Best Lunch Restaurants in Bayou Gauche

"You know an Ace Hotel isn’t going to mess around when it comes to dining, and that’s surely the case with Josephine Estelle’s entry into the NOLA dining scene. The pasta list alone is something of a marvel, with entries ranging from a killer bucatini amatriciana and short rib fusilli with mushroom and taleggio cheese, to gemelli with duck confit. The simple canestri cacio e pepe will make you weep for your gluten-free friends."

"Josephine Estelle is an osteria from James Beard Award-nominated chefs, Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, and showcases their signature culinary style of combining the craft-centric philosophy of Italian cooking with flavors of the American South. Our seasonal menu--available daily for breakfast,...See More"

"European-style attention to detail applied to full-flavored Southern-style ingredients results in an innovative culinary experience at Josephine Estelle, which serves some of the b..."

"Like its sister Bearcat uptown, Bearcat CBD offers a menu of wholesome goodness for “Good Cat” (e.g., the savory Ranchero with vegan black beans, cashew crema, ranchero sauce, pico and avocado) and “Bad Cat” (country fried steak on Texas toast) cravings. There is more on offer downtown, however, including a contemporary rear patio fit for the pages of Dwell magazine. According to general manager Michael Matthews, Bearcat’s outdoor space has been a work in progress since the restaurant opened in December 2019."

"At Bearcat Café Uptown, your mood determines just how healthy your meal will be. Are you a “good cat” or a “bad cat” today?. The former enjoys vegan tofu scrambles or house-made yogurt while the latter indulges in gluten-free chai pancakes smothered in candied pecans and folded in with pumpkin cream cheese."

"Bearcat Cafe is a full service cafe located in Uptown New Orleans. They put a strong emphasis on “inclusion,” which particularly extends to their menu. On this menu you can find a pancake perfect for anyone… such as Gluten free, Vegan and Paleo friendly pancakes!"

"Boasting multiple locations around the city, Satsuma Café is focused on serving healthy, wholesome fare prepared from locally sourced ingredients and artisanal produce. The café is open daily for breakfast and lunch and offers a selection of daily specials, freshly squeezed juices, and fantastic coffee. Breakfast dishes include bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches, bagels and lox, avocado toast, Mexican and Satsuma breakfast plates, homemade granola and yogurt, and a vegan curry scramble."

"What you're getting: Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast Sandwich Satsuma excels because of its fresh ingredients, fresh-squeezed juices, and delectable offerings like this croissant sandwich. The basil pesto and red onion make for a divine combination on top of the layers of egg, Nueske’s ham, and melted Swiss -- and with the green component, it almost seems healthy."

"Slim Goodies Diner might be renowned for their hangover helpers called “Slammers,” which are made with scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon, but they also serve a fantastic breakfast for those looking for healthier options as well. All-day breakfast dishes include crawfish étouffée with potato latkes, vegan-friendly veggie chili with hash browns, eggs, and smoked tempeh, fluffy omelets with various fillings, egg scrambles with bacon, ham, and country fried steak, and griddle specials like French toast, Belgian waffles, and buttermilk pancakes with fresh fruit and sweet toppings. Slim Goodies Diner is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week."

"What you're getting: The Creole Slammer If you haven’t had the Creole Slammer at Slim’s, you have yet to fully live. What could be better than a plate of hash browns and eggs than a plate of hash browns and eggs generously topped with crawfish étouffée and a buttermilk biscuit?. Fair warning: there’s a sizable wait on weekends if you don’t get there early enough."

"This chain has two New Orleans locations, and the menu offers a wide variety of options from omelettes to benedicts. The spot also offers a kids menu and vegetarian dishes. Prices top out at around $12."

"It was awful- the crab meat Benedict was greasy and smelled the eggs floated in grease - I loved the coffee cups More reviews"

"Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 79A, Metairie, (504) 833-7906; www.smashburger.com. A barbecue, bacon and cheddar burger is topped with fried onions on an egg bun."

