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Herbsaint’s gumbo.

21 Superb Gumbos to Eat in New Orleans

We know mama makes it best, but in case she’s busy

by Beth D'Addono and Clair Lorell Updated Oct 26, 2023, 12:56pm CDT

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Herbsaint’s gumbo.

| Herbsaint

by Beth D'Addono and Clair Lorell Updated Oct 26, 2023, 12:56pm CDT

To most locals, gumbo is home cooking, the ultimate comfort food informed by grandmother’s kitchen and mama’s way of doing things. First, there’s a roux; and fortunately, New Orleanians are experts at coaxing that dark roux into a simmering bowl of savory goodness as full of cultural influences as the city itself.

Still, not every week allows for the delicate work of gumbo making, and everyone needs a go-to spot to pick up the staple. Swimming with seafood or rich with chicken and sausage, these gumbos are some of the best in town — arranged geographically, as always.

Is your favorite for gumbo in New Orleans missing from this list? Tell us at nola@eater.com.

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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.

Munch Factory

The Creole gumbo at this beloved Gentilly restaurant, back in its original neighborhood after a few years based in the LGD, is one of the best. The darkest, deepest, and silkiest roux is complemented by heaps of crab, shrimp, and oysters, topped with just the right amount of green onions.

6514 Congress Dr, New Orleans, LA 70126

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A post shared by Get Your Munch On (@themunchfactory)

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15 of the Best Coolinary Dining Deals for Takeout or Delivery This Summer

Peewee’s Crabcakes

Charles “PeeWee” Armstrong has been running his seafood operation for years now, in the form of home delivery, a pop-up at a CBD bar, and then expanding to a takeout shop in Central City and New Orleans East. There’s also PeeWee’s Crabcakes in Gentilly, a counter-service restaurant serving his signature crab cakes, seafood platters, and Creole specialties like the overflowing, affordable seafood gumbo — a big bowl stuffed with crab legs, shrimp and sausage is less than $10, a cup just $6.99.

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4500 Old Gentilly Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126

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Liuzza's by the Track

Liuzza’s bowl of magic is excellent — chef Roadrunner has perfected this roux-based specialty and makes 37 gallons of it — at least — every week. Rich with sausage and chicken, the secret is adding the shrimp freshly sauteed for each order. Best paired with another Liuzza’s specialty, its bloody mary. If you’re still hungry, get the barbecued shrimp in a pistolette, one of the best versions of this New Orleans-specific butter and Worcestershire-fueled dish.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Liuzza’s gumbo.

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Neyow's Creole Café

Chef/proprietor Tanya Dubuclet serves New Orleans homestyle cooking at Neyow’s Creole Cafe, something that isn’t as easy to find in restaurants as it used to be. Her file gumbo is a perfect place to start, prepared with shrimp, crabs, smoked sausage, ham, and seasoning and served over white rice. You’ll want a bowl, but get a cup so you can have some grilled oysters, red beans and rice, and fried fish too.

3340 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Neyow’s

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Gabrielle Restaurant

All things duck tends to be the star at this Mid-City favorite for Cajun fine dining, but the dark quail gumbo is nearly as famous. The hospitable, family-run restaurant on Orleans Avenue serves a bowl that’s dark and thick, smoky and rich — regardless of what comes in it that day.

2441 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Quail gumbo at Gabrielle.

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Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe has a history that reaches deep into the neighborhood, owned by the Baquet family whose New Orleans roots go back centuries. That Creole file gumbo you’re slurping is from a family recipe that the Baquets have been serving for decades, and thank goodness it’s still around.

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Dooky Chase’s

You can’t talk gumbo in this town without paying homage to Leah Chase’s recipe loaded with crab, shrimp, chicken, two kinds of sausage, ham, and veal brisket. Dooky Chase’s serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday and dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings — call for reservations.

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A bowl of reddish-brown gumbo with sausage, shrimp and crab on a yellow tablecloth.

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Breakaway's Restaurant & Bar

There is so much to love about chef Paul Artigues’ menu at Breakaway’s R&B, from the crisp wedge salad to the fluffy crawfish fritters and the etouffee. But the chicken and sausage gumbo is another winner; not too thick, not too thin, and dark, but not intimidatingly so. It’s loaded with big chunks of chicken, sausage, and vegetables, namely celery, and ensures depth of flavor. It’s also only $8.

2529 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Nonno’s Cajun Cuisine and Pastries

One slurp of his file gumbo and it’s clear that chef Shermond Esteen Jr. knows his way around the kitchen at Nonno’s, the homey restaurant in the Marigny. Esteen doesn’t believe in skimping on ingredients, whether it’s the jumbo shrimp that crowd his seafood platter or the crabmeat, sausage, and chicken swimming in his gumbo, which he runs often as a special. Open seven days a week with inside, outdoor seating, and takeout available.

1940 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Nice Guys Bar and Grill

Chef Darian “D Fresh” Williams simmers up some outstanding lighter-than-average gumbo at Nice Guys Bar & Grill on Earhart, but there’s more than sausage and chicken in the pot. The chef learned to make it from his grandfather, who put “the whole kitchen sink in it.” Smoked turkey, sausage, seafood, chicken, sometimes okra, and sometimes file goes into the family recipe.

7910 Earhart Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70125

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Stanley of New Orleans

A longtime locals favorite for breakfast and bloody marys, this creative French Quarter gem off Jackson Square is also one of the neighborhood’s best destinations for gumbo. Chef and owner Scott Boswell makes a bowl containing Gulf shrimp, oysters, chicken, and andouille, with the option to add potato salad.

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547 St Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116

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Palm&Pine

For a dish that fully captures Palm and Pine’s blending of cuisine from the Southern states, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America, chefs Amarys and Jordan Herndon’s turkey neck gumbo is it (see also, the crab claw cocktail). Turkey necks are blackened and braised before stewing with LaPlace-smoked andouille and scooped alongside a dollop of creamy potato salad.

308 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Palm&Pine (@palmandpinenola)

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Arnaud's

Arnaud’s celebrated its 100th birthday in 2018 — which means this Creole palace has been serving outstanding chicken and andouille and seafood gumbo since the end of World War I. Always a pleasure to dine in one of the fabulous tiled dining rooms but choose the Jazz Bistro for live jazz during brunch as a gumbo soundtrack.

813 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

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Restaurant R'evolution

By far the most extravagant on the map, Restaurant R’evolution’s “Death by Gumbo” is pretty famous around these parts. It’s also non-traditional: palm-sized quail are stuffed with poached oysters, smoked andouille sausage, and rice spiked with parsley and file powder. The quail is set in the center of a bowl and a thick gumbo base is poured on tableside. It’s a treat-yourself gumbo at $18, but enough for an entree and worth it.

777 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Visit Website

Restaurant R’evolution’s Death by Gumbo.

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Galatoire’s

Just about everything is special at Galatoire’s, and it has been so since 1905. French-inspired dishes from bouillabaisse to crabmeat Sardou will tempt, but do yourself a favor and start with a hearty cup of the duck and andouille gumbo, a simmered duck stock with a dark roux rich with sausage and shredded duck. Of course, the seafood and okra version is also an earthy delight.

209 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Also featured in:

Mr. B's Bistro

This longtime neighborhood bistro is known for its gumbo yaya, a Creole version through and through. Rich and dark and served strictly with chicken and andouille, it’s a taste of the real stuff.

201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Also featured in:

Herbsaint

It’s good to remember that Donald Link earned his James Beard Award for Best Chef South at Herbsaint back in 2007. The lovely St. Charles Avenue restaurant is his flagship, with chef David Rouse in the kitchen now as chef de cuisine. The gumbo recipe is all Link though, a changing take on the traditional that is now his chicken, tasso, and andouille version of the dish. That andouille is so good — made at Cochon Butcher and for sale in the butcher case.

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Also featured in:

Brigtsen's Restaurant

Frank Brigtsen’s personal approach to classic Louisiana dishes can be seen throughout the menu, in items like New Orleans barbecue shrimp with calas, catfish des allemands, and crab-crusted Gulf fish. His gumbo, a Cajun-style chicken and andouille, boasts a rich, dark roux peppered with file.

723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

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Also featured in:

Heard Dat Kitchen

Chef Jeff Heard’s Central City restaurant has been serving quality interpretations of classic Creole dishes and original new creations for years, a neighborhood favorite for comforting food with a twist. Try Heard’s grilled cheese, potato salad, and file gumbo combo — it is absolutely one of the best in the city.

2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113

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The High Hat Cafe

While catfish is the star at the casual neighborhood spot on Freret Street, High Hat’s gumbo is worth a shoutout. The chicken and andouille gumbo “Ya-Ya” is thick and dark, loaded up with the good stuff, all for a super-reasonable $8 cup. Try the sweet potato salad on the side.

