Top restaurants list
10 Best Casual Restaurants in New Orleans
- 10 restaurants
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Updated March 11, 2026
The top 10 best casual restaurants in New Orleans include Cochon Restaurant, Coop’s Place, Oceana Grill, Mother’s Restaurant, Peche Seafood Grill, Johnny’s Po-Boys, The High Hat Cafe, Cafe Amelie, Gris-Gris, and Bearcat CBD. New Orleans' top casual dining spots are known for the debris-soaked roast beef, wood-fired Gulf fish, spicy seafood gumbo, and the traditional po’boys.
Casual dining spots in New Orleans are found throughout the historic French Quarter, the bustling Warehouse District, and the Garden District. Visitors and locals alike frequent traditional po'boy shops, rustic Cajun eateries, live-fire seafood grills, and modern Southern bistros in the city. A meal at a casual restaurant in New Orleans costs between $15 and $80 per person.
Cochon Restaurant stands out as the best overall for authentic Cajun boucherie, the use of locally sourced pork, and a rustic yet refined warehouse atmosphere. Johnny’s Po-Boys serves excellent overstuffed sandwiches for a quick meal. Peche Seafood Grill offers a more sophisticated seafood dinner experience. Bearcat CBD provides extensive vegan options on the "Good Cat" menu, while Cochon Restaurant has many gluten-free options, including roasted meats and vegetable sides.
The top casual restaurants in New Orleans are listed below.
-
1
Oceana Grill is a high-volume restaurant in the French Quarter known for its extensive menu of Louisiana seafood and Creole dishes. The space includes multiple dining rooms and a picturesque courtyard, catering to a bustling crowd of tourists and locals at all hours.- Item Prices
- 503
- Average Item Price
- $12.57
Oceana Grill Menu PricesMore about Oceana Grill
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining, Seafood
Type of Food:
Creole, Seafood
Signature Dishes:
Taste of New OrleansRed Beans and RiceFried Seafood Platter
Location:
739 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves its full menu late into the night, 365 days a year.
What Makes It Special:
Oceana Grill provides a quintessential French Quarter dining experience with its classic Creole dishes, courtyard seating, and energetic atmosphere right off of Bourbon Street.
What Sets It Apart:
Its large menu and round-the-clock service make it a reliable and accessible option for classic New Orleans fare at any time of day or night.
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
-
2
Mother’s Restaurant is a landmark New Orleans institution, operating since 1938. It is a cafeteria-style eatery famous for its po'boys, especially the "Ferdi Special," and traditional homestyle Creole food. The atmosphere is bustling and no-frills, with lines often forming out the door.- Item Prices
- 26
- Average Item Price
- $12.79
Mother's Restaurant Menu PricesMore about Mother's Restaurant
Type of Restaurant:
Cafeteria, Casual Dining
Type of Food:
Creole, Southern
Signature Dishes:
Gulf Shrimp Po' BoySeafood GumboJerry’s Creole Jambalaya
Location:
401 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Special Feature:
The "debris" (shreds of roast beef that fall into the gravy) is a signature element of their po'boys and has become a New Orleans culinary term.
What Makes It Special:
Mother's offers a taste of New Orleans history, serving generations of customers with its unchanged recipes for classic po'boys and Creole soul food.
What Sets It Apart:
Its cafeteria-style service and historic, unpretentious setting provide a unique and authentic dining experience that has been a local tradition for decades.
Operating Hours:
Monday–Sunday: 7:00 AM–9:00 PM
Price:
$10 to $20 per person
-
3
Cafe Amelie is a restaurant located in the historic 150-year-old Princess of Monaco Courtyard in the French Quarter. The restaurant is known for its picturesque, lush courtyard dining space and serves a menu of contemporary Louisiana cuisine.- Item Prices
- 128
- Average Item Price
- $12.13
Cafe Amelie Menu PricesMore about Cafe Amelie
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
Contemporary Creole
Signature Dishes:
Gulf Shrimp and GritsGumboBread Pudding
Location:
900 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant's main dining area is its expansive and beautifully landscaped courtyard, offering a romantic and tranquil outdoor dining experience.
What Makes It Special:
Cafe Amelie provides a unique and enchanting atmosphere with its lush courtyard setting, making it a popular destination for brunch and romantic dinners.
What Sets It Apart:
Its stunning outdoor courtyard is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the French Quarter, setting it apart as a primarily al fresco dining destination.
