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A sidewalk patio is full of people sitting at tables and chairs at night, under trees strung with lights.
The Delachaise Wine Bar.
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

21 Essential Outdoor Dining Spots in New Orleans

From kid-friendly patios to romantic courtyards, it’s all about ambiance at these al fresco powerhouses

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The Delachaise Wine Bar.
| Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Outdoor dining is a pillar of New Orleans's food and drink scene, given the city’s affinity for lush courtyards, intricate balconies, and welcoming front porches. There’s such an abundance of al fresco options in every New Orleans neighborhood, so let this map serve as a selection of some of the finest. A mix of new and old, backyard party vibes and chic sanctuaries, these are some of New Orleans’s best patios and courtyards for outdoor dining. The criteria? It’s all about food and ambiance, here. For the best outdoor setting for drinks, check out this guide to New Orleans’s best bar patios.

Don’t miss our other outdoor dining maps, including covered patios for when it rains, date night dining under the stars, and restaurants with heated outdoor dining for cold nights. Did we miss your favorite restaurant patio in New Orleans? Send us a tip.

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Seafood Sally's

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Seafood Sally’s, the second restaurant from Marjie’s Grill owners Caitlin Carney and Marcus Jacobs, was an instant hit upon opening — in no small part due to the restaurant’s outstanding outdoor dining options. There’s a classic New Orleans porch with funky tables and chairs, and a large, pretty patio out front that’s cozy and comfortable. Oh, and the boiled and fried seafood, oysters, picnic sides, and cocktails are all phenomenal, a fitting complement to the homey, backyard boil atmosphere.

Seafood Sally’s.
Randy Schmidt/Eater NOLA

Rosedale Restaurant

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Rosedale is Susan Spicer’s casual, neighborhood spot in Lakeview, a family-friendly restaurant serving some of the best versions of Creole and Southern American comfort food to be found in New Orleans. The restaurant has recently decked out its outdoor seating setup, with new tables and chairs, shaded pergola and covered areas, and landscaping.

Monday | Restaurant + Bar

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New Orleans entrepreneur Larry Morrow has brought his signature touch to Bienville Street with Monday, a restaurant and bar he opened with his mother, chef Lenora Chong. The space was built for outdoor dining for its original debut as Trep’s, and its destination-worthy patio is a hot setting for an eclectic mix of bar food, Creole specialties, and creative twists on Southern specialties — and for happy hour and brunch.

Mosquito Supper Club

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Reserve a spot in the garden at Mosquito Supper Club and imagine yourself sitting along a Louisiana bayou as you slurp raw oysters and scrape the meat off of crab claws. The prix fixe, modern Cajun meal is best enjoyed outside, on the courtyard previously only used for private events, or on the porch. Note: the restaurant now also offers bites and drinks that can be had at the bar, no commitment necessary.

Barracuda

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Think patio meets margarita garden meets funky picnic space and you’ll get the drift of what Barracuda has going for it. Order food inside and then grab a picnic table out back. The crowd is a fun mix of families with kids, pals, and date-night couples. Oh, and the food is across the board excellent.

The Delachaise Wine Bar

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Drive by this St. Charles Avenue favorite in the evenings or late at night and the front patio is bound to be packed with people. With epic cheese plates, duck fat fries, cocktails, cutting-edge wine, and a streetcar view, it’s long been a destination for a casual, Parisian-inspired outing.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Lola’s paellas and fideuàs (same idea but with angel-hair pasta) are legend in these parts. A tiny dining room is a sweet backdrop for Spanish peasant fare, but the charming sidewalk seating accompanied by sangria is beyond dreamy.

Santa Fe

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This Faubourg St. John restaurant draws crowds with simple but tasty New Mexico/Tex-Mex food, great margs and most importantly, its pretty, covered outdoor seating overlooking beautiful and bustling Esplanade Avenue.

Casa Borrega: Taqueria & Mezcaleria

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Fans of the lively, artsy scene and tasty Mexican food at Casa Borrega rejoiced in Spring 2023 when the longtime Central City restaurant from Hugo Montero returned after a nearly year-long closure. It’s back just in time for patio dining, where diners flocked on nice nights for its funky feel and eclectic components. It’s now open for counter service tacos, tostadas, and tortas for lunch and dinner, with live music on weekends.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Jewel of the South

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Jewel of the South’s 19th century Creole cottage offers a classy respite from French Quarter chaos, whether inside the elegant dining room or on the enchanting courtyard out back, strung with lights and tucked away from its busy surroundings. One sip of a cocktail and you’ll want to try them all, but make sure to try Chris Hannah’s expert Brandy Crusta.

Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar

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If it’s in the name, you know the patio must be a priority. And really, it doesn’t get much better than Sidecar’s patio — pretty, lush, and spacious. Plus, some of the best oysters in town by the piece or dozen, ceviche and tartare, and natural wine.

Bayona, set in an 18th-century Creole cottage, has been charming diners since Regina Keever and chef Susan Spicer opened the doors in 1990. Bayona drips with romance, but the vibe is casual and inviting. Pair chef Spicer’s award-winning global cuisine with one of the city’s most serene patios for fine dining in New Orleans.

Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard

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This century-old restaurant, though bought by huge local restaurant group Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts in 2013, remains true to its French-Creole history dating back to 1920. Causal but special, the restaurant’s lush courtyard is legendary, with umbrella-topped tables lined by pretty bistro chairs.

Vyoone’s Restaurant

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Vyoone’s is one of the Warehouse District’s best restaurants, a romantic French-meets-Creole spot oozing with ambiance. Love the walk to the charming patio through an enchanting brick hallway covered in a seemingly impossible number of string lights.

Brennan's

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This quintessential French Quarter courtyard is home to a champagne-based happy hour every Thursday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a special menu, bubbly discounts, and champagne sabering at 5 p.m. on Fridays.

The Court of Two Sisters

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A go-to for weddings and private parties, the Court of Two Sisters is also known for its ample jazz buffet and stunning outdoor dining area. Its Creole Louisiana fare, while not reinventing the wheel, is solid, as the old-school cocktails are solid. There are seemingly endless nooks and crannies to discover in the courtyard, a lovely setting. Did we mention it's haunted?

The Elysian Bar

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At Hotel Peter and Paul, the cool renovation of a Catholic church complex in the Marigny, the Elysian Bar offers a dramatic center patio for nibbling under the stars. Order small to medium plates and choose from a huge cocktail menu of spritzes, aperitif-forward concoctions, and for after dinner, plenty of amaros and other digestifs. 

N7 is still a hotspot, and the outdoor setting is no small reason — the chic bistro boasts a lovely candlelit outdoor space, one of the best in town. Add to that some dishes not easily found on New Orleans menus — smoked mackerel, wagyu tataki, and duck l’orange, for example — and a huge menu of wines from small producers across the globe (including lots of natural varieties), as well as rare spirits, and sipping drinks out back can feel like a mini-vacation. 

N7.
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Bratz Y'all! Bistro • Bakery • Biergarten

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Schnitzel hanging over the plate, German beer and wine on tap, fresh baked pretzels, all kinds of sausages, and a roomy area for kids to roam. That’s the gist of this friendly spot in the Bywater next door to Pizza D. Bratz Ya’ll has a few indoor high tops, but try for a seat at the communal picnic tables, where dogs are welcome, kids can be loud, and the vibe is chill.

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits

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Head out back at Bacchanal, after choosing a bottle of wine and cheeses and meats for what might just be one of the tastiest cheese platters in town. Welcome to the funkiest yard party in Bywater, where there’s live music on the patio, bright Mediterranean small plates on deck, and good vibes all around.

Bacchanal’s outdoor courtyard
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Kitchen Table Cafe

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This homespun comfort food cafe in Arabi is swell on all counts, from the pork chop special (orange glazed grilled bone-in chop with whipped potatoes and roasted vegetables) to homemade desserts and welcoming service. Kitchen Table also has a lovely outside space, where live music sometimes takes the stage and folks relax and visit.

Kitchen Table Cafe

Seafood Sally's

Seafood Sally’s, the second restaurant from Marjie’s Grill owners Caitlin Carney and Marcus Jacobs, was an instant hit upon opening — in no small part due to the restaurant’s outstanding outdoor dining options. There’s a classic New Orleans porch with funky tables and chairs, and a large, pretty patio out front that’s cozy and comfortable. Oh, and the boiled and fried seafood, oysters, picnic sides, and cocktails are all phenomenal, a fitting complement to the homey, backyard boil atmosphere.

Seafood Sally’s.
Randy Schmidt/Eater NOLA

Rosedale Restaurant

Rosedale is Susan Spicer’s casual, neighborhood spot in Lakeview, a family-friendly restaurant serving some of the best versions of Creole and Southern American comfort food to be found in New Orleans. The restaurant has recently decked out its outdoor seating setup, with new tables and chairs, shaded pergola and covered areas, and landscaping.

Monday | Restaurant + Bar

New Orleans entrepreneur Larry Morrow has brought his signature touch to Bienville Street with Monday, a restaurant and bar he opened with his mother, chef Lenora Chong. The space was built for outdoor dining for its original debut as Trep’s, and its destination-worthy patio is a hot setting for an eclectic mix of bar food, Creole specialties, and creative twists on Southern specialties — and for happy hour and brunch.

Mosquito Supper Club

Reserve a spot in the garden at Mosquito Supper Club and imagine yourself sitting along a Louisiana bayou as you slurp raw oysters and scrape the meat off of crab claws. The prix fixe, modern Cajun meal is best enjoyed outside, on the courtyard previously only used for private events, or on the porch. Note: the restaurant now also offers bites and drinks that can be had at the bar, no commitment necessary.

Barracuda

Think patio meets margarita garden meets funky picnic space and you’ll get the drift of what Barracuda has going for it. Order food inside and then grab a picnic table out back. The crowd is a fun mix of families with kids, pals, and date-night couples. Oh, and the food is across the board excellent.

