As always, New Orleans has so many great things to shout out loud about. Even in a year with so many downs, we appreciate more than ever those places and things that rise to the top. Here is our list of the Tops of the Town as selected by our editorial staff. Readers were encouraged to make recommendations too, and suggestions were weighed into the discussion.
To us, our readers remain at the very top.
Note: 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. 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 Burgers
Winner: Port of Call
Finalists: Fharmacy NOLA, The Company Burger, Toups’ Meatery
Top Coffee House
Winner: PJ’s Coffee
Finalists: Backatown Coffee Parlour, French Truck Coffee, Mojo Coffee House, Orleans Coffee Espresso Bar
Top Jeweler
Winner: M.S. Rau
Finalists: Adler’s, Aucoin Hart, Boudreaux’s Jewelers
Top Antiques Store
Winner: M.S. Rau
Finalists: Balzac Antiques, Dop Antiques, Empire Antiques, Maison de Provence, Merchant House, Roussel’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts Tara Shaw, Uptowner Antiques
Top Bakery
Winner: (tie) Bywater Bakery, Gracious Bakery
Finalists: Dong Phuong Restaurant & Bakery, Dorignac’s Food Center, La Boulangerie
Top Bed and Breakfast
Winner: (tie) Chimes Bed and Breakfast, Park View Historic Hotel, The Chloe
Top Children’s Boutique
Winner: Pippen Lane
Finalists: Bon Temps Boutique, Little Miss Muffin, Pickleberry Boutique
Top Craft Brewery
Winner: Faubourg Brewing Co.
Finalists: Miel Brewery & Taproom, NOLA Brewing Co., Port Orleans Brewing Co., Urban South Brewery
Top Craft Cocktail Bar
Winner: Cure
Finalists: Bar Marilou, Cane and Table, Hot Tin, Jack Rose
Cure
Top Craft Cocktail Bar
Mixology mecca Cure has been creating some of the finest, most innovative cocktails, drinks and small plates since opening in 2009. Named James Beard Award Winner for Outstanding Bar Program in 2018, Cure has transformed the craft cocktail movement in New Orleans, while maintaining a chic, neighborhood friendly bar environment at its location on Freret Street.
Jack Rose
Top Dessert Menu
The eclectic atmosphere and always on-point dining menu at Jack Rose is the ideal location for dinner celebrations, a romantic date or a lively meal with friends. Located in the Pontchartrain Hotel, Jack Rose has become known for its iconic menu, including an array of small plates, creative Creole-inspired cuisine and the always-Instagrammable Mile High Pie for dessert.
Top Dessert Menu
Winner: Jack Rose
Finalists: Bakery Bar, Clancy’s Restaurant, La Boulangerie
Top Dive Bar
Winner: Ms. Mae’s
Finalists: Bar Redux, Pal’s Lounge, Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge
Top Drug Store
Winner: Majoria Drugs Metairie Road
Finalists: Castellon Pharmacy, Nola Discount Pharmacy, Patio Drugs
Top Dry Cleaners
Winner: Young’s Dry Cleaning
Finalists: Cleanerama Inc., Liberto Cleaners, One Cleaners
Top Florist
Winner: Dunn & Sonnier
Finalists: Blucid Floral, Flora Savage, Herbivore Floral Designs, Kim Starr, Nosegay Floral Designs, Perfect Presentations Florals and Events Design, Villere’s Florist
Top French Bread
Winner: Leidenheimer Baking Co.
Finalists: Bellegarde Bakery, Dong Phuong Restaurant & Bakery, Mayhew Bakery
Top Furniture Store
Winner: Doerr Furniture
Finalists: Compass Furniture, Eclectic Home, Textures, A J. Allan’s Warehouse
Top Garden Supply
Winner: Perino’s Home and Garden Center
Finalists: Harold’s Indoor Outdoor Plants, Jefferson Feed, Pet & Garden Center, Urban Roots Garden Center
Perinos
Top Garden Supply
Perino’s Home & Garden Center is the go-to place for those born with a green thumb, as well as those who aspire to have one. From gardening supplies to houseplants and more, this one-stop-shop has everything you need to get outside or bring the outdoors in, plus a wide array of gifts for the home.