Operating Hours:
Thursday – Sunday: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PMMonday – Wednesday: Closed
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
-
4
4. Cochon Restaurant
Cochon is a restaurant in the Warehouse District that specializes in traditional Cajun and Southern cooking with a focus on pork dishes. The restaurant, led by chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, operates in a rustic, renovated warehouse space and features an open kitchen.More about Cochon Restaurant
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
Cajun, Southern
Signature Dishes:
Braised Pork CheeksWood-Fired Oysters Fried Alligator
Location:
930 Tchoupitoulas St Ste A, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant works with locally sourced pork and seafood to create authentic Cajun flavors. A "Feed Me" menu option is available for larger parties, showcasing a selection of the chef's signature dishes.
What Makes It Special:
Cochon elevates traditional Cajun country dishes through its focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
What Sets It Apart:
Its specialization in boucherie (traditional Cajun butchery) and snout-to-tail pork preparations distinguishes it from other Southern restaurants in the city.
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
-
5
5. Coop’s Place
Coop's Place is a casual Decatur Street pub with a dark, dive-bar atmosphere that serves classic New Orleans comfort food. The restaurant and bar are for patrons 21 and over, featuring a long bar, limited table seating, and a covered patio in the back.More about Coop’s Place
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining, Bar
Type of Food:
Cajun, Creole
Signature Dishes:
Rabbit & Sausage JambalayaCajun Fried Chicken Seafood Gumbo
Location:
1109 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States
Special Feature:
The late-night kitchen serves a full menu, making it a popular spot for locals and service industry workers after hours.
What Makes It Special:
Coop's Place offers generously portioned, flavorful Cajun and Creole staples in an unpretentious, lively French Quarter setting.
What Sets It Apart:
Its strict 21-and-over policy and dive-bar ambiance create a distinctly adult-oriented experience focused on authentic local food and drinks.
Operating Hours:
Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PMWednesday: Closed
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
-
6
6. Peche Seafood Grill
Peche Seafood Grill is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant in the Warehouse District focused on cooking seafood over a live-fire, wood-burning grill. The restaurant, from the same owners as Cochon, has a rustic, industrial ambiance and centers its menu on fresh, Gulf Coast catches.More about Peche Seafood Grill
Type of Restaurant:
Upscale Casual, Seafood
Type of Food:
Seafood, American
Signature Dishes:
Whole Grilled FishGrilled TunaSeafood Gumbo
Location:
800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Special Feature:
The centerpiece of the restaurant is its open kitchen featuring a large, wood-burning hearth used for grilling whole fish and other dishes.
What Makes It Special:
Peche is celebrated for its simple yet refined approach to seafood, using live-fire cooking techniques inspired by Spanish and South American methods to highlight the quality of fresh, local fish.
What Sets It Apart:
The focus on live-fire grilling as the primary cooking method for seafood creates a unique flavor profile and dining experience compared to traditional New Orleans seafood restaurants.
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price:
$50 to $100 per person
-
7
7. Johnny’s Po-Boys
Established in 1950, Johnny's Po-Boys is the oldest family-owned po'boy restaurant in the French Quarter. It is a very casual, counter-service eatery with limited seating that serves a massive selection of po'boys alongside other New Orleans specialties.More about Johnny’s Po-Boys
Type of Restaurant:
Fast-Casual, Sandwich Shop
Type of Food:
Po'Boys, Creole
Signature Dishes:
Johnny's Special Po'BoyShrimp Po'BoyJudge Bosetta Po'Boy
Location:
511 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant offers one of the most extensive po'boy menus in the city, with over 40 different options available.
What Makes It Special:
Johnny's provides a historic and authentic French Quarter po'boy experience, known for its overstuffed sandwiches and traditional recipes passed down through generations.
What Sets It Apart:
Its long-standing history as a family-run institution and its vast, diverse menu of po'boys make it a landmark destination in the French Quarter.
Operating Hours:
Monday, Thursday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PMTuesday – Wednesday: Closed
Price:
$10 to $20 per person
-
8
8. The High Hat Cafe
The High Hat Cafe is a casual, neighborhood restaurant on Freret Street serving Southern comfort food from Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta. The interior has a timeless Southern diner feel with a long bar, tiled floors, and large windows.More about The High Hat Cafe
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining, Southern
Type of Food:
Southern, American
Signature Dishes:
Fried Catfish PlatterBBQ ShrimpPimento Mac
Location:
4500 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant specializes in U.S. farm-raised catfish, which is a centerpiece of its menu.
What Makes It Special:
High Hat Cafe offers an authentic taste of regional Southern cuisine beyond typical New Orleans fare, in a relaxed and welcoming neighborhood setting.
