MID-CITY / GENTILLY / TREME
ANGELO BROCATO'S
214 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-1465; www.angelobrocatoicecream.com
Though one can find Angelo Brocato's ice creams and pastries in restaurants all across town, the Mid-City sweet shop is the place to go for the full selection. Brocato offers 24 homemade flavors made fresh with milk, cream, fruit, nuts and nut pastes. Pastries and baked goods include several types of Sicilian cannoli, which are crispy ricotta-filled pastry shells with semi-sweet chocolate chips or dipped in pistachio nuts. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $
ASIAN PACIFIC CAFÉ
3125 Esplanade Ave., 945-1919
This one-time Esplanade Avenue cottage is now a haven for sushi and plenty of cooked Asian dishes. Take a table on its beautiful deck or side garden for dishes like tuna tartar with a kick of spice and wonton chips or a special combination like the bayou delight, made with crawfish and snowcrab in a pineapple and mango mixture with special sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
BAYOU COFFEE HOUSE & WINE BAR
326 N. Jefferson Davis Pkwy., 484-7390; www.bayoucoffeehouse.com
Just off Bayou St. John, this brightly adorned coffeehouse offers a full range of coffee drinks, pastries and desserts like cheesecake, deep-dish apple pie and tiramisu. A spacious deck offers outdoor seating in pleasant weather. The morning menu includes breakfast burritos, bagels, eggs and a $4 weekday breakfast special of two eggs, bacon, grits and toast. For lunch, there are chicken Caesar salads, shrimp and chicken pasta, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and daily specials. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards. $
BEACHCORNER BAR & GRILL
4905 Canal St., 488-7357
Tell the streetcar driver to drop you off at this tavern up by the Canal Street cemeteries and lay your hunger to rest with a 10-oz. burger grilled right behind the bar. A lighter option is the 8-oz. grilled tuna served as a sandwich or a salad with homemade tuna sauce. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
BEAN GALLERY
637 N. Carrollton Ave., 324-8176
Near City Park, Bean Gallery offers espresso, iced coffee drinks and strong, thick Turkish coffee. There are bagels, muffins, croissants and items like carrot or chocolate cake. A small selection of gelato includes chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, strawberry and coffee. For something a little hardier, try the panini sandwiches. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
BETSY'S PANCAKE HOUSE
2542 Canal St., 822-0213
Flapjacks are, of course, the specialty at this Canal Street diner, but don't forget the Belgian waffles with bananas, nuts and whipped cream. Sandwiches and po-boys make lunchtime appearances, but early risers usually head straight for the breakfast special of eggs, bacon, grits and pancakes for $4. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Sun.-Fri. Credit cards. $
BROOKS SEAHORSE SALOON
1648 Gentilly Blvd., 218-4217
Located just across from the Fair Grounds, Brooks is a bustling bar and serves burgers and sandwiches from lunch through late-night. The grilled chicken sandwich features a marinated chicken breast dressed and served with a choice of fries or potato salad. Brooks also cooks slow-roasted barbecue pork, available on a sandwich or as a platter. Take advantage of the new happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or the late-night grill. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
THE BULLDOG
5153 Canal Blvd., 488-4191; www.draftfreak.com
See Uptown listing for restaurant description. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CAFÉ DEGAS
3127 Esplanade Ave., 945-5635; www.cafedegas.com
Pull up a seat in this warm and welcoming French bistro where lush gardens and Esplanade Avenue views frame the patio. Popular dishes include a salad of Brussels sprouts, stilton cheese, bacon and sherry vinaigrette and the Dijon-crusted rack of lamb, oven roasted and served with hush puppies, carrots and a rosemary demiglace. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wed.-Sat., dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
CAFÉ MINH
4139 Canal St., 482-6266
Chef Minh Bui cooks his signature French-Vietnamese fusion dishes at Café Minh. Appetizers include a crabmeat and sweet corn soup, shrimp dumplings, coconut shrimp and summer rolls of shrimp, avocado, cucumber, cilantro and rice noodles wrapped in rice paper and served with a peanut-citrus dipping sauce. Medallions of pork tenderloin are prepared with a tamarind glaze and served with a ginger sweet potato mash. Or try the braised beef short ribs served with wasabi mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
CARNAVAL GRILL & BAR & CHURRASCARIA2
501 Canal St., 822-4639
This Brazilian-style steakhouse offers a wide variety of meats cooked on skewers, and the service is buffet-style. Grilled items include beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausages. A bar of hot and cold salad items like rice and beans, shrimp stew and fried plantains is also available. For a refreshing drink, try a Brazilian fruit soda. No reservations. Credit cards. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
