Blue Bayou Restaurant & Oyster Bar on Canal Street is one of those places locals love to claim as their own. It’s got everything we look for in a New Orleans hangout: fun decor, incredible seafood, a bar that knows how to pour, and live music that fills the room with joie de vivre.
We started with the Chargrilled Oysters which are a must—smoky, buttery, and kissed with just the right amount of garlic.
Pair them with their famous Pickle Bloody Mary or a classic Hurricane, and you’re set.
The Soft Shell Crab Po-boy with fries is perfection. Usually, we don’t like to fill up on fries but these were so good.
Our favorite dish was the Cajun Stuffed Redfish. It’s rich, hearty, and full of Gulf flavor. Topped with crawfish cream sauce and served with jambalaya, it really hits the spot.
And don’t sleep through breakfast or brunch. The Blue Bayou French Toast is Texas Toast topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries topped with powdered sugar and served with warm maple syrup.
And the 3-egg Blue Bayou Omelette might just be the best omelette we’ve ever tasted. It’s filled with New Orleans alligator sausage, bell peppers and onions and topped with their crawfish mushroom cream sauce.
The dessert options at Blue Bayou blew us away as well. Being from here, we thought we’d tasted just about every kind of bread pudding out there but their Deep Fried Chocolate Bread Pudding is really special.
What makes this spot unforgettable, though, is the atmosphere. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming.
On our last visit, we stayed longer than planned just to hear Tubad sing and play trumpet. He moved effortlessly from classic New Orleans anthems like “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans” to Elvis and even Nat King Cole. He had everyone, including the waitstaff smiling and dancing.
Between the food, the cocktails, and the live music, Blue Bayou is the kind of place where a simple meal turns into a whole New Orleans experience.
]]>The first thing you need to know is that, while there are Landry’s all over the country, the restaurants in the French Quarter and at the Lakefront offer dishes you can only get right here — crafted by local chefs including General Manager Joe Spadaro, who grew up just a hop, skip an a jump from Landry’s on the Lakefront. His mother owned her own catering business back in the day so Joe knows a thing or two about what the locals love.
We started with cocktails. There were three of us and we each tasted all three and, luckily, we each chose a different favorite. Honestly, you can’t go wrong. We followed Joe’s suggestion and chose to order a bunch of appetizers instead of entrees. What a fun way to get to experience more!
After raving about the views of Lake Pontchartrain, the thing everybody says about Landry’s is how generous the portion sizes are. The cup of Seafood Gumbo for instance, Joe’s own recipe, is more like a bowl. Because we were sharing, we still ordered more to take home for dinner, but still. This isn’t any chintzy serving.
We also ordered the New Orleans Crawfish Bread which is a meal all in its own. They say Crawfish Bread first appeared in New Orleans at Jazz Fest but, trust us, Landry’s Crawfish Bread blows the kind you can get at Jazz Fest away. It’s loaded with crawfish tails and mozzarella. So good. You have to order this every time you come here.
Their Fire Grilled Oysters with herb butter, parmesan and grilled bread are a must experience, too. You’ll want to order more but save room for later.
Joe told us is favorite thing on the menu were the Crab Cakes with lemon butter and he wasn’t exaggerating. Topped with fresh crab meat, they were a thing of beauty — almost too beautiful to touch — but we absolutely destroyed it, leaving the plate completely empty.
And we highly recommend, if you take the appetizer route, to also order at least one Fried Seafood Platter for the table to share. Yum, yum, yum! They also order a Broiled Seafood. A nice option.

Here at neworleansrestaurants, we’re all about the desserts. Their Cinnamon Bread Pudding à la mode with Foster and vanilla sauce is the perfect ending to an afternoon on the Lakefront. The Triple Chocolate Cake with layers of white and dark chocolate ganache is pretty darn good as well.
Landry’s Seafood House on Lake Pontchartrain’s is the perfect spot to host a crawfish boil or any event. They have inside and outside areas designed to make every occasion special. They also have a Kid’s Menu your kids will love.
Chef Spadaro also wanted us to tell you that if you don’t see something on the menu, go ahead and ask. Chances are they can whip it up for you. We hear his Barbecued Shrimp are out of this world.
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It’s the law. When you come to New Orleans you have to
We’re all trying to eat fewer fried foods these days but on vacation, and during Carnival season, all bets are off — or at least they should be.

