June 01, 2026
There are some things that are quintessentially New Orleans, and when it comes to food, nothing says the Big Easy quite like authentic Creole cooking. The French Quarter alone, for over three hundred years, has been home to some of the best of everything the city has to offer: history, culture, and certainly cuisine.
With diversity the heartbeat of the city, it makes sense that the food scene in the Quarter is represented by iconic restaurants that have delighted generations of residents as well as newcomers. Brunch, lunch, or dinner—no place does it like New Orleans, and these five establishments are proving that when it comes to brunch, the weather isn’t the only thing heating up in the summer.
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Broussard’s
819 Conti St., broussards.com
No list of legendary restaurants is complete without this classic, serving elegance with every French-Creole dish since it opened in 1920. And with the soothing sound of live jazz entertaining guests as they dine, either inside the restaurant’s sophisticated dining room or in its picturesque courtyard, a visit to Broussard’s for brunch is a must.
Each dish is a nod to New Orleans and its rich culinary history, infusing tradition with the finest ingredients and a menu offering a true taste of the region. The restaurant sources local ingredients to create innovative dishes that will satisfy any palate.
Starters include its namesake Oysters Broussard with crispy Gulf oysters, Herbsaint creamed spinach, and bacon jam as well as its refreshing Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese salad, topped with spiced pecans, ruby grapefruit, arugula, and finished with a cane vinaigrette. Avocado toast lovers will rejoice with Broussard’s take on this brunch staple. Every bite is packed with smoked salmon, cucumber, tomato, radish, sprouts and pistachio gremolata atop artisan grain bread.
The stars of the entrée selections are the Eggs Josephine and the Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles, which are must-tries for anyone on a first visit. Poached eggs are dressed up with blue crab cakes, Herbsaint creamed spinach, and bearnaise sauce to create the decadent Eggs Josephine. Some things, like chicken and waffles, are a perfect pair, and Broussard’s gets it right with its buttermilk Belgian waffle. It’s no wonder, with toppings of candied pecans, crystal glaze, and maple syrup, that the dish is a brunch favorite. A modest children’s menu is included.
Bottomless Rosé and mimosas are available with the purchase of an entrée. Other alcoholic beverages, known as Eye Openers here, are also offered with options, including the Brandy Milk Punch and Ramos Gin Fizz.
Brunch service is offered Friday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m.- to 3:00 p.m., with the roaming jazz band starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending with its last note at closing. Reservations, while not required, are highly recommended and can be made on the website.
N7
1117 Montegut St., n7nola.com
Though not located in the French Quarter, this Bywater restaurant and wine bar is well worth the extra couple of miles for an unforgettable meal.
N7 has dished out some of the best in modern French cuisine with rave reviews since it opened in 2015. The tire-shop-turned-restaurant was founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi, who came together to create an intimate dining experience unlike anywhere else in the city, blending French food with a touch of Japanese flair.
The brunch menu boasts traditional favorites like French Onion soup, Steak Frites Maitre d’Hotel, and Escargot, but every item is an invitation to excellence. Among the most notable is N7’s charcuterie board selection, which includes the highly praised Duck Liver Pate, a creamy, flavorful spread made from duck liver cooked down in fat and melded with aromatics.
Those wanting a lighter choice might consider the Heirloom Tomato Salad tossed with cilantro green peppercorn oil or the Salade Nicoise, featuring bluefin tuna, green beans, egg, sugar snap peas, radicchio, and asparagus. Roasted Beets and Citrus with pistachio and smoked yogurt is also a refreshing option.
No brunch is complete without an egg dish, and N7 delivers with its own French Omelette complete with topping choices of cheese and mushrooms. The Salmon Confit also deserves a shout-out. It is served with sweet onion, lemon jam, buttermilk dressing, and dill oil for a fresh burst of flavor—perfect for a summer meal. Chef Yuki does his own take on a traditional fried chicken sandwich by frying Hokkaido style on a milk bun, finishing it off with spicy kewpie mayo and pickles.
Vino drinkers will appreciate N7’s small, curated wine menu, featuring European winemakers who use the most natural ingredients and vinification process.
Before making a stop or reservation to dine inside or outdoors under the covered pavilion and whimsical garden, keep in mind the strict no-one-under-18 policy. Visit N7’s website for more information and to book a table today.
Café Amelie
900 Royal St., cafeamelie.com
It is fitting that in a city rich with history, one restaurant’s origin story would be equally unique and fascinating. Meet Café Amelie on Royal Street, where walking through its doors feels like stepping into a different century—a century marked by the birth of Monaco’s first American-born princess, Alice Heine, born in New Orleans to Amelie Miltenberger.
Café Amelie opened in 2005 and is named after Princess Alice’s mother, whose father, Alphonse Miltenberger, was instrumental in the city’s introduction to the famous large cast iron galleries in the French Quarter. With a nod to history, the romantic café is the perfect spot for a meal that honors tradition while embracing the new age.
Chef Kenneth Humble offers a classical breakfast with options like the Amelie Breakfast Plate, featuring old millstone-ground grits, eggs, applewood-smoked bacon with a maple street croissant and the Amelie Benedict, in which poached eggs marry ham, hollandaise, an English muffin, and breakfast potatoes. Seasonal vegetables get their moment to shine with the Veggie Frittata, which includes spinach and shredded cheese. The egg dish is served alongside a spring-mix side salad delightfully drizzled with a citrus vinaigrette.
New Orleans classics like a hearty muffaletta, savory Gulf Shrimp and Grits, and a comforting chicken and andouille-sausage gumbo are highlights on the menu. Chicken and Waffles at Café Amelie is no ordinary brunch dish–a luscious Belgian waffle is topped with Cajun roasted-chicken breast and a pork-sausage gravy. Those with a sweeter tooth will enjoy the Bananas Foster Waffles, perfected with a creamy pecan sauce.
Lighter options or small bites include a delectable cheese plate with three seasonal cheeses, two cured meats, accoutrements and crostinis, and a fig and nut bread, generously coated in a soft goat-cheese spread and fig preserves.
Every menu item is guaranteed to delight your senses, either in the intimate dining space or outside in the lush courtyard. Brunch is served every Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Reservations are encouraged.
Brennan’s
417 Royal St., brennansneworleans.com
Just down the street from Café Amelie sits one restaurant that has embodied New Orleans history and charm since 1946. Brennan’s is a beloved classic that gets better with age, celebrating 80 years of operation in 2026. For locals and tourists alike, it’s easy to see why the timeless establishment is one of the finest in the city—and the world.
When owner Ralph Brennan took over in 2014, he did so with one goal in mind: to make Brennan’s shine even brighter as the culinary star invented by his uncle Owen Brennan, who opened the original restaurant on Bourbon Street, known then as Owen Brennan’s Vieux Carre Restaurant. Flash forward after 42 years at 417 Royal Street and Brennan’s continues to be a household name when it comes to world-class dining.
If there’s one dish that is more synonymous with a New Orleans restaurant than any other it is Brennan’s Bananas Foster. The eye-catching, mouthwatering dessert was invented by Brennan’s, a claim the restaurant is proud to make for its singular place on the culinary scene. The dish is offered on Brennan’s brunch menu in all its glory—bananas, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum and house-made vanilla bean ice cream, made tableside using a flambé technique.
Brennan’s encompasses everything there is to love about Creole food. The Turtle Soup is raved for its 100 percent turtle meat, brown-butter spinach, grated egg, and aged sherry. Louisiana BBQ Oysters also receive applauded reviews for its delectable melding of New Orleans flavor with pickled collard greens, shallots, and fried saltine crumbs.
Brunch wouldn’t be brunch without waffles, and Brennan’s savory spin on the classic is well worth the splurge. A cornbread and chive waffle is perfected with a Rohan duck leg, foie gras butter, mustard maple syrup, and sunny-side-up egg.
