OUR READERS PICKS
A couple of notes: To make the list, a choice had to have a significant number of votes; places without enough votes were eliminated. Categories without enough voters were also removed. Where there was evidence of ballot stuffing (and there wasn’t much) the votes were adjusted accordingly. We know that there are some significant places that didn’t make the list, nevertheless we’re confident that those that are listed are all worthy and are among the tops in their field.
Top Non-Profit
LASPCA
The Louisiana SPCA has been dedicated to saving the lives of animals across the New Orleans metro area for more than 130 years. Headquartered on the West Bank at the organization’s 21,600 square foot campus, the LA SPCA cares for more than 300 animals at one time, with an annual count of more than 70,000 dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, birds and reptiles. In addition to adoption services, the organization provides advocacy and leadership in legislation, clinic services, disaster preparedness, workshops and more.Â
Top Antiques Store
1. M.S. Rau Antiques
Top Art GalleryÂ
1. Terrance Osborne Gallery
2. Ashley LongshoreÂ
Top Bakery
1. Gracious Bakery
2. Haydel’s Bakery
3. Maple Street PatisserieÂ
Top Bed-and-BreakfastÂ
1. Degas HouseÂ
Top Bookstore
1. Garden District BookstoreÂ
2. Octavia Books
Top Carnival Parade
1. Muses
2. EndymionÂ
Top Chef
1. Nina ComptonÂ
Top Children’s Boutique
1. AuraluzÂ
2. PickleberryÂ
Top Coffee House
1. PJ’sÂ
2. Starbucks
Top Coffee House for FoodÂ
1. Caffe CaffeÂ
2. PJ’s
3. HiVolt
Top Craft BreweryÂ
1. Abita Brewing Company
2. Port Orleans Brewing Co.
3. Urban South Brewery
Top Craft Cocktail Bar
1. CureÂ
Top Day SpaÂ
1. Earthsavers Spa & Store
2. Woodhouse Day Spa
Top Dive BarÂ
1. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant
Top Dry CleanerÂ
1. Young’s Dry Cleaning
2. Russell’s Dry Cleaning Services
Top Food Truck
1. Taceaux LoceauxÂ
Top French Bread
1. LeidenheimerÂ
Top Furniture StoreÂ
1. Textures Warehouse
2. Doerr Furniture
3. Hurwitz Mintz Furniture
Top Golf Course
1. Bayou Oaks at City Park
2. Audubon Park Golf Course
Top Gulf Coast Getaway
1. Destin, FloridaÂ
Top Gulf Coast Hotel
1. Beau Rivage Resort & CasinoÂ
2. The Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
Top Gym
1. Orangetheory Fitness
1. Franco’s Athletic Club (tie)
Top Hotel
1. Windsor Court Hotel
2. The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
3. The Roosevelt New Orleans
Top Hotel Bar
1. Carousel Bar & Lounge
2. Hot TinÂ
Top ice cream/gelato
1. Angelo BrocatoÂ
2. Piccola Gelateria
2. The Creole CreameryÂ
Top Jazz Club
1. Snug Harbor
2. The Jazz Playhouse at Royal SonestaÂ
Top lawn/garden supply
1. Perino’s Garden Center
Top Live Theater Company
1. Le Petit TheatreÂ
2. Southern Rep Theatre
Top Hotel Bar
Carousel Bar
Tucked away in the Hotel Monteleone, the Carousel Bar & Lounge has been transporting patrons on a merry-go-round of top-notch cocktails and bar bites for the past 70 years. A favorite destination for locals and visitors alike, the historied bar has seen countless colorful stories told in its history. The circus-themed rotating bar comes full circle every 15 minutes. Live music provides a jazzy backdrop to the libation and festivities.Â
Top local actor/actress
1. Bryan BattÂ
Top Local Charity
1. Louisina SPCAÂ
2. The Al Copeland FoundationÂ
Top Local Jeweler
1. Aucoin Hart Jewelers
2. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
3. Boudreaux’s Jewelers
3. Adler’s Jewelry
Top Local Radio Station
1. WWOZÂ
2. WWLÂ
Top Men’s Clothing Store
1. PerlisÂ
2. RubensteinsÂ
Top Museum
1. National WWII Museum
2. New Orleans Museum of ArtÂ
3. Louisiana Children’s MuseumÂ
3. Ogden Museum of Southern Art (tie)Â
Top Neighborhood RestaurantÂ
1. Clancy’s RestaurantÂ
2. Vincent’s Italian CuisineÂ
3. Katie’s Restaurant and Bar
Top New Orleans Festival
1. French Quarter FestÂ
2. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
