Spoiler alert, it’s not in the French Quarter and if you don’t live in New Orleans it’s likely somewhere you’ve never heard of.
I can’t count the number of times that I’ve been asked what my favorite restaurant in New Orleans is. It’s extremely difficulty, if not impossible, to answer that question. On any given day it could be five different restaurants dependent upon the mood that I am in and the vibe that I am going for. Second spoiler alert… I do have a favorite restaurant. I’ll highlight a few others first though.
Chef Nina Compton and her team know how to deliver on a very appealing and interesting menu. The Top Chef season 11 runner up has amassed numerous awards at her Warehouse District restaurant. The restaurant combines Chef Compton’s Caribbean roots with influences of Creole cuisine into an offering of dishes that are full of flavor. Whether you go for Sunday brunch with friends before walking to the Superdome for a Saints game or for a dinner date you will find an amazing meal.
My favorite things on the menu: Curried Goat, Pompano
A BBQ spot is one of your favorite restaurants in New Orleans? Yes. When compiling this list Blue Oak was one I thought about but didn’t really consider. However after opening up my Yelp account and seeing where I have Checked In the most it is Blue Oak. I love BBQ. It is one of my favorite things to eat. So it is only right that I believe is the best BBQ spot in New Orleans should be on this list. Why is it so good you might ask? Well first of all all the smoked meats are great. More importantly though are the Brussels sprouts. I don’t know where else a side dish is praised as one of the best things on the menu, but here they are. Trust me, you have to try them!
My favorite things on the menu: Brussels Sprouts, The Doobin’ Loobin, Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich
Maïs Arepas
What does Maïs Arepas mean? It means amazing Columbian food. Really it mean “more apreas”, but then you’d have to know what an arepa is. The best way to describe it is a thick fluffy corn taco. At Maïs you can get them stuffed with almost anything that you have a taste for; chicken, pork, shrimp, veggies, etc. This place is one of my favorite places to go for lunch. Though I have to wait til dinner if I want to indulge in the best thing that they make there. Caipirinhas!!!
My favorite things on the menu: Caipirinha, Chicharepa Arepa, Elote
It’s our neighborhood restaurant. Have literally never had a bad meal there. It hold’s a special place in my heart because my wife and I moved there as a newly married couple and the staff there have watched our daughter grow up. If you want a nice white table cloth dinner where you can get duck, sweetbreads, and all the other wonderful delicacies with more of a family atmosphere than you’ll find downtown head to Clancy’s.
My favorite things on the menu: Lobster Risotto, Smoked Double-Cut Pork Chop, Fried Gulf Fish Almondine
I was on a podcast earlier this yea where I said that Herbsaint was one of the best meals that I had had in recent memory. A few months after that podcast I went again to Herbsaint and was able to confirm with myself that I am not crazy. It is the restaurant that I have been to the least by far on this list, but in the few times that I have been I have been beyond pleased with the food I have had.
My favorite things on the menu: Filet au Poivre, Cornmeal Fried Oyster, Beef Short Rib, Duck Confit
Now we get to the important stuff. What is my favorite restaurant in New Orleans? If we look at the entire scope of a restaurant; quality of the food, the atmosphere, politeness of the management and wait staff, and the price point; High Hat is my favorite in New Orleans. It is the epitome of the neighborhood restaurant where you are treated like family. The menu reflects the simple meals that were cooked with love that I grew up on. You will find no frills here, and you will want none either as you relax in a place where you feel like everyone around you is as relaxed at their table as they would be in their own home.
You want amazing red beans and rice? You can get it on Mondays only, but you better get there before 7:00 or it’ll all be gone. Some some of the best fried chicken you’ll ever have? They’ve got it for you, but you’ll have to head there on Tuesday to get it. Want to have a delicious meal with your family that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? You can find it there at any time.
High Hat will be the restaurant that I miss the most if we ever leave New Orleans.
My favorite things on the menu: Fried Catfish, Red Beans and Rice, Fried Chicken, Smoked Chicken, Cuban Sandwich, Pimento Mac n Cheese
As always thank you for taking a few moments out of your day to read my blog. I hope that you’re able to eat at one or all of these restaurants and you enjoy them as much as I do.
God bless,
Ben
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Have lived in New Orleans before and just moved back with my wife and 2 year old little girl. Will definitely be trying High Hat Cafe. My current favorite is Vincent’s but really excited to try some new spots. My two passions are also golf and food!