Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in River Ridge

"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."

"Commander’s Palace is another renowned New Orleans institution. The family-owned restaurant has become famous for their hospitality, with personal touches that start the minute you walk into the door. And, those special touches don’t only apply to the adults who can pay the bill."

"Visitors can pop into boutique shops, voodoo stores, art galleries, iconic restaurants like Brennan’s, be entertained by street performers, admire the architecture and wrought iron balconies, and even visit inside the historic Gallier House. You might also notice Cafe Beignet on Royal Street which some say has better beignets than Cafe du Monde. You’ll have to compare and decide for yourself. As for me, it was a toss-up."

"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."

"The birthplace of Bananas Foster, that flaming tableside dessert of bananas, rum, and brown sugar served over vanilla ice cream, is still going strong with an array of classic desserts to please the breakfast crowd. Because you should always have dessert at breakfast."

"Gumbo is a traditional Louisiana dish that has been around since the early 18th century. While there are many variations on the stew, one of the best restaurants offering the dish is at Galatoire’s Restaurant, a fine dining establishment in the French Quarter which was founded in 1905. The Gumbo here is so good it was awarded the ‘Best Gumbo in New Orleans’ by Southern Living."

"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."

"New Orleans' location on Lake Pontchartrain and near the Gulf of Mexico means that restaurants have access to fresh seafood. AT GW Fins, Chef Tenney Flynn uses fresh ingredients to..."

"GW Fins is probably the French Quarter’s crowning jewel when it comes to seafood. But what’s all the hype about?. It’s just seafood, right?"

"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."

"Our most popular location at 601 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans is often requested for private events, so act quickly to reserve a date!. Its balcony, one of the most famous in New Orleans, stands above the sights and sounds of the Marigny neighborhood and makes for a uniquely New Orleans experience....Mehr"

"601 Frenchmen St., (504) 309-3362; 3336 Magazine St., (504) 324-2226; 5030 Freret St., (504) 899-6883; www.datdog.com. A crawfish etouffee dog is a crawfish sausage topped with crawfish etouffee, onions, tomatoes, mustard and sour cream. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"Tucked away in the courtyard of 520 Royal St, also known as the "Bruletour Courtyard", Café Cour is run by the folks at Carmo and provides a lovely selec..."

"Former Gautreau’s chef and James Beard award winner Sue Zemanick delights with every dish on her debut restaurant’s compact menu, and dessert is no different. There are almost always specials, like the pictured chocolate cremeaux with port poached pears, whipped cream, and chocolate cookie crumble, but current items to save room for include a pistachio pavlova with macerated strawberries and citrus curd and a passion fruit creme brûlée with candied ginger, coconut shortbread, and Thai basil."

"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."

"People might not think of cheap eats when they think of Ruth's Chris Steak House. However, when it comes to upscale dining in this town, Ruths Chris offers options that won't break..."

"Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in New Orleans is a classic and consistent staple, serving the finest USDA Prime beef steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes, and homemade desserts."

"4520 Freret St., (504) 324-3562; www.facebook.com/saritasgrilllatinfusion. A Mexi bowl features chopped grilled chicken breast, tomatoes, guacamole, cheddar cheese, black beans and yellow rice over a bed of lettuce."

"This magnificent Mid City Creole-Italian has survived it all, and while a post-Katrina renovation changed the layout of the restaurant, the food remains untouched by time; come for crispy paneed veal and luscious fettuccine alfredo, one of those old-school New Orleans combinations long-timers can’t get enough of, order the delicious red gravy that derives much of its sweetness from copious amounts of bell pepper, try the meatballs and the sausage, and the remarkably tasty pizzas, leading off with cold, crispy antipasto salads. You’re in good hands here. Dessert is next door at Angelo Brocato’s, one of America’s oldest (and best) Italian bakeries."

"Some Italian restaurants prefer to stick to one specific type of Italian dish when they put together their menus - think of an all pasta menu, and all seafood menu, or an all veal menu. Here at Venezia Restaurant, however, they prefer to let you keep your options open by offering up a little taste of everything for you to try. Whether they’re showcasing some fresh local seafood, some chicken parmesan, or even a whole pizza pie they’ve cooked up in their traditional stone oven, they’ve got a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy here at Venezia."

"When an Italian restaurant has been in the same spot for over 30 years, you know there's something great coming out of the kitchen. That's the story of Mona Lisa on Royal Street, where reasonably priced classics make your mouth water just by smell alone. The lasagna is legendary (made with meat or a vegetarian version with spinach and artichokes), the pizzas are perfect for sharing and the shrimp scampi is perfectly prepared."

"(1212 Royal St.) Right next to Bennachin is another comfy, cozy spot, the Mona Lisa, decked in the namesake’s-centric art floor to ceiling, and serving some of the best (and most inexpensive) pizza in the Quarter."

"Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré is one of the longest-running local theaters in the United States (founded in 1916). As the name indicates, it’s a more intimate theatre setting with a seating capacity of just over 300 seats. Located just off of Jackson Square, this venue is primarily used for the performing arts, including dramas, musicals, comedies, and children’s productions."

"On a rainy afternoon in New Orleans, there's no better place to be than the balcony of the historic Prytania Theatre, cooking up some honest to goodness Hollywood romance with your real-life love interest. Opened in 1915, this charming theater is the oldest in the city and the only single-screen left in Louisiana. Couples can share gelato or a freshly made cappuccino during daytime favorites like Citizen Kane or Some Like It Hot or cuddle up for midnight screenings of cult classics like Rocky Horror Picture Show."

"At more than 100 years old, the single-screen theater in Uptown is a step back in time, with red velvet ropes, balcony seating and family-friendly screenings of hand-picked classic films."

"The unassuming Uptown building with no seats may be over 100 years old, but Tips, as it’s affectionately known, only became a music venue in the 1970s. It quickly cemented its place as a New Orleans music institution: Local brass bands are a particular thing to see here. There are no seats, but you'll likely want to be up on your feet for whatever local talent is about to take the stage by storm."

"A timeless local music institution who's famously hosted The Goo Goo Dolls, Patti Smith, Willie Nelson and many other unforgettable musicians on tour throughout the Big Easy. 501 Napoleon Ave.East RiversideNew Orleans, LA 70115"