A Taste of New Orleans

Hillel’s Favorite Restaurants

 

Whether fine dining or just grabbing a quick bite, New Orleans is known for its fabulous food.  Unfortunately, the tourist books tend to list only the tourist traps. For your dining pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Big Easy restaurants. For your added convenience, we’ve listed our favorite ones in blue.  We’ve also highlighted the three kosher restaurants in town in red.   Bon Appetit!

 

P.S. Here’s a trick of the trade:  Make reservations as early ahead of time as possible.  Most restaurants save a few tables for locals every night.  So if they tell you they’re booked, tell them you’re a local and ask them if they can squeeze you in.  When using this “I’m a local” technique, be sure to give them your son or daughter’s New Orleans phone number.  And don’t forget to ask about parking – some restaurants offer valet while others have arrangements with nearby garages.


FRENCH QUARTER

Bayona

Chef Susan Spicer owns three restaurants in town:  Bayona, Cobalt and Herbsaint. This is our favorite of the three. If the weather’s nice, ask to sit outside on the patio.
(504) 525-4455
430 Dauphine Street (b/t Conti & St. Louis)
Reservations required. Lunch weekdays, dinner Monday through Saturday.

 

Creole Kosher Kitchen

Perfect Persian cuisine with a dash of Creole – Say hello to owner Gideon for us.

(504) 529-4120

115 Chartres Street (b/t Canal & Iberville)

Lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday, lunch until 3 p.m. on Friday.

 

GW Fins

Indulge with tasty hot biscuits and an amazing selection of fresh fish and seafood at this converted warehouse. Then have coffee in the jazz lounge at the nearby Ritz.

(504) 581-3467

808 Bienville Avenue (b/t Bourbon & Dauphine)

Reservations recommended. Dinner nightly.

 

NOLA

The newest addition to the Emeril Empire, NOLA is great for lunch and more casual than Emeril’s or Emeril’s Delmonico. You can dine on the appetizers and desserts alone – try the bread pudding!

(504) 522-6652
534 St. Louis Street  (b/t Chartres & Decatur)
Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner nightly.

 

Peristyle

“The best meal I’ve EVER had, and I’m from New York!” raves Hillel’s Jewish Student Life Coordinator,Kathryn Saffro. This is what fine dining’s all about, and Chef Anne Kearney shares her recipes.
(504) 593-9535
1041 Dumaine Street (at N. Rampart)
Reservations required. Lunch Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

 

August Restaurant

Noted in “Conde Nast” as one of the top 100 restaurants in the country and is Chef Josh Besh at his best.

(504) 299-9777

301 Tchoupitoulas Street (at Gravier)

Reservations recommend.  Lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday-Saturday.

 

 

GARDEN DISTRICT

 

Cafe Rani

Sit outside at this reasonably priced café whose menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pastas and more. We recommend the Oriental Chicken Salad or the Bronzed Tuna dinner special.

(504) 895-2500
2917 Magazine Street (b/t 6th & 7th)
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

 

Commander’s Palace
Despite the tourist hype, the locals still swear by their wonderful Sunday Jazz brunch or lunch specials for more reasonable prices.  Ask to sit outside or in the garden room by the window.

(504) 899-8221
1403 Washington Avenue (at Coliseum)
Reservations required. Lunch weekdays, dinner nightly, brunch Saturday and Sunday.

 

UPTOWN

 

Bluebird Cafe
Locals flock (and wait in line for hours on the weekends) for the banana pancakes or huevos rancheros.

(504) 895-7166
3625 Prytania Street (b/t Antonine & Foucher)
No reservations.
Breakfast and lunch daily.

 

Clancy’s

A local favorite, the delicious food is Creole-inspired and the social scene is very N’awlins. The front room is where the locals sit but you can have a relaxing meal in one of the hidden rooms upstairs. 

(504) 895-1111

6100 Annunciation Street (at Webster)

Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday.

 

Dick & Jenny’s

Tasty French-Creole food in a charming and homey restored Creole cottage. Get there early to avoid a long wait.

(504) 894-9880

4501 Tchoupitoulas Street (at Jena)

No reservations. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

 

Jacques-Imo’s Cafe
The ultimate authentic Nawlins dining experience.
The menu offers mostly fish and seafood entrees, but does include some meat and vegetarian dishes.  Get there early (dinner service starts at 5:30) to avoid a long wait and ask to sit in the back patio. You won’t need or want to eat again for days!

(504) 861-0886
8324 Oak Street (at S. Carrollton)
Reservations only for parties of five or more. Dinner Monday through Saturday.

* Check out “Crabby Jacks,” an informal lunch spot by the same owner located on Jefferson Highway.

 

Le Crepe Nanou

A little bit of Paris in New Orleans.  This is a local secret with a great ambiance.    Salads, cheese plates, mussels and French fries are among the favorites.  Save room for the yummy dessert crepes.

