Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants 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 (62)

$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

Kate

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely fantastic experience. Food was incredible and service even better. A unique culinary journey we will always remember

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Experience

Tasting Menu - Communal Dining

Experience

Tasting Menu - Private Table

Lost Coyote

4.9

4.9 (14)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Tremé

About the restaurant

Located on the iconic Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans, Lost Coyote is a unique dining destination where local ingredients, vibrant ambiance, and unforgettable experiences come together. Inspired by the coyote’s untamed spirit, our restaurant embraces the magic of exploration, resilience, and connection. Our chef-crafted menu is a celebration of local ingredients and global inspirations.

Lost Coyote features a large event space on our second floor which can accommodate up to 175 guests. With the option of a reception style event, seated dinner, dance floor, corporate gathering, we are here to help you plan your next occasion.

The crown jewel of 1614 Esplanade is our beautiful swimming pool which will be open to the public year-round, this feature is coming soon for day passes, annual passes, and special events.

Whether you’re here for a casual night out, a romantic dinner, or simply to explore, Lost Coyote invites you to come as you are.

Come wander with us.

Top review

Thomas

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Absolutely lovely dinner. They were great to our young daughter, the food was absolutely incredible! The service was impeccable. They made a mocktail for me as I celebrated 2 years sobriety on the same evening! If you haven’t been yet… RUN to try it!!!!

Marcello's - Covington

4.8

4.8 (273)

$30 and under

Italian

Covington

About the restaurant

Please call for reservations. Due to Covid - 19 restrictions online reservation will be suspended until further notice. 985-400-5668
Our hours of operation will be:
Sunday & Monday - closed
Tuesday - Thursday - 4 pm - 9 pm
Friday - 11 am - 9 pm
Saturday - 4 pm - 9 pm
Happy Hour - Tuesday - Friday 4 pm - 6 pm
1/2 price appetizers
1/2 price glasses of wine and specialty cocktails

Top review

NicoleVIP

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Always amazing food! Staff are wonderful. Prices are on point.

Kenji Omakase

4.8

4.8 (163)

$50 and over

Japanese

French Quarter

About the restaurant

The Kenji Omakase Experience is a multi-course menu created by the chef Matthew Nguyen, served at the sushi bar. There's limited seating Wednesday-Sunday with seatings at 5:45 and 8:30. All other guests are seated in the dining room with choice of table-side omakase or a la carte menu

A traditional Japanese experience which guests leave themselves in the hands of chef and receive a meal which is seasonal, elegant, artistic and uses the finest ingredients. The chefs will take you on a tour around the world with ingredients from the Toyosu market while also highlighting the dry aging program used only at Kenji

• We kindly decline requests to accommodate any dietary restrictions
• A 3.95% credit card fee will be added to all non-cash payments
• Service fee is added to parties of 6 or more
• Cancellations will only be accepted up to 24 hours prior to your reservation
• Any cancellations within 24 hours of the reservation will be charged $75 per person

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Tasting menu was awesome and the chef presented it explaining everything very well which enhanced the experience. Recommend the sake pairing!

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Experience

Kenji Omakase

Impastato Cellars

4.7

4.7 (646)

$30 and under

Italian

Madisonville

About the restaurant

In 1979, after over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Joe Impastato opened Impastato’s in Metaire. Only 5 years before, his brother Sal opened Sal and Judy’s in Lacombe. Now the family of restaurants extends to Madisonville with the opening of Impastato Cellars on September 5, 2013. The Impastato family decided to bring the same traditional, authentic Italian cuisine to the table on the Northshore along with the old world ambiance of a 600 square foot wine cellar featuring over 400 labels, in addition to a wide variety of spirits and craft beers.

Top review

Haley

Dined 7 days ago

Always a wonderful experience when we visit Impastato Cellars. The food is always of the highest quality and the service is exceptional! Monica was our server and she always had a smile and was extremely attentive. Don't skip on dessert! They have some of the best, especially the limoncello cake!

MeMe's Bar & Grille

4.7

4.7 (236)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Chalmette

About the restaurant

Casual American spot with sandwiches & salads for lunch & heartier fare for dinner, plus a full bar.

Top review

Caitlin

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Easter brunch was great. The Easter bunny and visited the table. The staff was kind and knowledgeable. Food was great, we had the charbroiled oysters, eggs Benedict and seafood crepe. Will definitely be back

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Experience

Mother's Day Brunch

Experience

St. Michelle Wine Dinner

Don's Seafood of Hammond

4.7

4.7 (58)

$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

Deek

Dined 3 days ago

We had a great lunch with family from out of State.

Gallagher's Restaurant on Front

4.7

4.7 (838)

$31 to $50

Steak

Slidell

About the restaurant

Welcome to Gallagher's Restaurant On Front Street – Your Local Steakhouse! Try our award winning entrees featuring sizzling steaks, ribeyes, pork chops, and the best seafood Louisiana has to offer. Whether you prefer a fine wine or a fresh new cocktail, our team is always ready to help you find your perfect pairing.

Chef Pat Gallagher expanded his reach to bring Slidell some of the best steaks, seafood, and cocktails! Gallagher's Restaurant on Front Street will bring the cuisine that you love even closer to home.

Top review

Brian

Dined 1 day ago

Great service .

Jacmel Inn

4.6

4.6 (1111)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Hammond

About the restaurant

Jacmel Inn began service in June 1977 after six months renovation to the former residence that was built in 1888. This historic 2-story property sits on 2.2 acres and 9 blocks for the center of historic downtown Hammond.

The lush landscaping, new patio, and the ample parking help make Jacmel Inn a culinary oasis worthy of a 60 miles drive from New Orleans.

New Ownership 2022
The time has come to pass the tiller to another generation, with Rick and Paul selling the business and property to Alfonso Flores, The current manager of 5 years. He was hired as a server and worked his way up to General Manager. Anxious and ready to be an entrepreneur and continue providing a peaceful, sophisticated dining option for Hammond and the greater NorthShore.

Our executive Chef Brandon Martinez creates our menu, which evolves seasonally. While always using fresh Louisiana Seafood, Prime steaks, Lamb, Pastas and Great Desserts, cooking techniques and dishes derived from traditional Louisiana culture.

Top review

Danielle

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

We went to Jacmel Inn to celebrate our anniversary. The service was impeccable. The restaurant and grounds are lovely. And every single thing we had, from cocktails to entrees to dessert, was DELICIOUS. We will be going back!

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Popular dish

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Popular dish

Steak Tips

The Red Maple Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (54)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Gretna

About the restaurant

The Red Maple was originally owned and operated by the Trauth Family, a German-American family of restaurateurs spanning 100 years in Gretna. And what began in 1963 continues to this day, holding to its German roots through its rustic Alpine lodge decor, extensive beer selection and annual Oktoberfest celebration. In fact, it was a red maple tree in the side yard that inspired the name of the bar – The Red Maple – with the restaurant being added in 1965.

Now for over 50 years, The Red Maple has been the rendezvous spot for West Bank movers and shakers known for its Prime cut steaks, New Orleans favorites and fresh Louisiana seafood.

Today, under the passionate guidance of Proprietor Brent Trauth and his sister, Carroll Gales, The Red Maple continues to deliver on its reputation for delicious food, exceptional service and rich Louisiana history. A rich and storied past that is only upstaged by the dining experience itself.

Top review

EdwardVIP

Dined on May 1, 2025

Always excellent. Service is top notch, and the food is great

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