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Discover the Best New Restaurants in New Orleans

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by The OpenTable Team
Updated October 23, 2019

As the saying says, you can let the good times roll in New Orleans - and the city's restaurants serve up a remarkable array of dishes with a wide variety of global and national influences. The best new restaurants in New Orleans add to the city's charm, delivering locals and visitors to "The Big Easy" a creative menu of eclectic dishes. But where are The Big Easy's residents heading out to when looking for the best new restaurants in New Orleans? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. Here, we've gathered together information from the city's in-the-know diners to put together this list of the 20 best new restaurants in New Orleans. With everything from traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine to modern Italian and classic French, the city's best new restaurants have something for everyone. Grab a table and let those good times roll!

A photo of Sofia New Orleans restaurant
Sofia New Orleans
4.6
4.6 (1871)
$31 to $50
Italian
Warehouse District
About the restaurant
Right in the middle of the city, Sofia is one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. The wood-fired oven at Sofia turns out some of the best pizzas in town. Go for "The Spicy" with Calabrese salami and chile, pickled Fresno chiles, red onion, and aged mozzarella. A creative "Rucola" pizza features fig jam, gorgonzola, prosciutto, and toasted hazelnuts. The house cocktails at Sofia are also standouts. Try the special "Opening Night," made with tequila, grapefruit, limoncello, bergamot, and cucumber. The "Dainty Vixen" is perfect for a night out, with vodka, lemon, banana, and egg white.
Top review
Chris
Dined 6 days ago
Always a great meal and atmosphere at Sofia.
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A photo of Margherita of a restaurant
Popular dish
Margherita
A photo of Kale of a restaurant
Popular dish
Kale
A photo of Justine restaurant
Justine
4.6
4.6 (2639)
$31 to $50
French
French Quarter
About the restaurant
A quick walk from the water and in the midst of some of the coolest attractions in New Orleans, Justine is one of the city's premier destinations for excellent French food. This colorful and cozy bistro in the French Quarter vibrates with electricity. It offers an eclectic menu of hearty favorites. Start with some of the hors d'oeuvres, like foie gras torchon, salade Nicoise, and oysters en persillade with preserved lemon and butter. For an entree, go for the French favorites like a Croque monsieur with Parisian ham and Emmental or duck confit with English peas and spring onion. For a powerful drink alongside dinner, try the "Foreign Legion" with absinthe, creme de menthe, mint, and creole bitters.
Top review
Amber
Dined on Sep 25, 2024
This restaurant is super cute and open all day in the French Quarter. I love the fun and feminine decor and the bar is absolutely beautiful. The cocktails are excellent and the food is great too. shrimp and grits and the French onion soup are two signatures that you need to try
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A photo of Vanilla Crème Brûlée of a restaurant
Popular dish
Vanilla Crème Brûlée
A photo of Shrimp & Grits of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp & Grits
A photo of PEI Mussels of a restaurant
Popular dish
PEI Mussels
A photo of Carmo restaurant
Carmo
4.7
4.7 (170)
$30 and under
Seafood
Warehouse District
About the restaurant
This bright and airy tropical vegan-friendly restaurant on Julia Street is one of the most innovative and one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. A perfect destination for any type of eater, Carmo's international-flavored tropical menu includes flavors from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Be sure to try the Singapore chili shrimp served with Chinese fried steam bread or the "Rico," grilled plantain with panela cheese, house-smoked wild boar, avocado, and house sauce. There's a wide selection for vegetarian and vegan eaters at Carmo, too.
Top review
Robertvip
Dined on Sep 27, 2024
The shmiya sashimi was perfect after the delicious Burmese tea salad.
A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - New Orleans, LA | Central Business District restaurant
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - New Orleans, LA | Central Business District
4.6
4.6 (594)
$31 to $50
Japanese
Warehouse District
About the restaurant
