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  3. These 12 New Orleans restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
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These 12 New Orleans restaurants crush the outdoor dining game

A photo of Red logo
by Beth D'Addono
Updated May 29, 2024

With its balmy weather and lively soul, New Orleans is an outdoor dining paradise. The city’s best open-air setups are a mix of casual and fancy, but each one lets you take a break from the ordinary.

A flower-filled courtyard is ideal for date night under the stars. A French Quarter legend draws crowds for elegant Creole food and a burbling courtyard fountain. Jaw-dropping river views wait for you at a swanky hotel restaurant steered by a James Beard Award winner.

These New Orleans restaurants define the best in outdoor dining. Read on for a guide to 12 standout spots for a memorable alfresco meal.

A photo of Muriel's Jackson Square restaurant
4.7
4.7 (10372)
$50 and over
Creole / Cajun / Southern
French Quarter
About the restaurant

Famously haunted, Muriel’s is a Creole grand dame that overlooks the action of Jackson Square. Architecturally restored to showcase its 19th-century glamour, the restaurant is equipped with multiple dining rooms, but it’s the wrought-iron balcony that shines. Grab a spot here during happy hour (on weekdays from 3 pm to 5 pm) and sip New Orleans classics like sazeracs or Ramos gin fizzes. Then head to the plant-filled, air-conditioned courtyard for an epic Cajun meal.


Top review
Daniel
Dined 4 days ago
One of the best meals we ever had. Went for brunch. Exceeded all of our expectations. my wife had the French toast and I had the Jackson Square omelette. I also had the brandy milk punch. It was excellent. Will definitely go back there again if I’m in New Orleans. 
A photo of Brennan's restaurant
4.8
4.8 (11872)
$31 to $50
Creole
French Quarter
About the restaurant

All of Brennan’s is wonderful, from its flamingo-pink exterior to its aviary-themed bar, but the courtyard is sheer magic. The beautiful space has landscaping and a burbling fountain, and it’s a setting fit for weddings, parties, and Champagne sabering, which happens at 5 pm from Thursday to Monday. If you’re here for a romantic dinner, the outdoor space invites lingering over Southern staples like Gulf fish amandine—don’t skip the bananas Foster, a boozy dessert that originated right here.


Top review
Stacey
Dined 3 days ago
From the cocktails to the brunch entrees to the bananas foster, everything was divine. The service was impeccable, the ambiance is lovely, and the attention to detail made our experience perfect. Highly recommend!
A photo of Cafe Degas restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2992)
$31 to $50
French
Mid-City / City Park
About the restaurant

Cafe Degas has offered a leafy streetside setting since 1986, serving romance and elegant French food. The entire restaurant has an outdoor vibe—there’s a tree growing through the center of the main dining room, after all—but alfresco options also include covered seating on the front porch area and along the side. Come here for garlicky escargot and seared duck breast with summer fruit.


Top review
Michelle
Dined 3 days ago
Taylor our server was nice and engaging for our brunch. Wonderful to have two soups on the menu to choose from on this cold day. The duck cabbage soup was thick and comforting but I will always love the onion soup. Ravioli app...no one does the lemon beurre blanc sauce better than Cafe Degas...we enjoyed the Eggs Benedict, Omelet special and the omg delish grits and grillades...the shared Paris brest rounded out our meal...I love Cafe Degas...it's always a special experience...
A photo of Audubon Clubhouse by Dickie Brennan & Co. restaurant
4.4
4.4 (204)
$30 and under
American
Uptown
About the restaurant

You can now dine on The Clubhouse’s cozy wraparound patio daily, courtesy of expanded hours thanks to the restaurant’s new owners, the Dickie Brennan Restaurant Group. The historic oaks and lush garden views are great any day of the week, but Saturday stands out for a top-notch brunch: Start your morning with a chicken and waffle sandwich and a bloody mary—and go ahead, have key lime pie for dessert. There’s a two-mile track just steps away for a much-needed after-brunch walk.


Top review
Donna
Dined 3 days ago
Very nice Sunday brunch. Cold day so didn’t get to enjoy the veranda view. Carpeting would make the ambience feel warmer. I was hoping for more egg dish Brunch choices but all good.
A photo of The Bower restaurant
4.5
4.5 (777)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Lower Garden District
About the restaurant

“Bower” is named after a green shaded escape, and that’s exactly the atmosphere at this lush Lower Garden District charmer. The modern farm-centric restaurant features a freshly redesigned covered back patio—an airy space that’s ideal for locally sourced dishes by executive chef Marcus Woodham, like spicy scallop arancini and basil spaghetti with preserved lemon and burrata.


Top review
Denise
Dined 3 days ago
Great atmosphere, waitress gave great recommendations for food options.
A photo of Landry's Seafood House - New Orleans French Quarter restaurant
4.0
4 (1155)
$30 and under
Seafood
French Quarter
About the restaurant

While its French Quarter location attracts plenty of visitors, locals know that the views don’t get better than those at Landry’s on Lake Pontchartrain. Reserve an outside table overlooking the lake, where sailboats, fishing skiffs, and diving pelicans compete for your attention. Order a dozen Gulf oysters on the halfshell, cheesy crawfish bread, or fresh catch Pontchartrain, topped with crab, mushrooms, and a cream sauce.


