Top 7 Bars & Restaurants in New Orleans

n7 the best restaurant in New Orleans

Since Heirloom has given you breakfast and lunch recommendations, it seems only fair to also give our readers the inside scoop on the New Orleans bar and dinner scene. Keep reading to learn more about the top 7 bars and restaurants in New Orleans.

Longway

Longway is the perfect hangout spot where you can grab a bite and a beer in their open courtyard. An everyday bar that pleases, Longway offers refreshing cocktails and delicious twists on pub food. For those looking for a local vibe and trying to escape tourist traps, this is your spot.  Their tapas menu is perfect if you can’t make up your mind, and boy do they have a lot of mouth-watering choices. If you decide to go, don’t miss happy hour! Happy hour is daily from 4-6pm and offers $5 Sidecars, Moscow Mules, select glasses of house wine and $24 bottles of happy hour wines. 

Longway Tavern New Orleans
Longway

N7

Located in the Bywater of New Orleans, N7 is a cute little French restaurant and wine bar. Founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi, N7 specializes in French cuisine infused with a Japanese touch. The wine menu is extensive but also very selective, focusing on small European winemakers who adhere to a natural, handmade approach to winemaking. Above all, the atmosphere of the restaurant is unparalleled, with a lit up backyard and cozy interior. One reviewer wrote: The most romantic French restaurant in the world is 4,792 miles from Paris.

If you are lucky enough to visit this gem of a spot, we recommend you get the steamed mussels (they are to die for) and the steak au pouvire. The meals are on the smaller size and are best shared, so we recommend getting a few dishes to split between your group!

N7 Best Dinner in New Orleans
N7

Sylvain

Slylvian is an awesome, farm-to-table upscale dining space located just a block off of Jackson. Set in a carriage house built in the late 1700s, the building honors the French Quarter neighborhood’s roots. Slylvain doubles as a restaurant and bar with exquisite food and classy house cocktails. Their menu offers Southern bistro classics elevated to the style of refined cuisine. For example, I recommend getting the gulf fish ceviche if it’s available, it is absolutely delicious!

Sylvain New Orleans
Sylvain

Irene’s

Once the French Quarter’s underground secret, Irene’s Cuisine has become one of the area’s most sought-after dining spots. Located in the FQ, you can’t miss the crowds lining the street for tables, and the garlic and rosemary scent wafting out onto the street. Seriously, this might end up being your favorite fancy foodie spot in the FQ. That said, make a reservation a few weeks in advance, and be prepared to pay!

Irene's and Revolution Delicious Dinner
Irene’s

Pêsche

Inspired by food from South America, Spain, and the Gulf Coast, Chefs Donald Link, Stephen Stryjewski and Ryan Prewitt designed Pêche Seafood Grill. Because they are determined to work with local fishermen and farmers who harvest sustainably, Pêche serves simply prepared dishes cooked on an open hearth that taste exquisite. In addition, Pêche offers an extensive raw bar, local brews, and a excellent atmosphere curated by rustic digs and weathered wood. If seafood isn’t your thing, try the fried Brussels sprouts with chili vinegar.

Pesche New Orleans Best
Pêche

Shaya 

Next, if you enjoy Middle Eastern food, be sure to make a reservation at the award–winning modern Israeli spot Shaya. The food is truly exceptional. They also serve fresh pita that is made seconds before it is served in a stone oven alongside some of the best hummus… ever.

Shaya Top New Orleans
Shaya

Commander’s Palace 

Last on our list of the top 7 bars and restaurants in New Orleans: nestled in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893, known for its award-winning food and its lively atmosphere. With some of the best Creole cuisine in New Orleans and whimsical Louisiana charm, Commander’s Palace is a quintessential New Orleans upscale dining experience. Not to mention they offer 25 cent martinis during lunch with a full entree (limit 3 per person). Before visiting, be sure to review their dress code.

Commanders Palace Top Bar
Commander’s Palace

Prepare for tomorrow’s breakfast by reading our article on the top breakfast and brunch spots in NoLa.

Top 5 Things to Do in New Orleans

things to do in new orleans

Trying to figure out what to put on your to-do list while visiting New Orleans? We have compiled a list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans that your average tourist might overlook. After interviewing locals and tourists alike, we have come up with your ultimate guide to New Orleans.

