Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Ruddock

"Last on our list of the top 7 bars and restaurants in New Orleans: nestled in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893, known for its award-winning food and its lively atmosphere. With some of the best Creole cuisine in New Orleans and whimsical Louisiana charm, Commander’s Palace is a quintessential New Orleans upscale dining experience. Not to mention they offer 25 cent martinis during lunch with a full entree (limit 3 per person)."

"Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm."

"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."

"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."

"Expect a long line: Parkway is the go-to spot in New Orleans for delicious, authentic po'boys. The generous shrimp po'boy is always a solid pick, but the roast beef and surf and turf options are also outstanding. Come on Monday or Wednesday for the famed oyster po'boy."

"Longtime (since 1911) neighborhood hangout with a patio known for classic-style po' boys. Open for lunch and dinnerDress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-482-3047"

"The family-owned restaurant with four locations around New Orleans spotlights house signature items like Chicken St. Charles, Eggs Cochon and Bananas Foster Pain Perdu. Prices start around the $9 range, topping out around $15. The spot doesn’t take reservations."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. It's a beautiful day to enjoy our BEAUTIFUL outdoor seating area!. Welcome to this cheery cafe that has been serving tasty Southern brunch fare in a laid-back atmosphere."

"This place is popular, so much so that there is a wait as soon as it opens - I think it opens at 7 AM."

"Like many New Orleans restaurants, Coquette is located inside a handsome, historic townhouse, this one in the peaceful Garden District. With two beautiful, wood- and brick-accented dining rooms and an antique, refinished wood bar, the setting alone will impress your date, and the inventive New American fare from chef Michael Stoltzfus is likely to blow them away. With a daily-changing menu that emphasizes local produce such as lima beans, collards and Gulf oysters, Coquette’s fare is predictably delicious but never predictable, featuring unexpected flourishes such as carrot juice in the cachaza-based Tyler’s Ghost cocktail, whipped honey on the hot chicken appetizer, and french fries and stout served alongside donuts and chocolate ice cream on the Late Night Snack dessert plate."

"The soft glow from hanging chandeliers and exposed brick walls set the stage for a relaxed, romantic meal. Make a reservation or enjoy an impromptu memorable meal at their 14-seat bar where the beer and wine lists are just as impressive as the always-changing menu. 2800 Magazine St., (504) 265.0421"

"DTB, which stands for Down the Bayou, is a smartly conceived salute to coastal Cajun cuisine, presented with a healthy dash of creative interpretation. Chef/owner Carl Schaubhut and chef de cuisine Jacob Hammel riff off of the region's traditional dishes, refining them with lighter ingredients and plenty of attention to detail. The rustic-meets-modern restaurant is lovely, hung with faux Spanish moss and warmed by burnished light wood and textured art."

"Here familiar Louisiana dishes are recreated with refined technique and a focus on Gulf seafood, Cajun flavors, and fresh seasonal produce. For a thrifty brunch in a rather high tone place, cobble together crab boil potato hash ($6) and a buttermilk biscuit with pimento cheese ($6) for or pick a couple of sides from the Lagniappe menu. 8201 Oak St. #1, 518-6889, dtbnola.com."

"Mushroom boudin balls are served with eggplant, collard pickles and smoked mayonnaise. Reservations accepted. Lunch Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun."

"There are other Creole restaurants with more gravitas, and certainly more widespread acclaim, but right now, packed-to-the-rafters, thoroughly unstuffy Neyow’s feels like the one you’re looking for. Gumbo, chargrilled oysters, fried chicken, a decent Shrimp creole, red beans and rice with spicy local sausage, delicious sides of carrot souffle and a pudding-like macaroni and cheese, bell peppers stuffed with shrimp and crab, you’re having it all, along with—if you dare—the signature Bow Wow rum drink, which comes in what is perhaps the largest go cup in existence."

"Owned by Tanya and Timothy Dubuclet, the restaurant’s recipes were handed down from their grandmothers. They like to say that “Neyow’s is one of the most recommended restaurants by Uber drivers and hotel concierges,” a.k.a. those in the know. Their red beans and rice is a Monday special that has become a weekly tradition amongst locals and is served with a choice of fried chicken, grilled pork chops, or hot sausage."

"This Mid-City classic features daily specials of New Orleans’ favorite comfort foods. Tuesday may find you gobbling up white beans and rice with fried chicken or hot sausage; then Wednesday, you’re devouring mustard greens and pork chops. A heaping plate will lighten your wallet by about nine bucks at star among this cheap eats in New Orleans."

