Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in New Orleans / Louisiana

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

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!

Bon Sake Sushi & Bar

4.9

4.9 (113)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Covington

About the restaurant

BON SAKE sushi & bar
Sushi Restaurant
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:00am-9:00pm • Fri & Sat 11:00am-10:30pm

We look forward to serving you.

Top review

patty

Dined 6 days ago

As always, it was amazing. Zack did a fantastic job. Love this place!!

Superior Grill - New Orleans

4.7

4.7 (744)

$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

SoniaVIP

Dined on Mar 6, 2025

Excellent service and food quality as always. Staff is attentive and knowledgeable about their food and drink choices.

The Red Maple Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (50)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Gretna

About the restaurant

The Red Maple was originally owned and operated by the Trauth Family, a German-American family of restaurateurs spanning 100 years in Gretna. And what began in 1963 continues to this day, holding to its German roots through its rustic Alpine lodge decor, extensive beer selection and annual Oktoberfest celebration. In fact, it was a red maple tree in the side yard that inspired the name of the bar – The Red Maple – with the restaurant being added in 1965.

Now for over 50 years, The Red Maple has been the rendezvous spot for West Bank movers and shakers known for its Prime cut steaks, New Orleans favorites and fresh Louisiana seafood.

Today, under the passionate guidance of Proprietor Brent Trauth and his sister, Carroll Gales, The Red Maple continues to deliver on its reputation for delicious food, exceptional service and rich Louisiana history. A rich and storied past that is only upstaged by the dining experience itself.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on Mar 1, 2025

Carroll is an amazing general manager who always makes sure each guest feels welcomed. The staff is pleasant and attentive. The food is excellent and consistent. We are fortunate to have this gem on the Westbank!

Habanero's - Metarie

4.6

4.6 (26)

$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

AmandaM

Dined 6 days ago

I took three of our kids to eat here after a long day of dance practice. It was late, but the restaurant was still crowded inside. Everyone was having a good time. Our server was prompt and attentive. My shrimp tacos were incredible, and my kids enjoyed what they ordered. Thank you.

Good Catch | Thai Urban Bistro

4.6

4.6 (83)

$31 to $50

Thai

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Authentic Thai bistro offering a unique lunch, happy hour, and dinner experience - your oasis in the heart of New Orleans Central Business District. Specializing in Thai seafood dishes that highlight the abundance of locally-availability fresh Gulf fish and seafood. With a full Thai menu and a creative bar menu designed to accompany the tropical flavors of Thai food and the New Orleans cultural heritage, Executive Chef Aom Srisuk brings together the best flavors of the East with the best of the Big Easy. Good Catch is the sister restaurant to our smaller but more established uptown restaurant Pomelo.

Two blocks from Canal Street, and one-and-a-half blocks to St. Charles Ave. and less than a block away from the uptown (green) streetcar line. Short walk to the Saenger, Orpheum, Roosevelt, Ritz Carlton, and so much more.

Authentic Thai | Gulf Seafood Specialties | Savory Sips | Lunch / Dinner / Happy Hour

Plenty of space to host your party, or let us cater your next event!

Top review

NancyN

Dined on Mar 5, 2025

Thai food with a creative delicious flair in a well designed environment.

Los Jefes Grill

4.5

4.5 (15)

$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

Reginald

Dined on Feb 14, 2025

Waitress was great. All the staff and managers were great!

Cafe Normandie at The Higgins

4.3

4.3 (72)

$31 to $50

French American

Warehouse District

About the restaurant

Indulge in sophisticated French-influenced casual fare in the Higgins Hotel's full-service restaurant.

Top review

aprilVIP

Dined on Mar 10, 2025

This place was amazing! Our review was for another venue and it got put into here. Computer glitch!!

House of Blues Restaurant & Bar - New Orleans

3.8

3.8 (1262)

$30 and under

American

French Quarter

About the restaurant

The restaurant at House of Blues New Orleans is open Thursdays from 4 PM - 10 PM, Friday - Sunday 10 AM - 10 PM Rock- & blues-themed chain with Southern dishes such as po' boys & jambalaya, plus live music. 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. Additionally, House of Blues New Orleans has partnered with ParkWhiz to offer other easy & reliable parking options. Reserve parking here - https://www.parkwhiz.com/house-of-blues-new-orleans-parking-1?pwa=pa-1269&utm_medium=LiveNation&utm_source=1269&utm_campaign=Web_LN_ParkingPage_VenueLink

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Hannah our server was so sweet! The chicken sandwich was tasty. The jambalaya is spicy but tasty. It was spicy though! Just saying.

Public Service

3.7

3.7 (535)

$30 and under

American

French Quarter

About the restaurant

A dynamic community gathering place, Public Service is a casual-yet-sophisticated restaurant with a menu honoring the Gulf Coast’s hard-working fishermen and farmers. Our chefs prepare contemporary cuisine in an open-display kitchen highlighted by an open-flame rotisserie.

Join us for a relaxing meal with family or friends, a quick bite in our bar or pull up a stool at the open kitchen to experience a meal guided by our chefs. At Public Service, the recipe is simple: combine confident Southern hospitality with a menu that allows the ingredients to speak for themselves.

Click on our virtual tour to step inside Public Service! https://visitingmedia.com/tt8/?ttid=nopsi-hotel-icms#/3d-model/0/1?b11t0=1&a10ph=1&i2d0a=1&j2ck2=1

Top review

Matt

Dined on Mar 6, 2025

Service, food, and drinks were all so great! Also they had a live band that was incredible. Great place!

Discover more

Experience

Jazz Brunch at Public Service Restaurant

Experience

Wine Down Wednesdays at Public Service

Explore Diners' Choice best of New Orleans / Louisiana