4500 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Pascal's Manale

At nearly 110 years old, this Uptown family-owned restaurant is adept at New Orleans classics, starting with an outstanding chicken andouille gumbo. Chock full of sausage, white meat chicken, and of course built on the New Orleans holy trinity (bell pepper, onions, and celery), this is a swell version of the meaty favorite. Better yet, you can make it at home — buy a copy of the Pascal’s Manale cookbook by Poppy Tooker — the recipe is on page 94.

1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Munch Factory

6514 Congress Dr, New Orleans, LA 70126

The Creole gumbo at this beloved Gentilly restaurant, back in its original neighborhood after a few years based in the LGD, is one of the best. The darkest, deepest, and silkiest roux is complemented by heaps of crab, shrimp, and oysters, topped with just the right amount of green onions.

6514 Congress Dr, New Orleans, LA 70126

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Get Your Munch On (@themunchfactory)

Peewee’s Crabcakes

4500 Old Gentilly Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126

Charles “PeeWee” Armstrong has been running his seafood operation for years now, in the form of home delivery, a pop-up at a CBD bar, and then expanding to a takeout shop in Central City and New Orleans East. There’s also PeeWee’s Crabcakes in Gentilly, a counter-service restaurant serving his signature crab cakes, seafood platters, and Creole specialties like the overflowing, affordable seafood gumbo — a big bowl stuffed with crab legs, shrimp and sausage is less than $10, a cup just $6.99.

Open in Google Maps

4500 Old Gentilly Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126

Visit Website

Liuzza's by the Track

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Liuzza’s bowl of magic is excellent — chef Roadrunner has perfected this roux-based specialty and makes 37 gallons of it — at least — every week. Rich with sausage and chicken, the secret is adding the shrimp freshly sauteed for each order. Best paired with another Liuzza’s specialty, its bloody mary. If you’re still hungry, get the barbecued shrimp in a pistolette, one of the best versions of this New Orleans-specific butter and Worcestershire-fueled dish.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Liuzza’s gumbo.

Neyow's Creole Café

3340 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Chef/proprietor Tanya Dubuclet serves New Orleans homestyle cooking at Neyow’s Creole Cafe, something that isn’t as easy to find in restaurants as it used to be. Her file gumbo is a perfect place to start, prepared with shrimp, crabs, smoked sausage, ham, and seasoning and served over white rice. You’ll want a bowl, but get a cup so you can have some grilled oysters, red beans and rice, and fried fish too.

3340 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Neyow’s

Gabrielle Restaurant

2441 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

All things duck tends to be the star at this Mid-City favorite for Cajun fine dining, but the dark quail gumbo is nearly as famous. The hospitable, family-run restaurant on Orleans Avenue serves a bowl that’s dark and thick, smoky and rich — regardless of what comes in it that day.

2441 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Quail gumbo at Gabrielle.

Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe has a history that reaches deep into the neighborhood, owned by the Baquet family whose New Orleans roots go back centuries. That Creole file gumbo you’re slurping is from a family recipe that the Baquets have been serving for decades, and thank goodness it’s still around.

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

Dooky Chase’s

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

You can’t talk gumbo in this town without paying homage to Leah Chase’s recipe loaded with crab, shrimp, chicken, two kinds of sausage, ham, and veal brisket. Dooky Chase’s serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday and dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings — call for reservations.

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

A bowl of reddish-brown gumbo with sausage, shrimp and crab on a yellow tablecloth.

Breakaway's Restaurant & Bar

2529 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

There is so much to love about chef Paul Artigues’ menu at Breakaway’s R&B, from the crisp wedge salad to the fluffy crawfish fritters and the etouffee. But the chicken and sausage gumbo is another winner; not too thick, not too thin, and dark, but not intimidatingly so. It’s loaded with big chunks of chicken, sausage, and vegetables, namely celery, and ensures depth of flavor. It’s also only $8.

2529 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Nonno’s Cajun Cuisine and Pastries

1940 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116

One slurp of his file gumbo and it’s clear that chef Shermond Esteen Jr. knows his way around the kitchen at Nonno’s, the homey restaurant in the Marigny. Esteen doesn’t believe in skimping on ingredients, whether it’s the jumbo shrimp that crowd his seafood platter or the crabmeat, sausage, and chicken swimming in his gumbo, which he runs often as a special. Open seven days a week with inside, outdoor seating, and takeout available.

1940 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NonnosCajunCuisineandPastries (@nonnos_504)

Nice Guys Bar and Grill

7910 Earhart Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70125

Chef Darian “D Fresh” Williams simmers up some outstanding lighter-than-average gumbo at Nice Guys Bar & Grill on Earhart, but there’s more than sausage and chicken in the pot. The chef learned to make it from his grandfather, who put “the whole kitchen sink in it.” Smoked turkey, sausage, seafood, chicken, sometimes okra, and sometimes file goes into the family recipe.

