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Best Restaurants in New Orleans (2026)

Eating well is one of the main reasons to visit New Orleans, and the restaurant scene covers every budget. At the top end, the old Creole dining rooms remain the city's great tradition. Commander's Palace in the Garden District is known for its jazz brunch and weekday martini lunch, Galatoire's on Bourbon Street for its long Friday lunches, Antoine's for Oysters Rockefeller, and Brennan's on Royal Street for bananas Foster. Most have dress codes, so check before you go and book ahead.

Modern restaurants such as Herbsaint and Cochon, both from Donald Link's group, offer excellent cooking in more relaxed settings, while Dooky Chase's in Tremé combines Creole food with a central place in the city's civil rights history. For cheaper meals, try po'boys at Parkway Bakery and Tavern or Mother's Restaurant and fried chicken at Willie Mae's NOLA. Many restaurants close one or two days a week, often Monday or Tuesday, so check opening days when planning. Lunch is often the best-value way to try the more expensive places.

10 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 restaurants in New Orleans

  1. Commander’s Palace Haute Creole fine dining, Garden DistrictA 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.
  2. Galatoire’s French Creole, French QuarterA French Creole restaurant on Bourbon Street founded in 1905 by Jean Galatoire, known for Gulf seafood, classic sauces and its long Friday lunches.
  3. Antoine’s Restaurant French Creole, French QuarterFounded in 1840 and still run by the founding family, Antoine's is the birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller and has historic dining rooms in the French Quarter.

Restaurant

2. Galatoire’s

French Creole$$$$French Quarter

A French Creole restaurant on Bourbon Street founded in 1905 by Jean Galatoire, known for Gulf seafood, classic sauces and its long Friday lunches.

View details — Galatoire’s

Restaurant

5. Brennan’s

Creole breakfast and fine dining$$$$French Quarter

A French Quarter Creole restaurant founded in 1946, now in a 1795 Royal Street mansion, and the place where bananas Foster was created.

View details — Brennan’s

Restaurant

6. Herbsaint

French-Southern bistro$$$Warehouse District

Donald Link's St Charles Avenue bistro, open since 2000, serving seasonal French-Southern cooking with Italian touches, including a dark roux gumbo.

View details — Herbsaint

Restaurant

7. Cochon

Cajun$$$Warehouse District

A Warehouse District restaurant from Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski serving traditional Cajun and Southern cooking built around local pork, produce and seafood.

View details — Cochon