The Best French in New Orleans

La Petite Grocery

★★★★☆ 4.2 (921) • $$$

"On this occasion, my delayed birthday celebration and it put us in the smack dab of Restaurant Week. I delighted in the prefixe menu and ordered a specialty cocktail: the kentucky saint, the tomato salad, the chicken sandwich and the butterscotch pudding. Additionally bread was served and we also order the house pickles as we always do. My host, Jen L. went in another direction ordering a combo of the prefixe and regular menu. The service was fantastic, the food delicious and ambience soothing. At the end of the service I was treated to an extra treat, that made me completely giggly and giddy. One of my favorites in the city because they always have bold specials that keep us returning again and again. If you have a sweet tooth, definitely save room for the pudding, it's so yummy."

Justine

★★★★☆ 3.8 (570) • $$$

"We were in town for a HF Sinclair Midstream Managers Summit. Our Operations Coordinator rented out the restaurant for our group. This place did not disappoint. We had a two hour cocktail and small plates. The wrapped shrimp was awesome. Then we had a shortened menu for dinner service which was well rehearsed and quick. Absolutely outstanding service and food."

Luke

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"Food: 4.5Service: 5Cleanliness: 5Ambiance: 4.5Had dinner at Luke on St. Charles Ave., and let me just say -- everything we ordered was incredibly tasty! This spot definitely delivers on flavor.The Brussels sprout appetizer was the star of the show for me. Crispy, a little sweet, a little spicy, and topped with salty feta -- just chef's kiss. I could have easily eaten a whole plate of them by myself.We also tried the pork belly with kimchi and grits, which had amazing flavors, but I wished the pork belly was a bit more tender. Still, the combo of rich, and creamy was spot on.For my main, I went with the shrimp and grits, and it came out piping hot. The shrimp were big and juicy, the grits were creamy, and the sauce was rich and packed with flavor. Just the kind of comforting dish you want in NOLA.We sat in the upper dining room, which had a cool view of the kitchen's "fishbowl" setup, so we got to watch the team in action while they prepped our meal.Overall, highly recommend Luke for a flavorful, well-executed meal in New Orleans. Definitely a spot I'd revisit!"

Maison Lacour

★★★★☆ 4.4 (72) • $$$$

"Quaint, intimate and upscale is what I expected from this (the only?) French restaurant in Baton Rouge. It's upscale for sure, but when I went it was anything but quaint and intimate. We were seated next to a very large party and they were quite rowdy, loud and obnoxious. I was so unimpressed with what should have been a romantic dinner that it truly soured the experience for me. I've waited to write this review for a while because of it. They seemed to be a full capacity, so asking for another table was out of the question. It's not all bad, though. I was delighted with my entree (John's Favorite) especially the puff pastry filled with lump crab and shrimp and that bread basket was truly to die for. If you're celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday and want to have a quiet/romantic dinner I would definitely mention that when making reservations."

Apolline Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (492) • $$

"Been coming to this place for years and it never disappoints. Wait take that back only disappoints me that they aren't open on Monday and Tuesday. The location is perfect the service is always welcoming and the food is consistently flavorful and timely. Also the ambiance is the perfect mix of casual with classy. I typically go for the bottomless mimosa and the ratios are perfect and if you want a little more or less of something they are on it. Check this place out if you haven't already."

Cafe Bienville

★★★★☆ 3.9 (8)

"Cafe Bienville was average at best. We did Coolinary and decided to try this place out. Service: Waitress is from California and was super attentive. One of the reason it 3 stars. Beverages: We did the bottomless mimosas but quickly realized after a headache it was very cheap champagne. Food: Tomato appetizer was like spinach dip in a tomato with a fried oyster and remolaude sauce. The oyster was very good and hot upon arrival. The grits and grillade was ok but lukewarm when served at best. The chicken and waffles were the star. Shrimp and grits lacked flavor and the grits reminded me of cream of what. Crepe dessert was ok nothing to write home about. In all I would say been there done that and next."

