New Orleans food guide: The best restaurants in New Orleans

Famed for its soulful spirit and rich cultural heritage, New Orleans is a city that lives and breathes food. From Creole classics to bold, modern bites, its vibrant dining scene is as diverse as the city itself. During your cruise to the Big Easy, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Eat your way around the city with our guide to the best restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner in New Orleans. 

• Molly’s Rise and Shine
• Ruby Slipper Café
• Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar 

2368 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 

Tucked away in the Lower Garden District, Molly’s Rise and Shine is a cheerful breakfast spot that brings a playful twist to morning favourites. Set in a converted cottage with colourful décor and retro cereal boxes lining the shelves, it’s as fun as it is flavourful. The menu champions comfort food with a creative edge - think cheesy scrambled egg toast, biscuit sandwiches and their signature roasted carrot yoghurt with granola and fruit. 

Multiple Venues

A beloved brunch institution born and raised in New Orleans, Ruby Slipper Café serves up Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch delights in a warm, vibrant setting. This spot brings the city’s soulful spirit to every plate, from perfectly fluffy biscuits with house-made cane-syrup butter to crowd-pleasing dishes like Bananas Foster French Toast, shrimp and grits, and loaded tots. 

1418 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Set in a charming cottage on Magazine Street, Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar blends laid-back vibes with fresh, wholesome flavours. As New Orleans’ oldest organic juice bar (since 2001), it offers a unique breakfast experience centred around vibrant, house-pressed juices and creative dishes. The menu spans healthy-minded options, from kale-carrot juice blends to vegan and gluten-free fare, alongside local favourites. 

• Cochon Butcher
• St. James Cheese Company
• Turkey and The Wolf

930 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 

A casual, counter-service delight tucked in the Tchoupitoulas warehouse district, Cochon Butcher brings old-world charcuterie into a modern deli format. Every sausage, terrine and cured meat is made in-house by their expert butchers, with freshly baked bread delivered daily from sister bakery La Boulangerie. The menu delivers standout sandwiches and punchy sliders, small plates and daily specials. 

Multiple Venues

With two laid-back venues - one Uptown and one in the Warehouse District - St. James Cheese Company is a go-to lunch spot for lovers of all things cheese. The menu is packed with generously filled sandwiches, vibrant salads and curated cheese and charcuterie boards. Favourites include the turkey and cheddar melt, the Ploughman’s lunch and the indulgent Il Mostro, layered with spicy salami and hot pepper jelly. 

739 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

This vibrant sandwich counter in the Irish Channel is a national cult favourite, known for its bold, nostalgia-driven creations and playful atmosphere. Highlights include the indulgent fried-bologna sandwich and the legendary collard-green melt - an oozy, flavour-packed vegetarian delight. Bon Appétit crowned Turkey and The Wolf America’s best new restaurant in 2017, and its Creole tomato sandwich is stealing the mid‑summer show in recent seasons. 

• Commander’s Palace
• GW Fins
• MaMou

1403 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

Nestled in the Garden District since 1893, Commander’s Palace is New Orleans' fine dining at its most iconic. Under the stewardship of the Brennan family since 1974, it has revolutionised hospitality and Creole cuisine. The restaurant’s haute Creole menu is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition, with alumni chefs like Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse launching their rise here. 

808 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 

Located in the French Quarter, GW Fins is celebrated for its daily-changing menu showcasing the freshest catch. Since 2001, chef Michael Nelson has elevated Gulf and global seafood through inventive, artful preparations - think Scalibut (a signature halibut and scallop pairing) and rich lobster dumplings. The restaurant was recently named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant. 

942 N Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

A modern European brasserie in the heart of the French Quarter, MaMou feels like a warm dinner party with top-tier cuisine. Opened in 2022 by chef Tom Branighan and sommelier Molly Wismeier, the menu highlights French techniques and Louisiana flavours - standouts include escargot tartlets, Gulf fish à la Royale and the unforgettable blue-cheese Charlotte with beets and butter lettuce.