Discover the Best New Restaurants in New Orleans

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 23 October 2019

As the saying says, you can let the good times roll in New Orleans - and the city's restaurants serve up a remarkable array of dishes with a wide variety of global and national influences. The best new restaurants in New Orleans add to the city's charm, delivering locals and visitors to "The Big Easy" a creative menu of eclectic dishes. But where are The Big Easy's residents heading out to when looking for the best new restaurants in New Orleans? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. Here, we've gathered together information from the city's in-the-know diners to put together this list of the 20 best new restaurants in New Orleans. With everything from traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine to modern Italian and classic French, the city's best new restaurants have something for everyone. Grab a table and let those good times roll!

Sofia New Orleans

4.7

4.7 (1923)

$31 to $50

Italian

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Right in the middle of the city, Sofia is one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. The wood-fired oven at Sofia turns out some of the best pizzas in town. Go for "The Spicy" with Calabrese salami and chile, pickled Fresno chiles, red onion, and aged mozzarella. A creative "Rucola" pizza features fig jam, gorgonzola, prosciutto, and toasted hazelnuts. The house cocktails at Sofia are also standouts. Try the special "Opening Night," made with tequila, grapefruit, limoncello, bergamot, and cucumber. The "Dainty Vixen" is perfect for a night out, with vodka, lemon, banana, and egg white.

Top review

Michelle

Dined 4 days ago

Sofia is always an incredible experience but especially tonight’s! We had 10 people and the waitress was so attentive (I think her name was Rhianon) and fast with our drinks and food as well as being so kind. Thank you so much Sofia for giving us a fantastic night out! 12/18/2024

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4.7

4.7 (2689)

$31 to $50

French

French Quarter

About the restaurant

A quick walk from the water and in the midst of some of the coolest attractions in New Orleans, Justine is one of the city's premier destinations for excellent French food. This colorful and cozy bistro in the French Quarter vibrates with electricity. It offers an eclectic menu of hearty favorites. Start with some of the hors d'oeuvres, like foie gras torchon, salade Nicoise, and oysters en persillade with preserved lemon and butter. For an entree, go for the French favorites like a Croque monsieur with Parisian ham and Emmental or duck confit with English peas and spring onion. For a powerful drink alongside dinner, try the "Foreign Legion" with absinthe, creme de menthe, mint, and creole bitters.

Top review

KatieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Enjoyable Christmas luncheon, food and drinks were fantastic and server was excellent! Thanks for a great luncheon!

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4.6

4.6 (175)

$30 and under

Seafood

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

This bright and airy tropical vegan-friendly restaurant on Julia Street is one of the most innovative and one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. A perfect destination for any type of eater, Carmo's international-flavored tropical menu includes flavors from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Be sure to try the Singapore chili shrimp served with Chinese fried steam bread or the "Rico," grilled plantain with panela cheese, house-smoked wild boar, avocado, and house sauce. There's a wide selection for vegetarian and vegan eaters at Carmo, too.

Top review

timothy

Dined on 27 Nov 2024

The tea, leaf salad and the cheese bread. Pao de qeijo amazing

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - New Orleans, LA | Central Business District

4.6

4.6 (611)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

The New Orleans outpost of this celebrated chain meaning "Horn of the Bull" delivers authentic Japanese barbecue to New Orleans. It's the perfect place for a dinner out with a group of friends and family. Stop in for the Happy Hour menu, with plenty of food and drink specials. For prime barbecue, try the house "Gyu-Kaku" menu. This selection of favorites features miso soup, beef sukiyaki bibimbap, and much more. Meals even feature a sweet S'mores treat for dessert!

Top review

Jessica

Dined 7 days ago

I arrived at 4:10 waited a few moments for my table since my reservation was for 4:15 however my server was very nice informed of their happy hour and I let her know I needed to be out by 5 she was very quick and very nice. I’ve been coming for several years and it has never disappointed !!

Gallagher's Restaurant on Front

4.9

4.9 (806)

$31 to $50

Steak

Slidell

About the restaurant

The newest restaurant from celebrated Louisiana chef Pat Gallagher is in the heart of Olde Town Slidell. Stop into this Front Street favorite for an extensive menu of Louisiana favorites. Start with Louisiana-style blue cakes, eggplant Orleans or oysters Pablo with spinach and shallots. For the main course, try the mixed grill, pairing Louisiana grilled quail with "off-the-rack" Colorado lamb chops. The menu also boasts shrimp remoulade, barbecue spare ribs, and stuffed chicken with herbal cream cheese.

Top review

Billy

Dined 2 days ago

Food was excellent and server was great and very nice.

One Thirteen Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (327)

$30 and under

American

Hammond

About the restaurant

A green and welcoming hot spot in Hammond, One Thirteen is a quiet and creative spot for elevated New American favorites. It's one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. Start with appetizer favorites like spinach queso or grilled artichokes, or go for a Louisiana favorite with the seafood gumbo. For dinner, try the pecan-encrusted trout with sun-dried tomato cream sauce, seasoned rice, and covey rise veggies. There is also a prime rib sandwich with lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo, and truffle fries. It's also a place for those with a sweet tooth. Try the triple-layered carrot cake with vanilla bean cream cheese icing, chopped pecans, and drizzled caramel.

Top review

AdamVIP

Dined 5 days ago

The drinks were fantastic and so was the food! The Christmas decorations throughout the restaurant are extravagant. We will definitely be back!

Evangeline

4.1

4.1 (602)

$30 and under

Cajun

French Quarter

About the restaurant

A classic, lively Louisiana spot in the heart of the French Quarter, Evangeline is one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. Grab a seat in the courtyard to take in the ambiance of the city and grab some of the Acadiana-style cuisine. Fried alligator, "okra Evangeline," and Louisiana blue crab cakes are all appetizer favorites. The "From Down the Bayou" menu includes Acadia crawfish and grits and chicken and sausage jambalaya.

Top review

Danny

Dined 2 days ago

Was able to try many New Orleans classic dishes while here. The price isn’t steep, and Justin the bartender does a wonderful job!

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Bread Pudding Beignets

BABs

4.7

4.7 (786)

$30 and under

Bistro

Bywater

About the restaurant

A local favorite in the Bywater, this hot spot in a standout brick building is one of the best new restaurants in New Orleans. Take a seat in this welcoming, colorful dining room. Start with the charcuterie plate, featuring foie torchon, country pate, or rabbit rillette. The creative entree menu includes duck breast with butterbeans and rabbit curry with jasmine rice. Pair those with the vegetable side, featuring potato gratin, roasted cabbage, roasted carrots, and charred okra.

Top review

Joby

Dined 2 days ago

As usual, absolutely amazing. From the time of walking in to leaving. A definite must.

True Food Kitchen - New Orleans

4.4

4.4 (695)

$30 and under

American

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Healthy and hearty food is on the menu at the True Food Kitchen. Head to the Julia at St. Charles to eat well and healthy at this charming spot with a creative menu. Starters feature healthy favorites like butternut squash soup, edamame dumplings, charred cauliflower, and herb hummus. For the main course, try the Thai coconut sea bass with bok choy and green bean or the poke bowl with wild-caught albacore, avocado, and mushroom. The grilled fish tacos with pickled jicama and dried sweet corn are another house favorite.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on 23 Nov 2024

Great food. I love their standards, i,e, grass fes, wild, organic, local