Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Shaya

4.9

4.9 (5006)

$31 to $50

Israeli

Uptown

About the restaurant

Shaya restaurant marries Israeli staples with Southern flavors and modern techniques, striking a balance between innovation and tradition. Shaya approaches Israeli cuisine as a grand mosaic, drawing influence and inspiration from North Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Turkey and Greece. The contemporary menu reflects the ongoing evolution of Israeli food and celebrates the abundance of Louisiana. Shaya highlights seasonal, responsibly- and locally-sourced ingredients.

The wood-fire oven is central to both the menu and the dining experience, from the incredible homemade, wood-fired pita to vegetable-centric small plates and heartier entrees. Many of the dishes on the diverse menu are meant to be shared and enjoyed throughout many courses.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

The pita is delish and the lamb ragu hummus is to die for.

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4.9

4.9 (438)

$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. Executive Chef Fariz Choumali leads the kitchen and brings his Lebanese Roots to life through staples from the Shaya menu plus new dishes. The menu will highlight an array of small plates, hummus, sandwiches, and slow-roasted meats.

Top review

Ramona

Dined 6 days ago

We love Tavi! The food is absolutely delicious! But disappointed to see how they have stacked more tables inside and separated four tops into two tops to get more seating. The two tables on either side of us were less than 10 inches away and it felt like I was on a triple date with a bunch of strangers and couldn’t have a conversation with my husband because they were so incredibly close to us.

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Popular dish

Fried Chicken

Experience

Happy Hour Hummus & Wine at Tavi!

Experience

Wined Down Wednesday at Tavi

True Food Kitchen - New Orleans

4.8

4.8 (683)

$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

Lisa

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Healthy delicious food. Will definitely go back. Ash, our waiter, went above and beyond.

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Experience

Fall Menu Tasting Event

Restaurant Rebirth

4.7

4.7 (2001)

$31 to $50

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Restaurant Rebirth; Where the Locals Eat! - is one of OpenTable’s 2018 "50 Best Southern Restaurants in America”, and features regional Louisiana cuisine perfectly balancing fresh local seafood and bold Cajun flavors. South Louisiana native Chef Ricky Cheramie honed his culinary skills in some of New Orleans' top restaurants including K-Paul's, Emeril’s, and Commander's Palace. He was also influenced by time spent cooking in Boston and Maine, including a stint at the renowned Grill 23. Chef Cheramie creates food for the soul such as Country Gumbo, Blackened Scallops with Maque Choux, and Mississippi-Style Barbeque Pork Belly. Located in the historic Warehouse District, Restaurant Rebirth's intimate dining room, with exposed wood beams and original brick, showcases local art and is the perfect destination to enjoy craft cocktails, as well as a variety of spirits, wines, and local beers.

Top review

Hope

Dined 7 days ago

The food and service were fantastic. My husband and I celebrated my birthday. Rebirth was participating in New Orleans Coolinary Week. The option that they offered all looked delicious it was a task to decide on which appetizer, entree and dessert to order. Rebirth’s food was so delicious as well as their cocktails. You have to give Rebirth a try when you are in New Orleans.

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Popular dish

Blackened Scallops

Popular dish

Blackberry & Brie Salad

Popular dish

Filet Mignon Tartare & Carpaccio

Maypop

4.7

4.7 (1329)

$31 to $50

Southeast Asian

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Welcome to Maypop! - the sister establishment to the award winning Mid-City restaurant MOPHO. Located two blocks from the Super Dome and only one block from Poydras street, it features Southeast Asian inspired southern cuisine and focuses on hand made pastas and house charcuterie paired with Gulf seafood, local produce and hand ground curries. Enjoy our refreshing cocktails that are as innovative and creative as our cuisine, and our well curated wine list paired to our eclectic dishes.
Executive Chef Michael Gulotta was named a 2016 Best New Chef by Food and Wine Magazine and Maypop was named a 2017 best new restaurant by New Orleans magazine as well as a 2017 peoples choice best new restaurant by Gambit Magazine.

Parties of 5+ guests will be charged an automatic 20% gratuity.