Walk Around the French Quarter

We will start with arguably the most obvious recommendation first: visiting the French Quarter (FQ).

The FQ is the heart of the city. The oldest and most famous neighborhood in New Orleans, it features bars, restaurants, shops, music clubs and much more.

If you are into the party scene, go bar hopping on Bourbon street. Most bars host live bands every night of the week. If you have time, also visit the Erin Rose Bar to grab some cocktails and beers!

While it is known as a tourist hot spot, Cafe du Monde for beignets is a must. Even the locals say so! One trick to skipping the line is walking around and ordering from the back window. Take your beignets to go and explore the FQ with the powdered sugar delights in hand.

While in the FQ, make sure you visit Jackson Square. Named after President Andrew Jackson, Jackson Square features the St Louis Cathedral. Completed in 1794, it is now the gathering spot of street performers, fortune tellers, artists, and everything in between. The captivating scene in the square is unlike anything else.

Cafe Du Monde
Cafe Du Monde

Visit the Bywater

The Bywater is one of the hippest neighborhoods in town and was close to being #1 on our list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans. Murals can be found on most buildings, and musicians on every corner. If you are a interested in Nola’s street art scene, walk down St. Claude Avenue and view the murals that await you there. 

“Always eclectic, unusual and entertaining, the Bywater is a sight to see on your visit to New Orleans.”

On top of the artsy scene, Bywater has hip cafés and fantastic bars. If you are going to make a day out of the Bywater area, we recommend going to Elizabeth’s for breakfast or brunch.  The food is incredible, and the atmosphere is cozy with a fun local vibe. Pro tip: get the praline bacon and fried tomato benedict.

After breakfast, we recommend visiting The Music Box Village. It is a large-scale community arts project created by New Orleans Airlift, an artist-driven non-profit. Open Saturdays and Sundays, explore this interactive art site where imagination and collaboration come together in a village of musical houses. Smithsonian Magazine said the village was “Rigged by a team of musicians, artists, inventors, and tinkerers, to coax novel sounds from salvaged building materials- musical architecture.” Because hours can vary from what is listed on their website, call ahead to ask for more information.

The Music Box Village New Orleans
The Music Box Village

After hitting The Music Box Village, wrap up your day at Bacchanal, an Heirloom must-visit. It’s got a great backyard party vibe you don’t want to miss out on. Wine and dine on a charcuterie board while being serenaded by a local band playing original jazz. 

Bacchanal New Orleans
Bacchanal – every member of our team asked us to include this in our list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans!

Lake Pontchartrain

At 630 square miles, Lake Pontchartrain is one of the largest bodies of water in the US. It’s beloved by locals as a place to fish, sail, and swim, and its shores and waters shelter a huge variety of wildlife and marine life.

There are plenty of things to do in and around Lake Pontrachain including swamp tours where you can watch the alligators bask, or take a sunset sail out on the water if you want to enjoy something a little more romantic.

After a day on the water, visit the UNO Lakefront Arena where they hold concerts and other events throughout the year.  For dinner, we recommend The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar; it has amazing food right on the water.

Lake Pontrachain
Lake Pontrachain

Walk Down Magazine Street

Walking down Magazine Street is a must. Because there are plenty of places to shop, eat and drink, you can walk for miles on the same street and not get bored. Check out the Magazine Street Merchant’s Association’s website for a comprehensive list of restaurants, shops, galleries, and activities to plan your pit stops. 

Enjoy thrifting? Visit some acclaimed thrift shops such as Funky Monkey and Junks Above for some amazing finds. 

Thrift shopping in New Orleans
Funky Monkey

Visit City Park

The last place we’ve included in our list of the top 5 things to do in New Orleans is City Park. This is much more than just a serene green space. There is always something to do, from visiting the New Orleans Art Museum to stopping at the Dueling Oaks, where men once settled disputes with pistols or swords.

Play some tennis games, a round of golf, or take a ride on a carousel from the 1900s that is complete with hand-carved horses and real horse-hair tails.

Free outdoor concerts happen all summer, and the Christmas holiday lights are a spectacular show you shouldn’t miss out on either.

City Park
City Park

In conclusion, besides our gorgeous Heirloom homes, this is just a taste of what’s waiting for you in New Orleans. Got a New Orleans activity recommendation you’d like to share with us? Contact us!