Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Elmwood

"If you’re off to a slower start or you’re in New Orleans for the weekend, Brunch at Commander’s Palace is unmissable. Located in the Garden District among the houses and mansions of the first Americans who settled the city in the early 19th century, the upper floors of the restaurant offers some clues to its life before it was a world-famous, James Beard award-winning eatery. (Reservations highly recommended!)"

"with a classic movie at The Prytania Theatre (Louisiana’s oldest — and only — single-screen movie house, and the one made famous in Walker Percy’s "The Moviegoer"), followed by brunch at Commander’s Palace. If someone asked me to pick the “most New Orleans restaurant” in all of New Orleans, Commander’s would win that designation in my book, hands down. Many might say Galatoire’s and that is fine."

"Since 1880, Commander’s Palace has been a hot spot in the Garden District winning numerous awards. Customers come back again and again for the award winning food and welcoming atmosphere of this place filled with history. This venue is more than a restaurant, it is a landmark."

"Parkway has been a master of pivots throughout the pandemic, from quickly establishing an efficient curbside service model to adding tenting to let seating spill outside. This patio isn’t the most open-air of the bunch — it’s more of an extension of the restaurant — but it is one of the most protected from the elements; no need to fear a storm spoiling your po’ boys and gumbo here."

"Parkway is known as a contender for most-loved po’boys in town — especially the always-overflowing shrimp. Pre-pandemic, the line to order wrapped around the entirety of the dining room, but with the addition of a huge outdoor dining area, parking lot pickup, and strict social distancing guidelines, Parkway has worked to establish a comfortable and safe setting for its loyal fans."

"Parkway Bakery & Tavern, a spot to score sandwiches, seafood and desserts in Bayou St. John, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 1,731 Yelp reviews. Head over to 538 Hagan Ave. to see for yourself."

"If you’re anything like me, your Saturday evening will have ended up on Frenchmen Street…which paves the way nicely for another of New Orleans’ best food traditions: having Sunday Brunch the morning after the night before. The queues outside The Ruby Slipper Café had already put me onto the scent that this might be a good brunch place and after a bit of research, my suspicion was confirmed – this relaxed diner-style place was, indeed, award winning. One of the things that cemented my decision to try this café was the description they have about their name:"

"A post shared by The Ruby Slipper Cafe (@rubyslippercafe) on Jan 5, 2018 at 11:51am PST. A breakfast hot spot, The Ruby Slipper Café provides a cheery atmosphere with fluffy omelettes and tasty Southern brunch fare. The kid’s menu is small but hearty, offering enticing choices such as French toast sticks tossed in sweet cinnamon sugar, buttermilk or cinnamon swirl pancakes, and even watermelon-flavoured pancakes that’ll blow kids minds!"

"The Ruby Slipper Café is a popular spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Its focus is fresh food with a New Orleans twist. The restaurant uses local produce."

"Opened by chef Mike Stoltzfus and his wife Lillian Hubbard in December 2008, Coquette is a Garden District stunner, from its gleaming floors and crisp linens to its architectural details and warm exposed brick walls. The Garden District building was built in the late 1880s and has been among other things a residence, grocery store, auto parts store and several restaurants. Chef Stoltzfus, who honed his craft as a sous chef at Restaurant August, proffers innovative southern cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced product."

"From its 19th century exterior to its glamorous chandeliers, exposed brick walls, and innovative Southern menu, this Garden District bistro is elegant yet never pretentious. Pull up to the long bar for a drink from the extensive list of wine, cocktails, and beers and a snack like onion dip with trout roe or chicken liver mousse. The concise menu also includes vegetable-forward small plates and larger dishes like smoked beef short rib with fresh turmeric, cashew, and puffed rice."

"This Garden District gem has the vibe of a neighborhood bistro but the menu of a forward-thinking, adventurous kitchen. The small list changes regularly to reflect what’s fresh and local, as well as what creative twists chefs Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus have come up with. Entrées have included black drum in vegetable sauce with fennel sausage, Mexican street corn-style okra and red snapper with butter beans."

"A post shared by Ms. Tweety (@enjolivstweety) on Oct 6, 2019 at 10:03pm PDT. Vue is located on the 14th floor of the former ODECO office building. They offer an impressively unique take on seasonal cocktails and they also offer a very good selection of local and imported beers."