"Set in a quaint corner bungalow on Dauphine Street, Horn's Eatery and Catering is a friendly neighborhood café with lovely sidewalk seating, and they serve hearty Southern fare in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Packed with regulars and newcomers alike, the restaurant is a bustling breakfast spot with a menu of classic and traditional food such as fluffy three-egg omelets with different fillings, egg scrambles, grits and étouffée, carrot waffles, and waffle couchons. Signature dishes include the Jewish Coonass with two potato latkes, two eggs, and freshly grilled spinach topped with crawfish étouffée and a homemade biscuit, and the Havana Omelet with seasoned black beans, salsa, and cheddar cheese."

"Greasy spoon meets wood panelling at the Marigny's 24 hour breakfast and fried foods mecca founded in 1981 and seemingly (perfectly) never updated, except for new table cloths. Not the cheapest on the list, but affordable still. The biscuits and gravy will only set you back $3.95, but most dishes you're aiming toward $10, give or take."

"No shortage of Uptown huff has surrounded this longtime Magazine street bakery since Donald Link and partner Stephen Stryjewski took over from the previous (French) owners in 2015. What is undeniable: La Boulangerie’s impressive selection of hearty breads, among them the splurge-worthy olive fougasse, the blue cheese, and rosemary with sea salt loaves. Sandwiches served all day, including Boulangerie’s uptake on the egg McMuffin."

"This French bakery and café from Link Restaurant Group is routinely packed with folks from the neighborhood and beyond seeking flaky croissants, crusty loaves, savory quiche and house made ice creams. Last fall, La Boulangerie unveiled a charming rear patio that allows customers to enjoy a cappuccino – and some of the city’s best avocado toast – away from the indoor crowd. 4600 Magazine St., 269-3777, Laboulangerienola.com"

"4600 Magazine St., (504) 269-3777; www.laboulangerienola.com. A L’Atlantique sandwich includes smoked salmon, avocado, arugula and lemon mayonnaise on toasted olive bread."

"When this Mexican spot from the team at CureCo (which also operates nearby Cure and French Quarter favorite Cane and Table) opened last summer, it brought the Freret neighborhood a welcome open-air dining option. The former gas station has been reimagined as a sprawling, casual gathering spot serving up tacos, ceviche, queso fundido and specials like the birria torta. The CureCo bar pedigree is evident in the cocktail and spirits list, which includes not only praiseworthy margaritas but also creative twists on classics like the mezcal negroni or Oaxacan old fashioned."

"The gist: The team behind Cure Co. headed down Freret Street to open Vals, a taco stand with pitch-perfect mezcal margaritas and a big, gorgeous patio, making it a great pick for those who aren’t yet ready to dine indoors.The food: You’ve got “not tacos” (elotes, a beautiful tuna tostada, chips, various salsas) and tacos (crispy beef belly, sweet potato, chicken in green mole, fried fish, and pork shoulder). The cost: Starters and side $5 - $10, tacos $3, beer are $4 - $5, frozen margaritas $10 - $70.How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out online."

"Neal Bodenheimer and his partners pushed through the pandemic to open Vals, a former garage on Freret they’d been eying for more than five years. The space is warm and inviting, chef Fredo kills it with his charred tomato salsa, green mole chicken tacos, and ceviche of the day — and no surprise, the drink menu is amazing. Scan the QR code to dive deep into the tequila and mezcal list."

"The Bearcat Cafe in Uptown lets you decide by indicating healthy or less healthy items on the menu. This modern sit-down cafe offers an array of fresh breakfast and lunch options. There are also selections of coffees from Equator Coffee Co, a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, and house-made bottled beverages."

"Roux Carre is a true community restaurant dedicating its entire restaurant to the preservation of Central City culture. Various food vendors within it help to represent the African American, Caribbean, and Latin American influences of the city. These community spots include Estralita’s Express, Johnny’s Jamaican Grill,The Pupusa Lady, Splendid Pig, and the Youth Empowerment Project‘s Trafigura Work and Learn Juice Box."

