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The Best Bars for Foodies in New Orleans

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by The OpenTable Team
Updated February 26, 2020

Laissez les bons temps rouler in New Orleans! When you think of the greatest American cities for a good time, you don't have to go too far down the list before the name "New Orleans" comes up. The Big Easy is one of the best cities on the planet to grab a drink. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemakers List. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Bars and restaurants in NOLA deliver some of the finest cuisines in America—traditional Cajun and Creole favorites, Gulf seafood, sweet treats, and so much more. Let the good times roll at these New Orleans bars.

A photo of Ye Olde College Inn restaurant
Ye Olde College Inn
4.8
4.8 (1717)
$30 and under
Creole
Carrollton
About the restaurant
One of the coolest dining experiences in New Orleans. The name might scream out cheap beers and pub food, but Ye Olde College Inn is a true farm-to-table restaurant. The proof of that? It's right next door. The Olde College Inn's urban farm is next to the restaurant. This is the place to go to with a group of friends to admire the work of true food artisans and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Dine on their fabled onion rings, shrimp remoulade, or the incredible fried green tomato shrimp po-boy sandwich, and pair the dishes with a cold beer or a cocktail.
Top review
Kelly
Dined 5 days ago
Wonderful! It was my mom‘s 87th birthday and they had a wonderful job accommodating our group. Food was wonderful. Service was wonderful, decorations were wonderful for Christmas! Could not have asked for a better experience!
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A photo of Breaded Veal Cutlet of a restaurant
Popular dish
Breaded Veal Cutlet
A photo of Shrimp Remoulade of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp Remoulade
A photo of Oysters Bleu of a restaurant
Popular dish
Oysters Bleu
A photo of Meril restaurant
Meril
4.5
4.5 (6475)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Warehouse District
About the restaurant
Famous Food Network chef Emeril Lagasse's fourth New Orleans restaurant is a hot spot in the town's Warehouse district. The bar scene is always lively here. Patrons can sip on a wide selection of fantastic and unique house cocktails. The food is classic Emeril. There's lots of Gulf seafood, wood oven-fired flatbread pizzas, fresh pasta, oversized salads, and sweet dessert treats.
Top review
Michael
Dined 2 days ago
Very nice dining experience. Culinary and service excellence.
A photo of Desi Vega's Steakhouse restaurant
Desi Vega's Steakhouse
4.7
4.7 (2706)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Warehouse District
About the restaurant
A beautiful, classic steakhouse tailored to New Orleans sensibilities, Desi Vega's is a bustling spot off of St. Charles Avenue with a dazzling white interior. It screams out Big Easy cool. There's a gorgeous bar to belly up to for a cocktail or a few glasses from the extensive wine list Desi Vega's is so famous for.
Top review
PaulVIP
Dined on Dec 17, 2024
Excellent as always!! Perfect for my business meeting over lunch. Thank you Diego and Jasmine
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A photo of Spinach Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Spinach Salad
A photo of Petite Filet of a restaurant
Popular dish
Petite Filet
A photo of Caesar Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Caesar Salad
A photo of Superior Seafood restaurant
Superior Seafood
4.8
4.8 (4851)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Uptown
About the restaurant
A prime fresh seafood destination in New Orleans that's ideal for anyone who wants to hop off the streetcar and hop into a restaurant for a delicious dinner. Oyster fans will be in briny heaven. Superior's oyster bar is the place to go to for selections from the Gulf. Stop into the bar for a classic New Orleans cocktail or one of their signature frozen drinks.
Top review
rob
Dined 1 day ago
Great meal and experience!!! Christmas Eve was jumping and our waiter Gary was awesome. Every dish from grill oysters to the blackened catfish to the carrot cake was on point. Highly recommend!!!
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A photo of Raw Gulf Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
Raw Gulf Oysters
A photo of Oysters Superior of a restaurant
Popular dish
Oysters Superior
A photo of Char-Grilled Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
Char-Grilled Oysters
A photo of GW Fins restaurant
GW Fins
4.9
4.9 (20012)
$50 and over
Seafood
French Quarter
About the restaurant
Amazing seafood in a beautiful location. This French Quarter institution prides itself on having some of the best seafood in the city. There's an ever-changing menu based on the daily catch that arrives at the restaurant—Louisiana bigeye tuna, local drum, and blackened swordfish are some of the favorites. Stop in for dinner in the gorgeous dining room or have a bite at the curving, modern bar with one of the GW Fins cocktails.
Top review
Liana
Dined 2 days ago
Great experience at GW Fins this evening. My party enjoyed the lobster bisque, tuna tacos, red snapper, and scallop carbonara. The bisque and carbonara were the stand outs (along with the biscuits, of course). The restaurant had great holiday decorations. The restaurant was definitely bustling but still was quiet enough to comfortably hold a conversation. Shout out to Oliver to handling the busy evening like a pro!
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A photo of Salty Malty Ice Cream Pie of a restaurant
