The Best Places to Eat and Drink in New Orleans | Downtown

1. • Jewel of the South 94

   • Exquisite Southern Cocktail Bar
   
   

   1. 2024 James Beard Awards
      Outstanding Bar | Winner

   2. 2024 Spirited Awards
      Best U.S. Bar Team | Winner

   3. Eater New Orleans
      These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

   
   

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   • 1026 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

2. • Emeril's 88

   • Elegant Contemporary Louisianan Tasting
   
   

   1. Michelin Guide
      2 Stars

   2. 50 Best
      North America's 50 Best Restaurants | #30

   3. The New York Times
      The Restaurant List 2025

   
   

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   • 800 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website

3. • Brennan's 86

   • Innovative Creole Fine Dining
   
   

   1. AAA
      Four Diamond Restaurants

   2. 2023 James Beard Awards
      Outstanding Restaurant | Semifinalist

   3. 2024 Spirited Awards
      Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

   
   

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   • 417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

4. • Acamaya 82

   • Contemporary Coastal Mexican Seafood Restaurant
   
   

   1. The New York Times
      The Restaurant List, 2024

   2. Eater
      Best New Restaurants in America, 2024

   3. Eater New Orleans
      Best New Restaurant

   
   

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   • 3070 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

5. • Chandelier Bar 81

   • Glamorous New Orleans Hotel Bar
   
   

   1. Esquire
      The Best Bars in America, 2023

   2. 2025 Spirited Awards
      Best U.S. Hotel Bar | Top 10 U.S. Nominee

   3. 2024 Spirited Awards
      Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

   
   

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   • 2 Canal St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

6. • Compère Lapin 80

   • Acclaimed Southern/Caribbean Restaurant
   
   

   1. 2024 Spirited Awards
      U.S. Bartender of the Year, Erika Flowers | Top 10 Nominee

   2. 2025 James Beard Awards
      Outstanding Hospitality | Semifinalist

   3. 2023 James Beard Awards
      Outstanding Chef, Nina Compton | Semifinalist

   
   

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   • 535 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

7. • Saint-Germain 80

   • Immersive New Orleans Tasting
   
   

   1. Wine Enthusiast
      Forward 50 Restaurants 2023

   2. 2022 James Beard Awards
      Best Chef: South, Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith | Nominee

   3. 2023 James Beard Awards
      Best Chef: South, Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith | Semifinalist

   
   

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   • 3054 Saint Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

8. • Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 80

   • Acclaimed Cocktail Bar
   
   

   1. 50 Best
      North America's 50 Best Bars | #80

   2. 2024 Spirited Awards
      Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

   3. Eater New Orleans
      These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

   
   

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   • 321 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

9. • MaMou 78

   • Modern French Brasserie
   
   

   1. The New York Times
      The Restaurant List, 2023

   2. Bon Appétit
      The 24 Best New Restaurants of 2023

   3. The New York Times
      The 25 Best Restaurants in New Orleans Right Now

   
   

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   • 942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
   • Website
   • Instagram

10. • The Elysian Bar 76

    • Elegant New Orleans Watering Hole
    
    

    1. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    2. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    3. Bon Appétit
       America's Best New Restaurants 2019 | #5

    
    

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    • 2317 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

11. • Arnaud's French 75 Bar 76

    • Finest French/New Orleans Restaurant/Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. 2025 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Restaurant Bar | Top 4 Finalist

    2. 2024 James Beard Awards
       Outsdanding Hospitality | Semifinalist

    3. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    
    

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    • 813 Rue Bienville, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

12. • Pêche 75

    • Fresh Global Seafood Restaurant
    
    

    1. Food & Wine
       Best New Chefs, 2024, Nicole Cabrera Mills

    2. 2025 James Beard Awards
       Best Chef: South, Nicole Cabrera Mills | Semifinalist

    3. Eater New Orleans
       38 Essential Restaurants in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

13. • GW Fins 73

    • Upscale Fine Seafood Restaurant
    
    

    1. 2025 James Beard Awards
       Outstanding Restaurant | Semifinalist

    2. 2022 James Beard Awards
       Best Chef: South, Michael Nelson | Semifinalist