Founded in 1961 and owned by the Chifici family since 1982, Deanie’s is the stuff of legend. Everybody who’s anybody has a Deanie’s story. It’s time to write yours in the French Quarter.

Cocktail-wise, Deanie’s has it going on. Their Bloody Mary is a meal. So good and that boiled shrimp! They also make a great Hurricane as well as a delicious Voodoo Punch. Those cherries though!

For an appetizer, they give you complimentary boiled potatoes — a taste of a Louisiana crawfish boil. You’re absolutely going to love this simple but delicious treat.

But don’t ignore the rest of appetizer menu. We love their Barbecue Shrimp, fresh Gulf shrimp sautéed in their signature buttery blend of seasoning. The French baguette is there for dipping. Don’t be shy. Dive in!

You’re in New Orleans, so you gotta try the gumbo. Deanie’s Seafood Okra Gumbo is dark, rich and yummy. One of the best in town.

That goes for their Charbroiled Oysters, too. While there is no oyster bar to belly up to, Deanie’s does offer freshly shucked raw oysters as well. It doesn’t get any fresher. They have Barbecue Oysters, too!

Let’s talk entrees. Their salad offerings are extremely tempting. Their Bayou Seafood Salad has generous scoops of lump crabmeat and boiled shrimp. It’s both healthy and out of this world.

Their Blackened Redfish smothered in Shrimp Etouffée is a real treat. Words don’t do it justice which is fine because it’s not polite to talk with your mouth full.

And of course there are those famous Deanie’s Seafood Platters with Stuffing Balls. Hushpuppies are lame in comparison. The Giant Seafood Platter feeds four.

Speaking of seafood, crawfish season is coming up and Deanie’s is where the locals go to suck the heads and pinch the tails. Eating crawfish at Deanie’s is as much a New Orleans tradition as the backyard boil. Until then you’ll just have to make do with another item like a Deanie’s Po-Boy. Poor you!

What a lot of people don’t know about the Iberville restaurant is that they make their own desserts in house. They also own Victoria’s, a bakery next door. They’re famous for their Coconut Custard Bread Pudding but, if you’re here for Mardi Gras, come early in the day before they run out of Mardi Gras Cheesecake. We can’t stop thinking about it.


If you’re looking for a fresh take on the sports bar experience, LOFT18 in Old Metairie is where it’s at. This interactive sports bar & grill offers great food and drink and year-round simulated golf and multi-sport action, making it the perfect spot for golfers and non-golfers alike. The atmosphere is super welcoming, with a staff that makes you feel like you’re hanging with old friends.


Let’s talk food. Along with some really tempting main dishes such as Hanger Steak, Crispy Crunchy Chicken and Bayou Alfredo Pasta, LOFT18 offers some great apps, wraps, tacos, flatbreads, salads, and burgers. We don’t know if he’s a golfer or not, but Executive Chef Ladareus Jones is on his game. View menu.

Apps like the Fat City Nachos are TDF. They come with queso, beans, corn jalapenos, diced tomatoes, pickled onions and queso fresco. You can also add chicken, pulled pork or steak.

We can’t say enough good things about the Oozy Burger, a smashed brisket blended burger with melted American Cheese, sautéed onions, crispy bacon, pickles and mayo. If you’re looking for a burger that melts in your mouth, this is it.

And don’t wait for a Tuesday to treat yourself to some LOFT18 tacos. Their Blackened Shrimp Tacos with Peruvian slaw, pico, pickled onions, crema and queso fresco really hit the spot.

LOFT18 is a great place to go for cocktails as well. The Sexy Lexi made with Altos Reposado, prickly pear, lime and Sprite is super refreshing and if you love a good Frosé, head on over.


Finally, you’re not going to want to leave without ordering some Beignet Fries to share. Along with powdered sugar, they’re drizzled with caramel. These alone are worth the trip.

