Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Lutcher

"The Garden District mansion that houses Commander’s Palace is an odd-looking, bright aqua affair; some jokingly call the style of architecture "Victorian Cuckoo." Inside though, the food is more traditional fine dining, with a genteel, buttoned-down clientele and an enforced dress code (collared shirts, close-toed shoes). Staples here include upscale regional classics: the turtle soup, gumbo du jour, and pecan-crusted gulf fish. By far, the restaurant’s most popular tipples are the 25-cent martinis, which practically fly out of the bar during weekday lunch."

"Address: 1403 Washington AvenueNew Orleans, LA 70130Phone: (504) 899-8221Website. World-class chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme have graced the kitchen of this landmark restaurant. In existence since 1893, Commander’s Palace features “haute Creole cuisine” and a “dirt to plate within 100 miles” policy that contributes to its legendary status as one of the city’s great dining establishments."

"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."

"In recent years, this French Quarter stalwart underwent a change in ownership, a glamorous renovation and a chef replacement that has brought its shine back. Still an elegant, old-world fine dining experience with excellent service, the restaurant now offers a seasonally-inspired menu of classic Creole fare. Breakfast at Brennan’s is a must for both locals and tourists, and you can’t miss the Bananas Foster—invented here—that still gets flambéed tableside."

"Brennan's was opened in 1946 by Owen Brennan, an Irish-American, and has come to be known for its elegant breakfasts. The restaurant is housed in an 18th-century mansion, the former location of the first bank in Louisiana, and later residence of Paul Morphy, a celebrated chess champion. According to the website, their "innovative Creole menu borrows influences from French and Spanish ancestry with modern updates and distinct seasonal offerings."

"Starting the day with a cocktail just seems like the right thing to do in New Orleans. And at Brennan’s Restaurant, a morning nip is practically a prerequisite. This grand dame of the New Orleans dining scene has served boozy breakfasts since the early ’50s, drawing locals and tourists alike."

"A Friday lunch at Galatoire’s is the stuff of legend, but good luck getting in. The black and white tiled downstairs dining room at the more than a century old Bourbon Street reprieve is the only acceptable place to sit, but it doesn’t take reservations (and lines to get in can be long). Eater favorites include the Galatoire goute (crabmeat maison and shrimp remoulade); pompano meuniere with crabmeat; oysters Rockefeller; and fried soft shell crab laced with brown butter when it’s in season."

"About Etouffee: Often made with shrimp or crawfish over rice, Etouffee (eh-TOO-fay) is a hit with both Cajun and Creole homes. While Bon Ton Cafe is one of the places servicing the dish the longest we like to order it at Galatoire’s. It may be a little fancy but this is a great place to eat and THE place to be for lunch on Friday."

"If you're lucky enough to go on a night when soft-shell crab is on the menu, it'll be one of the best damn pieces of food you'll ever put in your mouth."

"GW Fins’s celebration of everything seasonal, fresh, and from the water is contagious, with chef Michael Nelson constantly churning out specials, and specialties, that convey the love and care brought to each dish. The white linen French Quarter restaurant adapted quickly during the pandemic, offering dishes that were takeout-appropriate as well as quarts of Nelson’s beloved sauces, soups, and sides; offering delivery for the first time ever; and selling fresh, uncooked seafood from its supplier. That dedication to its product — lobster, fish collars, sheepshead, sea bass, and more — and diners make GW Fins a standout."

"GW Fins on Iberville is the place where chef Tenney Flynn and co-owner Gary Wollerman have been cooking the best and freshest seafood in New Orleans for close to 20 years—quite the statement in a city that adores its seafood. The daily menu, which is settled upon at 4pm, depends on what seafood the staff was able to find that same morning. If you're lucky, the lobster dumplings will be there, as well as the "scalibut," the venue’s signature dish featuring halibut, sea scallops and risotto."

"GW Fins is one of the best restaurants in New Orleans to find a fish selection from around the world. Their menu is on the fancier side, and their appetizers are worth every craving!. Some of their appetizers include Lobster Dumplings and Fried Snapper Breast."

