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New Orleans is best known for its incredible Creole cuisine, jazz music, and Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, which literally translates to "Fat Tuesday," is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. It is a festive occasion where people indulge in rich, fatty foods before the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting.
Mardi Gras is a day to celebrate and indulge in rich foods, and there's no better place to do so than in New Orleans. That's why we've compiled a list of the 14 best restaurants to visit in New Orleans, especially during Mardi Gras. Enjoy this curated list featuring some of the finest Cajun and Creole cuisines the city has to offer.
1. Josephine Estelle (600 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Josephine Estelle is a New Orleans Osteria featuring classic Southern-inspired Italian recipes from Award-Winning Chefs Andy Ticer & Michael Hudman. The delectable yet straightforward dishes focus on seasonal ingredients and homemade pasta.
2. Cafe Maspero (601 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Known for its classic Louisiana fare, Cafe Maspero is one of the French Quarter's landmarks featuring signature Cajun and overstuffed Creole sandwiches. Eat some of the best Po'boys around and enjoy the old-world charm.
3. Sylvain (625 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Sylvain touts itself as an unruly Southern bistro and encourages fun while amongst friends in this iconic restaurant. Named after the first opera held in New Orleans, dine in a gorgeous historic carriage house built in the 1700s. Sylvain embodies the energy that makes up everything New Orleans stands for, featuring classic Southern cuisine and famous for their fun, locally inspired cocktails.
4. Sobou (310 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Sobou, located in the sleek W Hotel, features a modern-day take on a Creole saloon just south of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. The menu features small bites and big bites alike, with classic Creole dishes like the Rustic Cajun Gumbo. The menu is consistently changing, so every visit allows you to experience new flavors and eats.
5. Justine (225 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Experience the charm and glamour that Justine has to offer. Justine is a traditional Parisian brasserie that blends the spicy, fun flavors of the South with classic French fare in a stylish setting. Justine makes for an intimate, fun experience where you can try escargot and shrimp and grits all in the same meal.
6. Crescent City Brewhouse (527 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
The only brewery located in the French Quarter, Crescent City Brewhouse, sits in a warm, inviting two-story space. You can enjoy jazz music every Friday through Sunday with a gorgeous courtyard to dine and dance. Dine on modern takes of New Orleans cuisine in a bistro atmosphere and enjoy tasty treats such as fried alligator and a classic chicken andouille gumbo. While you are there, get a flight of beer to sample some of the great brew Crescent City has to offer.
7. Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar (739 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Locally owned Felix's is famous for its traditional oyster bar that put oyster bars on the map in the 1940s. Featuring oysters harvested from Louisiana's own oyster beds, you can enjoy the freshest oysters you've ever had. Felix's offers authentic Creole and Cajun dishes like red beans and rice, jambalaya, and incredible fried seafood platters.
8. The Court of Two Sisters (613 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
The Court of Two Sisters is an experience on its own. Enjoy the legendary daily jazz brunch buffets featuring more than 60 menu options like veal grillades and gravy or creole spins on classic breakfast foods. The large space has four dining rooms and is open to restaurant buyouts for up to 800 guests.
9. Clover Grill (900 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Clover Grill has been around since 1939 and is styled like a 50s diner. Open 24/7, enjoy classic diner fare, including burgers, hot dogs, and a classic breakfast. This iconic spot has been featured in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Enjoy delicious food and quick service as you experience a night out in the heart of the French Quarter.
10. The Elysian Bar (2317 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117)
This unique spot is part of the Hotel Peter and Paul in the Marigny that has taken over a former Catholic Church on Burgundy Street. Enjoy a combination of French and Southern food that mixes tradition with creativity in a beautiful space.
11. GW Fins (808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112)
GW Fins is famous for its creative, fresh seasonal fish dishes located in the French Quarter in a stylishly updated warehouse space. The fish is caught locally and imported worldwide, and the menu changes daily based on the fresh seafood selections. Pair it with a wide selection of incredible whites curated to pair perfectly with your seafood dish in this upscale restaurant.
12. Arnaud's Restaurant (813 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112)
Arnaud's is located just off Bourbon Street in the French Quarter and features classic Creole cuisine in an upscale dining setting. Enjoy some of the best Creole food, such as the crab cakes and the traditional remoulade, and while you're there, check out the Mardi Gras Museum located just upstairs.
13.The Pelican Club (312 Exchange Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Enjoy this contemporary New Orleans restaurant located in the French Quarter, featuring a menu focused on traditional Louisiana fare mixed with Asian, Italian, and French cuisine influences. The Pelican Club has a special menu designed for Mardi Gras with incredible choices such as Louisiana Cioppino or a whole lobster with fried shrimp, along with a large selection of small bites.
14. Commander's Palace (1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130)
The Commander's Palace is located in the beautiful tree-lined Garden District and has been a New Orleans landmark since 1983. Enjoy the famous jazz brunch in a chandelier-hung space in this absolute must-visit. Try the legendary bread pudding souffle with whiskey sauce or the award-winning turtle soup.
Earning cash back at any of these incredible restaurants is made easy with btwn. Just download the btwn app, sign up, and link a card to the app! Then all you have to do is visit any of these restaurants and pay with the card linked in the app.
You can easily redeem your money via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle when you reach a balance of $6.
Download the btwn app here: https://btwnus.app.link/
