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A large restaurant sits on the edge of the Mississippi River.
Tchefuncte’s Restaurant sits on the river in Madisonville.
Tchefuncte’s Restaurant/Official

15 New Orleans-Area Restaurants With Great Views

From the Vieux Carre to the bayous of the Barataria Preserve

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Tchefuncte’s Restaurant sits on the river in Madisonville.
| Tchefuncte’s Restaurant/Official

New Orleans is such a pretty place, with gorgeous waterways, historic architecture, and outside of the city, lush bayous and acres of moss-cloaked live oaks. What better way to take it all in than with a restaurant offering an epic view? From the storied streets of the French Quarter to the mighty Mississippi to the quiet bayous of Slidell and Marrero, here are some of the best restaurants with views in the greater New Orleans area.

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Frenier Landing Restaurant and Oyster Bar

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Celebrating Cajun and Creole cuisines equally, Frenier Landing Restaurant and Oyster Bar on Lake Pontchartrain in LaPlace is known for its oyster dishes, stuffed flounder, and views. While susceptible to the area’s frequent weather events, Frenier Landing has managed to come back time and time again. Catch live music Friday through Sunday.

Middendorf's

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This seafood institution, less than an hour outside of New Orleans on Lake Maurepas, is known for incredible thin-cut catfish and a location on the banks of the Pass Manchac. Family and locally owned since 1934, a second Middendorf’s location opened in Slidell in 2019.

The Deck at Middendorf’s.
Middendorf’s

Tchefuncte's Restaurant

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This swank spot atop the Anchor bar and grill is an inviting waterfront restaurant steps from the river’s edge. Work your way through a menu of locally foraged seasonal mushrooms to dry-aged beef sold by the inch and pan-bronzed Steelhead trout; as well as elegant starters like crudo, caviar, and shrimp and chive cream biscuits. The view is gorgeous — if you’ve been thinking about popping the question, this is a perfect spot.

Audubon Clubhouse Cafe

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A view of Audubon Park's century-old oak trees is best enjoyed on the cafe's veranda with a mimosa in hand during the weekend brunch or lunch five days a week. The Audubon Clubhouse Cafe’s solid menu of salads and sandwiches is served overlooking the well-manicured golf course greens.

The Blue Crab

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This West End seafooder offers killer lake views along with massive fried seafood platters, oysters and crab dip (naturally). There’s a pretty serious craft beer list to wash all that goodness down. Blue Crab bonus — live music on the weekends.

Ralph's on the Park

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Ask for a table by the window to take in views of the gorgeous mossy oaks at City Park across the street from Ralph Brennan's elegant Mid-City restaurant. Ralph’s on the Park sources many ingredients locally and is rooted in modern Creole cuisine with global accents.

Acorn Cafe

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Although it’s adjacent to the Louisiana Children’s Museum, you don’t have to bring a kiddo to enjoy casual, chef-driven meals overlooking City’s Park’s Little Lake. Watch wildlife — pelicans, turtles, and maybe even a gator — while enjoying ancient grain bowls, kale Caesar salad, and a tasty fried chicken sandwich. Breakfast is served on weekends and yes, that’s French Truck coffee.

Pat's Rest Awhile

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The latest from busy chef Pat Gallagher, this 270-seat restaurant on the Mandeville lakefront is a warren of porches, decks, and bars in a raised complex of 19th-century buildings — all with terrific water views. Pat’s Rest A While — named for the original Inn on the site, offers a vast menu that spans po’ boys and salads to steaks, seafood, and raw seafood.

The Barley Oak

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This Mandeville draught house features tons of great brews and sandwiches along with a gorgeous view of Lake Pontchartrain. A tasty pub menu and 100-plus beers all come with lovely sunset vistas.

Rosie’s On The Roof

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Rosie’s is one of few rooftops in New Orleans, but what sets it apart from the city’s other rooftop scenes is that it’s a restaurant and not just a bar — and the food is good. View the city skyline with a taste of crab beignets, chargrilled scallops on a half shell, and corned beef sandwich.

Dickie Brennan's Tableau

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Tableau brings Creole fine dining to the Quarter with epic wrap around balcony views of Jackson Square. Start with the brown butter gnocchi and duck and andouille gumbo and move into the likes of shrimp and grits and bouillabaisse, with scenes of buskers, artists, and tarot card readers below.

Tableau’s balcony.
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Chemin à la Mer

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Donald Link’s fifth-floor French restaurant at the Four Seasons offers jaw-dropping views of the Mississippi river’s non-stop action. In fact, those views were one reason the James Beard Award-winning chef signed onto the project, access to those million-dollar views along with the chance to execute a fancy Parisian-inspired steak and seafood menu. Chemin A la Mer is a great place to celebrate just about anything.

Cafe Sbisa

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Cafe Sbisa’s balcony seating overlooking Decatur is a real treat, accompanied by chef/co-owner Alfred Singleton’s seafood-centric French Creole dishes. Try the oysters Sbisa and the crawfish beignets and all the fish dishes, every one. The inside balcony overlooking the bar, with its incredible George Dureau painting, is also an atmospheric option.

The Lighthouse Bar

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This funky spot in the RV park at Pontchartrain Landing offers water views along with live music, cocktails, and casual bar fare overlooking a Lake Pontchartrain canal. The Lighthouse Bar is under the radar, an ideal spot to hide away from the world.

