The Big Easy is a gentle place filled with incredible people, wonderful music, fun festivals and delicious southern cuisine. If you’re heading down to New Orleans anytime soon, check out these famous restaurants that you have to try.

Emeril: Bam! The famed chef Emeril Lagasse loves New Orleans and, out of his dozen or so restaurants he owns, four of them are located in New Orleans, including Meril, Emeril’s, NOLA and Emeril’s Delmonico. Meril is located in the Warehouse District and named after his daughter, with Vietnamese spring rolls and Spanish-style croquettes on the menu. Emeril’s Restaurant is located in the New Orleans Warehouse District and has been around for almost 20 years. Emeril’s Delmonico is all about Creole dining and is located on the famed St. Charles Avenue streetcar line. Located in the French Quarter, NOLA is a casual and funky eatery that’s been open since 1992. If you have time, you’ll want to check out all four of his restaurants while you’re here.

The Pelican Club: Three dining rooms in a 19th-century French Quarter townhouse, this restaurant opened in 1990 and is located in the heart of the French Quarter. Here you can enjoy some traditional New Orleans gumbo, barbequed shrimp, baked oysters, gulf fish, flounder, filet mignon and more. Top off your meal with decadent coconut cream pie, bread pudding or bourbon pecan pie. 

Antoine’s: If you can believe it, this French Quarter restaurant has been open since 1840 and is operated by fifth generation relatives of the original founder, Antoine Alciatore. You’ll eat in one of Antoine’s 14 dining rooms, and each one of them has a unique history and charm.

The Napoleon House: Yes, this restaurant, also located in the French Quarter, is named after the political leader Napoleon Bonaparte. The building opened in 1812 and the restaurant then opened in 1914.  According to the restaurant’s history, the building’s first occupant, Nicholas Girod, was mayor of New Orleans from 1812 to 1815 and he offered his residence to Napoleon in 1821 as a refuge during his exile. Napoleon never made it there, but the name stuck. The restaurant serves New Orleans favorites, such as Jambalaya, Muffuletta and gumbo. You can enjoy grilled alligator sausage as a main course and cassata – a Neapolitan dessert with jelly and cake filling – or a cannoli.

Jody’s Travel Inc