Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in New Orleans / Louisiana? 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!

Dakar NOLA

4.9

4.9 (95)

$50 and over

African

Uptown

About the restaurant

Dakar NOLA is a modern Senegalese tasting menu restaurant. The menu is inspired by Chef Serigne Mbaye’s most cherished memories of his childhood in Dakar, Senegal.
Dinner at Dakar NOLA features a pescatarian tasting menu with some dishes served family-style.
We are a reservations only concept open Tuesday through Saturday and our dinner experience lasts 2.5 hours.
Our menu changes often and is mostly dairy and gluten-free.
Reservations are open 42 days at a time with a new period opening at 10 am central time.
We are unable to accommodate the following allergies: Fin fish, soy, shellfish aroma/fumes, allium, honey
**We can accommodate shellfish allergy and peanut if noted in the reservation.
We can NOT accommodate a Vegan diet or a vegetarian that does not eat food cooked in seafood broth.
We are able to accommodate a gluten intolerance/allergy
In order to minimize disruptions to the kitchen, late arrivals will be served the current course being served

Top review

Joseph

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience! Girlfriend and I both enjoyed our experience. Lot of nice small touches at the beginning of the experience. We included the wine pairing. Great flavors! Great service and attention! Also the art in the restaurant was outstanding. Please try!

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Experience

Tasting Menu - Communal Dining

Experience

Tasting Menu - Private Table

The Kingsway

4.9

4.9 (43)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Uptown

About the restaurant

The Kingsway is a fine dining Asian restaurant by Chef Ashwin Vilkhu, a 2025 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: South, and the next chapter from the family behind the acclaimed Saffron NOLA.
Inspired by the deeply personal flavors of childhood dinners and the cultural crossroads of Asia, The Kingsway offers a contemporary interpretation of tradition—refined, intentional, and rooted in heritage.

Set in a Japandi-Scandinavian inspired space defined by clean lines, natural textures, and understated elegance, the dining room mirrors the philosophy of the kitchen: thoughtful, minimal, and quietly bold. Precision and warmth guide each guest experience, from the first pour to the last bite.

Top review

Josie

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing food, service, and experience. Keep it up Kingsway!

Jewel of the South

4.9

4.9 (187)

$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

Donna

Dined 7 days ago

Wonderful experience. We would go back next time we’re in town.

Spicy Mango

4.9

4.9 (18)

$50 and over

Caribbean

The Marigny

About the restaurant

Spicy Mango by Larry Morrow is a bold reimagining of Caribbean-Creole fusion, inspired by the deep-rooted cultural connections between New Orleans and the Caribbean. This vibrant concept blends soulful tradition with modern flair, capturing the rhythmic spirit and flavorful heritage of both regions.

Each dish is a celebration of shared history—where rich Creole influences meet tropical island flavors, creating a dynamic menu that’s as lively and layered as the cultures that inspired it.
With its warm, energetic ambiance and deeply rooted storytelling through food, Spicy Mango invites guests on a journey of flavor, music, and memory—honoring the past while embracing a bold, flavorful future.

For large party bookings (7+ people) email reservations@morrowhospitality.com

Top review

ToniaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

The food and drinks were phenomenal! I give the Spicy Mango a 12 out of 10 - food, atmosphere and service! I plan to return.

Bon Sake Sushi & Bar

4.9

4.9 (128)

$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

BENVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent sushi!! The place was packed and I’m not surprised. We had the fried Gyoza app, which was delicious. The miso soup was hot and also delicious. My wife had the Gyoza soup, a very hefty portion enough for two people and also just delicious. I had the RYU roll and a nigiri flight and I let the sushi chef pick the fish. Again, delicious. If you’re going on a Friday or Saturday make reservations.

