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The Best Bars for Foodies in New Orleans

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by The OpenTable Team
Updated February 26, 2020

Laissez les bons temps rouler in New Orleans! When you think of the greatest American cities for a good time, you don't have to go too far down the list before the name "New Orleans" comes up. The Big Easy is one of the best cities on the planet to grab a drink. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemakers List. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Bars and restaurants in NOLA deliver some of the finest cuisines in America—traditional Cajun and Creole favorites, Gulf seafood, sweet treats, and so much more. Let the good times roll at these New Orleans bars.

Ye Olde College Inn
4.8 (1801)
$30 and under
Creole
Carrollton
One of the coolest dining experiences in New Orleans. The name might scream out cheap beers and pub food, but Ye Olde College Inn is a true farm-to-table restaurant. The proof of that? It's right next door. The Olde College Inn's urban farm is next to the restaurant. This is the place to go to with a group of friends to admire the work of true food artisans and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Dine on their fabled onion rings, shrimp remoulade, or the incredible fried green tomato shrimp po-boy sandwich, and pair the dishes with a cold beer or a cocktail.
Top review
AndrewVIP
Dined 3 days ago
A New Orleans staple with good food and great service
One of the coolest dining experiences in New Orleans. The name might scream out cheap beers and pub food, but Ye Olde College Inn is a true farm-to-table restaurant. The proof of that? It's right next door. The Olde College Inn's urban farm is next to the restaurant. This is the place to go to with a group of friends to admire the work of true food artisans and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Dine on their fabled onion rings, shrimp remoulade, or the incredible fried green tomato shrimp po-boy sandwich, and pair the dishes with a cold beer or a cocktail.
Top review
AndrewVIP
Dined 3 days ago
A New Orleans staple with good food and great service
Meril
4.6 (6759)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Warehouse District
Famous Food Network chef Emeril Lagasse's fourth New Orleans restaurant is a hot spot in the town's Warehouse district. The bar scene is always lively here. Patrons can sip on a wide selection of fantastic and unique house cocktails. The food is classic Emeril. There's lots of Gulf seafood, wood oven-fired flatbread pizzas, fresh pasta, oversized salads, and sweet dessert treats.
Top review
JobyVIP
Dined 3 days ago
From the moment we stepped in to the time we left, the ambiance, service and especially the food, was absolutely amazing as always. We’ll be back soon.
Famous Food Network chef Emeril Lagasse's fourth New Orleans restaurant is a hot spot in the town's Warehouse district. The bar scene is always lively here. Patrons can sip on a wide selection of fantastic and unique house cocktails. The food is classic Emeril. There's lots of Gulf seafood, wood oven-fired flatbread pizzas, fresh pasta, oversized salads, and sweet dessert treats.
Top review
JobyVIP
Dined 3 days ago
From the moment we stepped in to the time we left, the ambiance, service and especially the food, was absolutely amazing as always. We’ll be back soon.
Desi Vega's Steakhouse
4.8 (2785)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Warehouse District
A beautiful, classic steakhouse tailored to New Orleans sensibilities, Desi Vega's is a bustling spot off of St. Charles Avenue with a dazzling white interior. It screams out Big Easy cool. There's a gorgeous bar to belly up to for a cocktail or a few glasses from the extensive wine list Desi Vega's is so famous for.
Top review
LanceVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Desi Vegas is consistently one of the best steakhouses I have ever been to. Top notch service, food and ambience. You can’t find a better steak anywhere.
A beautiful, classic steakhouse tailored to New Orleans sensibilities, Desi Vega's is a bustling spot off of St. Charles Avenue with a dazzling white interior. It screams out Big Easy cool. There's a gorgeous bar to belly up to for a cocktail or a few glasses from the extensive wine list Desi Vega's is so famous for.
Top review
LanceVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Desi Vegas is consistently one of the best steakhouses I have ever been to. Top notch service, food and ambience. You can’t find a better steak anywhere.
