Guide to the Best French Creole Restaurants in New Orleans
At these dining landmarks, enjoy French Creole cooking in historic chandeliered-rooms with windows that frame romantic gas lit streets. You can't leave New Orleans without trying this local cuisine - the restaurants featured here are among the city's oldest and finest.
ANTOINE'S Establish 1840. Always elegant and a lot of fun. Antoine's is also the home of the original Oysters Rockefeller.
ARNAUD'S Est. 1918. Behind the classic ornate facade are multiple buildings and rooms added over the decades. The restaurant is famous for their Shrimp Arnaud and a cocktail known as the French 75.
BRENNAN'S Est. 1946. The family continues their founder's legacy serving up dishes in a charming latticed garden room. Brennan's is also home to the original Bananas Foster.
BROUSSARD'S Est. 1920. Well known for it fine cuisine and wines presented in their historic Napoleon, Josephine, and Magnolia Rooms.
COMMANDER'S PALACE Est. 1880. Located in a sprawling bright blue building at the heart of the Garden District; the restaurant features a popular "Jazz" brunch and sits across the street from the famous Lafayette Cemetery #1.
EMERIL'S - Located in the Warehouse District; Emeril's has been reignited by the famous chef's son E.J. (BAM!) whose modern take on Creole cooking has received glowing reviews. There is also Emeril's Kitchen, Est. 1990, which is the original and is located at Caesars.
GALATOIRE'S Est. 1905. Five generations of the Galatoire family have maintained the high hospitality standards and fine Creole cuisine of this local institution.
CAFE DU MONDE Est. 1862. Lastly, enjoy a cup of chicory root flavored coffee at this iconic riverfront spot. Cafe du Monde is famous for their delicious beignets, a deep-fried pastry dusted with sugar powder.
LIVE MUSIC IN THE FRENCH QUARTER
On the weekend, there are the bars and music clubs along historic Bourbon Street. But be sure to visit nearby Frenchmen Street, which has a large number of legendary live music venues.
MUSEUMS & CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
The NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM is not to be missed - its immersive narrative of the war from beginning to end is a memorable experience.
The NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART is a special museum noted for its collection of French and American art, as well as a lovely 10 acre Besthoff Sculpture Garden with its 200 year old oak trees.
The OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART focuses on the American South's cultural contributions to the arts in all mediums and formats.
Tour 1850 HOUSE which is part of a complex of historic buildings near Jackson Square, that are managed by the Louisiana State Museums. Other historic buildings in the French Quarter include The Ursuline Convent, The Williams Residence and the Brulatour House - the last two buildings are managed by the Historic New Orleans Collection.
NEW ORLEANS BIG GREEN SPACES
In City Park, the NEW ORLEANS BOTANICAL GARDENS is home to some of the oldest oak trees in the world at 700+ years old.
AUDUBON'S PARK & ZOO are located in the Garden District (the Aquarium and Butterfly & Insectarium are downtown). The park is named after the famed ornithologist and botanist John James Audubon, its 350 acres stretch from Tulane University to the banks of the Mississippi.
ARCHITECTURAL HOUSE TOUR IN THE GARDEN DISTRICT
The Garden District is home to numerous historic Greek-revival mansions. It's perfect for a relaxing self-guided walking tour. Be sure to see historic Lafayette Cemetery #1, a.k.a. "City of the Dead," with its rows of highly decorative mausoleums.
SEE MORE: THE RED MAP NEW ORLEANS