Make Brennan’s, a New Orleans original, your next brunch stop with elegant indoor and picturesque outdoor seating options, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
Miss River
2 Canal St., missrivernola.com
Opening in 2021, this contemporary eatery inside the Four Seasons Hotel may be the newest on the block, but owner and chef Alon Shaya is far from new to the culinary scene. Shaya grew up in Philadelphia, where he fell in love with food and the power it has to bring people together over a shared experience. New Orleans became home for Shaya his graduation from the renowned Culinary Institute of America and began his professional career in St. Louis and Italy.
Twenty years have since passed, and everything Shaya loves about Louisiana cuisine and culture is showcased with Miss River in what he calls a “love letter” to the state, using the finest, locally sourced ingredients. Creole and Cajun influences are evident in every dish, including brunch, served every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Miss River Brunch is an offering of Chef Shaya’s favorites, which includes the beloved Shrimp and Grits, consisting of Anson Mills corn grits, Poche’s andouille, chives, and butter. Filet Mignon Tournedos is a feast complete with dauphinoise potatoes, blistered cherry tomatoes, poached eggs, and bearnaise sauce. Buttermilk-Fried Chicken and Biscuit rounds out the trio, served with dipping sauces. Each is served with a choice of duck and andouille gumbo, boudin, or chilled tomato soup.
Chef Shaya pays homage to Italy and New Orleans with a Sicilian Artichoke salad, where crispy garlic, oregano, a lemon vinaigrette, and Gulf Coast bottarga come together for a flavor burst fitting for a summer brunch. The Crab Meat omelette is a brunch staple at Miss River, with generously stuffed blue crab ravigote.
Cocktail service here is the real deal, with not one but two tableside preparations: the Flaming Espresso Martini and the Tableside Spritz Cart, with a choice of Aperol, Chambord or Campari. Ice cream gets an upgrade with Caviar service—Creme Fraiche ice cream meets Imperial Golden Osetra Caviar.
With indoor and outdoor seating, Miss River hits all the right notes for a brunch of its own rooted in tradition.
–
Part of what makes New Orleans a special place is its reverence for tradition, and a visit to any of these five establishments is evidence that when it comes to food, the Big Easy does it best. Nothing brings people together better than a good meal, and with summer bringing more opportunity for connection, it is the perfect time to indulge in what is classically New Orleans.
With diversity the heartbeat of the city, it makes sense that the food scene in the Quarter is represented by iconic restaurants that have delighted generations of residents as well as newcomers. Brunch, lunch, or dinner—no place does it like New Orleans, and these five establishments are proving that when it comes to brunch, the weather isn’t the only thing heating up in the summer.
–
Broussard’s
819 Conti St., broussards.com
No list of legendary restaurants is complete without this classic, serving elegance with every French-Creole dish since it opened in 1920. And with the soothing sound of live jazz entertaining guests as they dine, either inside the restaurant’s sophisticated dining room or in its picturesque courtyard, a visit to Broussard’s for brunch is a must.
Each dish is a nod to New Orleans and its rich culinary history, infusing tradition with the finest ingredients and a menu offering a true taste of the region. The restaurant sources local ingredients to create innovative dishes that will satisfy any palate.
Starters include its namesake Oysters Broussard with crispy Gulf oysters, Herbsaint creamed spinach, and bacon jam as well as its refreshing Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese salad, topped with spiced pecans, ruby grapefruit, arugula, and finished with a cane vinaigrette. Avocado toast lovers will rejoice with Broussard’s take on this brunch staple. Every bite is packed with smoked salmon, cucumber, tomato, radish, sprouts and pistachio gremolata atop artisan grain bread.
The stars of the entrée selections are the Eggs Josephine and the Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles, which are must-tries for anyone on a first visit. Poached eggs are dressed up with blue crab cakes, Herbsaint creamed spinach, and bearnaise sauce to create the decadent Eggs Josephine. Some things, like chicken and waffles, are a perfect pair, and Broussard’s gets it right with its buttermilk Belgian waffle. It’s no wonder, with toppings of candied pecans, crystal glaze, and maple syrup, that the dish is a brunch favorite. A modest children’s menu is included.