Superior Seafood
4.8 (5071)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Uptown
A prime fresh seafood destination in New Orleans that's ideal for anyone who wants to hop off the streetcar and hop into a restaurant for a delicious dinner. Oyster fans will be in briny heaven. Superior's oyster bar is the place to go to for selections from the Gulf. Stop into the bar for a classic New Orleans cocktail or one of their signature frozen drinks.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
The food was amazing and was reasonable for fresh seafood.
A prime fresh seafood destination in New Orleans that's ideal for anyone who wants to hop off the streetcar and hop into a restaurant for a delicious dinner. Oyster fans will be in briny heaven. Superior's oyster bar is the place to go to for selections from the Gulf. Stop into the bar for a classic New Orleans cocktail or one of their signature frozen drinks.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
The food was amazing and was reasonable for fresh seafood.
GW Fins
4.8 (20779)
$50 and over
Seafood
French Quarter
Amazing seafood in a beautiful location. This French Quarter institution prides itself on having some of the best seafood in the city. There's an ever-changing menu based on the daily catch that arrives at the restaurant—Louisiana bigeye tuna, local drum, and blackened swordfish are some of the favorites. Stop in for dinner in the gorgeous dining room or have a bite at the curving, modern bar with one of the GW Fins cocktails.
Top review
Rick
Dined today
Ive lived in New Orleans for 30 years. GW has by far the most extensive and inventive seafood menu in the city. From the hostess to our Server Felix, everyone genuinely seemed excited about their product.
Amazing seafood in a beautiful location. This French Quarter institution prides itself on having some of the best seafood in the city. There's an ever-changing menu based on the daily catch that arrives at the restaurant—Louisiana bigeye tuna, local drum, and blackened swordfish are some of the favorites. Stop in for dinner in the gorgeous dining room or have a bite at the curving, modern bar with one of the GW Fins cocktails.
Top review
Rick
Dined today
Ive lived in New Orleans for 30 years. GW has by far the most extensive and inventive seafood menu in the city. From the hostess to our Server Felix, everyone genuinely seemed excited about their product.
Mr. B's Bistro
4.7 (6794)
$31 to $50
Creole
French Quarter
One of the coolest restaurants in all the city. Stylish lamps light Mr. B's entrance off of Royal Street in the French Quarter. There's plenty of seafood on the menu—jumbo scallops, lump crab cakes, fried oysters, seafood gumbo—along with excellent filet mignon, chicken, pork chops and a whole lot more. Get in there and groove with Mr. B's famous Sunday jazz brunch.
Top review
MakotoVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing shrimp and service - birthday dessert was wonderful too
One of the coolest restaurants in all the city. Stylish lamps light Mr. B's entrance off of Royal Street in the French Quarter. There's plenty of seafood on the menu—jumbo scallops, lump crab cakes, fried oysters, seafood gumbo—along with excellent filet mignon, chicken, pork chops and a whole lot more. Get in there and groove with Mr. B's famous Sunday jazz brunch.
Top review
MakotoVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing shrimp and service - birthday dessert was wonderful too
Ruth's Chris Steak House - New Orleans
4.5 (3677)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Central Business District
Ruth's Chris is an institution around America. You know exactly what you're going to get here—delicious and sizzling steaks delivered on hot plates. Being New Orleans, this Ruth's Chris also offers excellent seafood and excellent cocktails alongside an extensive wine list.
Top review
Shannon
Dined 6 days ago
Ruth’s Classic special for $55 was worth it. I will return.
Ruth's Chris is an institution around America. You know exactly what you're going to get here—delicious and sizzling steaks delivered on hot plates. Being New Orleans, this Ruth's Chris also offers excellent seafood and excellent cocktails alongside an extensive wine list.
Top review
Shannon
Dined 6 days ago
Ruth’s Classic special for $55 was worth it. I will return.
