The best and most famous restaurants in New Orleans boast legendary status - and for good reason; most have been serving up sensational flavors for over 100 years. As part of its culinary heritage, the city's top restaurants are a key factor in its diverse culture, and each is incredibly popular amongst tourists and locals alike. From Cajun, Creole, and African to French, Italian, and other world cuisines, the bustling multiculturalism of New Orleans is beautifully represented in the purest, most authentic way; through the local food scene.
Visitors to New Orleans and its many vibrant neighborhoods should take the time to sample its iconic dishes, most of which are still prepared in the same kitchens that made them famous. Such delicacies can be sampled at the city's best restaurants, which have not only achieved global fame, but also a cult-like following. With such a rich diversity of fine dining restaurants, small culture-laden eateries, historic and quaint cafés, and brilliant bars, what better way is there to fall in love with New Orleans than indulging in its equally diverse cuisine? When hungry in this melting pot of history, art, music, culture, and food, don't forget to check out these classic restaurants serving up their finest and most delicious delicacies.
10 Dooky Chase
Dooky Chase and its renowned Creole chef, Leah Chase, are long-established New Orleans legends. Whilst this artistic Treme establishment's excellent food receives consistent eccentric ratings, the place is also famous for its role in the civil rights movement; many of the leaders used to meet and eat here back in that volatile time. Above all, Dooky Chase's is a solid part of New Orleans' heart; when picturing the city, this old-time eatery and the ever-smiling Leah - its icon chef who rules the roost - most likely springs to the minds of anyone with a soft spot for the region.
Visitors who come to indulge in classic New Orleans history, art, and cuisine will adore the whole restaurant with its fascinating collection of African-American art covering the walls - all of which is just as sensational as the food. Home to some of the best-fried chicken in New Orleans, foodies will be utterly delighted by the tempting menu of Creole culinary feasts. Plus, the impressive lunch buffet is enough of a reason to visit alone.
9 Willie Mae’s Scotch House
Another iconic New Orleans Treme restaurant, Willie Mae's Scotch House has been serving top-notch fried chicken and hearty food ever since 1957. It achieved fame all across the country after it was granted the esteemed James Beard award for the best classic restaurant in the country's south.
Unfortunately, the restaurant suffered severe damage during the floods after Hurricane Katina, but thanks to the efforts of the local people and food-loving community, it was brought back to life in 2007. Ever since then, Willie Mae’s has even been branded "America’s best-fried chicken spot" by many food media outlets, such as the Food Network, the Travel Channel, and many more.
8 Mother's Restaurant
Mother’s situated in the Central Business District has always been a popular spot for breakfast amongst locals and is particularly famed for its mouth-watering baked ham and the Ferdi po'boy that comes with roast beef, ham, and chunks of meat in a meat juice gravy. No matter the time of day - breakfast, lunch, or dinner - Mother's is a classic New Orleans dining experience, especially for meat-eaters who simply love to sink their teeth into the juiciest meats in town bursting with intense flavor.
7 Café Du Monde
There's only one single dish available at this restaurant - and it's all it needs. Café du Monde's globally famed beignets are an affordable, highly-desired delicacy in New Orleans where the sweet treat has led to the café achieving almost icon-like status.
Many influencers and celebrities have been to this now world-famous joint to post indulgent, sugar-powdered goodies on their feeds - much to the envy and rumbling stomachs of mere mortals drooling over their smartphones.
6 Commander's Palace
Find the famous blue-and-white-striped oh-so-instagrammable awning in front of this restaurant in the intriguing Garden District, and you know you're in the right place for some top-tier Creole cuisine. Commander's Palace has catapulted to worldwide fame thanks to the efforts of Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse whose careers took off and took the culinary world by storm.
The place offers many delicious versions and varieties of classic Creole dishes and even irresistible 25 cent martinis and boasts a happy, festive air and a refined atmosphere - all making it an attractive place to relax and dine in New Orleans.
5 Brennan's Restaurant
Brennan's immediately catches the eye with its huge pink building on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Aside from its photography-worthy architecture and interior décor, the real draw is that it's the best spot in town to get the renowned New Orleans dessert - the Bananas Foster - which actually originated at the restaurant and is the reason for its fame (as well as its fantastic food of course).
At Brennan's, this iconic flaming treat is prepared right at the tableside, allowing diners to watch and mouths to water as it's made right before their eyes. Also, the premises itself is indeed very pleasant with its stately courtyard complete with a pretty pond where a group of resident turtles lives. Every year, these little local celebrities participate in a famed New Orleans event called “The Slowest Second Line in the World.”
4 Parkway Bakery & Tavern
A long-loved gem for many decades, the Parkway Bakery & Tavern serves enticingly affordable beverages and inarguably some of the best po'boys and sandwiches in New Orleans. Overflowing with lively locals and a typical New Orleans vibrant vibe, this joint has been featured on many TV shows and was even visited by President Obama.
3 Napoleon House
The name is a little deceiving; Napoléon House was indeed offered to Napoléon himself as a refuge following his exile from France. However, despite that, he never did make it to the place. Even so, this iconic New Orleans cultural and historic landmark has continued to achieve celebrity and admiration, treating customers to some of the most refreshing Pimm's cups and the tastiest muffulettas, baked goods, and sandwiches in town for over two centuries. If not for the food and drinks, then at least come to check out this historic joint's old French-chic rustic décor and pretty courtyard. The latter is even said to be haunted by ghosts of the past!
2 Galatoire's
The sometimes uncouth Bourbon Street is surprisingly home to a polished old-charming restaurant where gentlemanly waiters don black bow ties. Popular with refined businessmen who descend for lengthy lunches and dinners, Galatoire's offers a cultivated menu of five-star traditional Creole recipes that'll have even the poshest and poised diners foaming at the mouth. With the likes of shrimp rémoulade and trout amandine on the cards, it's no wonder this fancy spot is a famous favorite of elite prestige.
1 Coop's Place
Coop's Place actually started out as a local dive spot with not much of a reputation. But these days, it's a locally loved, friendly spot and is one of the French Quarter's most bustling joints thanks to its delicious and cheap dishes. Folks on the hunt for late-night eats particularly enjoy the place, and it can sometimes see crowds of hungry foodies waiting to sample its tasty yet affordable treats.
Despite achieving such fame, Coop's hasn't let it go to its head. The staff is as laid-back and down-to-earth as ever as they serve long-time New Orleans favorites like fried chicken, rabbit jambalaya, and shrimp Creole.