Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in French Quarter

"While you’re in the Garden District or shopping on Magazine Street, you have to stop by Commander’s Palace. The place has been around since 1880, and it’s one of the most famous restaurants in New Orleans for a reason. Their famous teal and white striped exterior is what landed them on this list, but definitely check them out for fine Creole dining and their jazz brunch too."

"Garden District Not all classic New Orleans restaurants live in the French Quarter. Uptown in the Garden District, right across from Lafayette Cemetery No.1, is the famous Commander’s Palace. You might recognize the former head chef’s name: Emeril Lagasse, who helmed the Palace’s kitchen in the '80s, long before “Bam!"

"You can’t miss the grand turquoise Victorian restaurant Commander’s Palace when you’re strolling through the Garden District and it shouldn’t be skipped!. Enjoy a fine Creole dining experience that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time."

"The legendary French Quarter restaurant honors New Orleans tradition with its infamous cuisine, architecture, and ambiance. With its unique Creole menu and its old-world dining rooms, a meal at Brennan’s turns into a historical experience that remains with both natives and visitors. Permitting weather conditions, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on its interior patio with Chef Slade Rushing providing a new life to old style."

"This creole staple opened its doors in 1946 and has been a favourite among tourists and locals alike ever since. Their entire menu is delicious, but the dessert is what makes this place sing. Be sure to share their world-famous banana foster and pumpkin bread pudding."

"The front of the house is as important as the back of the house at this historic restaurant. Locals know to ask for their waiter by name upon entering the family-run staple that has loon been known for lines down the street for Friday lunch. Should you be lucky enough to get a seat downstairs, don’t be surprised if you’ve shared a drink and a toast with everyone in the dining room before you leave."

"One of the four restaurants in the French Quarter boasting a James Beard awards, Galatoire's is the grand old man of the group. Since 1905, this high-end French-Creole restaurant on Bourbon Street has been the destination of choice of locals and tourists craving a world-class meal. The restaurants is open for lunch and dinner and the menu has virtually remained unchanged since its inception."

"In 1905, founder Jean Galatoire brought French recipes and traditions to New Orleans with his restaurant. Galatoire’s has continued thriving with the help of his descendants. The original culinary customs have been preserved because the restaurant believes in consistency."

"While most New Orleans seafood restaurants take a hyper-local approach to fill in the catch of the day, chef-owner Tenney Flynn at GW Fin casts a global net. The French Quarter restaurant impresses with quality and variety, including fish caught in waters around the world as well as right here in the Gulf. Chef de cuisine Michael Nelson's menu changes daily, depending on what's fresh and seasonal, but you might feast on King crab from Alaska, sea scallop crudo with local caviar and Scottish salmon with jalapeno glaze."

"At first glance, GW Fins looks like typical French Quarter fine dining, but it’s the innovative approach to seafood that really sets it apart from its peers. Chef Tenney Flynn changes the entrées daily, depending on what maritime delights his dockside sources have for him. The most sought-after dish, though, is the Scalibut, a halibut and scallop combination that’s a true original."

"The colorfully decorated hot dog shop serves a full menu of crazy hot dog combos in New Orleans as well as at outposts outside of the city. Sides are equally inventive with a selection of loaded fries and tater tots. Plus, Dat Dog has a full bar featuring craft beers, daiquiris and specialty cocktails."

"Address: 5030 Freret St (although the restaurant has four other locations in Magazine st, Frenchmen st, Lafayette and College st.). Phone number: (504) 899-6883. What’s better than some smooth jazz?"

"The sprawling stand is painted in primary hues, as if the work had been outsourced to a talented kindergarten...Read More"

"This gorgeous church-turned-restaurant in Mid City offers a large covered patio with a clear roof above stylish wooden slats — think oversized pergola with pizzazz. There’s a tasty all-day menu featuring Mediterranean favorites, salads and sandwiches, and a brunch menu served on weekends."

"The gorgeous church-turned-restaurant in Mid City offers a large covered patio with a clear roof above stylish wooden slats — think oversized pergola with pizzazz. There’s a tasty all-day menu featuring Mediterranean favorites, salads and sandwiches, and a brunch menu served from 10 a.m."

"Pan-seared Gulf fish is served with braised sumac beluga lentils, blistered cherry tomatoes, green onion, lardons and lemon-sage beurre blanc. Reservations accepted. Dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun."

