50 Best American Restaurants in New Orleans

“Didn't have a bad item! The arancini and parpadelle is amazing.“

“Bob Boudreau and I were in NOLA for 9 nights. Three of the nights we had reservations at other places with family. Our 1st night we looked up and found Jewel of the South. We loved it so much. we asked our nephew, his medical school advisor and his wife to join us. All three lived in NOLA and had never been here. All 5 of us would definitely go back in a heart beat. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great drinks. Great staff. GREAT ALL AROUND! FIVE STARS for Jewel of the South.“

“The food was not what I expected, it was hot, fresh, and beautifully presented.“

“Booked BABs on a whim as part of a quick getaway to NOLA. Was not disappointed! Creative mocktail and cocktail menu. Wonderful beer and wine list. Appetizers were heavenly and exquisite. Entrees were fresh and delicious, while being new takes on American cuisine. Staff was eager to please while not being snide or fake. Opinions were honest and questions were thoroughly answered. We're very guarded of our New Orleans meals when we visit. I won't hesitate to book Bywater American Bistro on our next trip!“

“great food and unique venue“

“Amazing food! Hip vibe! Avacado toast was the best!!“

“The veggie sandwich is amazing and the bok choy is seriously craveable. We ordered almost everything on the menu and it was all delicious!“

“I celebrated a birthday at Ralph’s and it was a great experience. The food was excellent, and the service was great. I had the Chicken Cobb salad and a surprise nectar float as part of my birthday celebration! What a treat. The decor from the old New Orleans style building, to the painted murals and white tablecloths was superb. Free street parking out front and a free parking lot in the back is a big plus. A wall of windows gives a superb view of New Orleans city park as well. Reasonably priced and definitely a treat!Parking: Plenty of free, convenient street and lot parking plus valet if you choose.“

“Delicious and charming! Go!!“

“The Toups’ Burger was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had! Our waiter was very knowledgeable in the dishes and kept our drinks full. I highly recommend this place. Next time I go I want to try the smoked duck!“

“Amazing late night menu for both food and bevs!“

“Above all, you MUST order the seared scallops and artichoke appetizer. Fan-freaking-tactic! The Black Manhattan is excellent — except is was stirred long enough so it was nearly lukewarm when brought to the table. Great flavor, but disappointed at how warm it was. (An extra point for Luxardo cherries. Seriously. How can a restaurant claim they serve cocktails if they don’t use Luxardo cherries????)“

“I’m a local who has dined at many N.O. restaurants and Cafe Amelie is my favorite. Charming atmosphere and THE BEST food and drinks!“

“Went there Saturday night and stayed till close. Chris was our bartender and although they were super busy he was always there when needed. He recommended a great aperitif to finish the night based on our preferences and was an overall great experience with food and drinks!!! Only my second time going (first in 2011) and need to go more often when traveling to NOLA.“

“We loved it so much we went back the next day! I had the muffuletta and it was the best I’ve ever had. The homemade chips are so good to with a sandwich. My son and husband and son both had the Cuban and said it was amazing. We ordered Mac n cheese.. amazing. Deep fried ribs were delicious but only got 3 so for $15 so that’s the only somewhat negative thing I have to say. Loved the open air atmosphere and service was great! Don’t miss out on this one.“

“Incredible service and food! Everytime we are in town we come to eat. We love the atmosphere! Highly recommended..“

“What a.stunning wine list! Both eclectic and a great value! Food is also outstanding….“

“We went yesterday and the wait was 2 hours. Got there a little earlier today and we got in. I’ve eaten at the Uptown location and was so happy they opened up another one that’s closer. It was my daughter’s first time and she said the food is so good and understands why there is a wait.“

“I recently dined here for the first time and was surprised I had not heard of this place sooner. The food, atmosphere, and service were all great. The hi-lights of the meal include the gnocchi and the halibut special, although everything we had was delicious.“

“Awesome food, drinks and admosphere“

“Excellent BBQ, the best I've had in a long time. Super friendly owner in a sweet little blues bar, the Chickiewawa“

