Fall in New Orleans means cooler temps, lots of excuses for outdoor dining, and some truly fun and festive culinary events. Get in on the New Orleans Fall Food Celebration by supporting local restaurants, and also be sure to check out some of the exciting happenings below. 

Boudin, Bourbon, and Beer: Back to the Table

Presented by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, this annual culinary event brings people together to pig out for a purpose! Typically, Boudin, Bourbon, and Beer is a ticketed, evening-long event held at Champion’s Square, but this year, the foundation is celebrating citywide! 

Throughout the month of November, participating restaurants will feature special boudin dishes and menus, Abita Beer, and cocktails from Buffalo Trace and Sazerac brands - no tickets necessary! Like always, proceeds will benefit the Emeril Lagasse Foundation as they continue their mission of culinary mentorship and inspiration. 

Stay tuned for more information on participating restaurants, menus, and more. 

Try New Restaurants

You might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but you can always show an old foodie a new restaurant! Here’s a few of the openings we’re excited for this fall: 

Miss River - This new dining experience by Chef Alon Shaya is housed in the Four Seasons Hotel. The menu is said to be a love letter to Louisiana featuring original takes on New Orleans classics. From BBQ shrimp to Baked Alaska, Miss River is a must-try. 

Saint John - Chef Eric Cook, executive chef and owner of Gris-Gris, opened his second restaurant Saint John in October 2021. The brunch, lunch and dinner menus will feature his take on “haute Creole cuisine”, with influences from Italian, French, Spanish, African, German and Caribbean cuisines. 

Mister Mao - An eclectic Uptown eatery with a tropical platte, Mister Mao’s menu boasts dishes such as Kasmiri fried chicken, sweet fried plantains, and pork chorizo corn maque choux. 

Emeril’s Returns - Don’t call it a comeback! Chef Emeril Lagasse’s flagship restaurant, Emeril’s, reopened this fall. Closed since 2020, local and visiting foodies are eager to try Chef Lagasse’s signature style “new, New Orleans” cuisine. Try one of their chef tastings for a full on experience. 

Chef Meg + Company - Commander’s Palace 

Commander's Palace is always a great choice for classic New Orleans cuisine, but their dinner series is even more of a reason to make your reservation. Chef Meg + Company is a month-long dining experience in support of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI). The series features five distinguished New Orleans chefs alongside Chef Meg Bickford. 

The ticket price includes a welcome cocktail, a collaborative five-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and a coupe de milieu cocktail. This fall, Commanders will welcome Frank Brigtsen of Brigtsen’s on October 20th and Edgar “Dooky” Chase IV of Dooky Chase’s on December 7. Head HERE to learn more and purchase tickets.

Joy the Baker - The Bakehouse Fall Events 

If you’ve ever heard of the IG page @DrakeOnCake then this fall culinary experience is one you’ll enjoy! Joy Wilson, better known as Joy the Baker, is a New Orleans-based pastry chef with some pretty viral sweets. 

This fall and throughout the year, Joy offers specialized classes at The Bakehouse. This fall you can take part in workshops such as Drake on Cake: Jazz Fest Edition, Oktoberfest Homemade Pretzel Making, Halloween Cookie decorating and more. Check out all of Joy’s fun, fall events HERE. 

Brunch Series at SoFAB

Some say that New Orleans is the birthplace of brunch, and we agree! Between shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and bottomless boozy beverages, it definitely checks out. Whether fiction or fact, the Southern Food & Beverage Museum is celebrating New Orleans brunch culture with a pop-up series. 

Each Saturday throughout October SoFAB will feature different pop-ups with robust brunch menus. Everything from Filipino favorites to a classic catfish brunch. 

Check out the featured chefs, menus, and tickets HERE. 

Brennan’s 75th Anniversary

Brennan’s, a grande dame of New Orleans dining, is celebrating 75 years of culinary excellence. While they’re best known for the famous Brandy Milk punch, Brennan’s is marking 75 years with a specialty French 75 menu. 

A classic 75, a pink 75 in honor of their famous bright pink building, and a special 75-year-old 75, which is made with 1946 cognac and Billecart Salmon Brut Réserve. Enjoy these anniversary bubbles paired with one of their class dishes. 

Culinary Attractions 

In New Orleans, a meal is more than just a hot plate. We’re the cocktail capital of the world and home to endless Creole and Cajun delicacies. Dining in NOLA is deeply rooted in tradition and history - from our red beans on Monday to our Holy Trinity ingredients that we swear by. Learn more about what it means to eat in New Orleans by paying a visit to the Southern Food & Beverage Museum or the Sazerac House. 

Oyster Season

No matter the day of the week, oysters are a good idea in New Orleans. October and November are “R” months, which means the oysters are especially flavorful. Check out our guide to the best oysters and get slurping.