"One of the best things to do in New Orleans is explore the Garden District, a neighborhood famous for its 19th century homes and beautiful gardens. We timed our visit for just after lunch. After we hopped off the streetcar from downtown at the intersection of St. Charles Avenue and Washington Avenue we headed to Joey K’s."

"Visitors seeking the best malls in Greater New Orleans must only venture slightly north of the city to find Lakeside Shopping Center. This expansive retail hub is one of the area's most popular malls with more than 120 well-known stores including M.A.C., Dillard's, Lane Bryant, Gap, Old Navy and Eddie Bauer, as well as boutiques such as Ann Taylor Loft and Talbot's. Lakeside Shopping Center offers seemingly endless shopping opportunities for men and women (and enough distractions for kids)."

"NOLA Brewing Co., 3001 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 301-2367; www.mccluresbarbecue.com. Pulled-pork and pimiento cheese fill a sandwich dressed with lettuce on a brioche bun."

"The Ritz-Carlton Spa, is a luxurious spa where the soul is nourished, the spirit is revived, the body is transformed and the path to a more satisfying sense of well-being awaits. Revel in nature’s beauty while enjoying their signature service, a “zero gravity” massage performed as you sway gently in a rocking hammock, delivering you into true tranquility."

"First we make the world revolve around you, then we gently slow it down...". That's the mission at the luxe Ritz-Carlton spa, a place where bubbling fountains and expert service set the stage for a welcome retreat. This is by far the grandest spa in town, complete with draped chandeliers and beau monde elegance."

"Spa Isbell is a full-service salon and day spa, that offers you a truly unique “old world meets new” experience, with all of the amenities of a modern salon/spa. Their talented crew has specifically designed each service to pamper you from head to toe, while indulging in the charm of New Orleans past, leaving you feeling completely inspired and rejuvenated."

"The spa is located in a 150+ year-old building, which makes a wonderful mix of historic charm and complete luxury. In addition to the full-service spa including the European-style facials, Spa Isbell has a hair salon. And, it's easy to get to from the French Quarter or Warehouse District."

"Pamper your mind, body, and spirit at their day spa and hair salon in Lakeview. At My Spa By The Park, they offer the very best in personal care and comfort. Their professionals are committed to providing you with the highest quality salon and spa service."

"For over three decades, Pho Tau Bay has remained a go-to place for Vietnamese food in New Orleans - and with good reason. Their traditional Vietnamese menu features an extensive selection of authentic dishes, drinks and sweets. Begin your meal with their signature, freshly prepared spring rolls made with shrimp, pork, vermicelli and fresh herbs."

"Pho Tàu Bay, family-owned and a local favorite, recently reopened its doors in the Central Business District. Sometimes it has caramelized flan for dessert, the perfect counterbalance to a satisfyingly salty broth."

"The smell of bacon maple frosted bars and apple fritters fills the room at Daddy’s Donuts, a staple in the New Orleans donut community. Belly-busting treats are standard here, but you won’t mind indulging a bit as they’re so delicious it makes it all worth it. Apple fritters tend to sell out fast, as do many of their other varieties."

"This family-run Gentilly fave fries up some mean dough: Bacon-maple frosted bars are a belly-busting case in point. Set back in a small shopping center, Daddy’s isn’t fancy but the sweets are divine. If you’re an apple fritter lover, get there early, since they always sell out."

"Opened in 2011 by three NOPD officers, this bright blue building on Canal Street sells out more days than not, thanks in no small part to its signature maple bacon long john doughnut. The cops are gone now — they sold to a baker in 2017, but all doughnuts are still made by hand at Blue Dot Donuts, a point of pride for this busy shop. Get there early, and on the weekends, expect a line."

"It may be a cliche that cops love donuts, but that’s exactly what led to the creation of Blue Dot. Three NOPD officers combined their Chief Wiggum-sized passions for, yeah, coffee and donuts, and the result is a perfect little neighborhood joint stuffed with the classics and a few more creative options. If you want to get triple indulgent, snag the banana cream-filled with Nutella."

"The selection of baked goods includes plain, chocolate-glazed, jelly-filled and creatively flavored donuts, as well as donut holes, eclairs, apple fritters and bacon-maple long johns."