Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in French Quarter

"A lot of people think the “three-martini lunch” is part of a bygone era, but in New Orleans it’s still alive and well. In fact, you can complete your boozy trifecta for less than a dollar at the swanky Commander’s Palace (1403 Washington Ave.). Order one of the delicious lunch entrees and you can choose from 3 different martinis that will only set you back $0.25 each!"

"1403 Washington Ave., (504) 899-8221; www.commanderspalace.com. Duck fat-seared bluefin tuna is served with Meyer lemon grilled greens and sweet potato boulangere with miso-lemon grass veal bone jus and foie gras ganache. Reservations recommended."

"This steadfast, stately French Quarter eatery has been an integral part of the neighborhood's high-end restaurant scene since 1946, with a breakfast that rolls straight into the lunch hour and on to dinner. Dine in Brennan's fabulous courtyard to enjoy its perfect French Quarter setting, where chef Ryan Hacker offers a wide range of delightful Creole dishes. Favorites include the turtle soup, smoked scallops and garlic shrimp, and everyone has to have at least one bite of bananas Foster for dessert, the dish that was invented here, made tableside with a fiery show."

"Enjoy the rebirth of this iconic New Orleans restaurant featuring traditional New Orleans French and Spanish influenced cuisine infused with newfound Vietnamese cultural contributions for a unique and distinctly lighter style. CallReserveStart Your ReservationWebsite"

"American , Cajun"

"Galatoire's is another of the French Quarter's grand, family-owned restaurants, sharing much in common with Antoine's. It was opened on Bourbon Street in 1905 by Jean Galatoire, a French immigrant, and focuses on French-Creole cuisine. The main dining room is at street level and features a high ceiling with fans, mirrors along the walls, and numerous coat hooks that hang above them."

"In 1905, founder Jean Galatoire brought French recipes and traditions to New Orleans with his restaurant. Galatoire’s has continued thriving with the help of his descendants. The original culinary customs have been preserved because the restaurant believes in consistency."

"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."

"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."

"If you enjoy seafood dishes with a bit of international flair, then GW Fins is a good option. On the menu, you will find dishes featuring seafood from everywhere from the Gulf to New Zealand. The restaurant is co-owned by Gary Wollerman and Chef Tenney Flynn."

"Opened in 2001, GW Fins is a restaurant that specializes in fish. The restaurant itself buzzes with energy, so it's a fun place to go for a meal that feels enlivening and electrify..."

"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."

"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 sprawling stand is painted in primary hues, as if the work had been outsourced to a talented kindergarten...Read More"

"Visitors seeking the best malls in Greater New Orleans must only venture slightly north of the city to find Lakeside Shopping Center. This expansive retail hub is one of the area's most popular malls with more than 120 well-known stores including M.A.C., Dillard's, Lane Bryant, Gap, Old Navy and Eddie Bauer, as well as boutiques such as Ann Taylor Loft and Talbot's. Lakeside Shopping Center offers seemingly endless shopping opportunities for men and women (and enough distractions for kids)."

"When this Mexican spot from the team at CureCo (which also operates nearby Cure and French Quarter favorite Cane and Table) opened last summer, it brought the Freret neighborhood a welcome open-air dining option. The former gas station has been reimagined as a sprawling, casual gathering spot serving up tacos, ceviche, queso fundido and specials like the birria torta. The CureCo bar pedigree is evident in the cocktail and spirits list, which includes not only praiseworthy margaritas but also creative twists on classics like the mezcal negroni or Oaxacan old fashioned."

"The gist: The team behind Cure Co. headed down Freret Street to open Vals, a taco stand with pitch-perfect mezcal margaritas and a big, gorgeous patio, making it a great pick for those who aren’t yet ready to dine indoors.The food: You’ve got “not tacos” (elotes, a beautiful tuna tostada, chips, various salsas) and tacos (crispy beef belly, sweet potato, chicken in green mole, fried fish, and pork shoulder). The cost: Starters and side $5 - $10, tacos $3, beer are $4 - $5, frozen margaritas $10 - $70.How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out online."

