The best American restaurants in New Orleans are among the many reasons why the state of Louisiana’s most populous city is a top destination for thousands of foreign and local tourists annually.
Based on the latest trends, the city emerged as the top travel option for many visitors over the past few years not only because of the abundance of tourist attractions, a diverse culture, and a very historical past. Instead, the presence of the best restaurants in New Orleans also became a significant driving force that attracted many tourists. But out of the many fine dining restaurants, romantic restaurants, and Italian restaurants in New Orleans, a significant portion of these tourists, especially those who are fond of searching for the best restaurants near me, prefer to dine at American restaurants. In most cases, they order food from the best American restaurants in New Orleans, particularly from the following.
1. GW Fins
GW Fins is not only one of the best American restaurants in New Orleans but is also recognized as among the most highly rated in the US. It is because the restaurant has been serving numerous menus made from the variety of fish that the shop receives each day since it first opened in 2001. This means that the restaurant’s menus vary depending on the fish delivered to their doorstep every day.
To live up to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in New Orleans and its menu philosophy, “Nature writes our Menu,” GW Fins’ Executive Chef Michael Nelson regularly searches for fish of the highest quality from various parts of the globe. He does this to augment the supply of those that were locally sourced from the Gulf of Mexico.
This popular member of the best American restaurants in New Orleans is located at 808 Bienville St. Between Bourbon and Dauphine Streets, New Orleans, LA 70112-3122. It is open for business from Sunday to Thursday (5:00 PM – 9:30 PM) and Friday and Saturday (5:00 PM – 10:00 PM).
2. Oceana Grill
The Oceana Grill is among the best American restaurants in New Orleans and the French Quarter. It is located at the corner of Conti and Bourbon Streets (in the heart of New Orleans). Also, it sits among the French Quarter’s vibrant nightlife and famous music venues.
Oceana Grill is known for serving a range of American, Louisiana, and Creole cuisine to locals and tourists. It takes pride in serving the French Quarter’s best gumbo and crab cakes. Also, it offers its guest various creole-inspired plates of pasta, seafood, and specialty po’boys.
Furthermore, Oceana Grill is regarded as one of the best restaurants in New Orleans because it is an ideal venue for events like intimate cocktail parties or weddings. Oceana Grill has seven themed rooms that can be used to house the said types of events. This best American restaurants in New Orleans list mainstay can be found at 739 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70130-2220. It is open for business from Sunday to Saturday from 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM.
3. Cochon Butcher
Cochon Butcher is a famous butcher shop, a wine bar, and a sandwich counter. It is also among the best American restaurants in New Orleans. The shop is known for serving small plates, lunch specials, and mouth-watering dinner entrees.
Cochon Butcher is not the usual butcher shop. Instead, the procedures they use to handle the business are inspired by those practiced by the meat markets of the old world. The shop specializes in homemade meats, sausages, and terrines.
Also, the Butcher offers various homemade jellies, pickles, sauces, and jams. On top of that, the Butcher provides a collection of handmade knives that were carefully curated, cutting boards, and other branded merchandise. This famous member of the best American restaurants in New Orleans is found at 930 Tchoupitoulas St, Entrance on Andrew Higgins, New Orleans, LA 70130-3820. It is open for business from Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and on Sunday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
4. The Camella Grill
The Camella Grill is a dining must-have for locals and tourists when in New Orleans. Also, it is one of the best American restaurants in New Orleans and is known for serving massive breakfast omelets, double-scoop freezes, and the signature chocolate pecan pie.
Aside from the mouth-watering menu, The Camella Grill is frequented by many guests because of the shop’s happy server, counter seating, unique retro-inspired theme, and vintage uniforms.
This best American restaurants in New Orleans list mainstay is at 626 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118-1008. It serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night orders. Also, it is open for business from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM and Friday to Saturday from 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM.
5. Criollo Restaurant
The list of the best American restaurants in New Orleans will not be complete without mentioning the Criollo Restaurant. This food joint is known for serving ingredient-driven seasonal menus designed to create creative dishes inspired by contemporary tastes and culinary traditions.
The Criollo Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. It caters to various private dining needs from customers, especially those fond of American dishes. Also, it features The Carousel Bar & Lounge, which provides all its guests with the type of entertainment they deserve.
This renowned member of the best American restaurants in New Orleans is at 214 Royal St in Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, LA 70130-2227. The restaurant is open to the public from Sunday to Saturday from 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
6. Ralph’s on the Park
Ralph’s on the Park is one of the best American food establishments in New Orleans and was voted one of the Top 10 Restaurants by the readers of NOLA.com. The food joint is known for offering the best view of the City Park’s majestic oak trees. Also, it is a top choice among diners fond of dishes made from seasonal Gulf seafood, local-sourced produce, and premium meats.
Ralph’s on the Park is also famous for its Weekend Brunch. Typically, this offer features the perennial favorites City Park Salad and Turtle Soup paired with various egg entrees. Not only that, Ralph’s dinner specials are effective in drawing many locals and tourists to experience its well-crafted cocktails and creative cooking.
Ralph’s on the Park is at 900 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119. It serves dinner on Tuesday – Thursday/5:30 PM – 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday/5:30 PM – 9:30 PM, and Sunday/5:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Lunch is served from Wednesday to Friday/11:30 AM – 2:00 PM. Finally, brunch is available on Saturday and Sunday/10:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
7. 3rd Block Depot Kitchen + Bar
The 3rd Block Depot Kitchen + Bar nests in the heart of the Quarter and is regarded as one of the best American restaurants in New Orleans. This place is known for serving a range of mouth-watering American and Cajun/Creole menus intricately prepared under Chef Nick Ocheltree’s supervision. Furthermore, it is a top destination for many regulars every Sunday. This is because of the bar’s famous Legs and Eggs Burlesque Brunch that features Bella Blue.
