From beloved Cajun dishes at new restaurants to decades-old spots that have influenced dining around the world, there are so many ways to enjoy the classic New Orleans culinary scene. If you’ve been waiting to dine at a place like Commander’s Palace or Brennan’s or you just want an elevated bowl of gumbo without breaking the bank, COOLinary is a wonderful time to treat yourself. For the entire month of August, order from pre-fixe menus for $28 or less two-course lunches and $58 or less three-course dinners and brunches. 

Take a look below for just some of the COOLinary restaurants to try gumbo, red beans, oysters, and more. 

For just $16, enjoy a cup of gumbo and a Louisiana catfish plate from Café Reconcile. Choose whether you want your fish prepared fried, blackened, or with lemon pepper, and choose two of four sides.  

Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails is another great COOLinary spot for classic New Orleans dishes. Order crawfish bread for the first course and red beans and rice with Southern fried chicken for the second. Or try the BBQ Shrimp Banh Mi—not a Creole food classic but a mouthwatering sandwich that fuses a popular NOLA seafood dish with the prominent Vietnamese influence in the Crescent City. 

Though the origins of pecan pie are highly debated, there is no doubt that this dessert is widely beloved by New Orleanians and is highly intertwined with the French culinary influence in the region. Head to Brigtsen’s for delicious bites and finish your meal with the restaurant’s famous pecan pie served with a caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream. 

See our top picks below or click here to see a full list of participating restaurants.