7910 Earhart Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70125

Visit Website

Stanley of New Orleans

547 St Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116

A longtime locals favorite for breakfast and bloody marys, this creative French Quarter gem off Jackson Square is also one of the neighborhood’s best destinations for gumbo. Chef and owner Scott Boswell makes a bowl containing Gulf shrimp, oysters, chicken, and andouille, with the option to add potato salad.

Open in Google Maps

547 St Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

Palm&Pine

308 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70112

For a dish that fully captures Palm and Pine’s blending of cuisine from the Southern states, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America, chefs Amarys and Jordan Herndon’s turkey neck gumbo is it (see also, the crab claw cocktail). Turkey necks are blackened and braised before stewing with LaPlace-smoked andouille and scooped alongside a dollop of creamy potato salad.

308 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Palm&Pine (@palmandpinenola)

Arnaud's

813 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Arnaud’s celebrated its 100th birthday in 2018 — which means this Creole palace has been serving outstanding chicken and andouille and seafood gumbo since the end of World War I. Always a pleasure to dine in one of the fabulous tiled dining rooms but choose the Jazz Bistro for live jazz during brunch as a gumbo soundtrack.

813 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Visit Website

Restaurant R'evolution

777 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70130

By far the most extravagant on the map, Restaurant R’evolution’s “Death by Gumbo” is pretty famous around these parts. It’s also non-traditional: palm-sized quail are stuffed with poached oysters, smoked andouille sausage, and rice spiked with parsley and file powder. The quail is set in the center of a bowl and a thick gumbo base is poured on tableside. It’s a treat-yourself gumbo at $18, but enough for an entree and worth it.

777 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Visit Website

Restaurant R’evolution’s Death by Gumbo.

Galatoire’s

209 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Just about everything is special at Galatoire’s, and it has been so since 1905. French-inspired dishes from bouillabaisse to crabmeat Sardou will tempt, but do yourself a favor and start with a hearty cup of the duck and andouille gumbo, a simmered duck stock with a dark roux rich with sausage and shredded duck. Of course, the seafood and okra version is also an earthy delight.

209 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Visit Website

Related Maps

Mr. B's Bistro

201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

This longtime neighborhood bistro is known for its gumbo yaya, a Creole version through and through. Rich and dark and served strictly with chicken and andouille, it’s a taste of the real stuff.

201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Visit Website

Herbsaint

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

It’s good to remember that Donald Link earned his James Beard Award for Best Chef South at Herbsaint back in 2007. The lovely St. Charles Avenue restaurant is his flagship, with chef David Rouse in the kitchen now as chef de cuisine. The gumbo recipe is all Link though, a changing take on the traditional that is now his chicken, tasso, and andouille version of the dish. That andouille is so good — made at Cochon Butcher and for sale in the butcher case.

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Visit Website

Brigtsen's Restaurant

723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Frank Brigtsen’s personal approach to classic Louisiana dishes can be seen throughout the menu, in items like New Orleans barbecue shrimp with calas, catfish des allemands, and crab-crusted Gulf fish. His gumbo, a Cajun-style chicken and andouille, boasts a rich, dark roux peppered with file.

723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

Heard Dat Kitchen

2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113

Chef Jeff Heard’s Central City restaurant has been serving quality interpretations of classic Creole dishes and original new creations for years, a neighborhood favorite for comforting food with a twist. Try Heard’s grilled cheese, potato salad, and file gumbo combo — it is absolutely one of the best in the city.

2520 Felicity St, New Orleans, LA 70113

Visit Website

The High Hat Cafe

4500 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

While catfish is the star at the casual neighborhood spot on Freret Street, High Hat’s gumbo is worth a shoutout. The chicken and andouille gumbo “Ya-Ya” is thick and dark, loaded up with the good stuff, all for a super-reasonable $8 cup. Try the sweet potato salad on the side.

4500 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

Pascal's Manale

1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

At nearly 110 years old, this Uptown family-owned restaurant is adept at New Orleans classics, starting with an outstanding chicken andouille gumbo. Chock full of sausage, white meat chicken, and of course built on the New Orleans holy trinity (bell pepper, onions, and celery), this is a swell version of the meaty favorite. Better yet, you can make it at home — buy a copy of the Pascal’s Manale cookbook by Poppy Tooker — the recipe is on page 94.

1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pascal's Manale (@pascals.manale)

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