COCO HUT
2515 Bayou Road, 945-8788
Caribbean flavors give this Esplanade Ridge restaurant some sweet and spicy appeal. The jerk chicken is grilled dark meat chicken served with rice, peas and plantains. For seafood, try the grilled red snapper served with a salad, vegetables and fried plantains. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. Checks. $$
CRESCENT CITY STEAKHOUSE
1001 N. Broad St., 821-3271; www.crescentcitysteaks.com
Not even the upheaval from Hurricane Katrina was able to derail the Crescent City's connection with history and tradition. Founded in the 1930s, the place still exudes the uncluttered grace of its day and the menu has hardly changed over the decades. The enormous porterhouse for two is best enjoyed in the privacy of one of the dining room's discreet, curtained booths, while prime filets, T-bones and strip steaks are always enhanced with a bracing side order of garlic and parsley bordelaise sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$
DOOKY CHASE RESTAURANT
2301 Orleans Ave., 821-0535; www.dookychaserestaurant.com
In business since 1941, this landmark of New Orleans Creole soul food has been thoroughly renovated since the flood and now has colorful dining rooms and a new bar. The same classic recipes live on, of course. Chef Leah Chase's Creole gumbo is rich and thick with seafood and sausage and her fried chicken comes out piping hot, crisp and well-seasoned. No reservations. Temporarily open for lunch Mon.-Fri. only. Call for permanent hours. Cash only. $$
DOSON NOODLE HOUSE
135 N. Carrollton Ave., 309-7283
Doson Noodle House offers a mix of popular Chinese dishes and Vietnamese options like big bowls of pho soup served with bean sprouts, herbs and lime wedges and stir-fried dishes of chicken or shrimp with rice or noodles. The seasonal whole fish, steamed or fried, is a popular specialty. Appetizers include spring rolls and soups. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$
FAIR GRINDS COFFEEHOUSE
3133 Ponce de Leon St., 913-9073; www.fairgrinds.com
Neighbors line up for their morning cup while others are drawn from across the city for Fair Trade coffee beans and Fair Grinds' meticulous approach to brewing and preparing drinks like New Orleans-style café au lait with chicory. Caffeine cravings thus sated, patrons make light meals of the fresh, locally-prepared pastries, desserts, breads and ice cream. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash and checks. $
FELLINI'S CAFÉ
900 N. Carrollton Ave., 488-2155
This spacious Mid-City haunt features pastas, sandwiches and pizzas with a heavy Mediterranean influence. The chicken portobello roll has a unique red pepper sauce. For an appetizer, try the spicy tomato dip. Enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio during nice weather. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
FIVE HAPPINESS
3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3935; www.fivehappiness.com
The always-happening Five Happiness specializes in regional Chinese cuisine for dining in, pick-up or delivery. Daily lunch specials include a choice of soup, shrimp fried rice and a fried wonton. For dinner, try the Triple Dragon, a trio of chicken, beef and shrimp simmering in hot garlic sauce. All dishes can be altered for preferred spice level. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
JUAN'S FLYING BURRITO
4724 S. Carrollton Ave.,486-9950; www.juansflyingburrito.com
See Uptown listing for restaurant description
LA FINCA
542 Jefferson Davis Pkwy., 512-1993
This Mid-City bar has a small menu from the kitchen. The most popular options include burgers and ham sandwiches, but there are also south-of-the-border options like tacos and fajitas. Hot specials include dishes like stewed pork. Or try shrimp etouffée, fried fish or New York strip steak. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $
LA VITA
3201 Esplanade Ave., 948-0077; www.lavitapizza.com
This casual Italian restaurant offers pizza, salads, calzones, panini and pasta dishes. Pasta dishes include manicotti, gnocchi and cheese tortelloni. Pie toppings range from the usual suspects of pepperoni and sausage to anchovies, portobello mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, kalamata olives and prosciutto. Reservations for large parties only. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
LI'L DIZZY'S CAFÉ
1500 Esplanade Ave., 569-8997
The Creole soul-food legacy of the Baquet family continues to win new fans and delight old friends at Li'l Dizzy's. At breakfast, try the waffles topped with strawberries or bananas and served with a side of ham, bacon or sausage. Lunch brings options like po-boys, Creole gumbo with two types of sausage and plates such as trout Baquet gilded with butter and topped with crabmeat. Reservations accepted. Breakfast Mon.-Sat., lunch Mon.-Sat. Cash only. $
LITTLE TOKYO
310 N. Carrollton Ave., 485-5658
See Metairie listing for restaurant description.
