Brunch first appeared in Guy Beringer’s 1895 essay “Brunch: A Plea,” in which he praised the meal by stating, “It is talk-compelling. It places you in a good mood, makes you content with yourself and others, and clears the week’s anxieties and cobwebs.” In the United States, combining breakfast and lunch into a singular meal became popular in the 1930s. During this period, hotels and restaurants began introducing brunch menus to accommodate the evolving tastes of their customers. So, This article will provide information about delicious brunch locations in New Orleans.
10 Delicious Brunch Locations In New Orleans
When it comes to brunch, New Orleans offers numerous options. New Orleans has truly embraced the art of brunch, from cozy neighborhood eateries to upscale restaurants that bring out all the stops. The city caters to all moods and tastes, whether you’re in the mood for traditional Southern comfort cuisine, Creole-inspired treats, or classic brunch favorites. Here are the list of 10 delicious brunch locations in New Orleans.
1. Commander’s Palace
The weekend jazz luncheon at Commander’s Palace is an institution in the Garden District. The restaurant serves haute Creole cuisine with a contemporary twist. It adheres to the “dirt to plate within 100 miles” philosophy to ensure that its dishes are prepared with locally sourced ingredients that leave a minimal environmental imprint. And the efforts are yielding results. Commander’s Palace has received at least seven James Beard Foundation Awards.
The appropriately titled restaurant is in a Victorian mansion built in 1893 by Amil Commander. Since 1974, the Brennan family has resided in the vibrant teal-colored “Victorian Cuckoo” building.
2. Seafood Sally’s
Fans of the popular 1990s television series “Baywatch” will enjoy Seafood Sally’s. The Baywatch Brunch at the restaurant combines delectable seafood dishes with evocative memories of the iconic television series, which plays in the background as diners enjoy their meal. The shrimp & grits a la Hasselhoff consists of Pistol P’s grilled jumbo shrimp with heirloom tomato chile gravy and Bayou Cora grits. Fans of seafood should take advantage of this dish. The brunch menu includes French toast, buttermilk biscuits, and a Cajun breakfast platter with eggs, grits, and homemade tasso. Regarding alcoholic beverages, Seafood Sally’s excels with its Red Eye Rum Punch, Mitch’s Michelada, and Peach Ya to the Beach.
3. Miss River
Billed as chef Alon Shaya’s “Love Letter to Louisiana,” Miss River showcases his distinctive take on Southern cuisine. The extensive brunch menu at the restaurant is no exception. In the elegant restaurant ambiance on the lobby level of the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, the Miss River brunch combines Louisiana flavors with a contemporary twist and live jazz music. Best of all, the inventiveness behind the dishes is displayed on the restaurant’s Food Stage, where chefs present their signature dishes.
With a concentration on ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen, Miss River’s multi-course brunch menu elevates traditional dishes through complex culinary techniques.
4. Elizabeth’s
It is okay if you have to wait in line for Elizabeth’s popular brunch on the weekend. Served on a first-come, first-served basis, the Bywater restaurant lives up to its slogan, “Real Food Done Well.” Brunch at Elizabeth is prepared from scratch with premium ingredients by Chef Bryon Peck and served in an almost rowdy atmosphere. But, if you seek elegance and sophistication, you should look elsewhere. On the other hand, Elizabeth’s is the place to be if you’re looking for delicious, satisfying food.
The brunch menu at Elizabeth’s is filled with well-known New Orleans classics and other culinary creations. Why not try the sweet potato, duck hash, and pepper jelly-topped maize waffles? Choose the chicken and sausage gumbo or the cured salmon with brie on rye with fried eggs instead. And if you’re feeling daring, try Elizabeth’s original creation: praline bacon. Choose from refreshments such as pecan pie, bread pudding, and ooey gooey cake to conclude your culinary adventure.
5. Bakery Bar
The Bakery Bar’s location near a busy overpass on the outskirts of the Garden District may not create a solid first impression. Once you enter the tiny premises, however, everything changes. The charming space is reminiscent of a cozy 1960s neighborhood bar, packed with books and games to keep you entertained while you relax with a meal and a drink.
