It’s hard to get a bad meal in New Orleans. After all, it is known for its excellent food. Some people travel there mainly to eat, it is so good. Here, even the neighborhood restaurants are just as satisfying as the world-class restaurants that the French Quarter is famous for. They are just different. One of those neighborhoods is Uptown. It’s easy to get there by taxi or tram if you’re staying in the French Quarter or downtown, and it’s definitely worth the trip. So if you’re ready to try a few restaurants outside of the French Quarter, venture to Uptown for some great food.
01
of 09
Commander’s Palace
Good dinner
4.5 4.5
Commander’s Palace is on the winning end of countless awards, including being named New Orleans ‘most popular restaurant 18 times and New Orleans’ best restaurant for four years in a row beginning in 2015. It has also been honored with the Wine Spectator Grand Prize, and the Outstanding Restaurant Award from the James Beard Foundation, among many others. If you’re going to spend a package at a NOLA restaurant on your vacation, this iconic Garden District legend is one of the top contenders. Go there for a Creole-influenced jazz brunch, lunch, or dinner and cut this one off your bucket list.
02
of 09
Joey K’s
If you want comfort food like red beans and rice, cheese fries, chicken fried steak, fried chicken, catfish, seafood, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac n cheese, and apple pie, well, Joey K’s on Magazine Street is Definitely. the place you are looking for. Settle in and wait for one of your favorite meals like your mom used to make. It is sure to be on this menu.
03
of 09
wedding’s
Casamento is an old reserve resource in the upper zone; was established on Magazine Street in 1919, and has been serving Louisiana-style seafood to raves ever since. Serving four to six, the Big Easy Platter is a seafood lover’s dream, with oysters, crab claws, shrimp, and catfish or trout, plus French fries on the side. Casamento’s is open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Saturday and for dinner on Sundays.
04
of 09
Emeril’s Delmonico
Delmonico’s has been serving Creole food in the Garden District on St. Charles Avenue since 1895. In 1998, restaurateur Emeril Lagasse renovated the space and reopened the famous venue to serve modern Creole cuisine in legendary surroundings. In the great tradition of New Orleans, there is live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
05
of 09
Grandfather
Avo, on Magazine Street, serves regional Italian fare, and its chef, Nick Lama, has the good faith – he’s a third-generation Sicilian and a native of NOLA. Lama has won multiple awards for this new Italian restaurant with a simple menu full of interesting pasta dishes.
06
of 09
The Brigtsen
Good dinner
4.4
Brigtsen’s owner and chef, Frank Brigtsen, is serving up classic Louisiana cuisine to rave reviews. He has been named best chef of the year and one of the top 10 new chefs of the year (by Food & Wine in 1988, when he was a young chef). His restaurant was voted “Best Cajun” in 2000 in the Zagat poll. The menu changes daily, but you can trust it to focus on local flavors made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
07
of 09
Apollo Restaurant
Good dinner
4.4
Apolline exudes atmosphere at its location in a renovated double-shotgun cabin on Magazine Street. It’s an apt backdrop for their craft cocktails and mostly a New Orleans-style menu for dinner and brunch.
08
of 09
Coquette
Good dinner
4.4
Coquette, which opens on Magazine Street, is owned by two chefs whose passion is delicious Southern cuisine. It prides itself on being a neighborhood hangout, as well as a place that’s nice enough for a special dinner.
09
of 09
Pizza Sunday
Charmingly rustic, with exposed stacked wood and chalkboard menus, Pizza Domenica serves wood-fired pizza from its open kitchen in a casual setting. (But this vibe doesn’t stop you from having necessary crystal chandeliers. It’s NOLA, after all.) Its special toppings and unique dough make it a standout for this dinner-waiting option.
