Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in New Orleans

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in New Orleans? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bistro Daisy

5.0

5 (1373)

$30 and under

American

Uptown

About the restaurant

A quaint eatery nestled in the heart of Uptown New Orleans, Bistro Daisy -named for the daughter of owners Anton & Diane Schulte-opened in the summer of 2007. The Restaurant features fresh, seasonal and often local ingredients prepared in the American bistro style. Daisy's award-winning dishes and charming atmosphere have established this Uptown bistro as one of the city's premier dining experiences.

Top review

Louis

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

The food was outstanding as always. The service was exceptional. A good to restaurant for any very special celebration.

Saffron NOLA

4.9

4.9 (792)

$31 to $50

Indian

Uptown

About the restaurant

SAFFRON NOLA, the culmination of the Vilkhu family’s lifetime of passion for culture and food. Their James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant in 2018 was hard-earned after gracing the New Orleans community with a catering business for 26-years and a pop-up restaurant for 6-years. In its sixth year, SAFFRON NOLA continues to garner accolades such as JBF Best Chef South 2024, 2025 and New York Times Best 25 Restaurants in New Orleans. They continue to charm guests by tying in culture, local ingredients, and hospitality.

Top review

Chef Kalen

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was good however the gumbo was a bit watered down and service was slower than expected. Extremely busy night for this restaurant (8pm) My new money drink was different because it had the appearance of ice water but it was EXTREMELY DELICIOUS! Very surprising and different. Will be back soon for that flavorful gumbo I’ve heard so much about!

The Kingsway

4.9

4.9 (36)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Uptown

About the restaurant

The Kingsway is a fine dining Asian restaurant by Chef Ashwin Vilkhu, a 2025 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: South, and the next chapter from the family behind the acclaimed Saffron NOLA.
Inspired by the deeply personal flavors of childhood dinners and the cultural crossroads of Asia, The Kingsway offers a contemporary interpretation of tradition—refined, intentional, and rooted in heritage.

Set in a Japandi-Scandinavian inspired space defined by clean lines, natural textures, and understated elegance, the dining room mirrors the philosophy of the kitchen: thoughtful, minimal, and quietly bold. Precision and warmth guide each guest experience, from the first pour to the last bite.

Top review

MegVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Beautiful restaurant with superb service. Food was delicious. Drinks were great! Loved the wine pairing!

Dakar NOLA

4.9

4.9 (91)

$50 and over

African

Uptown

About the restaurant

Dakar NOLA is a modern Senegalese tasting menu restaurant. The menu is inspired by Chef Serigne Mbaye’s most cherished memories of his childhood in Dakar, Senegal.
Dinner at Dakar NOLA features a pescatarian tasting menu with some dishes served family-style.
We are a reservations only concept open Tuesday through Saturday and our dinner experience lasts 2.5 hours.
Our menu changes often and is mostly dairy and gluten-free.
Reservations are open 42 days at a time with a new period opening at 10 am central time.
We are unable to accommodate the following allergies: Fin fish, soy, shellfish aroma/fumes, allium, honey
**We can accommodate shellfish allergy and peanut if noted in the reservation.
We can NOT accommodate a Vegan diet or a vegetarian that does not eat food cooked in seafood broth.
We are able to accommodate a gluten intolerance/allergy
In order to minimize disruptions to the kitchen, late arrivals will be served the current course being served

Top review

Nichole

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Amazing! The food, the service, the experience all amazing!

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Experience

Tasting Menu - Communal Dining

Experience

Tasting Menu - Private Table

Desi Vega Steakhouse Covington

4.9

4.9 (1055)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Covington

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing Desi Vega’s Steakhouse Northshore, located in the heart of Covington.

If your preferred reservation time is not available through Open Table, please call the restaurant directly to check availability at (985) 276-4994.

Our dining experience is also available at the Bar. Bar seats are on a first come first serve basis.

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service and outstanding food. The fillet is always spot on! We love our date nights at Desi’s!

