This New Orleans institution has such a wide-reaching reputation that even President Obama has sampled its offerings. Come here to get your hands around a poor boy (or po'boy) sandwich, a Louisiana traditional submarine sandwich. The sandwiches come in all varieties, from barbecued beef and charbroiled hamburger to grilled shrimp and oven-cooked turkey. Whatever you try, it's sure to be uniquely delicious.
No list of New Orleans restaurants would be complete without Commander's Palace. Voted “Best Restaurant in the United States” in 1996, this fine southern establishment lives up to its reputation with exceptional cuisine and a dining experience you will not soon forget. One piece of the package here is the wait staff; the efficient servers are attentive rather than officious. Dining rooms vary in size from large to intimate in this modified 1880s Victorian house. Commander's Palace is particularly known for its turtle soup. Other standouts include the Mississippi Roasted Quail Stuffed with Creole Crawfish Sausage and for dessert, the Creole Bread Pudding Souffle. There is also an excellent wine list with suggestions for each entree.
At NOLA, owned by famed chef Emeril Lagasse is all about creating the best patron experience possible. This means that the service, decor and most importantly, the food, most all work off of each other. NOLA accomplishes this and more, with a beautifully decorated dining area complemented by impeccable service and a diverse offering of seafood dishes. NOLA is short for New Orleans, and is an appropriate moniker as this restaurant nicely captures the essence of the Big Easy.
Acme Oyster House has been a mainstay in the NoLa dining scene since its inception in 1910. This iconic restaurant, with its vintage neon signboard, serves up a unique take on local flavors. Their signature raw oysters are a must have, followed by coastal specialties like Poopa, French bread canopy stuffed with sausage and shrimp gumbo.
A part of the Brennan family, Mr. B's Bistro features Creole cuisine served in an upscale ambiance. It has earned many accolades for its authentic menu and tantalizing flavors. Try the panko crusted jumbo shrimp or the Gumbo Ya Ya, both of which are traditional favorites. The heartwarming score on the live piano provides a pleasant backdrop to the meal.
This French-market coffee stand, established in 1862, offers a menu of dark coffee with chicory, beignets, white or chocolate milk and freshly-squeezed orange juice. Cafe Du Monde is one of the most popular and the oldest of its kind in New Orleans. You may have to wait for a table in the busy morning hours owing to its famous breakfast menu. While the coffee is certainly good, most people come for the famous, fresh-from-the-fryer beignets. They are brought to your table in such a hurry that they are still hot when you take that first melt-in-your-mouth bite. Hop in at any time of the day (or night) to dig into delicious southern munchies and relish some of the most popular coffee in Louisiana!
Tarka brings the flavor of South Asia to the New Orleans area with this casual restaurant. Sample the flavors of the region with appetizers like Veggie Pakora and Meat Samosa, and entrees like Chicken Biryani, Goat Quorma, or Chicken Boti. A vegetarian portion of the menu offers interesting meat-free dishes with traditional flavors. In addition to the regular menu, several chef’s specialties are available on Fridays and Saturdays and lunch buffet is offered daily. Tarka does not serve alcohol and does not allow patrons to bring their own. -Beth Dolgner
Though Copeland's of New Orleans is a chain restaurant, they strive that every location has a charm of its own. Their branch on West Esplanade Avenue is the only one in town. It is a nice spot to try Cajun and Creole specialties. Enjoy their dishes like Crab Stuffed Beignets, Crab Stuffed Catfish Roulade, Eggplant Pirogue, Crawfish Etouffée and Shrimp Ducky.
Zea Rotisserie & Grill is a part its namesake chain of restaurants. Their creative American menu comprises of rotisserie, seafood, soups, small plates, sandwiches and lunch specials. Their portions are generous and delicious. Their rotisserie platter are a hit among their patrons. Every day has a different rotisserie dish.
Cafe Du Monde on Williams Boulevard is among the eight branches of the local coffee house. It is one of the best places in town to have Au Lait. Their fresh beignets is another reason why you must make a stopover at this friendly spot.
French Press Coffeehouse is an independent cafe. They have beans from all over the world and take pride in their brew. Take a sip of their Praline, White Chocolate, Cappuccino, Southern Pecan and Latte. Their food menu comprises of sandwiches, salads and a dish of the day.
Pho Sunrise opened its doors in 2012 and is a nice option if you are looking for Vietnamese cuisine. Their dishes are freshly prepared and packed with flavor. You might have to wait a bit as it is a small spot but the service is quick.