The Most Classic Restaurants in New Orleans (2024)

Established in 1840, Antoine’s boasts the title of New Orleans’s oldest restaurant and the birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller. Today, it’s still family run (under the watchful eye of fifth-generation proprietor Rick Blount). No matter which of the grand 14 dining rooms you find yourself in, you’ll be rewarded with personable service and classic French-Creole cuisine. Cap the evening with the Cafe Brulot Diabolique, a flaming coffee co*cktail dramatically presented table side.

713 St Louis Street, 504-581-4422, antoines.com

Chef Alon Shaya’s buzzy namesake Israeli spot may be built around humble staples, but don’t be fooled—it ranks among the best in the city. All it takes is a few bites before you realize Shaya’s brilliant ability to elevate even the simplest snacks. The steamy, pillowy pitas are baked in a wood–fired oven, while the velvety hummus arrives with creative toppings, such as curried fried cauliflower and lamb ragú.

4213 Magazine Street, 504-891-4213, shayarestaurant.com

Awash in a whimsical palette of pinks and greens, the iconic establishment is best known for turning out indulgent, leisurely breakfasts of Caribbean milk punch, baked apple, and egg yolk carpaccio. But acclaimed chef Slade Rushing is proving dinner to be a must-visit affair with his sophisticated spins on local favorites. His redfish amandine, for example, gets fancified with crunchy Marcona almonds and preserved lemon butter.

417 Royal Street, 504-525-9711, brennansneworleans.com

Named after chef and co-owner Kelly Fields' grandmother, this lively, all-day cafe in the Warehouse District embodies everything a modern neighborhood restaurant should be. The food is straightforward and deeply comforting (think pimento cheese, avocado toast, and fried chicken biscuits), the service is relaxed, and the prices are wallet friendly. In short: it’s the kind of place you’ll want to come back to over and over again.

611 O'Keefe Avenue, 504-509-7334, willajean.com

The handsome dining room—kitted out with oversized glass windows, crystal chandeliers, and an oil portrait of founder Count Arnaud—sets an unequivocally elegant tone for dinner and Sunday brunch, but make sure to pop by the adjacent Arnaud's French 75 Bar for a more relaxed, laid-back experience with spirited, well-crafted co*cktails like sazeracs and, naturally, French 75s. And no visit would be complete without a visit upstairs to the restaurant’s Mardi Gras Museum.

813 Bienville Street, 504-523-5433, arnaudsrestaurant.com

While many top restaurants in the Big Easy offer Friday lunches—the booze-filled, mid-day meals are practically an institution—you won’t find a better, or more civilized version than the one at chef John Besh’s flagship restaurant in the Central Business District. Even though rich, heavy food is the city’s hallmark, the kitchen also offers an imaginative vegetarian tasting menu that satisfies even the most dedicated of carnivores.

301 Tchoupitoulas Street, 504-299-9777, restaurantaugust.com

Opened in 1880, this stately Victorian mansion in the Garden District attracts both tourists and locals alike with its winning combination of gracious service, refined Creole cooking by chef Tory McPhail, and an upscale, yet approachable vibe. The legendary weekend jazz brunch pairs house favorites (such as bloody marys, turtle soup, and bread pudding soufflé) with the soulful sounds of Joe Simon's Jazz Trio.

1403 Washington Avenue, 504-899-8221, commanderspalace.com

The seafood at this bustling, casual eatery in the Warehouse District might be local, but the inspiration by chefs and partners Donald Link, Stephen Stryjewski, and Ryan Prewitt is global. Make a meal out of the hearty snacks and small plates, including the smoked tuna dip with house made saltines, crawfish and jalapeño capellini, and fried bread. Desserts (like the salted caramel cake) ensure your meal ends on a sweet note, too.

800 Magazine Street, 504-522-1744, pecherestaurant.com

Situated on the ground floor of the recently renovated, historic Pontchartrain Hotel, this fine dining destination features a lush and colorful decor, with green banana leaf carpeting, white rattan furniture, and oversized murals by local artist Charles Reinike. While the food mostly pays homage to the city’s rich culinary history, there’s also original, globe-trotting creations like Tempura Shrimp Saki and short rib ravioli.

2031 St Charles Avenue, 504-323-1500, thecaribbeanroom.com

For over 75 years, this beloved, family-owned mainstay has been dishing up some of the city’s finest comfort food. But given the limited hours—it’s open only for lunch Tuesday through Friday, and Friday for dinner—arrive early, and be prepared to wait. Once you’re seated, your best bet is to go with the daily buffet. From arguably the city’s best fried chicken to a tender, seasonal fruit cobbler, everything here is made lovingly from scratch.

2301 Orleans Avenue, 504-821-0600, dookychaserestaurant.com

At the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery is where you’ll find chef Nina Compton’s delicious love letter to her birthplace, St. Lucia, and her adopted home in the South. House favorites include the curried goat, which is paired with sweet potato gnocchi, and crunchy conch croquettes, which arrive with tangy pineapple tartar sauce. The Caribbean-inspired co*cktails—the Holy Trinidaiq is a zippy blend of coconut rum, bitters, and lime—are no slouch, either.

535 Tchoupitoulas Street, 504-599-2119, comperelapin.com

Since Jean Galatoire opened this mainstay on Bourbon Street in 1905, the menu has for the most part remained unchanged. On any given day, you’ll see tuxedo-clad waiters juggling generous plates of shrimp creole, gumbo, and shrimp remoulade, while gracefully tending to throngs of well-heeled women and well-dressed gentlemen (jackets are required).

209 Bourbon Street, 504-525-2021, galatoires.com