New Orleans’s 5 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings, Fall 2022

So far in 2022, New Orleans has gained a number of exciting restaurants, from a Trinbagonian restaurant specializing in doubles (Queen Trini Lisa) to an elegant spot for modern Indian street food (Tava) to an oyster destination that brings New Orleans bivalves from all over the country (Le Chat Noir).

This fall is no different, with a number of recently-announced restaurants already set to make their debut in the next few months. For Fall 2022, we’re tracking five exciting spots — a barbecue joint and brewery that will share a talented local chef and pitmaster; a contemporary French brasserie from a pair of local wine and food heavyweights; a Chinese bistro from a beloved longtime restaurateur; a European deli and bakery from the owners of Cafe Degas; and an open-air rooftop bar in Old Metairie.

Opening dates are always a moving target, perhaps now more than ever. Did we miss an exciting restaurant or bar expected this fall? Let us know.

Devil Moon Barbecue/Brewery Saint X

Where: 1100 Girod St., Warehouse District
When: October/November

A local pop-up chef and pitmaster known for smoked meat creations like meatloaf sausage and pastrami banh mi is set to lead the kitchen for two promising downtown restaurants, a craft brewery called Brewery Saint X and a barbecue restaurant, Devil Moon Barbecue. The two restaurants will share a kitchen led by Shannon Bingham, the chef behind St. Roch Market food stalls and pop-ups Emmylou’s BBQ and Buttermilk. They’re backed by a successful Virginia-based restaurant group (Neighborhood Restaurant Group) that is mostly known for D.C. beer destinations like Churchkey, and the Domain Companies, the developer behind local Atelier Ace spots like Bar Marilou, Seaworthy, and Josephine Estelle. The two restaurants are located in an apartment building on Girod Street, and are expected to open this fall after a number of Saints game day pop-ups downtown.

The Domain Companies/Official

The Domain Companies/Official

MaMou

Where: 942 N. Rampart St. French Quarter
When: October

Opening time is near for MaMou, one of Eater’s most anticipated restaurants of 2022. The modern French brasserie from New Orleans chef Tom Branighan and sommelier Molly Wismeier will take over the former location of Meauxbar on N. Rampart Street, and it’s a promising replacement for the once-loved restaurant. Branighan, who most recently cooked at Longway Tavern and before that at acclaimed restaurants in New York and Philadelphia, has created a modern brasserie menu with a focus on Louisiana ingredients and French technique. Wismeier’s background is as a top local sommelier, most recently as beverage director for French Quarter fine-dining destination Restaurant R’evolution. According to representatives for the restaurant, Mamou is expected to open in October.

Sam Hanna/MaMou

Miss Shirley’s Restaurant

Where: 3009 Magazine St., Garden District
When: October/November

The Magazine Street address that area residents relied on for Chinese-American staples and less-known Chinese specialties for 12 years will continue that legacy when a new restaurant opens there this fall. Shirley and Tang Lee, the former proprietors of Royal China in Metairie, will open Miss Shirley’s in the former home of Jung’s Golden Dragon II, as first reported by the Times Picayune/New Orleans Advocate. The duo ran their Metairie restaurant for more than 40 years before selling it in 2021 with plans to retire. The restaurant will continue a focus on dim sum, Lee tells the newspaper, like its predecessor, but will have a smaller menu. Miss Shirley’s is expected to open this fall after renovations.

Cafe Degas Deli

Where: 3133 Ponce de Leon St., Bayou St. John
When: October/November

An as-yet-unnamed deli, bakery, and cafe from famed Esplanade Avenue restaurant Cafe Degas is expected this fall, marking an exciting second project from co-owner Jacques Soulas and business partner Jerry Edgar. The pair opened Cafe Degas more than 40 years ago, and the new cafe (located just across the street on Ponce de Leon, in the former Fair Grinds Coffeehouse) will serve two purposes: A casual, counter-service coffee cafe and deli that focuses on European-style sandwiches made with cured meats and French cheeses and pastries, and a second kitchen space for Cafe Degas. Renovations are underway, according to the restaurant, and the cafe should debut this fall.

Parish Line Bistro

Where: 601 Metairie Rd., Old Metairie
When: September

Parish Line Bistro is a forthcoming bar and restaurant in Old Metairie from a group of local businessmen, and a primary selling point is open-air rooftop dining with a menu from chef Chris Wilson (who most recently led the kitchen at Larder Gourmet Market and before that, Emeril’s). It’s an exciting addition for Jefferson Parish, and with big-money backers like Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and John Georges, the owner of the Times Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, it’s sure to be a complete transformation from its predecessor, the former Metry Cafe and Bar. Menu details are still scarce, but the restaurant recently named a general manager, Carlos Ramirez, and owners expect to open soon.