Traditional New Orleans food is unlike any other kind of cuisine in America because its main influences stem from before the city was even part of the United States. The Big Easy's unique Creole cuisine takes elements from the main ethnic groups who resided in it during Louisiana's colonial times, thus blending French, Spanish, African, and Native American cooking techniques together to create something brand new.
Creole cuisine is truly one-of-a-kind
and perfectly encapsulates New Orleans' multiethnic heritage. Here are 10 great
NOLA restaurants to check out and experience the type of food the city is best-known
for.
10 Best Creole Restaurants in New Orleans
1. Neyow's Creole Café
332 Bienville St., 504-827-5474, neyows.com
Neyow's Creole Café is a comfortable establishment with great atmosphere in Mid-City. The restaurant serves all kinds of Creole delights such as crab claws, crawfish balls, BBQ shrimp, file' gumbo, and a fried seafood platter.
Neyow's po-boy sandwiches are top notch, so choose from traditional fillings like hot sausage, roast beef, shrimp, and oysters. The restaurant offers specials every day of the week, so make sure to check out Neyow's website and see what deals they have going on when you visit.
2. Nice Guys NOLA
7910 Earhart Blvd., (504) 302-2404, niceguysnola.com
Not only is Nice Guys NOLA the best place to eat outdoors, but it has some of the best food. With daiquiris, drink specials, chargrilled oysters, Boudin burgers, and messy fries, you're guaranteed to have an outstanding meal. They feature "fall off the plate" specials, boozy brunch, and excellent craft cocktails.
At Nice Guys NOLA, they serve four different preparations of oysters by the half dozen or dozen and each one has received rave reviews. Some of their standout entrees include Bayou Seafood Pasta and a Louisiana Seafood Potato. Their brunch features wildly good options as well, such as their donut sandwich and hot butter chicken and biscuit.
3. Li'l Dizzy's Cafe
1500 Esplanade Ave., 504-766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net
Li'l Dizzy's Cafe is a Tremé staple that serves up authentic Creole and classic Southern dishes such as seafood platters and catfish. Their rich, hearty gumbo and crawfish bisque are the best while their delicious po-boys will satisfy any appetite.
Li'l Dizzy's serves up excellent Louisiana classics like dirty rice and tons of fried shrimp, catfish, and chicken options. Make sure to check out their daily special for everyday of the week. You can also sit back and relax with their in-house favorite cocktail "Da Dizzy."
4. Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop
2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, 504-835-2022, gumbostop.com
You have to have gumbo when you're in
Louisiana, and Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop has some of the best gumbo that can be
found in Metairie. Definitely try the restaurant's award-winning seafood gumbo,
which is filled with shrimp, crawfish, crabmeat, tomato, and tasty okra.
Other gumbos on Chef Ron's menu
include bowls topped with fried catfish, fried oysters, potato salad, and even
poached eggs. The restaurant also serves many classic Louisiana dishes such as
boudin balls, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, po-boys, and more.
5. Cochon Restaurant
930 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-588-2123., cochonrestaurant.com
Operated by chefs Donald Link and
Stephen Stryjewski, Cochon Restaurant specializes in traditional and authentic Southern
dishes that Chef Link grew up with. The restaurant's dishes are made with
ingredients from local providers and include selections like fried alligator,
hog's head cheese, and braised beef pie.
The Louisiana cochon and the
wood-fired Gulf fish entrée dishes are amazing and perfectly showcase how
Louisiana cuisine is in a class of its own. Pair your tasty dishes with one of
Cochon's creative craft cocktails like the Lula Libre, the Smokey Sicilian, or
the Hottie Hoo.
6. Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar
509 Canal St., 504-323-2109, creolehouserestaurant.com
If you're looking to enjoy NOLA classics in a casual atmosphere, then Creole House is just the place to be. Housed in the oldest existing building on Canal Street, the restaurant is loved by locals for its oysters, seafood platters, and New Orleans entrees like red beans and rice, blackened redfish, and jambalaya pasta.
Creole House also offers breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., so choose from tasty selections like the Gulf shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and three different omelets. In addition, you can enjoy breakfast cocktails like mimosas, Bloody Marys, Irish coffee, and more.
7. Dooky Chase's Restaurant
2301 Orleans Ave., 504-821-0600 or 504-821-0535, dookychaserestaurants.com
Perhaps one of the most famous restaurants in all of New Orleans, Dooky Chase's Restaurant is an absolute must-visit. A true staple of the city, the restaurant was one of the first African American fine dining restaurants in the United States and was made internationally famous thanks to the efforts of the late Leah Chase.
Not only does Dooky Chase's serve
lunch from Tuesday to Friday, it also offers an expanded dinner menu on Fridays
and Saturdays. All of the beloved Creole classics can be found at the restaurant
like shrimp creole, gumbo, crab cakes, and BBQ shrimp.
8. Mambo's
411 Bourbon St., 504-407-3717, mambosnola.com
Mambo's offers a truly relaxing and
tasty escape from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street. The restaurant has
many traditional Creole and Cajun dishes to enjoy, as well as unique appetizers
like crawfish poutine, duck wantons, and gator nachos.
Mambo's even has vegetarian and gluten free menus for anyone who has a dietary restriction, with options like a vegetarian po-boy and a hamburger steak. Make sure to also experience the restaurant's new third floor, which is home to Bourbon Street's first rooftop bar.
9. New Orleans Creole Cookery
510 Toulouse St., 504-524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com
Founded by Anna and A.J. Tusa, New
Orleans Creole Cookery is bringing new generation innovation to traditional
Creole cooking. In addition to its delicious food, the restaurant offers a
beautiful outdoor patio that guests can enjoy while on a date or with the
family.
You can't go wrong with ordering one of Creole Cookery's oyster dishes: raw, chargrilled, fried, Rockefeller, and Bienville. Speaking of seafood, you can also get redfish multiple different ways, as well as shrimp, catfish, crab, and alligator dishes.
10. Nonno's Cajun Cuisine & Pastries
1940 Dauphine St., 504-354-1364, nonnoscajuncuisineandpastries.com
Nonno's Cajun Cuisine & Pastries,
located in the Faubourg Marigny, is the perfect place to hang out and check up
with your closest friends. The restaurant offers all day breakfast, so you can
enjoy omelets, French toast, and shrimp and grits anytime you visit.
Other tasty treats on offer include oysters, a red snapper plate, and even two vegan po-boys. Nonno's has an assortment of beer, wine, champagne, and cocktails to enjoy like Nonno's Signature, the Orleans Coffee, and the Touch Down Baby.
Great Creole Restaurants in the Crescent City
People from all over the world come to New Orleans just to
experience its food, and Creole cuisine is perhaps the best, and tastiest,
representation of the city. Its multicultural elements have helped it to stand
up on its own among the many diverse layers that make up American food. When
you think of gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice, you think of New
Orleans. All of the Creole restaurants on this list offer a true taste of the city's
soul.
