The best authentic Creole restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans is famous for Creole cuisine. This style of food originated in this region, and it is influenced by French, Spanish, American, and African cooking. In essence, Creole food is a blend of styles that has become its own entity and has its roots in European cooking. The early French and then Spanish setters in New Orleans brought some of their cooking techniques with them, which were then instrumental in the development of the Creole style.

If you have ever had Creole food, your mouth will probably start watering when just thinking about dishes such as gumbo, turtle soup, crawfish etouffee and jambalaya. This food is incredibly flavorful and comforting, and you cannot find restaurants that serve it any better than those in New Orleans.

In fact, several of these restaurants are world famous. Just their names – Commander’s Palace, Antoine’s, Brennan’s, Galatoire’s – invoke images of New Orleans. Below is a brief overview of these incredible restaurants.

* Commander’s Palace *

Commander’s Palace is one of the finest restaurants not only in New Orleans, but the world. Dining at this upscale place is definitely for special occasions. Located in the Garden District in a Victorian building, this restaurant has entertained guests since 1880.

The cuisine reflects both Creole and American influences, with one of its most famous items being its turtle soup au sherry. The restaurant offers many seafood items, exquisitely prepared in Creole style, at lunch or dinner. Brunch menus also are available, with dishes including New Orleans barbecued shrimp and Creole crawfish strudel.

Owned by the Brennan family, Commander’s Palace impeccably handles every detail, from service to food to ambiance, to provide the ultimate dining experience.

* Antoine’s *

Another world-famous New Orleans restaurant is Antoine’s, which was founded in 1840. Its walls contain memorabilia from some of its famous diners, including President Roosevelt, Judy Garland and Pope John II.

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this white table-cloth restaurant contains multiple dining rooms, all serving up outstanding French-Creole dishes.

Antoine’s prides itself in being the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States. If you come to dine here, you will see that family pride reflected in the wonderful food. The menu features delectable oyster, shrimp and crawfish dishes as well as many other items. Many now-famous dishes were created here, including Eggs Sardou and Oysters Rockefeller.