“Had an event here on Feb 27th for a group of about 70. The space was decorated wonderfully for Mardi Gras and the staff did everything they could to make the event a success. The food was great and there was plenty of it . We will be back ! Thank you Bamboulas!“

“Great experience. Food was excellent. A couple of us got Steak Frites medium rare. It came out perfect temperature. Brisket with Brussels sprouts were delicious. Steak Caesar Salad came out perfect as well. We had bread pudding to finish off the meal. It was a perfect meal to celebrate a birthday. Service was excellent. Highly recommend.“

“Loved eating in the courtyard last night. Service was awesome!“

“Absolutely amazing. We came for our anniversary and while we didn’t share that with the staff they really made us feel so special. Incredible food and service.“

“Whenever we visit New Orleans we head. To Katie’s for breakfast. Food is delicious, the staff is fabulous and the atmosphere is fun. It’s a vibe! Definitely check them out !“

“Love trying new places. Not vegan so it was very different. Presentation incredible. Not crazy about the different spices but that is on my palate.“

“This was such a cute little restaurant. It came recommended by our Air B&B host. The doughnuts were delicious, and the cinnamon buns were awesome! Coffee was killer! The staff was super friendly. Definitely recommend if you're in the area. We will for sure be back!“

“All of my senses were OVERWHELMED with pleasure at Criollo's Jazz Brunch! The service and food was superb Michelin level quality. The live jazz band kept me entertained as I was coursed out. The chef elevated the fried green tomatoes and chicken biscuit to an award winning level. The chicken biscuit was smothered in jalapeño's, scallions and the best rue I have ever tasted so I sent my compliments to the chef. Every delectable bite forced my eyes shut so I could deeply enjoy the freshness, flavor and texture. While I was enjoying coffee the chef sent complimentary Rosemary & Lemon Custard Madeline's. It was an innovative way to approach this classic pastry. My only critique is the custard on top was so good I wanted more. Very light, fresh, and balanced melody of flavors. The consistency was reminiscent of a fusion between a scone and puff pastry. You can tell the French invited fries by how well the fries here complimented every dish. It was such a phenomenal experience, I found myself making reservations for the next day halfway through brunch and I am happy to say the food, service and entertainment are consistently great here. The fancy French atmosphere at Hotel Monteleone was fit for a Queen and the bathroom attendant cleaned the stall prior to each guests use. This is a must try spot in The French Quarter.“

“Cool atmosphere and good cakes!“

“I recently stopped by Killer Poboys and was thoroughly impressed with my meal! The grilled shrimp poboy was a highlight, with juicy and flavorful shrimp that were perfectly seasoned. The cauliflower poboy was also a winner, with a nice char and tender texture. The bread was toasted to perfection, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. And the spicy potato salad was a pleasant surprise, with a refreshing kick that added a nice depth to the dish. Overall, I was thoroughly pleased with my experience at Killer Poboys and can't wait to go back and try more of their delicious offerings!“

“I got the Chicago Dog. What a great dog it was! The fries were amazing too. The staff was nice. It took a little longer than expected for the food to come out but it was worth the wait! I'd definitely go back. They have cheap beers too.“

“The Ruby Slipper is a delightful restaurant known for its delicious breakfast and brunch offerings. The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a great spot to start your day. Their menu features a variety of classic dishes with a creative twist, such as the Eggs Cochon, which is a unique take on eggs Benedict with slow-cooked pork debris. The Bananas Foster Pain Perdu is another standout, featuring thick-cut French toast topped with caramelized bananas and rum sauce. Overall, The Ruby Slipper is a must-visit for anyone looking for a memorable breakfast or brunch experience.“

“Great wee pub situated at the final corner of the Charles Street streetcar route. Doesn't look like much from outside but inside is great old fashioned bar. Food was excellent and freshly cooked. I had several Blue Moon beers but there was a lot more on offer.“

“This was a complete surreal experience. It took me nearly 5 days to sort out how to write this review. We dressed smart and to impress with unique style in a linen suit and gothic dress. From the very start I had an original and unique experience. Without selecting the table originally we were sat ring side at a table facing a full wall of glass overlooking the kitchen. Oddly only two were available and a solo diner sat at the other. I am still curious how we were luck to watch the chefs work. We then were invited back for a tour of the kitchen and a presentation of fresh selections of what would be prepared. I saw no one else get the same tour. Why we were the only ones to get that I dont know. We both chose different tasting menus. The classic and contemporary or local. Being given several more tastings ahead of the substantial dinner. Everything was beyond comparison and though the wine pairs were unique and may not be preffered on their own alone they were expertly and deliciously paired for each course. What took me 5 days to write this was to sort out what happened. Dish #5 was a pan seared rainbow trout with almonds. Tbe second I took a bite I was consumed with emotions of nostalgia. The last time I ever had anything like it was on tbe Brule River of wisconsin as a child being taught flyfishing and enjoying what we caught that day on the hidden cedar built lunchgrounds. I have never cried while eating a dish of any sort but I did over this one. I complimented tbe chef seen on the other side of the glass and he showed gratitude in return. They served us many plates before and after what was on the selected menu and the entire staff was attentive to every need and wish. I was complimented that I stood as a gentleman every time may date left or returned to the table. I was i.pressed they also took care of subtle drops or spills on the table cloth. Defitely opt for the cheese course at the end. It was a wonderful quiet evening where I could enjoy my company where as the next evening at another fancy retaurant we were seated agsinst an obnoxious loud table where I couldnt hear my friend sitting at my shoulder. I will certainly choose Emerils over any other restaurant in NO in the future.Dietary restrictions: Accomodated cilantro allergy.“

“Super delicious! Awesome and scrumptious!“

“DELICIOUS! We had the Philly Cheesesteak & BBQ Beeph Beignets. The food was hot, fresh and so savory! It is not fast food, but the wait is worth it! You should definitely stop by and grab something. We’ll be back!“

“Love The Will & The Way! We happened upon it in 2021 and stop by every time we’re in NOLA♥️“

“Great place good food, broiled oysters are great.“

“So glad we came here, based on the recommendations of a local friend. Great start with friendly greeting from hostess Stacy and then every recommendation from our server Quinn was on point!! The High Hat Burger and the Pimento Mac and Cheese was ?... 5 star meal right there! The pork on the Cuban sandwich was so tender and delicious ?. We were only in town for 2 days and had to come back to High Hat for the brunch (also recommend by Quinn), before we left. We had the Chicken and Waffle and Cornmeal Pancakes. They did not disappoint. We are leaving NOLA fat and happy ?. Thank you High Hat!! We'll definitely be back.“

“Went to superior for dinner and breakfast.. Gary and Kat were our waiters and they were awesome. We will be back for sure.. The mac and chees and the seafood grits are the bomb...“

“Fabulous restaurant in NOLA! I had the gumbo, which was great, and my husband had the redfish that was out of this world. The place is quiet and cozy, and the service is fantastic. Our waiter, who was also one of the bartenders, was helpful, hilarious, and personable, plus he made great drinks. Would highly recommend this for a delicious meal in a cozy, but nice dive bar atmosphere.“

“Wonderful food Great service and ambiance“

“The food and service are fantastic. I really love the way they do fish. Exquisite“

“Absolutely excellent all around. Everyone at our table loved what they ordered. The duck special was fantastic. For a memorable meal, you can’t go wrong.“

“Had lunch there today for the first time and the food was absolutely delicious!“

“Food was delish & service was great.“

“What a gem!!. Every last staff was amazing, friendly and funny. The food was incredible. We got the crawfish bread and the crabcake fettuccine pasta. Chef kiss indeed. Our waitress was a sweet pea!! The atmosphere was beautiful, clean, and such a vibe. Definitely going back. 10 out of 10. Glad a staff member flagged us down to come in a try. What a find!!.“

“Top notch. I love this place. I went here to celebrate my first child!“

“We were here on April 20th for brunch, from Toronto, Canada! We were so pleased with the hospitality, tasty brunch and professional service by the manager (distinguished gentleman) and waitstaff who accommodated us as a group of 10 for my bachelorette! We are so quickly we didn't get a chance to take pics, but the goblets (they were huge!) of bottomless mimosas made into the photo reel. Thank you for a great experience, we will be back!“