Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in New Orleans

"Commander's Palace has been around since the late 1800s, but under Ella Brennan’s leadership starting in the 1970s, the restaurant essentially redefined New Orleans cuisine and catapulted into stardom with the help of celeb chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. Today, the menu and service are top notch with James Beard Award-winning chef Tory McPhail leading the kitchen and Ti Martin and Lally Brennan running the show. Go for lunch and make sure to end the meal with the bread pudding soufflé and whiskey sauce."

"The Commander’s takeout menu changes daily and rotates classics like turtle soup, lacquered quail, and pecan pie as well as seasonal dishes like duck breast salad and wild Louisiana barbecue shrimp, available in family or individual sizes. Call to order, seven days a week between 11:30 a.m."

"Chef Tory McPhail was recently named James Beard's Best Chef South and his forward-looking take on Creole classics keeps this. institution, which has launched the careers of the likes of Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse, current...."

"The legendary French Quarter restaurant honors New Orleans tradition with its infamous cuisine, architecture, and ambiance. With its unique Creole menu and its old-world dining rooms, a meal at Brennan’s turns into a historical experience that remains with both natives and visitors. Permitting weather conditions, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on its interior patio with Chef Slade Rushing providing a new life to old style."

"This world-famous dessert was first created right here at Brennan’s restaurant by chef Paul Blange in 1951 when he was challenged to create a dish featuring the fruit. The delectable result is now the most ordered item on the Brennan’s menu. Patron’s of the restaurant will dine here just to order the Banana Foster having dined elsewhere for dinner."

"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."

"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."

"Fresh fish is the star at this French Quarter fine dining establishment. As an avid fisherman, chef Tenney Flynn is meticulous when it comes to choosing the freshest product from his sources, and his entrées change daily to reflect the best catch. Whatever the preparation—wood-grilled, parmesan crusted, blackened—the flavors of the fish shine through."

"GW Fins is one for classic desserts, the kind whose ingredient list fills you up just from reading the menu. Customer favorites include the samoa, the “Salty Malty,” an ice cream pie with a pretzel crust, and white chocolate and caramel bread pudding."

"Gents should wear a collared shirt but leave your coats and ties at home. GW Fins has served food in the French Quarter since 2001 and th..."

"Named by Zagat to the Top Ten list of “Franks Worth Traveling For” in the United States, Dat Dog is probably the perfect spot for a hot dog in New Orleans. Founded by New Orleans locals Constantine Georges and Skip Murray, known as the “Hot dog guy,” Dat Dog provides the traditional American classic with Louisiana twists. Smoked Andouille, alligator and crawfish sausages along with Creole tomatoes and roux-based chili are among the features at this unique food stop."

"Combining the soul of Louisiana with the sophistication of Europe, Dat Dog’s artfully crafted cuisine of Hot Dogs, sausages (including vegetarian, vegan and fish), burgers and chicken (fried, grilled or tossed in buffalo sauce) are a thing of beauty. The over 30 toppings available at no extra charge allow you to create your very own “jazz improvisation in a bun."

"Vegans can choose from among a Spicy Chipotle Dog, Field Roast Italian Dog, and a Smoked Apple Sage sausage. https://www.instagram.com/p/BPTgHxZgqGz/"

"Turnbull Drive, Metairie, (504) 455-7363; www.andysbistro.com. Blackened shrimp top a wood-fired flatbread with spinach, bacon and Havarti cheese. Reservations recommended."

"When dining out with a family of people with different tastes, a steak house is never a bad option. Ruth’s Chris, nestled between Harrah’s Hotel and Fulton Street, offers outdoor seating right on the pedestrian walkway, which is lovely on a nice evening and perfect for the kids who might need to stretch their legs or stay occupied with some people-watching. Additionally, Fulton Street offers Christmas decorations, live music, and “snow” during the holidays."

"Harrah’s Hotel, 525 Fulton St., (504) 587-7099; 3633 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-3600; www.ruthschris.com. Steaks such as New York strips, rib-eyes, porterhouses and filets are cooked in an 1,800-degree broiler. Reservations recommended."

"Ruth's Chris Steak House originates in New York City, but their Big Easy satellite location is just as awesome — if not more so —than their Big Apple parent location."

"Pralines are also another dessert that New Orleans is known for. They come in a bunch of flavors, but vanilla and chocolate are the basics. Pralines are a sugary confection with nuts on top that melt in your mouth."

"Good Children Gallery is a pioneer artist-run space in the St. Claude Arts District aimed at enhancing the cultural landscape of New Orleans. The space serves as a bellwether for artistic endeavors by exhibiting engaging work from local, national, and international artists."

"The Octavia Art Gallery focuses on artists whose work is informed by distinct cultural heritage but also vast global perspectives. The staggeringly dynamic paintings pop out from the big white walls as you wander through the brightly lit space on Magazine Street, just off Julia Street. At Octavia Art Gallery, you might catch the exquisite wildlife photography of Joe Zammit-Lucia and the sombre industrial landscapes of Errol Barron."

"What is a chain brewpub next to a casino doing on this list?. Brewer Nick Anzalone has been expanding the restaurant’s beer selection with his creative recipes including hazy New England IPAs, Brut IPAs, saisons, and a non GBB-standard Bohemian Keller Pils lager. Anzalone has upped the beer cred at GBB-NO and it’s a great place to stop by downtown."

"Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch’s dream came true when Gordon Biersch Brewing Company opened its doors. The brewery opened in Palo Alto, California, in July 1988. The duo worked together to bridge fresh, handcrafted beer and world class cuisine."

"Port Orleans Brewing Company is a proud member of the local brewing community. They offer craft beers brewed below sea level. Port Orleans Brewing Company is committed to creating the finest selection of craft beers."