Zella Palmer
Contributor
Zella is an author, professor, filmmaker, curator, scholar and the Chair and Director of the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture in New Orleans, Louisiana.
NOLAReview
Even though it’s only been open since late 2022, Mamou is one of the newest and best French restaurants in town. It’s a great place to bring a date, eat escargot, and drink a glass of Burgundy. Beyond snails, we love the braised celery hearts with beef tongue, gulf fish a la Royale, and risotto—basically anything that leans into the rich and butter-loaded dishes they do really well. If you’re around Louis Armstrong Park and need a glass of wine and a snack, hang out at the lively emerald green bar, which is just as fun as the rest of the fuschia-accented dining room.
Our favorite places to eat in the land of above-ground cemeteries and excellent Creole food.
There are more places to eat and drink in the French Quarter than there are ghost stories about New Orleans. Here are the 19 restaurants we like best.