3. NOLA on TapÂ
Top Outdoor Dining
1. Bacchanal Fine Wine and SpiritsÂ
2. Café DegasÂ
Top Place for a Bloody Mary
1. Atchafalaya Restaurant
Top Place for a Margarita
1. El Gato NegroÂ
1. Juan’s Flying Burrito (tie)
Top Place for a Power Lunch
1. Commander’s PalaceÂ
2. Galatoire’s
Top Place for a Salad
1. The Daily BeetÂ
Top Place for Asian
1. Five HappinessÂ
Top Place for Barbecue Shrimp
1. Mr. B’s BistroÂ
2. Pascal’s Manale
Top Place for Boiled Crawfish
1. The Galley Seafood
Top Place for BreakfastÂ
1. The Ruby Slipper Cafe
2. Daily BeetÂ
Top Place for Brunch
1. Commander’s PalaceÂ
Top Place for Burgers
1. The Company Burger Â
2. Port of CallÂ
Top Place for Cajun
1. Fete Au Fete Streatery
2. Mulate’s New Orleans Cajun Restaurant
3. K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen
Top Place for Chinese
1. Five HappinessÂ
Top Place for Creole
1. New Orleans Creole CookeryÂ
Top Place for Fine Dining
1. Commander’s PalaceÂ
2. Brennan’s Restaurant
Top Place for Fried Chicken
1. Popeye’s Fried ChickenÂ
2. Willie Mae’s Scotch House
3. Fiorella’s Cafe
Top Grocery Store
1. Rouses
2. Dorignac’sÂ
3. Langenstein’sÂ
Top Place for Gumbo
1. Gumbo ShopÂ
Top Place for Hot Dogs
1. Dat Dog
Top Place for Indian
1. Saffron NOLAÂ
2. Nirvana Indian Cuisine
Top Place for Italian
1. Vincent’s Italian Cuisine
2. Red Gravy Cafe
Top Place for Japanese
1. TsunamiÂ
2. ShogunÂ
2. Little TokyoÂ
Top Bakery
Gracious BakeryÂ
With four locations across the city, Gracious Bakery has quickly become the way many New Orleans start their day, enjoy brunch and lunch or celebrate special occasions. The menus include coffee, fresh baked breads, sandwiches, pies and cakes, sweet and savory waffles and more. This time of year, we’re ready to pick up one of the bakery’s unique King Cake creations, both traditional and with a twist.
Top Place for King CakesÂ
1. Manny Randazzo King Cakes
2. Dong Phuong Bakeshop
Top Place for KoreanÂ
1. Little Korea BBQ
Top Place for Late Night Dining
1. Hoshun
Best Local Sandwich Shop
1. Stein’s Market and Deli
Top Place for Mexican/Southwest
1. Zocalo Cocina Mexicana & Cantina
2. The Velvet Cactus
Top Place for Middle Eastern
1. Saba
2. Byblos
3. Lebanon’s CaféÂ
3. Mona’s Café (tie)
Top Place for Onion Rings
1. Mr. Ed’s Seafood & Italian Restaurant
Top Place for Pizza
1. Pizza Domencia
2. Theo’s Neighborhood PizzaÂ
3. Reginelli’s Pizzeria
Top Place for Poor Boys
1. Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Top Place for Raw Oysters
1. PecheÂ
Top Place for Seafood
1. GW FinsÂ
Top Place for Snoballs
1. Sal’s Sno-Ball Stand
2. Hansen’s Sno-BlizÂ
3. Plum Street Sno-Ball
Top Place for Steaks
1. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
2. Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse
2. Desi Vega’s Steakhouse (tie)
Top Place for Sushi
1. Rock N Sake Bar & Sushi
2. Sake CaféÂ
Top Place for Tacos
1. Juan’s Flying BurritoÂ
2. Taceaux LoceauxÂ
2. The Velvet Cactus (tie)Â
Top Place for Tapas
1. Baru Bistor & Tapas
Top Place for Thai
1. SukhoThaiÂ
2. Banana Blossom Thai Restaurant
3. Café EquatorÂ
Top Place for Turtle Soup
1. Commander’s PalaceÂ
2. Mandina’s Restaurant
Top Place for Vegetarian Dishes
1. The Daily BeetÂ
Top Place for Vietnamese
1. Mopho
2. Pho NOLA
2. Mint Modern Vietnamese (tie)
Top Place to Buy a Wedding Dress
1. Town & CountryÂ
2. Wedding BellesÂ
Top Place to Buy Liquor and Wine
1. Martin’s Wine Cellar
1. Dorignac’s (tie)
Top Place to Gamble
1. Harrah’s Casino
Top Place to Hear Live Music
1. House of Blues
2. Tipitina’s
2. d.b.a. (tie)
Top Restaurant
1. Commander’s PalaceÂ
2. GW FinsÂ
Top Restaurant Worth the Drive
1. Middendorf’s Restaurant
1. Mosca’s (tie)
Top Sports Bar
1. Manning’s Sports Bar and Grill
2. Walk-On’s Bistreux & Bar
Top Sweet Shop
1. Angelo BrocatoÂ
Top Yoga/Pilates Studio
1. Romney StudiosÂ
Top Bank
1. Hancock Whitney
2. Capital One
3. Iberia Bank
Top Women’s Boutique
1. Chatta Box Boutique
2. Hemline
