RESTAURANT GUIDE

Bars With Great Food

Alto Rooftop Bar provides immaculate service and views of New Orleans from atop of the Ace Hotel. Take a dip in the pool or cool off with craft cocktails in the sun. Small bites include chicken wings, a caprese panini, and andouille en croûte. 600 Carondelet St., 504-900-1180, acehotel.com

Bar Marilou is a beautiful French-style bar on the side of the Maison de la Luz hotel. Enjoy the enchanting atmosphere while indulging in delicate appetizers and creative cocktails such as the Oaxacan with the devil. 544 Carondelet St., 504814-7711, barmarilou.com

Buffa's Bar & Restaurant is a classic New Orleansstyle bar that offers a mix of Cajun/Creole dishes and American classics that’s been perfecting their cocktails and cuisine since 1939. Check out their schedule as they host live music performances every Wednesday through Monday. 1001 Esplanade Ave., 504-949-0038, buffasbar.com

JB’s Fuel Dock is the perfect place to eat pizza and take in the views overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. There are many salads and Neapolitan pizzas to choose from such as the garlic and red pepper or the three cheese Italian. 126 S. Roadway St., 504510-2260, jbsfueldock.com

Le Bon Temps Roule is one of the best neighborhood bars in Uptown. The variety of delicious burgers and sandwiches, plus the signature Bloody Marys can’t be beat. The live music and latenight grub makes it a fan favorite. 4801 Magazine St., 504-897-3448, lbtrnola.com

Peacock Room is an elegant cocktail bar perfect for a romantic date night. Located in the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, it offers tasty bites such as blue cheese stuffed dates and prosciutto. Check out their live music and nightly specials. 501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-324-3073, peacockroomnola.com

Tracey’s Original Irish Channel Bar is the place to be during St. Patrick’s Day or any other day. This popular sports bar has more than 20 television screens and hundreds of beer selections in addition to their delicious seafood options including crawfish galore. 2604 Magazine St., 504-897-5413, traceysnola.com

The Jimani is the place to be during any big sporting event as it’s been one of New Orlean’s favorite sports bars for 40 years. The French Quarter bar, open seven days a week, serves beer and Jell-O shots plus burgers, po-boys, pizza, and Chicago-style hot dogs. 141 Chartres St., 504-524-0493, thejimani.com

The Marsh Room Patio Bar and Grill is one of Metairie’s newest and funkiest spots for live music and entertainment, sports, and good food. Menu items include steaks, sandwiches, quesadillas, marsh fries, and Southwest chicken eggrolls. 4740 Rye St., Metairie, 504-571-5733, facebook.com/ marshroom

The Garage is a great place to have a good time in the French Quarter located just steps off of Bourbon street. The night club hosts live music events, sells CBD and massive “fish bowls,” in addition to their menu of tasty New Orleans dishes. 810 Conti St., thegaragemusicclub.com

Stumpy's Hatchet House is a place where you can gather with friends and enjoy hatchet throwing for any occasion. When you’re done tossing, you can try some snacks and bites including nachos, pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, and more. 1200 Poydras St., 504577-2937, stumpyshh.com/neworleansla

Caf

Cafe Amelie is perfect for your next date night with their comfortable, yet elegant, environment, as well as beautifully prepared meals, wines, and craft cocktails. Offering a unique twist on Louisiana classics, their shrimp and grits, muffalettas, and gumbo, are all stellar options. Their courtyard is also a lovely spot to enjoy their daily brunch. 900 Royal Street, www.cafeamelie.com

Carmo is a New Orleans-based tropical restaurant committed to feeding great food to vegans and omnivores alike. The exquisite combination of flavors makes healthy eating easy. Start off with the pão de quejo and then try one of the restaurant’s salads such as the Burmese tea leaf. 527 Julia St., 504875-4132, cafecarmo.com

Jimmy J’s Café is a funky French Quarter café beloved by tourists and locals alike. With its one-of-a-kind breakfast dishes such as the beignet sticks and Cochon eggs Benedict, to their house Bloody Mary’s, you’ll no doubt enjoy an outstanding brunch. Multiple Locations, 504-3099360, jimmyjscafe.com

