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Discover the Best New Restaurants in New Orleans

A photo of Red logo
by The OpenTable Team
Updated October 23, 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
4.6 (2006)
$31 to $50
Italian
Warehouse District
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
We sat outside. Other than traffic and loud car radios and motors noise was low. Food was very good, service very good and a very nice place.
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
We sat outside. Other than traffic and loud car radios and motors noise was low. Food was very good, service very good and a very nice place.
Justine
4.5 (2790)
$31 to $50
French
French Quarter
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
Tami
Dined 6 days ago
I always take out of town guests to Justine. I love the food and the decor is gorgeous!
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
Tami
Dined 6 days ago
I always take out of town guests to Justine. I love the food and the decor is gorgeous!
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - New Orleans, LA | Central Business District
4.7 (636)
$31 to $50
Japanese
Warehouse District
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 21, 2025
This place never disappoints me. We visited Gyu-Kaku at least four(4) times and have always had a great experience. The waitress took her time to explain each cut of meat we ordered and suggested how long they should be cooked. Our table was cleared multiple times, giving us room for a clean space to maneuver around. We have tried many other Japanese BBQ restaurants, and we find that Gyu-Kaku gives you better sides and more significant portions.
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 21, 2025
This place never disappoints me. We visited Gyu-Kaku at least four(4) times and have always had a great experience. The waitress took her time to explain each cut of meat we ordered and suggested how long they should be cooked. Our table was cleared multiple times, giving us room for a clean space to maneuver around. We have tried many other Japanese BBQ restaurants, and we find that Gyu-Kaku gives you better sides and more significant portions.
Gallagher's Restaurant on Front
4.7 (834)
$31 to $50
Steak
Slidell
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
mark74
Dined on Mar 23, 2025
We sat in the side room (area). It was much quieter. As always, the food was delicious and paced well.
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
mark74
Dined on Mar 23, 2025
We sat in the side room (area). It was much quieter. As always, the food was delicious and paced well.
One Thirteen Restaurant
4.5 (344)
$30 and under
American
Hammond
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
Raymond
Dined 2 days ago
The food was amazing, and the service was exceptional. The staff were friendly and extremely helpful throughout.
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
Raymond
Dined 2 days ago
The food was amazing, and the service was exceptional. The staff were friendly and extremely helpful throughout.
Evangeline
4.3 (640)
$30 and under
Cajun
French Quarter
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
KansasVIP
Dined 4 days ago
The courtyard is beautiful. Service was amazing. Connor did a phenomenal job! He was so attentive to our needs and very engaging. The food was absolutely delicious as well! Will definitely come back!
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
KansasVIP
Dined 4 days ago
The courtyard is beautiful. Service was amazing. Connor did a phenomenal job! He was so attentive to our needs and very engaging. The food was absolutely delicious as well! Will definitely come back!
BABs
4.9 (834)
$30 and under
Bistro
Bywater
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
LarryFVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Great customer service. Loved our server and her kindness. Food was very tasty, smaller portions than what was expected. Tiramisu was great. Loved the art on the walls, too.
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
LarryFVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Great customer service. Loved our server and her kindness. Food was very tasty, smaller portions than what was expected. Tiramisu was great. Loved the art on the walls, too.
True Food Kitchen - New Orleans
4.2 (714)
$30 and under
American
Warehouse District
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
Meg
Dined on Mar 14, 2025
Great wait staff and great food; excited for a healthy option in NOLA
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
Meg
Dined on Mar 14, 2025
Great wait staff and great food; excited for a healthy option in NOLA

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