Best Casual Restaurants in Garden District

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianMexican

Regions

New Orleans

Neighborhoods

BywaterCarrolltonCentral Business DistrictChalmetteCrown PointFrench Quarter

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

72 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Meril

4.6

Exceptional(6745)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Warehouse District

Booked 27 times today

Located in the Warehouse District, Meril is Chef Emeril Lagasse’s lively restaurant in New Orleans. Meril’s casual restaurant interior is marked by a signature open style kitchen and a large bar area, featuring a varied wine selection and craft cocktails. Named after his daughter, the restaurant showcases some of Chef Emeril’s favorite dishes that he loves to eat, featuring everything from Wood Fired Flatbreads to Korean Chicken Wings. Lagasse brings his expertise and distinguished hospitality to Meril, creating a deliciously spirited dining experience.

2. Pascal's Manale

4.5

Awesome(3424)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Uptown

Booked 18 times today

Founded in 1913, this family-run, Italian-Creole restaurant is located in uptown New Orleans. It is famous for creating barbecued shrimp.This neighborhood restaurant is vintage New Orleans, from the service to the decor. The oyster bar is always manned by a friendly shucker. The oysters are fresh, salty, and delicious.The old time oyster bar and cocktail bar offers raw oysters on the half shell and all types of cocktails. We offer fine seafood, Italian specialties, and delicious steaks.In 2023, Dickie Brennan & Co. welcomed Pascal's Manale into their restaurant family.

A photo of Tacos del Cartel - New Orleans restaurant

3. Tacos del Cartel - New Orleans

4.6

Exceptional(357)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Central Business District

Booked 35 times today

At Tacos del Cartel, tacos, brunch, lunch and dinner are an art form. The menu is a culinary love letter, a symphony of flavors that dance on the taste buds. The culinary rebels in the kitchen experiment with traditional Mexican recipes, infusing them with the boldness of cultures.

4. Mister Mao

new

4.9

Exceptional(5)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Uptown

Booked 13 times today

Mister Mao is a vibrant restaurant in New Orleans, offering a unique dining experience with globally-inspired small plates and creative cocktails. The menu features a diverse selection of dishes, including dim sum and an always changing variety of shareable plates. The restaurant has a trendy, casual atmosphere with a tropical twist, highlighted by vibrant colors, funky decor, and lively music. The bar serves innovative cocktails and twists on classics. Mister Mao prides itself on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create delicious dishes. The friendly and knowledgeable staff provides attentive service to ensure a memorable dining experience.Whether you're enjoying a fun night out with friends or celebrating a special occasion, Mister Mao is the perfect place to savor the unique flavors and atmosphere of New Orleans. Location: 4501 Tchoupitoulas.

5. Domenica

4.7

Exceptional(7629)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Central Business District

Booked 30 times today

Domenica translates to “Sunday,” in Italian, it is the day of the week to explore and cook leisurely, abundant meals. At Domenica restaurant, our chefs seek to transport guests to those coveted moments, offering passionately prepared dishes that marry pure, local ingredients with revered techniques.While the menu is rooted in tradition, our chefs focus on elevating Italian ingredients and classic flavors to create modern classics, adapted for the contemporary palate of New Orleans. The fresh pastas made by hand daily, roasted vegetables, meats and Napolitano style pizzas, all prepared in the restaurant’s iconic wood oven, are perfectly complemented by custom-brewed beers, seasonal craft cocktails and an Italian-focused wine list.

A photo of Lula Restaurant Distillery restaurant

6. Lula Restaurant Distillery

4.5

Awesome(1983)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Southern • Lower Garden District

Booked 6 times today

In the heart of New Orleans, expertly crafted food, spirits and cocktails come together in a unique privately owned micro-distillery and restaurant.We are quintessentially southern with a distinct Louisiana influence. We are Lula Restaurant-Distillery.As the first and only restaurant-distillery in New Orleans, Louisiana and in the Southeast US, we promise to offer you an incredible experience in the shadows of our copper still and along the historic streetcar line of St. Charles Avenue.Join us Monday-Sunday for Happy Hour from 4-7, Saturday and Sunday 11-3 for Bottomless Vodka Bar

7. Bayou Bar

4.4

Awesome(17)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Uptown

Bayou Bar is now offering the added amenity to reserve a table in advance for Jazz Shows Tuesday-Thursday.Reservations are NOT required. All shows are open to the public with no cover charge. Should you want to take advantage of the added option to reserve your table in advance, you can do so via OpenTable for shows Tuesday-Thursday. If you do not see availability, that does not mean a show is sold-out. It only means the specific number of tables available for reservations have already been reserved. Please do join us anyway!The cost is $25 per seat at the table you reserve. Please note that the $25 per seat is only to have the table held for you. It is not a cover charge, nor is it a deposit.

