1. Commander's Palace
This old-line eatery in the tony Garden District has been serving customers since 1880, but continues to thrive under the watchful eye of the Brennan family, the most powerful restaurant dynasty in the region. At the helm in the kitchen is Chef Tory McPhail, who was named the 2013 James Beard Best Chef: South. His menu is deeply rooted in classic Creole cuisine, refined for a modern palate and inspired by locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients.25-cent martinis and several two-course options under $20 make Commander’s one of the best lunch bets in the city (or anywhere). A dinner here, though, is an elegant, old-world experience, the likes of which is nearly impossible to come by in this century. If you can swing it, do.
1403 Washington Ave. / (504) 899-8221 / commanderspalace.com
2. Emeril's
Emeril Lagasse’s international culinary empire began in this Warehouse District restaurant, which he opened in 1990. Two and a half decades later, the quality and creativity of the menu has only increased. It keeps a fundamental focus on Cajun and Creole flavors, but offers a welcoming hand toward other flavors that have influenced New Orleans (including Vietnamese and Italian Creole cuisines) and contemporary culinary trends. And yes, there’s plenty of “gaaaahlic” to be found.It’s a fine dining restaurant, to be sure, and the atmosphere is formal but convivial. Service is immaculate. Prices are high. Reservations are very difficult to come by at dinnertime (make them well in advance of your trip), but if you can’t snag them, come at midday and explore the extensive (and much lower-priced) lunch menu.
800 Tchoupitoulas St. / (504) 528-9393 / emerils.com
3. Dooky Chase's
Nonagenarian Leah Chase is a chef, a Civil Rights activist, a humanitarian, a matriarch, and a collector of African-American fine art, among other things. She’s been serving up her elegant versions of Creole homestyle food in this warm and inviting Tremé establishment since the 1950s.
Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have both dined here, as have a parade of other celebrities, alongside generations of New Orleans families, both black and white (Dooky Chase's was integrated for decades before desegregation).
Lunch is served buffet-style, though a menu is also available for à la carte ordering. Try the gumbo; it’s by far one of the best in town. Anything with shrimp or oysters is a sure bet, and the red beans and rice are divine. Really, you can’t go wrong.
2301 Orleans Ave. / (504) 821-0600 / dookychaserestaurant.com
4. Willie Mae's Scotch House
The Food Network called Willie Mae’s fried chicken “the best in the world,” and food and travel writers from around the world have vehemently scribbled their agreement on the subject. The golden masterpiece tickles every sense, right down to the audible crackle and crunch of the damn-near-flawless crust.
The service is impeccably friendly, the pork chops and bread pudding are nearly as good as the plat de résistance, but the chicken is next-level. Deep in the historic Tremé neighborhood, Willie Mae’s is pretty far from the beaten tourist path, but it’s unquestionably worth the trip.
2401 Saint Ann St. / (504) 822-9503
5. Café du Monde
It’s usually a good sign when a restaurant has only one food item on the menu, especially if that single item has kept the place in business for over 150 years. At Café du Monde, it’s all about the beignets, a Creole take on fried dough. Crispy on the outside, pillowy in the middle, smothered beneath a heap of powdered sugar, these little treats are best paired with the famous house cafe au lait, made in the old-fashioned way with chicory-laced coffee.Eating these dusted delicacies at the outside tables at the end of the vaunted French Market, facing Jackson Square, listening to local musicians play for tips, and watching the colorful cast of characters that’s ever-present in the French Quarter... it’s a classic New Orleans experience, and one that really is as lovely as it sounds.
800 Decatur St. / (504) 525-4544 / cafedumonde.com
6. Central Grocery
Another charter member of the "does one thing, does it well" club, the Central Grocery invented the world-famous muffuletta sandwich sometime around the turn of the last century and they've been a hit ever since.
The sandwich consists of round loaf of sesame seeded Italian bread, slathered with house-made olive salad and olive oil, and pressed with three types of cured meat and a couple of slices of provolone cheese. It's rich and salty and tangy and, well, basically the perfect sandwich experience.
The best part is that they keep well (in fact, they're actually better after they sit and soak in the flavor for a few hours), so picking up a couple before you leave for the airport is a great way to take some of New Orleans home with you.
923 Decatur St. / (504) 523-1620 / centralgroceryneworleans.com
