11 April 2023
Denny Culbert/Bywater American Bistro
A guide to the city’s defining restaurants spanning cuisines, neighborhoods, and price
Welcome to the Eater 38, our answer to the question, “Can you recommend a restaurant?” It’s a wide-ranging, varied list meant to highlight the best of contemporary New Orleans dining while spanning cuisines, neighborhoods, settings, and price points. Showcasing a mix of po’ boy shops, Creole cafes, and fine dining institutions that make New Orleans one of the most interesting places to eat in America, these are 38 restaurants that are crucial visits for any New Orleans diner.
Each quarter, Eater New Orleans updates the Eater 38 with destinations that have been open for at least six months to keep things fresh and representative. For the Spring 2023 update, Eater adds Bywater American Bistro, chef Nina Compton’s second restaurant, Plume Algiers, a celebration of Indian cuisine on the West Bank, and Sweet Soulfood, a Broad Street destination for classic New Orleans cuisine made vegan.
For a guide to the best new restaurants in New Orleans, turn to the Eater Heatmap.
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