RESTAURANT GUIDE

Crescent City Brewhouse is a charming microbrewery with great New Orleans food, oysters, live music, and even a courtyard. Try one of the restaurant’s house beers, wines, or “brewtails,” all of which incorporate the brewhouse’s original beers. 527 Decatur St., 504-522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Evangeline offers a beautiful French Quarter courtyard, craft beer, and delicious Louisiana cuisine using the best fresh ingredients. The menu features perfected Cajun dishes including alligator creole, southern-fried okra, and grilled redfish with crawfish pesto pasta. 329 Decatur St., 504-3734852, evangelineneworleans.com

House of Blues New Orleans is the perfect place to enjoy yourself with everything from live music, gospel brunch, and tasty dishes. Dishes to enjoy include the fried chicken, baby back ribs, blackened salmon, and a range of tasty burgers. 225 Decatur St., 504-310-4999, houseofblues.com/ neworleans

Lakeview Harbor is a terrific Lakeview restaurant that has been family-owned and operated for over 30 years. The expansive menu has steaks, seafood, po-boys, salads, the best burgers, and all kinds of appetizers. Check out their food truck too. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-486-4887, lakeviewharbor.us

Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe is a Tremé staple that serves up authentic Creole and classic Southern dishes such as seafood platters and catfish. Their rich, hearty gumbo and crawfish bisque are the best while their delicious po-boys will satisfy any appetite. 1500 Esplanade Ave., 504-766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net

Mandina’s Restaurant has been family-owned and bringing great food to New Orleans since 1932. The menu is Creole Italian and has amazing dishes such as turtle soup au sherry, veal parmesan and spaghetti, and fried seafood plates. 3800 Canal St., 504-482-9179, mandinasrestaurant.com

Meril is a chic Chef Emeril Lagasse establishment offering a globallyinspired menu of small plates and shareable dishes as well as a full bar with craft cocktails. The wood-fired oysters, charcuterie board, and crispy Brussels sprouts are standout options. 424 Girod St., 504-526-3745, emerilsrestaurants.com

Mother’s Restaurant has been a popular hangout for New Orleanians since 1938 with their classic dishes and all day breakfast. Beloved local dishes such as red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, debris and jambalaya are all offered. 401 Poydras St., 504-5239656, mothersrestaurant.net its high quality steaks. Splurge on one of Neyow’s XL hurricanes or check out their excellent brunch. 3336 Bienville St., 504-503-1081, xl.neyows.com

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro is a charming French Quarter wine bar that offers a selection of delicious small plates. The charcuterie board, cheese plate, and truffle fries are all popular appetizers, and their Creole Surf and Turf is cooked to perfection. 720 Orleans Ave., 504-5231930, orleansgrapevine.com

Parkway Bakery & Tavern first opened its doors in 1911 and it has been a NOLA staple ever since. People from all over the country come to the shop for its extensive list of famous po-boy sandwiches from fried seafood to hot sausage. 538 Hagan Ave., 504-482-3047, parkwaypoorboys.com

Short Stop Poboys has been serving Metairie since 1966 and offers over 30 different kinds of po-boys from soft shell crab to their four meat special. Their debris-style roast beef is excellent, tender, and juicy every time. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie 504-885-4572, shortstoppoboysno.com

Seafood

Bon Temps Boulet Seafood is a fun neighborhood eatery with friendly service and tasty Southern dishes. They are known best to customers for their spicy, boiled seafood including their $25 dollar all you can eat crawfish, and chargrilled oysters. 4701 Airline Dr., Metairie, 504-885-5003, bontempsboulets.com

Short Stop Po-Boys

Briquette has delectable modern and coastal meals such as snapper Pontchartrain, lamb shank, and Louisiana Redfish on the half shell. Located in the Warehouse District, Briquette features a unique open kitchen and full wine list. 701 S. Peters St., 504302-7496, briquette-nola.com

Nice Guys Bar & Grill is a no-nonsense joint that offers its own twist of classic New Orleans food. The bar’s oyster dishes are fan favorites and include chargrilled, Rockefeller, loaded, and ooh la la. Other great dishes include crawfish jalapeno bombs. 7910 Earhart Blvd., 504-302-2404, niceguysbarandgrillnola.com

New Orleans Creole Cookery serves amazing and traditional Creole cuisine not too far from Jackson Square. Sit outside in the restaurant’s beautiful courtyard and enjoy the pecan crusted redfish or the Chicken Pontalba. 510 Toulouse St. 504-5249632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

Neyow’s Creole Café is a popular Mid-City spot that serves up classic New Orleans dishes with a modern twist in an unforgettable atmosphere. Their fried catfish, shrimp and grits, and stuffed bell peppers are all delicious options. 3332 Bienville St., 504-827-5474, neyows.com

Neyow’s XL is a fine dining establishment located right next to Neyow’s Creole Café. In addition to authentic Creole dishes, the restaurant is known for

Legacy Kitchen's Tacklebox is one of three restaurants that are under the ownership of Legacy Kitchen. Tacklebox has an oyster bar, and a mix of Southern and seafood dishes including shrimp and grits and catfish pecan. Their seafood towers and Southern comfort food options can’t be beat. 817 Common St., 504-827-1651, legacykitchen.com

Middendorf’s Restaurant is a Louisiana seafood institution and has been serving up their famous thin-fried catfish for over 80 years. Located on the shores of lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas, the views are as impressive as the seafood options such as the crawfish cakes. Multiple Locations, middendorfsrestaurant.com

Seaworthy celebrates all things seafood and puts an emphasis on using locally-sourced fish and game as well as sustainably harvested oysters. Dishes including lobster cocktail, scallop crudo, fish and chips, red snapper ceviche, and charbroiled oysters are available. 630 Carondelet St., 504-9303071, seaworthynola.com