Lost Coyote

4.8

4.8 (20)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Tremé

About the restaurant

At Lost Coyote, we believe in the beauty of wandering off the beaten path. Nestled on Esplanade Avenue in the Historic Tremé New Orleans neighborhood, our restaurant was born from a shared passion for bold flavors, unforgettable moments, and the magic of hospitality.
The name 'Lost Coyote' is inspired by the coyotes that roam our beautiful city-an untamed, resilient spirit that thrives in the wild. It's a symbol of adaptability, curiosity, and the joy of exploration, values that guide everything we do.
What started as a dream to create a space where food, creativity, and community collide has become a reality. With a chef-crafted menu influenced by local ingredients and global inspiration, signature cocktails that ignite conversation, and a setting that invites connection, Lost Coyote is more than a restaurant-it's an experience.
Lost Coyote is our tribute to the wanderers, the seekers, and the storytellers. It's a place where every visit is a new adventure. Come be part of the story.

Top review

Ashley

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Gosh where do I start?! This place was fabulous. Shrimp boulettes and hummus were bangers. Then we had the Panzanella & Pork Chop. The Panzanella was such a unique dish and so vibrant. Our favorite cocktails were Half Day & Wanderers Call. We’ll definitely be returning for brunch & to check out the gorgeous pool they have out back! Thanks for a great date night!

Yo Nashi

4.7

4.7 (482)

$50 and over

Japanese

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Yō Nashi will be closing on July 19th. Please make your reservation to see us one last time and help give us a fond farewell!

Top review

Cristina

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

The Chef was absolutely amazing and so personable. He selected and made the best dishes for me and my husband to try. It was a new experience for me, but I am so thankful I made the reservation. I would definitely go again. 10/10 experience!!

34 Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (294)

$50 and over

Portuguese

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

34 is Chef Emeril Lagasse’s first restaurant dedicated to the cuisine of his Portuguese heritage. He was inspired by his late mother, Hilda, who influenced his interest in cooking when he was a child growing up in Fall River, MA. The 245-seat restaurant is adorned in shades of green – Emeril’s signature color – wood accents and ornate Portuguese tiles. A painting of a rooster, a national Portuguese symbol of good luck, greets guests at the entrance. Once inside, a jamon bar with countertop service and tile-clad DJ booth are focal points of the space. The restaurant celebrates not only the food and design of Portugal but also the sounds, with music from local and touring DJs.

Top review

Reid

Dined 2 days ago

Our experience was great. The whole team was great except the main server. He just BSd his way through the night. The rest of the team was top notch!

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Experience

An evening with Esporão- Summer Wine Dinner Series

Mister Oso New Orleans

4.1

4.1 (300)

$30 and under

Latin American

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Mister Oso is an award-winning Restaurant located in the heart of the NOLA CBD. Our team constantly innovates, showcasing a playful & flavorful menu with rotating taco dishes, Peruvian ceviche, crudo, and enticing vegetarian options. Mister Oso originally opened in 2019 and expanded by opening in Denver’s Wash Park neighborhood in 2022 & in New Orleans’ Warehouse District in 2023. In the fall of 2023, Mister Oso was awarded the distinction of Bib Gourmand by The Michelin Guide.

The lively & energetic atmosphere at Mister Oso is ideal for a night out with friends or a casual date. This ambiance is further elevated by tropical plants & vibrant decor. The seasonal menu & agave-spirits cocktail bar offer a transportive escape from the urban hustle. Additionally, our inventive non-alcoholic Agua Fresca cocktail program ensures that everyone can savor a hand-crafted drink.

PLEASE NOTE: A small Kitchen and Staff Appreciation Fee will be added to your bill to support our hardworking team.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Delicious brisket tacos and margaritas. The service is attentive and friendly. It’s a great ambiance for Mexican food in New Orleans.

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True Food Kitchen - New Orleans

4.1

4.1 (721)

$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

Carolin

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

We had a wonderful experience! We loved the charred cauliflower and the burgers. Our waiter was so sweet and did the best job. We definitely wanna come back!

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