Here Are 5 of the Most Romantic Restaurants in New Orleans
Are you traveling with your significant other? New Orleans is a wonderful destination for couples looking to have a good time in a dynamic city. One of the best perks of staying at la Belle Esplanade is that you’re close to some of the best romantic restaurants in New Orleans. So, if you want to try the most excellent food you’ve ever tasted while rekindling the romance, you’ll love our five recommendations below.
Discover Our 5 Favorite Romantic Restaurants in New Orleans
Gabrielle
Gabrielle has long been a neighborhood favorite when it comes to romantic restaurants. Picture an elegant, white tablecloth setting with a nice atmosphere and excellent food. They used to be located on Esplanade Avenue before Katrina, but have since relocated to Orleans Avenue (their current address) — only a 10 minute stroll from our artisan hotel. It’s a must-see when you visit the city (so much so that the New York Times did a full-page review of their roasted duck). We recommend trying the roasted quail gumbo, too—it is absolutely divine. In the end, you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu because everything at Gabrielle is exquisite.
Café Degas
Café Degas is a dream come true for couples looking for a leisurely lunch. This fine French restaurant is the longest-running French bistro in New Orleans. Here, you’ll find beautiful decor as well as delicious dishes. It’s so good and authentic that the French consulate often takes its visitors there. You’ll love the tree growing out of the dining room and the string-lit, guinguette atmosphere. Do you want to know the best part? It’s only a 15 minute picturesque stroll away from La Belle Esplanade.
Pascal’s Manale
If you want to head uptown for dinner, we recommend Pascal’s Manale. This restaurant has been open for over 100 years and is the birthplace of BBQ Shrimp. Mind you, it’s not your typical BBQ — it’s New Orleans BBQ. We’re not going to tell you what that means: you’ll have to discover it yourself. One thing is for sure: it’s delicious. The pan roast is the longest-running dish on the menu and combines shrimp, oysters, crab meat with shallots, put under the broiler and served with fresh French bread. Its the oldest recipe on the menu for very good reasons. When you order that, tell them that the best-dressed man in New Orleans sent you.
Café Sbisa
Speaking of historic restaurants in New Orleans, Café Sbisa is the third oldest restaurant in the city. This gorgeous French Quarter spot has a Parisian, roaring 20s vibe. You’ll love the dining room’s wraparound balcony and the impressive painting hanging above the wooden bar (created by a locally famous artist). The restaurant usually has live jazz and offers high-end, New Orleans-Creole Cuisine. We highly recommend the Courtbouillon seafood stew. You’ve never had a bowl of anything else so savory.
Paladar 511
Last but not least, check out Paladar 511. This modern restaurant is tucked away on Marigny Street, not far from Frenchmen Street (where you can catch a show after dinner). Their menu features Southern California Creole dishes. It’s light, fresh, and fun—you can watch the chefs cook in the middle of the dining room.
Smart People Stay at La Belle Esplanade
New Orleans is a lot of things for a lot of people, but at La Belle, we’re not about what’s on the surface. When you stay with us, we want you to experience our beautiful city like you belong here. You do belong here. You deserve to see all the wonderful treasures New Orleans has to offer off the usual tourist radar. After all, it’s not about the quantity of things you see, but the quality. We want your stay to be as authentic and fun as it can be, and that’s why La Belle is the ideal place for travelers looking for that type of experience. Let us pamper you in one of our beautiful suites and tell you all about New Orleans at the breakfast table. Use that special time to ask us anything about the city—what to see, what to avoid, where to eat—we’ll always be glad to answer your questions.
[Editor’s Note: It’s always a pleasure to open the mail bag when it lands on our doorstep. We’d like to thank Colleen S. of Notch Lick, Kentucky, for submitting this blog post for publication. Thanks, Colleen! It is impossible to have only five favorite romantic restaurants in New Orleans. The next time you stay at La Belle Esplanade, we’ll send you to five more! Don’t be a stranger!]