(504) 899-2670

1410 Robert Street (at Prytania Street)

Open for dinner only and reservations are not accepted.


 

Martinique Bistro
A great French bistro with a Caribbean flair! If it’s not too hot, ask to sit in the outdoor patio – it sparkles with hundreds of twinkle lights.

(504) 891-8495
5908 Magazine Street (b/t Eleonore & State)
Reservations recommended. Dinner nightly.

 

Reginelli’s
Dine-in or delivery, the calzones are the size of footballs and the foccacia sandwiches melt in your mouth. If you don’t keep kosher, we recommend the Uptowner.

(504) 899-1414
741 State Street (at Magazine)
Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily.

 

Upperline

New York meets New Orleans at this charming cottage. The Haute Creole fare is served amongst an eclectic art collection and the owner is a delight!

(504) 891-9822
1413 Upperline Street (b/t Prytania & St. Charles)
Reservations required. Dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

 

Winnie’s Artsy Café, USA

Yummy grilled foccacia sandwiches, salads and gourmet burritos. We dare you to try the decadent and nostalgic Elvisito Burrito.

(504) 899-3374

3454 Magazine Street (b/t Aline & Delachaise)

Lunch Tuesday, breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.

 

RIVERBEND

 

Brigtsen’s
Inventive modern Louisiana Cajun-Creole treats served in an intimate turn-of-the-century cottage.  The restaurant is small and fills up fast so make reservations months in advance.  Try their special early-bird special!

(504) 861-7610
723 Dante Street (at Maple)
Reservations required. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

 

Camellia Grill

The best in diner dining, locals stand in line for their legendary omelets, pecan waffles, burgers and chili fries.

(504) 866-9573

626 S. Carrollton Avenue (b/t Hampson & St. Charles)

No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

 

Dante’s Kitchen
A Sunday brunch favorite, the cottage atmosphere is cozy or ask to sit in the garden patio. Dante’s Kitchen is also a great choice for lunch with yummy salads and sandwiches.

(504) 861-3634
736 Dante Street (at River)
Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday.

 

Mat & Naddie’s

“This eclectic and casual restaurant is one of our best kept secrets, and my favorite spot for a relaxing New Orleans style lunch,” discloses Hillel Director Paige Nathan. Be sure to indulge, but keep it a secret.

(504) 861-9600
937 Leonidas Street (at Freret)
Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, dinner Saturday.

 

 

MID-CITY

 

Café Degas

A charming spot especially for Sunday brunch.  This charming and casual restaurant located near the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park.

(504) 945-5635
3127 Esplanande (Ponce de Leon)

Open for lunch every day but Monday, dinner daily and Sunday brunch.

 

Restaurant Indigo

“This is one of New Orleans’ hidden treasures with a beautiful setting and wonderful eclectic food” tauts Linda Lefton, a Hillel board member and wife of Provost Lefton.

(504) 947-0123

2285 Bayou Road (off Esplanade Avenue)

Reservations recommended. Dinner Tuesday through Sunday, Sunday brunch 11am-2:30.

 

METAIRIE

 

Casablanca

Classic Middle Eastern kosher treats with New Orleans flair. The falafel, moussaka and baklava can’t be beat. Be sure to say hello to fabulous owner and chef Linda Watkins for us.

(504) 888-2209

3030 Severn Avenue (at 21st Street)

Lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday, and Sunday, lunch until 3 p.m. on Friday.

 

Kosher Cajun Deli & Grocery

New Orleans best and only New York kosher deli with corned beef sandwiches, chopped liver and matzo ball soup just like grandma used to serve. Give owners Joel and Miriam a call – they’ll deliver to your son or daughter’s dorm room.

(504) 888-2010

3519 Severn Avenue (b/t Veterans Memorial Blvd. & W. Esplanade Ave. S.)

Lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday, lunch until 3 p.m. Friday and Sunday.

 

NEARBY MARKETS

 

Whole Foods Market

Enjoy prepared foods, sushi and a beautiful salad bar at a gourmet market housed in a former bus barn.  There are tables inside and outside for your dining pleasure.  There is a second Whole Foods on Esplanade Avenue in mid-city.

(504) 899-9119

5600 Magazine Street (b/t Nashville & Jefferson)

Hours of Operation: Monday through Saturday 8am-9pm; Sunday 8am-8pm

 

Foodies Kitchen

Grab a gourmet deli sandwich on your choice of homemade breads and head for a picnic in the park.  Be sure to check out their decadent dessert display.

(504) 865-8646

7457 St. Charles Avenue (at Cherokee)

Open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for take out only.

 

Martin's Wine Cellar

Eat in or take out, this gourmet deli offers much more than just wine and cheese.

(504) 896-7380
3827 Baronne Street (b/t General Taylor & Peniston)

Breakfast (deli foods and sandwiches only), lunch and early dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday.