New Orleanian’s are passionate about eating out. At present there are 1220 restaurants in the city and the competition is steep. As any chef knows, you are only as good as your last meal and the quality of restaurants in New Orleans is at a historic high.The top ten winners this year in alphabetical order.
Bayona
Native Susan Spicer and Bayona have passed their 20th birthday. Each year she has never ceases to delight her customers and remains one of the most respected New Orleans restaurants. The menu changes monthly, the ingredients are always fresh, excellent wine list, great service in a Creole cottage the the French Quarter.
Clancy’s
Owner Brad Hollingsworth refuses to have a website. That mentality defines the essence of this Uptown restaurant, they are steeped between tradition and individualism. Classic creole dishes , heavy on the seafood and solid grilled items with an impressive wine list. Bartenders are very generous pourers.
Cochon
Recently the recipient of the James Beard Award. The only restaurant that cures and smokes all of their meat and sausages. The cuisine is somewhere between Cajun and Southern. They do serve a deal of pork but do just as well with seafood. They have recently opened a retail butcher shop and deli behind the restaurant.
Domenica
Chef John Besh’s latest addition to his family of restaurants. He hit all the back roads of Italy to learn the regional cuisines and has brought back the best to make this the best Italian restaurant in New Orleans. Located in the Roosevelt Hotel.
Emeril’s
It’s good to know that Emeril’s is still putting out distinguished food. With his notoriety this could have easily become a tourist destination.. They insist on the finest ingredients, employees who regard their job as a career and an amazing wine selection.
Gautreau’s
Tucked away in a quiet Uptown neighborhood, Gautreau’s remains one of New Orleans premier restaurants for more than a decade. Upon entering, you’ll feel as though you in someones lovely dining room. Service is wonderfully proper making for an elegant meal. Food is creative and inspiring.
Herbsaint
Donald Links first New Orleans restaurant., cozy and elegant but not stuffy. You’ll find a superb Sazerac. The menu joins gourmet Creole with French bistro for main courses, with country style favorites to accompany…resulting in such dishes as duck confit paired alongisde dirty rice.
La Petite Grocery
Reliable, comfortable, sophisticated bistro. Menu full of unusual ingredients- even the cheeseburger- which seems out of place, given the rest of the dinner selection- is worth eating and very tasty! Start at the bar, they make the classic absinthe.
Patois
Hidden in an Uptown neighborhood on the corner of Webster and Laurel. The food covers alot of ground, from the local farms and waters to the inspirations of far away places like Lisbon and Latin America.. This is a smart contemporary eating establishment.
Restuarant August
Chef John Besh’s first restaurant which is coming up on its 10th birthday. Request a table in the wine room and you’ll have the best seat in the house with a wonderful view of the 2nd floor wine rack. The wait staff is courteous and formal without being pretentious. Sugar and Spice Duckling is outstanding.
