Freret Street

Uptown's restaurant row, from bagels to nightcaps

Freret Street is a popular place for dining, drinking, and live music, running through Uptown New Orleans. The busiest stretch of the street is flanked by Loyola and Tulane universities, making it a lively thoroughfare for college students. But rest assured, the caliber of dining and drinking options alone makes it just as appealing to locals and visitors beyond their university days. Between Jefferson and Napoleon avenues, you'll find dozens of restaurants spanning different cuisines. Get off the beaten path — Freret Street is a local's favorite.

History of Freret Street 

Freret Street wasn’t always known as Uptown’s restaurant row. The street runs through a quiet residential neighborhood with several schools nearby. Though the naming of the street dates back to the 1800s, it was 2009 that flipped Freret Street on its head. The revitalized area between Jefferson and Napoleon avenues is now home to over 32 restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and commercial businesses. 

Best Places to Eat and Drink on Freret Street

Whether you come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks, you can't go wrong dining on Freret Street.

Breakfast:

Humble Bagel serves hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels made daily, along with a full menu of bagel sandwiches. The original Bearcat Café just off Freret offers both decadent and health-conscious breakfast and brunch options.

Lunch:

For lunch on Freret Street, check out Good Bird, The Company Burger, or Midway Pizza for casual, quick bites.

Dinner:

When the dinner hour rolls around, Freret Street truly shines. High Hat Café delivers authentic New Orleans Creole and Southern cuisine, Mint brings bold Vietnamese flavors, Vals pours the margaritas and plates the tacos (with a dreamy covered patio to boot), and Chi-Chi’s offers Korean fried chicken and Japanese-inspired sandos.

For something newer to the strip, Dolfy's — the Basque-inspired, wood-fired restaurant from Chef Adolfo Garcia Jr. — brings pintxos, braised oxtail croquetas, and Gulf Coast seafood together at 4508 Freret St. Just across the street, Pigeon & The Whale (4525 Freret St.) captivates with a rotating raw bar, oysters, and an upscale seafood menu served in a moody, marble-bar setting. And Sunnies (4917 Freret St.) brings a 1970s Palm Springs energy to Uptown — think resort-style heated pool, inventive cocktails, and crave-worthy bites like lobster and shrimp rolls and seared salmon.

Dessert and Coffee:

Coffee lovers can count on Mojo Coffee House and Rook Café for their daily fix. When it comes to sweets, you’ll find artisanal sno-balls year-round at Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls (5033 Freret St.) with inventive flavors like cereal cream and cream of chicory coffee that go well beyond your average shaved ice. Just a few steps off of Freret, Ruthie’s Frozen Custard offers over-the-top mix-ins, milkshakes, and more.

Cocktails:

Cocktail connoisseurs should add Cure to the top of their Freret Street list. In 2026, Cure vaulted to No. 21 on North America's 50 Best Bars list, earning the Nikka Highest Climber Award after rising from No. 50 in 2025. Cure was previously awarded a James Beard Award for "Outstanding Bar Program" in 2018 and placed on The World's 50 Best Bars list in 2014. Stop in for seasonal cocktails, wine and cider by the glass, beer, and cheese & meat plates.

Freret Street Art Market

Once a month on Freret Street at Napoleon Avenue, dozens of local artisans come out for an art market. Find jewelry, art, bath and skin care, vintage clothing, food pop-ups, and much more. Check here for information regarding the next monthly market.

Once a year, Freret Street transforms into a block party known as Freret Street Festival, showcasing the best of Freret Street and live music. Best of all, it's free to attend!

Freret Street has had an unbelievable and exciting revival, with countless restaurants, swanky cocktails, and new shops to explore all between Jefferson Avenue and Napoleon Avenue.