Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated 05 April 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in New Orleans / Louisiana? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Le Salon

4.9

4.9 (1070)

$50 and over

Afternoon Tea

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Themed Tea Dates: Galentine's Tea- February 14, Mardi Gras Tea- February 15 & 16, *Irish Tea- March 16 (Adults Only- Price $95pp), Strawberry Tea- April 5, Easter -April 19 & 20, Mothers Day-May 10&11, Princess Tea-June 21 & 22 (Price-Adult $80pp & Kids $55pp) *Prohibition Tea-July 19 (Adults Only-Price $95pp), *LGBTEA August 30, (Adults Only-Price $95pp), Tarot-Tea- October 11 & 12, *Halloween Tea-October 25 & 26 (Price-Adults $80pp & Kids $55pp) *Holiday Tea-November 28-Dec 31st (Adults $80pp & Kids 12 & under $55pp) (limited seating) - Please call for availability.

Experience the delightful tradition of afternoon tea at Le Salon. Sip from a selection of 30 of the finest loose-leaf variety brews while your ears enjoy soft melodies from a harpist or pianist from the LA Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy an assortment of delicious tea sandwiches, scones and sweets as you engage in one of New Orleans locals most beloved and fashionable pastimes.

Top review

Brooke

Dined 7 days ago

This was a very nice afternoon tea experience during my trip to New Orleans with my sister. The ambience was great and our server was very friendly and courteous. That said, for the price I agree with some of the other reviews that the food is only meh. The sandwiches were all a bit dry and bland. As a tea snob I also wasn’t overly impressed with the tea. I had the Rex Darjeeling, which wasn’t bad but definitely not a top tier second flush Darjeeling. I was also a little disappointed that the tea was simply poured by the server from a silver teapot, so I wasn’t able to see the leaves for myself. Overall a very nice experience if you’re looking for a casual and cute English-style afternoon tea.

Irene's

4.9

4.9 (4421)

$31 to $50

Italian

French Quarter

About the restaurant

*Please note that if your desired reservation time is not available online, or your party is larger than those accepted through this service, please call the restaurant. We are happy and excited to make great effort in accommodating you. *

RESERVATION POLICY: Reservations requiring a credit card are subject to a $10/person fee as a result of no call-no show, or if not cancelled before 4:00pm central time on the reservation date.

Our cuisine is country French and Italian with a New Orleans influence. Although a majority of our seating is available for walk-in guests we do take reservations. While you wait we have a piano player and serve cocktails. We look forward to serving you.
"Love and Cuisine, Sempre con Passione"

Top review

BethVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had a lovely birthday dinner with a friend and although we would’ve preferred sitting in the back then in the front dining room (darker and more vibe) the experience was great. Brandon gave us a wonderful service. The team even sang happy birthday to our friend. We had a delicious meal that included the signature lasagna and a soft shell crab special. perfect tiramisu for dessert.

Restaurant August

4.9

4.9 (8255)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Central Business District

About the restaurant

August is a Contemporary Creole restaurant creating unique dishes with a focus on Louisiana ingredients and inspired by classical training. Located in a historic 19th century French-Creole building in New Orleans’ Central Business District, the main dining room caters to the most unique dining experience. The interior is rich with original architectural details, gleaming hardwood floors, soaring columns, mahogany paneling and antique mirrors.

Top review

Janelle

Dined 3 days ago

August came highly recommended to us by some local friends. We were able to change our reservations with ease on OpenTable so that we would have an opportunity to dine at August last night. It was one of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time. The food was amazing and accommodated our food allergies. I had the duck, and my husband had the Wagyu steak; we had the orange cardamom sorbet for dessert. The meal was sprinkled with little surprises brought out by the staff, and we had more than enough to eat because the portions are perfectly sized. There were so many small things that showed how much attention to detail was put into this restaurant from real candles on the table and enjoying the flicker of a small flame of candlelight to the fresh flowers to the steam pressed tablecloths. they’ve missed nothing to provide you a perfect dining experience. The staff was amazing, they go so far above and beyond to make sure that guests have a positive experience. The restrooms upstairs proffered the opportunity to see more of the 1800’s architecture and admire the wine collection. This restaurant gets it completely right! Not to be missed!

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Popular dish

torchon of foie gras

Popular dish

red snapper Pontchartrain

Popular dish

blackened grouper

Foundation Room House of Blues New Orleans

4.7

4.7 (279)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Foundation Room is now open with an incredible redesign and ambiance. We look forward to welcoming you back to the finest in food and craft cocktails! PARK at Premium Parking location #145 on 716 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 for $15 for up to 8 hours of parking. Use promo "HOBNOLA24" at checkout: https://www.premiumparking.com/P145.

Top review

Teresa

Dined 5 days ago

The atmosphere and restaurant decor is out of this world. So much fun. Live music was amazing. Food was amazing. Great service and very knowledgeable.