    3. Eater New Orleans
       38 Essential Restaurants in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

14. • The Grill Room 56

    • Luxurious American Hotel Fine Dining
    
    

    1. AAA
       Four Diamond Restaurants

    2. Forbes Travel Guide
       4 Stars

    
    

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    • 300 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

15. • Ayu Bakehouse 55

    • Modern New Orleans Bakery
    
    

    1. The Infatuation
       Our Favorite Bakeries In The Country Right Now

    2. Food & Wine
       2025 Best New Chefs | Kelly Jacques

    
    

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    • 801 Frenchmen St New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

16. • Espiritu Mezcaleria 50

    • Authentic Mexican Restaurant/Agave Bar
    
    

    1. 2025 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Top 10 Honoree

    2. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    
    

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    • 520 Capdeville St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

17. • Restaurant August 50

    • Unique Contemporary Creole Fine Dining
    
    

    1. AAA
       Four Diamond Restaurants

    2. Michelin Guide
       Selected Restaurants

    
    

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    • 301 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

18. • Loa Bar 50

    • Creative New Orleans Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. 2025 James Beard Awards
       Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, Abigail Gullo | Semifinalist

    2. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    
    

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    • 221 Camp St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

19. • NightBloom 50

    • Chill Late-Night Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. 2025 Spirited Awards
       Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Top 10 Honoree

    2. Eater New Orleans
       Best New Bar

    
    

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    • 3100 Saint Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

20. • The Carousel Bar & Lounge 50

    • Celebrated Rotating Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. 2025 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Hotel Bar | Top 10 U.S. Nominee

    2. Eater New Orleans
       These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

21. • Dovetail Bar 50

    • Boutique Hotel Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. Punch
       Best New Bartenders 2025, Mel Tate

    2. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    
    

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    • 201 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

22. • Bar Tonique 50

    • Unpretentious Neighborhood Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. 2025 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Top 10 Honoree

    2. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    
    

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    • 820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

23. • The Sazerac Bar 48

    • Sophisticated Hotel Bar
    
    

    1. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Hotel Bar | Top 4 Finalist

    2. Eater New Orleans
       These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website

24. • Bar Marilou 48

    • Chic Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. Esquire
       The Best Martinis in America, 2024 | Dirty Boi

    2. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    
    

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    • 544 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Instagram

25. • Vaughan's Lounge 46

    • Relaxed Jazz/Blues Joint
    
    

    1. Huckberry
       The 50 Best Dive Bars in America

    2. Eater New Orleans
       These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 4229 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Instagram

26. • Palm&Pine 46

    • Vibrant New Orleans Restaurant
    
    

    1. 2023 James Beard Awards
       Best Chef: South, Amarys Koenig Herndon and Jordan Herndon | Semifinalist

    2. 2024 James Beard Awards
       Best Chef: South, Amarys Koenig Herndon and Jordan Herndon | Semifinalist

    
    

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    • 308 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

27. • Manolito 46

    • Classic Cuban Daiquiri Bar
    
    

    1. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    2. Eater New Orleans
       These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 508 Dumaine St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

28. • 34 Restaurant and Bar 45

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Selected Restaurants

    2. Wine Enthusiast
       Top 50 New Restaurants 2025

    
    

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    • 714 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

29. • Paladar 511 40

    • Refined Italian Neighborhood Restaurant
    
    

    1. The New York Times
       The 25 Best Restaurants in New Orleans Right Now

    2. Eater New Orleans
       38 Essential Restaurants in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 511 Marigny St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

30. • Molly's Irish Pub 28

    • Local Favorite Irish Pub
    
    

    1. Esquire
       The Best Bars in America 2025

    
    

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    • 732 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

31. • Bud Rip's 28

    • Spacious Dive Bar
    
    

    1. Esquire
       The Best Bars in America 2025

    
    

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    • 900 Piety St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Instagram

32. • Restaurant R’evolution 28

    • Imaginative Cajun/Creole Fine Dining
    
    