This popular member of the best American restaurants in New Orleans is at 310 Rue Chartres, New Orleans, LA, United States of America 70130. It serves breakfast daily from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM, and lunch is served from Monday to Saturday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. The bar also serves dinner from Monday-Sunday/ 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Finally, its famous Legs and Eggs Burlesque Brunch happens every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
8. True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen is a unique food establishment considered among the best American restaurants in New Orleans. The place was founded in 2008 by a world-renowned doctor specializing in integrated medicine and the anti-inflammatory food pyramid creator, Dr. Andrew Weil.
True Food Kitchen was established to serve a major purpose: to serve delicious foods and drinks without compromising the taste to come up with healthy outputs or vice versa. As such, the place has a dedicated culinary team trained to create foods and drinks that are intentionally healthy and intentionally delicious.
Like the other best American restaurants in New Orleans, True Food Kitchen typically serves chef-driven dishes and freshly pressed refreshers for weekend brunch and daily lunch and dinner. They also serve well-crafted cocktails and other menus made from quality ingredients sourced from top purveyors in the area.
True Food Kitchen stands at 801 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130. It is open to customers on Monday – Thursday/11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday/11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Saturday/10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and Sunday/10:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
9. Crescent City Brewhouse
The Crescent City Brewhouse is one of the premier food establishments and among the best American restaurants in New Orleans. It is a favorite hangout for many tourists and locals because of the warm, festive, and relaxed atmosphere that the Brewhouse provides. Also, the mood that the Crescent City Brewhouse offers to its guests is further improved by the live jazz performance that local musicians perform every Thursday to Monday.
Furthermore, visiting the Crescent City Brewhouse allows the guests to experience their locally brewed beers, wines, and cocktails. Not only that, the guests can also try the oyster bar’s specials along with the starters, snacks, salads, and sandwiches served at the Brewhouse.
This famous member of the best American restaurants in New Orleans is located at 527 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. It is open for business from Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM and Friday to Saturday from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
10. Katie’s Restaurant & Bar
Katie’s Restaurant & Bar is viewed as one of the best American restaurants in New Orleans and among the city’s old heritage spots. This is because the restaurant’s earliest roots can be traced to 1984. Also, it remained a family-owned and operated business since day one. It endured many challenges, including the devastating effect of Hurricane Katrina and the looting it experienced after the calamity.
Fortunately, Katie’s Restaurant & Bars’ current owners did everything to keep the restaurant afloat again and continue to provide service to its customer. Presently, it is owned by Scot Craig and Katherine D’Aquin. The restaurant reopened its doors to the public on March 1, 2010. And just like before, it served a range of intricately crafted menus that the locals were accustomed to ordering back then.
Katie’s Restaurant & Bar is located at 3701 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. It is open to take orders from Monday to Thursday/11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, from Friday to Saturday/11:00 AM – 9:30 PM, and on Sunday/ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
11. Napoleon House
The Napoleon House is among the oldest and best American restaurants in New Orleans. The house where the customers are served the best American menus is regarded as a 200-year-old landmark. The said building was first occupied by Nicholas Girod, the mayor of New Orleans, from 1812 to 1815. He offered this house to serve as Napoleon Bonaparte’s refuge in 1821 during his exile.
Unfortunately, Napoleon didn’t make it, but the name Napoleon House remained stuck in the building. Also, it became a popular bar in America that many writers and artists frequented during most of the 20th century.
The Napoleon House was owned and operated by several owners over time. The Impastato family held the house’s rein since 1914, and it was then owned by Ralph Brennan in 2015.
The Napoleon House is a top destination for tourists and residents who wish to experience an ambience similar to that of the old New Orleans while sipping the signature Pimm’s Cup and listening to the music from various classical masters.
This renowned member of the best American restaurants in New Orleans is at 500 Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130. It is open to accommodate its guests’ orders every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM as well as on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Finally, walk-ins are welcomed at the Napoleon House with phone number and name provided upon check-in. Unfortunately, advanced reservations are unavailable.
12. The Joint
The list of the best American restaurants in New Orleans will not be complete without mentioning The Joint. This food establishment has been in the area since 2004. It was established out of a shoestring budget and was first located on Poland Avenue right in the heart of the Historic Bywater District in the eastern part of downtown New Orleans. During that time, the establishment started to gain a local following.
In 2008, The Joint got featured in “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives,” the Food Network program of Guy Fieri. The exposure helped The Joint establish a reputation among the makers of the best-tasting barbecue. The Joint was eventually included in the Top 10 BBQ Lists published by various publications from the likes of Bon Appétit to Zagat.
In 2012, The Joint transferred to a different location, just a few blocks from its origination location to the current one in 701 Mazant St, New Orleans, LA 70117-5433. The food shop continued its operations up to the present. Over the years, The Joint earned many loyal customers and continues to delight some New Orleans tourists with its best-tasting barbecue.
This popular member of the best American restaurants in New Orleans serves its famed barbecue and other American specialties every Monday to Thursday from 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM and every Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM – 10: 00 PM.
The Bottomline
The city of New Orleans is definitely the home to a long list of American restaurants. Most of the best American restaurants in New Orleans have been around for years, while the others were established a few decades ago. As such, moving to the city is your best option if you wish to live near these American restaurants in New Orleans. Also, buying one of the new houses for sale in New Orleans with the help of reliable realtors like Nicole Spellman Group is highly recommended.