"With a laissez faire approach to brewing, Brieux Carre aims to “embody the New Orleans spirit” in all of their beers. This brewery was tucked in right off of the popular Frenchmen Street, giving imbibers perfect access to craft beer. The interior of Brieux Carre in New Orleans is narrow and tight, but keep heading down the hall to get to the back courtyard for more seating."

"Atelier Vie is a craft distillery that produces a hefty lineup of spirits including Euphrosine Gin #9 Bottled in Bond; a standard version of Euphrosine; and a nine-month, barrel-aged version called Barrel-Finished Reserve. The Atelier Vie lineup also includes Louisiana Single Malt; Riz, a Louisiana rice whiskey; Calio Rum and Barrel Aged Calio Rum; Orphan Street Brandy and Orphan Street Brandy “El Jefe” Edition; Toulouse Green, a traditional-style absinthe distilled with Louisiana wormwood; and Toulouse Red, an American absinthe colored red with hibiscus. Atelier Vie also bottles Buck 25 Vodka and Orphan Street Bourbon."

"Founded in 2011, Atelier Vie produces vodka, gin, whiskey and even absinthe, from its South Broad Street location in Mid-City New Orleans.Atelier Vie’s two varieties of absinthe include the traditional green absinthe and a red version colored and flavored with hibiscus flowers. Try: Louisiana Single Malt Whiskey, Calio Rum, Orphan Street Brandy, and Euphrosine Gin, which took the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition."

"A New York po-boy includes corned beef, pastrami, salami, turkey, Swiss cheese and kosher pickles on a Leidenheimer roll and is served with fries, onion rings, potato salad, coleslaw or fruit."

"St. RochWhat you’re getting: Hot sausage po-boy with egg and cheeseSammy’s has some fine po-boys (including the “Ray Ray,” a favorite at Po-Boy Fest), but you’d be crazy not to consider its breakfast options, which include hot sausage on French with eggs and cheese for $3.99, which won’t terribly slim-down your wallet... or your waistline, for that matter."

"The overstuffed Ray Ray po’boy (fried chicken breast with grilled ham and Swiss) at this Gentilly neighborhood lunch spot is rightfully award winning. Fieri, however, was most thankful for the turkey with oyster stuffing and pumpkin bread pudding."

"3000 Elysian Fields Ave., (504) 947-0675; www.sammysfood.com. A Ray Ray sandwich is fried chicken topped with ham and Swiss cheese on Leidenheimer bread."

"Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., (504) 323-1455; www.silverwhistlecafe.com. A pimiento cheese omelet is served with hash browns and hollandaise."

"Place St. Charles, 201 St. Charles Ave., (504) 522-8198; www.stevesdiner.net. Club salad includes chicken tenders, avocado, tomatoes, egg, bacon, pepper Jack cheese and honey-bacon Dijon dressing."

"A quintessential New Orleans neighborhood spot on the corner of Panola Street and Burdette Street, Riccobono's Panola Street Café is located in the heart of Uptown and is well loved by locals and visitors alike. Food-lovers flock to this neighborhood café to tuck into classics like Crab Cakes Benedict, a host of specialty three-egg omelets with various fillings, Belgian waffles, huge stacks of pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches. Signature dishes include liver and onions and hearty breakfast plates of bacon, eggs, country ham, sausage patties, fried green tomatoes, hash browns, grits, English muffins, and toast."

"Riccobono’s Panola Street Café is known for serving some of the best breakfasts in the city. Guests can enjoy eggs benedict, crab cakes benedict, stacks of pancakes, and omelets in the heart of New Orleans. Because of the great plates, locals and tourists crowd the café."

"A Sausalito omelet includes sauteed spinach, mushrooms, green onions, garlic and mozzarella cheese and is served with grits or potatoes, toast or biscuit."