How to enjoy Restaurant Week in New Orleans

It's summer in New Orleans (as it is approximately nine months of the year) and that means a much slower tourist season. The good news for the rest of us is this means 1) much smaller crowds and lines around town and 2) it's Restaurant Week in New Orleans!

This annual summer kick-off campaign aims to boost sluggish summer traffic in the city's sublime culinary scene with curated prix-fixe menus from a plethora of incredible restaurants. (It's very similar to the annual Coolinary promotion that happens in August and September). Until June 14, you'll find mouthwatering summer specials from legendary establishments at ridiculous bargains: two-course lunch, $25; two-course brunch, $36; three-course dinner, $32; or premium three-course dinner, $56.

Browse all the participating restaurants and their special menus here (makes for ideal bedtime reading).

How to enjoy Restaurant Week in New Orleans

Here's everything else you need to know to fully enjoy Restaurant Week in New Orleans:

• Double check your dates; most participating restaurants offer Restaurant Week menus on all their regular open hours, but a few have slightly alternate opening hours.

• Absolutely make a reservation. This is dearly beloved local promotion, plus it's already 800 degrees outside, so everyone and their mama will be seeking out that frosty AC.

• Beverages are generally not included in the promotional menus, but many restaurants offer specially priced add-ons for wine pairings, custom Bloody Marys, or bottomless mimosas.

• Take the opportunity to mark a special occasion. You can easily spend at least double on many of the upscale restaurants' regular menus, so use Restaurant Week as a chance to celebrate somewhere that wouldn't usually be in range.

• Please dress up! It's worth it to engage all your senses in making a special memory. Wear something floaty, light, and beautiful.

Everything I want to eat at Restaurant Week 2026

Here are the menu items I'm eyeing for Restaurant Week in New Orleans 2026:

• Mofongo con camarones at Baru

• Beef tenderloin bordelaise with potatoes Dauphinoise at Cafe Degas (our all-time fave)

• Saffron olive oil creme brulee at Costera

• Smoked turkey neck gumbo at Emeril's

• Seafood cannelloni at Annunciation

• Cracker crusted rabbit with tupelo honey mustard at Gabrielle

• Creole tomato soup at La Petite Grocery

• The Boudreaux pizza at Katie's (duh)

• Chocolate torte at Saint John

• Fried chicken hummus at Shaya

• Almond cream cake at Mister Mao

• You can also find Restaurant Week menus at grande dames like Antoine's, Arnaud's, Commander's Palace, and Galatoire's, and local legends like Mr B's and Mother's.

I'd love to hear what you're eating! Let's get together over brunch and talk about lunch and dinner.

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Are you dreaming of a more meaningful trip to New Orleans, Paris, Rome, or another special place? Thy Ship would love to design a perfect itinerary and help you go differently. Let's talk!

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