The Most Anticipated New Orleans Restaurant Openings, Fall 2016

It's been a busy summer in New Orleans with over a dozen new restaurants joining the ranks of the Big Easy's ever-growing dining scene. From awesome new lunch spots like Turkey And The Wolf and Part & Parcel, to swanky oyster bar Seaworthy and the Besh Group's truly breathtaking destination restaurant Caribbean Room, the city seems hell bent on continually outdoing itself. So let's look ahead to the coming months. What's in store?

Well, this fall is certain to be a doozy in terms of restaurant openings. Over the next few months, New Orleanians will be seeing new debuts from big name chefs including Emeril Lagasse, Susan Spicer and Isaac Toups, plus brand new spots from first time restaurateurs hoping to jump in the game. There's at least one comeback from a former New Orleans chef who recently returned to town, and a beloved food truck will finally get its own brick and mortar.

Fall restaurants represent a little bit of everything: Barbecue spots, nightlife hubs, distilleries, dessert hotspots and even a high-end French bistro. There are neighborhood gems and lots to look forward to all over town, so sit back relax, and start planning your fall feasting schedule right now.

Rosedale

Location: 801 Rosedale
Major Players: Susan Spicer, Brett Duffee
The Situation: Bayona chef Brett Duffee will head the kitchen at Susan Spicer's anticipated new neighborhood spot heading to the edge of Lakeview and Mid City, blocks away from City Park and Delgado. The building is currently finishing up major renovations and signage is up.
Projected Opening: Fall 2016

Paul Broussard

Meril

Location: 424 Girod St.
Major Platers: Emeril Lagasse, Will Avelar
The Situation: Emeril's first local restaurant to open since 1998 and fourth addition to his New Orleans' restaurant holdings will feature international dishes including fresh pastas, wood-fired flat breads, pork rib tamales, and Japanese robata-style grilling from chef Will Avelar (former sous at Emeril's Delmonico) in a casual setting with a horseshoe bar and open kitchen.
Projected Opening: September 24

Paul Broussard

Toups South

Location: 1604 O.C. Haley Blvd.
Major Players: Isaac Toups, Amanda Toups, David Barbeau, Larry Nguyen
The Situation: The beloved Toups Meatery team expands with this Central City eatery inside the Southern Food & Beverage Museum with a menu that's not strictly Cajun, but focuses more on the broader regional cuisines of the South. Do expect meat though and a great wine and booze program.
Projected Opening: October

Paul Broussard

Frey Smoked Meat Co.

Location: 4141 Bienville St.
Major Players: Ray Gruezke
The Situation: Chef Ray Gruezke of Rue 127 opens this new barbecue spot in the Mid City Market inspired by his award-winning Hogs For The Cause team this fall. The menu will feature barbecue, hit menu items from Rue 127, and freaky milkshakes called freakshakes.
Projected Opening: Fall 2016

Central City BBQ

Location: 1201 S. Rampart St
Major Players: Rob Bechtold, Aaron Burgau
The Situation: Former NOLA Smokehouse pitmaster Rob Bechtold and Patois chef Aaron Burgau join forces for this new barbecue epicenter, bringing killer brisket and indoor/outdoor dining to Central City.
Projected Opening: Early October

Paul Broussard

Aux 3 Garcons

Location: 1200 Poydras
Major Players:
The Situation: This anticipated French bistro from Hyatt Regency chef Eric Dadimot will bring the flavors of Provence, including a rotisserie and oyster bar, to an 185-seat ground floor eatery in a new six-story CBD building that will also house a giant rooftop Dave & Buster's. Patio dining and a seasonal menu—think poached lobster, frog legs, duck cassoulet— are expected.
Projected Opening: Early 2017

Paul Broussard

Freret Beer Room

Location: 5018 Freret St.
Major Players: Eli Gay
The Situation: The name says it all. Freret Beer Room will offer 16+ beers on tap, bottles and local brews, plus what's certain to be a great cheese program from this St. James Cheese Company (and NYC's Alphabet City Brewing Co.) alum. A menu of casual but intriguing bar food is expected.
Projected Opening: October/November 2016

Paul Broussard

Drip Affogato Bar

Location: 703 Carondelet
Major Players: Juley Le, Anh T Vu, Justin Ramirez
The Situation: First time restaurateurs jump in the dessert game downtown with a chic new spot for affogato— ice cream topped with a shot of espresso— in the Warehouse District. Ice cream will be sourced from Creole Creamery and coffee from French Truck. Expect wild affogato flavors like matcha green tea and Bananas Foster.
Projected Opening: Mid-September

