it’s New Orleans Restaurant Week! That means your favorite eatery may have a food special or deal waiting for you — along with a table.
If you’re not familiar with the weeklong celebration, it’s a time to cheer on the Crescent City’s best dining spots and show them a little love as they fill up your bottle and your tummy.
When Is New Orleans Restaurant Week?
New Orleans Restaurant Week runs from June 20-26, 2022.
New Orleans Restaurant Week: Participating Restaurants
Here are the restaurants participating in New Orleans Restaurant Week.
ACME Oyster House (New Orleans and Metairie)
Andrea’s Restaurant
Anna’s
Antoine’s Restaurant
Arnaud’s Restaurant
The Blue Crab
Boucherie
Bourbon House
Brasa Churresqueria
Brennan’s
Briquitte
Broussard’s Restaurant
Brown Butter Southern Kitchen
Cafe Degas
Cafe Maspero
Cho Thai
Commander’s Palace
Commons Club
Copper Vine
Costera
The Country Club
Creole House
Criollo Restaurant & Lounge
Curio
Desire Oyster Bar
Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse
Dickie Brennan’s Tableau
Domenica Restaurant
Ernst Cafe
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Flamingo-a-Go-Go
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Gabrielle Restaurant
Galatoire’s
GW Fins
Jack Rose
Johnny Sanchez
Katie’s Restaurant & Bar
La Petite Grocery
Luke Restaurant
Mother’s Restaurant/Mother’s Next Door
Mr. B’s Bistro
Muriel’s Jackson Square
Palace Cafe
Patios
The Pelican Club
Pier 424
Pizza Domenica
Ralph’s On the Park
Red Fish Grill
Restaurant August
Restaurant R’evolution
Rib Room
Royal House
Sala
Silk Road Restaurant
Suis Generis
Sylvain
The Bower
The Chloe Restaurant
The Commissary
Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco
Tony Mandina’s
Tujague’s Restaurant
Ugly Dog Saloon & Bar-B-Que
Trenasse
Willa Jean
Final Thought
New Orleans is second to none when it comes to culinary greatness in the Southeast, but the city has much more to offer.
When New Orleans’ food is mentioned on a national level, it somehow always reverts back to gumbo, which is the best around, although the city’s eateries certainly represent those dishes well, there’s so much more.
Who doesn’t enjoy a good food fight? Well, a big one is headed to New Orleans this spring, courtesy of Top Taco, a New Orleans taco and cocktail events brand.
Food Fight is a food and cocktail competition that will take place at the Mandeville Shed & Ellipse Lawn at Crescent Park (2300 N. Peters St.) in the French Market District. The one-night-only event will feature over 40 restaurants and 30 spirits competing to see who can create the Top New Orleans dishes and cocktails.
When Is Top Taco’s Food Fight?
The Food Fight is set to take place from 6:00-10:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022, on the New Orleans Riverfront.
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
General admission tickets are $75.00 for Food Fight. Early entry and First Tasting tickets are $95, with VIP tickets $125. Once inside the festival, all food and drinks are included. Information on ticket purchases is available at www.foodfightnola.com.
What Restaurants Are Participating In Food Fight?
The following restaurants will be on hand for Food Fight:
Emeril’s, Meril’s, Saint John, Otra Vez, Misa, Josephine Estelle, Boucherie, Johnny Sanchez and Silk Road. Spirits competitors include Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s, Ford’s Gin, Skrewball Whiskey, Jagermeister, Who Dat Spirits, Jameson’s, Fistful of Bourbon, Bayou Rum, Casamigo’s and El Buho Mezcal.
Final Word
Food Fight will benefit the PLEASE Foundation, a nonprofit that provides mentorship, leadership training and scholarships for at-risk teens to attend local college-preparatory high schools in the New Orleans area. This is an over 21-year-old event.
Find out what’s cookin’ in New Orleans by checking out our Food & Drink section.
The flavorful side dishes, the aroma, the love. These are all the things we love about Italian food. Fortunately for us, we can get authentic Italian cuisine in New Orleans with relative ease. We know where to go.
In this article, we’ll show you where you can find the best Italian food in New Orleans.
Top Italian Restaurants In New Orleans
Here are our picks:
Irene’s
529 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 529-8811
Here’s what one diner says about Irene’s: “Irene’s was an absolute delight. Each starter was better than the last. The specials were out of this world, and the lamb was the absolute best I’ve ever had. I cannot wait to return and have another delightful meal. Thank you to our phenomenal, knowledgeable server, Dan, this is now our favorite restaurant in NOLA by a wide margin.”
