New Orleans is known for its food scene, especially the restaurants. There’s gumbo from Dooky Chase’s, muffulettas from Napoleon House, and Arnaud’s soufflé potatoes, all worthy of a visit in their own right. 

The year of 2022 saw fabulous new restaurant openings, including re-openings and permanent homes for some of the city’s favorite pop-ups. Several of these new restaurants are featured in 23 Dishes to Try in 2023, our guide to the best meals in New Orleans, according to locals. Make it your new year’s resolution to check out a few of these recent restaurant openings below. 

Dakar NOLA 

3814 Magazine St. 

November 2022 saw the opening of a brick-and-mortar Magazine Street location for a former beloved pop-up. Chef Serigne Mbaye’s Dakar NOLA offers a Senegalese-influenced tasting menu and is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday. The restaurant seats 30 guests, with one seating each evening. 

Queen Trini Lisa 

4200 D’Hemecourt St. 

As a native of Trinidad & Tobago, Lisa Nelson, better known as Queen Trini Lisa, brought her sought after cuisine to a brand-new location in 2022. Stop by for authentic Caribbean cuisine, including doubles, a famous Trinidadian street food. 

Ayu Bakehouse 

801 Frenchmen St. 

Ayu Bakehouse hasn’t been open for long, but it’s quickly become a Marigny neighborhood staple. Enjoy breakfast or lunch, or simply stop in for a loaf of fresh bread and coffee. The savory “Boudin Boy” pastry even made it on our list of 23 dishes to try in 2023—which you can read more about here. 

Sukeban 

8126 Oak St. 

Inspired by Japan’s small informal bars known as “izakaya,” Sukeban specializes in temaki hand rolls utilizing incredibly fresh ingredients in a sleek (and tiny) space.  

Afrodisiac 

5363 Franklin Ave. 

Afrodisiac has a wide menu featuring small Caribbean appetizers, Creole and Jamaican entrées, and sandwiches, soups, and salads. Once a food truck, this brick-and-mortar location is getting a lot of love from locals. 

Monday Restaurant + Bar 

4327 Bienville St. 

While so many restaurants are closed on Mondays, this spot is not only open but offers an all-day happy hour. From the folks behind Morrow’s, Monday specializes in flavorful twists on American classics, plus Creole staples like red beans & rice. 

Zee’s Pizzeria 

3914 Baronne St. 

A former pop-up inside local breweries, Zee’s has its own shop now to serve up hot, fresh, and delicious slices of Northeast-style pizza. It’s the dough, sauce, and high-quality ingredients that keep folks coming back. 

Flour Moon Bagels 

457 N Dorgenois St. 

Located on the Lafitte Greenway, Flour Moon is a NYC-inspired bagelry that serves single bagels, plus fancy tartine dishes and bagel sandwiches. Stop by and you won’t be disappointed. 

Le Chat Noir 

715 St. Charles Ave. 

This farm-to-table restaurant (and former cabaret) has been hailed as one of the best in New Orleans. Le Chat Noir serves New American cuisine with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. 

Yazuka House 

2740 Severn Ave. 

Sit at the bar at Yazuka House and you’ll get dinner and a show. The family-owned Japanese restaurant serves everything from sashimi and noodles to mystery tempura ice cream. 

Margot’s 

1243 Frenchmen St. 

Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizza and cocktails in a family-friendly atmosphere at Margot's. Margot’s menu also features salads and an impressive natural wine selection, as well as an entire section of the cocktail menu devoted to variations on the Negroni.  

Wishing Town Bakery 

802 Nashville St. 

Wishing Town Bakery Café has dumplings, all sorts of bowls, noodles, and salads. They also have slices of special flavored cakes along with whole cakes and pastries. 

The Chicory House 

2727 Prytania St. 

Located in The Rink shopping center, The Chicory House is a coffee shop and casual bistro featuring light but filling lunch options. Linger for a coffee and pastry or grab your order to go and explore its beautiful Garden District location. 

Miss Shirley’s Chinese Restaurant 

3009 Magazine St. 

From the Lee family of Metairie’s Royal China comes Miss Shirley’s, a spot for dim sum and other Chinese American staples. 

Mamou 

942 N Rampart St. 

Enjoy French brasserie style cuisine at Mamou, which opened along the edge of the French Quarter in late 2022.