The Delachaise Wine Bar

Drive by this St. Charles Avenue favorite in the evenings or late at night and the front patio is bound to be packed with people. With epic cheese plates, duck fat fries, cocktails, cutting-edge wine, and a streetcar view, it’s long been a destination for a casual, Parisian-inspired outing.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Lola's

Lola’s paellas and fideuàs (same idea but with angel-hair pasta) are legend in these parts. A tiny dining room is a sweet backdrop for Spanish peasant fare, but the charming sidewalk seating accompanied by sangria is beyond dreamy.

Santa Fe

This Faubourg St. John restaurant draws crowds with simple but tasty New Mexico/Tex-Mex food, great margs and most importantly, its pretty, covered outdoor seating overlooking beautiful and bustling Esplanade Avenue.

Casa Borrega: Taqueria & Mezcaleria

Fans of the lively, artsy scene and tasty Mexican food at Casa Borrega rejoiced in Spring 2023 when the longtime Central City restaurant from Hugo Montero returned after a nearly year-long closure. It’s back just in time for patio dining, where diners flocked on nice nights for its funky feel and eclectic components. It’s now open for counter service tacos, tostadas, and tortas for lunch and dinner, with live music on weekends.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Jewel of the South

Jewel of the South’s 19th century Creole cottage offers a classy respite from French Quarter chaos, whether inside the elegant dining room or on the enchanting courtyard out back, strung with lights and tucked away from its busy surroundings. One sip of a cocktail and you’ll want to try them all, but make sure to try Chris Hannah’s expert Brandy Crusta.

Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar

If it’s in the name, you know the patio must be a priority. And really, it doesn’t get much better than Sidecar’s patio — pretty, lush, and spacious. Plus, some of the best oysters in town by the piece or dozen, ceviche and tartare, and natural wine.

Bayona

Bayona, set in an 18th-century Creole cottage, has been charming diners since Regina Keever and chef Susan Spicer opened the doors in 1990. Bayona drips with romance, but the vibe is casual and inviting. Pair chef Spicer’s award-winning global cuisine with one of the city’s most serene patios for fine dining in New Orleans.

Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard

This century-old restaurant, though bought by huge local restaurant group Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts in 2013, remains true to its French-Creole history dating back to 1920. Causal but special, the restaurant’s lush courtyard is legendary, with umbrella-topped tables lined by pretty bistro chairs.

Vyoone’s Restaurant

Vyoone’s is one of the Warehouse District’s best restaurants, a romantic French-meets-Creole spot oozing with ambiance. Love the walk to the charming patio through an enchanting brick hallway covered in a seemingly impossible number of string lights.

Brennan's

This quintessential French Quarter courtyard is home to a champagne-based happy hour every Thursday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a special menu, bubbly discounts, and champagne sabering at 5 p.m. on Fridays.

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The Court of Two Sisters

A go-to for weddings and private parties, the Court of Two Sisters is also known for its ample jazz buffet and stunning outdoor dining area. Its Creole Louisiana fare, while not reinventing the wheel, is solid, as the old-school cocktails are solid. There are seemingly endless nooks and crannies to discover in the courtyard, a lovely setting. Did we mention it's haunted?

The Elysian Bar

At Hotel Peter and Paul, the cool renovation of a Catholic church complex in the Marigny, the Elysian Bar offers a dramatic center patio for nibbling under the stars. Order small to medium plates and choose from a huge cocktail menu of spritzes, aperitif-forward concoctions, and for after dinner, plenty of amaros and other digestifs. 

N7

N7 is still a hotspot, and the outdoor setting is no small reason — the chic bistro boasts a lovely candlelit outdoor space, one of the best in town. Add to that some dishes not easily found on New Orleans menus — smoked mackerel, wagyu tataki, and duck l’orange, for example — and a huge menu of wines from small producers across the globe (including lots of natural varieties), as well as rare spirits, and sipping drinks out back can feel like a mini-vacation. 

N7.
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Bratz Y'all! Bistro • Bakery • Biergarten

Schnitzel hanging over the plate, German beer and wine on tap, fresh baked pretzels, all kinds of sausages, and a roomy area for kids to roam. That’s the gist of this friendly spot in the Bywater next door to Pizza D. Bratz Ya’ll has a few indoor high tops, but try for a seat at the communal picnic tables, where dogs are welcome, kids can be loud, and the vibe is chill.

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits

Head out back at Bacchanal, after choosing a bottle of wine and cheeses and meats for what might just be one of the tastiest cheese platters in town. Welcome to the funkiest yard party in Bywater, where there’s live music on the patio, bright Mediterranean small plates on deck, and good vibes all around.

Bacchanal’s outdoor courtyard
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Kitchen Table Cafe

This homespun comfort food cafe in Arabi is swell on all counts, from the pork chop special (orange glazed grilled bone-in chop with whipped potatoes and roasted vegetables) to homemade desserts and welcoming service. Kitchen Table also has a lovely outside space, where live music sometimes takes the stage and folks relax and visit.

Kitchen Table Cafe

Related Maps