Elizabeth Street Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (52)

"On point in Every Aspect quaint classy, Amazing service! Can't wait to come back and stay here at the Hotel! This is such a "SWEET," hip area in New Orleans!"

Couvant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (213)

"Couvant is such an underrated French restaurant in Downtown NOLA! The escargot is a must-try. Definitely a good restaurant for an occasion or just a nicer dinner."

Palace Café

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"Palace Cafe is a regular stop on our yearly New Orleans' trips! The craft cocktails, turtle soup & MUST HAVE crabmeat "cheesecake" are always on the top of our list. The space is gorgeous and if you love rum (like my bf) you will love a drink from the Black Duck Bar!Ask for @Kyng (aka Fernandez to his new friends ;-) and he will take FABULOUS care of you AND IF your are clever enough to order the bananas fosters, Kyng will explain the entire history of this amazing dessert to you, table side!! We're in NOLA at least once a year and a Dickie Brendan's restaurant is always on our list.Thank you @Fernandez (aka Kyng) & Palace Cafe on Canal for a wonderful dining experience!#NOLAstrong #travelNOLA"

Cafe Degas

★★★★☆ 4 (467) • $$$

"Arrived on a Sunday around noon and sat outside in the heat of summer because it was going to be a 40 minute wait for inside. Despite the heat and dripping sweat, I still enjoy the food so much. Hands-down, I will go back for the pate any day anytime. The portion was amazing so amazing. In fact that we had to order more bread like five times. It is enough to feed a family. I am still dreaming of it to this day.Otherwise, all the food was great, but still, the pate was my favorite. Service was friendly I would recommend sitting indoors if you're in the heat of summerIt is close to NOMA, just a few blocks downI would definitely come back!"

Saint Germain

★★★★☆ 4.4 (80) • $$$$

"If only there was a Michelin Guide for New Orleans, this place would easily have 1-2 stars.Deep flavors, interesting ingredients, highest level of cooking and thoughtfulness and great service.The Parmesan broth to start was unctuous, the au poive sauce for the a5 wagyu was mind blowing, the Japanese rice with yuzu kosho and lardo that paired with the squab was amazing. And the cheese soufflé with the bruleed sugar was one of the most delicious desserts without being cloyingly sweet."

Patois Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (245) • $$$

"I live nearby but haven't been here for a long time. Went for brunch recently and it was as delicious as I remembered! We had the puff pastry, a fried oyster special, the much-touted gnocchi, and the Cuban madame. Everything was excellent including the fries with the sandwich. The gnocchi lived up to the hype and was very decadent. The puff pastry insides had a great flavor- the outer shell was a smidge burnt for my taste. Service was lovely and the rooms are sunny and cheerful."

French Market Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (162) • $$$

"Make a reservation.Met our friends for a midweek dinner on the way to New Orleans. This place was packed! Lucky to find a parking spot. So glad that they were able to book a reservation a couple of days earlier. Surprised at how warm and cozy the French Market Bistro feels even though it occupies a large part of a strip shopping center. Our friends are regulars here and I can see why. Great service. Delicious food. So cute and cozy.Started with the warm house bread and the fried asparagus. The bread was crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. So good. Dip the asparagus in the homemade blue cheese dressing. Yum!! I was in the mood for duck after reading the reviews. The Duck Michael served with a blackberry sauce was delicious. Actually needed an extra side of the blackberry sauce it was that good. Traded the garlic mashed potatoes for a side of Parmesan grits which paired nicely with the duck.My hubby had the roasted vegetable pizza. It must have been good because he polished off the whole pie!! Our friends had the choice cut filet mignon with Fleur-de-sel butter and the sea bass special with a side of asparagus. Great choice for dinner in Baton Rouge, but make sure to make a reservation."

La Crepe Nanou

★★★★☆ 3.9 (310) • $$

"wow wow wow. Why have I never been here before?! I called snd left a message when I saw no reservations were available. After an art shopping spree, I announced to my friend that I had spent my dinner budget. Later that day, Alese called and offered me a table. Oh dang, ummmm, let me ring you back. I called my friend patticakes and shared that i would be going over my budget and dinner was back on. We started with cocktails, then fondue (ummmm this was sooooooo good), Patti had the Beef Bourguignon Crepe and I the Paneed Veal . The atmosphere was delightfully French, I was in heaven and the meal was probably one of the best I've had here in New Orleans. I'll be returning tout de suite!"

