25 Dishes to Eat in New Orleans in 2025

For the past six years, we've put together a list of the must-try dishes in New Orleans for the upcoming year. It's an eclectic mix that captures both timeless classics and exciting newcomers, white-tablecloth affairs, and beloved neighborhood joints – the dishes that keep us up at night and the ones we're dying to try. True to New Orleans' soul, we reached out to members of our vibrant community to do what we do best–share our passion for the food that makes this city extraordinary.

We connected with local chefs, food writers, musicians, social media tastemakers, and our own content team (after all, we're the ones exploring all the spots you see on @VisitNewOrleans and throughout our website) to discover their standout meals from the past year. In a city where finding a mediocre meal is nearly impossible and culinary excellence is the standard, narrowing down favorites was no small feat. But our contributors rose to the challenge, sharing those unforgettable dishes that live rent-free in their heads. Consider this your insider's guide to the most crave-worthy bites in the year ahead.

And now, we present the 25 best things to eat in New Orleans in 2025.

1. Cánh gà Chiên bơ (Lemongrass Chicken Wings) from Tan Dinh

Tan Dinh, a beloved Vietnamese restaurant on the West Bank of New Orleans, has been a cherished spot for my family since I was a little girl. From the comforting pho to the humongous spring rolls, it’s a place that holds years of memories and flavors that have stayed with me. Now, as an adult, I love sharing the same delicious dishes with my friends, introducing them to the rich, aromatic world of Vietnamese cuisine. Whether it's the tangy herbs, tender meats, or perfectly balanced broths, Tan Dinh continues to be a local gem that brings people together, one bite at a time.

-  Karen Phan

Local Influencer, @AintThatPhancy on Instagram

2. Gumbo from Li'l Dizzy's

Lil Dizzy’s Cafe serves the best seafood gumbo in New Orleans, hands down! Packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients and seasoned to perfection, every warm sip feels like a hug from the city itself. You can truly taste the love in every bowl—this gumbo is unmatched and a must-try for locals and visitors alike!

- Tamsy Kambi

Local Influencer, @TamLovesToEat on Instagram

3. Not Yo’ Mama’s Corncakes from Who Dat Coffee Café

Mouth-Watering, Savory, Rich & Delectable. This dish is legendary, and it lives up to the fame it has earned. This brunch dish screams New Orleans.The corn cakes are grilled to perfection, and topped with a creamy egg sauce, cheddar cheese, and fresh bacon bits. Do your taste buds a favor & get at em'!

- Scot Pilié

Meteorologist (WGNO New Orleans) and Local Influencer, @scotpilie_wx on Instagram

4. Smoked Salmon Cheesecake from Emeril’s

Emeril's Smoked Salmon Cheesecake quickly grew into my top favorite dish in New Orleans. It is one of their classic timeless dishes that deserves all of the recognition. I love the elegance of their restaurant as well, it’s definitely worth every penny.

- Caitlin Minshew

 Local Influencer, @EatingWithCaitt on Instagram

5. Crab-Stuffed Beignets from Loretta’s Authentic Pralines

I always tell people that you CANNOT come to New Orleans and not have a Loretta’s Crabmeat Beignet. First and foremost, Loretta’s NEVER skimps on the crab! It’s hella jumbo lump crabmeat inside a nice flaky beignet. The taste is BOMB with a nice crab-boil flavored kick. And don’t forget dessert - you HAVE to get the Praline Beignet. These are arguably the best bites in the city!

- Kortlynn Jenae’ Johnson

Local Influencer, @KortlynnJenae on Instagram

6. Chicken Wings from Mid-City Chicken & Po-Boys

Few foods bring me more joy than perfectly cooked fried chicken wings, served hot and coated in fresh, flavorful sauces. Unfortunately, most places fall short—they often toss wings in lukewarm sauce right out of a bulk size bottle bought at the store. For me, the perfect wing is coated in sauce over a hot pan, allowing the flavors to meld together and create the perfect bite.

Mid-City Chicken and Po-Boys on Tulane checks all those boxes and more. This unassuming, family-run spot—where you’ll often find family members working together to coordinate the pans and fryer—delivers wings that stand out. My go-to flavors are lemon pepper and honey BBQ. What sets them apart is their attention to detail and fresh ingredients: I’ve seen them squeeze lemons and use real honey right in the pan as they put together my order; Those small touches make all the difference. To top it off, their hand-cut fries are fantastic.

- Noah and Xavi Ingram

Local Influencers, @BukuLocal on Instagram

7. Crab Claws with Passionfruit Butter from Lilette

If I had to pick one dish for my "death bed" meal, it would be the Passionfruit Butter Crab Claws from Lilette. I usually order then with an extra side cup of the butter (It's that good!).

- Caitlin Orellana

Local Influencer, @CaitlinOrellanaHome on Instagram

8. Baleadas from Alma

As a Cuban-American, I love Caribbean and Latin American food and the Honduran baleadas at Alma Cafe are OUTSTANDING. They're loaded up with farm fresh ingredients like local eggs and Chef Melissa's famous beans. Seriously I could eat these beans on anything, but the flour tortilla of the baleada is the perfect vehicle for delivering their deliciousness. I highly recommend trying the baleada during weekend brunch, which is always a fun and tasty time at Alma Cafe. ¡Buen provecho!

- Nicole Caridad Ralston

Local Influencer, @EatenPathNOLA on Instagram

9. Risotto with Shrimp from MaMou

This year, I’m going to have to go with Mamou’s Risotto with shrimp, squash, bacon and pepitas — equally beautiful and delicious. Shrimp and grits is one of my favorite brunch staples, so I love trying different variations or dishes that play on it, and this one with risotto is fantastically flavorful.

- Chasity Pugh

Local Influencer, @LetDatGirlEat on Instagram

10. Fried Shrimp or Roast Beef Po-Boy from Parkway Tavern

The po-boy is a classic New Orleans sandwich that is so comforting and satisfying to eat. It reminds me of the baguette sandwiches I would eat back home in Senegal with smothered black-eyed peas and onions. Kind of like the gravy in a good roast beef po-boy! I do love a good fried shrimp po-boy, too.

- Chef Serigne Mbaye

Owner of Dakar NOLA, James Beard Award Winner for Best New Restaurant 2024

11. Steak Tartare with Oyster Aioli from Peche

The tartare at Peche is incredible. Even though it’s served with oyster aioli, Chef Niki always changes it for me and it's outstanding!

- Chef Ana Castro

Executive Chef/Co-Owner of Acamaya

12. Thai Mango and Pork Shoulder Salad from Pomelo

One of my favorite dishes in the city is from Pomelo, the cute little Thai restaurant on Magazine St. They have this Thai Mango & Pork Shoulder Salad that I get cravings for. The pork shoulder is cooked just the way I like pork, cooked just til tender but still a little chewy. The dressing is similar to a Vietnamese fish sauce dipping sauce but more Thai chili. It's got lots of mint and toasted rice powder like laab. The mango is a bright, sweet & acid contrast with the pork. Chef's kiss.

- Chef Anh Luu

Xanh NOLA

13. Omakase from Kenji

I love Japanese cuisine and culture and the two meld exceptionally at Kenji. You can go for the Omakase or do a la carte options. Regardless, you can’t go wrong with any of the exceptional dishes or sushi that this creative team offers. It’s impossible to pick which I loved most, but my favorites include: Crispy Japanese Rice topped with everything from White Fish with Truffle & Habanero Aoili, to Salmon with Crunchy Garlic and Spicy Tuna, as well as their trio of handrolls, scallop crudo, lamb chops, and signature maki.

- Chef Melissa Araujo

Executive Chef-Owner of Alma

14. Velma Marie’s Oyster Soup from Mosquito Supper Club

Velma Marie's Oyster Soup at Mosquito Supper Club was spectacular and memorable.  Chef Melissa captures the essence of the Bayou with this soup, and it is available in the fall and winter.  The soup has so many layers of flavor and on a cool evening, it is exactly what you need.

- Chef Nina Compton

Chef/Owner of BABs and Compere Lapin

15. Garlic Oyster Po-Boy from Liuzza’s by the Track

We Love Liuzza's By the Track and enjoy a late lunch there when we have a day off.  The Garlic Oyster PoBoy hits so hard every time. It's simple but always perfectly executed.  We would tell any visitor to New Orleans to get the Garlic Oyster PoBoy and whatever is on the Special Board, along with a Beer or Barq's in a Frosty Mug.

- Amarys Koenig Herndon

Chef and Owner of Palm&Pine

16. The Twin Stack Burger from The Chloe

The Twin Stack Burger at The Chloe is everything you want in a classic burger—comforting, nostalgic, and elevated. It feels like a perfect fusion of a McDonald’s Big Mac and a homemade, high-quality burger, delivering both familiar flavors and a gourmet touch. Fully dressed with crisp toppings and melted American cheese and served on a poppy seed bun, it’s a balanced bite of indulgence. Paired with a side of golden fries, it’s definitely a must-try when you visit. Simple yet unforgettable, it’s the kind of burger that brings you back for more. Pair it with an Aperol Spritz and it’s the perfect Sunday.