A photo of Monday Restaurant + Bar restaurant

8. Monday Restaurant + Bar

4.6

Exceptional(1037)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Mid-City / City Park

Booked 66 times today

Located in one of New Orleans’ most historic neighborhoods, Mid-City, Monday is an indoor/outdoor dining destination crafted by renowned restauranteurs, Larry Morrow and Lenora Chong, and is a must-visit for anyone seeking the best in American Cuisine and Happy Hour Specials in the city.The bar menu includes everything from exclusive crafted cocktails to bottle service to all-day Happy Hour specials on Mondays. More than just a dining venue, Monday promises to deliver a singular blend of excellent food, innovative cocktails, and one-of-a-kind experiences, making it the perfect Event Hosting and Brunch Spot.Monday is open for lunch and dinner six days a week. NOTE:For large party bookings (8+ people) and private events, email reservations@mondaynola.com.

A photo of Drago's Seafood Restaurant at Hilton New Orleans Riverside restaurant

9. Drago's Seafood Restaurant at Hilton New Orleans Riverside

4.3

Awesome(1423)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Central Business District

Booked 33 times today

It’s been that way since Drago & Klara Cvitanovich opened our restaurant in 1969. They set out to offer delicious seafood and a good time to guests for a reasonable price. At that time, they couldn’t even imagine how many guests that would become.Today it’s still a family atmosphere. Klara is still at the front to greet our guests. Tommy Cvitanovich, Drago and Klara’s son, is there to see that things run smoothly. Thank you for choosing Drago’s Seafood Restaurant at Hilton New Orleans Riverside for your dining experience. We don’t accept reservation, however, walk-ins are always welcome to join us. Hope to see you soon!

10. Nice Guys Nola

4.1

Excellent(569)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Creole • Crown Point

Booked 42 times today

Quality you can taste! Nice Guys family offers many different cuisines and traditions. Most importantly to us, we are obsessed with excellent food and superior customer service. In New Orleans we realize people come from all across the globe for some amazing New Orleans food. At Nice Guys, we are happy to serve you that amazing food. Located in New Orleans at 7910 Earhart Blvd, five minuets from downtown, Nice Guys Nola is a new restaurant adventure with all the vibes. The concept and creativity in every dish was created by owners Glenn and Allison Charles. We always have something crazy and over the top to look forward to every weekend. Join us for our fall off the plate specials, amazing brunch and craft cocktails. We look forward to serving you.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
ASHLEA
New Orleans / Louisiana •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The absolute best restaurant in New Orleans!!!! I go there every single time we’re there!!!
More info
Mister MaoPrice: Expensive• Asian• Uptown
•
4.9
D
Dana
Atlanta •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Had a great experience, Heather was awesome, the food was great, will be back.
More info
DomenicaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Central Business District
•
4.7
S
Steven
Dallas - Fort Worth •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Lauren is a great server, the food was fantastic and we look forward to coming back.
More info
MerilPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Warehouse District
•
4.6
J
John
Houston •39 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
First time at this iconic restaurant, meeting a long time lover of the location for lunch. Services was excellent, food was solid but nothing special. BBQ shrimp and grits was watery, catfish well fried but sauce was nothing special. Brad pudding was excellent. Oddly the bread, while warm, was rock hard…very atypical for a Brennan’s place. There was a quite pungent smell in the lobby. Hope to return for the oyster bar another time.
More info
Pascal's ManalePrice: Moderate• Italian• Uptown
•
4.5
H
HarryVIP
New Orleans / Louisiana •11 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 24, 2025
Celebrated a birthday there and it was amazing. Thank you for a wonderful family meal
More info
Tacos del Cartel - New OrleansPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Central Business District
•
4.6

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