Vincent’s Italian Cuisine
7839 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 866-9313
Here’s what one customer says about Vincent’s: “Excellent food! Tony and Vincent, the proprietors of this “neighborhood eatery,” with a vast clientele all over NEW ORLEANS, serves the BEST ITALIAN FOOD TO BE SOUGHT! The “serving staff,” including the bar, are the absolute BEST of any in NEW ORLEANS!”
Here’s what one diner says about Domenica: “Best food i had in New Orleans !! the bread is to die for and everything me and my family ordered was superb.”
Gianna Restaurant
700 Magazine St #101, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 399-0816
Customer review: “One of the best pasta with crab i ever had. However had to order 2 portions because of a small portion size. I did ask the waitress the portion size but i guess it is subjective – that’s all i had other than a salad.”
Here’s what one eater says about Mona Lisa: “We have called it our favorite Italian Restaurant for a lot of years but we got take out Chef Salad tonight and it was the BEST I’ve had in a long long time. Still the best of the best.”
Here’s what one patron says about The Italian Barrel: “Best italian ever! My hubby is italian and grew up eating it.. he said it was the absolute Authentic Italian.. we will definitely come back.”
Rizzuto’s Ristorante & Chop House
6262 Fleur De Lis Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124 | (504) 300-1804
Here’s what one customer says about Rizzuto’s: “Amazing food! The meatball appetizer was great. It came with a delicious ricotta cheese. Chicken Parm portion was huge and awesome. I love the sauce. It’s a classic Italian sauce with a little kick to it. Dessert was the best bread pudding I’ve ever had. No question.”
What Are The Most Popular Italian Dishes?
Of course, America has put its own twist on many Italian dishes. Here are the most popular ones you’ll find at an eatery near you:
Pizza
Lasagna
Spaghetti
Ravioli
Focaccia
Risotto
Final Word
No matter where you go to get your Italian fix in New Orleans, you know it’s going to be satisfying. The city’s dining scene is not only one of the best in America, but is recognized across the world.
Find out what’s cookin’ in New Orleans by checking out our Food & Drink section.
The cost of food continues to climb year after year. You may be curious what you can do about your rising grocery bill.
In this article, I’ll go over some ways you can spend less on food costs.
How To Save Money On Food
You may be wonder whether it costs more to eat healthy compared to buying generally unhealthy things like potato chicks, donuts and other snacks high in saturated fat.
1. Stick To A Budget
The #1 thing you need to remember when you buy food is that you can’t spend money you can’t have. That’s why you need a budget.
Creating a budget will also force you to be accountable to yourself and your wallet one a weekly and monthly basis.
2 Skip The Soda
If you go out to eat, one way your bill increases is by ordering soda with your entree.
To save even more money, if you can, just order water with your meal. Water is one of the most healthy drinks you can have.
Not only is water good for you, but it’s good for your wallet.
3. Skip The Dessert
One of the ways restaurants pad your food bill is to offer you a decadent dessert that is hard to resist. They know you’re probably full, so that’s why they rely on the server to physically show you the dessert so that your eyes can entice you to order it.
4. Go With Veggies
Vegetables and salads are always going to be cheaper than buying meat. Instead of steak dinner or baked chicken, make it a Meatless Monday by serving something like scrambled eggs, beans, seeds, frozen fruits and vegetables,
Not only is eating veggies cheaper for your wallet, but it’s healthier for your body.
5. Skip The Prepared Meals
It’s not easy coming home every day from working a stressful job and having to cook, but if you want to save money, it’s worth it. Don’t fall into the trap of paying for already-prepared meals.
There are several companies out there that market these great meal prep kits. They may have good food, but they’re expensive! To save money, cook at home.
Final Word
When you count medical bills, bad health can be enormously expensive when it’s all said in done.
As a rule, always try to stay away from foods that have processed sugar and artificial trans fats. These ingredients are not just on the snack aisle either.
Do you like donuts? The Underground Donut Tour is coming to the Big Easy. For the past seven years, the tour has been launching in cities in the Northeast and Midwest, like Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. Now it’s time for New Orleans to get the sweets treatment!
Underground Donut Tours Launching in New Orleans
The Underground Donut Tours have attracted millions of people throughout the years to the best donut shops in the respective cities.
Attendees get to learn about the history of the business as well as taste the goodness of their donuts. Unlike the other cities, donut tours in New Orleans will include beignet shops as well.
