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New Orleans · checked November 14, 2026
10 classic restaurants in New Orleans that still hit the spot
The oldest has been open since 1856; the youngest, 1946. Every one is still getting the praise today, and each card says what to order and how to get in. Oldest first.
1Since 1856A photo like it · pelican from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tujague's
Order: The boiled brisket with horseradish sauce, shrimp remoulade and a Grasshopper at the bar
Why it still hits the spot: The second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans, and its bar is billed as the oldest stand-up bar in the country. It turned 170 in 2026 and added a five-course dinner built around the brisket it is known for.
Good to know: Book on OpenTable for dinner. The long bar is the place for a Grasshopper first.
Where we found it: The Connected Table: Tujague's celebrates 170 years (1856-2026) (2026) · New Orleans Magazine: Tujague's · Tujague's: history
2Since 1893
Commander's Palace
Order: Turtle soup, a Gulf fish dish and the bread pudding souffle
Why it still hits the spot: The Garden District grande dame in the blue-and-white Victorian, and a Creole fine-dining benchmark for generations. It is No. 72 on our Restaurant 100 list and still runs a chef's table in 2026.
Good to know: Lunch is usually the easier and cheaper seat than dinner. Check the dress code when you book.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (Restaurant 100, No. 72) (2026-11) · Time Out New Orleans: Commander's Palace · The Infatuation: Commander's Palace
3Since 1905A photo like it · Gryffindor, Public domain
Galatoire's
Order: Shrimp remoulade, crabmeat maison, trout meuniere amandine and a souffle potato
Why it still hits the spot: The Bourbon Street room where regulars hold the same Friday lunch tables, and the long lunch is a New Orleans rite. In 2026 Nicole Theriot became the first woman to lead its kitchen, and it is No. 85 on our Restaurant 100 list.
Good to know: The downstairs room takes no reservations: line up on Bourbon before it opens at 11:30 for Friday lunch. Dress the part.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (Restaurant 100, No. 85) (2026-11) · Restaurants for Kings: New Orleans best restaurants guide 2026 (2026) · Fodor's: Galatoire's
4Since 1906A photo like it · Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0
Central Grocery
Order: A half muffuletta served cold. Take the other half away for later
Why it still hits the spot: The Italian grocery credited with inventing the muffuletta. After more than three years closed for Hurricane Ida damage it reopened in its original shop in December 2024, and it is on our French Quarter food walk.
Good to know: Eat at the small counter or take it to Jackson Square. Hours have changed since the reopening, so check before you go.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (the French Quarter food walk) (2026-11) · PBS NewsHour: Hurricane Ida forced this famous New Orleans deli to close. Now it's coming back · WWL-TV: Central Grocery reopens after Hurricane Ida
5Since 1911A photo like it · Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Order: The roast beef po-boy, dressed, with gravy running down your wrist
Why it still hits the spot: A po-boy shop since 1911 with a patio and a long menu. Locals still name its roast beef with gravy among the city's best, and it is the top sandwich shop in our New Orleans guide.
Good to know: Lines build at lunch. Order at the counter and eat on the patio.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (sandwich shops) (2026-11) · Chowhound: The 115-year-old New Orleans tavern known for its po' boys · Roadfood: Parkway Bakery & Tavern
6Since 1914A photo like it · Mtaylor848, CC BY-SA 3.0
Napoleon House
Order: The warm muffuletta and a Pimm's Cup in the courtyard
Why it still hits the spot: A candlelit corner bar in the French Quarter, bought by Joe Impastato in 1914. It is on our food walk, and its warmed muffuletta and Pimm's Cup are still the reasons to go.
Good to know: Sit in the courtyard if the weather is kind.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (the French Quarter food walk) (2026-11) · Chowhound: Eat a muffuletta bigger than your head at this 1914 New Orleans restaurant · VinePair: The Pimm's Cup deserves more stateside attention
7Since 1918A photo like it · Daderot, CC0
Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar
Order: The fried shrimp po-boy, dressed, and a cold beer
Why it still hits the spot: A corner shop and bar that has made po-boys since 1918. Michelin lists it as a Bib Gourmand and says the shrimp po-boy is what most people order.
Good to know: Walk-in only, cash only, closed Sundays, and seating is tight at lunch. Confirm hours first.
Where we found it: Michelin Guide: Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar · Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (sandwich shops) (2026-11) · Only In Your State: Domilise's
8Since 1918A photo like it · Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 3.0
Arnaud's
Order: Shrimp Arnaud (remoulade), crab claws or oysters at the French 75 Bar, then a French 75
Why it still hits the spot: A grand Creole dining room founded by Arnaud Cazenave, with a bar that is a destination of its own. Spring and summer 2026 reviews praise the service, the food and the cocktails, and it is still hosting its holiday Reveillon dinner.
Good to know: The French 75 Bar is the easy way in, with a short menu of oysters, escargot and crab claws.
Where we found it: Arnaud's: the French 75 Bar · Tripadvisor: Arnaud's Restaurant (April 2026 review) (2026-04) · OpenTable: Arnaud's
9Since 1941
Dooky Chase's Restaurant
Order: Creole gumbo with sausage, chicken, shrimp and crab, fried chicken, and red beans and rice
Why it still hits the spot: Leah Chase's dining room, where Civil Rights leaders met in the 1960s, run now by her family. It won a James Beard America's Classics award in 2025 and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Good to know: Confirm lunch hours and book ahead.
Where we found it: Axios New Orleans: Dooky Chase's wins a James Beard America's Classic (2025-02) · Michelin Guide: Dooky Chase (2025) · Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (gumbo, Restaurant 100, No. 67) (2026-11)
10Since 1946A photo like it · Willis Lam, CC BY-SA 2.0
Brennan's
Order: The traditional Creole breakfast with eggs Hussarde, a Brandy Milk Punch and tableside bananas Foster
Why it still hits the spot: The birthplace of bananas Foster, in the pink Royal Street house, and it turns 80 in 2026 still run by the family. Breakfast here is a long, boisterous event that ends with the flambe at your table.
Good to know: Reserve ahead. The tasting breakfast is a full meal, so go hungry.
Where we found it: Brennan's: Traditional Breakfast menu (2026) · The Daily Meal: Breakfast at Brennan's · Chef Amazing: Where to eat in New Orleans (memorable breakfasts) (2026-11)
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How we pick: open 40+ years and still praised now; our own stories and guides first, then this year's critics and best-of lists; every place checked open. Photos marked "a photo like it" show that kind of food, not that place's. Chef Amazing is not paid by any place on this page.
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Researched and published by Chef Amazing, from our own stories, this year’s critics and food press, and a check that each place is open. Nobody pays to be on our lists: how we pick. Spot something wrong? Tell us and we fix it.