"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."

"Now with four 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."

"With three locations (Uptown, Garden District and Mid-City), there are several opportunities to try delightful breakfast treats like breakfast sandwiches, house-cured salmon bagels, house-made granola, morning buns and other baked goods. The Uptown location on Prytania has more seating. Pick up a baguette for later on your way out."

"What you're getting: A Pretzel Croissant Pastries, pastries, and more pastries are what you’ll find at Gracious, as well as a load of sandwiches and elegant desserts. Bonus points for its creative approach to baking, which brings with it the Hazelnut “Kermit” Cruffin, as well as Pretzel Croissants."

"The pastry cases at Gracious never disappoint, and neither do their donuts. When you make a stop here, pick from options like blueberry glazed, mango cream-filled with coconut or honey cornmeal—then grab a couple of baguettes to make sandwiches for later."

"The best eatery for oyster enthusiasts is Desire Oyster Bar, which is located within the Royal Sonesta Hotel. It is in the French Quarter on the corner of Bourbon Street and Bienville Street. Creole dishes featuring Louisiana seafood is what you can expect to find on the menu, and oyster dishes are the most popular option."

"Dinner at Desire Oyster Bar For dinner, you have to get oysters if you like them. They are one of the most famous foods here in New Orleans. This is a popular place for them and is also no-frills."

"Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St., (504) 553-2281; www.sonesta.com/desireoysterbar. Char-grilled oysters are topped with Parmesan, herbs and butter and served with French bread."

"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."

"3206 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 833-9226; www.facebook.com/bearspoboys. A roast beef po-boy is topped with roast beef debris on Leidenheimer French bread."

"A Chamber sandwich includes roast beef, turkey, ham, Swiss and American cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, mustard and Italian dressing."

"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."

"This breakfast and lunch spot is a local favorite on Magazine Street. Slim Goodies serves classic comfort food with bold twists, all made with fresh ingredients (and lots of love). Everyone loves the slammers: hash browns slathered in something delicious – think crawfish étouffée or chili with bacon and cheddar cheese – but the sweet potato pancakes are not to be missed."

"Ten years old and going strong, Magazine Street's quirky, always-slammed early morning to lunch time diner, is known for their Slammer options, a hangover-helper made with hashbrowns and scrambles of various sort (eggs, chili, tofu, what have you). There is also a potato latke/crawfish etouffee dish called the Jewish Coonass, not PC, but a fan favorite."

"Located in the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant French Quarter, the French Market is a grand bazaar that serves as much as a cultural meeting place as it does a market space. In addition to hosting stall after stall of vendors hawking handmade goods and artisanal foods, the market doubles as a venue for a daily flea market and a twice-weekly farmers market. The French Market boasts the superlative as the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the United States, making it a part of living Louisiana history.More"

"The French Market is a bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold up over 220 vendors on a given day. You can shop for paintings, clothing and specialty items while enjoying the famous New Orleans street music and smells of fresh gumbo and jambalaya. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"Wandering through the stalls and shops of the French Market is easily one of the best things to do in New Orleans if those beignets haven’t filled you up. It’s filled with foodie joints and little stalls. Running parallel to the Mississippi River, the French Market is awash with plenty of treats and trinkets to try."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. This shopping center, which opened in March of 2015 at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Toledano Street, is considered one of the highlights of the Central City neighborhood. It is a 115281-sq ft (10709-sq m) decent shopping mall with a huge free parking area."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. If you’re a self-confessed shopaholic, a trip to McArthur Shopping Center on MacArthur Blvd is something you shouldn’t miss. This shopping destination seems to have everything: bakeries, restaurants, clothing stores, and salons."

"United Apparel Liquidators (U.A.L.) on Chartres is the local location of the original store founded in Hattiesburg, Mississippi back in 1980. Now in three states with multiple locations, including this one in the French Quarter U.A.L. is a great place to browse. The concept is simple: the store trades in overstock from designers, showrooms and retailers at deep discounts."