“New Orleans is home to some of the best food, culture, nightlife, beignets, and donuts in the country. How could we not add it to our roster? Our team visited New Orleans just prior to COVID-19 and we were planning on opening this location in 2020, but those plans got postponed with everything going on. Thankfully, it looks like things are opening back up and we’re ready to welcome both locals and tourists alike to come and join us for a donut and beignet celebration!” said Jeff Woelker, founder of the Underground Donut Tour.
What Local Shops Will Participate?
Underground Donut Tours is undeground for a reason! Some shops are kept hidden until the day of the event.
Some of the locations include District Donuts and The Vintage with two other secret locations you’ll only learn about on the tour.
“I can’t wait to share the history of Magazine Street and the Garden District along with meeting many amazing guests. And how can I forget eating some fantastic donuts and beignets along the way?” said Jenn Johnson, tour manager for the Underground Donut Tour New Orleans.
When Do Tours Operate?
The Underground Donut Tours will start on Friday, April 15, 2022, and run year-round. Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9-11 a.m. and 10 am. to 12 noon. In the near future, more days and times will be added.
How To Get Tickets To New Orleans Underground Donut Tours
Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for kids 10 and under. Tickets can be booked atndergrounddonuttour.com.
Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis, so don’t miss out.
Carnival is one of the most celebratory times in not only Louisiana, but across the South. If you’re headed to New Orleans for the festivities, you should have a plan on what you’d like to do (and eat).
Mardi Gras 2022: What To Do And Where To Eat
This article will show you some of the best places to visit and the top restaurants to eat at during your visit to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras 2022 is Tuesday, March 1, aka Fat Tuesday. But in the city, related events such as shows, parties, pageants and parades stretch two weeks before and after. Sometimes, events can go until Easter.
Where To Visit New Orleans For Mardi Gras
Now that we’re straight on the dates, let’s talk about some must-visits for your trip.
French Quarter
One of the most famous districts in the world, New Orleans’ French Quarter is where you’ll find street dancers, a second-line band playing into the night and strong hurricane drinks. While there’s no big “thing” to visit or see in the French Quarter, just being around the area can yield some treasures for the observant person.
Pitot House
1440 Moss St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 482-0312
If you want a dose of antebellum history, the Pitot House in New Orleans fits the bill. The historic landmark is an 18th-century Creole colonial country home and makes for a great weekend stop.
Take A Swamp Tour
When you come to Nola, there are few things as bayou-authentic as a swamp tour. You’ll enjoy the time outdoors, get a real taste of the bayou and even get to see some alligators.
Cafe Du Monde is known around the world as having some of the best powdered dumplings — beignets — you can find outside of France.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Cafe Du Monde. “What else can I say that hasn’t already been said. This place is an absolute must despite the touristy crowd. The jazz band that sits on the sidewalk out front adds the perfect level of cover from the hustling and bustling sounds of the street.”
Where To Eat In New Orleans For Mardi Gras
Now let’s get into some great places to eat in New Orleans right now.
Brennan’s
417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 525-9711
Here’s what one reviewer says about Brennan’s: “Design of the restaurant is really good. Service was decent. However I did not like the food. Whether that was my fried rabbit particularly or the oil they use, I just stayed hungry.”
Cochon Restaurant
930 Tchoupitoulas St suite a, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 588-2123
Here’s what one reviewer says about Cochon: “Our experience at Cochon was pleasant. Service was quick and food was delicious. Drinks are also well crafted. The oysters on garlic chili oil was a winner. The alligator was different. If you don’t mind eating alligator then it’s probably good. Just not for me.”
Commander’s Palace
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 899-8221
Here’s what one customer says about Commander’s Palace: “Commander’s Palace was a lovely dining experience- the ambiance was great, our waiter had a dynamite personality, and we had fun having an excuse to dress up! I forget the details but I believe the sourcing of the meat was local/organic if they possibly could which I thought was nice. Also, the bread pudding was delicious!”
Doris Metropolitan New Orleans
620 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | : (504) 267-3500
Here’s what one customer says about Doris: “This place was incredible. The service was excellent. The food was… I swear I died and am presently a ghost. The desert was so so so rich, but so incredibly good. Absolutely hit this place up if you are looking to dine high quality.”
Final Word
New Orleans is known as a party city, but a celebratory city is a much more accurate word. Mardi Gras marks one of the largest celebrations in the world and it happens every year right here in New Orleans.
Looking for a new place to eat in New Orleans? You’ve got to check out Breakaway’s R&B in the city.
Husband and wife team Chef Paul Artigues and Olivia Rochon Artigues opened the eatery in the city’s Faubourg Marigny neighborhood on January 27, 2022.