Top Gulf Coast Hotel
Winner: White House
Finalists: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Grand Casino Biloxi, The Inn at Crystal Beach
Top Gym
Winner: Ochsner Fitness Center
Finalists: Body Shoppe, Franco’s on Magazine, G-Fit NOLA, New Orleans Athletic Club, JCC Fitness Center
Top Happy Hour
Winner: Domenica at the Roosevelt Hotel
Finalists: Barracuda, Copper Vine, Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
Top Home Accessories
Winner: Sunday Shop
Finalists: Hazelnut, JADE, Niche Modern Home
Top Golf Course
Winner: (tie) Audubon Park Golf Course, Bayou Oaks at City Park
Finalists: English Turn Golf & Country Club, Joseph M. Bartholomew Municipal Golf Course, New Orleans Country Club
Top Pet Daycare
Winner: (tie) Camp Bow Wow, Canine Connection
Finalists: Dogtopia, Pawlins
Top Place for Local Gifts
Winner: Home Malone
Finalists: Dirty Coast, Fleurty Girl, Little Miss Muffin
Top Hot Dogs
Winner: Dat Dog
Finalists: Bratz Y’all Bistro, Bud’s Broiler, Lucky Dogs
Top Hotel Bar
Winner: The Carousel Bar & Lounge at the Hotel Monteleone
Finalists: Chandelier Bar, Columns Hotel, Hot Tin, The Sazerac Bat at the Roosevelt Hotel
Carousel Bar
Top Hotel Bar
Not many bars can say that they have visitors “spinning” in the very best way. The Carousel Bar & Lounge, located in the historic Hotel Monteleone, has been serving cocktails at its outstanding rotating bar for more than 70 years. New Orleanians and visitors alike can enjoy people-watching, drinks and live music at this French Quarter classic.
Top Ice Cream/Gelato
Winner: The New 7th Ward Ice Cream Speakeasy
Finalists: Angelo Brocato, Creole Creamery, Laozi Ice Cream
Top King Cakes
Winner: Dong Phuong’s Restaurant & Bakery
Finalists: Bywater Bakery, Haydel’s Bakery, Manny Randazzo’s King Cakes, Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery
Top Local Grocery Store
Winner: Dorignac’s Food Center
Finalists: Breaux Mart, Canseco’s Market, Langenstein’s, Rouses Market
Top Local Radio Station
Winner: WWOZ New Orleans: 90.7 FM
Finalists: B-97, WNOE, WYLK
Top Local Sandwich Shop
Winner: Stein’s Market and Deli
Finalists: Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar, Parkway Bakery & Tavern, St. James Cheese Company
Top Men’s Clothing Store
Winner: Perlis Clothing New Orleans
Finalists: Jeff’s Haberdashery, Rubenstein’s, tasc Performance
Top Museum
Winner: (tie) New Orleans Museum of Art, The Sazerac House
Finalists: Historic New Orleans Collection, National WWII Museum, Southern Food and Beverage Museum
Top Neighborhood Restaurant
Winner: Mister Mao
Finalists: The Bower, Clancy’s Restaurant, Katie’s, Paladar 511
Top New Orleans Festival
Winner: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Finalists: French Quarter Festival, Hogs for the Cause
Top Onion Rings
Winner: (tie) Charlie’s Steakhouse, Ye Olde College Inn
Finalists: Liuzza’s Restaurant & Bar, R&O’s Restaurant, Seafood Sally’s
Top Pilates Studio
Winner: Club Pilates
Finalists: HOTWORX
Top Pizza
Winner: Pizza Delicious
Finalists: G’s Pizza, Mark Twain’s Pizza, Mid City Pizza, Reginelli’s Pizzeria, Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza, Venezia
Top Place for a Margarita
Winner: El Gato Negro
Finalists: Barracuda, Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria, Juan’s Flying Burrito, Superior Grill
Top Place for a Power Lunch
Winner: Galatoire’s
Finalists: Commander’s Palace, Dooky Chase Restaurant, Herbsaint
Top Place for Barbecue Shrimp
Winner: Mr. B’s Bistro
Finalists: Liuzza’s by the Track, Pascal’s Manale, Red Fish Grill
Top Place for Brunch
Winner: Jack Rose
Finalists: Birdy’s Behind the Bower, Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, Copper Vine, Ruby Slipper Café
Top Place for Cajun
Winner: Toups’ Meatery
Finalists: Bon Ton Café, Cochon Restaurant, Mulate’s
Toups Meatery
Top Place for Cajun
Named a James Beard Foundation Best Chef of the South semi-finalist and finalist, Chef Isaac Toups has created a cozy Cajun mecca in MidCity. Toups Meatery features lunch, brunch and dinner menus, plus a notable weekday happy hour. Highlights include house-made fresh and cured meats, classic Couvillion of Louisiana Gulf fish with crab fat rice (to die for), must-have cracklings and the “Chef’s Lunch” – boudin, burger, beer.
