Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New Orleans

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Dakota Restaurant - Covington

4.9

4.9 (1210)

$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

Dennis

Dined 7 days ago

I’d forgotten just how good Dakota’s could be, six at the table and all truly amazing

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Popular dish

The Soft-Shell Crab

Popular dish

The Lump Crabmeat & Brie Soup

Shaya

4.9

4.9 (5051)

$31 to $50

Israeli

Uptown

About the restaurant

Originally inspired by the many amazing meals with family and dear friends throughout the Middle East, Shaya has been a trailblazer in modern Levantine cuisine. Drawing inspiration from the diverse cuisines & cultures of the Middle East, Meditteranean, and across North Africa, Shaya has set the benchmark for contemporary Mediterranean cuisine by honoring the age-old culinary traditions of the people who invented hospitality as we know it. Our fluffy hand-crafted pita bread baked to order in our wood-fired oven with delectable vegetable-driven dips, salads, and spreads will transport you to an exotic place. Today we hope that our food and hospitality will help you create delicious memories with your friends and family using the very best of our local and sustainably harvested ingredients, prepared and served by people who truly care.

Top review

David

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

Fantastic! We order one appetizer and three small plates. All were excellent. The lamb was the standout dish. Sous chef Louis also makes a tremendous Chocolate Tanini Brownie.

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4.9

4.9 (75)

$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

Kathy

Dined on Nov 20, 2024

We love Bon Sake! The food is great and the service is impeccable!

Yo Nashi

4.8

4.8 (454)

$50 and over

Japanese

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Yō Nashi is a New Orleans omakase restaurant. Utilizing local ingredients and flavor with Japanese technique and presentation, Chef Jose creates a dining experience that invokes a sense of transportation while simultaneously being rooted in the city where he presides.

Our daily omakase menu is created around the best seasonal ingredients available. Please provide any allergies or dietary restrictions with your reservation so that we may be able to ensure your best possible experience.

Top review

Nicholas

Dined 1 day ago

Food was very very good perfect spot for a date night Good vibes Very chill spot easy parking

Tavi

4.8

4.8 (448)

$30 and under

Israeli

Covington

About the restaurant

Tavi is an Israeli restaurant serving made-to-order pita from a wood-fired oven, elaborately finished hummus plates, and small and large plates drawing from the same modern Israeli inspiration as its sister restaurant, Shaya. The name Tavi is inspired by the Hebrew word meaning “good or beloved” and that’s what Tavi aims to deliver to the Covington community. The menu will highlight staples from the Shaya menu plus an array of small plates, hummus, sandwiches, and slow-roasted meats.

Top review

MichelleMichelle

Dined 2 days ago

Went for lunch. It was Great food. Service was great. Priced at little high for a lunch. Was able to bring home leftovers

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Popular dish

Fried Chicken

Experience

Happy Hour Hummus & Wine at Tavi!

Experience

Wined Down Wednesday at Tavi

Jewel of the South

4.8

4.8 (40)

$31 to $50

Contemporary British

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Borrowing its name from an influential 1850s-vintage bar in the Central Business District, this pub-like tavern (with courtyard) occupies an old brick Creole cottage in the French Quarter, where well-known local bartender Chris Hannah serves up cocktails both classic and contemporary. London-born chef Philip Whitmarsh runs the kitchen.
Accolades include James Beard, World 50 Best, Art of Hospitality, Best Bar South (North America).

Top review

Adavip

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

The most amazing experience, beautifully crafted drinks and delicious food.

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Experience

New Years' Eve Prix Fixe Tasting Experience

Maypop

4.6

4.6 (1346)

$31 to $50

Southeast Asian

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Welcome to Maypop! - the sister establishment to the award winning Mid-City restaurant MOPHO. Located two blocks from the Super Dome and only one block from Poydras street, it features Southeast Asian inspired southern cuisine and focuses on hand made pastas and house charcuterie paired with Gulf seafood, local produce and hand ground curries. Enjoy our refreshing cocktails that are as innovative and creative as our cuisine, and our well curated wine list paired to our eclectic dishes.
Executive Chef Michael Gulotta was named a 2016 Best New Chef by Food and Wine Magazine and Maypop was named a 2017 best new restaurant by New Orleans magazine as well as a 2017 peoples choice best new restaurant by Gambit Magazine.

Parties of 5+ guests will be charged an automatic 20% gratuity.

Top review

Shaynavip

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

We did the 5 course tasting menu and it was exquisite. Definitely a culinary experience with the wine pairing. Koji ribeye melted in your mouth. The scallops were divine. I even wanted more of the pallet cleanser, it was so good.

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Experience

Ring in the New Year with Maypop!

4.5

4.5 (7420)

$30 and under

Italian

Central Business District

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Paul

Dined 5 days ago

Best happy hour in NOLA if you love pizza & wine! The Roosevelt Hotel is decorated for Christmas and it's beautiful! Great experience!!

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True Food Kitchen - New Orleans

4.4

4.4 (692)

$30 and under

American

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in New Orleans for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Located in New Orleans below The Julia at St. Charles apartments at the corner of Julia Street and Saint Charles Avenue, near F45 Training. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

Great food. I love their standards, i,e, grass fes, wild, organic, local

Vessel NOLA

4.3

4.3 (2595)

$30 and under

Seafood

Mid-City / City Park

About the restaurant

Vessel Specializes in Fresh Seafood and New American Cuisine! Renowned Chef Wille Cooper, who trained under Emeril Lagasse & Wolfgang Puck sources fresh local ingredients incorporating many of the traditions New Orleans is famous for. Dinner is served 7 days a week and brunch Sat-Sun! Happy Hour weekdays 4-6 pm (except holidays). Reservations are advised and we welcome walk-ins! Dine inside or outdoors on our gorgeous covered patio! ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST featured VESSEL as one of "8 of the Most Gorgeous Restaurants in Former Churches Worldwide". Paranormal activity lurks at VESSEL as featured on The Travel Channel's hit show "THE DEAD FILES" in the episode "Deadly Vessel" showcasing the spirits that haunt Vessel. Eat, Drink, Congregate! at Vessel at New Orleans' most exciting restaurant/bar, housed in a 1914 historic church in Mid-City, 10 minutes from the French Quarter just off the Canal Street Streetcar.

Top review

Joshua

Dined 5 days ago

Can not say enough good things about our dinner at Vessel. My wife and I went while on vacation for Thanksgiving Dinner. They had a three course fixed menu. Every course was Delicious. The pork was Phenomenal. Cooked to Perfection and was so tender. The drinks were strong and flavorful. Our server Ben was Fantastic. He was working Thanksgiving, yet was cheerful, prompt, and a pleasure to talk to. For being busy it was not overly loud and had a Great selection of background music playing. Last but not least, the restaurant was stunning! The Old Church was so Beautiful and the Bar was so neatly designed. Will absolutely be back when in town

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