Explore the Best Women-Led Restaurants in New Orleans
March 8th is International Women’s Day. In celebration, we created a list featuring some of the most exceptional women in New Orleans’ culinary scene. This colorful, flavorful city—alive with costume parades, French vibes, and creole food—is musically big and easy to love. Next time you’re in town, we invite you to celebrate women (and eat something delicious) at one of these top spots.
| Restaurants: | Compère Lapin, Bywater American Bistro, Coquette… |
|---|---|
| Price Range: | $$ - $$$ |
| Cuisines: | American, Bistro… |
| Neighborhoods: | Central Business District, Bywater, Garden District… |
For 2 people today
Compère Lapin
$$$$·American·
Central Business District
- Creative Cuisine
- Fit for Foodies
- Good for a Date
"Compere Lapin is the brainchild of its chef/co-owner Nina Compton, a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: South in 2018, who also gained fame as a Top Chef runner-up. In creati…Read more
Bywater American Bistro
$$$$·Bistro·
Bywater
- Fit for Foodies
- Creative Cuisine
- Good for a Date
Following the success of Compere Lapin, James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef/owner Nina Compton opened her second restaurant, Bywater American Bistro, in the spring of 2018. C…Read more
Table for 2 today
Coquette
$$$$·American·
Garden District
- Creative Cuisine
- Fit for Foodies
- Special Occasion
Kristen Essig, chef and co-owner of the Garden District bistro Coquette, came to the restaurant in 2016 following an impressive run through some of New Orleans eateries. Joining Mi…Read more
Zasu
$$$$·American·
Mid-City / City Park
- Good for a Date
- Fit for Foodies
- Special Occasion
"Zasu, which opened in Mid-City on New Year's Eve 2018, is the first solo venture of chef/owner Sue Zemanick, who won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South in 2013. She also s…Read more
Mr. B's Bistro
$$$$·Creole·
French Quarter
- Special Occasion
- Good for Anniversaries
- Good for a Date
Mr. B's Bistro, one of the most celebrated restaurants in New Orleans, owes its continuing success to two women: owner Cindy Brennan and chef Michelle McRaney. Cindy Brennan, of th…Read more
Table for 2 today
Red Fish Grill
$$$$·Seafood·
French Quarter
- Casual
- Good for a Date
- Local Ingredients
The owner and namesake of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group joined the famous family business over 30 years ago, and his own venture continues its legacy of celebrating the culina…Read more
Vessel NOLA
$$$$·Contemporary American·
Mid-City / City Park
- Bar Seating
- Neighborhood Gem
- Special Occasion
Chef Amandalynn Picolo and pastry chef Amelia Watts drive the menus at Vessel, a Mid-City restaurant famously housed in a former church. Diners are drawn to the circa-1914 building…Read more
Arnaud's
$$$$·Creole·
French Quarter
- Special Occasion
- Good for Anniversaries
- Good for a Date
Arnaud's is a true New Orleans institution, founded in 1918 by Arnaud Cazenave and spanning almost a full city block in the French Quarter. This formal fine-dining institution, who…Read more
Table for 2 today
Cafe Minh
$$$$·Vietnamese·
Mid-City / City Park
- Neighborhood Gem
- Good for a Date
- Special Occasion
Cafe Minh's co-chef/co-owner Cynthia VuTran came to New Orleans from Vietnam, as did her partner in the venture, chef Minh Bui. VuTrain worked in restaurant kitchens from a young a…Read more
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