New Orleans Best Restaurants Guide according to Locals

Are you looking for the best New Orleans restaurants the city has to offer? Listen to a local’s perspective, I’ll give you the best I promise. This is New Orleans Best Restaurants Guide according to Locals. I’ve been holding off, because quite frankly I don’t want to have to wait an extra hour for a seat at Bearcat next Saturday morning… Or fight you for a seat at the bar at Couvant on Friday night. I kid, I kid. I’ll tell you my secrets. 
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Breakfast:
Bearcat Cafe
Neighborhood: Uptown
Favorite dish: Crab Scramble or Cat Daddy Biscuit
This is my favorite breakfast spot. It is consistently amazing. The food is very fresh, and there are healthy and “splurge” options. They even have half the menu called “Bad Cat” and the other half called “Good Cat”. Make sure to order a cappuccino and try their local kombucha. They even have Paleo Pancakes!!

Lunch:
Satsuma Cafe 
Neighborhood: Uptown
Favorite dish: Kale Salad or Roast Beef Sandwich
Please do yourself a favor and try the roast beef sandwich here. It’s a splurge made from heaven. Great atmosphere, great food, & great vegan chocolate chip cookies.
Pho Tau Bay
Neighborhood: Downtown
Favorite dish: Pork spring rolls + egg rolls (with peanut sauce + fish sauce)
There is a rumor that this is Chef Emeril’s favorite lunch in the city. And I believe it because I could live off of this meal. It is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the city (and there are many goodies).
Hi Volt
Neighborhood: Lower Garden District
Favorite dish: The Ozzy (with rice) or Kale Caesar Salad
Y’all, this is the best coffee shop food you will find in New Orleans. They have so many great lunches and tons of Vegan/Gluten Free desserts and pastries. You will find me eating a Vegan Donut or Peanut Butter Bar. See Cobb Salad below.

Dinner:
Bacchanal Wine
Neighborhood: Bywater
Favorite dish: Grilled Hanger Steak
This restaurant is not just about food. It is an experience. If you enjoy wine, there is an entire wine store where you can buy your wine for the table. You also can pick out cheeses and meats for a cheese board. Follow that up with live music nightly, and an incredible meal.
Couvant
Neighborhood: Central Business District
Favorite dish: Oysters with a salad + Profiteroles (dessert)
This place is all about atmosphere as well. The Eliza Jane Hotel is a place to see, and it’s usually “happening”. The art work and architecture of the hotel is gorgeous. The food is great. I order the same thing each time. Their oysters are my favorite.
Saba
Neighborhood: Uptown
Favorite dish: Brussel Sprout Hummus and Pita Bread
World’s best Pita bread, hands down. I go to Saba for the wine, the appetizers, and the pita. Don’t get ahead of yourself and order a huge meal here. You go for the hummus and pita and tabbouleh and vegetables. I usually eat a vegan meal here, because honestly I like their vegetable dishes the most!
Doris Metropolitan
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Favorite dish: Any steak dish
This is my favorite steakhouse in the city. If you want a romantic, dark date night place, you will find it here. The ambience and mood is great for a date, and the food will impress you! It is on the pricier side, but completely worth it.
Lilette
Neighborhood: Uptown
Favorite dish: Sautéed Drum (pictured below) or Potato Gnocchi
Wow Lillete blows me away each time I have gone. It has New Orleans feel to the menu, but the food is not overly heavy. The food is perfectly seasoned, and the atmosphere is great for date night/celebrating a special occasion.

Paladar 511
Neighborhood: Bywater
Favorite dish: Farm Egg Pizza or Pappardelle
I was so happy to find this gem of a restaurant. The atmosphere is chic and edgy. I always have a fun time here, great for a group of friends.
Seaworthy
Neighborhood: CBD
Favorite dish: Oysters or Burger
They do have a happy hour for oysters. I will refer to their website. Even though this restaurant is known for their seafood, they have the best burger in the city (according to me). I love their oysters and fries and all the seafood dishes too. The atmosphere is 10/10. Sit outside in the courtyard if the weather is nice.

That’s all folks. That sums up my favorite restaurants in the past few years of exploration! And yes, I will give my boyfriend Charles credit for many of the places on the list. We do eat out a lot and I gain a lot of cooking inspiration from these meals.