The restaurant’s name is inspired by Irma Thomas’ song “Breakaway.” The R&B means restaurant and bar more than rhythm and blues, but the Artigues liked the idea of a reference to local music to help set the tone for their neighborhood place.
What’s On The Menu At Breakaway’s R&B?
The Creole, Neighborhood-Style Restaurant and Bar has several delicious dishes you can try. Here are a few:
Beef Daube Sandwich
Ham Sandwich
Turkey Sandwich
Shrimp Po-Boy
Crawfish Etouffee
Beef Daube
Creole Red Beans & Rice
Where Is Breakaway’s R&B located?
Breakaway’s R&B is located at 2529 Dauphine Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70117. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Word
Breakaway’s R&B isn’t the only thing happening in New Orleans. The city practically has a party every night, not to mention the many rowdy restaurants that offer a great meal and a good time.
If you love cooking, then you’ll appreciate a new school that teaches you how to make some of the most flavorful dishes in the Southeast.
Deelightful Roux recently was opened by Chef Dwynesha Lavigne, who is best known as the founder and creator of Deelightful Cupcakes, a gourmet cupcake and confectionary treats bakery.
There are few dishes that are more synonymous with New Orleans than red beans and rice. The combination dish has long been associated with the Big Easy dining scene, along with gumbo.
But where can you find some good red beans and rice in New Orleans? In this article, we’re going to show you where restaurants have the best red beans and rice.
Here Are The Best Red Beans And Rice In New Orleans
To come up with our list, we used real-life customer reviews from Google. Let’s say who’s cookin’ the best R&R:
Buffa’s
1001 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 949-0038
Here’s what one customer says about Buffa’s: “Monday night Red Beans and Rice!! Enjoy the family recipe and you won’t be disappointed!! Take in the beautiful voices of Antoine and Arséne while sipping a cocktail from one of their friendly bartenders. I fell in love with Buffa’s and their fun geeky decor and wish I lived in New Orleans so that I could be a regular. Thank you!”
Coop’s Place
1109 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 525-9053
Here’s what one customer says about Coop’s Place: “Awesome food and good drinks here I got the coops taste of new Orleans platter that had their gumbo, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and ettouffee!”
Joey K’s
3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 891-0997
Here’s what one customer says about Joey K’s: “We googled “restaurants in garden district” while visiting and this place was one of the top options. I am so glad that we decided to eat lunch here. I immediately loved the look of the place when we walked in. We both started off with a cup of red beans and rice and ate that deliciousness quickly.”
Jacques-Imo’s
8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 861-0886
Here’s what one customer says about Jacques-Imo’s: “Very great food! Staff were friendly and attentive! The atmosphere was super cool and enjoyed the whole experience! Would for sure recommend if you want to try something different and that has a Soul Food feeling!”
Mandina’s Restaurant
3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 482-9179
3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | Here’s what one customer says about Mandina’s Restaurant: “Our waiter was extremely nice and attentive. He was a larger guy and I forgot to get his name. This is not a great place to eat if you have a dairy allergy as I was limited to fries and red beans and rice. However, I have never had a waiter be so attentive to my allergy before and it made me extremely comfortable eating what I was served! He constantly kept confirming to me that my food was dairy free.”
Willie Mae’s Scotch House
2401 St Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 822-9503
Here’s what one customer says about Willie Mae’s Scotch House: “I had the mac and cheese (very basic) and red beans and rice (extremely tasty) on a previous visit so I decided to get the green beans and rice and gravy this time.”
Ray’s On The Ave
2005 N Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 766-6404
Here’s what one customer says about Ray’s on the Ave. Holy cow! If you’re looking for a good local place with great food and service, then this is it!!! Food was amazing and the portions large. Catfish, chicken, and hush puppies were among the best I’ve ever eaten. Totally worth the short jaunt off Bourbon. I would give it 6 stars if I could…”
Two Sistas ‘N Da East
9901 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70127 | (504) 242-0469
Here’s what one customer says about Two Sistas ‘N Da East: “This is some real home-cooked food! My advice will be to always order early as they tend to run out of certain dishes fast. I highly recommend the Red Beans and Rice!”
Redberry’s Hot Plates & Po-Boys
9103 Fig St, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 381-4613
Here’s what one customer says about Redberry’s: “If you haven’t been, you need to go. Amazing hot plates!!! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.”
Final Word
Red beans and rice is one of the most satisfying meals you can have in the city. If you enjoy smoked sausage with your red beans, these restaurants deliver the goods.