King Brasserie

★★★★☆ 3.7 (35) • $$

"More like a 3.5. Was staying at the hotel Kimpton and had breakfast here one morning. Husband got the eggs your way platter and I got the avo toast. We also got a side of grits and fruit. Total was a whopping $61-very pricy.Portions were really small for the prices and service was okish and very slow compared to the rest of the hotel. There were only 3 tables full at breakfast so no reason for the slow service.My avo toast was just a slice of whole wheat bread (seemed store bought) with a very thin layer of smashed avocado and 2 spiral of cucumber. Looked fancy but not worth the $17 price tag.Husband's egg platter was better but still small."

Bin 77 Bistro & SideBar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (222) • $$

"Bin 77 is an absolute gem! The steak flatbread is my favorite--perfectly cooked, flavorful, and always hits the spot. The atmosphere is great, and the service is top-notch. Hands down, my favorite bartender is Justin. He always knows how to mix the best drinks and makes the whole experience even better. If you're looking for a great place to relax with amazing food and drinks, Bin 77 is the spot!"

Tonti’s

★★★★☆ 4.2 (46) • $$

"Stopped in for lunch. First impressions were positive. A family of three came in after is approximately 10 minutes after we were seated. The same waitress who seated us went to them first and took their order, while we sat and waited. Their drinks were starved to them before we were asked what if we would lie something. They received their appetizers after which she can and took our food order. My wife said don't worry about it be cause you can't control it. True I can't control the service but I can control how much into and the review that I write. Hopefully the owner will take this as a learning opportunity. Two hours to get our food. Just when we were leaving it came. Algiers is a small community that doesn't have the tourist traffic of New Orleans proper. Alienating new locals is not the way to stay in business long. Disgusting experience!!!"

Latil's Landing Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (28) • $$$$

"I came for brunch with a party of 7 and absolutely loved the experience. The food was exceptional and the service was very nice. I would definitely recommend a brunch here. The best part is walking around the gardens afterwards.Here's the rundown:*Bloody Marys are delish, with a little bit of spice to them. Brandy Milk Punch, not so much. They didn't know how to make it. Stick to the basics!*Their bread basket includes dragonfly shaped mimosa biscuits (awesome!) and they serve the bread with 3 kinds of butter. The pecan spice one was divine.*Their prices are very good for the quality of the food you get. Put it this way, we went to another Cajun restaurant and for 30% more we got less food and mediocre quality. Latil's definitely impressed!*Crab Mango Cake Salad - this was very good. A generous crabcake on top of a chipotle remoulade with a side salad and fresh tomatoes.*Gulf Fish - it was the drum with a very generous amount of lump crab meat on top. Tasty!*Grits & Grillades - made with veal, and a very nice presentation. Looked fabulous and I didn't hear any complaints.The only thing is that there are no signs directing you here once you arrive on the grounds of Houmas House. I would definitely recommend some wayfinding signs so the older guests don't have to walk around in circles like my grandma had to do!"

Lilette

★★★★☆ 3.9 (393) • $$$

"A MuST TRy! This place is a perfect date night! We were greated by the host as soon as we arrived. Its a very small and adorable place. Our server arrived as soon as we were seated. He was very friendly and highlighted the top items on the menu. Our food arrived really fast, fresh, and mouth watering. Everything we had was amazing and the flavors just burst in your mouth. Cant wait to go back."

The French Stall

★★★★★ 4.7 (11)

"This little stall in the St Roch Market is a dream! The chef is trained in France and the crepes are delicious. I'm partial to sweet crepes myself, but the savory crepes are also delicious. Our group was partial to The Goat and The Parisian. I got the Nutella crepe with strawberry and banana and was so pleasantly surprised. It was perfectly done with a modest layer of Nutella and loaded generously with fruit. Can't wait to return!"

