The Five Best Things We Ate in New Orleans Last Month | January 2026

Sometimes a dish stops you mid-conversation, and this apple and endive salad with Valdeon blue cheese from The Husky was exactly that—a $15 masterpiece that made me reconsider everything I thought I knew about winter salads. The crisp bitterness of endive spears cradled paper-thin apple slices and rosy watermelon radish, while tangles of fried shallots added an almost indecent crunch against creamy pockets of funky Spanish blue cheese, all bound together by a vibrant red goddess dressing that tied sweet, sharp, and savory into one transcendent bite. It's the kind of salad that makes you realize vegetables don't need to play second fiddle to anything.

- Colton Clifford, Social Media Manager, @VisitNewOrleans and @NewOrleansandCo

Crawfish beignets are a unique twist on a classic dessert, turning the sweet into savory for a decadent bite-sized treat. You'll find them around town at different restaurants, but the crawfish beignets from Spicy Mango are undoubtedly the best I've had thus far. Spicy crawfish fritters are golden-fried and served with a charred pineapple remoulade. Yum!

- Lauren Saizan, Editorial & Online Content Manager, New Orleans & Co. (NewOrleans.com)

I loved this dish from the Commander's Palace Reveillon Menu for how balanced it felt. The bone marrow was rich and silky without being heavy, and the escargot added depth in an unexpected but welcome way. The brighter elements kept the dish from feeling overwhelming and made each bite feel complete.

- Breanna Bringier, Social Media Content Creator, @NewOrleansanCo

Editor's Note: While this dish was specific to a seasonal menu, it represents the caliber of dish typical of the Commander’s Palace dining experience.

The theme of my favorite dinner this month? Melt-in-your-mouth. Beggar’s Banquet delivered on every front – with a cozy yet classy atmosphere, friendly service, and memorable bites. I’m still dreaming about the fresh gnocchi, tossed with mushrooms and a truffle cream sauce that was rich enough to comfort on cold January nights, yet light enough to keep you going back for another forkful. The boneless short ribs were tender and deeply flavorful – classic melt-in-your-mouth perfection. And if you ever go to dinner with me, you’ll know I’m ordering the Brussels sprouts. Beggar’s Banquet did not disappoint, serving up a crispy, balsamic-glazed dish that more than holds its own against some of the best I’ve had.

- Kat Silar, Social Media Intern, @NewOrleansandCo

I loved this meal so much that I ate the exact same spread two weekends in a row. Full order, copy/paste. Porgy’s is first and foremost a seafood market, but one that specializes in sustainably caught Gulf seafood, including fish that you don’t typically find at your run-of-the-mill fish shop.  My main order was the blackened fish sandwich, which had the perfect spice level (zippy but not overpowering) on a delicious, buttery potato bun, accompanied by crunchy slaw and creamy tartare sauce. The Sicilian sashimi was another truly perfect plate–three types of raw fish from the case, sliced thin and dressed with lemon, capers, olive oil, and red onion. Simple, yet delicious. Go with a group (or at least one other hungry human) and share a bunch of bites. Added bonus? It’s along the Canal Street (City Park) streetcar line–so hop aboard and make a lil’ day of it.

- Hartley Wasser, Director of Editorial & Content Marketing, NewOrleans.com / New Orleans & Company