Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in New Orleans

"Commander's Palace has been around since the late 1800s, but under Ella Brennan’s leadership starting in the 1970s, the restaurant essentially redefined New Orleans cuisine and catapulted into stardom with the help of celeb chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. Today, the menu and service are top notch with James Beard Award-winning chef Tory McPhail leading the kitchen and Ti Martin and Lally Brennan running the show. Go for lunch and make sure to end the meal with the bread pudding soufflé and whiskey sauce."

"GQ's Golden Dish Award for Eggs Sardou, Commander’s Palace’s legacy speaks for itself. Located in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace is thought to be the original spot for a jazz brunch and patio dining. For contemporary Louisiana food and alfresco dining, look no further than Commander’s Palace."

"It’s also an excellent place to people watch and where a number of New Orleans’ historical landmarks like The St Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère are located (with Preservation Hall and The Historic New Orleans Collection nearby). Tons of artists, musicians, and fortune tellers hang out in Jackson Square and in the spirit of disclosure, I spent most of my time here people-watching and eating beignets. However, if you want to be a little more cultured than I was, visit one or several of the above-mentioned landmarks for even more NOLA history."

"Most tourists recognize the St. Louis Cathedral's triple spires as the main symbol of the French Quarter. Many have taken photos of the gleaming white facade against a clear blue sky, from across picturesque Jackson Square. Relatively few, though, have stepped inside the Cathedral – the oldest continuously active one in the US – to view its surprising interior; the stained glass windows depicting the saintly life of France's King Louis IX, the glorious murals and statuary beckoning the visitor back nearly 300 years to its founding."

"You can take time for quiet introspection at the St. Louis Cathedral as you admire the architecture and artwork within this historic building. Located at the center of Jackson Square, this iconic cathedral has hosted numerous weddings over the years. It’s open daily from 8:30am until 4:00pm with Daily Mass at 12:05pm."

"From here, you’ve got Jackson Square literally across the street, or if you walk out and to the right you can go to the French Market. Do both in whatever order you like then head into the center of the French Quarter. Some key points to check out in this small zone are: the artists along the street at Jackson Square, St Lous Cathedral (you can’t miss it), New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, and shopping for antiques on Royal Street. Of course, Bourbon street is here too and always popping even in the daytime."

"Once a military parade ground at the very centre of the city Jackson Square was first laid out in 1720s in the style of Place des Vosges in Paris. After the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 the plaza was renamed in honour of the victorious General Andrew Jackson who would become the seventh president of the United States between 1829 and 1837. At the very centre of formal gardens is the equestrian statue for Jackson by sculptor Clark Mills and unveiled in 1856."

"Jackson Square is pretty famous in New Orleans, Louisiana, and tourists gravitate towards it like nobody’s business in their quest for what to do for fun while visiting. Once upon a time, Jackson Square was a ground for military parades back in the 1720s, somewhat similar to Paris’ Place des Vosges. In 1815, once the Battle of New Orleans drew to a close, the area was renamed to honor General Andrew Jackson."

"Mid-CityThe art museum that bears the name of the city is a grand one indeed (dating back to 1911), and its permanent collection of over 40,000 objects is definitely worth your time and money. Exhibitions range from classical to contemporary art, from traditional to avant garde, with of course an emphasis on local artists. If you’re a starving artist (and one who happens to be a Louisiana resident), you’ll be happy to know that you can visit NOMA for free every Wednesday."

"In the south part of City Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art, one of the finest of its kind in the South. The museum features an excellent collection of French and American art, as well as African and Japanese pieces. On site and another of the institutions highlights is the outdoor Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, with more than 60 sculptures, as well as walking paths, lagoons, and mature live oak trees."

"When the NOMA opened in 1911, it only held nine pieces of art. Today, its permanent collection is composed of more than 40,000 objects, with a particularly strong representation of American and French art. Highlights include works by Matisse, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Pollock, O’Keeffe and Degas, who lived in New Orleans from 1871 to 1872."

"A favorite for locals and tourists alike, Bacchanal sits deep in the heart of the Bywater neighborhood and is a wine shop, restaurant and music venue all in one. You’ll enter through an old creole cottage, grab a bottle of wine and head straight to the courtyard where a local band will be jamming under twinkly lights. Photo:Rebecca Ann Photography"

"Bacchanal, a Bywater wine shop known for its amazing courtyard and eclectic, creative small plates, is open for curbside pickup and courtyard dining. Hours are Thursday and Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m."

"For a good wine selection, great bites of food and one of the largest outdoor areas in the Bywater, head to Bacchanal. Located right along the river, the casual wine store and eatery has live music almost every night."

"On a rainy afternoon in New Orleans, there's no better place to be than the balcony of the historic Prytania Theatre, cooking up some honest to goodness Hollywood romance with your real-life love interest. Opened in 1915, this charming theater is the oldest in the city and the only single-screen left in Louisiana. Couples can share gelato or a freshly made cappuccino during daytime favorites like Citizen Kane or Some Like It Hot or cuddle up for midnight screenings of cult classics like Rocky Horror Picture Show."

"At more than 100 years old, the single-screen theater in Uptown is a step back in time, with red velvet ropes, balcony seating and family-friendly screenings of hand-picked classic films."

"131 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, (504) 368-8678; www.t2restaurant.com. Banh xeo are rice flour crepes filled with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and onions served with lettuce, pickled carrots, cucumbers and house-made fish sauce."

