The 10 Best Restaurants In The Arts District, New Orleans

The first of Chef Donald Link’s award-winning restaurants in the Warehouse District, Herbsaint is a tribute to this Louisiana native’s homeland, this kitchen is serving up the best creole dishes in New Orleans. The delicious foods are complemented by the outstanding and friendly service customers expect from one of the city’s best upscale restaurants. The atmosphere is relaxed with a casual dress code. The menu provides a variety of small plates and entrées to satisfy any palate. Enjoy your meal outside with a romantic view of the street car on St. Charles Avenue.

When people think about South Louisiana cuisine, most probably imagine all of the coma-inducing, cholesterol-spiking, deep-fried dishes which call this place home, however, buried amongst the plethora of these establishments lies a culinary gem that will revolutionize the way you understand the New Orleans dining experience. Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, or just looking for a deliciously healthy meal, Carmo has everything to satisfy your stomach and taste buds. From the Caribbean and the Gulf South to Southeast Asia and West Africa, this menu is a melting pot of influences from around the world. This fabulous little café is serving up some of the best sashimi in the Big Easy.

This award-winning establishment carries an impeccable reputation across the country. Cochon Butcher could hold a spot on a number of ‘best’ lists. The wine bar is fantastic, the butcher shop with an assortment of indescribable, house-made meats and sausages is truly something special and then, there are the delectable small plates, sandwiches, and desserts prepared and served from their dine-in menu. Try the bacon melt, barbecue pork, or the Gambino, and a bacon praline for dessert. Do yourself a favor and order something from the butchers shop to take home. With amazing food, drinks, and service, enough cannot be said about this place.

This is not just a meal, this is an experience. Chef Nina Compton takes her customers at Compére Lapin on a culinary journey. Every aspect of this restaurant represents an artistic expression of her life experiences. As a child in St. Lucia, Nina read folktales about a playful rabbit named Compére Lapin, she was introduced to classical French cuisine during her training and gained extensive experience in the culinary arts of Italy on her journey to appearing on Top Chef. Ultimately, Nina opened her restaurant inside The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandley, in the Arts District.

Located near the Mississippi River on Convention Center Boulevard is a terrific breakfast and lunch café. Omelets, Benedict, French toast, crepes, and everything else you need to get your day started are served hot and fresh at Two Chicks Café. Try the kickin’ chicken or under-the-sea omelet. If you aren’t a morning person, that’s okay, their lunch menu contains some mind-blowing sandwiches. Try the grown-up grilled cheese, turkey panini, or Cajun sandwich. They also have great beverage options and fabulous smoothies.

In New Orleans, as is the case around much of the Gulf South, the focus is normally on great seafood, however, if you are looking for a place to get a premium cut of beef, this is it. La Boca is an Argentinian steakhouse grilling up the most tenderly delectable steaks in the Big Easy. Unlike many restaurants that attempt to master an extensive menu of various options, La Boca maintains a narrowed focus, offering 13 different cuts of beef, they are all incredible. Order the gaucho plate to sample a variety of flavors, and be sure to order dessert. They also serve an incredible heart of palm salad.

In 1990, world-renowned Chef Emeril Lagasse opened this award-winning restaurant in the historic Warehouse District of New Orleans. The in-house chef, David Slater, and Emeril work together to provide some of the best native cuisine in the entire city. The menu at Emeril’s New Orleans is full of wonderful entrées caught fresh from the Gulf of Mexico. Order a couple of their delicious cocktails, and try one of their fantastic desserts. Stop in for lunch and try the andouille crusted rainbow trout or ‘Who Dat’ burger. This restaurant personifies the boisterous Lagasse, with a friendly atmosphere.

Chef Phillip Lopez and General Manager Maximilian Ortiz hit a home run when they opened Root inside the Arts District in 2011. You don’t have to look far to see the evidence of their success, they have since opened two other restaurants in the city, Square Root and Root2. To set yourself apart as unique in New Orleans is no small task, however, this articulately modernized restaurant has done just that, serving elemental entrées that perfectly illustrate the diverse experience of the head chef. Take a seat in one of their cleverly designed chairs and enjoy a dining experience unlike anything else you will find in the Crescent City.

The chef-owners of this fine establishment have already proven themselves with establishments like Cochon Butcher and Herbsaint. A true believer in the old adage that less is more, Peche Seafood Grill specializes in illuminating the natural flavors of the seafood rather than watering down the inherent essence of the foods. Try one of their fantastic fish entrées, cooked over a live flame and served whole, head and all. This place also boasts, arguably, the best raw bar in the city, go big and order the seafood platter.

There is a distinct separation of entities within the name of this establishment, and for good reason. The food is unbelievable and the wine is an experience all of its own. Located on the historic St. Charles Avenue, Marcello’s is a perfect representation of Sicilian traditions with the creole influence of South Louisiana. This family-owned restaurant has an incredible story, beginning in 1961 when owner Gene Todaro Jr.’s family left Sicily, bound for New Orleans. The original restaurant was opened in Lafayette, LA by Gene’s uncle, Marcello Todaro. Today, the family tradition continues with this second location in the Arts District. Peruse the wine racks until you discover the wine that perfectly matches your dining experience.