"Located in Mid-City, Mick’s Irish Pub is a laid-back neighborhood bar with pool, ping pong, darts and video games. It’s pet-friendly, and the regulars here rave about the friendly service and original New Orleans vibe. The bar food also can’t be beat, thanks to Rum and the Lash (a tiny kitchen with food from Chef Michael Gulotta of MoPho) that moved here from Finn McCool’s."

"Adam Biderman’s homage to the simple burger — thin patty, American cheese, fresh ground meat, no lettuce, no tomato — blew the burger scene in New Orleans wide open when Company Burger opened in 2011. Since then it’s won local and national raves and awards from all directions and is in residence on busy Freret Street Uptown. The menu has a few other sandwich options well worth a try, like that tasty fried chicken sandwich."

"611 O’Keefe Ave., Suite C7, (504) 309-9422; 4600 Freret St., (504) 267-0320; www.thecompanyburger.com. A Company burger features two Creekstone Farm beef patties, American cheese, bread-and-butter pickles and red onions."

"The Oakwood Shopping Center is in Gretna, a quick drive over the Crescent City Connection, the bridge that takes you to the West Bank of the Mississippi. It's not as big as some of the other malls on this list, but that can be a blessing in disguise. The Oakwood Mall has plenty of parking and fewer crowds, making the shopping experience breezier."

"With 82 shops, including Dillard's and JC Penny's, this mall on Jefferson Parish's West Bank offers an array of retail options across all price ranges, as well as dining, spas, a barbershop and more."

"Clearview Mall is in Metairie, a 20-minute drive from the French Quarter depending on traffic. A traditional mall that has undergone some major renovations, Clearview boasts an extra large Target (with cart escalator), Sears and Bed Bath & Beyond. The interior is always bustling, but the walkways are spacious enough to fit your entourage and bags of purchased goods."

"Anchored by Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond, this indoor shopping center features 19 shops and is conveniently located to New Orleans. Tired from a day of shopping, enjoy the AMC Dine-In Theater or two delicious local restaurants. The shopping center is currently undergoing a $100 million makeover featuring a new hotel, apartments and an outdoor event space."

"A stunning gallery in the French Quarter housing museum-quality pieces ranging from French furniture and impressionist paintings to Dresden porcelain. The 30,000-sq-ft showroom is in a 100-year-old landmark building, and one could spend an afternoon gazing at its walls, which bear such delights as an original Renoir oil portrait of his son and a recently discovered painting by Norman Rockwell. Not to be missed is the newly redecorated impressionist room, complete with original works by Monet, Van Gogh and even a Gauguin."

"Next up is the French Quarter's M.S. Rau, situated at 622 Royal St. With 4.5 stars out of 28 reviews on Yelp, the art gallery and jewelry spot, serving antiques and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge. If you're looking for more, we found these details about M.S."

"M.S. Rau Antiques has been a French Quarter landmark for almost 100 years earning the trust of discerning antiques collectors worldwide. Their 25,000 square foot gallery literally overflows with remarkable collections of fine art, exquisite jewelry ...[Learn more]"

"This is also where you can have a famous Café du Monde beignet covered in powdered sugar, have your tarot cards read at Hex, get a taste of voodoo culture at Voodoo Authentica, and shop for jewelry, clothing, and antiques all throughout the neighborhood. The Pharmacy Museum has quite an interesting tour – don’t let the name fool you!. It’s all about old school remedies and how they evolved through history, with a local twist."

"Although Herbsaint has scattered sidewalk tables under umbrellas and of course that lovely courtyard, there’s also a covered sidewalk area with seating out of the rain. Pull up a chair and enjoy some of chef de cuisine David Rouse’s savory takes on contemporary, seasonal French-Southern cuisine along with rustic Italian dishes. Open for dine-in, takeout and delivery."

"Herbsaint offers French and Italian cuisine with Southern influences. Although there are some Italian meals featured on the menu, the restaurant is more influenced by French cuisine. Chef Donald Link creates French classic dishes such as duck leg confit and steak and frites, and he gives French dishes Southern twists."

"This might be the finest all-occasion fine-dining restaurant in New Orleans. First, it’s open all day during the week. Second, Chef de Cuisine Rebecca Wilcomb’s cooking is precisely what you want to eat, anytime and every time."