"Low key West Bank sushi spot Daiwa, known for its uni, karaoke rooms, and Hello Kitty aesthetic, opened a second location in Metairie a few months ago. The Vets Boulevard restaurant in a former World of Beer location ups the ante in space and menu, with the option of omakase (chef’s choice) dinners and new specialties featuring less common fish like Japanese striped jack and sardines. Lunch was also just added in August."

"5033 Lapalco Blvd., Suite B6, Marrero, (504) 875-4203; www.daiwasushi.com. Spicy City is a deep-fried sushi roll filled with marinated crawfish, snow crab, cream cheese, avocado and jalapeno and topped with eel sauce and spicy mayonnaise."

"Flouting “California style sushi,” Metairie’s Kanno proffers the usual, along with an entire section of skinny rolls sans rice and soy paper. Available in half and full roll portions, these pared down rolls include the likes of the Elvis roll (named for the chef), made with salmon, avocado, and both snow and blue crab, and the protein roll, with spicy tuna, snow crab, avocado and salmon. A hefty sake menu includes sparkling sake, though it’s not always featured."

"Silk Road has come a long way since the days when it was a ramshackle neighborhood joint called Schiro's. Situated in the Marigny rectangle, the newly renovated restaurant, with its eye-popping art and handsome bar, is a hidden gem, polished beyond expectation. Chef Ganesh Ayyengar pays homage to his homeland with red curries from the South of India, along with spicy vindaloos popular in the west and tikka masala creamy with ghee."

"Silk Road is an Indian restaurant in the Marigny neighbourhood and is part of Balcony Guest House, the lovely B&B I had the pleasure of staying at. Their locally-sourced menu is full of vegetarian options – if I were you I’d definitely try one of their sumptuous curries. Oh, and they currently host free wine tastings every Thursday evening from 6-9 pm with live acoustic jazz and great specials!"

"Silk Road, a New Orleans restaurant, features the modern cuisine of India and Asia and incorporates those flavors with contemporary American cuisine. We only use fresh local ingredients and fresh seafood that is a signature of New Orleans. Come visit us in the beautiful Marigny neighborhood of New...Más"

"634 Louisa St. This Bywater restaurant is one of the hottest brunch tickets in town. You’ll need to book a few weeks out for the Sunday brunch, and my wife and her friends had to book over two months out for the weekly Saturday drag brunch. The Country Club is not a member’s only country club in the traditional sense, but there is a pool, a poolside bar, and an outdoor kitchen that requires a one-day rate or an annual membership."

"Beat the Louisiana heat and lounge at one of New Orleans’ best kept secrets. During the daytime, if the temperature is warm and you are feeling up for a dip, The Country Club has a beautiful swimming pool bar. They also offer a delicious brunch!"

"634 Louisa St., (504) 945-0742; www.thecountryclubneworleans.com. Fried Gulf oysters are served with pickled mustard seed and fontina cream. Reservations accepted."

"New Orleans' world-renowned gold medal winner, Chef Andrea combines Louisiana products with Northern Italian cuisine to create a memorable dining experience. A favorite among locals. Located in Metairie, 10 minutes from the French Quarter."

"The gist: Situated at the top of the French Quarter, it’d be easy to walk right past Palm & Pine, but you’d be making a mistake. Stop in for the fusion of Louisiana and Caribbean, Mexican, and Central American flavors, and stay for the mezcal selection. The food: Dig into a crab claw cocktail, beef picadillo-stuffed yuca fritters, and the chile butter tacos, but don’t forget to check out the latest specials like the Upper Quarter Pounder, which became a veritable pandemic staple.The cost: Small plates $8 - $14, mains $21 - $26.How to book: Reserve via Resy."

"Palm and Pine on Rampart Street at the top edge of the Quarter is the brainchild of Jordan and Amarys Herndon, both former sous chefs at two of NOLA's best, Ralph's on the Park and Bayona. With Palm and Pine, which opened in the summer of 2019, they bring an eclectic menu of Southern dishes to the table, including food from the U.S. as well as Mexico and Central America. So dive into a crab and conch gratin or their hugely popular goat curry and follow that with Texas BBQ shrimp or the duck Oxacan mole."

"Palm & Pine has officially established itself in the French Quarter, with its refreshing, ever-changing food offerings, Monday night Vietnamese style crawfish boils this spring, lunch specials, and cocktails. Try any crudo on offer, the Oaxacan mole, and the frog legs. Open for indoor and outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, or delivery through D’Livery NOLA."

"Bayona provides one of the more traditional locations of the French Quarter located in a 150-year-old creole cottage. The restaurant was recognized as one of the top 40 places to dine in the U.S. by Conde Nast in 1993 and continues to marvel patrons to this day. Their lush tropical courtyard creates one of the most romantic and serene outdoor settings within the city."

"This historic French Quarter cottage, with its lovely courtyard and intimate dining space, is a go-to spot for romantic dinners and special occasions. Opened by chef Susan Spicer in 1990, Bayona has risen to institution status alongside the city’s other grande dames. Her first—and best—restaurant features a changing menu of Mediterranean-influenced Southern dishes."

"Bayona is one of our favorite splurges in the Quarter, and a pioneer of the slow-food movement. It’s classy but unpretentious, an all-round fine spot for a meal. The menu changes regularly, but expect fresh fish,..."