You'll find restaurants of all types in the Crescent City, from Vietnamese spots to barbeque joints and even a handful of vegan restaurants. That said, New Orleans' greatest claim to culinary fame lies in its rich history of Creole and Cajun food. Many of the city's best eateries have been family-owned for over a century, and recipes have been preserved through generations of owners who revere their ancestors' dedication to quality comfort food.
Honestly, you can walk through the door of nearly any New Orleans restaurant and have the best meal of your life — but if you're looking for the absolute best authentic New Orleans food, here are our top spots.
If you want to feel like you're in Europe without leaving the United States, there's no better place than New Orleans' French Quarter. Colorful, old-world buildings line meandering streets; blasts of trumpet, piano, and saxophone music fill the humid air; and locals and tourists alike sip cocktails on open-air iron balconies overlooking the scene.
It's here that you'll find Arnaud's, a fine-dining Creole restaurant situated on Rue Bienville. Arnaud's opened its doors in 1918, and its commitment to quality is ensured by fourth-generation owners and operators.
It's hard to miss Commander's Palace if you're strolling around New Orleans' Garden District. The palatial, turquoise-and-white restaurant has been a NOLA institution since opening its doors in 1893 and has been operated by the Brennan family — local legends in the culinary community — since 1974. A long line of decorated chefs, including Emeril Lagasse, Tory McPhail, and current executive chef Meg Bickford, have contributed to this landmark's reputation for excellence over the years, and the restaurant has won an impressive seven James Beard awards to date.
With Southern dishes like crawfish strudel, turtle soup, and pecan-crusted gulf fish, Commander's is an exemplary spot for anyone looking for a true taste of NOLA.
We can't discuss NOLA food without mentioning the "Queen of Creole Cuisine": the inimitable Leah Chase. Chase was a titan of industry in the New Orleans culinary community, but her legacy extends far beyond the Crescent City. Throughout her career, she earned multiple awards, authored "The Dooky Chase Cookbook," and inspired the character of Princess Tiana in Disney's "The Princess and the Frog."
Chase opened the doors of Dooky Chase's in 1941, and the restaurant remains stellar today even after 80+ years of operation.
At Mandina's, you'll find a wide variety of offerings. While many are Creole-leaning (shrimp remoulade, fried oyster salad, and Gulf fish meuniere, for starters), Mandina's also plays tribute to its founder's Italian roots. The veal parmesan and spaghetti are legendary, as is the eggplant parmesan, but you'll also find po'boys, gumbo, and a darn good classic muffuletta.
The humble menu belies the fact that there's something truly special underneath — Mandina's is a tried-and-true spot for those who want to experience superior Creole food at an affordable price tag.
Perhaps the most exclusive restaurant in New Orleans, Galatoire's is also one of the most traditional. Owned and operated by the fifth generation descendants of its founder, the Bourbon Street establishment has served the upper echelons of NOLA society and its visitors for well over a century. To this day, the restaurant maintains unmatched service, outstanding food, and a fairly strict dress code; and hopeful diners must make reservations far in advance in order to guarantee a coveted spot.
The standard menu features French-Creole fare such as shrimp étouffée, fresh local fish, and oysters Rockefeller as well as impeccably prepared cuts of steak.
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of the city's most widely attended gatherings. While there are plenty of food and drink options available at the fest, many attendees choose to pop into a nearby restaurant and bar to save some cash before braving the crowds. For NOLA natives, that often means dropping by Liuzza's — in fact, the restaurant bills itself as "the unofficial pre-Jazz Fest headquarters." This mid-city gem has been around since the 1930s and its location makes it a hotspot for anyone visiting the fairgrounds –- but it's also a well-loved location for New Orleanians looking for a great meal that won't break the bank.