LOFT18 is great for bachelor/bachelorette parties, reunions, and families looking for something fun to do together on a hot or rainy day. You can rent a bay for 1 to 10 people for as little as $20 an hour! And it’s the perfect spot to gather on game day.

Finally, LOFT18 has some amazing lunch specials, Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. You can get 8 Birdie Wings and fries for $10.99 — that’s less than you’ll pay at a fast-food restaurant! And Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Come in for $4 draft beer, house wine and Jameson shots and some discounted apps.
For more info or to book a table or a bay, visit their website.

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As locals, we tend to forget how amazing Creole and Cajun food is. If it’s been a while since you said to yourself, “OMG, I live in one of the best food cities in the world,” you need to head to Olde NOLA Cookery for a refresher course or three (after all, why should tourists have all the fun?). Here in the heart of the French Quarter, you can reintroduce your palate to dishes like Gumbo, Jambalaya, Cajun Etouffee, Red Beans and Rice, and other New Orleans staples made like mama always wished she could!

For cocktails, we had a hard time choosing – the drink menu is not just fun, it’s extensive. We decided to try the New Orleans Cosmopolitan, a sweet pink treat made with Three Olives Orange, Cointreau, Cranberry and Lime juice. We also sampled the Dark & Stormy, even though there was no sign of rain that day. This concoction is made with Lime, Ginger Beer, Don Q Rum with a float of Dark Rum. They were both delicious.

Then, instead of ordering an appetizer, we ordered the Taste of New Orleans which includes Seafood Gumbo, Crawfish Étouffée and Red Beans and Rice with a big hunk of sausage. While many restaurants in New Orleans offer up samplings like this, Olde NOLA Cookery’s portions are extremely generous, not to mention delicious. While filled with a medley of interesting spices, we didn’t find that anything was too spicy – just hearty and delicious. This is Southern comfort food at its best.

For entrees, we ordered the July Special – a lightly Blackened Redfish Filet served over Penne Pasta and topped with BBQ Shrimp. We wanted to die and go to heaven, but we still had time on our parking meter and weren’t about to go anywhere.

We also tried the slow-cooked, “Knife & Fork” BBQ Ribs. They weren’t lying when they said they were fall-off-the-bone good. They tasted like the kind you’d make at home if you had all day to do it and everything turned out exactly as you’d planned. These were served with coleslaw (perfect) and some seriously good French fries. This dish is proof that you don’t have to be a seafood eater to fall in love with Olde NOLA Cookery.

For dessert, the New Orleans Bread Pudding served with their famous Praline and Rum Sauce was calling to us. We, as good New Orleanians, naturally answered. Decadently rich with plump warm raisins bursting with flavor, Olde NOLA Cookery’s version of this New Orleans classic is surrounded by whipped cream to cut the sweetness. While we swore each spoonful would be our last, we just keep going back in. If you’re tempted to say, “we don’t have any room for dessert,” find some!

Old NOLA Cookery is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The place was packed full of happy people when were there so you might want to make a reservation. They’re also on Uber Eats or you can pick up.
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It’s crawfish season in New Orleans. Along with the traditional boiled crawfish, you can find delicious crawfish dishes all over town. Here’s where we recommend you make like a mud bug and dig in!

Crawfish Tails are on the menu at Deanie’s Seafood and you can also have them in a bisque, an étouffée, over the dish of the day, in a po-boy or on a salad. We recommend their Crawfish Quartet–Louisiana crawfish prepared four delicious ways: crawfish étouffée, crawfish bisque, fried crawfish tails and crawfish balls.
Daisy Dukes in the French Quarter offers boiled seafood in season, but you can also have a Seafood Omelette with crawfish for breakfast. Sweet!
Acme Oyster House has Crawpuppies and a Fried Crawfish Tail appetizer TDF. They also make a memorable Fried Crawfish po-boy. Some locations serve boiled seafood this time of year as well.

