RESTAURANT GUIDE

LATIN

Empanola makes the best empanadas in the city, offering unique flavors including beef Argentina, chorizo Mexicana, and gumbo. Pair with a refreshing drink such as Argentine maté tea. Multiple Locations, empanolaempanadas.com

Mexican

Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria is home to the best margaritas and tacos in town at an affordable price with friendly service. Enjoy the Mexico City tacos, Baja style, or gringos tacos. Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com

Juan’s Flying Burrito has been serving fun tasty Mexican fare for 26 years, featuring the most unique burritos around. Be sure to try the big bowl with skirt steak, potatoes, black beans, and more at their newest location on Oak Street. Multiple locations, juansflyingburrito.com

Mr. Tequila Bar & Grill adds a Tex-Mex twist on traditional Mexican recipes. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or the popular 88-ounce margarita, Mr. Tequila offers a mouth watering selection of dishes that are sure to satisfy. 5018 Freret St., 504-766-9660, mrtequilanola.com

Tacos Del Cartel serves up some of the best tacos in Metairie. Choose from a variety of meats including al pastor and carne asada, and wash it down with a margarita, craft cocktail, or tequila flight. 2901 David Dr., Metairie, 504-381-5063, tacosdelcartel.com

A Tavola

Enjoy pizza from their original stone oven or classic dishes such as lasagna and chicken marsala. Perfect for a Sunday family meal. 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-7991, venezianeworleans.net

Middle Eastern

Gita Pita serves up delicious Middle Eastern food quickly. From shawarma bowls to pita wraps, they have it all. Don't miss out on the veggie sampler or the Greek fries. Finish with their sweet baklava. 2530 Canal St. 504-766-6519 facebook.com/GitaPitaCanal

Lebanon’s Café’s reputation for being one of the top Middle Eastern restaurants in the entire city continues to be confirmed by diners who enjoy traditional Lebanese classics such as tabbouleh salad and the kibby meat pies. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

Shaya is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant. Make sure to sip on some of their craft cocktails or quality wines paired with amazing hummus topped with cauliflower, octopus, lamb ragú, tahini, or fried tomato. 4213 Magazine St., 504-891-4213, shayarestaurant.com

New Orleans Cuisine

Annunciation’s modern Creole and Southern dishes pair perfectly with their extensive wine selection. Try upscale entrees such as filet mignon or roasted duck, and hand-crafted cocktails with appetizers like fried green tomatoes or pommes frites. 1016 Annunciation St., 504-568-0245, annunciationrestaurant.com

Apolline is a cozy-chic dining spot with delicious dishes ranging from roasted Gulf fish couvillion and seared diver scallops to panéed veal medallions. The candlelit ambiance creates a warm environment where you can enjoy their expertly curated wines. 4729 Magazine St., 504-894-8881, apollinerestaurant.com

Café Normandie is inside the Higgins Hotel, the official hotel of the National WWII Museum. Sip on locally-roasted coffee surrounded by vintage war memorabilia and elegant chandeliers. Don’t miss dishes including eggs benedict and the signature flatbreads. 1000 Magazine St., 504-528-1941, higginshotelnola.com

Commons Club New Orleans, nestled within the Virgin Hotel, offers elevated dining options. Try their mouth-watering Wagyu smash burger and weekend brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a stylish and sophisticated atmosphere with delicious food. 550 Baronne St., virginhotels.com

Crescent City Brewhouse offers craft beers in the French Quarter. Try a flight of pilsner, wheat beer, Red Stallion, and Black Forest brews, and savor Louisiana raw oysters. Enjoy live jazz every weekend. 527 Decatur St.,504-522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Evangeline is a top restaurant in the French Quarter, serving authentic Louisiana cuisine including gumbo, jambalaya, and etouffee. Brunch features unique dishes such as fried alligator and waffles, crawfish and grits, and crab cake benedict. 329 Decatur St., 504-373-4852, evangelineneworleans.com

House of Blues New Orleans offers drinks, live entertainment, and Southern-inspired food. Try the shrimp and grits, amazing burgers, and don't miss the bread pudding. A fun night out, guaranteed. 225 Decatur St., 504-310-4999, houseofblues.com/neworleans

Kingfish adds a new-school twist to traditional New Orleans cuisine. Try knockout entrées including seafood au gratin or red beans and rice with fried chicken. Save room for bourbon pecan pie, big brulée cheesecake, or café au lait mousse cake. 337 Chartres St., 504-5985005, kingfishneworleans.com

Lakeview Harbor has been satisfying customers for over 30 years with its delicious and juicy burgers. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and a wide selection of beer, as well as their famous Typhoon cocktails. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-486-4887, lakeviewharbor.us

Li'l Dizzy’s Cafe serves up classic Creole soul food for lunch. Founded by Wayne Baquet Sr., it's a family-owned spot with a must-try signature gumbo. Group reservations are available. 1500 Esplanade Ave., 504-766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net

Loretta’s Authentic Pralines has been bringing delicious sweet and savory pralines to New Orleans for over 35 years. Make sure to try their delicious crab meat beignet—this tasty treat is sure to satisfy your appetite, guaranteed. Multiple Locations, lorettaspralines.com