Top review

pedro

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Excellent food and service. Portions were perfect. Great cocktails also

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Service Industry Night - 20% of tasting menus

Tana

4.7

4.7 (427)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Metairie

About the restaurant

Tana is an upscale Italian restaurant drawing from local Chef Michael Gulotta's New Orleans Sicilian upbringing as well as his time training in the Liguria region of Italy.

Experience cocktails in our comfy lounge with jewel toned plush booths and ambient lighting. Dine in the classically Italian styled main room with wood beams or The Villa, which is light and airy with lots of natural light, as if you're dining al fresca on the Sicilian coast.

Top review

Joby

Dined 7 days ago

From the time we walked in, to the time we left; was truly magical. The food was absolutely amazing, the service was spot on and the ambiance was terrific.

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Popular dish

Veal Marsala

Popular dish

Tagliatelle alla Ruota

Popular dish

Gulf Shrimp Paccheri

Kenji Omakase

4.7

4.7 (94)

$50 and over

Japanese

French Quarter

About the restaurant

The Kenji Omakase Dinner Experience is a multi-course menu created by the chef and served at the sushi bar. There's limited seating available at the sushi bar. All other guests are seated in the dining room with choice of Omakase or a la carte menu

Lunch is served Thursday and Friday, 11:30a-2:30p, with an a la cart menu

Indulge your senses with Kenji Omakase featuring a sushi selection using fresh seasonal ingredients flown in from Japan. A traditional Omakase Japanese dining in which guests leave themselves in the hands of a chef and receive a meal which is seasonal, elegant, artistic and uses the finest ingredients available

• Due to certain limitations, we kindly decline requests to accommodate any dietary restrictions
• Children are not allowed at the restaurant
Service & taxes are not included and are due at the end of the meal along with beverages and add on options
• Cancellations and changes will only be accepted if requested up to 48 hours prior to your reservation

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Kenji was an amazing experience. All the pieces were cooked to perfection. The chefs were educational, informative, and entertaining. Highly recommend.

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Experience

Kenji Omakase

Yo Nashi

4.6

4.6 (447)

$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

ChristineMvip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

We have been wanting to try some of the more upscale sushi restaurants and this one did not disappoint. The Omakase experience was delicious. Each course was full of flavor. The sushi chefs were great and knowledgeable. We will be back.

Commons Club Bar & Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (469)

$30 and under

Southern

Central Business District

About the restaurant

The Kitchen at Commons Club offers an eclectic menu with reinvented takes on contemporary Southern dishes. Our menu offers a relaxed, yet elegant experience in The Big Easy. Prepare to go on a journey where “Everyone Leaves Feeling Better”.

The Bar at Commons Club serves creative cocktails in a beautifully designed setting. Thoughtfully crafted drinks, wine and beer are enjoyed alongside tempting bar bites and a rotating lineup of live entertainment.

The Shag Room is an intimate space for small groups to meet, connect, share stories and let their hair down. Decked in plush, luxurious fabrics, the lounge area is aptly suited for both a solo working session during the day or an evening night cap. For an even more exclusive feel, The Shag Room is also bookable for private gatherings or activations.

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined on Aug 10, 2024

Good food. Great service. Nice atmosphere. Would dine there again.

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Experience

You're The Brunching Queen Drag & Burlesque Brunch

Experience

Sunday Kickoff Brunch

Experience

Social Hour at Commons Club

Apothecary

4.2

4.2 (68)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Open for the first time to Mortals!
(We hold all reservations for 15 minutes)
The Apothecary is a unique New Orleans dining experience. While we have custom fang fittings and tarot readings on the premises , vampires also realize that mortals must eat and drink - so we have created the finest cuisine and cocktails to sate your pallet. Made with herbs and flowers from our courtyard garden, while it's not health food, our selections have medicinal properties. Come get a prescription of oysters on the half shell for your immune system - or as an aphrodisiac - hydrate with our berry coconut water (add rum for a relaxing twist) - Our lobster and crab stuffed portobello is good brain food! We got you covered!

The perfect place to get a late night bite - we are open until 2 a.m. daily! The Bloodiest Mary is a great cure for a hangover any time of day. Or rejuvenate with one of our blood bags - Fangria, a delicious sangria we import from Spain, or a Vampyre Vodka pomegranate lemonade .

Top review

Faithvip

Dined on Aug 10, 2024

Amazing spot, I highly recommend trying this out after a ghost tour.

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