Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Bayou Gauche

"Last on our list of the top 7 bars and restaurants in New Orleans: nestled in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893, known for its award-winning food and its lively atmosphere. With some of the best Creole cuisine in New Orleans and whimsical Louisiana charm, Commander’s Palace is a quintessential New Orleans upscale dining experience. Not to mention they offer 25 cent martinis during lunch with a full entree (limit 3 per person)."

"Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm."

"You can’t miss the grand turquoise Victorian restaurant Commander’s Palace when you’re strolling through the Garden District and it shouldn’t be skipped!. Enjoy a fine Creole dining experience that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time."

"Eggs Hussarde features poached eggs over house-made English muffins with Canadian bacon, hollandaise and marchands de vin. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily."

"One of the four restaurants in the French Quarter boasting a James Beard awards, Galatoire's is the grand old man of the group. Since 1905, this high-end French-Creole restaurant on Bourbon Street has been the destination of choice of locals and tourists craving a world-class meal. The restaurants is open for lunch and dinner and the menu has virtually remained unchanged since its inception."

"The most well known (and perhaps only) fine-dining establishment on Bourbon Street, Galatoire’s has been serving up unforgettable dining experiences for almost a hundred years. It’s a dinner-jacket required institution for the most discerning epicureans. Here, you get the true New Orleans experience, thanks to its menu that embraces the history of Creole and French cuisine."

"Then the Café Brûlot, which includes orange, lemon, cloves, cinnamon, brandy, Grand Marnier, and hot French roast coffee, is a must. Bonus: This boozy beverage is served tableside with a flame show."

"GW Fin's is a classy restaurant in New Orleans that's perfect for celebrations like birthday dinners, anniversary dinners, or even a date night. After a large and delicious dinner, you need to save room for dessert, because their Salty Malty Ice Cream Pie is so good. The mix of sweet and salty makes for the perfect after-dinner treat and is great for sharing."

"G W Fins restaurant is a beautifully appointed fine-dining establishment featuring stunning metal sculptures of underwater depictions. Fishnet curtains, white linens, and fine artwork further create an elegant ambiance. Local owners Gary Wollerman and Chef Tenney Flynn have a reputation for being meticulous and providing high-quality seafood."

"Now with three locations, this colorful joint features indoor/outdoor dining, a full bar and sometimes live music. There are dogs of all breed, from polish sausage and brat to alligator, red hot and crawfish sausage. There's even the Sea Dog - tempura battered fried cod filet served with homemade tartar sauce."

"The colorfully decorated hot dog shop serves a full menu of crazy hot dog combos in New Orleans as well as at outposts outside of the city. Sides are equally inventive with a selection of loaded fries and tater tots. Plus, Dat Dog has a full bar featuring craft beers, daiquiris and specialty cocktails."

"The gourmet hotdog spot has a large, colorful outdoor space on Magazine Street near Louisiana Ave. Order at the counter, and grab yourself one of the many picnic tables to enjoy your meal. If you’re looking to catch a game, TVs are located around the outdoor area as well. Photo courtesy: Dat Dog"

"After much exhaustive research, this is our go-to bowl of pho in New Orleans (short of driving to New Orleans East). The Pho Cam Ly broth is rich and exciting and textured and makes you go all kinds of 'mmm'.... Top ChoiceCreole in Garden, Lower Garden & Central City"

"Goi cuon bo nuong is a grilled beef spring roll wrapped in rice paper with vermicelli served with peanut sauce."

"Located in the Irish Channel, Parasol’s is a longtime local favorite dive bar known for its po’ boys, sports on T.V. and St. Patrick’s Day revelry. The corner location has outside seating, and guests are always mixing and mingling with each other—all while enjoying stiff drinks and tasty eats."

"St. Patty’s Day party central, Parasol’s keeps the good times going year-round with a low-key vibe, a neighborhood bar and dozens of po’boys. Fieri called the roast beef version “capital–T tender,” but it was the muffuletta sandwich that topped his must-try list."

"(Garden District, Bars/Southern, $) Step up to the takeout window and order a roast beef Po’ Boy made to drip down to your elbows."

"You’re eating inside a slice of history at the late Leah Chase's dining room, and thankfully, the food stands up to the legacy. The menu is a deft display of Creole standards, starting with the basics—such as their meaty red beans and rice—and climbing to more complex dishes like the juicy shrimp clemenceau, a dish that couldn’t be much more local. The vast majority of the diners, though, are here to sample the world famous fried chicken, a crispy, light creation that is arguably the city’s best."