Top review
Deb
Dined 4 days ago
It was a slow night for Landry’s when we visited, just days after the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. But that didn’t stop the maitre’d, waitress, and manager from welcoming us and providing excellent service. We had both of the Mahi-mahi dishes and finished with cheesecake. Overall, a lovely dining experience to start off the Carnival season.
A photo of The Country Club restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1183)
$30 and under
Creole / Cajun / Southern
Bywater
About the restaurant

Bring a swimsuit to lunch or dinner at this hidden Bywater gem. You’re here to enjoy chef Chris Barbato’s modern Italian and Creole food on a front veranda framed by columns and palm fronds, but your visit might also feature a dip in the pool by the back patio (day passes are available for a fee). Expect a daily-changing menu that could include beignets filled with blue crab and sofrito mascarpone, grilled salmon, and spaghetti puttanesca.


Top review
Angel
Dined 4 days ago
Wonderful experience! Many in my group had never been before, and they all loved it. Food was excellent, service was friendly and efficient, and the performance was amazing. Another successful Country Club outing.
A photo of Chemin à la Mer restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1176)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Central Business District
About the restaurant

Take in jaw-dropping river views at this Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans restaurant steered by James Beard Award-winner Donald Link. Chemin à la Mer’s claim to fame is a wraparound patio that overlooks the Mississippi River’s hairpin turn—it’s the reason New Orleans is nicknamed the Crescent City. In addition to the drop-dead gorgeous view, a meal here features a grand oyster bar, specialty steaks, and Gulf seafood, all tributes to French traditions.


Top review
RitaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Above & beyond as usual. One of the best dining experiences in the city. Warm courteous professional staff, excellent food & cocktails plus beautiful view of the river. I have never had an unpleasant experience at Chemin in the two years I’ve been a patron.
A photo of Café Sbisa restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1469)
$30 and under
Cajun
French Quarter
About the restaurant

This second-floor balcony is popular for its streetscape views and lacy wrought-iron accents. Café Sbisa is a more-than-century-old French Quarter brasserie led by chef and partner Alfred Singleton, who started in the restaurant as a busboy. Singleton’s outstanding French Creole dishes include crab cakes made with Louisiana blue crab and fried oysters Sbisa, served over Herbsaint creamed spinach and topped with a Tabasco-laced hollandaise.


Top review
Robin
Dined 4 days ago
Delicious food, old style atmosphere, quiet, white table cloth
A photo of Monday Restaurant + Bar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (899)
$31 to $50
American
Mid-City / City Park
About the restaurant

This Mid-City pub is an easygoing outdoor party space with loads of greenery and plenty of flat-screen televisions for watching games. It’s owned by chef Lenora Chong and her son Larry Morrow (the winning duo behind Morrow’s in the Marigny and Sun Chong in the Quarter) and boasts a tasty menu of drinks-friendly food like a salmon burger, hot wings with sweet Thai chile sauce, and a crispy catfish platter with fries.


Top review
Teresa
Dined on Jan 1, 2025
Amazing. I’ll be back. Sweet potato beignets was my purpose for coming.
A photo of Lola's restaurant
4.2
4.2 (752)
$30 and under
Spanish
Mid-City / City Park
About the restaurant

While many restaurants added outdoor seating during the pandemic, there’s something extra-special about Lola’s 14-table outdoor courtyard. The candlelit hideaway at this Spanish jewelbox wows with views of live oaks and Esplanade Avenue’s stately architecture. Paellas are made to order, giving you time for an order of garlic shrimp or a cold Andalusian almond soup, ideal for a warm summer evening.


Top review
Angel
Dined on Jan 6, 2025
Service is great, although you have your own server, the other staff does not ignore you if you seem to need something. The cooks make sure the food is seasoned and cooked perfectly. The outdoor patio feels great, well lit, and has a nature feel with trees around it.
A photo of The Italian Barrel restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3503)
$31 to $50
Italian
French Quarter
About the restaurant

Chef-owner Samantha Castagnetti channels her northern Italian roots (she was born in Verona) at this elegant restaurant serving Mediterranean hits like shrimp scampi in pesto and spaghetti with veal meatballs. The sidewalk café setup along Barracks Street allows for ringside seats to live music in the Jazz Museum courtyard across the street, and you’ll see why The Italian Barrel is one of the most romantic outdoor escapes in town.


Top review
Kirk
Dined 3 days ago
We have been eating at The Italian Barrel for 10 years or so and we have always had a great experience. The food is always great by NOLA standards which is saying something and the service has always been efficient and friendly. Saturday night was a birthday celebration and David, our server was great with food recommendations as well as wine. We could not recommend The Italian Barrel strong enough. You will not be disappointed.
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