Best Diners in New Orleans

"A classic diner, Slim Goodies prepares quintessential breakfast and brunch foods with a selection of plant-based adjustments. The Garden Slammer is a breakfast tofu scramble served with soy bacon and mixed veggies. Try this or one of their other slammer options made with tofu for plant-based perfection."

"Since New Orleans is constantly buzzing with action, Clover Grill thought best to stay open in order to ensure the people of New Orleans are being fed at all times. This is a popular place; the laid-back atmosphere and the hot breakfast specials keep guests coming back for more. The diner is defined by its white washed plaster exterior, brightly painted, and the glass-paneled doors."

"Whether it's late night in the Quarter or it's noon and you're still in the mood for breakfast, Clover Grill always delivers. Perched on the corner of Bourbon and Dumaine and usually open 24 hours a day for the last 81 years, this little diner is a quintessential NOLA spot. "We love to fry and it shows" is the motto, so don't be surprised if there's a little grease on your spoon."

"Open 24/7 on Bourbon Street, this consummate French Quarter greasy spoon is so strange and wonderful it seems almost out of a David Lynch film. With pink walls, red bar stools and a retro feel, a nightly sea of unusual people, from drunkards to drag queens, gather round for sassy, slow service and fried foods. Onion rings and hubcap burgers are the way to go."

"Gert Town ramen destination Kin paused during the pandemic — it’s a small space, and chef Hieu Than’s meticulously-built bowls of ramen aren’t easy to translate to takeout. In March, however, Than launched ramen kits, and built outdoor seating outside of the small Washington Avenue building. The kits come with perfectly cooked proteins (glazed pork belly, chicken paitan) vacuum-sealed, broth, fresh ramen noodles, and vegetable toppings, packaged intricately and accompanied by instructions."

"Kin has gained a lot of traction for the decadent ramen bowls and creative dumplings; in fact, they were nominated for a 2018 James Beard award. Owner, Hieu Than, wanted a small, yet focused menu. It boosts French and Asian flavors in a perfect combination."

"Located at 4600 Washington Ave. in Gert Town, the Japanese spot is the highest rated Japanese restaurant in New Orleans, boasting 4.5 stars out of 288 reviews on Yelp."

"The Red Dog Diner has a very cool atmosphere and even better food. If you go, make sure you ask to be seated in the back, since they have outdoor/indoor seating inside a redesigned garage. Open daily from 8am to 10pm, this is the brunch spot on Magazine you don’t want to miss."

"Magazine Street is a great place to grab a meal (we loved the Red Dog Diner) and then duck into some shops to check out Mardi Gras costumes, eccentric souvenirs, antiques, and more! Spend the evening on a ghost tour."

"Had a terrific snack at Red Dog Diner as we made our way around the Garden District in NOLA. We ordered pimento cheese spread and ice tea."

"The original building, constructed in the 1850′s at the corner of of Conti and Dauphine Streets, was in the area known formerly as the red light district of New Orleans."

"Hands down best (I Know, I know...) Bloody Mary in the Quarter, possibly New Orleans... And the food is way better than you think when you walk…"

"A quintessential New Orleans neighborhood spot on the corner of Panola Street and Burdette Street, Riccobono's Panola Street Café is located in the heart of Uptown and is well loved by locals and visitors alike. Food-lovers flock to this neighborhood café to tuck into classics like Crab Cakes Benedict, a host of specialty three-egg omelets with various fillings, Belgian waffles, huge stacks of pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches. Signature dishes include liver and onions and hearty breakfast plates of bacon, eggs, country ham, sausage patties, fried green tomatoes, hash browns, grits, English muffins, and toast."

"What you're getting: A three egg omelette If you’re looking to start the day with a hearty, lumberjack-style breakfast, Panola St. is the place you should be headed. Overstuffed triple egg omelettes, huge stacks of pancakes, Belgian waffles, and generous Benedicts are the hallmark here. And hey, if you want liver and onions, you can get that, too."

"A Sausalito omelet includes sauteed spinach, mushrooms, green onions, garlic and mozzarella cheese and is served with grits or potatoes, toast or biscuit."

"1122 Decatur St., Suite 1, (504) 566-6003; www.bellesdinerneworleans.com. An avocado BLT includes a fried egg on sourdough bread. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"Lakeview's diner institution, unlike a lot of greasy spoons on this list, seems mainly more catered to families and sober people. But don't let that fool you, the breakfast options are astounding from fried chicken and waffles to a slew of egg specialties. Try the Egg Saints #33 with a grilled biscuit, alligator sausage, grilled tomatoes, poached eggs, and homemade country gravy, and save room for the housemade pies."

"A post shared by ~Sara's Photography~ (@saraphotography_05) on Dec 31, 2018 at 9:00am PST. Russell’s Marina Grill opened its doors in 1985 and has been a favourite of locals ever since. Kids will love that this eatery is on the waterfront."

