10 Places Get Great Desserts in New Orleans
In New Orleans, the culinary landscape is defined by rich, French-Creole cuisine and desserts. From its powdered-sugar beignets to nutty pralines, the city is known for its wide variety of localized dessert experiences.
Here are 10 of the most iconic, highly-rated restaurants for dessert in New Orleans.
1. Commander's Palace
1403 Washington Ave., (504) 899-8221
In 1974, the Brennan family created lasting dining memories at Commander's Palace, with Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan carrying on the spirit of warm hospitality and excellent service. One of this restaurant's most popular dessert items is their Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé, a rich bread pudding whipped into a light soufflé, finished table side with warm whiskey cream sauce. Don't miss out on this delectable treat, and note that it will be an additional $3.50 and must be ordered 20 minutes in advance!
Other desserts at Commander's Palace, located at 1403 Washington Ave., include Sorbet Du Jour, Southern Style Pecan Pie à la Mode, Ponchatoula Strawberry Shortcake, Old Fashioned Banana Pudding, Mocha Cookie Crunch Ice Cream, and Housemade Ice Cream.
2. Emeril's
800 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 528-9393
Emeril's, located on 800 Tchoupitoulas St., serves up an elegant dining experience that revolves around Chef Emeril's classic dishes throughout the years. Their Banana Cream Pie has been served for decades, even holding a place on the menu since day one, and features a graham cracker crust with a squishes banana mashed into it, a rich banana custard, layers of sliced bananas, whipped cream, and drizzles of both caramel and chocolate sauce.
You can even make this dessert at home by following Emeril Lagasse's recipe online.
3. Sucré
Multiple Locations
Founded in New Orleans as a luxury brand patisserie, Sucré is known for their renowned handmade, French inspired desserts and sweets. They have several locations in New Orleans including on 3025 Magazine St., 217 Royal St., and 636 Royal St., as well as locations in Texas, Houston, and Georgia.
Their Macarons are perhaps their most popular dessert item, with several different flavors to choose from including almond, blackberry citrus, café au lait (coffee with milk), chocolate, pistachio, strawberry and vanilla. Sucré serves seasonal flavors, such as their King Cake Macaron, which are rotated throughout the year. They also serve other highly rated items including cupcakes, entremets, gelato, sorbet, confections, and a variety of flavorful drinks.
4. Herbsaint
701 St. Charles Ave., (504) 524, 4114
Owned by Chef de Cuisine Tyler Spreen and Chef/Owner Donald Link, Herbsaint has served French cuisine with Southern attributes for years. Located on 701 St. Charles Ave., this bar and restaurant is known for its Banana Brown Butter Tart, crafted by Pastry Chef Maggie Scales. This signature treat features a rich, nutty brown cutter base, sweet bananas, and is dusted with fleur de sel caramel.
Other menu items include their Vanilla Pot de Crème, Black Forest Cake, Fried Blueberry Hand Pie, Artisanal Cheeses, Chocolate or Vanilla Ice Cream, and their ice cream or sorbet of the day.
5. Antoine's
713 St. Louis St., (504) 581-4422
Antoine's has served the New Orleans community for more than 180 years and set the standard for fine dining in the Big Easy. On 713 St. Louis St. sits the restaurant, still standing and where countless have dined including well-known figures George Bush, Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, and a long list of musicians, politicians, military personnel, sports figures, and royalty.
However, their dessert menu truly takes the cake. Antoine's most popular and iconic dessert menu items is their house specialty, the Baked Alaska, which features a core of vanilla ice cream set on a layer of pound cake, encased in a fluffy egg-white meringue and flambéed to perfection. Other popular menu items are their Florida Key Lime Pie, Flourless Chocolate Torte, Creole Cream Cheese Cheesecake, Antoine's Pecan Bread Pudding, Crème Brûlée, and Meringue Glacée.
6. Brennan's
417 Royal St., (504) 525-9711
Arguably one of the famous restaurants to house desserts is Brennan's, the creator of the deliciously iconic Bananas Foster. This treat came to fruition when Owen Brennan challenged his chef Paul Paul Blangé to create a dish featuring the fruit, which is now home to the most-ordered item on this restaurant's menu. The dish was named after Rich Foster, who was the chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission and long-time friend of Brennan.
You can also make this dish, which is made of bananas sautéed in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum, and banana liqueur, through Brennan's online recipe.
7. Cafe Degas
3127 Esplanade Ave., (504) 945-5635
Cafe Degas is named after Edgar Degas, the 19th-century painter who once lived in the Big Easy, and is known as one of the most intimate and romantic restaurants in the city.
This French restaurant's Lemon Icebox Pie, known for its tart flavor and refreshing texture, is a local favorite and must-try for tourists. So, if you're in the city, make sure you treat yourself to this dessert and their other vast menu items.
8. Lilette
3637 Magazine St., (504) 895-1636
Located on 3637 Magazine St., Lilette taps into the essence of French and Italian cooking, with premium ingredients and renowned customer service. Their dessert menu is a prime example of this from Pastry Chef Christie Plaisance.
Quenelles of Goat Cheese Crème Fraîche is Lilette's undisputed signature dessert, which is served with poached pear, pistachio, and lavender honey. Other menu items include their Chocolate Tiramisu Tart, Butterscotch Budino, Blueberry Cheesecake, Butter Cake, trio of ice creams, sorbet, and artisanal cheese plate.
9. Galatoire's
209 Bourbon St., (504) 525-2021
Jean Galatoire founded Galatoire's in 1905, bringing recipes and traditions inspired by family recipes and his homeland to create an internationally-renowned restaurant.
Galatoire's rich Caramel Cup Custard is highly praised for its creamy texture and caramelized sugar topping. Their dessert menu includes French Silk Pie, Peach-Almond Trifle, Bread pudding, Seasonal Cheesecake, Raspberry Sorbet, and Vanilla or Coffee Ice Cream.
10. Prince Tea House
3012 N. Arnoult Rd. Ste. B, Metairie, (504) 330-0360
The Prince Tea House is described as an "oasis" where customers can escape from the fast pace of living in the city. This restaurant is a chain with locations in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Tennessee, Connecticut, and Louisiana.
Located in Metairie, the Prince Tea House is celebrated for their signature Mille Crêpe Cakes. This menu item is an elegant, no-bake dessert made by stacking multiple crêpes with layers of light whipped cream, pastry cream, or custard in between. Prince Tea House has a variety of different flavors to choose from, with availability depending on restaurant location.