The Bakery Bar offers two distinct brunch menus, one for weekdays and one for weekends, making it ideal for those who enjoy brunch during the week. French toast, breakfast tacos with scrambling eggs and vegetables, patatas bravas with poached eggs, and Cuban sandwiches can be found on both menus. The weekend menu also includes chia seed pudding, eggs Benedict, and the BB breakfast sandwich, comprising a buttermilk biscuit, garlic aioli, bacon, eggs, and cheddar.
6. Arnaud’s Restaurant
Arnaud’s has been serving Creole specialties to ravenous customers since 1918, when its founder, Arnaud Cazenave, took over the business. Having undergone multiple restorations, Arnaud’s now boasts exquisite dining rooms with regal chandeliers, antiques, rich wood paneling, tiled flooring, and tastefully designed wall coverings. Additionally, the restaurant’s additional chambers contain a surprise: the Mardi Gras Museum. Here, visitors can admire the magnificent gowns that Germaine Cazenave Wells, daughter of Arnaud, wore to a stately event.
While Arnaud’s is an experience in and of itself, the restaurant’s claim to fame is its legendary Dixieland jazz luncheon on Sundays. The three-course meal, which will cost you the price of the main course, begins with an appetizer. And there are numerous New Orleans classics to choose from, such as seafood gumbo, turtle soup, and the restaurant’s signature dish, shrimp Arnaud prepared with Gulf shrimp coated in a tart Creole remoulade sauce.
7. Mister Mao
When you enter Mister Mao, you realize that conventions will play a secondary role in your experience. Mister Mao’s dining room and bar welcome guests with a light pink and dark teal color scheme, high ceilings, and an array of gold-framed mirrors. The restaurant describes itself as a “tropical roadhouse” that is “quirky, eclectic, and shamelessly inauthentic.” A local artist, Margie Tillman Ayres’s mural, depicting two lions in a pastel jungle serves as the restaurant’s primary focal point.
Mister Mao is not a Chinese restaurant, despite its name; the establishment is named after the proprietor’s pet. Instead, Chef Sophina Uong’s unconventional menu invites you on a culinary voyage with unexpected flavor combinations. Even though the Sunday brunch menu at Mister Mao alters frequently, it is constantly inspired by global flavors from as far away as India and Asia.
8. Vessel
The Vessel is distinguished from other New Orleans brunch spots by its unique location. The restaurant is located in a renovated Lutheran church 1914 in the heart of Mid-City. A wooden ceiling that resembles a ship’s hull and beautiful stained glass windows are remnants of the building’s former existence. The restaurant even appeared on “The Dead Files” after business partners Alec Wilder and Eddie Dyer claimed it was haunted. Despite its reputation for being haunted, the restaurant’s atmosphere remains endearing and inviting.
On the menu, Vessel prioritizes dishes that make the most of locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s extensive brunch menu offers a variety of traditional appetizers, entrees, and dishes.
9. Atchafalaya
Despite its modest appearance, the brunch at Atchafalaya filled up quickly, so be sure to make a reservation. Atchafalaya, a restaurant in a charming Creole cottage in the predominantly residential Irish Channel, serves weekend brunch five days a week. The rustic structure has a long and illustrious past, dating back to 1924 when it housed the Italian restaurant Petrossi’s. While the exterior of Atchafalaya reflects its lengthy history, the restaurant’s interior is cozy and contemporary, with high ceilings, paintings, tiled flooring, and ample lighting.
Atchafalaya’s brunch menu brines Southern Creole classics, including some delicious New Orleans stalwarts. Local flavors and produce are celebrated in the restaurant’s dishes, including gumbo du jour, waffle chicken, Lowcountry shrimp, and grits with Creole-spiced shrimp bouillon.
10. Toups Butchery
Since opening its doors in 2012, Toups Meatery has been a culinary paradise for carnivores, redefining what it means to sink your fangs into meat-based creations. The Cajun-inspired weekend brunch features a variety of small plates, including crispy turkey necks and pickle-brined fried poultry oysters. Toups Meatery also satisfies the appetites of those with a heartier appetite by offering a variety of large plates. Imagine a rack of elk with a mustard crust or a succulent Raynes Farm wagyu steak served with crusty herb potatoes and fried eggs.