LIUZZA'S BY THE TRACK
1518 N. Lopez St., 218-7888
Hot sausage po-boys and grilled snapper rub elbows with classic Creole gumbo at this popular neighborhood bar and eatery. Other sandwiches include garlic oyster, barbecue shrimp, fried catfish, roast beef po-boys and hamburgers. The bar is open on Sundays but the kitchen isn't. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
LIUZZA'S RESTAURANT AND BAR
3636 Bienville St., 482-9120; www.liuzzas.com
An ever-popular neighborhood institution, Liuzza's is the place for big blocks of home-cooked lasagna, its version of the muffuletta, the Frenchuletta, fried chicken and specials like the Crawfish Telemachus, which presents crawfish in cream sauce over pasta. Draft beer arrives in big frosted goblets and good appetizers for grazing include fried pickles and onion rings. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Cash only. $$
LOLA'S
3312 Esplanade Ave., 488-6946
Seafood, meat or combination paellas are the specialty at Lola's. Studded with chicken and sausage or shrimp, scallops and mussels, they are available for one or in sizes large enough for several people to share. Tuna, trout, roast duck and rack of lamb are staples here, too. The menu also includes starters like ceviche, sautéed mushrooms and garlic soup. Lola's offers wine, but diners are still welcome to bring their own bottles. No reservations. Dinner daily. Cash and checks. $$
MANDINA'S RESTAURANT
3800 Canal St., 482-9179; www.mandinasrestaurant.com
A Mid-City classic dating back to the 1930s, Mandina's is back and better than ever after a comprehensive renovation. Regulars still belly up to the bar to wait for their table and down a few cocktails. The house specialties remain dishes like the rich, meaty turtle soup with sherry and the trout meuniere in a thick gravy. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $$
MID CITY LANES ROCK 'N' BOWL
4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3133; www.rocknbowl.com
Fit some classic dinner fare in between bowling and dancing at Rock 'N' Bowl. There are burgers, cheese fries and classic late-night Americana to keep the good times rolling in Mid-City. Private, catered parties can also choose from a menu of Louisiana favorites like jambalaya and gumbo. No reservations. Dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $
MUGGS Café
3445 Esplanade Ave., 324-9482
This small lunchtime joint makes a mean chicken salad with grapes, olives and a special secret ingredient. Muggs' slow-cooked garlic roast beef also can't be beat. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards and checks. $
PAMPY'S CREOLE KITCHEN
2005 N. Broad St., 949-7970
Former kitchen of the beloved and revered master of Creole cooking, the late Chef Austin Leslie, Pampy's is helmed by Chef Sellers Johnson, who has been at Pampy's since it opened. Some of Leslie's dishes are back, including his fried chicken with a seafood-stuffed bell pepper. Other Creole inspirations include the deep-fried Cornish hen and New Orleans barbecue shrimp, served with the heads and tails on. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
PARKWAY BAKERY & TAVERN
538 Hagan Ave., 482-3047
A Mid-City Po-boy destination. Try the meatball, roast beef or new corned beef po-boy. Jambalaya is a new addition, and banana bread pudding is made fresh daily. There's a bar in front, but Parkway is family friendly and has a large patio for outdoor dining in nice weather. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. Credit cards. $
RALPH'S ON THE PARK
900 City Park Ave., 488-1000; www.ralphsonthepark.com
This historic and elegant building just across the street from City Park features a contemporary Creole menu by executive chef Gus Martin. Starters include Crystal oysters, which are andouille-crusted, flash fried, tossed in a Crystal butter sauce and presented with a slaw of mirliton, peppers and red onions. The cast iron-blackened redfish is a fillet blackened in a skillet and served with a peppery crab cake, blue crab butter sauce and red pepper salad. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
