12 Old-School Restaurants in New Orleans for a Classic Night Out

These are the places that made the New Orleans food scene what it is today.

There’s no place where you’re guaranteed a classic restaurant experience quite like New Orleans. With roots more than 300 years old, the city’s dining scene has standards that have outlasted generations—for good reason.

New Orleans’ reputation for fine dining, hospitality, and outstanding food started early, which means some of the restaurants on this list are the foundational blocks in creating that expectation for both travelers and locals alike. From old-school Italian joints to the grandest of Grande Dame affairs, here’s your guide to the most classic, quintessential restaurants in NOLA.

Brennan's Restaurant
Brennan's Restaurant

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French Quarter
Though the salmon pink building at the heart of the French Quarter sat quiet for some time during a family dispute, it reopened in 2014 and quickly regained its status as a New Orleans institution. After all, what do you expect from the place that invented Bananas Foster? While you dine, you’ll feel the heat as flames rise while diners at nearby tables admire their own.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

Willie Mae's - NOLA
Willie Mae's - NOLA

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Treme
This Treme classic opened in 1957, at the time pulling triple duty as a restaurant, barber, and hair salon. That combo didn’t last long, but its reputation for perfect fried chicken sure did, and these days, it’s not uncommon to wait for a table, especially after the family-owned restaurant was named to the list of America’s Classic Restaurants by the James Beard Foundation in 2005.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order takeout and delivery online.

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Treme
Known for chef Leah Chase’s fried chicken and seasonal gumbo z’herbes, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant opened in 1941 and is still run by the Chase family to this day. The restaurant has fed New Orleans politicians, American presidents, and served as an organizing space for the Civil Rights Movement, so its place in American history—and New Orleanians’ hearts—is cemented forever.
How to book: Call ​504-821-0600 to reserve.

Galatoire's Restaurant - New Orleans
Galatoire's Restaurant - New Orleans

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Since Jean Galatoire founded this Bourbon Street institution in 1905, it has become the go-to place to see and be seen in the French Quarter. Plus, it remains one of the finest places to grab classic New Orleans dishes and it continues to be one of the best places to eat (and to be seen) in New Orleans. Grab your dinner jacket and stop in for the duck and andouille gumbo, Crab Yvonne, or seasonal fish options prepared any way you like.
How to book: Reserve via Resy.

Arnaud's & the French 75 Bar
Arnaud's & the French 75 Bar

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Another historic fine dining institution in the Vieux Carre, Arnaud’s has been offering classic Creole fare since 1918. Aside from housing the famous French 75 Bar—where cocktail master and historian Chris Hannah helped revive cocktail culture throughout his early 2000s tenure here—you can’t help but be charmed by its Old-World elegance. Plus, Arnaud’s offers a fantastic jazz brunch, with live music, and dishes like Eggs Sardou, savory crabmeat cheesecake, and grillades and grits. Just don’t miss the souffle potatoes.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

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If you’re looking for classic, look no further than Antoine’s. At 182 years old, it’s New Orleans’ oldest. Through the decades, it has become an institution amongst the city’s elite thanks to its 14 dining rooms, making it a routine host during Mardi Gras celebrations for various parading organizations. Plus, Oysters Rockefeller was invented here by the restaurant founder’s son. Stop for dinner and choose from classic entrees like Creole Shrimp, Fish Amandine, and grilled filets. Make sure to save room dessert—Antoine’s is known for its Baked Alaska.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

Tujague's Restaurant
Tujague's Restaurant

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Claiming the spot as second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans (born in 1856, to be precise) is Tujagues, though sticklers for details will note that it hasn’t been in the same location all that time. It recently reopened in a new location on Decatur Street. What hasn’t changed is the classic approach to its menu—you can get a traditional Shrimp Creole, BBQ shrimp, veal chop, or lamb loin, as well as the famous brisket with Creole horseradish sauce. It also bears noting that its bar is responsible for inventing the Grasshopper cocktail, a chocolatey-minty after-dinner drink.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard
Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard

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With its origins dating back to 1920, Broussard’s is another classic French Quarter stop—and a popular venue for local weddings, thanks to its large dining rooms, expansive bar, and gorgeous courtyard. You can choose from seasonal prix fixe menus or stick with the standards, like blue crab cakes, Strawberry Glazed Duck, or bronzed redfish.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

Commander's Palace
Commander's Palace

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Not all classic New Orleans restaurants live in the French Quarter. Uptown in the Garden District, right across from Lafayette Cemetery No.1, is the famous Commander’s Palace, where you can stop in for lunch complete with martinis for just a quarter. You might recognize one former head chef’s name: Emeril Lagasse, who helmed the Palace’s kitchen in the '80s, long before “Bam!” These days, chef Meg Bickford is leading the charge—the first female head chef in the restaurant’s history.
How to book: Reserve via Resy.

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Sebastian Mandina opened up an Italian grocery at the turn of the 20th century, and the classic restaurant it became has long been an institution beloved by locals for its unfussy approach to Italian classics served with New Orleans flare. Go for the Eggplant Parm or the Gulf Fish (or soft-shell crab) Meuniere or Amandine.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

Tableau
Tableau

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Since Tableau opened its doors adjacent to the famous Le Petit Theatre, it quickly became one of the city’s new classics. If you like al fresco dining, it also has one of the best balcony spots in the city, with a perfect view of Jackson Square. As for the food, expect refined takes on Grand Dame dishes like Oysters en Brochette, Crabmeat Ravigote, shrimp remoulade, and one of the best crème brûlées in town.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.

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There are few experiences quite like the one you’ll get at Mosca’s, which is located just outside New Orleans on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Westwego. Once you get there, you’ll find garlicky, Italian classics served family style, like Spaghetti Bordelaise, Chicken a la Grande, and Oysters or Shrimp Mosca.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

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Chelsea Brasted is a freelance writer in her hometown of New Orleans, where she formerly worked for The Times-Picayune as an arts and entertainment reporter and city columnist. She prefers her adult beverages in go-cups because she's rarely home and, despite her husband's best efforts, has a tendency to adopt dogs while on assignment.