Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New Orleans

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in New Orleans? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dakota Restaurant - Covington

4.9

4.9 (1222)

$50 and over

American

Covington

About the restaurant

Open since October of 1990, The Dakota has been a pioneer in the culinary industry on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. Their cuisine is influenced by the flavorful Creole cuisine, with Contemporary Louisiana. Other influences include the Southwest, California, and Asia using fresh local and seasonal ingredients.
The carefully selected wines pay tribute to the well crafted wines of North America while offering many of the traditional Old World styles of Europe.
In October of 2023, The Dakota moved to its new location in Historic Downtown Covington...just a block from the iconic Southern Hotel.
The Dakota continues to set the mark for what people look for when they dine – well crafted food, detail-oriented service, plush surroundings, and genuine hospitality.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 2 days ago

We had a fabulous meal and the service was terrific!

Shaya

4.9

4.9 (5073)

$31 to $50

Israeli

Uptown

About the restaurant

Originally inspired by the many amazing meals with family and dear friends throughout the Middle East, Shaya has been a trailblazer in modern Levantine cuisine. Drawing inspiration from the diverse cuisines & cultures of the Middle East, Meditteranean, and across North Africa, Shaya has set the benchmark for contemporary Mediterranean cuisine by honoring the age-old culinary traditions of the people who invented hospitality as we know it. Our fluffy hand-crafted pita bread baked to order in our wood-fired oven with delectable vegetable-driven dips, salads, and spreads will transport you to an exotic place. Today we hope that our food and hospitality will help you create delicious memories with your friends and family using the very best of our local and sustainably harvested ingredients, prepared and served by people who truly care.

Top review

Lane

Dined 2 days ago

Great menu with very interesting and delicious dishes. Bread is awesome. Try the mescal cocktail. Staff at all levels were professionals.

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4.9

4.9 (77)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Covington

About the restaurant

BON SAKE sushi & bar
Sushi Restaurant
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:00am-9:00pm • Fri & Sat 11:00am-10:30pm

We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Absolutely AMAZING!!! The food is so delicious and the people that work here are so outgoing and very nice!!

Yo Nashi

4.8

4.8 (458)

$50 and over

Japanese

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Yō Nashi is a New Orleans omakase restaurant. Utilizing local ingredients and flavor with Japanese technique and presentation, Chef Jose creates a dining experience that invokes a sense of transportation while simultaneously being rooted in the city where he presides.

Our daily omakase menu is created around the best seasonal ingredients available. Please provide any allergies or dietary restrictions with your reservation so that we may be able to ensure your best possible experience.

Top review

Casey

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Wow, what an amazing find. I came and had the 7 course omakase and every course was fresh, delicious, and innovative. Beautiful little restaurant with a fantastic selection of beer, wine, sake and cocktails (which I may have indulged in a liiiiittle too much but there were so many amazing options!) Bang for your buck is unmatched since omakase can usually be in the hundreds of dollars per person range (not here!) Holly was amazing, along with the 2 sushi chefs whose names I didn’t catch. Can’t wait to come back next time I’m in NOLA.

Jewel of the South

4.8

4.8 (59)

$31 to $50

Contemporary British

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Borrowing its name from an influential 1850s-vintage bar in the Central Business District, this pub-like tavern (with courtyard) occupies an old brick Creole cottage in the French Quarter, where well-known local bartender Chris Hannah serves up cocktails both classic and contemporary. London-born chef Philip Whitmarsh runs the kitchen.
Accolades include James Beard, World 50 Best, Art of Hospitality, Best Bar South (North America).

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Hannah was a delightful server and took the time to help us navigate the menu and chit chat. We enjoyed two rounds of cocktails and caviar service. It was a memorable evening - thank you, Hannah and team!

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Experience

New Years' Eve Prix Fixe Tasting Experience

Maypop

4.6

4.6 (1350)

$31 to $50

Southeast Asian

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Welcome to Maypop! - the sister establishment to the award winning Mid-City restaurant MOPHO. Located two blocks from the Super Dome and only one block from Poydras street, it features Southeast Asian inspired southern cuisine and focuses on hand made pastas and house charcuterie paired with Gulf seafood, local produce and hand ground curries. Enjoy our refreshing cocktails that are as innovative and creative as our cuisine, and our well curated wine list paired to our eclectic dishes.
Executive Chef Michael Gulotta was named a 2016 Best New Chef by Food and Wine Magazine and Maypop was named a 2017 best new restaurant by New Orleans magazine as well as a 2017 peoples choice best new restaurant by Gambit Magazine.

Parties of 5+ guests will be charged an automatic 20% gratuity.

Top review

Linett

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Chef was able to accommodate my many food allergies and give me a Grand Tasting menu experience that was truly sensational. Made my remote worker holiday party the talk of my virtual office colleagues. The many recommendations to come here were spot on. My server Grayson was amazing. Overall an exceptional dining experience.

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Experience

Ring in the New Year with Maypop!

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

4.6

4.6 (615)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

EdwardVIP

Dined 2 days ago

1st time there, server PT was excellent in walking us through the offerings. Food was great and service was quick but not rushed.

Maze Cocktail Lounge

4.4

4.4 (11)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Mid-City / City Park

About the restaurant

Step into our stylish Midcity lounge, the perfect blend of elegance and energy for New Orleans’ vibrant nightlife scene. Savor artfully crafted cocktails and gourmet bites while immersing yourself in our curated weekly experiences. Martini nights, midweek margaritas, French 75 Thursdays and champagne Sundays set the tone, with live DJs transforming weekends into unforgettable celebrations. This is where sophistication meets the pulse of the city.

Top review

Sean

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Everything was nice. Just wish they had servers to come to the table to take orders instead of having to go to the bar but overall everything was amazing

True Food Kitchen - New Orleans

4.3

4.3 (696)

$30 and under

American

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in New Orleans for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Located in New Orleans below The Julia at St. Charles apartments at the corner of Julia Street and Saint Charles Avenue, near F45 Training. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

Steven

Dined on Nov 21, 2024

Date night with my Vegan friend. Plenty of high quality choices. Great location

Vessel NOLA

4.2

4.2 (2608)

$30 and under

Seafood

Mid-City / City Park

About the restaurant

Vessel Specializes in Fresh Seafood and New American Cuisine! Renowned Chef Wille Cooper, who trained under Emeril Lagasse & Wolfgang Puck sources fresh local ingredients incorporating many of the traditions New Orleans is famous for. Dinner is served 7 days a week and brunch Sat-Sun! Happy Hour weekdays 4-6 pm (except holidays). Reservations are advised and we welcome walk-ins! Dine inside or outdoors on our gorgeous covered patio! ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST featured VESSEL as one of "8 of the Most Gorgeous Restaurants in Former Churches Worldwide". Paranormal activity lurks at VESSEL as featured on The Travel Channel's hit show "THE DEAD FILES" in the episode "Deadly Vessel" showcasing the spirits that haunt Vessel. Eat, Drink, Congregate! at Vessel at New Orleans' most exciting restaurant/bar, housed in a 1914 historic church in Mid-City, 10 minutes from the French Quarter just off the Canal Street Streetcar.

Top review

Tara

Dined 2 days ago

My husband and I had the most wonderful Christmas Eve dinner! The staff are incredible. The ambiance is beautiful and so energetic. Highly recommend. The owners, Alec and Eddie truly made it an extraordinary experience for us. Will be back for the great times and great cocktails and food. The hand crafted espresso martinis and Seafood pasta are a must have!

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