New Orleans’ Best New Restaurants

New Orleans truly embodies the essence of "new" when it comes to its restaurant scene, and it continues to outdo itself. The culinary landscape here is constantly evolving, and the latest additions are nothing short of exciting. With a food culture as renowned as New Orleans' and a flavor profile that attracts foodies from all corners of the globe, the stakes are always high for new establishments making their debut.

Whether you're craving elevated lounge fare, raw oysters and other treasures of the sea, an omakase experience, or a good old-fashioned steak, there's something fresh and new for every palate. 

As the year continues and we make our way through the calendar, this list keeps growing. However, as we all know, things stay new for only a while once they hit the scene. Therefore, we are leading off with the newest additions and keeping the more recently opened eateries in line, because they still hold a lot to be excited about!

THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN NEW ORLEANS

- Late Winter/Early Spring 2026

Bonafried

Known for their award-winning fried chicken sandwich, you can find Bonafried on the go in a food truck or at their brick-and-mortar location in Mid-City. They offer a variety of sandwiches with different sauces for any flavor palate and offer seafood plates during the Lenten season.

Charmant

Husband-and-wife culinary and hospitality veterans Chris and Bonnie Borges opened Charmant near City Park late last year. This French bistro-style restaurant offers brunch, dinner, and happy hour and is open every day but Tuesday. Enjoy fried Brussels Sprouts salad, maple glazed pork chop, cheese and charcuterie, and even a dish dedicated to the restaurant it replaced, MoPho.

Moi Vietnamese Deli & Homestyle Cooking

Moi is a woman-owned and Asian-owned restaurant on bustling St. Claude Avenue. Enjoy a variety of appetizers, spring rolls, banh mi, bun, and other Vietnamese classics, plus specials every weekend.

Sushi by Us

A restaurant inside a restaurant, Sushi by Us has an exclusive feel that only locals known about. Located inside Tacos Del Cartel in the Warehouse District, Sushi by Us will make you feel like you’re underwater on a deep-sea expedition. Craft cocktails are served alongside sashimi, nigiri, and sushi rolls. Branch out and try the alligator bao or teriyaki lamb.

Taquerias Carnalito

Head to Taquerias Carnalito on Poydras for authentic Mexican tacos. This taqueria is known for their rotisserie meat and late-night hours on the weekends (open till 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday).

Chada

Chada is a Thai restaurant in Mid-City from the same people behind Dahla downtown. Look forward to menu items such as short rib panang curry, Thai-style fish, shrimp drunken noodles, khao soi chicken, basil fried rice, and more.

Dolfy's

At Spanish restaurant Dolfy’s, dine on dishes from the Basque Country. It’s located on Freret Street and run Chef Adolfo Garcia Jr. and Sophia Petrou Garcia who also own Korean fried chicken joint Chi-Chi’s. Dine on mussels, octopus, steaks, and sourdough baked in-house.

Sunnies

Also on Freret Street, Sunnies is a vibrant poolside restaurant and bar offering tropical-inspired bites, creative cocktails, and a laid-back day-to-night vibe centered around its temperature-controlled saltwater pool. The space is 21+ for pool access, with entry limited to pass holders, making it a go-to spot for adults looking to relax, dine, and enjoy full food and drink service right by the water.

Café Conmigo

Café Conmigo is a Cuban-inspired café on Freret Street serving bold cafecito, pressed sandwiches, and house-made pastries rooted in family recipes and tradition. The cozy, walk-up style spot brings a taste of ventanita culture to New Orleans, with a focus on strong coffee and simple, flavorful bites made fresh daily.

THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN NEW ORLEANS

- Fall 2025

Boil & Barrel 

It doesn’t get fresher than this! Straight from the Gulf to your plate, enjoy BBQ shrimp, crawfish mac & cheese, shrimp remoulade, ceviche, fresh oysters, fried seafood, and house specialties. Stop in for happy hour Tuesday – Sunday, from 3-6 p.m. for drink specials. 

Spicy Mango 

The newest restaurant from Morrow Hospitality, Spicy Mango is all about Caribbean cuisine, the NOLA way. Enjoy menu items like jerk chicken mac & cheese, seafood paella, stewed oxtails, and Cuban sandwiches. The ambiance at Spicy Mango is unmatched, giving tropical vibes with a mango tree inside, plus lots of outside seating with a sports bar and DJ booth. 

Delacroix Restaurant 

A new restaurant at the foot of Canal located on the Mississippi Riverfront, Delacroix is Southern elegance at its best. The menu features a raw bar, plus gumbo, grilled fish, fried chicken & red beans, and their signature shrimp stuffed pork chop, plus more. And their cocktails are reminiscent of time spent on the Gulf of Mexico, where their local seafood is caught. Top off your meal with bread pudding or a Louisiana Meyer Lemon Tart. 

Nanami Sushi Diner & Onigiri 

In the Garden District along Magazine Street, you’ll find a quaint spot with all the hallmarks of a great sushi restaurant. It’s as authentic as it gets, from handrolls and onigiri to the Japanese Karaage Chicken. They offer bento boxes perfect for lunch, with fillings like salt & pepper pork ribs and gyoza. And for now, the space is BYOB with no corkage fee, so stop by nearby Breaux Mart or Really Really Nice Wines if you’d like to grab a bottle of sake or wine. 

Shug's Bagels 

A popular Texas bagelry has come to town. Located on Maple Street Uptown, enjoy endless options for bagels, sandwiches, and breakfast items. From the classic lox bagel to the ‘Shug,’ bacon, egg and American cheese with a hashbrown and spicy sauce (if you so choose), you can’t go wrong when ordering from this new hotspot. 

Café Malou 

Café Malou is a warm, cozy restaurant located Uptown next to Octavia Books. With breakfast served all day, enjoy French-meets-New Orleans cuisine, such as the ‘Croque Me Somethin’ Mister,’ country ham with raclette cheese, bechamel, and cornichon pickle. Make sure to try the baked eggs, which come in a variety of options. 

Café Levant 

Located inside Mona’s Cafe, Café Levant is a counter service coffee shop with simple Middle Eastern and American-style deli sandwiches, plus a selection of pastries. Cozy vibes with plenty of seating options offers an ambiance unlike anywhere else in Mid-City. 

THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN NEW ORLEANS

- Late Spring/Summer 2025

The Kingsway

The Kingsway is Chef Ashwin Vilkhu's (of Saffron) first solo venture. A contemporary Asian tasting menu, each dish is an homage to memory and a celebration of Asian cuisine and culture. Choose from menu items like Scallion Lamb, Duck Breast à L’Orange, Izakaya Steak, and Key Lime Pie to build your personalized meal. Pair that with a warm, bright atmosphere and top-notch service, and you've got yourself a meal to remember.

Saint Claire

Saint Claire is a full service restaurant and bar located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana. From Chef Melissa M. Martin of Mosquito Supper Club comes this fine-dining experience that specializes in seafood. Local oysters, BBQ shrimp, citrus poached shrimp, and duck and andouille gumbo are just some of the offerings. Nestled under an old oak grove that ensures a magical and inclusive space for events of all kinds, Saint Claire wants its guests to lose themselves for a moment in what seems to be an impossible property in the city.

Lost Coyote

Part restaurant, part pool hangout spot, Lost Coyote is the hottest new restaurant on the block. Enjoy casual afternoons and vibrant evenings poolside or opt to stay indoors and dine on their menu, which is far from beach snack shack vibes. For dinner, chow down on Creole Tomato Panzanella, Parmesan Crusted Pork Chop, Grilled Hanger Steak, and more. Lunch offers a more casual menu with passionfruit cream beignets, Cajun corndogs, shrimp rolls, roast beef po-boys, and bubbles to sip on.

Evviva

Steak tartare, fish collars, sticky duck wings, chicken liver rigatoni…Evviva is one for the adventurous eater. Located in the Marigny, Evviva offers dinner most days of the week. The menu changes often—but don’t skip Velma Gene’s Anchovy Bread at this unassuming spot.

- Late Winter/Early Spring 2025

Junebug

Junebug is a late-night dining destination in downtown New Orleans. With Chef Shannon Bingham at its helm, expect a compact menu of French & Creole plates that'll run the gamut from savory snacks to decadent sandwiches and playful takes on old favorites. The restaurant pays homage to New Orleans jazz giants through playful yet elegant décor.

Here Today

Here Today Rotisserie is a chicken joint from the same team behind the Uptown classic restaurant, Coquette. Enjoy half and whole chicken dinners, plus rotisserie chicken rice bowls, chicken schnitzel sandwiches, and chicken and andouille gumbo. The restaurant is currently open for takeout and delivery with a dine-in service launching soon.

Maria’s Oyster & Wine Bar

From the team behind plates, Maria’s Oyster & Wine Bar serves the finest in fresh Gulf seafood. Think: wild Gulf oysters, Gulf tuna crudo, and a “seafood plateaux” with raw and premium Gulf oysters, tuna dip, snapper ceviche, and shrimp escabeche. Enjoy a daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m.

Patula

Patula is a quaint café located on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Enjoy coffee and pastries from Ayu Bakehouse in the morning hours and nosh on Caesar salads, ham sandwiches, and other small plates as the day wears on. Retreat to their secluded courtyard on a busy day in the Quarter for a well-earned break.

Nikkei Izakaya

From the chefs at recently shuttered Carmo comes a dining destination of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions, formally known as Nikkei. This casual restaurant has found a home in the Broadside, an outdoor live music venue. Enjoy wild Gulf fish, both cooked and raw, alongside menu items like Nori tacos, Chashu Pork, Peruvian Causa, and more fusion cuisine.

Koru

From the sushi chef at Shogun comes this new restaurant. The specialty is dressed nigiri, with fish pressed into rice and a dash of sauces, making colorful plates out of tuna, salmon, snapper, and scallops. The set-up allows you to watch the chefs as they work, lending to a delicious and entertaining dining experience.

Alma Café Mid-City

From James Beard: Semifinalist Chef Melissa Araujo comes the second location of her signature Honduran restaurant, Alma. Enjoy all-day brunch, freshly shucked oysters, and sophisticated cocktails. Happy hour runs Monday - Saturday 4-6 p.m.

Avegno

Avegno, an extension of Gautreau’s, is a far more casual bar offshoot with a no-reservation policy. That means you can simply stop in for a drink, share a plate or two, and enjoy the ambiance of the space. Savor cheese plates, fondue, caviar service, and the like.

Bon Ton Prime Rib

The Bon Ton, est. 1877, originally welcomed sailors and maritime workers from the nearby docks. Nearly 150 years later, the restaurant is reimagined to be Bon Ton Prime Rib. Enjoy New Orleans classics, like BBQ shrimp, alongside USDA Prime-only steaks. It’s the ultimate surf-and-turf inside the historic 1840s Natchez building.