[mana5280, Unsplash]

10 Not to Miss Restaurants in the Garden District

07:00 May 17, 2024
By: Eliana Sarfati-Magill

The Garden District is a beautiful and historic neighborhood centrally located in New Orleans. With Iconic Streets like St. Charles and Magazine framing the neighborhood, the area is full of grand antebellum mansions and cute NOLA shotguns.

Enjoy a walk through the Garden District any day of the week for its lovely atmosphere then check out any of the many delicious places to eat that the neighborhood has to offer. Here are 10 tasty spots to check out in the Garden District.


10 Good Bites in the Garden District


1. Lilly's Cafe

1813 Magazine St., 504-599-9999

instagram.com/lillyscafenola

[RDNE Stock project, Pexels]

Lilly's Cafe is a Vietnamese restaurant on Magazine serving up hot, flavorful, and affordable dishes all day long. This local favorite is known for its hot and rich pho, bún noodle salad with fish sauce, many other Vietnamese classics.

The restaurant also serves a range of refreshing fruit teas with boba and lychee jellies that pair perfectly with any dish on the menu. Come visit this spot and enjoy the remarkably fast service and satisfying bites.


2. Molly's Rise and Shine

2368 Magazine St., 504-302-1896

mollysriseandshine.com

[Courtesy of Molly's Website]

Molly's Rise and Shine is the perfect spot to stop by for a rich Southern breakfast with a modern fun twist. Order at the counter before choosing to either sit inside, surrounded by an eclectically collected vintage toys and cowboy wallpaper, or outside on colorful chairs with a view to Magazine Street people watching.

Order any of their fully loaded breakfast sandwiches on a fluffy biscuit, a spicy chicken biscuit, or uniquely delicious carrot yogurt for a filling and fun way to start the day.


3. HiVolt

1829 Sophie Wright Pl., 504-324-8818

hivoltcoffeepickup.com

[Courtesy of HiVolt's Facebook]

HiVolt is another local café great for starting the day off on the right foot. This spot has a delicious range of breakfast sandwiches on croissants, buns, and more. Some fan favorite sandwiches include the Good Morning Vietnam and French Connection, which are both addictively delicious.

Enjoy one of their many refreshing smoothies or a coffee in their comfortable and cozy open seating. For anyone not wanting a full meal, don't miss their freshly baked muffins, which are truly out of this world.


4. Bakery Bar

1179 Annunciation St., 504-513-8664

bakery.bar

[Courtesy of Baker Bar's Facebook]

Bakery Bar is a perfect spot for anyone with a sweet tooth. While they do have a selection of savory entrees and small bites, the main attraction by far is the dessert menu.

Enjoy sweet cakes like doberge, cookies, and ice cream along perfectly paired cocktails for a great date night or time to chat with friends. The sweets here are worth the trip and the option of adding in drinks makes it the perfect late night spot.


5. Commander's Palace

1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221

commanderspalace.com

[Courtesy of Commander's Website]

No Garden District restaurant list can truly be complete without the addition of Commander's Palace. This iconic spot housed in a teal and white Victorian mansion has been a local institution for over a century.

Enjoy their 25 cent martini happy hour, famous turtle soup, and so much more when checking out this famous establishment! Make sure to make a reservation for Commander's famous and popular weekend jazz brunches.


6. Gris Gris

1800 Magazine St., 504-272-0241

grisgrisnola.com

[Courtesy of Gris Gris' Website]

Gris Gris opened in 2018 and has been serving inventive twists on classic Louisiana cuisine ever since. This restaurant has a lively atmosphere and delicious cocktails. The ingredients, especially the seafood, are remarkably fresh and well prepared.

Enjoy their sugarcane seared duck, oyster BLT, and even their signature burger named after the Lower Garden District. Stop by for happy hour or make a reservation for a fully delicious dinner.


7. Atchafalaya

901 Louisiana Ave., 504-891-9626

atchafalayarestaurant.com

[Courtesy of Atchafalaya's Facebook]

Atchafalaya is located on Louisiana Avenue, off of the main hustle and bustle of Magazine Street. They are using the freshest ingredients to serve upscale and complex tasting dishes.

The menu embraces traditional New Orleans cuisine while reinventing it into something exciting and new. Enjoy the beautifully decorated interior or a spot outside surrounded by foliage, but whatever you do, don't skip dessert.


8. Café Reconcile

1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 504-568-1157

cafereconcile.org

[Courtesy of Cafe Reconcile's Website]

Café Reconcile is another perfect spot to eat Southern classics. Enjoy their menu full of deliciously rich dishes in a homey and elevated environment.

While you're eating, feel proud to be supporting a good cause as Café Reconcile is a nonprofit organization. The café provides job experience and soft skill training to young people looking to start their careers and learn the necessary skills for success.


9. Miss Shirley's

3009 Magazine St., 504-354-2530

missshirleyschineserestaurant.com

[Courtesy of Miss Shirley's Website]

Miss Shirley's serves fresh and delicious dim sum, along with Chinese American classics and more traditional Cantonese fare. It's a great spot to bring a few friends, and the group can order a bigger selection of their delicious and shareable small plates.

Miss Shirley's also offers delicious cocktails that pair so well with menu they serve. Order the steamed soup dumplings, eggplant in black bean sauce, and any of their Asian-inspired fried chicken dishes.


10. Rum House

3128 Magazine St., 504) 941-7560

therumhouse.com

[Courtesy of Rum House's Website]

The Rum House is another classic and favorite among college students and people looking for a casual fun bite paired with a boozy beverage. The Rum House serves Caribbean twists on classic tacos with options including jerk chicken, crispy fish, calypso beef, and more.

Order the Taco Trifecta to get all three and a side, of which the mac 'n' cheese is not to miss. Sip on any of their refreshing cocktails for the perfect lunch or dinner experience without breaking the bank.


Garden District Culinary Adventures

No matter which of these places you choose to grab a bite, you are sure to leave full and satisfied. Enjoy all the delicious cuisines NOLA has to offer and make sure to let the good bites roll!

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