ANNUNCIATION’s Seafood Au Gratin with Crabmeat, Crawfish and Shrimp is a game changer. Trust us, you’ll love it.
Blue Bayou Restaurant and Oyster Bar on Canal Street is a great place to get your crawfish fix. Their Mardi Gras Pasta with Shrimp and crawfish tails is fabulous as is their Crawfish Étouffée. Plus, you can order fried or sautéed crawfish tails as a side with anything. Yum!
Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon in Metairie offers seven Cajun Pasta dishes you can add fried crawfish tails to for just $5. Get goin’!
Bourbon Heat’s Crawfish Étouffée comes with a huge hunk of mozzarella garlic toast. Heaven, I’m in Heaven….

Cafe Pontalba’s Blackened Redfish with Crawfish Étouffée will blow away. So will the view off Jackson Square. Come sit in this popular restaurant in the Pontalba buildings and enjoy!
Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop’s famous Mumbo Gumbo has crawfish in the mix but, we’ve got to tell you, his Crawfish Étouffée is as good as his gumbo. It features a quarter pound of crawfish tails in a rich Cajun roux with white rice. Fabulous!

Crescent City Brewhouse’s Redfish Acadiana features Louisiana crawfish, crab boil potatoes, seasonal vegetables and cream sauce. So good.
Head to 4141 on St. Charles Avenue for fresh beignets covered in a cheesy crawfish sauce. They also have a Shrimp & Crawfish Pasta and a Crawfish Étouffée you’ll dream about for decades.
Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar is serving Hot Boiled Crawfish with all the fixings as well as Crawfish Étouffée, Fried Crawfish Tails, and Crawfish Pasta with cream sauce. Peel out!
Landry’s Seafood House’s New Orleans Crawfish Bread is like Jazz Fest on a platter. You’ll adore it. Their Crawfish Étouffée is pretty darn good as well.
Messina’s Runway Cafe’s Catfish and Grits is topped with a crawfish corn maque choux. They also have an excellent Crawfish Étouffée. Spectacular.
Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant offers lots of fun ways to eat crawfish. We recommend their Cajun Sampler appetizer which comes with fried crawfish tails, grilled alligator, meat pies stuffed mushrooms, bite-size tilapia, grilled frog legs and fried calamari. They make a mean étouffée as well.
Oceana Grill is a must for crawfish lovers. Their signature dish Redfish Oceana is sauteed redfish topped with original crawfish mushroom cream sauce. They also make a delicious Crawfish Fettuccini as well as a spectacular Crawfish Étouffée.
The Pelican Club has a new take on some New Orleans favorites with Crawfish Étouffée and Crawfish Chili. Did we mention you’d be dining in one of the top restaurants in the country? Trust us, it’s worth the hype!
3rd Black Depot Kitchen + Bar’s Warm Crawfish Dip served with crostinis is a memory in the making. They also offer Season Savory Beignets–a crawfish drop beignet with roasted corn and poblano pepper creme. If you’re really hungry, order the New York Strip Steak with garlic ash, asparagus and a crawfish cream sauce. Ooh la la!

The crawfish dishes at Houmas House alone are worth the drive to Ascension Parish. Enjoy creations such as Bisque of Curried Pumpkin with Crawfish and Corn, Crawfish Arancini, and Crawfish Orleans Pasta, then stroll off the calories with a tour of this magnificent estate and gardens.
If these dishes sound delicious (and trust us, they are!), you’ll want to hurry, our crawfish loving friends, because this season doesn’t last long! And it could be next year before you get to dive into these delicacies again!

In a city that treasures its traditions, few places embody them like Tujague’s. As the French Quarter landmark turns 170 in 2026, the restaurant isn’t just counting candles — it’s honoring nearly two centuries of recipes, rituals and regulars who’ve kept its tables full and its Creole spirit alive.

Founded in 1856, Tujague’s has outlasted wars, weathered hurricanes, survived sweeping changes in the Quarter and even packed up and moved addresses — all without losing its soul. The secret? A deep devotion to tradition. The classics still headline the menu, from cool, punchy Shrimp Remoulade to the quietly legendary Chicken Bonne Femme (the kind of dish regulars whisper about like a secret handshake). Creole Cream Cheese Pie nods to Madame Bégué’s breakfast-table ingenuity, the hearty Butcher’s Breakfast helped inspire what we now call brunch, and the iconic Grasshopper cocktail is still shaken daily for anyone ready to toast to New Orleans history in a glass.