Bottomless Rosé and mimosas are available with the purchase of an entrée. Other alcoholic beverages, known as Eye Openers here, are also offered with options, including the Brandy Milk Punch and Ramos Gin Fizz.
Brunch service is offered Friday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m.- to 3:00 p.m., with the roaming jazz band starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending with its last note at closing. Reservations, while not required, are highly recommended and can be made on the website.
N7
1117 Montegut St., n7nola.com
Though not located in the French Quarter, this Bywater restaurant and wine bar is well worth the extra couple of miles for an unforgettable meal.
N7 has dished out some of the best in modern French cuisine with rave reviews since it opened in 2015. The tire-shop-turned-restaurant was founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi, who came together to create an intimate dining experience unlike anywhere else in the city, blending French food with a touch of Japanese flair.
The brunch menu boasts traditional favorites like French Onion soup, Steak Frites Maitre d’Hotel, and Escargot, but every item is an invitation to excellence. Among the most notable is N7’s charcuterie board selection, which includes the highly praised Duck Liver Pate, a creamy, flavorful spread made from duck liver cooked down in fat and melded with aromatics.
Those wanting a lighter choice might consider the Heirloom Tomato Salad tossed with cilantro green peppercorn oil or the Salade Nicoise, featuring bluefin tuna, green beans, egg, sugar snap peas, radicchio, and asparagus. Roasted Beets and Citrus with pistachio and smoked yogurt is also a refreshing option.
No brunch is complete without an egg dish, and N7 delivers with its own French Omelette complete with topping choices of cheese and mushrooms. The Salmon Confit also deserves a shout-out. It is served with sweet onion, lemon jam, buttermilk dressing, and dill oil for a fresh burst of flavor—perfect for a summer meal. Chef Yuki does his own take on a traditional fried chicken sandwich by frying Hokkaido style on a milk bun, finishing it off with spicy kewpie mayo and pickles.
Vino drinkers will appreciate N7’s small, curated wine menu, featuring European winemakers who use the most natural ingredients and vinification process.
Before making a stop or reservation to dine inside or outdoors under the covered pavilion and whimsical garden, keep in mind the strict no-one-under-18 policy. Visit N7’s website for more information and to book a table today.
Café Amelie
900 Royal St., cafeamelie.com
It is fitting that in a city rich with history, one restaurant’s origin story would be equally unique and fascinating. Meet Café Amelie on Royal Street, where walking through its doors feels like stepping into a different century—a century marked by the birth of Monaco’s first American-born princess, Alice Heine, born in New Orleans to Amelie Miltenberger.
Café Amelie opened in 2005 and is named after Princess Alice’s mother, whose father, Alphonse Miltenberger, was instrumental in the city’s introduction to the famous large cast iron galleries in the French Quarter. With a nod to history, the romantic café is the perfect spot for a meal that honors tradition while embracing the new age.
Chef Kenneth Humble offers a classical breakfast with options like the Amelie Breakfast Plate, featuring old millstone-ground grits, eggs, applewood-smoked bacon with a maple street croissant and the Amelie Benedict, in which poached eggs marry ham, hollandaise, an English muffin, and breakfast potatoes. Seasonal vegetables get their moment to shine with the Veggie Frittata, which includes spinach and shredded cheese. The egg dish is served alongside a spring-mix side salad delightfully drizzled with a citrus vinaigrette.
New Orleans classics like a hearty muffaletta, savory Gulf Shrimp and Grits, and a comforting chicken and andouille-sausage gumbo are highlights on the menu. Chicken and Waffles at Café Amelie is no ordinary brunch dish–a luscious Belgian waffle is topped with Cajun roasted-chicken breast and a pork-sausage gravy. Those with a sweeter tooth will enjoy the Bananas Foster Waffles, perfected with a creamy pecan sauce.
Lighter options or small bites include a delectable cheese plate with three seasonal cheeses, two cured meats, accoutrements and crostinis, and a fig and nut bread, generously coated in a soft goat-cheese spread and fig preserves.
Every menu item is guaranteed to delight your senses, either in the intimate dining space or outside in the lush courtyard. Brunch is served every Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Reservations are encouraged.
