atmosphere and the 25-cent martini lunches."

"While you’re in the Garden District or shopping on Magazine Street, you have to stop by Commander’s Palace. The place has been around since 1880, and it’s one of the most famous restaurants in New Orleans for a reason. Their famous teal and white striped exterior is what landed them on this list, but definitely check them out for fine Creole dining and their jazz brunch too."

"A tarp shades the crowds that routinely show up for lunch in what began life in Treme as a bar in 1957 and morphed into a restaurant in the early ‘70s. The pork chops and smothered veal are pure comfort, but what keeps Willie Mae’s on the food map is the kitchen’s hand-battered, fried-to-order, finger-lickin’-luscious chicken."

"They'll tell you when a table is ready, and when it is, you'll eat some of the best fried chicken in existence. Don't overlook those peas either."

"Next up is District Donuts Sliders Brew, situated at 2209 Magazine St. With 4.5 stars out of 1,488 reviews on Yelp, the Garden District spot to score coffee and tea, doughnuts and burgers has proven to be a local favorite. Get ready for coconut mango, chocolate glazed and carrot cake doughnuts plus an assortment of savory fare like pork belly breakfast tacos, spicy smoked sausage kolaches and a croque madame with ham, havarti cheese, bechamel and a sunny-side up egg on a griddled doughnut."

"Ginger Mint Julep Donut from District Donuts Stroll down the lower Garden District part of Magazine Street for great shops and more restaurants. Except, you’ll be full from your meal so you can check out District Donuts for dessert and coffee. Trust us, you’re going to want to leave room to try at least one donut here or get a box to go."

"Innovative, creative, and delicious are three adjectives you could use to describe the donuts at District Donuts Sliders Brew. The name of the restaurants comes from the fact that they mainly offer donuts, sliders, and ice-cold brews. Everything on the menu is so delicious that we suggest heading in to sample all three."

"Sylvain is a great French Quarter stop if you’re looking for a good high/low mix, with well-rendered elements of both at play here. The menu is steered expertly by chef Kyle Coppinger from Cochon with starters that cruise a line of artisanal ingredients—cheeses, veal sweetbreads, and duck confit all making an impact. There’s a hint of French bistro, a hint of workaday diner."

"Grab a seat on the intimate back patio at Sylvain and prepare to be dazzled. The elevated gastropub cuisine is stellar, from the famous fried chicken sandwich, grilled gulf shrimp, and pappardelle bolognese. Add in the perfect cocktails and candlelit outdoor space, and you won’t want to leave."

"American , French ,  Cajun"

"Lizardi rolls are egg rolls filled with cabbage, crabmeat, shrimp and crawfish seasoned with Asian and Cajun spices and served with sweet chili sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat."

"You'll find everything from pizza to Middle Eastern to Vietnamese (plus a cocktail bar) at the stylish Pythian Market, a food hall located on the edge of the French Quarter. I've only been once, but I loved the flavor-packed Mushroom Medley Salad from Squeezed, and my husband had a Phoritto (basically, pho in burrito form ... a tofu version is available) from Eatwell."

"Next on our list of the absolute best lunch spots in New Orleans: Pythian Market is more than just a food hall in downtown New Orleans. In the market, you’ll not only find local food, but also a craft bar and curated retail vendors. Pythian Market is a gathering place for food, community, and commemoration of New Orleans culture."

"Pythian Market, 234 Loyola Ave., (504) 481-9599; www.pythianmarket.com. A Nashville hot chicken sandwich features a fried chicken breast dunked in Nashville-style hot sauce on a toasted sesame bun with house-made pickles."

"Steak + Chop, 91 Westbank Expressway, Gretna, (504) 513-2606; Craft Tavern, 700 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 613-2350; 759 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 309-5231; TackleBox, Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette French Quarter Area Hotel, 817 Common St., (504) 827-1651; www.legacykitchen.com. Redfish St. Charles features a seared fillet topped with garlic-herb butter, seared asparagus and baby portobello mushrooms served with crawfish cornbread. Reservations accepted."

"Christmas lights wind through a treasure trove of old and new food-related books, many carrying the names of local chefs — Besh, Link, Prudhomme, Spicer — and restaurants. In the mix: vintage church cookbooks (“Angel Food”), “vacation” glasses (to-go cups) and hundreds of record albums."

"One of the best kept-secrets when it comes to romantic French restaurants. Here, you’ll find unique items like frogs legs but familiar ones as well, such as grilled rack of lamb, Cornish hen, or grilled salmon. Don’t like French food?"

"Sadly, both Kay and Paul Prudhomme are no longer with us, but their revolutionary K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen still lives on. Kay was the businesswoman, Paul was the Cajun chef who knew just how to make diners smile. His blackened catfish took the world by storm in 1979 (it even caused a catfish shortage) and his blackening spices are still just as delicious today, now made with fresh Louisiana drum."