"8555 Pontchartrain Blvd., (504) 282-9980; www.russellsmarinagrill.net. Lemon Dijon-glazed grilled salmon is served atop red quinoa with brown rice, edamame and mixed vegetables."

"Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., (504) 323-1455; www.silverwhistlecafe.com. A pimiento cheese omelet is served with hash browns and hollandaise."

"This Jefferson Parish favorite has a bunch of locations, all of which seem to have that proto-diner essence down pat. The Kenner location is open 24 hours, meaning even is she's not ya mama, Dot can in fact make you "feel at home" any time of day. The blue plate specials include a country fried steak and a catfish plate, neither of which will set you back $10."

"Dot’s Diner is a 24/7 Diner that prides itself on serving home-cooked meals, always made fresh. Established in 1996, Dot’s has now grown to operating 4 locations in Louisiana. Their buttermilk pancakes are fluffy, slightly savory and always fresh."

"There’s no sign outside Gautreau’s, just the number 1728 discreetly marking a nondescript house in a residential neighborhood. Cross the threshold to find a refined but welcoming dining room, where savvy diners,... Top ChoiceLouisianan in Uptown & Riverbend"

"1728 Soniat St., (504) 899-7397; www.gautreausrestaurant.com. Roasted duck breast is served with mole reduction, corn truffle, cipollini onions and English pea risotto. Reservations recommended."

"Gautreau’s Restaurant enjoys considerable critical acclaim – Zagat called it the best restaurant in New Orleans in 2014 – as well as a loyal clientele among local foodies."

"La Boca, which resides in a chic renovated former warehouse, is an Argentinian steakhouse specializing in fine cuts of beef served in a simple and traditional way. Established by James Beard semi-finalist chef Adolfo Garcia, La Boca features designs from local architect Brooks Graham and metal craftsman Duane Link, resulting in a beautifully designed space able to accommodate the restaurant’s ever growing clientele. Try dishes such as the chorizo de la casa, La Boca’s house made grilled sausage and the bife ancho, a mouthwatering 24 ounce cowboy cut, bone-in rib eye steak."

"Bife La Boca is a lime- and garlic-marinated Angus sirloin flap served with avocado. Reservations accepted. Dinner Mon.-Sat., late-night Thu.-Sat."

"Former Gautreau’s chef and James Beard award winner Sue Zemanick delights with every dish on her debut restaurant’s compact menu, and dessert is no different. There are almost always specials, like the pictured chocolate cremeaux with port poached pears, whipped cream, and chocolate cookie crumble, but current items to save room for include a pistachio pavlova with macerated strawberries and citrus curd and a passion fruit creme brûlée with candied ginger, coconut shortbread, and Thai basil."

"Housed in a low-slung purple building in Treme, you are obliged to place your order at a bulletproof glass window within. No worries, you will have plenty of company and even massive catering-sized orders roll up magically fast. The fried wings are addictive ($5.39 for 8 plus a side of fries or shrimp fried rice and a side salad) and the yakamein ($5.49) is spot on, too."

"The best place to find this street food is really at neighborhood corner joints like Manchu Food Store and Chinese Kitchen, a small bright-purple cinderblock building under the bridge on Claiborne."

"Even if you’re not planning a trip out to the Chalmette Battlefield for a morning of history, you’d do yourself a service by planning a stop on the way for a morning pick-me-up at Gerald’s, an old-school bakery that sells new school donuts. Their melt-in-your-mouth sweet dough is the perfect base for giant apple fritters, classic glazed donuts, cinnamon twists, and even more fanciful options like the ones that come covered in M&Ms."

"While home to some of the best burgers in Greater New Orleans, locals love heading to Gerald’s Donuts for a quality sugar rush any time of day. They’re open 24 hours, so you’re never too far from one of their sweet, sugary treats. They also once took fifth place in the New Orleans King Cake Contest."

"Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, (504) 252-9498; 6901 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, (504) 277-0030; www.geraldsdonuts.com. Gerald’s Dozen includes any 12 ring doughnuts plus doughnut holes."

"Category: American, Delivery, Happy Hours, Outside Dining, Southwest, and Weekend Brunch. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant aims to provide a laid-back, beach vibe complete with the coldest drinks and hottest menu around since 1992. Whether you want to belly up Read more..."

"701 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 523-8995; www.lucysretiredsurfers.com/neworleans. A Juicy Lucy burger is an 8-ounce patty topped with tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles and Lucy’s sauce on a Dong Phuong roll."

"3413 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 828-8828; www.bravoitalian.com. Chicken parmigiana features lightly breaded chicken, mozzarella, marinara and capellini pomodoro. Reservations recommended."

"611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 323-4259; 5001 Freret St., (504) 603-3085; www.blazepizza.com. The build-your-own-pie format allows diners to choose sauces (tomato, spicy tomato, garlic-pesto or cream sauce), cheeses (mozzarella, feta or Gorgonzola), meats, vegetables and more."

"For your pizza pleasure, we recommend the Veg Out, topped with zucchini, mushrooms, red onion, and red sauce dollops. And you can get vegan cheese at no extra cost!"