Top Best French Restaurants in Lower Garden District

"If you’re going to take somebody to something fancy, show them Galatoire’s in the French Quarter. Bring them to the Friday lunch, and order so many things: the pommes soufflées (crispy twice-fried potato wedges); the café brûlot (a boozy hot coffee drink, served flaming in a chafing dish); and the trout amandine (fried with a butter, lemon, and almond pan sauce)—all super-traditional New Orleans. And if the restaurant has the soft-shell crabs on the menu, you’ve got to get them."

"In 1905, founder Jean Galatoire brought French recipes and traditions to New Orleans with his restaurant. Galatoire’s has continued thriving with the help of his descendants. The original culinary customs have been preserved because the restaurant believes in consistency."

"This jackets-required grand dame of Bourbon Street open for dine-in Wednesday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and for weekly changing menu of takeout family meals. Call to order between 9 a.m."

"Herbsaint first introduced New Orleans to prolific restaurateur Donald Link. Since then, Link has opened several more excellent restaurants — Pêche, Cochon, and Cochon Butcher, and helped build a new generation of New Orleans culinary leaders. The French and Italian Herbsaint has remains one of the most consistently good restaurants in New Orleans, with the bonus of romantic outdoor seating along the downtown portion of the St. Charles streetcar line and now a menu catered to takeout and delivery."

"Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020, Herbsaint is the flagship restaurant in chef Donald Link's culinary empire. Herbsaint's food menu reflects southern, French, and Italian influences, such as the housemade spaghetti with guanciale (an Italian cured meat made of pork cheek), and fried-poached farm egg. More substantial dishes include duck leg confit with dirty rice, a crispy goat with lentils, and lamb and mushroom lasagna."

"Chef Donald Link (also of Cochon, Cochon Butcher, and Pêche Seafood Grill) turns out food that sparkles with robust flavors and top-grade ingredients...Read More"

"Tableau, Dickie Brennan’s latest production, opened in the spring of 2013. Located on Jackson Square attached to the historic Le Petit Theatre; Tableau is in the heart of the French Quarter. Tableau showcases regional ingredients and classic Creole dishes revisited."

"Head to Tableau for the best views of Jackson Square while dining. The upstairs balcony wraps around Chartres Street to St. Peter Street. Get a glimpse of the street performers while noshing on some bites."

"616 St. Peter St., (504) 934-3463; www.tableaufrenchquarter.com. Redfish Bienville is served with blue crab butter sauce and white truffle oil, frisee salad and fingerling potatoes. Reservations accepted."

"Here are a few things N7, the hidden gem of a French restaurant in the upper 9th ward doesn't have: a phone, live music, creole cuisine, New Orleans-inspired decor, a website. Now here's what you will get if you track down this unassuming bistro tucked behind a wooden fence just off of St. Claude Avenue: a gorgeous, candlelit courtyard complete with an old Citroen off to one side; cool retro meets French pop music; a menu that includes expected favorites like steak au poivre and mussels, along with the unexpected presence of mostly imported seafood in a can - think smoked sardines, spiced calamari, escabeche. There's a good rose by the glass, a nice wine list overall and a small bar at which to drink same."

"Escape to the south of France at this incredibly charming Bywater restaurant that features a delicious sake-cured salmon and goat cheese tartine, duck a l’orange, and a wine list that’s far from mainstream. Pro tip: N7’s only dessert option is a cheese plate, so expect to go elsewhere for dessert if your sweetie likes sweets. 1117 Montegut St.; an establishment so French there’s no phone number listed"

"Located in the Bywater of New Orleans, N7 is a cute little French restaurant and wine bar. Founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi, N7 specializes in French cuisine infused with a Japanese touch. The wine menu is extensive but also very selective, focusing on small European winemakers who adhere to a natural, handmade approach to winemaking."

"This quaint little neighborhood spot perfectly exemplifies what makes the French Quarter so special: even on its boundary streets, you'll find something to charm and surprise. Though locals usually occupy the tables at Meauxbar each night, these snug yet easygoing quarters welcome all comers. Framed photos, mirrors, burnished wood floors and moody lighting reinforce the bistro concept, and seating is available both at tables and at the bar."

"American , French"

"That’s the one word to describe the food at Superior Seafood!. This stylish restaurant has a zinc bar and full-service oyster bar perfect for anyone looking for Louisiana seafood and Creole-inspired cuisine. The menu changes weekly at Superior Seafood to highlight the freshest, local ingredients available, so you can always expect a quality experience."

"Superior Seafood matches its superb cuisine with a gloriously inviting venue – an expansive and historic Uptown space on the St. Charles streetcar line, all decked out in the manne..."

"Authentic Louisiana cuisine is the name of the game at this local favorite, which also gets high marks for serving one of the best breakfasts in New Orleans. Superior Seafood's unp..."

"Using both French and American influences, Cafe Minh takes a modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese BBQ Catfish, Honey-Glazed Chicken, Slow Braised Asian Short Ribs and much more are all part of Cafe Minh’s savory and sophisticated menu. Under the leadership of Vietnam natives Chef Minh Bui and Chef Cynthia VuTran, Cafe Minh offers unique entrees, familiar Vietnamese favorites and an extensive bar selection."

"Morton's The Steakhouse Added Description: Let the good times roll at Morton's The Steakhouse in New Orleans. Located just steps from the beloved French Quarter and the city's finest gaming and nightlife. Dress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-566-0221"

"St. James Cheese Company is a gourmet artisan cheese shop that also happens to do a very good lunch/light dinner. Located on Prytania in the Garden District and in the Warehouse district at 641 Tchoupitoulas close to the convention center, St. James is a locals' fave with good reason. Besides all things fromage, including regular cheese tastings, this beloved cheese shop features sandwiches like duck confit banh mi, classic Cuban, burrata salad, charcuterie, and even a cheese bar for nibbling and small bites."

"St. James’ Prytania Street location has always attracted a crowd to its shaded outdoor tables. Enjoy the bounty of the cheese case in simple form with the Ploughman’s Lunch: a selection of cheeses paired with pate, bread and salad. Or take things to the next level with mozzarella, pesto and artisanal salami grilled to gooey perfection on ciabatta, or the brie de meaux nestled with French ham on a buttered baguette."

"A local favorite in New Orleans, St. James Cheese Company has an extensive, high-end array of fromage. Visit St. James at either their uptown or Warehouse District venues for a few artisanal goods—and grab a sandwich to go while you’re there."

"Though it only opened in 2010, High Hat Cafe has already woven itself into the fabric of the neighborhood, with its menu of Louisiana staples that give it the feel of a longtime fixture. On Burgers, Brew & ’Que, Michael described the Fried Oyster Remoulade Po’ Boy as the “most crispy, savory and preeminent po’ boy in the entire city.” Gulf oysters are coated in a cornmeal dredge, deep-fried, then tossed in a housemade remoulade that forgoes the traditional mayonnaise base in favor of vinaigrette for a tangier taste. The oysters come nestled on a classic po’ boy loaf (airy on the inside and crunchy on the outside) that’s slicked with mayonnaise and topped with lettuce and tomato."

"Located on “Pimento Cheese Row” the bar is set high for this dish adapted from the owner's family recipe. Allison Richard, chef of High Hat Café says, “The real game changer is grating your own cheese.” She adds, "Fresh garlic and Hellmann's mayonnaise—the only kind I use—round it out."

"A High Hat burger is topped with pimiento cheese and served with fries. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily."