The Resy Hit List: Where In New Orleans You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in New Orleans: a monthly-updated (and newly expanded!) guide to the restaurants in that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In New Orleans Not to Miss This Month
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Wild Times: After much anticipation, Mike Stoltzfus, chef and founder of Coquette, very recently opened 40-seat Wild South in the Lower Garden District. The focus is on in-season Louisiana ingredients, especially fresh seafood. Executive chef Brett Macris, former chef de cuisine at Cochon, is focused on a tasting menu, but also offers á la carte at the bar. Book here, and check New on Resy for more recent openings.
- Feeling Bleu: The Commander’s Palace family of restaurants recently opened Le Petit Bleu, a crêperie, café and market next door to Commander’s Palace. LPB offers signature breakfast, lunch, and early dinner dishes and drinks to be enjoyed there or to-go — as well as menu favorites from Commander’s. No reservations. More info here.
- Right in Time for Jazz Fest … Gabrielle is now accepting bookings on Resy. This is key, given it’s just blocks from the grounds and always a tough reservation — and means a post-festival snack of silken duck liver mousse or a full-on meal of chefs Greg and Mary Sonnier’s celebrated gumbo and slow-roasted duck are now more a reality than a dream.
- Do Good, Eat Well: The Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen at Café Hope recently opened with a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, catering facility, restaurant and bar, classroom, computer lab, and event venue. The café is part of a 16-week program for those 17 to 24 to learn culinary and hospitality skills as well as anger management, financial literacy, and healthy habits. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. More info here.
New to the Hit List (Mar. 2024)
BABs, Sukeban, Hungry Eyes, High Hat Cafe.
1. BABs
Bywater
2. Galatoire’s Restaurant
French Quarter
Since 1905 regulars have been willing to stand in line for hours on the sidewalk to secure a table at this French-Creole institution. (Only recently did this policy change when the restaurant became a Resy partner.) Most regulars could not even tell you what the menu looks like. They rely on their trusted usual waiter to bring them what looks best from chef Philip Lopez’s kitchen. Shrimp with sauce remoulade and crabmeat maison are foolproof starters. If they are on offer, don’t miss trout almandine, broiled pompano, and fried soft-shell crabs — each of which will come ladled over with meunière sauce for the asking. (Pro tip: Ask).
Men must wear jackets in the dining rooms after 5 p.m. and all day Sunday. Pro tip: Wear a jacket. They will not let you off the hook if you forget, and you will be obliged to wear a soup-stained loaner. Sneakers, tank tops, and flip-flops are never welcome. Step it up and enjoy a classic.
3. Dooky Chase
Tremé
Classically-trained Edgar “Dook” Chase IV now runs the kitchen long overseen by his late grandmother, Leah Chase, a woman with a rightful claim to the annals of Black history. The elder Chase professed it was her generosity with her celebrated food that inspired the police to look the other way as she hosted clandestine meetings between Black and white civil rights leaders. The younger Chase has kept the sanctity of the dishes of his family’s famous restaurant — peerless fried chicken (pro tip: get an order for the table to share), and a deep, rich Creole seafood gumbo — while expanding the menu, and advancing the wine and cocktail programs. The world-class collection of works from Black artists remains beautifully intact.
4. Porgy’s Seafood Market
Mid-City
The newly opened Porgy’s meets the seasonal demand for fresh seafood, showcasing the diverse abundance of the Gulf Coast — with an emphasis on sustainable, wild-caught specimens harvested by independent fisheries. The operation was founded by partners known for their seafood skills: Marcus Jacobs and Caitlin Carney, the duo behind Seafood Sally’s and Marjie’s Grill; and Dana and Christina Honn, the couple behind Café Carmo. The partners share the collective goal of raising awareness of and demand for lesser-known specimens often discarded as bycatch, which they will sell at Porgy’s. Chef Marcus Jacobs runs a casual kitchen with lunch fare including boiled seafood, sandwiches, salads, and crudo.
Market, takeaway, and lunch only. No reservations. Find more information here.
5. Dakar NOLA
Uptown
Chef Serigne Mbaye has created a destination to provide overdue recognition to the culinary contributions enslaved Africans made to the foodways of the American South. Mbaye’s ever-changing seven-source pescatarian tasting menu explores the intersection of his native Senegambian cuisine of West Africa with that of his adopted New Orleans. Each dish arrives with a history lesson explaining its evolution from Africa, through the slave-run kitchens of the n South, to where it is today. Though the subject matter is heavy, the menu of carefully sourced Gulf seafood is not. Mbaye brings levity and warmth by serving most dishes family-style. Consider it part dinner party, part history lesson — and a chance to provide substance for both body and soul.
6. Sukeban
Uptown/Carrollton
7. Commander’s Palace
Garden District
In the early 1970s Dick Brennan Sr., was struck with the idea to invite a lively jazz trio to play for the post-church crowd at the fledgling restaurant his family had recently bought. In bringing together a trifecta of booze, food, and music, the Brennan family created a new genre in New Orleans dining — where it was perfectly acceptable to party hardy on Sunday morning and then return home for a nap. While that formula has been replicated, the original continues to thrive, with chef Meg Bickford’s constantly changing menu. If you’re there during the day, keep an eye out for poached eggs with cochon de lait: pork shoulder rubbed with hot sauce and garlic and slow smoked for 18 hours, then topped with tasso-studded Hollandaise.
8. Saba
Uptown
Chef Alon Shaya’s tribute to his grandfather remains built around an Israeli-influenced menu. Kick off with a selection of salatim served with puffy pita pulled from the wood-burning oven. The hummus is mind-blowingly creamy, with several seasonal versions available daily. A version topped with lump crab, butter, corn, and mint is particularly unforgettable — as are the grilled lamb kebabs, hanger steak with muhammara, and lamb shank braised with pomegranate and pink peppercorns. The duck matzo ball soup is afloat with threads of duck confit for a supremely comforting bowl of goodness. And if you’re coming in a group of eight or more, the family-style Feed Me meal is a terrific choice.
9. Mister Mao
Uptown
Cooking demon Sophina Uong and her husband and business partner William “Wildcat” Greenwell turned a ho-hum former corner store into a tropical roadhouse named after their cat. It has become a go-to spot for “inauthentic” global cuisine from Uong and killer craft cocktails from Greenwell, with names like Daddy Issues and, yes, Uncle Butthead. The menu is subject to Uong’s considerable whims, but a dependable stalwart is the mind-blowing Kashmiri-spiced fried chicken. (Pro tip: Get an order for the table.) Appearances may be made by jelly doughnuts with orange flower water and cardamom sugar; chicken tinga chilaquiles; and Thai shrimp cake with eggs, mustard greens, curry, and fish sauce vinaigrette.
10. Sylvain
French Quarter
Located just a block off Jackson Square in a carriage house built in the late 1700s, Sylvain still manages to feel like a secret. As familiar and cozy as a childhood woobie, this restaurant-bar mashup beckons to locals with its lack of pretense, its scintilla of romance, and a sense of humor. Case in point: Party Pairing options for the table include fries with a bottle of Champagne; fries with a bottle of either riesling or pinot blanc; or fries with a sixer of the Champagne of Beers (Miller High Life) so “your bottle count can be a little closer to your fry count.” Chef Chris Hamm’s menu covers all genres of protein, but his vegan and vegetarian options sing as well. And brunch! The crab and blacked king trumpet mushroom omelet with green chile cream is hard to beat.
11. Rosella
Mid-City
Film veterans and restaurant newcomers Alixandra Petrovitch and Paul McCaige are out to replicate the vibe of the city’s bygone neighborhood restaurants, down to the vintage jukebox, which Petrovitch stocked with 45s of New Orleans classic tunes she snagged from her mom and aunt. Chef Jacob Zambarano ‘s kitchen turns out rethought comfort foods: an andouille corn dog with Creole mustard; artichoke and cheese manicotti; and meatloaf with cauliflower purée and onion gravy. Desserts include re-fried Hubig’s pies served with gelato from nearby Angelo Brocato confectionary. There are small-production wines, specialty cocktails, local beers, and THC/CBD seltzers. And when it’s hot again, sno-balls, both boozy and traditional, will hit the back patio.
Walk in, or call 504-766-6642 for a reservation.
12. Herbsaint Bar & Restaurant
Downtown Saint Paul
Chef Donald Link opened this king-maker in 2000, which launched his Link Restaurant Group and propelled a generation of culinary talents, including Stephen Stryjewski (Cochon), Ryan Prewitt (Pêche), Rebecca Wilcomb (Gianna), and Maggie Scales (La Boulangerie). Today the standard for excellence is kept by chef de cuisine Tyler Spreen. His seasonal French-Southern menu is complimented by an exceptional wine program and service. In a town awash in gumbo, the one here is a standard-bearer. Tender bites of chicken float in a deep, dark, silken roux and flavorful broth rich with smokey hunks of andouille and bright with slivers of scallion. Make use of the basket of warm bread to mop every drop of gumbo from your bowl.
13. Francolini’s
Uptown
Fueled by social media, Tara Francolini’s New Jersey-style hoagies have muscled out space for themselves in a town where not just a plethora of spots but also an entire festival are dedicated to po’boy sandwiches. Thirteen cold (The Freddie Freeman!) and six hot (meatball parm!) sandwiches on freshly baked sub rolls from Ayu Bakehouse keep the lines long. But when the bread sells out for the day, the curtain falls. It’s as simple (and as devastating) as that. Pro tip: Skip the line and get your fix on a Wednesday when only online orders are accepted. Pick up your takeaway and enjoy it at one of the neighborhood’s many parks.
14. Gris-Gris
Lower Garden District
Chef Eric Cook’s flagship is firmly rooted in New Orleans’ singular hospitality, with inspired takes on Southern cuisine. Expertly fried oysters make two memorable appearances. They are the main attraction on a salad with crisp little gem lettuce, thin shavings of radish, a scattering of blue cheese, and a hint of sugarcane vinaigrette. They also co-star in a fun take on a BLT alongside cubes of smoked pork belly and a complex tomato jam. Shrimp and grits are boosted by silken tomato butter and smoked sausage. And Cook’s deeply satisfying chicken and dumplings have the power to bring a warm smile to the stoniest of faces, thanks to a last-minute addition of fresh thyme. Nab a spot on the deep second-floor balcony overlooking Magazine Street for excellent people-watching.
15. High Hat Café
Uptown-University Area
High Hat has the food both knowledgable visitors and devoted loyal patrons seek out. Last August the beloved joint with time-worn familiarity changed hands to former employees Fredo Noguiera and Ryan Iriarte, who vowed not to change a thing. Some quick intel? Start off with pimento cheese served with house pickles, toast points, and creamy deviled eggs. Build your own plate with Southern-style smothered vegetables and sides. There’s fried catfish, fried chicken, and hot plate specials like red beans and rice on Mondays. Also a killer burger cooked on a flat-top griddle, served with or without pimento cheese.
Pro tip: Go for weekend brunch and ask for an off-menu pairing of waffles topped with roasted pork debris and gravy.
Find more info here. No reservations.
16. Tanjariné Kitchen
Location Varies
April and Ogban Okpo set up their plant-based food truck in 2018 based on foods inspired by the traditions of Africa, from the Horn to the Cape of the continent. (Ogban is originally from Nigeria.) The Mandela is a moist, hefty burger made with a blend of legumes, whole food produce, herbs, and tropical spices and served on a sesame seed bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, yellow bell pepper, and vegan cheese. The flavorful patty is soy and gluten-free. Four sauces ranging from mild to fiery round out the burger. Make sure to add a side of baked curried potatoes.
Keep up with them on Instagram.
17. Paladar 511
Faubourg Marigny
This lively, sun-splashed former warehouse space with exposed old brick is usually packed with Beautiful People. The hard surfaces ensure that Paladar is a place to party, not to quietly coo at your date. But those beautiful people know what’s up: They come for dinner nightly, and brunch on weekends, for a menu of California Italian-style fresh pasta and thin-crust pizza, creative small plates, and a handful of top-notch entrees. Check out the pork saltimbocca with polenta and Marsala jus; and homemade pappardelle with spicy sausage ragu. Order the arancini stuffed with short rib ragu and lemon for the table, and save room for the warm graham cake.
18. Mosca’s
Waggaman
Not much has changed since Italian immigrant Provino Mosca opened Mosca’s in a clapboard building across the Mississippi River — a universe away from New Orleans — in 1946. Before it was outlawed, gambling thrived in the area, and gaming-house patrons headed to Mosca’s for late-night meals in a building owned by crime boss Carlos Marcello, a regular customer. The extended Mosca family still dishes out a seafood-heavy menu. The two-room building is lively with the reek of garlic and old crooners blaring from the jukebox. Dishes — shrimp Mosca and chicken à la Grande are mainstays — are served family style in gargantuan portions, and often share the same sauce of olive oil, garlic, rosemary, oregano, and wine. Oysters Mosca is an evergreen favorite. And Spaghetti Bordelaise is coated in a vampire-repelling sauce of oil and garlic that would be a wary parent’s wise choice for a teenage daughter’s first date.
Cash only. Call 504-436-8950 or email them for a reservation. Check out the menu here.
19. Hungry Eyes
East Riverside
Pro tip: Get several orders of French fries with garlic-laden toum to keep the table rolling as the potent drinks kick in. Pair with an icy Vesper. Get happy.
20. Liuzza’s By the Track
Mid-City
Just show up as you are. This is a big part of the allure that has bequeathed this neighborhood restaurant a following that reaches far beyond the actual neighborhood. Daily specials may include duck or crawfish Rangoon or some kind of banh mi, so always check the board. But more classically, the kitchen, headed up by Burnetter (sic) McMillan and a guy who goes by Roadrunner (Road for short), turns out a gumbo that’s thin, dark, and peppery, with fresh seafood poached in the liquid just before serving. Then there’s the signature sautéed barbecue shrimp po’boy, and the oyster garlic po’boy with deftly fried oysters on bread, slathered with roasted garlic butter. Both are the very heart of New Orleans cooking.
No reservations — just show up and hope for the best. A frosty schooner of beer may ease the wait. Learn more here.