The Vintage is a cozy café where customers can relax and indulge in beignets, bubbles, and bites. They have flatbreads, pressed sandwiches, and many other small dishes such as alligator poppers, yet the beignets are the particular favorite. 3121 Magazine St., 504-324-7144, thevintagenola.com

Willa Jean is a great place to go to in the Warehouse District for coffee, baked goods, and biscuits. Some of Willa Jean’s food items include BBQ shrimp toast, biscuits with jam, gravy, or fried chicken with Tabasco honey. 611 O’Keefe Ave., 504-509-7334, willajean.com

French

Café Degas, located in the Faubourg St. John, is one of New Orleans’ most romantic restaurants. The cafe specializes in incredibly made French dishes— also offering weekend brunch in their charming atmosphere. With steak frites and beautiful wine, there’s something for everyone. 3127 Esplanade Ave., 504-945-5635, cafedegas.com

King Brasserie + Bar is an elegant restaurant located in the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot with an extensive wine menu and unique small plates, as well as dinner options. Be sure to try the grilled octopus with bacon, sweet potato, and vadouvan. 521 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-324-3000, kingbrasserieandbar.com

ITALIAN

A Tavola Restaurant & Wine Bar is a lively spot in Metairie featuring modern Italian cuisine. They have a vast wine list, delectable cheese and meats, and Neapolitan-style pizzas. Catch their weekly specials and happy hour, which offers discounted drinks and small plates. 3413 Veterans Blvd., 504-5772235, atavo.la

Domenica is a great place to go to in New Orleans for traditional Italian cuisine. Pick from customizable charcuterie boards and wines at this elegant spot. Their amazing Neapolitan-style pizzas come with different toppings such as clams, prosciutto, smoked pork, and meatballs. 123 Baronne St., 504-6486020, domenicarestaurant.com

Italian Pie has been whipping up delectable American Italian food since 1992. The Uptown restaurant makes some of your favorite Italian dishes, including gourmet calzones, salads, ovenbaked sandwiches, and pasta plates such as lasagnas and ravioli. Multiple Locations, italianpie.com

Josephine Estelle mixes Italian recipes with southern flavors and is open for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. The restaurant is helmed by James Beard Award-nominated chefs Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer and features beautifully selected wines and cocktails. 600 Carondelet St., 504-930-3070, josephineestelle.com

Mosca’s Restaurant is one of the best-known Italian restaurants in Greater New Orleans and has been serving rustic Italian fare since 1946. All of the restaurant's entrees are served family-style from traditional spaghetti and meatballs to their Oysters Mosca. 4137 US-90 W., Westwego, 504-4368950, moscasrestaurant.com

PIZZA Domenica is a fun and stylish pizzeria including a full bar with locations Uptown, Mid-City, and in Lakeview. The restaurant’s Margherita, lamb agrodolce, white, and tutto de carne pizzas are perfect for sharing with friends. Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com

Venezia has been one of New Orleans’ go-to Italian restaurants since 1957. You’ll be impressed by any of their traditional Italian dishes or craft a customized pizza with a large variety of toppings including anchovies, veal, crawfish, feta, crabmeat, and more. 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-7991, venezianeworleans.com

LATIN

Alma Cafe is an award-winning Honduran restaurant in the Bywater. Alma serves breakfast all day, offering great dishes such as Pollo Chuco and avocado toast. While craft cocktails are available, you can never go wrong with Alma's mimosas or Bloody Mary’s. 800 Louisa St, New Orleans, www.eatalmanola.com

Empanola is the place to be for delicious and authentic South American empanadas. Head to either Magazine Street or Freret Street and experience the restaurant’s beef Argentina, spinach and artichoke, or chicken Peruvian empanada. Multiple Locations, empanolaempanadas. com

Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco, located on Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue, brings the unique cuisine of Peru to the Big Easy. Expand your palate by trying a selection of ceviche dishes with delicious seafood such as Gulf shrimp and Gulf fish. Multiple Locations, titoscevichepisco.com

