Best Historic Restaurants in Bywater

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapaneseSpanish

Regions

New Orleans

Neighborhoods

BywaterCarrolltonCentral Business DistrictFrench QuarterGarden DistrictGretna

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

41 restaurants available nearby

1. BABs

4.8

Exceptional(820)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Bistro • Bywater

Booked 20 times today

To us, BABs is a place for friends, or those who will soon be. BABs is a casual energetic place with yummy food, authentic hospitality, great libations and friendly faces.We cook ingredient driven food where inspiration comes from our personal experiences or one of the many cultures represented in our area, past and present. Our cooking is inspired by small local farms, using ingredients that are seasonal and raised or caught with care.New Orleans is our home. It’s a place with an amazing sense of community where we’ve created meaningful relationships, and met extraordinary people along the way. We’re excited to continue feeding visitors and the people like us, who call it home.-Nina Compton, Larry Miller, and the BABs Team

2. JusTini's

4.3

Awesome(107)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Bywater

Booked 13 times today

Located in the Historic Bywater Neighborhood, this restaurant is the perfect ambience for a romantic date, night out with friends or a business lunch meeting.

A photo of Alma Café - Bywater restaurant

3. Alma Café - Bywater

4.6

Exceptional(96)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Spanish • Bywater

Booked 15 times today

Owner and Executive Chef Melissa Araujo is a 2024 James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southeast Semifinalist. Alma is an award winning Honduran restaurant located in the historic New Orleans Bywater, just outside the French Quarter. Alma means soul in Spanish. The menu showcases Chef Melissa Araujo's Honduran heritage and takes each guest on a journey through food and culture. The Soul has many stories to tell; Alma's tale is shared through it's dining experience. From Pollo Chuco, to Bloody Mary's and avocado toast, Alma offers an extensive array of dishes focusing on Honduran Food.Chef Araujo’s Father was Born in La Ceiba, Honduras and her memories of her childhood are centered around this particular view of the city. The mountains in the back, the ocean, the cool air in my face, my best memories were made in this city. Alma has given me the opportunity to recreate these memories and share them with our guests.Reservations available Monday- Thursday, Waitlist only on Weekends.

4. Antoine's

4.6

Exceptional(11527)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Creole • French Quarter

Booked 143 times today

Antoine's is excited to be celebrating 185 years in the French Quarter. We welcome you to enjoy our traditional French creole fare as well as updated classics in our beautiful and historic restaurant setting.Antoine's Dress Code isBusiness Casual: Jackets and collared shirts are strongly suggested for gentlemen. We kindly ask all guests not to wear athletic or beach clothing, baseball caps, or flip-flops. Antoine’s dress code will be enforced at the discretion of the manager.All private dining rooms are open and we are actively booking for future events. For private dining inquiries please learn more at www.antoines.com and fill out private dining inquiry.

5. Brennan's

4.7

Exceptional(12059)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Creole • French Quarter

Booked 194 times today

Finalist "Outstanding Restaurant" James Beard Foundation 2022. “Best Restaurants in the World” -Condé Nast Traveler. “Top 10 Best Restaurant in the South” -Southern Living. “Top 10 Restaurant in New Orleans” -NOLA.com. Welcome to Brennan's! Our menus marry classic Creole traditions with inspired, contemporary influences. Breakfast at Brennan’s is a spirited, indulgent way to begin your day! Bubbles at Brennan's Happy Hour features discounted bottles of premium Champagne. Flaming Bananas Foster, invented at Brennan's, is a timeless New Orleans tradition. Dine in one of 8 glamorous dining rooms, our famously lush courtyard, or our spectacular wine cellar.

A photo of Tujague's - New Orleans restaurant

6. Tujague's - New Orleans

4.1

Excellent(3643)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • French Quarter

Booked 28 times today

Tujague's is the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans. This French Quarter institution has been serving traditional New Orleans cuisine to locals and visitors alike for more than 160 years. Lore states that brunch originated here, as did the Grasshopper cocktail. Homages to the restaurant's long and colorful history abound within the interior of the building from the classic 19th century architecture to memorabilia on the walls.Menu items such as the seared gulf fish and the daily gumbo meld French traditions with New Orleans fare and flare. Our famous five course menu is still served nightly; but have no fear, the menu is no longer pre-fixe, so those less ravenous diners can join in too.If you want a quintessential New Orleans experience filled with history and local fare, Tujague's is your place.

