Restaurant recommendations in New Orleans?

Question

I'm traveling for business to New Orleans at the end of August. Can anyone recommend a good, fun restaurant in the French Quarter? Price is no object. Thanks.

Answer 1

Like others that have answered here, I can tell you two things: it is hard not to get a great meal in New Orleans. This ain't Dallas, baby. Second, you cannot just select one place. I think the best approach is to give selections by meal.

I would also be wary of 'best' recommendations made by people who do not live in New Orleans. The city has changed alot since Katrina, and often the most popular are not the best or most fun. Keep in mind that all of these restaurants are open. I have been to all of them since Katrina. If you choose other restaurants from responses here, please call ahead to make sure they are open and if they take credit cards. I am going to try to focus on the 'fun' part of your question, so here goes . . .

Breakfast:
Surreys 1418 Magazine St. Great funky breakfast place in the lower garden district. Not a touristy place and kind of granola-y but some unique dishes. Cash only

Petunia's 817 St. Louis - In the French Quarter. Excellent traditional breakfast fare and reasonable. There may be a wait on the weekends.

Lunch:
Port Of Call - 838 Esplanade - French Quarter. People go here for only one thing, hamburgers. They are the best in the city, perhaps the US. You may also want to consider a Monsoon or a Huma Huma (these are powerful drinks)

Bourbon House - 144 Bourbon St (Bourbon & Iberville). Excellent seafood, sit on the oyster bar area.

Dinner:
This is much more difficult, so I am offering more than two choices . . .
Bayona - 430 Dauphine
Irene's Cuisine - 539 St. Phillip
NOLA - 534 St. Louis
Cafe Giovanni - 117 Decatur

If you really want fun, you need to go to Jacque-Imo's @ 8324 Oak St. This is not in the quarter, it is in the Carrollton area of town. But, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere reeks of fun. The staff are crazy-friendly and Chef/Owner Jack comes out and visits each table. You will have fun here.

Answer 2

I haven't been since Hurricane Katrina, so I'm not sure if these are still open. For breakfast you must go to Cafe Du Mond and get begniets (I have no idea if I spelled that right, but it's pronounce ben-yay). It is the French version of a doughnut. For dinner you should definately go to Ralph & Kacoo's (seafood). If you don't get the blackened alligator (appetizer), I will have to scold you! It is soooooooo good. Remember: blackened (not fried). They have fried alligator, but for some reason it isn't that great. Maybe just in contrast to the blackened, because normally I do like fried, but not there. That may be the only disappointing item on the menu. You could also go to Ruth's Chris steakhouse. I haven't eaten at the one in New Orleans, but there is one in Houston (NOLA is the original) and it was very good. Really, wherever you go, you almost cannot go wrong. Don't forget to go to Pat O'Brien's and get a hurricane!

Answer 3

Russell Marina Grill isn't in the french Quater but is in New Orleans. Its wonderful. I use to work their and still go there alot to eat because the food is great and fresh. The cook Shelly can cook just about anything. And the service is wonderful. If ya need directions once ya get down here their # is 504-282-9999. Only open from 7am-3pm because of the hurricane but wonderful food. Even has breakfast all day if ya want. Have fun when ya come down here.

Answer 4

Angelies is my favorite restaurant!!!!!! If you go down Esplande coming from Mid-city say from... City park, take Decatur it is the last street to the right before you get to the levee once you get on Decatur go down and it is on the corner of the third block. It is open allllll night so if you go out for a long nights of partying and you want some great food... GO HERE! They sometimes have a little open band and they have movies screening on the wall sometimes. Great atmosphere. I have to hit it up every time I go back. Get the sampler, spinach feta triangles and some pizza. The pizza is amazing! If you are going down Esplande instead of taking a right onto Decatur take a left onto Frenchman. This is where all the locals go to party and hang out. On holidays Decatur and Frenchman are amazing to party on. On frenchman there is this really cool hookah resturant. Hit that up as well. They also have people playing live but it is more of a very mellow feel. Good drinks. Keep away from Bourbon. It sucks.

Answer 5

The Gumbo Shoppe for lunch or dinner, Cafe du Monde for breakfast, and for a snack go to Poppy's for homemade potato chips. Also, if you want a REAL hurricane (and not the Kool-Aid version from Pat O'Brien's), go to Jean LaFitte's Blacksmith Shop (if it's still there after Katrina), which is the oldest bar in New Orleans. I believe it's near the end of Bourbon Street, in the opposite direction from Canal Street.

Answer 6

K Paul's is an excellent choice, and also The Court of Two Sisters, although not in the French Quarter, the fist and original Ruth Kris's steakhouse is also an excellent choice. Pat Obriens is also a good choice, famous for their hurricane drinks, where you can also purchase the glass to bring home as a souviner.

Answer 7

My must-eat places whenever I'm in NOLA are:

For fine cuisine:
Herbsaint (in the CBD, but an easy walk from the French Quarter, and in a safe neighborhood): http://www.herbsaint.com/

For cheap eats:
Central Grocery: 923 Decatur Street
The BEST muffaletta, but be prepared to stand in line

Royal Street Grocery & Deli: 801 Royal St
There's something very southern about eating in this little storefront shop -- and the food is good.

Also, be sure you check out Southern Candymakers. I wouldn't bring home pralines from anywhere else, and their chocolates and glazed pecans are great, too!
http://www.southerncandymakers.com/StoreFront.bok

Answer 8

pretty much anywhere in new orleans is good. in my opinion that city has the best food. i'd say any cafe in the french quarter is a good bet. defiantely try these places that are located in the French Quarter: Chartres House Cafe (my fav cafe there and they are open late and serve classic new orleans food and a full bar aswell), ACME Oyster House (best po boys and if you like oysters, best oysters too, one of my other fav places to go), The Gumbo Shoppe, Orleans Cafe, Cafe Au Lait, and many more....just be adventerous and give any place a try!

Answer 9

After living in N.O. for over 28 years the hands down best restaurant in the Quarter (voted by critics and locals) is Bayonna's. After a great meal then it's time for the fun!!!

Answer 10

Tujagues' (I'm not sure of the spelling), close to the famous Cafe Du Monde, where they sell the chicory coffee and beignets.
It is not a "fun" restaurant, but cozy and the food is excellent.