Mr. John's Steakhouse
4.5 (3101)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Garden District
Mr. John's Steakhouse is a mixture of styles. It blends the atmosphere of classic New Orleans bar with the rich and elegant feel of a traditional steakhouse spot. It's earned accolades for its luxurious design and the excellent food and drinks served. There is a wonderful selection of fine wines, craft beer, and tasty cocktails.
Top review
AlanVIP
Dined 6 days ago
The service, cocktails, appetizers and sides were great. The steak, Porter House for two had good flavor but was a tough piece of meat. I really enjoyed the place but not my steak.
Mr. John's Steakhouse is a mixture of styles. It blends the atmosphere of classic New Orleans bar with the rich and elegant feel of a traditional steakhouse spot. It's earned accolades for its luxurious design and the excellent food and drinks served. There is a wonderful selection of fine wines, craft beer, and tasty cocktails.
Top review
AlanVIP
Dined 6 days ago
The service, cocktails, appetizers and sides were great. The steak, Porter House for two had good flavor but was a tough piece of meat. I really enjoyed the place but not my steak.
The Pelican Club
4.7 (4702)
$31 to $50
Creole / Cajun / Southern
French Quarter
A New Orleans bar that guests must visit—it's one of the finest Creole restaurants in the whole city. A French Quarter hot spot for tourists and locals, The Pelican Club is a gorgeous spot for dinner or for a quick bite and drink. There's a rich wine list from around the world with exotic selections from Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and elsewhere. Plus, they offer creative mixed drinks like the "Cool Hand Luke."
Top review
Janell
Dined 4 days ago
We went for the experience to try food(s) that we don’t normally eat. The food was…ok.
A New Orleans bar that guests must visit—it's one of the finest Creole restaurants in the whole city. A French Quarter hot spot for tourists and locals, The Pelican Club is a gorgeous spot for dinner or for a quick bite and drink. There's a rich wine list from around the world with exotic selections from Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and elsewhere. Plus, they offer creative mixed drinks like the "Cool Hand Luke."
Top review
Janell
Dined 4 days ago
We went for the experience to try food(s) that we don’t normally eat. The food was…ok.
Muriel's Jackson Square
4.7 (10700)
$50 and over
Creole / Cajun / Southern
French Quarter
A spookily delicious dining experience. Muriel's Jackson Square has a fascinating ghost story that comes along with your drink or meal. There's a fine menu of New Orleans favorites and classic cocktails; be sure to stop in for the Sunday jazz brunch for some tunes and food.
Top review
Francis
Dined today
The service was great, the food was wonderful, and the ambience was very nice. It was a very pleasant experience.
A spookily delicious dining experience. Muriel's Jackson Square has a fascinating ghost story that comes along with your drink or meal. There's a fine menu of New Orleans favorites and classic cocktails; be sure to stop in for the Sunday jazz brunch for some tunes and food.
Top review
Francis
Dined today
The service was great, the food was wonderful, and the ambience was very nice. It was a very pleasant experience.
Revel Cafe and Bar
4.5 (75)
$30 and under
American
Mid-City / City Park
The party is right there in the name. Revel is famous for its legendary New Orleans bartender and owner Chris McMillan—a man who co-founded a museum that celebrates the American cocktail. McMillan's classic cocktail menu is full of his colorful creations and some old New Orleans favorites, alongside tasty local bar snacks and filling meals.
Top review
shornkochVIP
Dined on Aug 13, 2021
Really great food very affordable. Attentive and friendly service
The party is right there in the name. Revel is famous for its legendary New Orleans bartender and owner Chris McMillan—a man who co-founded a museum that celebrates the American cocktail. McMillan's classic cocktail menu is full of his colorful creations and some old New Orleans favorites, alongside tasty local bar snacks and filling meals.
Top review
shornkochVIP
Dined on Aug 13, 2021
Really great food very affordable. Attentive and friendly service

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