New Orleans has always considered itself to be a French city. From being owned by France upon its founding to officially becoming sister cities with Antibes' Juan-Les-Pins on the French Riviera and the city of Orléans, New Orleans feels more like a European city than an American city. Because of this close relationship with France, French fare is easy to find in small cafes and century-old restaurants. Even restaurants that aren't French have some touches and traditions from French cooking.
These New Orleans restaurants proudly serve French food from
time-tested traditional plates to contemporary takes on French culinary
standards. Have a taste of history at these local restaurants tonight!
Best Restaurants for French Food in New Orleans
1. Café Degas
3127 Esplanade Ave., (504) 945-5635
cafedegas.com
This cozy bistro has served brunch, lunch, and dinner since 1986 and has consistently been a favorite for French food in New Orleans. The large windows paired with the tucked-away feel of the restaurant and the tree built into the restaurant give Café Degas a natural atmosphere, perfect for a romantic meal.
The specials served change daily but their main menu consists of evergreen French dishes. Guests should not miss out on ordering La Gratinée d'Oignon, Café Degas's famous French onion soup made with croutons and Swiss cheese gratin. Other popular menu items include Les Moules au Fenouil, Prince Edward Island mussels steamed in fennel and leek white wine broth, tarragon, and garlic and their L'onglet de Bœuf, a seared hanger steak served with pommes frites and seasonal vegetables.
2. La Crêpe Nanou
1410 Robert St., (504) 899-2670
lacrepenanou.com
La Crêpe Nanou is an intimate French restaurant serving quintessential French dishes along with both sweet and savory crêpes. They also have specials that change semi-frequently so be sure to check the board when you dine.
The highlight of La Crêpe Nanou's menu is in the name. Their savory crêpes are highly recommended, especially the Crêpe Bourguignonne, made with red wine braised beef tips, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes. Even with their focus on crêpes, the other entrees served are equally delicious such as the Crevettes au Vin Blanc, a creamy pasta with Louisiana shrimp sauteed in white wine.
3. Lilette
3637 Magazine St., (504) 895-1636
liletterestaurant.com
Lilette is housed in a charming 1800s drugstore and serves French and Italian-inspired cuisine. Their menu is small but packed with flavorful and rich dishes that are raved about online and in publications.
Start with an order (or two) of their Potato Gnocchi, made with sage, brown butter, and cream. For an entree, there's nothing that isn't worth trying at Lilette but if you want to order something you can't get at many other restaurants try the Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast. This entree is served with roasted cauliflower polonaise, sautéed spinach, and toasted shallot sauce.
4. MaMou
942 Rampart St., (504) 381-4557
mamounola.com
Described as a modern French brasserie, MaMou has a small menu but an extensive wine list. Despite the small menu, their dishes are beautifully made and taste as good as they look.
MaMou strays from the typical French menu with dishes like their Garlic Almond Milk Soup, a creamy and rich soup served with Carolina ham and a poached egg. For entrees, their risotto with shrimp and their Poisson a la Florentine, Gulf fish served on creamy spinach with caviar and crispy parmesan, are both decedent meals that will keep you coming back.
5. Herbsaint
701 St. Charles Ave., (504) 524-4114
herbsaint.com
Herbsaint uses French traditions in their dishes, but it also incorporates other European and American sensibilities. Chef Donald Link and Chef de Cuisine Tyler Spreen insist on sourcing ingredients locally and regionally for his French, Italian, and Southern American dishes.
The Muscovy Duck Leg Confit is a French-leaning dish made American with a helping of dirty rice and citrus gastrique. If you'd prefer something very filling, the Grilled Wagyu Bavette is made complete with chimichurri, fries, and pimento aioli. The For the Table menu selection is Cote de Boeuf: a 26 oz. ribeye with porcini mushroom butter.
6. La Boulangerie
4600 Magazine St., (504) 269-3777
laboulangerienola.com
Focused on pastries and lunch items, La Boulangerie is great for a casual but quality bite. Made from local ingredients, everything they serve, especially their pastries, is fresh and delicious.
Their cinnamon rolls are melt-in-your-mouth soft and covered in a rich creamy frosting. If you're in the mood for a sandwich, order their Le Dindon made with turkey, arugula, tomato, basil mayonnaise, and avocado on six-grain bread. All of their food is made fresh the day of so get there early for a full set of options.
7. Patois
6078 Laurel St., (504) 895-9441
patoisnola.com
Patois' menu gleefully boasts about the traditional Louisiana cuisine with a French accent within it. Though the offerings can change based on seasonal availability, you will certainly find something you love here. The regulars love starting with an appetizer of mussels sitting in smoked tomato harissa broth served with grilled focaccia bread.
The Garlic Roasted Airline Chicken Breast is served with artichoke puree, preserved lemon and spinach Israeli couscous, and basil oil. The Grilled Hangar Steak comes with charred broccoli, steak frites, and ramp greens. Order the Meyer Lemon Tarte for a refreshing, sweet dessert.
8. Antoine's Restaurant
713 St. Louis St., (504) 581-4422
antoines.com
Antoine's Restaurant has remained a fine dining restaurant that is known the world over for superb service, historical décor, and excellent Creole food since it was started in 1840. Most meals for the regulars begin with the historical Soufflé Potatoes and end with a massive slice of Baked Alaska and Café Brulot Diabolique.
Between those courses, you may be enticed by the more French entrees. The Champignon Bourguignon is beef tips and herb-roasted fingerling potatoes in a burgundy reduction with mushroom ragout. The Lamb Chops are drizzled in a mint jus and served with onion rice and asparagus.
9. Justine
225 Chartres St., (504) 218-8533
justinenola.com
Justine takes its inspiration from the lively brasseries of Paris from the atmosphere to the food. You can sit alongside the sidewalk to people-watch tourists and French Quarter characters or recede further into the contemporary restaurant for quieter seating.
Start off with a plate of Escargot in parsley garlic butter or a fromage plate like Laura Chenel's Chevre with crudites. The entrees are immaculate for meat and seafood fans: Steamed Mussels in saffron broth, Steak Tartare with hand-cut fries, and Chicken Confit with creamy polenta. The Baked Crab Mac with brie cheese is a very popular (and rich) side dish.
10. N7
1117 Montegut St.
n7nola.com
There's nothing quite like N7. It's a modern French bistro in the Bywater neighborhood, but it has a noticeable touch of Japanese cuisine. An example of the fusion can be found in the Sake-Cured Salmon Tartine flavored with goat cheese and cilantro.
N7's menu is focused on French cuisine with
contemporary twists. Though the offerings can change from time to time, you are
likely to find dishes like Escargot Tempura, Steak au Poivre, and house-made
charcuterie plates. You have a choice of smoked mackerel, duck liver pate, baby
octopus, and Chicken Galatine for the focus of your plate.
Where to Get French Food in New Orleans
Flaky crepes stuffed with richly-marinated meats, steaming escargot, and wine reduction sauces that can be enjoyed with a freshly-backed baguette, these French restaurants are true culinary kings! They carry on the tradition of appreciating France's cultural contribution to southern Louisiana through food and drink. It's like you can taste the relationship that the earliest French settlers had with their homeland in every bite. Visit these restaurants for your next Bastille Day celebration or the next time you're craving the flavors of France.
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