The most famous restaurants in New Orleans

It’s hard to miss the large, pink restaurant on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Brennan’s is where the iconic dessert, bananas Foster, originated—granting the venue much-earned glory. Here, the signature flaming dish is prepared tableside. Inside the restaurant is a stately courtyard with a pond, home to a group of turtles who participate in a locally-famous event: the “Slowest Second Line in the World.” 

The crown jewel of the Brennan food empire, this landmark Garden District restaurant has been a beacon of fine dining since 1880. There’s no resting on laurels here, though: Chefs Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, Jaime Shannon, Tory McPhail and now Meg Bickford have nurtured the Creole menu while making their own marks. The iconic Victorian mansion is the perfect setting for an intimate meal, large celebration or relaxed 25-cent martini lunch. Turtle soup is a must; the bread pudding soufflé provides an excellent finish and everything in between will impress.

Dooky Chase's—and the late chef Leah Chase—are New Orleans icons. The Treme restaurant is known for its role in the Civil Rights movement when many leaders used it as a meeting spot for shared meals. The walls are adorned with an impressive collection of African-American art and, of course, the food contributes to the fame: some of the best fried chicken in town, a menu of Creole classics and an impressive lunch buffet are must-tries.

Amidst the chaos of Bourbon Street is a refined, old-line restaurant where waiters wear black bow ties and business people make deals during marathon lunch-into-dinner sessions. At Galatoire's you’ll dine on famed traditional Creole dishes like shrimp rémoulade and trout amandine while you soak in the always-celebratory atmosphere.

While there’s only one dish available at this restaurant, it’s a famous one. Cafe du Monde’s beignets are a beloved local treat, an affordable indulgence available at any hour. The brand is known around the world, and many a celeb and influencer have posted a powdered sugar-covered selfie.

Located just off Bourbon Street, Arnaud’s has been a go-to destination for classic Creole cuisine and traditional service since 1918. The historic restaurant remains true to its traditions and courtesies, and the assortment of dining rooms draws locals and visitors alike for special occasion dining. Start with a pre-dinner cocktail at the award-winning French 75 Bar, then dive into classics like soufflé potatoes and shrimp remoulade. Be sure to finish with a flaming Café Brûlot and a visit upstairs to the free Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum, which features lavish Mardi Gras costumes, vintage photographs, Carnival masks, and elaborate krewe invitations and party favors.

This family-owned, casual neighborhood joint is a top choice for classic, overstuffed po-boys. It has grown in popularity but the friendly staff still cares for the locals and welcomes tourists like family. Shrimp are fried to perfection, roast beef is sufficiently messy and the Barq's (and beer) is served icy cold. The oyster po-boy is a favorite, but it is only available Wednesdays and Thursdays. For a non-traditional po-boy option, try the smoked alligator sausage or the Italian caprese. Grab a table outside and dig into one of the best po-boys found anywhere.

This French Quarter beauty is notable for numerous reasons, not the least of which is its designation as the oldest continually-operating restaurant in the U.S. This is where oysters Rockefeller and eggs Sardou were created, and other delights such as soufflé potatoes and the flaming café brûlot are revered. The grand rooms, including the mirrored Rex Room, are visually stunning and have appeared in films like The Pelican Brief, The Client and JFK.

What was once a dive patronized by mostly locals looking for a late-night bite now requires stanchions at certain times to hold back the hordes of curious diners looking to experience one of the French Quarter’s most lauded spots for tasty cheap eats. Fame hasn’t changed Coop’s much—the bartenders and servers have always been cranky—and filling favorites like rabbit jambalaya, shrimp Creole and fried chicken are still top-notch.

After all this time, “Bam!”—chef Emeril Lagasse’s signature finishing flourish—remains a well-known catchphrase. His flagship restaurant in the Warehouse District is still going strong after more than 30 years, and a recent renovation means it shines even brighter. Dine on contemporary Louisiana cuisine and finish up with Emeril’s famous banana cream pie. 

Located in the Central Business District, Mother’s is known for its baked ham and the Ferdi po'boy featuring ham, roast beef and debris (bits of meat in au jus gravy). Mother’s has always been popular for breakfast, meat-and-threes and po’boys, but gained a boost of notoriety a few years back when Beyonce visited and told millions of her social media followers about it. 

Temporarily closed for renovations

This legendary Treme restaurant has been serving soul food and list-topping fried chicken since 1957. The eatery gained nationwide fame when it won a James Beard award for best classic restaurant in the Southern region. Willie Mae's was restored after being damaged by the floods following Hurricane Katrina, but a fire damaged it again in 2023. Loyal patrons eagerly await the reopening of the original, but a new location in the CBD has opened in the meantime to serve up the same beloved fried chicken.

Though it was named after him and offered to him as a place of refuge after his exile from France, Napoleon never made it here. Still, this 200-plus-year-old landmark carries on with his name, serving thousands of Pimm’s Cups and muffulettas to locals and tourists alike. Grab a seat in the courtyard and keep an eye out for the ghosts that are said to haunt the place.

Dining at this iconic Uptown spot is as lively and unforgettable as the food itself. It’s got all the local vibes you could ask for, from the scrappy decor to the boisterous atmosphere to the flavorful Creole soul food. There’s always a wait, but grab a drink at the bar and when you’re seated you'll be in the perfect mood to dig into signature dishes like alligator sausage cheesecake and shrimp étouffée. Dining as a pair? Request the cozy table in the bed of the vintage pickup truck parked out front and take it all in.

Alongside Hurricanes and Hand Grenades, the Monsoon is one of New Orleans’ most potent concoctions. At the edge of the French Quarter, you’ll find locals and tourists alike packing the dimly-lit Port of Call for this party-starting drink. Fortunately, quality sustenance is on hand in the form of the kitchen’s famous half-pound burgers that come with a baked potato on the side. 

Meticulously researched lists of the best fried chicken in New Orleans generally omit Popeyes, but given its iconic status, this local favorite stands on its own. The chain was born here and retains its Louisiana flavor with crunchy, perfectly-spiced chicken. More than just chicken though, Popeyes is also beloved for its red beans and rice and gut-busting biscuits.