7. Restaurant August

4.9

Exceptional(8209)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Central Business District

Booked 53 times today

August is a Contemporary Creole restaurant creating unique dishes with a focus on Louisiana ingredients and inspired by classical training. Located in a historic 19th century French-Creole building in New Orleans’ Central Business District, the main dining room caters to the most unique dining experience. The interior is rich with original architectural details, gleaming hardwood floors, soaring columns, mahogany paneling and antique mirrors.

A photo of Chophouse New Orleans – Prime Steaks restaurant

8. Chophouse New Orleans – Prime Steaks

4.6

Exceptional(5297)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Central Business District

Booked 51 times today

Named the highest rated steakhouse in New Orleans, this old-school steak restaurant is a powerhouse. The focus at Chophouse New Orleans is on its top-quality, USDA prime-only meat, from barrel cut filets to top-of-the-line cooking techniques, every detail counts. The easygoing atmosphere complements the great food and bustling, live entertainment nightly.

9. Vessel NOLA

4.2

Awesome(2671)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Mid-City / City Park

Booked 13 times today

Vessel Specializes in Fresh Seafood and New American Cuisine! Renowned Chef Wille Cooper, who trained under Emeril Lagasse & Wolfgang Puck sources fresh local ingredients incorporating many of the traditions New Orleans is famous for. Dinner is served 7 days a week and brunch Sat-Sun! Happy Hour weekdays 4-6 pm (except holidays). Reservations are advised and we welcome walk-ins! Dine inside or outdoors on our gorgeous covered patio! ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST featured VESSEL as one of "8 of the Most Gorgeous Restaurants in Former Churches Worldwide". Paranormal activity lurks at VESSEL as featured on The Travel Channel's hit show "THE DEAD FILES" in the episode "Deadly Vessel" showcasing the spirits that haunt Vessel. Eat, Drink, Congregate! at Vessel at New Orleans' most exciting restaurant/bar, housed in a 1914 historic church in Mid-City, 10 minutes from the French Quarter just off the Canal Street Streetcar.

10. Bon Ton Prime Rib

4.7

Exceptional(192)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Central Business District

Booked 37 times today

Bon Ton Prime Rib, New Orleans' third-oldest restaurant, is where the spirit of old New Orleans meets the new. The menu blends classic Cajun flavors with signature cuts of prime rib, classic steaks, and popular regional seafood with timeless cocktails, including the Rum Ramsey—a nod to the restaurant’s heritage. Set in the historic 1840s Natchez building, this iconic institution honors its rich past while looking ahead. Complimentary valet parking is available.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
SarahVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •75 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
The service at Brennan’s was top tier, no question about it. The food was good and beautifully served. We are probably old and spoiled by our favorite restaurants in San Francisco so we have to say we’ve had better food, but it’s also about our favorites. We had a lovely meal, served by a charming wait staff and we enjoyed it immensely.
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Brennan'sPrice: Expensive• Creole• French Quarter
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The menu selection was unique, the food was delicious and the wait staff were attentive and knowledgeable.
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BABsPrice: Moderate• Bistro• Bywater
•
4.8
E
Elizabeth
New Orleans / Louisiana •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Lunch today was excellent, the service was excellent, definitely recommend it!
More info
Antoine'sPrice: Expensive• Creole• French Quarter
•
4.6
M
Melissa
New Orleans / Louisiana •1 review
5.0
Dined on Mar 3, 2025
Went for an early breakfast before the krewe of red beans. Service was 10/10, food came out quick, the plantains and chilaquiles and my aperol spritz were fabulous! Thanks for the hospitality, yall!
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Alma Café - BywaterPrice: Moderate• Spanish• Bywater
•
4.6
K
Katrina
New Orleans / Louisiana •1 review
5.0
Dined on Feb 15, 2025
Good food…Great service…the atmosphere is top notch Celebrated with my besties for Galentines and we really enjoyed our food, the drinks (The CEO) and our time together was well spent. Will be returning to celebrate for my birthday.
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JusTini'sPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Bywater
•
4.3

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