Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated 05 June 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Dakar NOLA

4.9

4.9 (87)

$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

tinaVIP

Dined on 5 June 2025

Lovely atmosphere, incredible food and the feeling of making new friends !

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Experience

Tasting Menu - Communal Dining

Experience

Tasting Menu - Private Table

Tavi

4.8

4.8 (504)

$30 and under

Israeli

Covington

About the restaurant

Tavi is an Israeli restaurant serving made-to-order pita from a wood-fired oven, elaborately finished hummus plates, and small and large plates drawing from the same modern Israeli inspiration as its sister restaurant, Shaya. The name Tavi is inspired by the Hebrew word meaning “good or beloved” and that’s what Tavi aims to deliver to the Covington community. The menu will highlight staples from the Shaya menu plus an array of small plates, hummus, sandwiches, and slow-roasted meats.

Top review

Louie

Dined on 2 June 2025

Wonderful time as usual!! Great food and drinks Helpful service.

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4.8

4.8 (18)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Tremé

About the restaurant

Located on the iconic Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans, Lost Coyote is a unique dining destination where local ingredients, vibrant ambiance, and unforgettable experiences come together. Inspired by the coyote’s untamed spirit, our restaurant embraces the magic of exploration, resilience, and connection. Our chef-crafted menu is a celebration of local ingredients and global inspirations.

Lost Coyote features a large event space on our second floor which can accommodate up to 175 guests. With the option of a reception style event, seated dinner, dance floor, corporate gathering, we are here to help you plan your next occasion.

The crown jewel of 1614 Esplanade is our beautiful swimming pool which will be open to the public year-round, this feature is coming soon for day passes, annual passes, and special events.

Whether you’re here for a casual night out, a romantic dinner, or simply to explore, Lost Coyote invites you to come as you are.

Come wander with us.

Top review

Janell

Dined on 31 May 2025

Great local restaurant featuring delicious and unique cuisine. I ordered BBQ shrimp from the brunch menu - fresh shrimp in a generous serving of polenta and delicate sauce. The corn muffins never disappoint. On a previous brunch visit, I ordered the Soft Scramble for the best flavorful and creamy eggs ever. Nice, quiet place to spend Saturday morning.

Social

4.7

4.7 (27)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Madisonville

About the restaurant

Welcome to Social, where every meal is an invitation to connect and be social. Our modern peruvian dishes are meant to be enjoyed in good company, because the best moments happen around the table.

Top review

Cyndi

Dined on 6 June 2025

Awesome food and atmosphere. Will definitely go back!

Yo Nashi

4.6

4.6 (481)

$50 and over

Japanese

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Yō Nashi is a New Orleans omakase restaurant. Utilizing local ingredients and flavor with Japanese technique and presentation, Chef Jose creates a dining experience that invokes a sense of transportation while simultaneously being rooted in the city where he presides.

Our daily omakase menu is created around the best seasonal ingredients available. Please provide any allergies or dietary restrictions with your reservation so that we may be able to ensure your best possible experience.

Top review

James

Dined on 5 May 2025

The chief’s preparations were out of this world. Great experience!

34 Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (281)

$50 and over

Portuguese

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

34 is Chef Emeril Lagasse’s first restaurant dedicated to the cuisine of his Portuguese heritage. He was inspired by his late mother, Hilda, who influenced his interest in cooking when he was a child growing up in Fall River, MA. The 245-seat restaurant is adorned in shades of green – Emeril’s signature color – wood accents and ornate Portuguese tiles. A painting of a rooster, a national Portuguese symbol of good luck, greets guests at the entrance. Once inside, a jamon bar with countertop service and tile-clad DJ booth are focal points of the space. The restaurant celebrates not only the food and design of Portugal but also the sounds, with music from local and touring DJs.

Top review

ToddVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Did the Food And Wine Experience and it was really amazing. Great pairings. Nicole was tops.

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Experience

An evening with Esporão- Summer Wine Dinner Series

Experience

Happy Hour at 34

Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (11)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hammond

About the restaurant

Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie - Hammond, LA
Nestled in the heart of Hammond, Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie offers a delightful culinary escape inspired by the vibrant flavors of coastal cuisine. Developed by the talented duo of Chef Ryan Haigler and Jaime Castro, our menu features an array of delectable dishes, including chargrilled oysters, fresh pastas, and expertly grilled fish, perfect for both a casual meal and special occasions.
Join us for brunch on weekends and indulge in a selection of mouthwatering options that highlight the best of coastal flavors.
Our inviting brasserie boasts a stunning courtyard with a beautiful close and open roof, providing a perfect atmosphere for dining al fresco. Enjoy our renowned happy hour.

Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie promises a memorable dining experience filled with fresh ingredients and warm hospitality. Come and discover your new favorite coastal getaway!

Top review

GillianVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great staff and delicious food. Love the decor and vibes.

Saltgrass Steak House - Metairie

4.4

4.4 (342)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Metairie

About the restaurant

Saltgrass Steak House is an award-winning steakhouse in Metairie, LA famous for serving Angus Beef steaks. Each steak is cooked to perfection with Saltgrass-7 Steak Spice, and topped with garlic butter. All breads, dressings, soups and desserts are made from scratch daily. Great food and legendary hospitality make Saltgrass an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

Top review

Rick

Dined on 6 June 2025

Waitress was excellent. Very friendly and informative. Wedge salad was ok. Not much dressing and very little blu cheese. Steak was excellent. Cooked medium rare as ordered. Really good. Baked potato as ordered and ok. We ordered a slice of chocolate cake to take home. Really large piece but it was stale. Wife thought it may have been frozen at some time. Either way not very good.

True Food Kitchen - New Orleans

4.1

4.1 (720)

$30 and under

American

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in New Orleans for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Located in New Orleans below The Julia at St. Charles apartments at the corner of Julia Street and Saint Charles Avenue, near F45 Training. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

Bridget

Dined on 25 May 2025

They seemed to be out of a few things and there was some confusion about the food and drinks. The food was good and our waiter was super. He kept us happy regardless of things that were out of his control.

Legacy Kitchen's Tacklebox

3.9

3.9 (314)

$30 and under

Seafood

Central Business District

About the restaurant

New Orleans born and Louisiana inspired, we are an independent polished casual Southern restaurant offering daily brunch & breakfast (including award winning beignets!), lunch & plate specials (best lunch in CBD and home of the $3 lunch beer), happy hour & drink features, raw bar, and dinner for everyone with fresh gulf seafood, chicken & waffles, chargrilled oysters, burgers, and MORE. Conveniently located adjacent to the Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel and steps from the French Quarter.

Top review

Lionel

Dined on 20 May 2025

Service was excellent, most of the food was very good. I was disappointed in the Gumbo.

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