"One of the city’s landmarks, Dooky Chase Restaurant is an old school creole joint previously helmed by food industry icon Leah Chase, who passed away in 2019. Dooky Chase is to New Orleans what Sylvia’s is to Harlem. It’s an iconic place to get regional soul food that is not only pioneering and historically important, but reliably tasty."

"Legendary Creole chef Leah Chase serves down-home staples in a vibrant, art-filled space. Open for lunchDress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-821-0600"

"1313 Hickory Ave., Harahan, (504) 737-0033; www.hickorycafe.com. A focaccia burger is an 8-ounce beef patty topped with pepper Jack cheese, bacon, spinach, roasted red pepper and basil mayonnaise on focaccia."

"Only available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the fresh oysters in Parkway Tavern’s Po Boys are seasoned with garlic and cayenne pepper and then served in classic style on Leidenheimer’s bread. Like many of the best New Orleans Po Boy shops, Parkway Bakery & Tavern is located slightly off the beaten track. However, it’s worth the extra effort to travel to this Mid-City institution by cab/uber or streetcar (Canal St #48)."

"The Po-Boy was invented in New Orleans and is a staple food with local’s so needless to say it’s a must eat in New Orleans. The most popular Po-boy with local’s and visitor’s alike are the shrimp or oyster Po-boy but at Parkway Bakery and Tavern they serve the most unbelievable Surf & Turf Po-Boy’s you will ever have!. Trust us on this one."

"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."

"Sneaky Pickle is a restaurant that serves vegan and vegetarian meals made in the New Orleans style. With a relaxed atmosphere and a menu that changes on a daily basis, this café features creative, farm-fresh plates that range from a vegan Reuben sandwich to fried tofu and fried cauliflower buffalo salad. Though it offers both meat and meatless options, Sneaky Pickle is careful to make sure these ingredients never touch; a little gesture that goes a long way with vegans and vegetarians alike."

"BywaterRecently reopened after sustaining and recovering from fire damage in 2019, the Sneaky Pickle has picked up right where it left off, offering a mostly vegan menu with three hearty meat dishes to please that one friend who refuses to try anything new. Everything’s made fresh in-house, and the menu changes according to seasonality and availability from local farms."

"We’d give anything to try the Vegan Reuben sandwich or the Smokey Tempeh flatbread with vegan garlic aioli, carmelized onions, and slaw. Oh, and check out this mac and cheese with peas, mushrooms, tomatoes, greens, and cashew chorizo."

"Over in the French Quarter, check out A Gallery For Fine Photography, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 15 reviews on Yelp. Treat yourself at the art gallery by heading over to 241 Chartres St. As to what the business is known for, "Founded at a time when photography was only beginning to secure a foothold both in museum collections and in the art market at large, A Gallery for Fine Photography is a living landmark in the history of photography," it states on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties."

"Located on the corner of North Rampart Street, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is the oldest house of worship in New Orleans. Originally named the Mortuary Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua, the place of worship was built in 1826 to serve as a burial church for the victims of yellow fever. The current name of the church was received in 1918."

"If you’re down in the CBD or headed toward the French Quarter, one small church lies hidden on Rampart Street. Peering through the doors, you see a rather simple sanctuary and some of the homeless asleep on the pews. The real beauty is to either side of the altar: the shrines to St. Jude and Our Lady of Guadalupe."

"Smoothie King Center is where you’ll catch many top indoor sporting events and concerts coming through New Orleans. The multi-purpose indoor arena sits adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It’s also the home of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans."

"Try the stuffed grape leaves or the kabobs at Lebanon's Café and you will be transported to the Middle East!. The falafel and hummus are also not to be missed. Visit Lebanon's on a nice day and you might be rewarded with a street-side table, where you can watch the pedestrians running to catch the trolley."

"Lebanon’s is another Middle Eastern option in New Orleans, featuring flavorful dishes such as musaha—an appetizer consisting of sautéed eggplant with roasted garlic, jalapeño peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and celery marinated with olive oil and vinegar."

"Café Amelie is anything but an unknown entity in New Orleans. From its daily-changing, Creole-accented menu, its location in an exquisite 1836 townhouse, and, above all, its lush, romantic back garden, the charming restaurant is more than deserving of its popularity. Try the signature thick-cut pork chop served over creamy grits with sweet corn maque choux, a New Orleans–style succotash studded with smoky andouille sausage."

"For a truly unique dining experience in a wonderfully lush French Quarter courtyard, the ever-romantic Cafe Amelie offers an ideal setting for dinner or a leisurely weekend brunch. The courtyard is currently open to reserve for brunch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m."