Palmettos On The Bayou

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Palmetto’s on the Bayou in Slidell includes a back deck overlooking the Bayou Bonfouca. Executive chef Ross Dover, formerly of August, presides over a menu rife with local seafood and big flavor. Expect to see gators gliding by, along with tons of birds and turtles. Love this for multi-gen outings.

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Frenier Landing Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Celebrating Cajun and Creole cuisines equally, Frenier Landing Restaurant and Oyster Bar on Lake Pontchartrain in LaPlace is known for its oyster dishes, stuffed flounder, and views. While susceptible to the area’s frequent weather events, Frenier Landing has managed to come back time and time again. Catch live music Friday through Sunday.

Middendorf's

This seafood institution, less than an hour outside of New Orleans on Lake Maurepas, is known for incredible thin-cut catfish and a location on the banks of the Pass Manchac. Family and locally owned since 1934, a second Middendorf’s location opened in Slidell in 2019.

The Deck at Middendorf’s.
Middendorf’s

Tchefuncte's Restaurant

This swank spot atop the Anchor bar and grill is an inviting waterfront restaurant steps from the river’s edge. Work your way through a menu of locally foraged seasonal mushrooms to dry-aged beef sold by the inch and pan-bronzed Steelhead trout; as well as elegant starters like crudo, caviar, and shrimp and chive cream biscuits. The view is gorgeous — if you’ve been thinking about popping the question, this is a perfect spot.

Audubon Clubhouse Cafe

A view of Audubon Park's century-old oak trees is best enjoyed on the cafe's veranda with a mimosa in hand during the weekend brunch or lunch five days a week. The Audubon Clubhouse Cafe’s solid menu of salads and sandwiches is served overlooking the well-manicured golf course greens.

The Blue Crab

This West End seafooder offers killer lake views along with massive fried seafood platters, oysters and crab dip (naturally). There’s a pretty serious craft beer list to wash all that goodness down. Blue Crab bonus — live music on the weekends.

Ralph's on the Park

Ask for a table by the window to take in views of the gorgeous mossy oaks at City Park across the street from Ralph Brennan's elegant Mid-City restaurant. Ralph’s on the Park sources many ingredients locally and is rooted in modern Creole cuisine with global accents.

Acorn Cafe

Although it’s adjacent to the Louisiana Children’s Museum, you don’t have to bring a kiddo to enjoy casual, chef-driven meals overlooking City’s Park’s Little Lake. Watch wildlife — pelicans, turtles, and maybe even a gator — while enjoying ancient grain bowls, kale Caesar salad, and a tasty fried chicken sandwich. Breakfast is served on weekends and yes, that’s French Truck coffee.

Pat's Rest Awhile

The latest from busy chef Pat Gallagher, this 270-seat restaurant on the Mandeville lakefront is a warren of porches, decks, and bars in a raised complex of 19th-century buildings — all with terrific water views. Pat’s Rest A While — named for the original Inn on the site, offers a vast menu that spans po’ boys and salads to steaks, seafood, and raw seafood.

The Barley Oak

This Mandeville draught house features tons of great brews and sandwiches along with a gorgeous view of Lake Pontchartrain. A tasty pub menu and 100-plus beers all come with lovely sunset vistas.

Rosie’s On The Roof

Rosie’s is one of few rooftops in New Orleans, but what sets it apart from the city’s other rooftop scenes is that it’s a restaurant and not just a bar — and the food is good. View the city skyline with a taste of crab beignets, chargrilled scallops on a half shell, and corned beef sandwich.

Dickie Brennan's Tableau

Tableau brings Creole fine dining to the Quarter with epic wrap around balcony views of Jackson Square. Start with the brown butter gnocchi and duck and andouille gumbo and move into the likes of shrimp and grits and bouillabaisse, with scenes of buskers, artists, and tarot card readers below.

Tableau’s balcony.
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Chemin à la Mer

Donald Link’s fifth-floor French restaurant at the Four Seasons offers jaw-dropping views of the Mississippi river’s non-stop action. In fact, those views were one reason the James Beard Award-winning chef signed onto the project, access to those million-dollar views along with the chance to execute a fancy Parisian-inspired steak and seafood menu. Chemin A la Mer is a great place to celebrate just about anything.

Cafe Sbisa

Cafe Sbisa’s balcony seating overlooking Decatur is a real treat, accompanied by chef/co-owner Alfred Singleton’s seafood-centric French Creole dishes. Try the oysters Sbisa and the crawfish beignets and all the fish dishes, every one. The inside balcony overlooking the bar, with its incredible George Dureau painting, is also an atmospheric option.

The Lighthouse Bar

This funky spot in the RV park at Pontchartrain Landing offers water views along with live music, cocktails, and casual bar fare overlooking a Lake Pontchartrain canal. The Lighthouse Bar is under the radar, an ideal spot to hide away from the world.

Palmettos On The Bayou

Palmetto’s on the Bayou in Slidell includes a back deck overlooking the Bayou Bonfouca. Executive chef Ross Dover, formerly of August, presides over a menu rife with local seafood and big flavor. Expect to see gators gliding by, along with tons of birds and turtles. Love this for multi-gen outings.

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