Brennan’s
417 Royal St., brennansneworleans.com
Just down the street from Café Amelie sits one restaurant that has embodied New Orleans history and charm since 1946. Brennan’s is a beloved classic that gets better with age, celebrating 80 years of operation in 2026. For locals and tourists alike, it’s easy to see why the timeless establishment is one of the finest in the city—and the world.
When owner Ralph Brennan took over in 2014, he did so with one goal in mind: to make Brennan’s shine even brighter as the culinary star invented by his uncle Owen Brennan, who opened the original restaurant on Bourbon Street, known then as Owen Brennan’s Vieux Carre Restaurant. Flash forward after 42 years at 417 Royal Street and Brennan’s continues to be a household name when it comes to world-class dining.
If there’s one dish that is more synonymous with a New Orleans restaurant than any other it is Brennan’s Bananas Foster. The eye-catching, mouthwatering dessert was invented by Brennan’s, a claim the restaurant is proud to make for its singular place on the culinary scene. The dish is offered on Brennan’s brunch menu in all its glory—bananas, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum and house-made vanilla bean ice cream, made tableside using a flambé technique.
Brennan’s encompasses everything there is to love about Creole food. The Turtle Soup is raved for its 100 percent turtle meat, brown-butter spinach, grated egg, and aged sherry. Louisiana BBQ Oysters also receive applauded reviews for its delectable melding of New Orleans flavor with pickled collard greens, shallots, and fried saltine crumbs.
Brunch wouldn’t be brunch without waffles, and Brennan’s savory spin on the classic is well worth the splurge. A cornbread and chive waffle is perfected with a Rohan duck leg, foie gras butter, mustard maple syrup, and sunny-side-up egg.
Make Brennan’s, a New Orleans original, your next brunch stop with elegant indoor and picturesque outdoor seating options, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
Miss River
2 Canal St., missrivernola.com
Opening in 2021, this contemporary eatery inside the Four Seasons Hotel may be the newest on the block, but owner and chef Alon Shaya is far from new to the culinary scene. Shaya grew up in Philadelphia, where he fell in love with food and the power it has to bring people together over a shared experience. New Orleans became home for Shaya his graduation from the renowned Culinary Institute of America and began his professional career in St. Louis and Italy.
Twenty years have since passed, and everything Shaya loves about Louisiana cuisine and culture is showcased with Miss River in what he calls a “love letter” to the state, using the finest, locally sourced ingredients. Creole and Cajun influences are evident in every dish, including brunch, served every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Miss River Brunch is an offering of Chef Shaya’s favorites, which includes the beloved Shrimp and Grits, consisting of Anson Mills corn grits, Poche’s andouille, chives, and butter. Filet Mignon Tournedos is a feast complete with dauphinoise potatoes, blistered cherry tomatoes, poached eggs, and bearnaise sauce. Buttermilk-Fried Chicken and Biscuit rounds out the trio, served with dipping sauces. Each is served with a choice of duck and andouille gumbo, boudin, or chilled tomato soup.
Chef Shaya pays homage to Italy and New Orleans with a Sicilian Artichoke salad, where crispy garlic, oregano, a lemon vinaigrette, and Gulf Coast bottarga come together for a flavor burst fitting for a summer brunch. The Crab Meat omelette is a brunch staple at Miss River, with generously stuffed blue crab ravigote.
Cocktail service here is the real deal, with not one but two tableside preparations: the Flaming Espresso Martini and the Tableside Spritz Cart, with a choice of Aperol, Chambord or Campari. Ice cream gets an upgrade with Caviar service—Creme Fraiche ice cream meets Imperial Golden Osetra Caviar.
With indoor and outdoor seating, Miss River hits all the right notes for a brunch of its own rooted in tradition.
–
Part of what makes New Orleans a special place is its reverence for tradition, and a visit to any of these five establishments is evidence that when it comes to food, the Big Easy does it best. Nothing brings people together better than a good meal, and with summer bringing more opportunity for connection, it is the perfect time to indulge in what is classically New Orleans.
