Considered a food capital by many culinary geniuses from around the world, New Orleans and it's surrounding cities and parishes have some of the best restaurants the state has to offer. Metairie is the home of many fantastic restaurants, all listed below. So whether you are looking for some traditional Louisiana cooking or are looking to try something different, then this list is for you!
Top 10 Restaurants to Dine at in Metairie
1. Boulevard American Bistro
4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd., (504) 889-2301
boulevardbistro.com
Serving a selection of classic American food from scratch, using their wood-fire grill, Boulevard American Bistro is a delicious spot with fantastic service, great atmosphere, and good food! With a large menu that serves up lunch, dinner, dessert, and drinks, they are a casual restaurant perfect for family dinner or a fun lunch with friends.
Everyone's needs are sure to be met with their large and diverse menu. From classics like Cheeseburgers, Prime Rib, and Barbecue Ribs to fancier options like Boulevard Oysters, Gulf Shrimp Remoulade Salad, and Salmon Burgers, there is plenty to choose from.
2. Drago's Seafood Restaurant
3232 N. Arnoult Rd., (504) 888-9254
dragosrestaurant.com
Known for their original charbroiled oysters, tourists and locals alike flock to Drago's for their delicious seafood. Serving the New Orleans community for over 50 years, Drago's knowns a thing or two about serving guests delicious food at a reasonable price! Their oysters—whether raw or charbroiled—are a bucket-list must try for some many.
Favorite dishes include their Lobster Mac and Cheese, Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, and Crawfish Étouffée. Heavy but delish cooking, Drago's is known for their classic New Orleans food, so whether you are a tourist wanting to try something new or a local who wants the taste of home, Drago's is the place to go.
3. Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop
2309 N. Causeway Blvd., (504) 835-2022
gumbostop.com
Known for their award-winning gumbo, Chef Ron's Gumbo Shop is a truly authentic restaurant. With a changing seasonal menu to ensure that customers get served the best, most fresh, local food, Chef Ron's Gumbo Shop is focused on premium quality. With Chef Ron having been voted 2010 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation, the kitchen staff continuously focused on providing fantastic quality meals to all who walk through the door.
Try their Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, or many assortments of Gumbo to get that authentic New Orleans flavor. If you need some good, heavy, New Orleans-style food to warm you up from the inside, then Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop is the spot to stop at!
4. Porter & Luke's Restaurant
1517 Metairie Rd., (504) 875-4555
porterandlukes.com
In an Old Metairie strip mall, you'll come across Porter & Luke's, which is a weekly dinner spot for many people who live in the neighborhood. But the staff is happy to make you feel like a part of the family as soon as you walk in. The New Orleans-style Italian eatery celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, so it's time for you to see why everyone loves this place.
The chef's daily specials are what keep the regulars coming back, but the main menu has some fantastic food. Start off with some Hot Blue Crab Dip for the table and then order a Pecan-Crusted Catfish or a Grilled Gulf Fish of the Day for dinner. Of course, you're going to have to get the Bread Pudding for dessert!
5. The Galley
2535 Metairie Rd., (504) 832-0955
On Fridays during the Lenten season, you're probably not going to be able to get a table at The Galley. Locals fill up the little Old Metairie seafood restaurant to get great dishes that don't contain red meat. However, any other time is a good time to sit and have some of the best seafood available in the area and at a very good price.
Sandwich lovers order from the po-boy menu, and the Soft Shell Crab Po-Boy is at the very top of this menu. The house specials
include both surf and turf dishes like Blackened Redfish, Paneed Chicken
Parmesan, and Meatballs and Spaghetti. The Seafood Platter with Stuffed Crab is
the perfect option for someone who just can't decide between all the goodness.
6. Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar & Fish House
3117 21st St., (504) 833-6310
mredsrestaurants.com/oyster-bar
Mr. Ed's has a few restaurants around town, but this Metairie location is great for families that live in the area. Many diners start off with a dozen or more raw or charbroiled oysters (try them Southwest or Bienville-style), but you can skip straight to the main course if you'd like to.
Fried seafood has its own place on the menu. The Half and Half Combination Platter has fried shrimp and fish. The Fresh Catch section is irresistible for lovers of chargrilled filets. You can choose between tuna, redfish, salmon, whole flounder, and catfish, and the meal is rounded out with vegetables and lemon butter.
7. Fury's Italian and Seafood Restaurant
724 Martin Behrman Ave., (504) 834-5646
furysrestaurant.com
The family-run restaurant, which turned 40 years old in 2023, is a hit because their decadent sauces are made in-house. Try it out on the Spaghetti and Gravy, Eggplant Parmesan, and the Shrimp Pasta. There's also an extensive section of the menu dedicated to seafood-centric dishes, including Frog Legs and the Shrimp and Oyster Plate.
What really stands out at Fury's are the
daily specials. Every day of the week, even weekend days, has its own unique
lunch and dinner plates, including Black-Eye Peas and Rice are on Tuesdays and two fried or
grilled Pork Chops are available on Saturdays. Between the regular menu and the
daily specials, you have so much to choose from. However, it is guaranteed to be
delicious no matter what you get.
8. Austin's Seafood and Steakhouse
5101 W. Esplanade Ave., (504) 888-5533
mredsrestaurants.com/austins
Austin's is actually one of the restaurants in the Mr. Ed's Restaurant Group. However, this place gets a spot of its own because it is a dinner-only restaurant focused on savory steaks in a fine dining atmosphere. The Creole restaurant features Louisiana dishes like Pasta Orleans and Gumbo Ya-Ya, but the steak and lobster offerings are just so good.
In addition to cuts like Prime Ribeye,
Porterhouse, and Whole Stuffed Lobster, there are a few signature steak dishes
that you can't find elsewhere. The Filet Austin is two 4 oz. filet medallions topped
with caramelized onions and flame-grilled asparagus. The Barbecue Twin Filets
are also two filet medallions that are paired with barbecued jumbo shrimp.
9. A Tavola
3413 Veterans Memorial Blvd., (504) 577-2235
atavo.la
Many Italian restaurants in Metairie are family-owned and have been around for decades. However, a Tavola is a totally new way to enjoy Italian fare. The gorgeous restaurant adjacent to Lakeside Mall opened in 2020, but the old world flavors of Italy are very present throughout the food and drink menus.
While the sandwiches, pasta, and steaks are in high demand, the Neapolitan-style pizzas are too good to pass up if you're a pizza aficionado. You'll have to choose from Margherita, Pepperoni, Fennel Sausage, Roasted Vegetable Four Cheese, and even Muffuletta. A gluten-free cauliflower crust is available.
10. Impastato's
3400 16th St., (504) 455-1545
impastatos.com
Chef Joe Impastato is ready to welcome you to his gorgeous Italian eatery. He even has his signature dinner special that features five courses of food for a great price. An appetizer, two pastas, a salad, an entree of your choosing, and then dessert. You're probably going to take some of it home to eat the next day because it's so much food!
Other than the special, the huge menu has so
many options from steak and pasta to seafood and more. The Steamed Maine Lobster
is prepared for local palettes by steaming them with Cajun seasonings. If you
have a special someone with you, get a meal for two like the Rack of Lamb
served with mint jelly.
Metairie's Best Restaurants To Grab Dinner
Because of how popular many of these restaurants are it's recommended to call or book a reservation in advance. With so many fantastic options to choose from, it's hard to go wrong. Whether you are looking for an intimate date night or a place to take the kids out on a Friday night, these restaurants have a place for you!
So, bring your appetite and prepare to get wow-ed by some the Louisiana's greatest chefs and cooking!