Top Place for Casual Breakfast
Winner: Toast
Finalists: Birdy’s Behind the Bower, Hurts Donut Company, Ruby Slipper Café, Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar
Top Place for Chinese
Winner: Dian Xin
Finalists: Blue Giant Chinese, Five Happiness Chinese Restaurant, Royal China Restaurant
Top Place for Creole
Winner: Tujague’s
Finalists: Lil Dizzy’s Café, New Orleans Creole Cookery, The Munch Factory
Top Place for Fine Dining
Winner: GW Fins
Finalists: Commander’s Palace, Compere Lapin, Galatoire’s
Top Place for Fried Chicken
Winner: Willie Mae’s Scotch House
Finalists: Chap’s Chicken, McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen
Top Place for Gumbo
Winner: Commander’s Palace
Finalists: Dooky Chase, Gris-Gris, Gumbo Shop, Jack Rose
Top Place for Indian
Winner: Saffron NOLA
Finalists: Mantra Indian Cuisine, Nirvana, Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine
Top Place for Italian
Winner: Vincent’s Italian Cuisine
Finalists: Adolfo’s, Rizzuto’s Ristorante & Chop House, Venezia
Top Place for Japanese
Winner: Sake Café
Finalists: Hana Japanese Restaurant, Rock-n-Sake Bar & Sushi, Shogun
Top Place for Mexican/Southwest
Winner: Juan’s Flying Burrito
Finalists: Barracuda, El Gato Negro, El Pavo Real
Top Place for Middle Eastern
Winner: Saba
Finalists: Byblos, Lebanon Café, Mona’s Café
Top Place for Raw Oysters
Winner: Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar
Finalists: Acme Oyster House, Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
Top Place for Steaks
Winner: Doris Metropolitan New Orleans
Finalists: Charlie’s Steak House, Crescent City Steak House, Desi Vega’s Steakhouse, La Boca Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Top Place for Tacos
Winner: Barracuda
Finalists: El Cucuy, El Gato Negro, Juan’s Flying Burrito, Rosalita’s Backyard Tacos, Vals
Top Place for Tapas
Winner: Baru Bistro & Tapas
Finalists: Barcelona Tapas, Costera, Mister Mao
Top Place for Turtle Soup
Winner: Commander’s Palace
Finalists: Brennan’s Restaurant, Mandina’s Restaurant, Muriel’s Jackson Square
Top Place for Vietnamese
Winner: Lilly’s Café
Finalists: MOPHO, Pho Bang Restaurant, Pho Tau Bay Restaurant
Top Place to Buy a Wedding Dress
Winner: Town & Country
Finalists: Bliss Bridal, Yvonne LaFleur
Top Place to Buy Liquor and Wine
Winner: Dorignac’s Food Center
Finalists: Martin Wine Cellar, Total Wine & More
Top Place to Buy Saints Accessories
Winner: Black and Gold Sports Shop
Runner up: Fleurty Girl
Top Place to Buy Eyewear
Winner: Art & Eyes
Finalists: Krewe, Warby Parker
Top Local Shoe Store
Winner: Orleans Shoe Co.
Finalists: Feet First, Joe’s Family Shoe Store
Top Place to Get a Blowout
Winner: Blo Blow Dry Bar
Finalists: BLEU, a Blowdry Bar, Glow Hair & Beauty Bar, Salon M
Top Place to Gamble
Winner: Harrah’s New Orleans
Runner up: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Top Place to Get a Mani/Pedi
Winner: Blanc Beauty Bar
Finalists: Cindy’s Nail & Spa, Serenity Nail Spa
Top Poor Boys
Winner: Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Finalists: Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar, Guy’s Po-Boys, Short Stop Poboys
Top Salon
Winner: Salon M
Finalists: Glow Hair & Beauty Bar, Paris Parker Salon & Spa, The Glam Bar
Top Sno-Balls
Winner: Hansen’s Sno-Bliz
Finalists: Chance in Hell SnoBalls, Sal’s Sno-Ball Stand, Williams Plum Street Snowballs
Top Spa
Winner: EarthSavers Spa + Store
Finalists: The Woodhouse Day Spa, Windsor Court Hotel Spa
Top Sports Bar
Winner: Cooter Brown’s Tavern
Finalists: Henry’s Uptown Bar, Manning’s, Tracey’s
Top Sushi
Winner: (tie) Mikimoto Restaurant, Rock-n-Sake Bar & Sushi
Finalists: Asuka Sushi & Hibachi, Daiwa Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine, Uchi Sushi & Hibachi
Top Wine Bar
Winner: Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
Finalists: Claret Wine & Cocktail Bar, Copper Vine, Delachaise Restaurant
Top Yoga Studio
Winner: (tie) Free to Be Power Yoga, Romney Studios
Finalists: Fire Flow Studio, Live Oak Yoga, Magnolia Yoga Studio, WildLo
