clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

The Hottest Restaurants in New Orleans Right Now, November 2014

View as Map

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater ask us: Where should I eat right now? What are the new restaurants? What haven't I heard of? What's everyone talking about? And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continuously to always highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment.

Joining the map this month, Johnny Sánchez, the always-packed CBD taqueria from chef-besties John Besh and Aarón Sánchez, while NOLA Smokehouse departs.

Been to any of these restaurants and had a great or a terrible experience? Let us know in the comments or by email.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Milkfish

Copy Link
Cristina Quackenbush brings Filipino cuisine and exotic cocktails to New Orleans with this Mid City gem, which also hosts pop up nights with up and coming talent.

Square Root

Copy Link
Chef Phillip Lopez and Max Ortiz' long awaited and highly conceptual tasting menu restaurant in the LGD also features a killer cocktail and beer program, and hang-worthy upstairs lounge Root Squared (with balcony seating).

PIZZA Domenica

Copy Link
John Besh and Alon Shaya's Domenica expansion offers more varieties of pizza, an impeccable beer selection, and take out service seven days a week, Uptown.

Meauxbar

Copy Link
Chef Kristen Essig and the Ste. Marie team's revamp of Meauxbar brings bistro favorites to the edge of the French Quarter. Lots of charm, great service, and locally-sourced dishes from steak tartare to crudite.

The Franklin

Copy Link
This Marigny haunt has a gastropub vibe, with craft cocktails, intriguing wines, and food from chef Jim Bremer who specializes in locally sourced, rather eclectic French/Southern comfort dishes, plus crudo and oysters.
Chef James Cullen does small plates that span diverse cultural influences and leads the charge for the new Tulane Avenue at this refined cocktail hub and gallery from the Finn McCool's folks.

Del Fuego Taqueria

Copy Link
Chef Dave Wright turns to his Cali upbringing to with this Uptown taqueria featuring housemade tortillas, authentic salsas, 100+ tequilas and mezcals, exceptional beef tongue and goat and more. Specialty entrees and lethal margs round out the experience. Front porch and back patio dining are a must.

Cellar Door

Copy Link
This new gastrolounge brings a major contemporary art collection and swanky ambience to the CBD, with craft cocktails from Cure alum Michael Yusko, and global dishes--we're talking roti to poutine--from Jamielyn Arcega. Now featuring a lunch, brunch and dinner menu.
The masterminds behind Pete's Pizza Speakeasy bring the best of European drunk food to St. Claude, with doner (spit roasted lamb/chicken/more) on fresh baked Turkish bread, falafel, some of the best fries in New Orleans, housemade sodas and young coconuts. Now open for lunch/dinner, Friday-Monday 11 a.m. to midnight.
Chef Richard Papier does cuisine from the Yucatán-- tacos, slow braised meats and al pastor style spit-roasted pig, plus a focus on achiote--in the former Byblos space on Magazine.

Arabella Casa di Pasta

Copy Link
Now in a permanent spot (and with a few upgrades right around the corner) Amanda and Mowgli Pierlas bring their no-nonsense handmade pastas and cannoli to the up and coming St. Claude food scene for lunch and dinner, at a price point that won't break the bank and with outdoor seating. BYOB.

Ox Lot 9

Copy Link
Located in Covington's newly revamped Southern Hotel, this swanky newcomer from chef Jeffrey Hansell and wife/GM Amy brings refined cocktails, elegant yet fun Southern cuisine--pork skins and smoked mullet on the half shell are still game here-along with oysters/crudo to the North Shore jet set. Translation: A road trip is in order.

Johnny Sánchez

Copy Link
John Besh and Aarón Sánchez's new modern taqueria is open in the CBD, featuring tacos and tequila galore, but don't overlook the entrees--ranging from whole fish to lamb enchiladas--as well as specialty cocktails.

Milkfish

Cristina Quackenbush brings Filipino cuisine and exotic cocktails to New Orleans with this Mid City gem, which also hosts pop up nights with up and coming talent.

Square Root

Chef Phillip Lopez and Max Ortiz' long awaited and highly conceptual tasting menu restaurant in the LGD also features a killer cocktail and beer program, and hang-worthy upstairs lounge Root Squared (with balcony seating).

PIZZA Domenica

John Besh and Alon Shaya's Domenica expansion offers more varieties of pizza, an impeccable beer selection, and take out service seven days a week, Uptown.

Meauxbar

Chef Kristen Essig and the Ste. Marie team's revamp of Meauxbar brings bistro favorites to the edge of the French Quarter. Lots of charm, great service, and locally-sourced dishes from steak tartare to crudite.

The Franklin

This Marigny haunt has a gastropub vibe, with craft cocktails, intriguing wines, and food from chef Jim Bremer who specializes in locally sourced, rather eclectic French/Southern comfort dishes, plus crudo and oysters.

Treo

Chef James Cullen does small plates that span diverse cultural influences and leads the charge for the new Tulane Avenue at this refined cocktail hub and gallery from the Finn McCool's folks.

Del Fuego Taqueria

Chef Dave Wright turns to his Cali upbringing to with this Uptown taqueria featuring housemade tortillas, authentic salsas, 100+ tequilas and mezcals, exceptional beef tongue and goat and more. Specialty entrees and lethal margs round out the experience. Front porch and back patio dining are a must.

Cellar Door

This new gastrolounge brings a major contemporary art collection and swanky ambience to the CBD, with craft cocktails from Cure alum Michael Yusko, and global dishes--we're talking roti to poutine--from Jamielyn Arcega. Now featuring a lunch, brunch and dinner menu.

Kebab

The masterminds behind Pete's Pizza Speakeasy bring the best of European drunk food to St. Claude, with doner (spit roasted lamb/chicken/more) on fresh baked Turkish bread, falafel, some of the best fries in New Orleans, housemade sodas and young coconuts. Now open for lunch/dinner, Friday-Monday 11 a.m. to midnight.

Araña

Chef Richard Papier does cuisine from the Yucatán-- tacos, slow braised meats and al pastor style spit-roasted pig, plus a focus on achiote--in the former Byblos space on Magazine.

Arabella Casa di Pasta

Now in a permanent spot (and with a few upgrades right around the corner) Amanda and Mowgli Pierlas bring their no-nonsense handmade pastas and cannoli to the up and coming St. Claude food scene for lunch and dinner, at a price point that won't break the bank and with outdoor seating. BYOB.

Ox Lot 9

Located in Covington's newly revamped Southern Hotel, this swanky newcomer from chef Jeffrey Hansell and wife/GM Amy brings refined cocktails, elegant yet fun Southern cuisine--pork skins and smoked mullet on the half shell are still game here-along with oysters/crudo to the North Shore jet set. Translation: A road trip is in order.

Johnny Sánchez

John Besh and Aarón Sánchez's new modern taqueria is open in the CBD, featuring tacos and tequila galore, but don't overlook the entrees--ranging from whole fish to lamb enchiladas--as well as specialty cocktails.

Related Maps