Garden District
Atchafalaya’s jazz brunch is wonderful for so many reasons. The menu is delicious and has something for every taste palette (think: everything from chicken ‘n biscuits to an etouffee omelette). The ambiance is set by live jazz music, and most importantly, there’s a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, so you can create your boozy breakfast cocktail how you like it. When you order a Bloody, you’ll be served a glass filled with spirits, and then you head to the bar to choose from an extensive array of spices and garnishes.
Mid-City
Brown Butter’s cozy atmosphere and classic Southern menu is ideal if you want to try lots of regional specialties, like biscuits and cornbread, bread pudding French toast, or shrimp and grits. Make it boozy with the restaurant’s $15 mimosa pitcher special for the group. If a pitcher’s too much, go for the $3 mimosa or $7 Bloody Mary by the glass.
Downtown/Central Business District
Every Saturday and Sunday, Maypop, a Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant in the Central Business District, hosts a dim sum brunch. Come here for your fix of innovative cuisine by a James Beard-nominated local chef, Michael Gulotta. Sample menu items include decadent brunch items like bacon scallion pancakes with oysters in cucumber kimchi and crabmeat toast. As for cocktails, the menu is just as unique - you’ll find standard brunch drinks like mimosas and Bloody Mary’s, but don’t overlook Maypop’s specialty Milk Punch or Java Freeze.
French Quarter
Stanley overlooks iconic Jackson Square, so come here for the quintessential NOLA brunch experience. Plus, the restaurant serves breakfast and brunch all day, so no need to worry about making it to breakfast on time - you can sleep in. The menu includes Creole classics that never disappoint, and the boozy drinks here include the brunch standards - mimosas, Bloody’s, etc. - but also include specialty Stanley milkshakes like a White Russian Milkshake, an Irish Coffee Milkshake, and a Brandy Milk Punch Milkshake. Sip on a boozy shake, or grab one to-go and stroll by St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.
Bywater
Elizabeth’s is a stand-out boozy brunch for so many reasons. The atmosphere is cheerful and bright, since the walls of the restaurant are lined with Dr. Bob’s iconic artwork (pro tip: pay a visit to his studio down the street after brunch). The menu is decadent and full of dishes made from scratch. Elizabeth’s has daily rotating specials, but one dish you can’t miss out on here is the praline bacon. Sugar-coated bacon is best accompanied by a cocktail, so treat yourself to one of the drinks or specialty cocktails on the menu from the full-bar.
These are just a few of the many boozy brunches offered around New Orleans. As a city that values food and drink so much, you’ll find plenty of specials in any neighborhood. To explore even more boozy brunches, check out our GoNOLA guide to boozy brunch, which is updated with new restaurants and specials frequently.