Instead of celebrating with a single birthday bash, Tujague’s is stretching the festivities across the entire year, honoring its culinary roots with throwback dishes, historic dining formats and the stories behind the recipes. It’s less a party and more a love letter — to Creole cuisine, to the city and to 170 years of doing things the Tujague’s way.

A two-course brunch for $18.56 tips its hat to the year it all began. Expect comforting favorites like BBQ Shrimp & Grits, Roast Beef Debris Po-boys and a Muffaletta Chopped Salad.
Mini versions of the restaurant’s famous 1918-born cocktail will pour all year long for just $1.70 — proof that good taste doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Each month, a different historic recipe returns to the spotlight, giving diners the chance to literally taste the past.

Dinner goes delightfully old-school with the return of Tujague’s original five-course prix-fixe format — the only way guests dined here for more than a century. For $32 (plus entrée), the full table shares a procession of classics: Demi Shrimp Remoulade, Gumbo du Jour, Traditional Brisket Appetizer, a choice of entrée and Bread Pudding to finish.
The anniversary celebration runs through the end of 2026 — because when you’ve been around for 170 years, one day just isn’t enough to celebrate.

Several beloved restaurants and riverboats are conjuring up something special for Halloween this year. Grab your pointy hat and take your pick of events with festive three-course menus, themed cocktails, costume fun and more. Taste of magic this month in New Orleans. They’ll be no poison apples or little children on the menus, we promise!

Tujague’s, the city’s second-oldest restaurant, hosts its Witch’s Luncheon on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.. The $56 menu includes a starter like Seafood Gumbo or Caesar Salad, entrées such as Grilled Gulf Fish with seasonal vegetables or Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Grits, and a decadent dessert like Pecan Pie à la Mode. It’s a classic New Orleans feast dressed in Halloween flair, and costumes are welcome at the table. Reserve online at tujaguesrestaurant.com or call 504-525-8676.

Nestled in the Warehouse District, ANNUNCIATION Restaurant invites you to its Witches & Warlocks Jazz Lunch on Saturday, October 25, 2025. For $55 per person, guests enjoy a three-course pre-fixe menu featuring dishes like Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes with Lump Crab, Truffle Chicken Pasta, and Bread pudding with Whiskey Sauce. Signature cocktails—think bubbling cauldrons of color and spice—will be available to sip while a live jazz trio keeps the mood lively. Costumes and cackles highly encouraged! Reserve via OpenTable or call 504-568-0245.

For those who like a witchy lunch with a view, the Witches Lunch Jazz Cruises on the Steamboat Natchez take place on October 24 & October 31, 2025, boarding at 11:00 a.m. and sailing 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.. Alongside the live jazz, guests enjoy a Creole buffet with favorites such as Shrimp Etouffée, Jambalaya, Roast Beef Po-boys, and Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce. Three themed cocktails are included, and witches in costume can expect plenty of photo ops on deck. Tickets run around $65 per person, with upgrades for cocktails. Book direct at steamboatnatchez.com or call 800-233-2628.

The Creole Queen is also offering a Haunted Halloween Cruise on October 31, 2025. This evening event includes a lavish buffet—Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo, Shrimp Alfredo Pasta, Creole Jambalaya, and Red Beans & Rice, capped off with Classic Bread Pudding. Costumes, live music, and a festive atmosphere make this a spirited option for witches who prefer dinner with their spells. Adult tickets are $125, children’s tickets start at $50. Book tickets at creolequeen.com or call 504-529-4567.