What Sets It Apart:
Its focus on the broader culinary traditions of the American South, particularly from the Mississippi Delta, provides a different perspective on Southern food in New Orleans.
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
-
9
9. Gris-Gris
Gris-Gris is a neighborhood restaurant on Magazine Street serving refined Southern and New Orleans cuisine in a casual, multi-level space. The first floor features an open kitchen surrounded by a dining counter, while the second floor has a bar and a wrap-around balcony for outdoor seating.More about Gris-Gris
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
Creole, Cajun
Signature Dishes:
Oyster BLTFried OystersChicken & Andouille Gumbo
Location:
1800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Special Feature:
The open-kitchen concept on the first floor allows guests to sit at a counter and interact directly with the chefs as they prepare the food.
What Makes It Special:
Gris-Gris offers an elevated yet accessible take on classic New Orleans dishes, created by native New Orleanian Chef Eric Cook in a lively, interactive setting.
What Sets It Apart:
The combination of its interactive chef's counter, popular balcony seating, and refined approach to comfort food makes it a distinct neighborhood dining destination.
Operating Hours:
Monday, Thursday, Wednesday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMTuesday: Closed
Price:
$30 to $50 per person
-
10
10. Bearcat CBD
Bearcat CBD is a popular restaurant in the Central Business District known for its distinct "Good Cat" and "Bad Cat" menu concept. The "Good Cat" side features lighter, healthier, and diet-conscious dishes, while the "Bad Cat" side offers more indulgent and traditional comfort food.More about Bearcat CBD
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining, Cafe
Type of Food:
American, Southern, Healthy
Signature Dishes:
Cat DaddyBearcat BreakfastBison Sausage
Location:
845 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Special Feature:
The menu is split into two distinct sections: "Good Cat" for healthy and vegan options and "Bad Cat" for indulgent comfort food, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences.
What Makes It Special:
Bearcat CBD successfully balances creative, health-focused cuisine with decadent Southern breakfast and lunch classics, all served in a bright, modern space.
What Sets It Apart:
Its unique "Good Cat/Bad Cat" menu structure is a defining feature, making it a go-to spot for groups with diverse dietary needs and preferences.
Operating Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday, Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PMSaturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
On the map
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes Casual Restaurants in New Orleans Famous?
Casual restaurants in New Orleans are famous for classic Creole and Cajun dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and po'boys. Food tourism is driven by a culinary heritage that combines French, Spanish, West African, and American Southern influences, creating a flavor profile found nowhere else. Cooking techniques like smothering, blackening, and preparing a roux are fundamental to the local food. Key ingredients central to these dishes include the "holy trinity" of celery, bell peppers, and onions, alongside fresh Gulf seafood like shrimp, oysters, and crawfish.
What Types of Casual Restaurants are Commonly Found in New Orleans?
Common types of casual restaurants found in New Orleans include Creole bistros, po'boy shops, and seafood houses, which are a part of the food culture. These different kinds of New Orleans restaurants make up the well-known food offerings.
- Creole Bistros and Cafes: These restaurants serve classic New Orleans Creole cuisine, which has roots in French and Spanish colonial cooking. Dishes include gumbo, shrimp remoulade, and grits. Mother's Restaurant and Coop's Place are examples.
- Po'Boy Shops: These are dedicated sandwich shops with menus centered on the po'boy, a traditional Louisiana submarine sandwich served on New Orleans French bread. Fillings range from fried shrimp and oysters to roast beef "debris." Johnny's Po-Boys is a primary example.
- Seafood Houses: These seafood houses focus on fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. The menus feature raw oysters, boiled crawfish, and grilled or blackened fish. Peche Seafood Grill and Oceana Grill fit this description.
- Cajun Eateries: These spots focus on the rustic, country-style cooking of Louisiana's Acadian people. The food includes dishes like boudin, alligator sausage, and cochon de lait. Cochon Restaurant is a key example.
- Neighborhood Southern Restaurants: These are relaxed dining rooms that serve broader Southern comfort food, sometimes with a focus on cuisine from the Mississippi Delta. The High Hat Cafe falls into this group.
Does New Orleans Have an Authentic Casual Restaurant?
Yes, New Orleans has authentic casual restaurants, including Mother’s Restaurant, Johnny’s Po-Boys, and Cochon Restaurant. Mother’s Restaurant has been serving traditional, homestyle Creole food and po'boys with its signature "debris" since 1938, maintaining original cafeteria-style service. Johnny's Po-Boys is the oldest family-run po'boy shop in the French Quarter and has preserved classic recipes for over 70 years. Cochon Restaurant is dedicated to the genuine practices of Cajun boucherie, focusing on whole-hog butchery and heritage pork preparations.