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4.9

4.9 (1079)

$50 and over

Afternoon Tea

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Themed Tea Dates: Galentine's Tea- February 14, Mardi Gras Tea- February 15 & 16, *Irish Tea- March 16 (Adults Only- Price $95pp), Strawberry Tea- April 5, Easter -April 19 & 20, Mothers Day-May 10&11, Princess Tea-June 21 & 22 (Price-Adult $80pp & Kids $55pp) *Prohibition Tea-July 19 (Adults Only-Price $95pp), *LGBTEA August 30, (Adults Only-Price $95pp), Tarot-Tea- October 11 & 12, *Halloween Tea-October 25 & 26 (Price-Adults $80pp & Kids $55pp) *Holiday Tea-November 28-Dec 31st (Adults $80pp & Kids 12 & under $55pp) (limited seating) - Please call for availability.

Experience the delightful tradition of afternoon tea at Le Salon. Sip from a selection of 30 of the finest loose-leaf variety brews while your ears enjoy soft melodies from a harpist or pianist from the LA Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy an assortment of delicious tea sandwiches, scones and sweets as you engage in one of New Orleans locals most beloved and fashionable pastimes.

Top review

RonaldVIP

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Le Salon and The Windsor Court was wonderful as always!

Atchafalaya Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (6692)

$31 to $50

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Garden District

About the restaurant

Atchafalaya is a true New Orleans neighborhood eatery where the eclectic yet elegant atmosphere is only outshone by the attentive service and delicious local fare. Nestled under the oaks on the edges of the Irish Channel, Magazine Street, and historic Garden districts, this hidden gem is one the best contemporary Creole dining experiences that one can find in the city. Neighbors, locals, and out of towners alike will become regulars after experiencing the brand of hospitality offered by New Orleans’ only five “A” restaurant. If having standards such as a gumbo du jour, blue crab raviolo, or shrimp & grits, a nightly seafood special, or a filet paired with a selection from the world class wine program you will not be disappointed. The introductions of brunch, live music, cocktails, and now an extensive happy hour continue the newest culinary chapter for a storied local haunt, embracing New Orleans’ culinary culture while placing contemporary spin on traditional New Orleans cuisine.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great vibe, super friendly, engaged staff, and dinner was satisfying and yummy without being precious. We loved it.

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Popular dish

Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits

4.9

4.9 (8310)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Central Business District

About the restaurant

August is a Contemporary Creole restaurant creating unique dishes with a focus on Louisiana ingredients and inspired by classical training. Located in a historic 19th century French-Creole building in New Orleans’ Central Business District, the main dining room caters to the most unique dining experience. The interior is rich with original architectural details, gleaming hardwood floors, soaring columns, mahogany paneling and antique mirrors.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing evening celebrating my husband’s birthday. Food was thoughtful with perfectly balanced flavors. Loved our cocktails as well! Thank you for the special night!

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Popular dish

torchon of foie gras

Popular dish

red snapper Pontchartrain

Popular dish

blackened grouper

Bon Sake Sushi & Bar

4.9

4.9 (126)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Covington

About the restaurant

BON SAKE sushi & bar
Sushi Restaurant
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:00am-9:00pm • Fri & Sat 11:00am-10:30pm

We look forward to serving you.

Top review

TonyVIP

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

I just love Bon Sake it my favorite sushi place and the service is always consistently great. The sushi is just top notch and the owner is Jamie and her brother Kody are just fabulous… I love this place Tony Drake

Dakota Restaurant - Covington

4.9

4.9 (1286)

$50 and over

American

Covington

About the restaurant

Open since October of 1990, The Dakota has been a pioneer in the culinary industry on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. Their cuisine is influenced by the flavorful Creole cuisine, with Contemporary Louisiana. Other influences include the Southwest, California, and Asia using fresh local and seasonal ingredients.
The carefully selected wines pay tribute to the well crafted wines of North America while offering many of the traditional Old World styles of Europe.
In October of 2023, The Dakota moved to its new location in Historic Downtown Covington...just a block from the iconic Southern Hotel.
The Dakota continues to set the mark for what people look for when they dine – well crafted food, detail-oriented service, plush surroundings, and genuine hospitality.

Top review

Adam

Dined 4 days ago

Beautiful restaurant. Very nice environment matched by the wonderful care of the service. The food was adventurous, special and well made and presented.

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Popular dish

The Soft-Shell Crab

Popular dish

The Lump Crabmeat & Brie Soup

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