SHAGGY'S SEAFOOD AND SANDWICH SHOP
4413 Banks St., 484-4440; myspace.com/shaggysseafood
The New Orleans Home of the Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dog. Try the Dog of the Day special or a fried pork chop po-boy. Other po-boys include hot sausage and seafood varieties. Boiled seafood is also available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., late-night Tue.-Sat. Cash only. $
SUN RAY GRILL
3700 Orleans Ave., 324-9663; www.sunraygrill.com
See Metairie listing for restaurant description.
TAQUERIA GUERRERO MEXICO
208 N. Carrollton Ave., 484-6959
This low-frills Mid-City taqueria has attracted a neighborhood following for its standard but tasty lineup of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas and big chimichangas. There's a big screen TV constantly screening Mexican soap operas or soccer, but diners tend to pay closer attention to chips and spicy dips during quick lunchbreaks. The menu has expanded recently and now includes fajitas and pupusas. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
VENEZIA
134 N. Carrollton Ave., 488-7991
Venezia had to be completely rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina and reopened early in 2007. While the dining room and bar have been thoroughly remodeled, the restaurant's many fans have been discovering that the menu of home-style Italian dishes remains much the same. A generous antipasti plate starts many a meal here. Venezia pizza pies, pasta dishes, seafood dishes and veal specialties ensure contented customers. Reservations accepted. Lunch Wed.-Fri. and Sun., dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
WILLIE MAE'S SCOTCH HOUSE
2401 St. Ann St., 822-9503
For Willie Mae Seaton, a lifetime of devotion to her humble restaurant did not go unnoticed. She was recognized with a James Beard Foundation award and featured in Bon Appetite magazine and on the Food Network. Rebuilding after the storm was a slow and laborious process made possible by the support of many fans. Now Seaton's granddaughter presides over the establishment, preparing the eatery's legendary fried chicken as well as rotating daily specials like stewed chicken, smothered veal, fried catfish or trout, and red beans and butter beans. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat. Cash only. $
WIT'S INN
141 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-1600; www.witsinn.com
This Mid-City bar expanded its kitchen when it reopened after Katrina and offers a full range of pizzas, calzones, muffulettas and salads. The shrimp calzone is a sort of pizza dough turnover stuffed with shrimp, roasted mushrooms, garlic, mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, and is served with a marinara sauce on the side. The barbecue shrimp sandwich is made with New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp served on toasted bread with either Creole potato salad or cold pesto pasta salad on the side. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
ZIMMER'S SEAFOOD
4915 St. Anthony Ave., 282-7150
This family-run seafood market offers a lunchtime affirmation of the recovery of its Gentilly neighborhood as regulars and others pour in for fried and boiled seafood. The po-boys use bread from John Gendusa's Bakery next door, and the crabs, shrimp, crawfish and fish come fresh from local waters. Try a generously piled seafood combination platter with crinkle-cut fries or take home a pint of boiled crabs. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $
Bywater | CBD | Carrollton/University | Citywide | Faubourg Marigny | French QuarterHarahan/Jefferson/River Ridge | Kenner | Lakefreont/Eastern New Orleans | Lakeview |
Metairie | Mid-City/Treme/Gentilly | Northshore | Outskirts |
St. Bernard | Slidell | Uptown | Warehouse District | West Bank
