New Orleans is known for many things, including Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and Bourbon Street, but the city’s heart and soul lies in its amazing local cuisine and its wealth of talented chefs who are dedicated to showcasing the best Louisiana has to offer: Gulf shrimp, crawfish, Creole tomatoes, okra and Ponchatoula strawberries as well as many of Louisiana’s other amazing heritage foods. The city’s restaurants run the gamut from local po-boy shops to Vietnamese noodle joints to crab shacks on the lake and, of course, ultra-fine dining.
Many of the Chefs and restaurateurs were heroes during the storm and its aftermath. Tales of these individuals' actions include:
- Serving 77,000 free meals to first responders and relief workers.
- Motoring through the floodwaters delivering food and water to people stranded in their homes and providing rescues.
- Re-opening their restaurants within a month of the hurricane and serving dinner on Styrofoam plates and cups because they were operating without potable water. A returning restaurant scene provided the local folks a place to see friends and a distraction from their daily troubles.
Although many of these restaurants are struggling to keep their doors open with the drop in tourism, there is a strong optimism that New Orleans will soon be back as strong as ever. Dozens of new restaurants are opening and most of the old favorites have reopened. New Orleans is rebuilding and there is a lot of excitement in the air. Many chefs and restaurateurs have taken this opportunity to renovate and revamp, making their restaurants better than ever.
Below is a list of ten restaurants serving amazing fare and who are ready to delight and surprise.
Crabby Jack’s
Fried Green Tomatoes with Shrimp Remoulade Salad and Stuffed Mirlitons are just a couple of the decadent offerings here. Take care of any po’ boy cravings with their selection of duck debris, shrimp, catfish and oyster po’ boys. Open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Closed Sunday.
Rates: $
Comments: Also serving the famous fried chicken from their sister restaurant, Jacques-Imo’s.
428 Jefferson Highway
504-833-CRAB
Dante’s Kitchen
Located in the Riverbend neighborhood, this secluded house on River Road is a break from the usual dinner and brunch fare. Specialties include the must-have Crabmeat and Brie French Toast, Grilled Shrimp and Stone-ground Grits for dinner, and the Debris and Poached Eggs with Caramelized Onion Biscuit for brunch (debris is a New Orleans term for any type of braised and pulled meat, generally pork, beef or even duck). Open for dinner Monday through Saturday, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and for brunch Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Rates: $$
Comments: The best grits in town.
736 Dante Street
504-861-3121
www.danteskitchen.com
Café Degas
This popular French bistro, located near Bayou St. John, offers open-air dining under the oaks. Specialties include a house-made charcuterie plate, a cool, creamy vichyssoise and Sautéed Sweetbreads. Lunch and dinner served Wednesday through Friday and brunch Sunday.
Rates: $$
Comments: Romantic atmosphere and fun little bar.
3127 Esplanade Ave.
504-945-5635
www.cafedegas.com
Santa Fe
Presently under renovation, but it might be open by the time you get there. Santa Fe is located in the heart of the Marigny, not far from Frenchman Street. Specializing in Southwestern cuisine, Santa Fe has the best margaritas in town. Pulled Pork Quesadilla, Crab and Avocado Salad, and the Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Peppers are all outstanding.
Rates: $$
Comments: Great place for large groups.
801 Frenchman Street
504-944-6854
La Crepe Nanou
Crabmeat and Creamed Spinach Crepe, Escargots, and Steamed Mussels with Steak Frites make La Crepe Nanou an uptown favorite for bistro fare. Crepe Nanou is only open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 6:00 pm until 10:30 pm. Reservations are not accepted, so try to get there early.
Rates: $$
Comments: Crepe Nanou always draws a crowd, but it is definitely worth the wait.
1410 Robert Street
504-899-2670
www.lacrepenanou.com
Savvy Gourmet
Pick up lunch while shopping uptown for high-end kitchenware and gadgets galore. Lunch can be eaten in the high-tech warehouse space or taken to go. Try the Louisiana Fried Oyster and Roasted King Mushroom Salad with Celery Hearts and Maras Farm’s Sprouts or the Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho. Cooking classes are hosted by local chefs in the evenings. Lunch served Monday through Saturday, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Rates $-$$
Comments: Savvy Gourmet is also home to the Slow Food Convivium in New Orleans and hosts events to benefit New Orleans chefs who lost their restaurants due to Hurricane Katrina.
4519 Magazine Street
504-895-2665
www.savvygourmet.com
Vizard’s on the Avenue
Located on historic St. Charles Avenue in the St. Charles Hotel, Chef Kevin Vizard has reopened his namesake in a new location. New Orleans locals gather at the bar in the early evening and stay all night. The outstanding wine list complements an equally impressive menu. For your first course, try the Greens, Egg and Ham Salad with Manchego Cheese, the delectably smooth Scallop Flan with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat or the Soft-shell Crab Bisque. Entrees include Fried Soft Shell Crab with a Fennel, Red Onion and Avocado Slaw or a sumptuous Rack of Lamb served over a Zucchini Hash Cake with Romesco Sauce. Tuesday through Saturday, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, dinner only.
Rates $$$
Comments: Reservations recommended.
2203 St. Charles Avenue
504-529-9912
Lillette
Housed in an old laundromat on Magazine Street, Lillette offers eclectic fare for the uptown diner. Korubuta Pork Belly with Cucumber-Basil Salad, Escargots with Wild Mushrooms and Calvados Cream or the house-made Boudin Noir are excellent choices for dinner. For lunch, try Chef John Harris’ celebrated Sweet Corn Broth with Avocado and Jumbo Lump Crabmeat or the Duck Confit Salad with Mushroom Vinaigrette. Lunch 11:30 am until 2:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner 5:30 pm until 9:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday and 5:30 pm until 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday.
Rates $$$
Comments: The oysters on the half shell are the best in town.
3637 Magazine Street
504-895-1636
Cochon
For traditional Southern Louisiana fare, try Chef Donald Link's new Warehouse District restaurant. At Cochon, which is French for pig, the menu is divided into small plates, boucherie, sides and wood burning oven items. Anything with pork is always a great bet. Be sure to try the Crawfish Pie, Fried Chicken Livers and Smothered Greens, and, especially, the Oyster and Bacon Sandwich. Lunch 11:30 am until 2:00 pm Monday through Friday and dinner 5:30 pm until 10:30 pm Monday through Saturday.
Rates $$-$$$
Comments: Loved the hog’s head cheese.
930 Tchoupitoulas
504-588-2123
Table One Brasserie
Located in the heart of the Magazine Street shopping district, Table One Brasserie is the perfect refuge from the New Orleans heat. Cool off with Prosciutto and Melon Salad with a Sweet Lime Dressing, Antipasti for Two or the Calamari Salad with tomatoes, olives, red onions and cucumbers. If you have worked up an appetite from shopping, try the Stuffed Soft-shell Crab or the Filet topped with a Fried "Farm" Egg and Peppercorn Sauce. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on Sunday.
Rates: $$
Comments: If you just want a light meal, try the house-cured salmon or the cheese plate.
2800 Magazine Street
504-872-9035