    1. AAA
       Four Diamond Restaurants

    
    

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    • 777 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

33. • M Bistro 28

    • Modern Japanese Sushi Bistro
    
    

    1. AAA
       Four Diamond Restaurants

    
    

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    • 921 Canal St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

34. • Peychaud’s 28

    
    

    1. VinePair
       The 2023 Next Wave Awards, Neal Bodenheimer | Drinks Professional of the Year

    
    

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    • 727 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

35. • King Brasserie 28

    • Modern French Brasserie
    
    

    1. Eater
       The 8 Best Meals I Ate This Year, 2024 | Bouillabaisse and Bread Basket

    
    

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    • 521 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

36. • Jolie 26

    • Elevated French/Southern Cocktail Bar/Brasserie
    
    

    1. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar | Top 10 Nominee

    
    

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    • 324 Julia St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

37. • B J's Lounge 25

    • Bare-Bones Neighborhood Watering Hole
    
    

    1. Huckberry
       The 50 Best Dive Bars in America

    
    

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    • 4301 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Instagram

38. • Lufu_Nola 25

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Bib Gourmand

    
    

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    • 301 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

39. • Cochon 25

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Bib Gourmand

    2. Michelin Guide
       Bib Gourmand

    
    

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    • 930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

40. • Cochon Butcher 25

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Bib Gourmand

    2. Michelin Guide
       Bib Gourmand

    
    

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    • 930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

41. • Pizza Delicious 25

    • Delicious Pizza Shop
    
    

    1. 50 Top Pizza
       50 Top Pizza USA 2025 | #31

    
    

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    • 617 Piety St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

42. • Pluck 25

    • Modern New Orleans Wine Bar
    
    

    1. 2025 James Beard Awards
       Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program | Semifinalist

    
    

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    • 722 Girod St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

43. • Anna’s 25

    • Double Decker Fine Dive Bar
    
    

    1. Esquire
       The Best Bars in America, 2023

    2. 2024 Spirited Awards
       Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central | Regional Honoree

    
    

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    • 2601 Royal St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

44. • Le Moyne 23

    
    

    1. Wine Enthusiast
       Top 50 New Restaurants 2025

    
    

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    • 746 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

45. • R Bar 21

    • Friendliest Dive Bar
    
    

    1. Eater New Orleans
       These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 1431 Royal St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

46. • Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop 21

    • Possibly Haunted New Orleans Cocktail Bar
    
    

    1. Eater New Orleans
       These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

47. • Fives 21

    • Upscale New Orleans Bar
    
    

    1. Eater New Orleans
       These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 529 St Ann St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

48. • Killer Poboys 21

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Selected Restaurants

    
    

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    • 219 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

49. • Cochon 21

    • Authentic Cajun Restaurant
    
    

    1. The New York Times
       The 25 Best Restaurants in New Orleans Right Now

    
    

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    • 930 Tchoupitoulas St Ste A, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

50. • Herbsaint Restaurant 21

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Selected Restaurants

    
    

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    • 701 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

51. • Galatoire's 21

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Selected Restaurants

    
    

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    • 209 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown

52. • Cane & Table 21

    • Authentic Cajun/Cuban Restaurant
    
    

    1. The New York Times
       The 25 Best Restaurants in New Orleans Right Now

    
    

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    • 1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

53. • Willie Mae’s 21

    
    

    1. Michelin Guide
       Selected Restaurants

    
    

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    • 898 Baronne St New Orleans, LA | Downtown

54. • Bacchanal Wine 18

    • Casual Neighborhood Wine Bar
    
    

    1. Eater New Orleans
       38 Essential Restaurants in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

55. • Vyoone's 18

    • Acclaimed French/Creole Restaurant
    
    

    1. Eater New Orleans
       38 Essential Restaurants in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 412 Girod St, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram

56. • Origen Venezuelan Bistro 18

    • Bold Venezuelan Bistro
    
    

    1. Eater New Orleans
       38 Essential Restaurants in New Orleans

    
    

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    • 3600 Saint Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA | Downtown
    • Website
    • Instagram