The New Orleans outpost of this celebrated chain meaning "Horn of the Bull" delivers authentic Japanese barbecue to New Orleans. It's the perfect place for a dinner out with a group of friends and family. Stop in for the Happy Hour menu, with plenty of food and drink specials. For prime barbecue, try the house "Gyu-Kaku" menu. This selection of favorites features miso soup, beef sukiyaki bibimbap, and much more. Meals even feature a sweet S'mores treat for dessert!
Top review
Raevip
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing experience and the food was delicious! I’ll be back soon!
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A photo of Prix-Fixe Yakiniku Courses for Everyone! of a restaurant
Experience
Prix-Fixe Yakiniku Courses for Everyone!
A photo of Gallagher's Restaurant on Front restaurant
Gallagher's Restaurant on Front
4.7
4.7 (796)
$31 to $50
Steak
Slidell
About the restaurant
The newest restaurant from celebrated Louisiana chef Pat Gallagher is in the heart of Olde Town Slidell. Stop into this Front Street favorite for an extensive menu of Louisiana favorites. Start with Louisiana-style blue cakes, eggplant Orleans or oysters Pablo with spinach and shallots. For the main course, try the mixed grill, pairing Louisiana grilled quail with "off-the-rack" Colorado lamb chops. The menu also boasts shrimp remoulade, barbecue spare ribs, and stuffed chicken with herbal cream cheese.
Top review
Elexa
Dined 7 days ago
Everything was phenomenal. The surf and turf tasted delicious, but the lobster tail was very tiny for the price. Next time will just be getting filets!
A photo of One Thirteen Restaurant restaurant
One Thirteen Restaurant
4.6
4.6 (307)
$30 and under
American
Hammond
About the restaurant
A green and welcoming hot spot in Hammond, One Thirteen is a quiet and creative spot for elevated New American favorites. It's one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. Start with appetizer favorites like spinach queso or grilled artichokes, or go for a Louisiana favorite with the seafood gumbo. For dinner, try the pecan-encrusted trout with sun-dried tomato cream sauce, seasoned rice, and covey rise veggies. There is also a prime rib sandwich with lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo, and truffle fries. It's also a place for those with a sweet tooth. Try the triple-layered carrot cake with vanilla bean cream cheese icing, chopped pecans, and drizzled caramel.
Top review
Sabrendavip
Dined on Sep 20, 2024
The chicken sandwich was amazing as was the redfish. And now they have French onion soup!! It was delicious! We each had one.
A photo of Evangeline restaurant
Evangeline
4.3
4.3 (585)
$30 and under
Cajun
French Quarter
About the restaurant
A classic, lively Louisiana spot in the heart of the French Quarter, Evangeline is one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. Grab a seat in the courtyard to take in the ambiance of the city and grab some of the Acadiana-style cuisine. Fried alligator, "okra Evangeline," and Louisiana blue crab cakes are all appetizer favorites. The "From Down the Bayou" menu includes Acadia crawfish and grits and chicken and sausage jambalaya.
Top review
Kelly
Dined 5 days ago
Nick and staff were super accommodating. Had crabcakes and pasta Evangeline. Absolutely delicious! Came from California to try this place recod by locals Thank you Nick for taking care of us at closing time, even though our Opentable reservation was scheduled for when you close. Amazing service!
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A photo of Crawfish Etoufee of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crawfish Etoufee
A photo of Bread Pudding Beignets of a restaurant
Popular dish
Bread Pudding Beignets
A photo of Pasta Evangeline of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pasta Evangeline
A photo of True Food Kitchen - New Orleans restaurant
True Food Kitchen - New Orleans
4.8
4.8 (686)
$30 and under
American
Warehouse District
About the restaurant
Healthy and hearty food is on the menu at the True Food Kitchen. Head to the Julia at St. Charles to eat well and healthy at this charming spot with a creative menu. Starters feature healthy favorites like butternut squash soup, edamame dumplings, charred cauliflower, and herb hummus. For the main course, try the Thai coconut sea bass with bok choy and green bean or the poke bowl with wild-caught albacore, avocado, and mushroom. The grilled fish tacos with pickled jicama and dried sweet corn are another house favorite.
Top review
Alexis
Dined on Sep 14, 2024
Drinks and food were excellent! Great atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

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