Do Casual Restaurants in New Orleans Offer Easy Online Reservations?
Yes, many casual restaurants in New Orleans offer easy online reservations through websites and third-party platforms like Resy. Upscale-casual spots like Peche Seafood Grill, Cochon Restaurant, and Gris-Gris use these services for bookings, which is highly recommended due to popularity. Cafe Amelie also accepts reservations online through the website. More traditional, counter-service spots like Mother’s Restaurant and Johnny’s Po-Boys operate on a first-come, first-served basis and do not take reservations.
What are the Signature Dishes of the Best Casual Restaurants in New Orleans?
The best casual restaurants in New Orleans are known for signature dishes that range from slow-cooked stews to overstuffed sandwiches. The following list describes some of the most notable food in New Orleans.
- Seafood Gumbo: A thick stew made with a dark roux, the "holy trinity" of vegetables, and a mix of shrimp, crab, and oysters served over rice. This dish is a staple at Coop’s Place.
- Roast Beef Po'Boy: A sandwich served on crisp French bread filled with slow-cooked roast beef and gravy. Mother’s Restaurant serves this with "debris," the shredded bits of meat.
- Charbroiled Oysters: Fresh oysters grilled on the half shell with a sauce of butter, garlic, herbs, and cheese. Oceana Grill is famous for this preparation.
- Rabbit and Sausage Jambalaya: A rice dish cooked with rabbit, andouille sausage, and vegetables in a spicy tomato base. Coop’s Place is well-known for this specific version.
- Wood-Fired Fish: Whole fish cooked over an open flame to impart a smoky flavor. Peche Seafood Grill cooks this using Gulf catches.
- Cochon de Lait: Suckling pig roasted until tender and often served in sandwiches or with sides. Cochon Restaurant serves this traditional Cajun dish with turnips and cabbage.
What is the Average Meal Price at Casual Restaurants in New Orleans?
The average price for a meal at a casual restaurant in New Orleans is between $15 and $80 per person. A single meal at a counter-service spot like Johnny’s Po-Boys or a cafeteria like Mother’s Restaurant costs between $15 and $25. A group meal for four people at a sit-down bistro such as Coop’s Place or The High Hat Cafe falls between $80 and $140. A full dinner with drinks at an upscale-casual grill like Peche Seafood Grill or Cochon Restaurant costs $50 to $90 per person.
Are There Vegan Options at Casual Restaurants in New Orleans?
Yes, New Orleans has vegan options at eateries like Bearcat CBD, Sweet Soulfood, Breads on Oak, and Sneaky Pickle. Bearcat CBD provides a "Good Cat" menu section featuring vegan breakfast items and bowls. Sweet Soulfood serves plant-based versions of classic Creole dishes like red beans and bread pudding. Breads on Oak offers vegan pastries and sandwiches in a bakery setting. Sneaky Pickle focuses on vegetable-forward plates and vegan burgers. The Daily Beet serves grain bowls and salads using fresh produce.
Do Casual Restaurants in New Orleans Offer Gluten-Free Options?
Yes, casual restaurants in New Orleans offer Gluten-Free options at dining spots like Casamento’s, Bearcat CBD, Mais Arepas, and Carmo. Casamento’s uses corn flour for frying seafood, making the fried oysters and shrimp safe for Gluten-Free diners. Bearcat CBD identifies Gluten-Free items clearly on the menu, including pancakes and bowls. Mais Arepas serves Colombian arepas made from corn meal which are naturally Gluten-Free. Carmo offers a menu with many Gluten-Free dishes inspired by tropical cuisines. Cochon Restaurant provides meat-centric dishes that do not contain wheat.
More top restaurant lists in Louisiana
- 10 Best Creole Restaurants in New Orleans
- 10 Best Italian Restaurants in New Orleans
- 10 Best Jazz Restaurants in New Orleans
- 10 Best Local Restaurants in New Orleans
- 10 Best Lunch Restaurants in New Orleans
- 10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Baton Rouge
- 10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Lafayette (LA)
- 10 Best Mexican Restaurants In New Orleans
- 10 Best New Orleans Restaurants
- 10 Best New Restaurants in Baton Rouge
- 10 Best New Restaurants in New Orleans
Find your next favorite spot
Can't decide? start here: