Restaurant
Galatoire’s
A French Creole restaurant on Bourbon Street founded in 1905 by Jean Galatoire, known for Gulf seafood, classic sauces and its long Friday lunches.
Commander’s Palace
A Garden District institution run by the Brennan family since 1974, serving what it calls New Haute Creole cooking, with weekend jazz brunch and a strict dress code.
At a glance
- Type
- Haute Creole fine dining
- Area
- Garden District, New Orleans, United States
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- commanderspalace.com
Good to know
- Jazz brunch
- Weekday martini lunch
- Complimentary valet
- Private dining
- Dress code
Why we recommend it
Commander's Palace stands on the corner of Washington Avenue and Coliseum Street in the Garden District, and it is one of the best-known restaurants in New Orleans. It was founded in 1880, and the Brennan family took it over in 1974. The family matriarch, Ella Brennan, is remembered as a pioneering restaurateur, and today the restaurant is run by co-proprietors Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan. Over the years its kitchen has been led by chefs including Emeril Lagasse, Jamie Shannon and Tory McPhail, and the current executive chef is Meg Bickford.
The restaurant describes its cooking as New Haute Creole, built around Louisiana ingredients, and it aims to source around 90 per cent of them from within 100 miles. Menus change with the seasons, so look at the current lunch, dinner and brunch menus on the website before you go. The restaurant has received seven James Beard Foundation awards.
There are three ways to experience it. The weekday lunch, served from 11.30am on Wednesday to Friday, is known for its 25-cent martinis and is the most relaxed and affordable option. Dinner service begins at 5.30pm on Monday and Tuesday and 6pm from Wednesday to Sunday, sometimes later in summer. The jazz brunch, on Saturday from 11am to 2pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm, is one of the restaurant's best-known traditions. Last seating varies by season, so call if you plan a late meal. The restaurant closes on Christmas Day and Mardi Gras Day.
The dress code is business attire. Jackets are preferred for men, and collared shirts and closed-toe shoes are required. Shorts, flip-flops, T-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuit bottoms are not allowed, jeans are discouraged, and men should not wear hats. Reservations are made through Tock, and they are strongly advised for brunch and weekend dinners. The restaurant suits special occasions, couples and family celebrations.
Complimentary valet parking is available in front of the restaurant on Washington Avenue. Without a car, a taxi or the St Charles streetcar plus a short walk through the Garden District will get you there. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is on the same avenue, and the restaurant's sister café and shop, Le Petit Bleu, is next door at 1427 Washington Avenue, so a visit fits neatly into a Garden District walk.
Commander’s Palace FAQs
Do I need a reservation at Commander's Palace?
Reservations are strongly advised, especially for jazz brunch and weekend dinners, and are made through Tock.
What is the dress code?
Business attire. Jackets are preferred for men, collared shirts and closed-toe shoes are required, and shorts, flip-flops and T-shirts are not allowed.
When is the jazz brunch?
Saturday from 11am to 2pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
When is lunch served?
Wednesday to Friday from 11.30am, with 25-cent martinis.
What time does dinner start?
At 5.30pm on Monday and Tuesday and at 6pm from Wednesday to Sunday, sometimes later in summer.
Is there parking?
Yes. Complimentary valet parking is offered in front of the restaurant on Washington Avenue.
When is the restaurant closed?
On Christmas Day and Mardi Gras Day.
Who is the chef?
The executive chef is Meg Bickford.