C'est Magnifique
Like baguettes and snails, onion soup is a prime example of a staple dish in French cuisine. So where to find a distinctly French soup in a uniquely French city like New Orleans?
Soup with onions in it has been consumed in France since at least the Middle Ages, but the most well-known version of French onion soup, according to Le Parisien, was created in Paris during the mid-19th century. The soup, which is caramelized onions and typically croutons in a stock with cheese on top, is deceptively simple and incredibly delicious. To celebrate the sheer "Frenchness" that is French onion soup, here are 10 French restaurants that serve it within New Orleans.
1. Café Degas
3127 Esplanade Ave., (504) 945-5635, cafedegas.com
Located in the Faubourg St. John, Café Degas is an award-winning French bistro that just oozes charm. The restaurant has a great selection of classic French dishes and a very beautiful outdoor dining area with a tree growing right in the center of the space.
Café Degas' la gratinée d'oignon can be found on its lunch, dinner, and brunch menus for $10 and comes with Swiss cheese gratin. Consider ordering a baguette on the side with the restaurant's own special butter, which is made with garlic, lemon, and spices.
2. Café Minh
4139 Canal St., (504) 482-6266, cafeminh.com
Opened in Mid-City after Hurricane Katrina, Café Minh wonderfully blends together dishes and flavors from France, Saigon, and America. In addition to delicious Vietnamese plates such as phở and gà roti, the restaurant also specializes in decadent plates including a roasted rack of lamb and bouillabaisse.
Café Minh's French onion soup is on the appetizer menu for $11 and is the perfect start to a satisfying meal there. Make sure to also try the restaurant's hot Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.
3. Ciro's Coté Sud Restaurant
7918 Maple St., (504) 866-9551, cotesudrestaurant.com
A go-to spot in the Riverbend, Ciro's Coté Sud Restaurant brings together French cuisine, pizza, and mouthwatering desserts under one roof. Les moules frites, cocquelet bardé, and escargots are all available.
The soupe à l'oignon gratinée is available for $6.50 on the soup menu and is topped with toasted French bread and cheese. Be sure to pair the soup with a glass of French wine or one of Ciro's Coté Sud Restaurant's cocktails including the Kir Pêche or the Sazerac.
4. Croissant D'Or Patisserie
617 Ursulines Ave., (504) 524-4663, croissantdorpatisserie.com
Croissant D'Or Patisserie is a traditional French boulangerie located in the heart of the Vieux Carré (aka the French Quarter). All manner of croissants, cakes, cookies, and more can be found there.
The bakery also has lunch and breakfast items such as quiche, sandwiches, salads, omelets, and, of course, French onion soup. A cup of Croissant D'Or Patisserie's soup is available for $4.25, and a bowl can be purchased for $8.50.
5. Justine
225 Chartres St., (504) 218-8533, justinenola.com
Opened by James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Devillier and his wife Mia, Justine is a sophisticated dining spot that brings French brasserie culture to the French Quarter. Guests will receive a true Parisian experience with dishes including the chicken confit and the seared scallops.
Available for $14 on the dinner and brunch menus, Justine's onion soup gratinée comes with broiled Gruyère and French bread croutons. Save up room for the restaurant's amazing vanilla crème brûlée or the sticky toffee pudding.
6. La Crêpe Nanou
1410 Robert St., (504) 899-2670, lacrepenanou.com
Housed in a small, intimate structure in Uptown, La Crêpe Nanou is a great restaurant to go to for special occasions or for a romantic date night. The restaurant specializes in crêpes, as made obvious by the name, but also serves other French specialties like filet mignon and moules marinière.
La Crêpe Nanou's soupe à l'oignon gratinée, worth $12, is a great dinner starter and comes with toasted baguette and grilled Gruyère. For something extra extravagant and perfect for sharing, consider also ordering the restaurant's fondue to dip into.
7. N7
1117 Montegut St., reservations@n7nola.com, n7nola.com
Founded by Chef Yuki Yamaguchi and filmmaker Aaron Walker, N7 is a Bywater neighborhood restaurant and wine bar that incorporates Japanese touches into its French dishes. The restaurant's dinner menu changes slightly every day, but interesting creations such as frog legs karaage, sake-cured salmon tartine, and even Wagyu beef have been served there.
Enjoy N7's French onion soup for $11. Be adventurous and consider ordering the soy sauce crème brûlée for dessert.
8. Tableau
616 St. Peter St., (504) 934-3463, tableaufrenchquarter.com
Attached to the Le Petit Theatre and overlooking Jackson Square is a must-visit restaurant called Tableau. This Dickie Brennan & Co. restaurant has a menu that includes French and Creole delights such as fish almondine and blue crab crêpes.
Definitely order Tableau's Creole French onion soup, which is served for $14 during dinner and brunch. The restaurant has a nice selection of desserts including chocolate torte.
9. Tonti's Cocktail Bar & Bistro
323 Verret St., (504) 264-7973, tontis-bistro.com
Hop across the Mississippi to Algiers Point and enjoy Tonti's Cocktail Bar & Bistro. Formerly named Tonti's Hand French Bistro, the restaurant rebranded itself to have a greater focus on creative cocktails while also serving some of the French favorites from its old menu such as the escargot Bourgogne.
Tonti's French onion soup is $12 and is made with beef stock, dry Sherry, yellow and red onions, butter, baguette, and Gruyère. Enjoy that soup with a craft cocktail or a bottle of Kronenbourg 1664 beer.
10. Vyoone's
412 Girod St., (504) 518-6007, vyoone.com
Vyoone's, owned by Vyoone Segue Lewis, is a high-end spot that creates quality French food in the Warehouse District. Dishes such as the duck a'lorange, bisque de homard pates, and the coteletes d'argneau grillees are all to die for.
Enjoy Vyoone's award-winning l'oignon Francis for $14. According to the restaurant's menu, this soup is paired best with a glass of Willakenzie Pinot Noir.