Mandina’s Restaurant is a NOLA favorite for Italian classics and sumptuous seafood. Try the filet mignon or ribeye with fries and string beans, along with fried seafood and Gulf fish amandine. 3800 Canal St., 504-482-9179, mandinasrestaurant.com

Meril, Chef Emeril's restaurant in the Warehouse district, offers a casual and cool vibe for craft cocktails and Lagasse's favorite dishes including fettuccine nero and wood-fired flatbreads. Great for dates or out-of-town visitors. 424 Girod St., 504-526-3745, emerilsrestaurants.com

Mother’s Restaurant is famous for its baked ham and delicious red beans and rice. Don't miss out on their file gumbo and all-day breakfast options, including the crawfish etouffee omelet and the shrimp creole omelet with grits and debris. 401 Poydras St., 504-523-9656, mothersrestaurant.net

New Orleans Creole Cookery has a beautiful indoor and outdoor space in the French Quarter. Don't miss the massive seafood tower with crab maison, shrimp cocktail, shrimp remoulade, oysters, clams, and mussels—a unique dish you won't find elsewhere. 510 Toulouse St., 504524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

Neyow’s Creole Café serves up casual Creole and Southern cuisine favorites such as char-grilled oysters, hot sausage po-boys, and BBQ shrimp. Don't miss their weekly specials or Sunday brunch's Creole Omelet with grits. 3332 Bienville St., 504-8275474, neyows.com

Neyow’s XL offers fine dining with authentic Creole flavors. Enjoy dishes such as corn and crab bisque, jumbo crab cakes, and whole red snapper. Don't miss the XL Hurricane, made with seven shots of Captain Morgan and fruit juice. 3336 Bienville St., 504827-5474, xl.neyows.com

Nice Guys Bar & Grill gives creative twists on classic cuisine, including popular choices such as drunken wings coated with alcoholinfused sauces and candy-coated praline wings. Quality food that you can taste. 7910 Earhart Blvd., 504-302-2404, niceguysbarandgrillnola.com

Nonno’s whips up authentic New Orleans cuisine and homemade pastries all day. Their menu has a bit of everything, from burritos to sandwiches, and is delicious. Try the vegan cauliflower po-boy and the Southern shrimp and grits. 1940 Dauphine St., 504-354-1364, nonnoscajuncuisineandpastries.com

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro is perfect for date night with its intimate atmosphere and casual fine dining. Enjoy double cut pork chop or black angus house filet with one of the largest bottled wine selections in the Quarter. 720 Orleans Ave., 504-523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com

Parkway Bakery & Tavern, established in 1911, serves a range of delicious po-boys, including shrimp and roast beef. Catch the Saints game on their large patio with two 65-inch TVs and enjoy an ice-cold beer from their extensive selection. 538 Hagan Ave., 504-482-3047, parkwaypoorboys.com

Please U Restaurant will surely leave you pleased. The restaurant’s po-boy selection is absolutely massive with choices such as veal parmigiana, French fries and gravy, chicken fried steak, and more. They also offer all day breakfast. 1751 St. Charles Ave., 504-5259131, pleaseunola.com

Short Stop Poboys, in Metairie since 1966, offers over 30 delicious po-boys such as roast beef, hot sausage links, and catfish. These are some of the best po-boys around. Get yours with a side of chips or gumbo. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, 504-8854572, shortstoppoboysno.com

Trenasse, in the Intercontinental Hotel, celebrates Louisiana fishers and hunters. Try the smoky braised short ribs, oysters, and oyster po-boy. Don't miss the beignets or the Out of the Blue martini. 444 St. Charles Ave., 504-6807000, trenasse.com

SEAFOOD

Bon Temps Boulet Seafood offers delicious boiled seafood and mouth watering BBQ. Try their plentiful boiled crawfish or the 16-hour Wagyu brisket po-boy with caviar ranch or horseradish sauce. 4701 Airline Dr., Metairie, 504-885-5003, bontempsboulets.com

Briquette serves contemporary coastal cuisine in the French Quarter, with seafood from the Gulf Coast and around the world. Try dishes like the Roast Duckling Girod, cooked to perfection on the grill or pan. 701 S. Peters St., 504-3027496, briquette-nola.com

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a true French Quarter staple featuring oysters prepared in a multitude of different ways. Don’t miss their delicious turtle soup, crawfish etouffee, and live music. Multiple Locations, felixs.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Tacklebox offers Southern comfort food and a great oyster bar. Try the

NOLA Classic Trio with gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. Enjoy brunch with Crawfish + Egg Beignets and Bananas Foster Waffle. 817 Common St., 504-827-1651, legacykitchen.com

Middendorf’s Restaurant, with two locations, is totally worth the scenic drive out. Folks flock to the restaurant for their famous thin-fried catfish, turtle soup, and crispy fried onion rings. Multiple Locations, middendorfsrestaurant.com

Seaworthy is the ideal spot for fresh oysters and handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy Americancaught seafood, including mussels and Gulf shrimp, and top it off with the delicious banana bread pudding for dessert. 630 Carondelet St., 504-930-3071, seaworthynola.com

Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the beautiful cities in Peru. Their tuna, shrimp, and octopus ceviches keep patrons coming back for more. Multiple Locations, titoscevichepisco.com