Vyoone's

★★★★☆ 4.2 (254) • $$$

"A very beautiful place to dine in and to enjoy with friends Went to New Orleans for business trip and I saw the great reviews. This me and my colleague went for a try. Very good service. The food is yummy too. I like the baguette, very crunchy outside yet soft inside. The duck confit is crispy yet soft inside. The sauce is on the sweet sideVery great dinning experience"

Cafe Lynn

★★★★☆ 4.1 (73) • $$$

"The food is sublime and the service outstanding. The ambiance is quaint and familiar. I highly recommend this fabulous gem on the Northshore!"

Bar Métier

★★★★☆ 4 (252) • $$

"Great place to grab a first round cocktail or evening night cap. Lovely place! Also yummy snacks like fried chickpeas and veggie app. It can get crowded so try to make a reservation"

Cafe Conti

★★★★☆ 4.2 (646) • $

"Excellent food and service, it's a quick sit down and eat cafe. I highly recommend this place."

Herbsaint

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$$

"We loved dining at the bar! Excellent service, the spaghetti was amazing. We ordered an extra egg. We came for drinks we... ended up eating a lot. LOL. Highly recommend!"

Arnaud's French 75 Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (541) • $$

"I thought I'd be safe from humidity in November...and I was wrong. As a result, I spent most of my week in New Orleans in my hotel room and didn't eat at any of the restaurants I went down to try. But I couldn't leave the Crescent City without trying the turtle soup at Arnaud's. And am I ever glad I did!Walking into the main entrance (Arnaud's has several dining options) was like stepping back in time. I explained why I was there to the Maitre d', who could not have been more solicitous. A true gentleman. He sat me at a table in the French 75 Bar and, although turtle soup is not normally served there, arranged with the waitress to bring me a bowl of the most delicious soup I have ever hadThe presentation is a feast for the eyes, as the soup is brought to the table in an individual-serving, metal tureen, decanted into the soup plate, and then finished with as much or as little sherry as you desire. The next treat is the aroma, which lights up your olfactory bulb and makes your mouth water. Its aroma was so savory that the woman seated next to me commented on how delicious it smelled. Nothing, however, prepared me for the layers of flavor within each spoonful. Beautifully balanced spices (none of them "spicy") accentuate the sweetness of the turtle meat and the acidity of the tomato base, with a richness and depth of flavor that has to be experienced to be comprehended.I look forward to my next trip to New Orleans (safely into Winter this time) and will definitely make another pilgrimage (or two!) to Arnaud's. Although there are several fine dining establishments in New Orleans, my guess is that, at best, they equal Arnaud's, but can't surpass it. The combination of ambiance, service, and cuisine is ne plus ultra.And, of course, when in Rome.... I eschewed my favorite Sidecar and opted instead for the French 75, which was a light, refreshing champagne cocktail. Definitely worth trying."

Cote Sud

★★★★☆ 3.9 (77) • $$$

"The restaurant has always had a great vibe. The muscles are delicious. The service is really good. Minimal staff in front of house and probably back to the house but they seem to manage.Our main courses were not very good.I had the soft shell crab, and when it was presented, you couldn't really tell what it was. It tasted and looked as if it was prepared before they opened and served upon request. It was sitting on a nice salad, but the salad was a little soggy. The fish of the day was good but a little spicy.We will give it another shot as I hope you readers will try it. It's been around for a long time and we wish the owners and staff nothing but success."

Chais Delachaise

★★★★☆ 4.2 (157) • $$

"Great vibe of this place. Perfect for a date night. They had one of my fave wines-gruner. I've been searching for mussels that I liked in New Orleans and finally found a place! I would come back for the mussels and wine. The mussels were the perfect spice level! It is a thicker tomato sauce where I usually like more brothy but it was sooo good still! I wish there were more!Steak board was just ok!! Fries were pretty yummy. Service was great! I would sit at a regular table next time bc the bar top was kinda small. Will def be back."

The French Press

★★★★☆ 3.7 (496) • $$

"Great food and service! Wonderful brunch spot! I'd highly recommend The French Press, especially for brunch. The wait staff is very friendly and helpful at recommending great dishes."