- Chef Ashwin Vilkhu

Owner/Co-Executive Chef at Saffron NOLA and The Kingsway

17. St. Andres Souffle from Saint-Germain

The Saint-Andre Cheese Souffle is executed at a phenomenal level and happens to be one of my favorite cheese courses.  The cheese is incredibly mild, but molten bits of sugar end up being the best part.  You have got to try it -- it is crazy good!’

- E.J. Lagasse

Chef & Co-Owner, Emeril’s

18. Red Beans and Rice with Fried Chicken from Neyow’s Creole Cafe

I love Neyow’s red beans and rice with the fried chicken. When visitors/guests ask me where to go next I always recommend Neyow’s and this dish. 

- Chef Lisa Nelson

Owner of Queen Trini Lisa

19. Chargrilled Lemon Garlic Oysters from Seawitch

The quality and freshness of the oysters Seawitch uses are unmatched, and that makes all the difference. They’re chargrilled to perfection, giving them just the right smoky flavor while keeping them tender and juicy. The lemon garlic butter adds a vibrant, zesty richness, and the shaved parmesan finishes them off with a savory touch. It’s all about letting the ingredients shine in every bite!

- Chef Meg Bickford

Executive Chef at Commander’s Palace

20. Crab Sope from Acamaya

The Crab Sope at Acamaya is one of the best expressions of Anna and Lydia Castro's shared experience growing up in Mexico City. The house-fermented, crunchy yet chewy masa contrasts perfectly with the sweet crab meat, avocado, and acid. This dish transcends cultures and is easily some of my favorite comfort food in the city.

- Chef Tom Branigan

Owner of MaMou

21. Cacio e Pepe from Sofia  

Cacio e Pepe is a simple dish, and when it’s made with quality ingredients and care, you can’t go wrong. Combine that with Sofia’s welcoming atmosphere as a staple Warehouse District neighborhood restaurant – I love being able to pop in when I’m in the neighborhood, or on the way home from a Saints game, always knowing I’ll get a consistent and well-made dish every time.

- Chef Eric Cook

Chef/Owner of Gris-Gris and Saint John

22. Handrolls from Bar Sukeban

They buy some special nori from Japan that makes all their hand rolls extra special. They also use hand-crafted moromi shoyu from Connecticut. The bluefin toro and uni/ikura hand rolls are my favorite.

- Nicole Mills

Chef de Cuisine at Peche Seafood Grill and one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs for 2024

23. Drum Acqua Pazza from Gianna

My birthday unfortunately falls during the peak heat of late summer. So how I found myself sitting outside with a steaming bowl of tomato broth fish is beyond me. It was delicious. It damn near reversed my reverse-SAD. I seriously need to go back and have it in the glory of the winter.

- Lauren Saizan

Editorial and Online Content Manager, New Orleans & Co./NewOrleans.com

24. Glazed Turkey Necks from Café Reconcile

I found myself at Café Reconcile staring down at something I'd never ordered before - glazed turkey necks. The meat, sticky with a sweet-spicy glaze and crackling skin, rewired everything I thought I knew about comfort food. Strange how we create hierarchies even with our plates - ribs are sophisticated but turkey necks raise eyebrows. Here in New Orleans though, these smoky, tender pieces practically melt off the bone, leaving you planning your next visit before you've finished the first. And if anyone gives you that look about ordering them, just remember: the best food stories rarely start with playing it safe.

- Colton Clifford

Manager of Social Media, @VisitNewOrleans and @NewOrleansAndCo

25. Roasted Chicken Thighs from The Bell

This is always such a hard choice, but I have to say that the Roasted Chicken Thighs from The Bell is the dish that I truly cannot stop thinking about. First off, The Bell itself is just such a cute little neighborhood gem–if I lived in Bayou Saint John, I think I would be there multiple times a week. It’s extremely cozy, and the interior feels equally modern and historic. I’ve loved everything I’ve ordered from them, but I tried the chicken on a chilly night in early December and it felt like pure comfort. It’s roasted skin-side down so the outside gets good and crispy, then they remove the bone and plate it on top of pureed parsnips, finished with a pan sauce. It’s incredibly simple, but tastes complex–a true testament to the talent in their kitchen.

- Hartley Wasser

Director of Editorial & Content Marketing, New Orleans & Co./NewOrleans.com