Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Seaworthy - New Orleans

4.8

4.8 (12)

$30 and under

Seafood

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Locally sourced oysters & seafood are paired with cocktails & wine in a stylish Creole cottage.

Top review

Michael

Dined 6 days ago

Oyster were very good and loved the variety. Shucked to perfection from obviously a very experienced shucker. No hard or shell bits. Drinks were tasty and service was very friendly and efficient. We’re local and will be back.

Arnaud's Jazz Bistro

4.7

4.7 (1184)

$50 and over

Creole

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Arnaud's Jazz Bistro is the relaxed dining option of the venerable Arnaud's Restaurant. Located next door to Arnaud's Main Dining Room, guests enjoy classic Creole cuisine in this lively setting, overlooking Bourbon Street, featuring a three-piece jazz band for an additional $6.00 per person. Named a top New Orleans restaurant by Southern Living magazine, Arnaud’s offers the quintessential New Orleans dining experience. A Sunday Jazz Brunch is served weekly in Arnaud's Main Dining Room (Reservations Recommended).

Top review

Carmenvip

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Great food. Excellent service. Jazz trio was very entertaining and great music. Would recommend to everyone this restaurant.

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Popular dish

Arnaud's Crab Cakes

Superior Grill - New Orleans

4.7

4.7 (717)

$30 and under

Mexican

Uptown

About the restaurant

Add some real spice to your life! Superior Grill has been rated consistently as one of Louisiana’s best Mexican restaurants since 1983 when our first establishment opened in Shreveport. Our New Orleans location opened in 1997 and has become a landmark in fine quality foods with a festive Mexican atmosphere. Superior’s authentic Tex-Mex food is made from scratch every day with only the freshest ingredients. Our tortillas are hand-rolled with care all day long. For added flavor, all of our meats are cooked over a mesquite grill. We are proud of what we make and how we prepare it. Superior Grill is “the place to be” for happy hour, birthdays, office parties, and large groups. In addition to our festive indoor dining room, we offer a memorable outdoor dining experience on our landscaped patio featuring beautiful flowers and one of the best views of St. Charles Avenue. Superior Grill New Orleans is one of four locations including Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Birmingham.

Top review

Nick

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

The atmosphere at Superior Grill is very casual. It is perfect for Happy Hour, birthday parties, and dates.

Brewery Saint X

4.7

4.7 (68)

$30 and under

Brewery

Central Business District

About the restaurant

We are open for lunch, offering full bar and Devil Moon’s menu! Walk-ins only for lunch service.

For parties over 8 please call for reservations.

Brewery Saint X, located at the corner of Girod and Loyola on the ground floor of The Odeon at South Market, will feature a full array of craft beer styles, focusing especially on classic German and British offerings, with a nod toward traditional lager brewing and cask ale production along with hop-forward ales and experimental sours.

Our brewery will pour no fewer than 12 drafts and 2 casks for on-site enjoyment, along with a selection of freshly canned beer available to-go. The state-of-the-art draft and cask system will ensure that all beers are served at the proper temperature and with proper texture; in addition to the traditional hand-pump cask system for dispensing real ale, Czech-style side-pull faucets will be utilized to best express the creamy softness of great lager beer.

Top review

Lesley

Dined 6 days ago

We love coming here to watch football games. Great drinks. Crackling, ribs, wings all first rate.

Foundation Room House of Blues New Orleans

4.4

4.4 (266)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 23, 2024

Great ambience!!! Made reservations for Saturday evening and loved it so much We wanted to go back the next day, but they are closed on Sunday 😞

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Experience

Live music in the Lounge at Foundation Room

Hard Rock Cafe - New Orleans

4.2

4.2 (553)

$30 and under

American

French Quarter

About the restaurant

Hard Rock Cafe is a global phenomenon with 185 cafes that are visited by nearly 80 million guests each year. The first Hard Rock Cafe opened on June 14, 1971, in London, England, and from there the brand has expanded to major cities and exotic locations around the world.

Top review

Julie

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

Very nice restaurant! Shane-Manager, receptionists, and server Carlisa were outstanding! Very friendly welcoming atmosphere, prompt service, and delicious food. Great place to dine near Bourbon Street. Even if we were not staying nearby, we would drive here to dine. Will definitely be back! Thank you for an unforgettable experience.

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.

Minted Lounge Nola

4.2

4.2 (12)

$31 to $50

American

Bywater

About the restaurant

A sophisticated cocktail lounge that specializes in serving a variety of custom crafted cocktails, great food and other beverages in a chic and relaxing atmosphere. It features stylish decor, comfortable seating, and subdued lighting, providing a perfect setting for socializing or unwinding.

Top review

Lucinda

Dined on Aug 27, 2024

Great food and cocktails- plus wonderful service! We loved the cool interior and the fact that it was quiet enough to chat - highly recommend!!

Legacy Kitchen's Tacklebox

4.0

4 (278)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 28, 2024

Joe was amazing!!!! Made the start of our trip so special.

Headquarters by NGN

4.0

4 (92)

$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

Toya

Dined 5 days ago

If you are looking for a party vibe with great food….this is THE SPOT!!!

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Experience

Red Light District Burlesque Bruncheon

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