"K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen is a legendary New Orleans restaurant serving upscale Cajun and Creole dishes with top-quality service and atmosphere. It features open kitchens, a beautiful courtyard, and private event rooms with a balcony overlooking the French Quarter. Many say it is hands-down the best Cajun and Creole, French Quarter restaurant in New Orleans."

"A Louisiana drum fillet is blackened in a cast-iron skillet and served with crabmeat-chipotle compote, potatoes and vegetables. Reservations recommended."

"4641 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 779-2252: www.carrabbas.com. Shrimp and scallop spiedino features wood-grilled seafood topped with Italian breadcrumbs served with lemon butter and a side."

"This brand-new café in historic Algiers Point—just a short ferry ride across the Mississippi from the French Quarter and the seen-better-days Café du Monde—fuses Seattle expertise and New Orleans flair in a classic corner storefront that invites lingering. (There are snacks.) Ask about the house beer, brewed in collaboration with local startup Urban South. congregationcoffee.com"

"Congregation Coffee is the brainchild of a New Orleans native and a Seattle transplant who met while working at Cochon Butcher. One of the newest roasteries in town, it’s cafe and retail shop in Algiers Point is currently serving espresso drinks daily and hosting weekend brunch pop ups."

"The fine folks on the West Bank of the Mississippi River need great coffee, too. Fortunately, Congregation Coffee — in Algiers Point — is there to make sure that happens. Gretna entrepreneur Leigh Isaacson is a fan."

"No coffee shop list can be without Café du Monde, which was established in 1892. With multiple locations and packed tables, tourists and locals alike flock to Café du Monde to try the New Orleans-style coffees and beignets. Although it does have a crowded and touristy feeling, it’s worth the wait."

"a trip to the Big Easy isn't complete without a stop at Cafe Du Monde, as far as I'm concerned. Order a cafe au lait (which is made with chicory) and a plate of beignets ... make a meal out of it so you don't have to share."

"Located in a former donut shop in a small and colorful cottage in Uptown, LUVI features food from the chef's hometown of Shanghai and other Chinese and Japanese-inspired fare. While the menu changes often, expect staples like dumplings and dan-dan noodles and raw bar items like ceviche and sashimi. Try the dragon boat, with fresh seared tuna, black caviar, and smoked soy sauce, or one of several vegan-friendly dishes, like spicy stir-fry bean curd with jalapēno, red onion, and black bean chili."

"UptownChinese and Japanese cuisine in a funky interiorTake a date to Luvi, and you’ll be guaranteed a topic of conversation over the colorful plating, fresh dishes, and bright decor. Chef Hao Gong’s inventive Shanghai cooking offers more than just adventurous dining. Dishes like pork and ginger dumplings or a raw bar selection of seared tuna and black caviar will give you something to discuss if your date night conversational skills fail you."

"Japanese yellow tail, dragon fruit , lotus chips, cucumber, sesame soy vinegar, sour plum powder #luvilove @eltonsczhou. LUVI Restaurant is the place to go to if you want to indulge in the many flavors of Shanghai and beyond. It is a fantastic and truly unique Chinese restaurant with a rich menu that is usually accompanied by great service."

"The place, in a former K & B drug store, is pretty in a 1990s sort of way with design wows like bright, multi-colored, Chihuly-esque blown glass chandeliers and bi-level white tablecloth dining (the top level is reserved for private parties). The sushi menu melds traditional Japanese dishes and New Orleans ingredients (see jazz roll, Uptown roll, and New Orleans roll on the menu) along with bento box lunch specials and a full bar including an extensive sake list and specialty cocktails. Happy hour happens daily from 3 p.m."

"Clearview Parkway, Suite A, Harahan, (504) 733-8879; Independence Mall, 4201 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite A4, Metairie, (504) 779-7253; www.sakecafela.com. A Clearview Roll features snow crab, avocado, crawfish, cream cheese, tempura-fried shrimp, smelt roe and eel sauce. Reservations accepted."

"A good meal was ruined by four obnoxious children running and stomping across the upper level and around the entire restaurant while two mothers sat drin..."

"Lilly’s Café is primarily a Vietnamese restaurant and one of the leading joints worth checking out if you are interested in the best Asian restaurants in New Orleans. It is a relatively small joint but smartly designed, with comfortable seating and a great ambiance. They have an incredible menu that will take you right into the heart of Vietnam, featuring common specialties such as banh mi, pho, and delicious wraps among others."

"This LGD staple is where numerous locals go to get their lunchtime pho fill. Many consider the broth here to be the best in town, but the menu is also home to numerous Vietnamese classics that won't break the bank."

"Spicy chicken bun is served over vermicelli in a bowl with cucumber, lettuce, ground peanuts, green onions, shallots and fish sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat."