Feeling Fishy? Check Out These 12 New Orleans Seafood Restaurants

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Seafood restaurants are some of the most popular all around the world. With so many different fish to try such as cod, catfish, shrimp, crab, tilapia, salmon, and much more, there are so many different options to choose from to keep you coming back and trying something different each time. Seafood of any kind is popular to eat in New Orleans and whether you’re a tourist, or a local looking for a new restaurant to go to, the city of New Orleans can provide you with different seafood experiences! (And if you’re looking for something less fishy in the Crescent City, you can check out these other options.) With that being said, check out these top 12 seafood restaurants in New Orleans as soon as you can!

1. Oceana Grill

Sit in the courtyard and have some delicious seafood at this laid back New Orleans restaurant!

Oceana Grill

739 Conti Street | French Quarter | oceanagrill.com

There’s nothing better than some classic New Orleans-style food, so stop by Oceana Grill for some of the best seafood dishes around! Oceana Grill is known for their many seafood options, especially their delicious oysters that are a hot item on the menu and an absolute must-try. Featuring a beautiful outdoor patio, this restaurant is one of the main seafood spots to go to in New Orleans.

We know you’re dying to know what kind of food Oceana Grill offers, and let us tell you, there is a lot to choose from here. You got oysters, a fried seafood platter, cajun jambalaya pasta, seafood gumbo, fried shrimp, and so much more. There is so much to choose from that it can be quite difficult, but we know that you will find something delicious at Oceana Grill the next time you visit the city.

“The food was SO GOOD that I came back the next day. The gentleman on the phone recommended their best dishes, we got mixed gator bites, fish, some really great Cajun pasta and so on, even their fries were on point!” – Yelp Review

2. Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar

Stop at this seafood restaurant with St. Charles Avenue views and great food!

Superior Seafood

4338 St. Charles Avenue | Touro | superiorseafoodnola.com

Want to try some of the best oysters in all of New Orleans? Look no further than Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar for the freshest and best oysters, along with lots of other seafood options. Located in the historic Uptown New Orleans, Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar features great seafood and even award winning happy hour specials that everyone loves!

Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar offers a great and large selection of seafood options when you decide to stop in. They serve crawfish cornbread, blackened catfish, BBQ shrimp, seafood stuffed mushrooms, fried alligator, grilled salmon salad, and so much more! We know you’ll love your experience at Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar, so stop in today for some great food and a great time!

“The shrimp pesto risotto is very tasty as well to get a bit of variety during the oyster fest.  The risotto is cooked at the right texture and the shrimp wasn’t overcooked.  It’s a well-prepared dish.” – Yelp Review

3. New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. 

The portions at this fast casual restaurant are sure to leave you stuffed

4141 St. Charles Ave | Garden District | nohsc.com

For big families and individuals with even bigger appetites, one local chain to check out during your visit is New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. There are currently ten restaurant locations operating throughout the city and its surrounding areas, which makes it a convenient and accessible dining option for groups who need to grab a bite.

With a name like New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. you pretty much know what to expect when it comes to their menu, but that doesn’t make the food any less delicious. They’ve got all kinds of New Orleans-inspired dishes to pick from, like crawfish queso, fried green tomatoes, charbroiled oysters, poboys, and of course mouthwatering burgers. For those really craving the full seafood experience, try out their seafood platter which features fried catfish, fried shrimp, crab cake, and alligator poppers.

“How can I put it…. The absolutely best burger I have had in a very long time. As you can see from the picture the ingredients were fresh, crisp, neatly placed. The order was prepared exactly the way I wanted. When I bit into the burger the most patty tasted as if it had been grilled to perfection.” – Yelp Review

4. Palm&Pine

Fine dining puts on a whole new look at this laid-back eatery

308 N Rampart St | French Quarter | palmandpinenola.com

A vibrant restaurant in the picturesque French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans, Palm&Pine delivers delicious cuisine inspired by Louisiana and even further south, namely the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. If you tend to gravitate towards southern-style cuisine and are open to exploring the diverse food options from different cultures, Palm&Pine is certainly worth checking out.

Fine dining quality in a casual, relaxed setting that you can share with friends is exactly what you get when eating out at Palm&Pine. You can enjoy an array of menu items that are out of this world as you drink and catch up on life, including speckled butter beans, cornmeal fried oysters, red snapper, and chicken fried Texas quail. If you leave room for dessert, perhaps try out a caramel flan or the blueberry chocolate chess pie.

“I absolutely loved Palm & Pine! The decor is wonderful and there is a nice causal and cozy atmosphere to the restaurant. It’s almost like being in someone’s home. The service was fantastic. Our server made great recommendations.” – Yelp Review

5. Southside Cafe

The type of casual dining establishment where you know the food shines bright

3154 Pontchartrain Dr | Slidell | southsidecafe.net

Get the best of the best in terms of Southern Louisiana cooking when you decide to dine out at Southside Cafe. With a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere, this charming neighborhood cafe is the perfect place to chow down on hearty American fare and classic local dishes.

Southside Cafe may look like any other joint on the outside, but in the kitchen is where it counts. One bite of the food they serve here and you’ll be hooked in an instant. From seafood gumbo and salmon salad to crabmeat stuffed mushrooms and custom beef burgers, Southside Cafe’s menu is packed with all kinds of good eats, cocktails, and more.

“Wow! What a great meal, atmosphere, and service!!! I had the grilled Mahi-Mahi salad, fish was cooked perfectly. The service was amazing! Jennifer was so kind and quick to serve and the place was so clean. The salad was delicious! It’s a Slidell staple for a reason! I absolutely LOVE the patriotism theme throughout the restaurant as well! Highly recommend if in Slidell!” – Yelp Review

6. Grand Isle Restaurant

Come to this laid back restaurant that serves fresh seafood straight from the coast of Grand Isle!

575 Convention Center | Warehouse District | grandislerestaurant.com

Do you like your seafood to be as fresh as possible? Well, we recommend that you stop by Grand Isle Restaurant for some of the freshest seafood in the city of New Orleans. Straight from the coast of Grand Isle, the seafood they serve here is the freshest it can possibly be, along with deliciously tender southern beef and poultry too.

Curious about all the seafood dishes available at Grand Isle Restaurant? There are quite a few of them, and they are all extremely stellar choices. Options include smoked fried oysters, baked oysters, BBQ shrimp, shrimp po boys, alligator wings, and so much more! With all of these delicious options at Grand Isle Restaurant, we know that this is the perfect seafood place for you to go to!

“Fried shrimp tossed in a spiced and creamy dressing that has a good smoky taste to it. I would’ve totally licked all the dressing off that bowl! The shrimp & grits was made perfect and well seasoned with andouille gravy.” – Yelp Review

7. Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House

Experience your oysters in three different ways: grilled, fried, and raw at this fun restaurant!

Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar

512 Bienville St | French Quarter | mredsrestaurants.com

Oysters are great, but what’s even better is that at Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House, you can have them three different ways! Whether you want them fried, grilled, or raw, you can enjoy oysters however you see fit. Mr. Ed’s is also known for their southern fried chicken, and other classic seafood and Southern inspired dishes as well!

Mr. Ed’s has lots to offer when it comes to their seafood selection! Besides oysters, you can get other dishes such as crab cakes, pork chops, crawfish beignets, seafood nachos, crispy calamari, alligator jalapeno bites, and so much more! There are so many great food options to choose from, so try out Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House today!

“Delicious charbroiled oysters served up with the best garlic bread I’ve ever had in my life! Service was fast. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was friendly and funny- which we love!” – Yelp Review

8. GW Fins

Try out this seafood restaurant with an ever changing menu of the freshest fish around!

GW Fins

808 Bienville Street | French Quarter | Gwfins.com

Are you going out for a special occasion, or just want to enjoy a romantic night out with your significant other? (Here are some more ideas for that.) Then try out GW Fins today for some great good in this fancy warehouse restaurant. GW Fin takes pride in serving the freshest and finest quality seafood in all of New Orleans, and we know that you will love everything about this restaurant!

GW Fins serves lots of different kinds of seafood and changes its menu often. They serve lots of different dishes, such as lobster dumplings, scalibut, crispy pork belly, parmesan crusted sheepshead, and even firecracker tuna tacos. With all of these delicious choices, we know the most difficult part of GW Fins will be picking which dish you want because they’re all delicious!

“The scalibut was like butter and the red snapper was also very good.  The restaurant itself had very nice decor and the entire staff was extremely professional.” – Yelp Review

9. Atchafalaya 

Because everyone deserves to treat themselves to fine dining

901 Louisiana Ave | Irish Channel | atchafalayarestaurant.com

Step into an elegant space in Uptown NOLA when you dine at Atchafalaya, a contemporary restaurant serving up staple Louisiana fare alongside drinks and brunch. Enjoying a high quality meal in the high-ceilinged dining space, surrounded by works of art, will make every diner feel like the cream of the crop.

Embodying the essence of the culinary heritage of New Orleans while also breaking boundaries within the world of food, Atchafalaya is a true delight. Try out any of their innovative dishes such as low-country shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, gumbo du jour, smoked chili gulf fish, and classic soft buttermilk biscuits. Order a drink or two and have yourself a splendid time dining out!

“Atchafalaya is the most charming and rustic restaurant serving up some of the most creative creole dishes we’ve had! We were lucky enough to enjoy their jazz brunch on Saturday to celebrate our friend’s birthday. The service was exceptional and all of our menu selections were divine. Our favorite items were the Gumbo du Jour, Fried Green Tomatoes and Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits. It’s not brunch without the Five “A” Bloody Mary!” – Yelp Review

10. Red Fish Grill

Seafood, oysters, and po boys, oh my! Check out this restaurant for its many different food selections!

Red Fish Grill

115 Bourbon Street | Central Business District | redfishgrill.com

Do you love a variety of food options when it comes to seafood? Make sure to stop by the Red Fish Grill for lots of awesome flavors of different kinds of seafood, oysters, po boys, and so much more! The Red Fish Grill is proud to serve fresh fish every single day, and with the lively decor, good food, and good drinks, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t stop here!

The Red Fish Grill serves some of the best seafood in New Orleans and this includes BBQ oysters, pan-fried Louisiana blue crab cake, creole jambalaya risotto, grilled gulf fish tacos, and so much more! Make sure to stop by the Red Fish Grill today for a great time and some even better food!

“Red Fish has a pretty diverse menu so I ordered the BBQ Chicken as my main. Loved the BBQ sauce and chicken was tender and great over rice. Our table of 5 all ordered different items and loved them all.” – Yelp Review

11. Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

While sitting in a casual bar setting, enjoy some local seafood and creole food!

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

739 Iberville Street | French Quarter | felixs.com

If you just love oyster bars, look no further than Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar for all of your oyster needs! This restaurant is known for serving local New Orleans seafood, and even a blend of hot and spicy cajun-creole inspired food. With taking pride in New Orleans traditions and culture, and their famous chargrilled oysters are to die for!

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is the perfect place to go for a night out with friends or family to be able to have a cold beer to go with your seafood. Some dishes that would go perfect with a beer are charbroiled oysters, turtle soup, blackened alligator, soft shell crabs, and even oysters rockefeller. All of this sounds so good, so why not stop down at Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar today!

“If you love oysters this place is a MUST!  They have them raw, and cooked in any way possible.  You can see them chucking them through the window and the size of these oysters are BIG!” – Yelp Review

12. Bourbon House

A classy spot where fresh oysters and upscale seafood dishes are abundant

144 Bourbon St | French Quarter | bourbonhouse.com

There are so many great places to grab fresh oysters in New Orleans that it feels like it should be illegal, but thank goodness it isn’t. Bourbon House has built up a reputation for itself due to its tasteful selection of oysters, seafood, and Creole fare.

At Bourbon House, you dine in a spacious room with a view of Bourbon Street, are privileged to a raw oyster bar, and get to pick your meal from a menu filled with classic New Orleans dishes. Start out with tempting appetizer options like bourbon glazed shrimp or red bean hummus; your main course can be anything from a filet of beef to fried gulf oysters; and desserts like creme brulee and praline cheesecake are an excellent way to finish off a three course meal. If you’re in the mood for a drink, try out the famed bourbon milk punch for a kick to your meal.

“Tucked away in the heart of New Orleans near bourbon street, this classy spot serves up some tasty local fare. Their roasted oysters are a must-try–hot, smoky, and bursting with flavor. The gumbo is another winner, with a rich, hearty broth loaded with shrimp, chicken, and spicy andouille sausage. It’s got that classic Creole kick that keeps you coming back for more. The gumbo was among the best I’ve had in New Orleans.” – Yelp Review

There’s nothing better than a good seafood restaurant that hits the spot after a long day. No matter how you like your seafood, or which type of fish that you enjoy the best, seafood always finds a way to be the best choice, especially if you’re in New Orleans. We hope we were able to help you find the best seafood restaurant with the top 12 in New Orleans!

This article originally appeared on GiftYa.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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7 classic New Orleans cocktails for Mardi Gras

7 classic New Orleans cocktails for Mardi Gras

Even though the parades and the festivities are back in 2023, you don’t have to skip the fun just because you can’t be in the Big Easy.

We’ve put together a list of some of the Crescent City’s best cocktail recipes that you can make at home. So get ready to raise a glass to your favorite krewe and laissez les bon temps rouler!

Elvie’s Restaurant

While the Daiquiri originated in Cuba, it was adopted quickly by New Orleanians and visitors alike as a cooling libation on a sticky-hot Louisiana afternoon.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. BACARDÍ Superior Rum
  • ¾ oz. lime juice
  • ¾ oz. simple syrup
  • 3-4 sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup(s) crushed ice

Instructions: 


Combine all ingredients in a blender. Add 1 cup of crushed ice and blend until a slushy consistency forms. Serve in individual highball glasses. Garnish with a strawberry slice.

Bobonete Mihaita / istockphoto

This rum-based cocktail from Bar Director Jason Dumas at the Palm & Pine restaurant in New Orleans offers all the flare you’d expect from a cocktail in the Big Easy.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ oz. Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum
  • ¾ oz. Appleton Estate 8 yr.
  • ¾ oz. La Cigarrera PX Sherry
  • ½ oz. Contratto Bitter
  • 1 barspoon Benedictine
  • ½ oz. Grapefruit Juice 
  • ¼ oz. Lime Juice
  • 3 drops Saline Solution (see below)
  • 3 drops Bittermens Tiki Bitters

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a shaker, then add ice. Shake vigorously and strain into double rocks glass. Top with ice and garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.


For the Saline Solution: 


Mix 1 part kosher salt with 4 parts warm water. Dissolve and add to a dropper bottle. Refrigerate for 2 hours. 

Pine & Palm Restaurant

This peachy concoction comes courtesy of Brandi Carter, beverage director at Elvie’s Restaurant in New Orleans, and it’s all decked out for your own private parade.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce peach-infused brandy
  • 1 ounce walnut liqueur
  • 1/2 ounce lemon
  • 1/2 ounce cane simple syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 3 dashes peach bitters
  • Nutmeg-scented, colored sugar around rim

Instructions:


Combine all ingredients except colored sugar in a shaker glass with ice. Shake until cold and strain into a coup glass rimmed with the colored sugar. Garnish with lemon peel and serve. 

Elvie’s Restaurant

This beefy cousin to the Bloody Mary is believed to have originated at Brennan’s in the French Quarter sometime around 1950. Made with the addition of beef bouillon, stock or broth, it is the perfect accompaniment to a post-celebration brunch. 

This isn’t Brennan’s recipe — it’s from Food & Wine — but it’s a good one.


Ingredients:

  • 2 oz of your favorite vodka (we like Absolut Peppar)
  • 1 oz beef stock
  • 5 ounces Bloody Mary mix (make your own directions below)
  • Splash of Guinness beer
  • Pickled string beans and cracked pepper, for garnish

Instructions:

Pour all ingredients (except for the garnishes) into a shaker with ice then “roll” the drink back and forth between two shakers and pour the entire mix into a Collins glass. Top with spicy pickled string beans and cracked pepper.

Bloody Mary mix:

  • 6 ounces pickle juice
  • 1 1/2 ounce Kosher salt
  • 1 ounce cracked black pepper
  • 2 ounces Worcester sauce
  • 2 1/2 ounces horseradish
  • 1/2 ounce sambal
  • 1 ounce Frank’s Redhot
  • 90 ounces tomato juice
  • 10 ounces fresh lemon juice

UT07 / istockphoto

A trip to New Orleans without drinking at least one Hurricane just isn’t a trip at all. Here’s Bacardi’s take on the classic cocktail. It’s not as potent as those you’ll find in New Orleans bars.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Bacardi Black Rum
  • ¾ oz. Bacardi Superior Rum
  • 1 oz. orange juice
  • 1 oz. lime juice
  • 1 oz. passion fruit syrup
  • 1 tsp. grenadine syrup

Instructions: 


Combine all ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel, orange peel and a cherry.

bhofack2 / istockphoto

According to NewOrleans.com, Creole apothecary Antoine Peychaud invented the Sazerac in his shop in 1838. “They say he first served it to his fellow Masons after hours in an egg cup –a coquetier—a word that some insist morphed into ‘cocktail.’” 

The name Sazerac reportedly comes from Peychaud’s favorite French brandy, Sazerac-de-Forge et fils. At some point, rye whiskey was used instead of the cognac and absinthe was added. After absinthe was banned in 1912 for reportedly causing hallucinations, Peychaud’s special bitters was substituted and the cocktail of today was born.

Here’s the recipe from NewOrleans.com:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cube sugar
  • 1½ oz. Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon
  • ¼ oz. Herbsaint
  • 3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
  • lemon peel

Instructions:


Pack an old-fashioned glass with ice. In a second old-fashioned glass place the sugar cube and add the Peychaud’s Bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube. Add the Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon to the second glass containing the Peychaud’s Bitters and sugar. Remove the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with the Herbsaint, then discard the remaining Herbsaint. Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar mixture from the second glass into the first glass and garnish with lemon peel.

Sanny11 / istockphoto

The spirit, Pimm’s No. 1, wasn’t created in New Orleans, but the ultimate in afternoon refreshment, the Pimm’s Cup, certainly was.

As the story goes, the owner of Napoleon House in the French Quarter added lemonade, 7-Up and a cucumber garnish to the Pimm’s and a New Orleans staple was born. This low-alcohol refresher is often served by the pitcher during the summer when the city is at peak humidity.

Here’s the recipe from NewOrleans.com:

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 oz Pimm’s No. 1
  • 3 oz lemonade
  • 7-Up

Instructions:

  • Fill a tall, 12 oz. glass with ice and add Pimm’s No.1
  • Add lemonade
  • Top off with 7-Up
  • Garnish with cucumber

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

whitneyinchicago / Wikimedia Commons

Courtesy of the City Archive, City of New Orleans, New Orleans Public Library / Robert Tallant Photograph Collection

Featured Image Credit: LindasPhotography / istockphoto.

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Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator who specializes in smart shopping, personal finance, parenting, and retail. Trae has been named a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn and a top personal finance expert by GoBankingRates and Flexjobs. She is a contributor at Millie Magazine and CNN Underscored, and her writing and expert commentary have appeared in Newsweek, Woman's Day, Forbes, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Marketwatch, MSN.com, Yahoo Finance and numerous others. She has also appeared on TV hundreds of times; including Good Morning America's GMA3: What You Need to Know, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Inside Edition, CNBC and local network affiliates nationwide.