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Experience

Live music in the Lounge at Foundation Room

BABs

4.9

4.9 (838)

$30 and under

Bistro

Bywater

About the restaurant

To us, BABs is a place for friends, or those who will soon be. BABs is a casual energetic place with yummy food, authentic hospitality, great libations and friendly faces.

We cook ingredient driven food where inspiration comes from our personal experiences or one of the many cultures represented in our area, past and present. Our cooking is inspired by small local farms, using ingredients that are seasonal and raised or caught with care.

New Orleans is our home. It’s a place with an amazing sense of community where we’ve created meaningful relationships, and met extraordinary people along the way. We’re excited to continue feeding visitors and the people like us, who call it home.

-Nina Compton, Larry Miller, and the BABs Team

Top review

JanetVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Michael was a very thorough and attentive server. The food was outstanding. We hadn’t been to BABs in a few years and it was as good as ever minus a couple menu items that disappeared. Bring back the rabbit 😋. Wonderful food, service and ambience!

Peacock Room at The Hotel Fontenot

4.7

4.7 (832)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Effortlessly blending the eccentric personality of New Orleans’ bar culture with the old-world charm and sophistication of a classic social club, Peacock Room delivers a bright and vibrant feel during the day and a sexy, moody atmosphere come sundown, perfect for an afternoon aperitif, social dinner or an end-of-evening nightcap. The bar is stocked with everything from the classics to hard-to-find spirits, with an impressive collection of rum and madeira and an emphasis on drinks that are light and floral. The sipping is complemented by an elevated selection of small plates from Chef Samuel Peery that feature refined shareable interpretations of regional and international classics.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 6 days ago

Food was delicious. Service was great. Server was very helpful with the menu selections.

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5.0

5 (1359)

$30 and under

American

Uptown

About the restaurant

A quaint eatery nestled in the heart of Uptown New Orleans, Bistro Daisy -named for the daughter of owners Anton & Diane Schulte-opened in the summer of 2007. The Restaurant features fresh, seasonal and often local ingredients prepared in the American bistro style. Daisy's award-winning dishes and charming atmosphere have established this Uptown bistro as one of the city's premier dining experiences.

Top review

HerbertVIP

Dined 5 days ago

A true gem in the New Orleans dining scene. It is our "go-to" place with friends from out-of-town who are looking for a genuine local experience that is not over-run with tourists.

Dakar NOLA

4.9

4.9 (41)

$50 and over

African

Uptown

About the restaurant

Dakar NOLA is a modern Senegalese tasting menu restaurant. The menu is inspired by Chef Serigne Mbaye’s most cherished memories of his childhood in Dakar, Senegal.
Dinner at Dakar NOLA features a pescatarian tasting menu with some dishes served family-style.
We are a reservations only concept open Tuesday through Saturday and our dinner experience lasts 2.5 hours.
Our menu changes often and is mostly dairy and gluten-free.
Reservations are open 42 days at a time with a new period opening at 10 am central time.
We are unable to accommodate the following allergies: Fin fish, soy, shellfish aroma/fumes, allium, honey
**We can accommodate shellfish allergy and peanut if noted in the reservation.
We can NOT accommodate a Vegan diet or a vegetarian that does not eat food cooked in seafood broth.
We are able to accommodate a gluten intolerance/allergy
In order to minimize disruptions to the kitchen, late arrivals will be served the current course being served

Top review

Julie

Dined on 9 Apr 2025

The whole experience was wonderful. The food was out of the world, service excellent and atmosphere pleasing.

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Experience

Tasting Menu - Communal Dining

Experience

Tasting Menu - Private Table

Desi Vega Steakhouse Covington

4.9

4.9 (1038)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Covington

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing Desi Vega’s Steakhouse Northshore, located in the heart of Covington.

If your preferred reservation time is not available through Open Table, please call the restaurant directly to check availability at (985) 276-4994.

Our dining experience is also available at the Bar. Bar seats are on a first come first serve basis.

Top review

GlennVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Food was Excellent. Service effort Superior. Chicken Parm fantastic!

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Dakota Restaurant - Covington

4.8

4.8 (1266)

$50 and over

American

Covington

About the restaurant

Open since October of 1990, The Dakota has been a pioneer in the culinary industry on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. Their cuisine is influenced by the flavorful Creole cuisine, with Contemporary Louisiana. Other influences include the Southwest, California, and Asia using fresh local and seasonal ingredients.
The carefully selected wines pay tribute to the well crafted wines of North America while offering many of the traditional Old World styles of Europe.
In October of 2023, The Dakota moved to its new location in Historic Downtown Covington...just a block from the iconic Southern Hotel.
The Dakota continues to set the mark for what people look for when they dine – well crafted food, detail-oriented service, plush surroundings, and genuine hospitality.

Top review

Johnny

Dined 6 days ago

Very happy once again with a great meal along with wonderful service ! If I am to wrap up my experience dining at Dakota in one word it would be Consistency!

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Popular dish

The Soft-Shell Crab

Popular dish

The Lump Crabmeat & Brie Soup

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