Cajun Seafood

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"One of my favorite places to get a seafood boil by the pound. Always fresh to order and good. Spicy due to the creole seasoning but so amazing. Definitely a must try when you visit New Orleans! The ambiance is laid back and plenty of space for sitting. You can also just order by the pound if you don't want to dine in. The service is fast and friendly always worth the southern hospitality."

N 7

★★★★☆ 4.1 (337) • $$$

"Impressive meal(s), efficient, informed and friendly service, eclectic, skilled menu selection, simply a really nice place and atmosphere in a great neighborhood, one of the best meals we ate during our week in New Orleans!"

Brasserie Byronz

★★★★☆ 3.7 (282) • $$

"Bistro Byronz is a Baton Rouge staple for good food and good service. This is a restaurant that is always on my go-to list, but somehow I forget to write a review! My husband and I been going to Bistro Byronz since forever and we're glad to have a Mid City location back! We rushed to our reservation for brunch yesterday cause the food is just that good! Using the Open Table, we had a short window to make it and it was well worth running out the door with one shoe on! We were greeted by nice hostess and seated on the patio per our request. Each patio table has a personal fan, which is great for this Louisiana heat! Our waiter was sooo attentive! Of course, we started with bottomless mimosas and a mocktail called Cooler Than a Cucumber (highly recommend if are taking a break from alcohol). The mocktail was super refreshing and tasty! For entrees, we both ordered the Monte Cristo with a side of fruit! This breakfast sandwich is just beyond delicious! The bread is like crispy French toast with a powdered sugar for sweetness! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! This may become a monthly brunch spot for us. The restaurant staff are so welcoming, family friendly atmosphere, and good food are definitely a win in my book!"

Tartine

★★★★★ 4.5 (333) • $$

"I go for breakfast with friends. I eat my feelings there. I ordered a bunch of things to try, now I only order one thing, over and over again. I feel happy, I order it, then I'm happier. I feel sad, I feel happier and not guilty. The Queen of the menu for me is the Baked Eggs in Brioche. The perfect amount of butter, cream with eggs within house baked brioche. Oh thank you to all and any god of present or past times. This is the nicest coziest breakfast that just makes you feel like you've been whisked off to a Parisian Cafe. It comes with a little cup of season fruits and paired with a cup of coffee it is the perfect breakfast in my humble opinion. However, their quiche wedges are a solid second for me too. Everything is delicious and having tried a sampling of their dessert and pastry platters, I can say, lots of love is put into every bite at Tartine"

The Gloriette

★★★★☆ 4 (53)

"As recent guests at The Southern Hotel in Covington, LA we visited the lounge. We were a part of one of the three events being celebrated at the hotel that Saturday evening. The place was packed, to say the least. Melissa Thrash, bartender, and Christopher Walker, manager, made my husband and I feel like we were the only customers. They showed genuine interest in our travels and they were always patient when talking with us. They also shared information on drinks to try. We were at the lounge for several hours and the fantastic customer service did not lessen. Go visit Melissa and Chris. I am positive you will have a similar experience."

Compère Lapin

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"I am a big fan of Top Chef since the very first season. Compère Lapin is owned by Nina Compton, who was a runner up for Top Chef. I really wanted her to win that season so I've had her restaurant bookmarked as soon as I heard she had her own spot. I was in NO on vacation, perfect time to finally try. I came here by myself. I ordered the Jerk pork belly to start, the curried goat as my entree and bread pudding for dessert. It took a long time to get my entree after I finished the appetizer and it was not even busy. My server, Byron, was nice but I must say his service left a little to be desired. He could have been more attentive. The pork belly was ok, it was not as tender as I expected it to be. The curried goat was delicious. I found the bread pudding to be ok, as well, but I am admittedly picky when it comes to bread pudding, it's one of my favorite desserts. All in all, I have to say I unfortunately did not enjoy Compère Lapin as much as I thought I would. Not bad whatsoever, but not great. With so much amazing food in NO, I doubt I'd return."