The Best Brunch Restaurants in New Orleans

Mr. B’s Bistro has a tourist-friendly location in the French Quarter. The food served at this upscale casual restaurant, however, caters to people who know and love New Orleans. The Sunday menu features special treats like Duck Spring Rolls, Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp & Grits, and Speckled Trout & Eggs. Guests get more than amazing food during Sunday brunch, though. They also get to enjoy music from a jazz ensemble. The combination of food and music makes Mr. B’s Bistro authentically NOLA.

Muriel’s Jackson Square has honed Sunday Jazz Brunch to perfection. Jackson Square plays a unique role in the history of New Orleans. It has held importance to the military, artists, and musicians. It’s fitting that Muriel’s brings that culture into their dining room. The place is amazing before learning that they have some of the best brunch options in the city. Try the Eggs Veney, Duck & Chaurice Hash, or Wood-Grilled Pork Chop. Everything tastes perfect when paired with Muriel’s signature brunch drinks.

New Orleans has a history unlike any city in the United States. Its early founding by French settlers is still felt throughout the streets of the French Quarter, Marigny, and Central City. Galatoire’s Restaurant has a designated place in the city’s history as a fifth-generation restaurant started by a French immigrant. Sunday brunch includes eggs, poultry, seafood, and steaks prepared in French-influenced styles. The recipes have evolved over the years, but they remain authentically Creole.

New Orleans is one of the few cities in the United States where people can wander in public with open containers of alcohol. Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar acknowledges the downside to this policy with its Hangover Cocktails. After a long night listening to jazz on Frenchmen Street, a lot of people will need a frozen mimosa that keeps them cool and curbs headaches. After enjoying a drink or two, order brunch menu items like the Crab Cake Benedict, Chicken & Biscuits, and — surprise surprise — Hangover Potatoes. Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar knows their audience well.

The chefs at R’evolution develop traditional Louisiana dishes with strong French influences. People who haven’t already noticed the influence that French culinary tradition had on New Orleans’ cooking need to schedule a brunch date at R’evolution. Brunch at R'evolution will make the connection as apparent as possible. Sunday brunch at R’evolution includes menu items like Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Deep Dish Quiche, and Breakfast R’evolution, which comes with foie gras, black truffle hollandaise, poached eggs, and sugar-cured ham. This is truly a must-try New Orleans brunch place.

Anyone who watches TV shows featuring celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse will have heard of his restaurant, Meril. On camera, Emeril seems to care most about throwing down a handful of spices and yelling “Bam!” Don’t let that distract from Emeril’s accomplishments. He’s a wildly successful chef who created a new, modern approach to Creole and Cajun cuisines. Meril follows his passion by serving some of the best brunch in New Orleans. The Fresh Fish of the Day, Pork Porterhouse, and Fennel Rigaton stand out as some of Meril's top dishes.

At Lilette, Chef John Harris displays his knack for French and Italian cooking. A brunch visit to this Garden District restaurant will start Saturday right. Some of the chef’s best brunch menu items include the crispy kale salad, pan-roasted salmon, and coq au vin. Lilette also has a long wine list and scrumptious desserts to round out meals. Spend some time lazing at the table while sampling items from the brunch, dessert, and wine menus.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House has about 100 locations throughout North America. The restaurant isn’t a New Orleans native, but the food still makes for a hearty, delicious lunch. Keep in mind that this is a steakhouse. Head there when for meat-focused meals. Some favorites from the menu include the Petite Filet & Shrimp, Porterhouse for Two, and Lobster Tail. Feeling adventurous? Take a shot at the 40-ounce Tomahawk Ribeye. It’s a serious challenge.

Vessel is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Mid-City. The owners turned a 1914 church into a restaurant while keeping intact the stained glass windows and sweeping ceiling. During brunch, guests get to enjoy the view with some of the best brunch options in town. For Saturday and Sunday brunch, stick to Vessel’s specialties. It's impossible to go wrong with the Classic Benedict, Blueberry Waffles, Classic Cheeseburger, or Shrimp Corn Salad. Also, order a side of Fried Brussels Spouts or Mac & Cheese.

Compere Lapin has an eclectic brunch menu that draws inspiration from the South, Mexico, and France. Guests can order a classic like Biscuits & Gravy with Poached Eggs, but they can also get Goat Bolognese Pasta. Compere Lapin has a Bottomless Brunch Punch at a reasonable price. Give it a try to satisfy a thirst and rebound from the previous night's fun.

Apolline has a cozy dining room with cloth-covered tables and soft lighting. They're a great place to escape the sunlight and heat common throughout most of the year in New Orleans. The brunch menu at Apolline includes some hearty options like Country Fried Chicken Thigh & Waffle, Prime NY Strip Steak, and Gulf Shrimp & Grits. For those who prefer lighter food, try the Grilled Vegetable Omelet, Soup Du Jour, or Heirloom Tomato Salad.

Broussard’s is one of the few New Orleans restaurants that serve brunch Friday through Monday. At Broussard’s, brunch isn’t exclusively a weekend meal. It does, however, start with what the restaurant refers to as Eye Openers like Brandy Milk Punch, Absinthe Suissesse, and Ramos Gin Fizz. Brunch classics at Broussard’s include Shrimp & Crab Benedict, Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles, and Steak & Eggs Broussard. Everything on the menu offers something delightful.

Commander’s Palace serves what some might call traditional Creole foods. The James Beard Foundation has recognized the restaurant's chef, so guests get to experience traditional Creole dishes that taste even better than what they're used to. The brunch menu changes often, but visitors can expect to find options like Blackened Chicken Croquette, Crispy Des Allemands Catfish, and Tournedos of Black Angus Beef. Save room for dessert. The Creole Bread Pudding Souffle is unbeatable.

For obvious historical reasons, the New Orleans culinary scene draws a lot of inspiration from French cuisine. Patois makes the influence even more obvious by serving French food made from Louisiana’s local ingredients. Sunday brunch at Patois includes a wide selection of menu items. The Fried Mississippi Rabbit takes the traditional French rabbit dish and adds a Southern twist with buttermilk biscuits. Other standouts on the brunch menu include the Patois Burger, Almond-Crusted Gulf Fish, and Potato Gnocchi.

When people want some of the best breakfast in New Orleans, they head to one of Toast’s locations. The menus vary somewhat by location. In the French Quarter restaurant, guests can order dishes like French Toast, Sweet Crepes, and Savory Crepes. True to the restaurant’s name, the restaurant serves toast with a variety of toppings like avocado, prosciutto, fried oysters, and bacon. The menu varies somewhat at the other locations, but they offer similar items to satisfy that midday hunger.

Elizabeth’s Restaurant prides itself on serving satisfying dishes that include favorites from the South and New Orleans. Guests can order oddities like the French Toast Burrito and the Duck Waffle, or they can stick to traditional options like the Chicken & Waffle and Campfire Steak and Eggs. Everyone who goes to Elizabeth's Restaurant should sure they try something from the drinks menu. Concoctions like the Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita and Brandy Milk Punch will cure the result of late nights partying in New Orleans.