Best Nightlife in Elmwood

"If you’re off to a slower start or you’re in New Orleans for the weekend, Brunch at Commander’s Palace is unmissable. Located in the Garden District among the houses and mansions of the first Americans who settled the city in the early 19th century, the upper floors of the restaurant offers some clues to its life before it was a world-famous, James Beard award-winning eatery. (Reservations highly recommended!)"

"with a classic movie at The Prytania Theatre (Louisiana’s oldest — and only — single-screen movie house, and the one made famous in Walker Percy’s "The Moviegoer"), followed by brunch at Commander’s Palace. If someone asked me to pick the “most New Orleans restaurant” in all of New Orleans, Commander’s would win that designation in my book, hands down. Many might say Galatoire’s and that is fine."

"Since 1880, Commander’s Palace has been a hot spot in the Garden District winning numerous awards. Customers come back again and again for the award winning food and welcoming atmosphere of this place filled with history. This venue is more than a restaurant, it is a landmark."

"Parkway has been a master of pivots throughout the pandemic, from quickly establishing an efficient curbside service model to adding tenting to let seating spill outside. This patio isn’t the most open-air of the bunch — it’s more of an extension of the restaurant — but it is one of the most protected from the elements; no need to fear a storm spoiling your po’ boys and gumbo here."

"Parkway is known as a contender for most-loved po’boys in town — especially the always-overflowing shrimp. Pre-pandemic, the line to order wrapped around the entirety of the dining room, but with the addition of a huge outdoor dining area, parking lot pickup, and strict social distancing guidelines, Parkway has worked to establish a comfortable and safe setting for its loyal fans."

"Parkway Bakery & Tavern, a spot to score sandwiches, seafood and desserts in Bayou St. John, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 1,731 Yelp reviews. Head over to 538 Hagan Ave. to see for yourself."

"If you’re anything like me, your Saturday evening will have ended up on Frenchmen Street…which paves the way nicely for another of New Orleans’ best food traditions: having Sunday Brunch the morning after the night before. The queues outside The Ruby Slipper Café had already put me onto the scent that this might be a good brunch place and after a bit of research, my suspicion was confirmed – this relaxed diner-style place was, indeed, award winning. One of the things that cemented my decision to try this café was the description they have about their name:"

"A post shared by The Ruby Slipper Cafe (@rubyslippercafe) on Jan 5, 2018 at 11:51am PST. A breakfast hot spot, The Ruby Slipper Café provides a cheery atmosphere with fluffy omelettes and tasty Southern brunch fare. The kid’s menu is small but hearty, offering enticing choices such as French toast sticks tossed in sweet cinnamon sugar, buttermilk or cinnamon swirl pancakes, and even watermelon-flavoured pancakes that’ll blow kids minds!"

"The Ruby Slipper Café is a popular spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Its focus is fresh food with a New Orleans twist. The restaurant uses local produce."

"Opened by chef Mike Stoltzfus and his wife Lillian Hubbard in December 2008, Coquette is a Garden District stunner, from its gleaming floors and crisp linens to its architectural details and warm exposed brick walls. The Garden District building was built in the late 1880s and has been among other things a residence, grocery store, auto parts store and several restaurants. Chef Stoltzfus, who honed his craft as a sous chef at Restaurant August, proffers innovative southern cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced product."

"From its 19th century exterior to its glamorous chandeliers, exposed brick walls, and innovative Southern menu, this Garden District bistro is elegant yet never pretentious. Pull up to the long bar for a drink from the extensive list of wine, cocktails, and beers and a snack like onion dip with trout roe or chicken liver mousse. The concise menu also includes vegetable-forward small plates and larger dishes like smoked beef short rib with fresh turmeric, cashew, and puffed rice."

"This Garden District gem has the vibe of a neighborhood bistro but the menu of a forward-thinking, adventurous kitchen. The small list changes regularly to reflect what’s fresh and local, as well as what creative twists chefs Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus have come up with. Entrées have included black drum in vegetable sauce with fennel sausage, Mexican street corn-style okra and red snapper with butter beans."

"We stopped by for a drink before catching our flights back home. This is going to be one of our stops the next time we come. We had a great conversation ..."

"Dine out in a Creole cottage turned restaurant with candlelit brick walls and an intimate dining room. Enjoy fun spins on classics like crab mac ‘n’ cheese with thyme and cornbread crumbs, blue cheese wedge with lardons and cilantro dressing, and a charred beef carpaccio with tamari and ginger. 4729 Magazine St., (504) 894.8881"

"Dessert is central at this Uptown Creole restaurant, still the case since the departure of chef Matt Farmer. The flourless chocolate cake with macerated berries and the orange dream tart are standouts."

"Apolline has a small kitchen garden full of herbs that the staff uses to make meals taste as fresh as possible. The dinner menu includes favorites like Cold Smoked Beelers Pork Cho..."

"Peychaud’s is the newest spot from the Cure Co. team — whose portfolio includes acclaimed Freret Street cocktail bar Cure, the French Quarter’s Cane & Table, and the newer Vals, also on Freret Street. Located inside the Hotel Maison de Ville at 727 Toulouse Street, it’s all drinks here — there’s no plan to add food here, so far. It focuses on a concise menu of classic New Orleans cocktails, like the Sazerac, Vieux Carre, and Ramos gin fizz."

"An old firehouse in the Freret Street corridor transformed into a stylish, dimly lit cocktail lounge that’s been a local favorite spot since 2009. Largely credited with revitalizing the now-bustling neighborhood, Cure won the coveted award for Outstanding Bar Program from the James Beard Foundation in 2018. Expect creative drinks and an eclectic array of dishes."

"Freret Beer Room, the first and only beer-focused restaurant in New Orleans, is killing it on both fronts. The sixteen taps are well chosen to complement the menu’s small and large plates and daily specials. Chef Charles Vincent’s steamed mussels come with a smoked oyster and tomato aioli, and the tomato-braised meatballs are served over polenta."

"You can’t go wrong with a date night at this swanky Freret Street spot with a critically-acclaimed bar program. Enjoy some good tunes and conversation by candlelight at Cure. Plus, if you get a little hungry, check the bar menu for light bites."

"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."

"M Contemporary is located in a picturesque red-brick townhouse, known as The Thirteen Sisters, built on Julia Street in the 1830s. Inside the windows are lined with pretty green shutters, while the artworks on show are as mesmerizing as the building itself. The gallery is a curation of both emerging and established artists from across the US, united by their use of rich complex color and distinctive points of view."

"Since 1983, LeMieux Galleries has been showcasing artists from the Southern US. It’s a mix of pop-surrealist narratives, vibrant colors and remarkable Louisiana landscapes from painters like Thomas Deaton, Kate Samworth and Billy Solitario. Here, you’ll find artwork which captures the rich atmospheres of New Orleans to take home with you. But if you’re not looking to buy, it’s still worth investing an hour or two to see some of the Southern visual culture on display."