A Guide To New Orleans' Best Holiday Dining Deals

At this point your digestive system is likely attempting to recover from Thanksgiving, but don't let that stop you from focusing on the task at hand— eating your way through the holidays.  Yes, it's December and that means an onslaught of office parties and an endless stream of questionable fruitcake and cheese balls will soon occupy your daily existence, but don't let that deter you from seeking out holiday dining deals at the city's finest restaurants.

Here in New Orleans, the holidays are a time for great dining steals and splurges with plenty of Reveillon dinners— grandiose prix-fixe menus inspired by the French tradition of Christmas Eve feasts and available all December long, costing anywhere from $35 to $110/person— and more fun events like Feast of The Seven Fishes, boozy soirees, holiday sno-balls, and much more already on the books.

Here now, are the most promising holiday specials on offer.

Christmas Eve

Meauxbar: Chef John Bel prepares a $60 four course menu at this intimate S. Rampart beauty with Louisiana crab ravigote, grilled lamb loin, and cheese selections from St. James on the menu as well as seasonal wines, egg nog and more libations to get you festive. Info and reservations here.

La Crepe Nanou: Uptown's romantic bistro offers seating from 6 to 10 p.m. with a menu of crepes, fondue, and what many consider the best mussels and frites in town. Even cooler, they take walk ins (but you can also reserve a spot at 504-899-2670).

August: John Besh's fine dining gem in the CBD offers a $97 Reveillon menu from 5 to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, if you're in search of a swanky experience.

The Grill Room: Also quite swanky, this Windsor Court restaurant offers five courses for $110/person with Christmas goose and Bûche de Noël both on the menu, and seatings from 5 to 10 p.m. More details here.

Annunciation: At this newly renovated Warehouse District gem, chef Jacob Cureton offers a four-course prix fixe for $50 per person ($75 with wine parings) with choices of baked oysters or boudin balls, seared drum or paneed pork loin and more. Call (504) 568-0245 or visit the website for more info and reservations.

Reveillon

Caribbean Room [Photo: Brasted]

The Newcomers: Swanky Besh Group spot Caribbean Room offers five-courses including foie gras for $95, Seaworthy does a four course seafood feast for $50, and Josephine Estelle rocks four-courses of Italian eats with a glass of wine for $70.

The Boozy: The $44 Revelillon at fun Quarter spot SoBou includes a glass of coquito (Puerto Rican eggnog), and artful Uptown stalwart Upperline offers booze for two of its four courses at $46— choose from Brandy Alexander or Irish coffee for dessert, and Madeira with spiced pecans for a starter.

All The Desserts: Figgy pudding and a lagniappe surprise round out the four courses  ($55) at Quarter stunner and dessert mecca Salon By Sucre.

The Vegan-Friendly: Warehouse District gem Carmo offers a completely vegan Reveillon option for $45.

The Best Steal: Ever-romantic Mid City gem Cafe Degas serves up rack of lamb, along with four courses and a free glass of port with dessert for $42, and Riverbend beauty Brigtsen's cooks up a $48 four-course meal including options for the incredible barbecue shrimp w/ calas, egg nog brulee and more, along with the best hospitality in town.

The Ultimate Splurge: Garden District landmark Commander's Palace brings the indulgence for $110/person with eight courses that include a small cocktail, rabbit and dumplings, a chocolate Hubig's-inspired pie and more delights.

Peruse all Reveillon menus right here.

Feast Of The Seven Fishes

Linguine and clams at Avo [Photo courtesy of Avo]

Avo: Chef Nick Lama's seasonal seven course tasting menu includes shrimp and tomato bisque, charred octopus, linguine and clams, and more for $78 or $108 with wine pairings. Available December 10 through Christmas Eve.

Josephine Estelle: This Ace Hotel osteria's seafood dinner on December 6 is one of the swankiest affairs of the season, featuring an all-star lineup of Southern chefs including Andy Ticer, Michael Hudman, Stephen Stryjewski, Ryan Prewitt, Mike Lata, and more. A cocktail hour, dinner and wine is $125/person.

Holiday Parties & Booze Specials

Bad Santas Nick Detrich and Chris Hannah at Tales of the Toddy [Photo: Brasted]

Latitude 29: This French Quarter tiki hub debuts its seasonal Sippin Santa's Surf Shack menu with numerous holiday libations served in cool holiday glassware from Jeff Beachbum Berry and Brad Smith, available December 1-24.

Tales Of The Toddy: Tales of the Cocktail's annual holiday-themed cocktail competition lands at the Hyatt Regency on Thursday, December 8, with 52 of the city's finest drink makers slinging yuletide beverages, along with lots of great restaurants, live music and shenanigans for $49/person or $79 for VIP (ie. early entry).

Catahoula: On Wednesday, December 14, this awesome rooftop bar offers $1 holiday drinks, including coconut milk egg nog, hot buttered rum and toddies, during its Cozy Bar Party, which will also feature complimentary s'mores.

Reveillon On The Rocks: Dozens of bars are featuring yuletide drinks all December long, including specials at Three Muses Maple, the Carousel Bar, The Erin Rose, French 75 and more favorites.

The Swizzle Stick: Cafe Adelaide's ritzy bar hosts its annual Ugly Sweater Party is on Thursday, December 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. with Happy Hour drink specials, passed snacks, and prizes for Ugliest Sweater, Cutest Couple, and Best Handmade Creation. There will also be a Hendrick's Gin raffle, and charitable giving with Yelp NOLA.

Superior Seafood: This Uptown oyster and frozen drink fave has a new holiday drink menu, including tea cocktails, a lighter approach to nog, and an apple rye Old Fashioned to get you in the spirit.

Grand Isle: Holiday drinks at this CBD charmer includes a clarified milk punch, a drink called the Drunk Uncle with bourbon, cognac, Meyer lemon, Dumante pistachio liqueur and egg whites, and some sweet drinks for kids, including the Little Helper with dark chocolate, coconut milk, peppermint and whipped cream.

Le Salon: The ever-festive Holiday Tea at the Windsor Court is $52 ($28 for kids) with loads of desserts, tea sandwiches, tea, champagne and more goodies. Seatings on Friday at 2 p.m. and Sat-Sun at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., but they are booking up quickly.(504) 596-4773 or website for reservations and menu.

More Holiday Dining Specials

A Bananas Foster sno-ball at Hansen's [Photo: Paul Broussard]

Hansen's Sno-Bliz: New Orleans' favorite sno' ball stand will open its doors Uptown on December 16-18 for three days of frozen holiday-themed treats, reports Helen Freund.

GW Fins: This Quarter seafood stalwart rocks a great Friday holiday lunch, where dining tends to last all day (ie. abandon any work plans). Available on December 9 and December 16.

Tableau: Brunch with Santa happens at this Quarter gem on December 18 with live music, professional photos ($15) and a children's menu available from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Emeril's Delmonico: The LGD stunner is now open for Friday lunch during the holiday season with seating available December 9, 16 & 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kenton's: This Uptown stunner is selling five-pound pork shoulder hams that have been brined for five days, smoked for six hours and then glazed. $48/each, a steal, considering this spot earned 4 beans from Brett Anderson this year and is known for its exceptional smoked meats and seafood that pair well with whiskey. Order via holidayhams@kentonsrestaurant.com or at (504) 891-1177.

Know of a great holiday menu, party or dining deal? Send us a tip or leave a comment, and Eater will update this guide throughout the month December.