Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in New Orleans / Louisiana? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes 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 reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Foundation Room House of Blues New Orleans

4.7

4.7 (282)

$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

bubbaVIP

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Service great Food surprisingly good Atmosphere great Good menu

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Experience

Live music in the Lounge at Foundation Room

Arnaud's Jazz Bistro

4.7

4.7 (1283)

$50 and over

Creole

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Celebrate the culture and tradition of New Orleans through exquisite flavors served in the most timeless, chic setting in the French Quarter.
Located next door to Arnaud’s Main Dining Room, enjoy classic Creole cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails and nightly Dixieland Jazz ($6.00 music charge per person), in this lively setting overlooking Bourbon Street.
See why Arnaud’s has been celebrating over 100 years of rich history and culinary excellence.
“James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program,” “James Beard Award Semi-finalist for Outstanding Hospitality,” Top New Orleans Restaurant Southern Living Magazine

Top review

Carolyn VIP

Dined on May 9, 2025

Loved the atmosphere with the live music and the food is fantastic

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Don's Seafood of Hammond

4.7

4.7 (58)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hammond

About the restaurant

The truth is, you don't become a Louisiana favorite just by putting the word "authentic" on your sign. When you've served Cajun meals as long as we have, you learn the difference between real food and a bland imitation, and our guests know it too. Grilled, fried or on ice-there's time cooked into every dish and time spent on every home cooked recipe, so that every aroma, every bite, every sip and every gathering is memorable. We've spent more than 80 years creating a recipe for something much greater than a place for a lunch break or night out. It's a place to share (or keep the whole plate to yourself), a place where you always have a seat ready at the table and a place where you're always part of the family.

Top review

Deek

Dined on May 6, 2025

We had a great lunch with family from out of State.

Habanero's - Metarie

4.6

4.6 (33)

$30 and under

Mexican

Metairie

About the restaurant

Habaneros brings the distinctive flavors of Mexico's urban eateries to your table, drawing inspiration from the street foods and laid-back dining experiences found in the vibrant cities of Mexico. Our well-traveled menu showcases the diversity of Mexican ingredients, elevating classic dishes with a contemporary twist while staying true to their authentic flavors. At the heart of our menu is a dedication to serving fresh, made-from-scratch creations. From our salsas and sauces to our marinades, spices, and rubs, everything is handcrafted with care. Our cocktails are no exception, with each one expertly mixed to perfectly complement your meal.

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined on May 5, 2025

Thank you so much for holding our early dining reservation on Cinco de Mayo! The food and drink here are fresh and delicious. One of our 3 had a longer wait for the entree; not sure what happened. The sopapilla dessert is a favorite. The margaritas are varied and flavorful. Servers should check in a bit more often. Yes it was CDM but we were early and the server was not too busy yet to provide regular attention for drink refills etc. I have dined here often and will return.

Saltgrass Steak House - Metairie

4.5

4.5 (340)

$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

MartinVIP

Dined on May 9, 2025

Excellent, attentive service and great tasting food.

Bayou Bar

4.3

4.3 (15)

$30 and under

American

Uptown

About the restaurant

Bayou Bar is now offering the added amenity to reserve a table in advance for Jazz Shows Tuesday-Thursday.

Reservations are NOT required. All shows are open to the public with no cover charge. Should you want to take advantage of the added option to reserve your table in advance, you can do so via OpenTable for shows Tuesday-Thursday.

If you do not see availability, that does not mean a show is sold-out. It only means the specific number of tables available for reservations have already been reserved. Please do join us anyway!

The cost is $25 per seat at the table you reserve.
Please note that the $25 per seat is only to have the table held for you. It is not a cover charge, nor is it a deposit.

Top review

VickiVIP

Dined on May 8, 2025

The music is why I come here and it's always fabulous!

Flamingo A-Go-Go

4.2

4.2 (1363)

$30 and under

American

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Flamingo A-Go-Go is your go-to destination for bottomless mimosa & rosé brunch, group dinners, lengthy happy hours, doggy parties, and more. With an overloaded menu of small & not-so-small bites, refreshing cocktails, and beers & wines by the bottle, can, glass or tap - there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Top review

Micah

Dined 6 days ago

The food was great, good vibes, kid friendly & the drinks were good too

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

4.2

4.2 (373)

$30 and under

Creole

The Marigny

About the restaurant

For over 30 years, Snug Harbor has provided the best in live jazz & great regional cooking at reasonable prices. Snug is located in three rooms of a renovated 1800's storefront located in the Faubourg Marigny, just outside the French Quarter. We have a dining room, a bar, and a music room.

Top review

ElaineVIP

Dined on Apr 28, 2025

Awesome show- a very memorable evening with the Charmaine Neville Band!

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4.2

4.2 (19)

$30 and under

Mexican

Metairie

About the restaurant

We’re in the heart of Fat City in Metairie on the corner of 18th Street and Edenborn Ave, near Lakeside Shopping Center, close to the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, also about 10 mins from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Whether a local, or a visitor traveling to Louisiana, our cuisine is a great treat! As has been noted by many, Los Jefes Grill in Metairie has been chosen as their favorite Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Metairie, New Orleans and surrounding areas for takeout, delivery, dine-in and catering.

Top review

santiago

Dined 4 days ago

Gabriel was outstanding in handling the large party we had. Any issues that arose were addressed immediately, which contributed to a memorable experience for all. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her BDAY and it was many of our first time @ Los Jefes. It will not be our last...

Headquarters by NGN

3.9

3.9 (153)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Head Quarters by Nice Guys Nola is a bar and event space in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. It's a sister establishment to Nice Guys Nola, offering a unique experience with its own menu, cocktails, and atmosphere. Head Quarters is known for its: · Craft cocktails · Small plates and snacks · Intimate setting · Regular events, such as live music and DJ nights · Private event spaces for rent Head Quarters is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, offering a more laid-back and relaxed vibe compared to the original Nice Guys Nola location. We're located within walking distance of the Superdome & the Pelicans Arena.

Top review

Dijon

Dined 1 day ago

Great staff great food, and great location . Restaurant was clean and with a dope environment. Staff made my wife’s birthday very special.

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