Aside from red beans, the city’s cuisine stands on its own when it comes to good food, service and a memorable dining experience.
More From NolaFi.com:
If you’re a fan of top-notch food like gourmet burritos, chalupas and tacos, New Orleans’ Mexican restaurants offer a flavorful fiesta of the senses.
This article is going to show you the best Mexican restaurants in New Orleans.
In all areas of the city, you can find quality Mexican food, including strong margaritas with great food.
Best Mexican Restaurants In New Orleans
Mexican cuisine may not be as popular as seafood in New Orleans, but it’s a close second, as you’ll see.
Cuñada
833 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 525-9200
Here’s what one reviewer says about Cuñada: “”If you want real AUTHENTIC Mexican cuisine in New Orleans, look no further! The best food, served by the best staff in the best city….what else could you ask for.”
Panchita’s Mexican Criolla Cuisine
1434 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 281-4127
Here’s what one reviewer says about Panchita’s: “First Time me and my Boyfriend Came here.Small Place Outdoor Sitting as Well as Indoors.Authentic Mexican Food.I had There Vegetable Burrito and He had the Carne Asada Plate.I Had a Glass of Chardonnay he had 2 Corona Lights we Both Had Water.The Waitress Was Also The Owner She had Other Employees Cooking. Very Clean and Quaint. Will Be Back. Thank You.”
Liberacion NOLA
2239, New Orleans, LA 70117 | 504-208-8276
Here’s what one reviewer says about Liberacion NOLA: “These guys have been singlehandedly keeping me alive the last few years. NO ONE can sling tacos like Damien and Heather!!! Best tacos on the entire planet. Hell, I even heard aliens from other planets are considering sacrificing a lil ufo sighting just come try em.”
Johnny Sánchez
930 Poydras St Suite 101, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 304-6615
Here’s what one customer says about Johnny Sanchez. “We went to Johnny Sánchez for dinner. I had a burrito with a Bloody Maria. The burrito required a knife and for in order to eat it. The flavor of the burrito was quite nice. I can’t say the same about the Bloody Maria. The Bloody Maria was mostly Vodka, and I couldn’t taste the tomato juice.”
The Velvet Cactus
6300 Argonne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 | (504) 301-2083
Here’s what one customer says about The Velvet Cactus. “Great outdoor seating options. Food was very fast! Cheddar grits and brisket quesadilla were awesome! Plantains were tasty too!”
Final Word
If you go to a Mexican restaurant in New Orleans, you may not know what to order. You should try a quesadilla or some Tacos or Sopa de Fideo. No matter what you choose, don’t forget to explore the city’s rich culinary history by giving the eatery some repeat business.
adventure / culture / Dining / general / mood / news / travel / Where To Eat
June 20, 2022
2 Min Read
adventure / culture / Events / general / Health / lifestyle / mood / news / Where To Eat
There are few dishes that are more synonymous with New Orleans than red beans and rice. The combination dish has long been associated with the Big Easy dining scene, along with gumbo. But where can you find some good red beans and rice in New Orleans? In this article, we’re going to show you where restaurants have the best red beans and rice.
Here’s what one customer says about Buffa’s: “Monday night Red Beans and Rice!! Enjoy the family recipe and you won’t be disappointed!! Take in the beautiful voices of Antoine and Arséne while sipping a cocktail from one of their friendly bartenders. I fell in love with Buffa’s and their fun geeky decor and wish I lived in New Orleans so that I could be a regular. Thank you!”
Here’s what one customer says about Coop’s Place: “Awesome food and good drinks here I got the coops taste of new Orleans platter that had their gumbo, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and ettouffee!”
Here’s what one customer says about Joey K’s: “We googled “restaurants in garden district” while visiting and this place was one of the top options. I am so glad that we decided to eat lunch here. I immediately loved the look of the place when we walked in. We both started off with a cup of red beans and rice and ate that deliciousness quickly.”
Here’s what one customer says about Jacques-Imo’s: “Very great food! Staff were friendly and attentive! The atmosphere was super cool and enjoyed the whole experience! Would for sure recommend if you want to try something different and that has a Soul Food feeling!”
3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119 | Here’s what one customer says about Mandina’s Restaurant: “Our waiter was extremely nice and attentive. He was a larger guy and I forgot to get his name. This is not a great place to eat if you have a dairy allergy as I was limited to fries and red beans and rice. However, I have never had a waiter be so attentive to my allergy before and it made me extremely comfortable eating what I was served! He constantly kept confirming to me that my food was dairy free.”