"Neal Bodenheimer and his partners pushed through the pandemic to open Vals, a former garage on Freret they’d been eying for more than five years. The space is warm and inviting, chef Fredo kills it with his charred tomato salsa, green mole chicken tacos, and ceviche of the day — and no surprise, the drink menu is amazing. Scan the QR code to dive deep into the tequila and mezcal list."

"With a 90s NOLA vibe and sandwiches to die for, this is not a place you want to miss!. The collard green melt is an absolute must, but so is the bologna sandwich with chips… yes, they actually put chips in the sandwich. This is not your typical sandwich joint, and that’s what makes it so special."

"Piece of Meat’s Smith makes the bologna for this wildly popular sandwich shop, which nabbed Food & Wine’s 2017 award. There’s a lot to love here. Fieri fell for the Collard Green Melt and playful Tacos Inauthenticos, filled with headcheese, jalapeños, sour cream, American cheese and “shrettuce."

"A post shared by Capulet (@capuletbywater) on Sep 13, 2019 at 1:34pm PDT. To cap off our list, we feature Capulet which resides in a restored 1800’s warehouse that is now revamped with a wooden ceiling, exposed brick walls, and a fully customized mezzanine. All of which come with a magnificent view that overlooks the French Quarter."

"A bloody mary roast beef sandwich features grass-fed beef brisket slow-braised in bloody mary sauce served on toasted Bellegarde Bakery rye with roasted cherry tomatoes, pickled green beans, fermented celery relish and horseradish and Worcestershire aioli."

"Capulet restaurant brings the Bywater neighborhood a rooftop spot. The restaurant sits at the corner of Dauphine Street and Montegut Street. Capulet hosts live music on most weekday evenings from 6:30 p.m."

"Created in the 1930s by Beulah Ledner, doberge (say dough-bash) is a riff off the Hungarian dobos torta, a heavy layered cake filled with buttercream. Ledner, taking the local climate into consideration, lightened the treat by replacing the buttercream with custard and Frenchifying the name. Debbie Does Doberge is a newcomer to the scene, dishing up doberge at Bakery Bar, a chill space with nibbles and drinks and a cake case towards the back."

"This bakery is also a full cocktail bar -- an idea so brilliant, it’s mind-boggling no one thought of it sooner. Booze and carbs, perfection together. The house special is doberge, a multi-layered cake with custard between the layers and covered in fondant (and there are many kinds available to satisfy your sweet tooth), along with dobites and salty balls."

"Currently decked out in holiday decor, this cute cocktail and sweets shop has some delicious items on their ever-changing menu. Indulge in a slice of praline cheesecake, or check out their over 40 rotating flavors of Debbie Does Doberge cake, like carrot cake, chocolate coconut, and pistachio, to name a few."

"Shake Sugary is a locally owned creative bakery located on the buzzing St. Claude Avenue corridor that flanks the Marigny/Bywater neighborhoods. The love child of owner Dawn Snead, who earned her degree in Baking & Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University, this bakery is known for inventive sweets like chocolate bourbon pecan pie and Bailey's chocolate chip cheesecake. The shop also sell cupcakes, cookies, tea breads, brownies and scones and serves savory options for breakfast and lunch."

"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."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Mid-City Market is an urban infill shopping center located at the northwest corner of North Carrollton Avenue and Bienville Street. This market has great things to offer, from groceries to trendy clothes."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. This shopping center is an L-shaped strip mall that comes with a huge parking area. It boasts a good number of stores to shop from, and the best part is that everything here is incredibly cheap."

"Right off the freeway and tucked behind a Best Buy on the West Bank, the unassuming Hong Minh has an excellent menu of Chinese specialties, alongside some traditional Vietnamese and Asian fusion dishes. It’s a hidden gem for takeout, with menu highlights that include the Mongolian beef, Peking duck, wonton soup, and beef with broccoli."

"Housed in a low-slung purple building in Treme, you are obliged to place your order at a bulletproof glass window within. No worries, you will have plenty of company and even massive catering-sized orders roll up magically fast. The fried wings are addictive ($5.39 for 8 plus a side of fries or shrimp fried rice and a side salad) and the yakamein ($5.49) is spot on, too."

"The best place to find this street food is really at neighborhood corner joints like Manchu Food Store and Chinese Kitchen, a small bright-purple cinderblock building under the bridge on Claiborne."