Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

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 2 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.

Arnaud's Jazz Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1295)

$50 and over

Creole

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Celebrate the culture and tradition of New Orleans through exquisite flavors served in the most timeless, chic setting in the French Quarter.
Located next door to Arnaud’s Main Dining Room, enjoy classic Creole cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails and nightly Dixieland Jazz ($6.00 music charge per person), in this lively setting overlooking Bourbon Street.
See why Arnaud’s has been celebrating over 100 years of rich history and culinary excellence.
“James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program,” “James Beard Award Semi-finalist for Outstanding Hospitality,” Top New Orleans Restaurant Southern Living Magazine

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined 3 days ago

What an amazing experience!! We celebrated our 20 year anniversary here and it was the perfect choice. The service was on point, drinks and entrees (and gumbo) was terrific, and the music was an added bonus!

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Don's Seafood of Hammond

4.8

4.8 (59)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hammond

About the restaurant

The truth is, you don't become a Louisiana favorite just by putting the word "authentic" on your sign. When you've served Cajun meals as long as we have, you learn the difference between real food and a bland imitation, and our guests know it too. Grilled, fried or on ice-there's time cooked into every dish and time spent on every home cooked recipe, so that every aroma, every bite, every sip and every gathering is memorable. We've spent more than 80 years creating a recipe for something much greater than a place for a lunch break or night out. It's a place to share (or keep the whole plate to yourself), a place where you always have a seat ready at the table and a place where you're always part of the family.

Top review

Tiffany

Dined on May 10, 2025

Service was wonderful and fast. The food was great.

Foundation Room House of Blues New Orleans

4.7

4.7 (282)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Foundation Room is now open with an incredible redesign and ambiance. We look forward to welcoming you back to the finest in food and craft cocktails!

Top review

Cameron

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Foundation Room is a MUST DO! Loved this place—will be back!

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Experience

Live music in the Lounge at Foundation Room

Habanero's - Metarie

4.5

4.5 (35)

$30 and under

Mexican

Metairie

About the restaurant

Habaneros brings the distinctive flavors of Mexico's urban eateries to your table, drawing inspiration from the street foods and laid-back dining experiences found in the vibrant cities of Mexico. Our well-traveled menu showcases the diversity of Mexican ingredients, elevating classic dishes with a contemporary twist while staying true to their authentic flavors. At the heart of our menu is a dedication to serving fresh, made-from-scratch creations. From our salsas and sauces to our marinades, spices, and rubs, everything is handcrafted with care. Our cocktails are no exception, with each one expertly mixed to perfectly complement your meal.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

The chicken rice bowl was excellent, service adequate

Flamingo A-Go-Go

4.4

4.4 (1365)

$30 and under

American

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Flamingo A-Go-Go is your go-to destination for bottomless mimosa & rosé brunch, group dinners, lengthy happy hours, doggy parties, and more. With an overloaded menu of small & not-so-small bites, refreshing cocktails, and beers & wines by the bottle, can, glass or tap - there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Top review

Sarah

Dined on May 21, 2025

This place is amazing! We stopped in after a tour of the WWII Museum and their courtyard did not disappoint! AJ was a fabulous host, the food was incredible, full of flavors and cooked to perfection! Our 3-year old daughter loved the flamingos and decor, and there was plenty of space for her to roam around. We will definitely be back!

Drago's Seafood Restaurant at Hilton New Orleans Riverside

4.3

4.3 (1420)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Central Business District

About the restaurant

It’s been that way since Drago & Klara Cvitanovich opened our restaurant in 1969. They set out to offer delicious seafood and a good time to guests for a reasonable price. At that time, they couldn’t even imagine how many guests that would become.

Today it’s still a family atmosphere. Klara is still at the front to greet our guests. Tommy Cvitanovich, Drago and Klara’s son, is there to see that things run smoothly.

Thank you for choosing Drago’s Seafood Restaurant at Hilton New Orleans Riverside for your dining experience. We don’t accept reservation, however, walk-ins are always welcome to join us. Hope to see you soon!

Top review

Syreeta

Dined 4 days ago

I ordered the Mediterranean Redfish at Drago’s, and it was easily the highlight of my meal. The fish was perfectly cooked — flaky, tender, and full of flavor. Topped with a light blend of tomatoes, olives, capers, and herbs, it had that perfect Mediterranean brightness that didn’t overpower the freshness of the fish. The seasoning was well-balanced, and the sauce brought just the right touch of acidity and depth. It felt like a lighter, elevated option without sacrificing bold flavor. Paired with their sides and solid service, this dish is proof that Drago’s does more than just charbroiled oysters — though you might still want to start with a few of those too! Definitely a dish I’d order again.

Headquarters by NGN

4.3

4.3 (165)

$31 to $50

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Head Quarters by Nice Guys Nola is a bar and event space in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. It's a sister establishment to Nice Guys Nola, offering a unique experience with its own menu, cocktails, and atmosphere. Head Quarters is known for its: · Craft cocktails · Small plates and snacks · Intimate setting · Regular events, such as live music and DJ nights · Private event spaces for rent Head Quarters is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, offering a more laid-back and relaxed vibe compared to the original Nice Guys Nola location. We're located within walking distance of the Superdome & the Pelicans Arena.

Top review

Candace

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Love this spot! I didn’t catch the live music so it was nice and quiet when I went. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Great service from Ms. Janae!! If you go, sit in her section. She’ll take good care of you! Now as for the food. It was good but not quite excellent. I had the oxtails and mac and cheese with greens. The greens were delicious!! The mac and cheese and oxtails were too but they were a little too salty. Too much sauce on the oxtails. I still enjoyed it. And would go back again.

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

4.2

4.2 (383)

$30 and under

Creole

The Marigny

About the restaurant

For over 30 years, Snug Harbor has provided the best in live jazz & great regional cooking at reasonable prices. Snug is located in three rooms of a renovated 1800's storefront located in the Faubourg Marigny, just outside the French Quarter. We have a dining room, a bar, and a music room.

Top review

Terry

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Very pleasant experience. Excellent food! Outstanding entertainment. Very cool environment. Friendly staff

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3.7

3.7 (22)

$30 and under

Mexican

Metairie

About the restaurant

We’re in the heart of Fat City in Metairie on the corner of 18th Street and Edenborn Ave, near Lakeside Shopping Center, close to the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, also about 10 mins from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Whether a local, or a visitor traveling to Louisiana, our cuisine is a great treat! As has been noted by many, Los Jefes Grill in Metairie has been chosen as their favorite Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Metairie, New Orleans and surrounding areas for takeout, delivery, dine-in and catering.

Top review

JeffreyVIP

Dined on May 22, 2025

We are repeat customers, and, as always, the food is quite good. The service was OK, but seemed a bit discombobulated. That being said, we will definitely be back!

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