"Alon Shaya’s take on modern Israeli food offers a unique menu, bringing elevated, New Orleans twists to traditional Israeli food at Saba. Some worthy menu items include the Blue Crab Hummus, Oyster Schnitzel, Moroccan Carrot Salad, or Caviar and potato chips, but those might not pique the interest of a five year-old. Offerings for the kids include classic hummus with seasonal vegetables or fries that even the adults will want to steal, labneh with fruit, eggs with smashed avocado and pita, lamb burger in a pita, and chicken skewers with rice and seasonal vegetables."

"After leaving his namesake restaurant (but unable to take the name with him), chef Alon Shaya has brought his beloved contemporary Israeli cuisine back, better than ever, along with a progressive new operation that strongly focuses on employee welfare. His dedication to ingredients, technique and staff is evident. The bright, airy Uptown restaurant provides a warm setting in which to enjoy shareable dishes like Shaya’s grandmother’s lutenitsa, local tomato ezme, harissa roasted chicken and hummus topped with blue crab."

"Saba’s desserts are stunning — produce-based and subtle but layered. Chef Cara Peterson weaves refreshingly different featured ingredients like barberries, hibiscus, sumac, satsumas, and figs in olive oil cakes, semifreddo, and babka, depending on the season. You can pick up holiday desserts here too —this season’s offerings are pumpkin-spiced babka, cardamom pecan pie, and cranberry and rose labneh cheesecake."

"Bouligny Tavern is a great place to go most nights of the week. If you go late on Friday or Saturday night, or on a holiday, you can’t get in because there are so many people trying to get a table. But I’m usually working on the weekends, so if I’m going to meet a friend out, it’s usually during the week anyway, making Bouligny a great spot for me."

"The chef/owner of Lilette adjacent building While this bar might look like a typical Magazine Street house from the outside, a step inside will transport you to the perfect date night. Vintage chairs and modern light fixtures set a classic atmosphere. The wine bar serves premium cocktails, small plates and offers table service."

"There are no shortcuts to quality” reads a sign on the cinderblock wall of the city’s most beloved shaver of ice and maker of syrups. Which means you are likely to wait for the pleasure of a creamy-textured snowball, made using a contraption developed in the 1930s by Ernest Hansen and based on sweeteners created by his wife, Mary. Flavors run from old-fashioned cream of nectar to trendy ginger-cayenne."

"SnoBalls are New Orleans' twist on a slushie or snow cone and have been around for ages. Hansen's opened up in 1939 during the Great Depression and has been serving snoballs ever since. With hundreds of flavors and different mixtures of their homemade syrups, you're bound to be satisfied by this delicious summer treat."

"Now that those details are out of the way, know that in a city obsessed with sno balls, that feathery shaved ice at Hansen’s is some of the best in town. They have been around since the 1930s. They make their own syrups, and the correct approach is always to choose one of the cream flavors."

"Located slightly northwest of the French Quarter, City Park is a huge park and Botanical Garden to explore. The Park is full of the best things to do in New Orleans, especially if you’re looking for a more chilled out day. From carousels and statues (which you’ll find in the Storyland section) to stunning walks, it’s totally gorgeous and well worth a visit."

"If you’d prefer a more leisurely option, you can escape to one of the local parks (City Park or Audubon Park) not far outside of the Historic District. If you haven’t gotten your fill of jazz yet, you can do the Harbor Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. I’ve listed more details on all the options below."

"The Louisiana Children’s Museum is a playful and educational place for children and their families to enjoy hands-on, interactive exhibits that encourage learning through play. Located in the Arts District/Convention Center, the museum boasts 30,000 square feet of immersive exhibitions that explore art, music, science, math, and health. Exhibits include the Little Port of New Orleans, which teaches children all about life in a ship; Eye to Eye which boasts a kid-sized eye clinic where children can pretend to be ophthalmologists or patients and learn about the eye’s anatomy and functions; and a pint-sized grocery store and café, where children can pretend to shop and be a chef in a five-star restaurant."

"If you’re bringing the kids along for the weekend trip to New Orleans, you can’t go wrong with the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Think of it as one of the world’s largest classrooms. Their brand new campus located in City Park provides more than 30,000 square feet of interactive and educational exhibits – including a climbing wall, art studio, and mock cafe."

"If you’re searching for what to do in New Orleans City Park with kids, the Louisiana Children’s Museum has to top your list. Kids will delight in playing throughout the indoor and outdoor areas. Outside, your kids can explore exhibits on the water, in the garden, and more!"

"A little more than a year old, Wishing Town Bakery Cafe took over the former Morning Call on Severn Avenue, neighbors to the complimentary Sharetea Nola. While also a bakery, Guangzhou-born couple Vivi and Kevin Zheng version of Chinese specialties are some of the best in town. An extensive array of dim sum and cold noodle salads round out a menu of beautiful cakes and pastries, perfect for a celebration."