Three Muses

Location: 7537 Maple St.
Major Players: Dan Esses, Kimberly Patton Bragg, Sophie Lee
The Situation: The masterminds behind Frenchmen Street's hottest eatery expand way Uptown with the same delicious plan— great food including small plates and housemade pastas, killer cocktails and live local entertainment. Tujague's and Tivoli & Lee alum Marcus Woodham is on board as chef du cuisine.
Projected Opening: Early Fall 2016

Paul Broussard

The Crepe Place

Location: 941 Poland Ave.
Major Players: Tracy Kish, Samantha Saliter
The Situation: Casual eats in the form of crepes—including vegan and gluten-free options— are heading to the Bywater from the duo behind French Market denizen The Crepe Cart.
Projected Opening: Unknown

Paul Broussard

Taceaux Loceaux

Location: 627 Celeste St.
Major Players: Alex & Maribeth del Castillo
The Situation: The longtime taco truck fave will go brick-and-mortar this year with a design from restaurant-happy architects Brooks Graham and a menu boasting tacos, wood-fired meats, vegetarian/vegan offerings, and a full bar in a large space just off Tchoup in the LGD, complete with a Mexican beer garden feel.
Projected Opening: Late 2016

Paul Broussard

Lula

Location: 1532 St. Charles Ave.
Major Players: Jess Bourgeois, Bear Caffery
The Situation: Part restaurant, part microdistillery, this new LGD attraction is hoping to intrigue with a Louisiana "country"-style menu of gamey meats along with gluten-free spirits (rum, vodka, and gin) made with local sugarcane, all in a 10,000-square-foot venue with patio seating, a huge bar, and a glass wall overlooking the distilling area.
Projected Opening: Late 2016

Station 6

Location: 105 Old Hammond Highway
Major Players: Alison Vega, Drew Knoll
The Situation: Chef Alison Vega made a name for herself when she opened Vega Tapas back in the 1990s. After a decade living in the Caribbean, she'll now debut this highly-anticipated family-friendly eatery in Bucktown, certain to be one of this year's unexpected highlights with incredible local seafood (Vega's husband Drew Knoll is also a partner at a local seafood distributor), elements of the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and a raw bar.
Projected Opening: September 6

Paul Broussard

Koreole

Location: 2809 St. Claude Avenue
Major Players: Kayti Williams
The Situation: Koreole gained plenty of fans during its days at St. Roch Market, but now turns to serving the community with good eats and groceries at its own spot on St. Claude with a sweet backyard that has plenty of seating. Try the playful Korean-meets-Creole dishes during its Backyard Series pop-up, September 6-8.
Projected Opening: Late 2016

Paul Broussard

The Station

Location: 4400 Bienville
Major Players: Megan & Jonathan Walker
The Situation: Baker/Angelo Brocato's alum Megan Walker and husband Jonathan Walker bring a baking facility and coffee shop to Mid City with plans for bike-friendly access, outdoor seating, house baked breads and pastry and coffee roasted on site as well.
Projected Opening: Late 2016

Brasted

Melt

Location: 2549 Banks St.
Major Players: Miles Tully Jr.
The Situation: The small plates, sandwich, and grilled cheese-focused restaurant in Mid City will have an outdoor shaded courtyard and a rooftop deck with plenty of seating.
Projected Opening: Fall 2016

The future home of Seoul Shack on St. Claude Avenue

Looking Ahead: Ted Brennan's Decatur is coming to the Quarter, NOLA Distilling heads to the Irish Channel. A new Ruby Slipper will hit Mid City, along with Nick's Original Big Train Bar (a huge comeback on Tulane Ave) and, potentially, a new wood-fired pizzeria and bakery from the 1000 Figs team. Seoul Shack will relaunch on St. Claude. Spitfire and Scout Bakery will open a new coffee shop on Claiborne. Parleaux Beer Lab heads to the Bywater, as does a new Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, erm, concept, which is taking over the Maurepas Foods spot in Bywater. Tsunami Sushi hits CBD and a CC's drive-thru is planned for Canal debut.

More restaurants that were announced this summer can be found right here.

Don't see an anticipated restaurant opening heading to New Orleans? Leave a comment or send Eater a tip and we'll update the guide as necessary.