MEXICAN

El Gato Negro is a local, yet authentic, Mexican kitchen featuring fare from founder Juan Contreras’ family recipe book, including fajitas, burritos and tacos galore, and their extensive selection of signature drinks including their famous margaritas. Multiple Locations, (504) 525-9752, elgatonegro.com

Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria has three locations around New Orleans. Walk up to the counter to grab a margarita and customize your own tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, quesadillas, and more with extra beans, rice, and salsas to enjoy. Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com

Juan’s Flying Burrito has been serving its Creole-

Mr. Tequila’s menu includes authentic Mexican dishes along with Tex-Mex classics. Enjoy mouthwatering plates such as loco rice, the chimichanga plate, and the house speciality carne asada. Wash it all down with one of their jumbo margaritas. 5018 Freret St., 504-766-9660, mrtequilanola.com

Mucho Mas offers delicious and creative Mexican food in Uptown. Treat yourself to meals from their weekend brunch, weekday lunch specials, and dinner. Try a hearty dish including BBQ birria tacos or shrimp empanadas and enjoy a cocktail such as a classic margarita or Mexican martini. 8201 Oak St, www.muchomasnola.com

Tacos Del Cartel has some of the best tacos that can be found in all of Metairie. The casual atmosphere and killer craft cocktail menu make it a perfect spot for a casual meal, happy hour, or weekend brunch. Try the brisket tacos or tofu tostada. 2901 David Dr., Metairie, 504-3815063, tacosdelcartel.com

Middle Eastern

Gita Pita offers delicious Middle Eastern fare on both Canal and Baronne Streets. The restaurant’s pita wraps and bowls are filled to the brim with different selections such as shawarma, gyro, and falafel. Indulge in a side of Greek fries as well. Multiple Locations, facebook.com/GitaPitaCanal larger options such as their steak or arayes 4213 Magazine St., 504-891-4213, shayarestaurant. com

New Orleans Cuisine

Annunciation is a great restaurant to visit for special occasions as its housed in a magnificent turn of the century warehouse. Expect contemporary Cajun and Creole dishes including shrimp etouffee, fried oysters, and soft shell crab monica. 1016 Annunciation St., 504-5680245, annunciationrestaurant.com

Apolline serves modern Louisiana cuisine in a cozy double shotgun cottage. Delicious dishes include the crawfish bisque, panéed veal medallions, jambalaya dumplings, and seared diver scallops. Their brunch served Tuesday-Sunday includes their housemade boudin. 4729 Magazine St., 504-894-8881, apollinerestaurant.com

Café Normandie in the Higgins Hotel serves both French and New Orleans cuisine through elevated dining experience. Mouth-watering entrees include the Cajun paella, oyster and pork belly tacos, steak frites, and the confit duck cassoulet. 1000 Magazine St., 504-528-1941, higginshotelnola. com influenced Mexican food to New Orleanians for over 25 years. While their extensive menu includes plenty of mouth-watering options, their burritos, such as the gutter punk and the al pastor, are massive and delicious. Multiple locations, juansflyingburrito. com

Lebanon’s Café is one of the most popular Middle Eastern restaurants in New Orleans. Choose from a long list of authentic Lebanese appetizers, dips, and massive entreés including kabobs, falafel, shawarma, and rosemary lamb chops. This casual joint offers BYOB with no corkage fee. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

Shaya is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant specializing in modern Israeli cuisine perfectly crafted by Chef Alon Shaya. Choose from delicious small plates and creative hummus dishes or go for

Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop has been serving incredible Louisiana cuisine in its unassuming location since 2012. Boudin balls, fried shrimp po-boys, and their award-winning gumbo in several tasty variations, as well as many other NOLA favorites are on the menu. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, 504-835-2022, gumbostop.com

Commons Club New Orleans, in the Virgin Hotel, provides customers with contemporary American dishes with southern sensibility such as crawfish hushpuppies or the roasted Gulf shrimp. Their high end cocktails and weekend brunch specials just can’t be beat. 550 Baronne St., virginhotels.com