Popular dish
Salty Malty Ice Cream Pie
A photo of Lobster Dumplings of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Dumplings
A photo of Snapper Ceviche of a restaurant
Popular dish
Snapper Ceviche
A photo of Mr. B's Bistro restaurant
Mr. B's Bistro
4.7
4.7 (6341)
$31 to $50
Creole
French Quarter
About the restaurant
One of the coolest restaurants in all the city. Stylish lamps light Mr. B's entrance off of Royal Street in the French Quarter. There's plenty of seafood on the menu—jumbo scallops, lump crab cakes, fried oysters, seafood gumbo—along with excellent filet mignon, chicken, pork chops and a whole lot more. Get in there and groove with Mr. B's famous Sunday jazz brunch.
Top review
Cathleen
Dined 2 days ago
A wonderful meal and delightful service from Mr. Brett. Highly recommend you try for yourself.
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A photo of Bacon Wrapped Shrimp & Grits of a restaurant
Popular dish
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp & Grits
A photo of Hot Buttered Pecan Pie of a restaurant
Popular dish
Hot Buttered Pecan Pie
A photo of Crispy Fried Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crispy Fried Oysters
A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - New Orleans restaurant
Ruth's Chris Steak House - New Orleans
4.4
4.4 (3540)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Central Business District
About the restaurant
Ruth's Chris is an institution around America. You know exactly what you're going to get here—delicious and sizzling steaks delivered on hot plates. Being New Orleans, this Ruth's Chris also offers excellent seafood and excellent cocktails alongside an extensive wine list.
Top review
Jay
Dined 2 days ago
Marcus was great !! Very attentive . The ribeye was beyond DELICIOUS !!!
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A photo of Filet of a restaurant
Popular dish
Filet
A photo of Mr. John's Steakhouse restaurant
Mr. John's Steakhouse
4.6
4.6 (3060)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Garden District
About the restaurant
Mr. John's Steakhouse is a mixture of styles. It blends the atmosphere of classic New Orleans bar with the rich and elegant feel of a traditional steakhouse spot. It's earned accolades for its luxurious design and the excellent food and drinks served. There is a wonderful selection of fine wines, craft beer, and tasty cocktails.
Top review
Al
Dined 5 days ago
Our waiter, Will catered to our needs while managing 3 other tables. He was extremely conscientious and provided excellent service making this a very memorable dining experience.
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A photo of Ribeye of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ribeye
A photo of New York Strip of a restaurant
Popular dish
New York Strip
A photo of The Pelican Club restaurant
The Pelican Club
4.6
4.6 (4563)
$31 to $50
Creole / Cajun / Southern
French Quarter
About the restaurant
A New Orleans bar that guests must visit—it's one of the finest Creole restaurants in the whole city. A French Quarter hot spot for tourists and locals, The Pelican Club is a gorgeous spot for dinner or for a quick bite and drink. There's a rich wine list from around the world with exotic selections from Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and elsewhere. Plus, they offer creative mixed drinks like the "Cool Hand Luke."
Top review
James
Dined 2 days ago
There were 8 of us and the Revellion menu had something for us all. Not one of the group was dissatisfied with any part of the meal. Two meals of particular brilliance were the chopping and the roasted duck. The ciopino was all Louisiana in style and in flavor. The roasted duck in a grape blueberry confit was genius and easily the best game bird I ever tasted. An honorable mention and very honorable indeed was the pork chop which was thick delicious and tender. Randy provided an excellent night of service, knowledgeable and attentive. A very professionable waiter.
A photo of Muriel's Jackson Square restaurant
Muriel's Jackson Square
4.7
4.7 (10308)
$50 and over
Creole / Cajun / Southern
French Quarter
About the restaurant
A spookily delicious dining experience. Muriel's Jackson Square has a fascinating ghost story that comes along with your drink or meal. There's a fine menu of New Orleans favorites and classic cocktails; be sure to stop in for the Sunday jazz brunch for some tunes and food.
Top review
Dawn
Dined 3 days ago
We've been coming to New Orleans for over 30 years, and last night, we finally had the pleasure of having dinner at Muriel's Jackson Square. It was one of the best meals we've ever had in New Orleans! Outstanding!
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A photo of Wood Grilled Pork Chop of a restaurant
Popular dish
Wood Grilled Pork Chop
A photo of Shrimp and Grits of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp and Grits
A photo of Pain Perdu Bread Pudding of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pain Perdu Bread Pudding
A photo of Revel Cafe and Bar restaurant
Revel Cafe and Bar
4.5
4.5 (75)
$30 and under
American
Mid-City / City Park
About the restaurant
The party is right there in the name. Revel is famous for its legendary New Orleans bartender and owner Chris McMillan—a man who co-founded a museum that celebrates the American cocktail. McMillan's classic cocktail menu is full of his colorful creations and some old New Orleans favorites, alongside tasty local bar snacks and filling meals.
Top review
shornkochVIP
Dined on Aug 13, 2021
Really great food very affordable. Attentive and friendly service

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