A little outside the city, Houmas House & Gardens hosts the Witches Walk Ladies Luncheon on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26, 2025, with seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Guests are welcomed with a spooky cocktail in the Dixie Café before strolling the Grand Lawn to the Carriage House for lunch. Expect dishes like Pumpkin Bisque, Roasted Chicken with Fall Vegetables, and Bourbon Bread Pudding, paired with festive cocktails. Tickets run around $50 per person, and attendees also receive a 15% gift shop coupon for the day. Purchase tickets at houmashouse.com.
This September 15-21 is New Orleans Cocktail Week, a spirited celebration of craft cocktails in the city where they say the cocktail was invented.
When you purchase a New Orleans Cocktail Week Pass, you’re entitled to reduced-price signature cocktails, as well as additional cocktail and entrée/small appetizers pairings for a fixed price at some locations. Here are four cocktails you won’t want to miss. Learn more.

One standout you absolutely have to try during Cocktail Week is the Decatur Sour at Tujague’s, a refreshing and perfectly balanced blend of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Cranberry and Lemon.
Founded in 1856, Tujague’s is New Orleans’ second oldest restaurant. And here’s a fun piece of cocktail trivia: the legendary Grasshopper was invented right here. So sipping one is like tasting a slice of cocktail history. If you want to taste the soul of New Orleans cocktail culture, Tujague’s is where you start. Click here for the Grasshopper recipe you can make at home.
Oceana Grill is an all-out celebration of New Orleans flavors. One tropical favorite to try here is the Bahama Mama, a delightful mix of Don Q Coco Rum, Bols Creme de Banana, and Tropical Juices—bringing a little island sunshine right to the heart of New Orleans. Pair it with their famous Cajun dishes for the ultimate NOLA experience.
If you want your Cocktail Week experience to come with inventive sips and stunning rooftop views, Mambo’s is the place to be. Their menu is a playground for cocktail lovers, featuring unique concoctions like Raquel’s Favorite Crescent City 75, made with Three Olives Vodka, Arte Latino Sparkling Wine, and Lemon Juice. Mambo’s is the perfect spot to discover new favorites while soaking in the view.
3rd Block Depot Kitchen + Bar offers a welcoming neighborhood vibe with a serious commitment to craft cocktails. One standout is the Verdant Blush, made with Wheatley Vodka, Green Chartreuse, House Made Creme de Menthe, Lemon Juice, Strawberry, and Mint Leaf. For those who want to feel like a local and discover some hidden gems, 3rd Block Depot is a must. Click here for the Verdant Blush recipe.
New Orleans Cocktail Week isn’t just about drinking—it’s about culture, community, and connection. Your taste buds are in for a wild ride.
]]>More than 60 amazing restaurants are participating in COOLinary New Orleans with inventive menus for brunch, lunch and dinner. Check out our favorites.
The best time to experience this iconic restaurant is during COOLinary New Orleans. It’s always rated as one of the top eateries in the South. Come make memories this August.
Executive Chef Jose Castaneda’s COOLinary menu is a work of art, which is only fitting since this lovely restaurant is in the Arts/Warehouse District. Here’s your chance to enjoy three amazing courses for one low price.
The second oldest restaurant in New Orleans can still bring it on. You haven’t been to New Orleans until you’ve been at Tujague’s. Make like a grasshopper (the cocktail of that name was invented here) and hop on over!
Discover this little gem on Exchange Alley during COOLinary and save. Named one of America’s Top 250 Restaurants by Condé Nast Traveller. Chef Richard is amazing. Don’t miss it.
For exceptional craft beer and authentic local cuisine, celebrate COOLinary at New Orleans’ first brew pub. The food is really fabulous here and the location can’t be beat.
It’s never easy to pass up Hard Rock Cafe in the French Quarter but it’s impossible during COOLinary. This month, the prices really rock!
Landry’s Seafood House/French Quarter
Great French Quarter views and sensational prices await at Landry’s Seafood House in August. If you can look up from your plate, you can choose views of Jackson Square or the river. It doesn’t get any better.
Messina’s Runway Cafe at the Lakefront Airport might just be this city’s best kept secret – and not just during COOLinary when the prices are lower. Take a trip out to East New Orleans and prepare your taste buds for takeoff!
During COOLinary, the New Orleans School of Cooking is the place to be. Not only will you get amazing New Orleans food at an amazing at price, but you get a side of laughter and a side of New Orleans culture for free!
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