First dates in New Orleans can be magical when you find the right setting. The city’s unique blend of history, culture, and culinary excellence creates the perfect backdrop for romance to bloom. From intimate French Quarter hideaways to elegant Garden District gems, these 15 restaurants offer the perfect ambiance, delicious cuisine, and special touches that will help make your first date memorable.
1. Sylvain
Hidden behind a weathered facade in the French Quarter, Sylvain combines rustic charm with contemporary Southern cuisine. The candlelit courtyard feels like a secret garden, while the dining room’s dark wood and vintage fixtures create an intimate atmosphere.
Their signature dish, the Chicken Under a Brick, provides a delicious shared experience. Reserve a table near the back for maximum privacy and romance.
2. Commander’s Palace
Beneath the iconic blue-and-white striped awning lies a New Orleans institution that’s been perfecting the art of Southern hospitality since 1893. The Garden Room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lush courtyard, offers natural light during day dates and a magical glow at sunset.
Famous for inventing bread pudding soufflé, Commander’s Palace delivers impeccable service with a touch of theatrical flair. The 25¢ martini lunch special (limited to three per person) adds playfulness to midday dates.
Live jazz music during Sunday brunch creates a quintessential New Orleans experience without overwhelming conversation.
3. Café Degas
Named after the famous French impressionist, this charming bistro embraces you with authentic Parisian ambiance. A massive oak tree grows through the middle of the screened porch dining area, creating a whimsical, natural canopy overhead.
The intimate space encourages quiet conversation, while the carefully curated wine list features affordable French selections perfect for toasting new beginnings. Request a table near the windows for people-watching along the historic street or near the tree for a uniquely romantic experience.
4. Jewel of the South
Tucked away in a renovated Creole cottage, this cocktail-forward gem revives the legacy of 19th-century bartender Joseph Santini. The garden courtyard, strung with twinkling lights, creates an enchanted setting for first-date conversation.
Bartenders craft perfect Brandy Crustas (Santini’s famous invention) alongside innovative seasonal cocktails. Small plates featuring elevated Southern cuisine arrive beautifully presented without feeling pretentious.
The historic building’s multiple intimate rooms offer different moods – choose the front parlor for cozy elegance or the garden for natural romance. Either way, the staff excels at reading the room, providing attentive service without hovering.
5. Coquette
Housed in a two-story Garden District building with exposed brick and large windows, Coquette balances sophistication with approachability. The upstairs dining room offers glimpses of Magazine Street through tall windows, while soft lighting creates a dreamy atmosphere.
Chef Michael Stoltzfus’s innovative menu changes frequently, showcasing local ingredients in surprising ways. The blind tasting menu option adds an element of adventure to your date – each course arrives as a delightful surprise. Cocktails incorporate house-made ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations.
For a memorable experience, request the chef’s table where you can watch culinary magic happen while enjoying a more private conversation.
6. MaMou
This French Quarter newcomer has quickly become a romantic favorite with its modern take on the classic French brasserie.
The menu blends French techniques with Gulf Coast ingredients, resulting in dishes both familiar and surprising. Seafood towers make for impressive shared plates, while the wine program focuses on small producers with interesting stories.
7. Restaurant R’evolution
Opulent yet welcoming, this collaboration between Louisiana chef John Folse and Chicago’s Rick Tramonto redefines luxury dining in the French Quarter. Multiple dining rooms, each with distinct personalities, allow you to choose your perfect romantic setting – from the intimate Wine Room to the vibrant Market Room.
For an extra-special experience, request the Chef’s Table within the gleaming kitchen where you can interact with culinary artists while enjoying exclusive tasting menus.
8. Muriel’s Jackson Square
Overlooking Jackson Square, this historic building reportedly houses a friendly ghost – the perfect conversation starter on a first date. The Séance Lounge upstairs, with its rich red walls and plush seating, creates an atmosphere of mysterious intimacy.
Each evening, staff sets a table with bread and wine for the resident ghost, adding whimsical charm to the elegant setting. Request a balcony table for breathtaking views of St. Louis Cathedral illuminated at night.
9. The Elysian Bar
Located within the Hotel Peter & Paul (a converted 19th-century church, school, and convent), The Elysian Bar exudes ethereal beauty with soaring ceilings and restored architectural details. The yellow-hued main room feels like stepping into a Wes Anderson film – whimsical yet sophisticated.
Small plates featuring Mediterranean influences pair perfectly with their natural wine selection and inventive cocktails. The rectory garden provides a serene outdoor option with lush greenery and twinkling lights. The converted spaces offer various nooks for intimate conversation – from church pews to plush velvet sofas.
10. Café Amelie
Princess of Monaco Amelie Miltonberger once lived in this 150-year-old carriage house, now home to one of the French Quarter’s most enchanting courtyards. Mature trees draped with Spanish moss create natural canopies over tables, while a central fountain provides gentle ambient sound.
Weather permitting, the courtyard offers the most romantic setting in any season. Heaters in winter and fans in summer ensure comfort while you enjoy this secret garden hideaway.
11. The Court of Two Sisters
Named for two Creole sisters who once ran a notions shop here, this French Quarter institution boasts the largest courtyard in the Quarter. Wisteria vines create a natural ceiling, while the famous wishing well and trickling fountain add magical touches to this historic space.
The daily jazz brunch buffet offers a more relaxed first-date option with live music and dozens of Creole specialties. For evening dates, the a la carte dinner menu features refined classics like Trout Meunière and Beef Wellington.
Legend says making a wish at the courtyard’s fountain brings good luck to new relationships. Whether you believe in such things or not, the romantic setting certainly sets the stage for connection.
12. Herbsaint
Chef Donald Link’s flagship restaurant on St. Charles Avenue offers front-row seats to the historic streetcar line – a quintessential New Orleans backdrop for romance.
The menu blends French and Italian influences with Southern ingredients, resulting in signature dishes like butter-poached Gulf shrimp and house-made pasta with guanciale. The thoughtfully crafted cocktail program features classics with subtle twists.
Request a window table for streetcar views or the more intimate back dining room for a quieter experience. Either way, the professional yet warm service ensures a seamless experience focused on connection.
13. Brigtsen’s
Housed in a converted Victorian cottage in the Riverbend neighborhood, Brigtsen’s feels like being invited to a sophisticated dinner party rather than a restaurant. Multiple small dining rooms with just a few tables each create natural intimacy rarely found in commercial spaces.
Chef Frank Brigtsen, a Paul Prudhomme protégé, crafts contemporary Louisiana cuisine with a focus on impeccable seafood. His famous seafood platter offers tastes of multiple Gulf treasures, while the butternut shrimp bisque has converted many non-soup lovers.
The homey setting encourages lingering conversations, with staff who never rush you through courses. This neighborhood gem provides an authentic local experience away from tourist crowds.
14. Patois
Nestled in a residential Uptown neighborhood, this beloved local spot occupies a converted corner store with large windows and a warm, neighborhood vibe. The bar area hums with energy while still allowing for intimate conversation.
Chef Aaron Burgau blends French techniques with local ingredients in unexpected ways – the Mississippi rabbit is a standout. The wine list features interesting, affordable options, and bartenders excel at crafting custom drinks based on your preferences.
The restaurant’s name, meaning ‘local dialect,’ perfectly captures its essence – sophisticated yet approachable, like New Orleans itself. This balance makes it ideal for dates where you want to impress without appearing pretentious.
15. Atchafalaya
This Magazine Street charmer transforms a historic cottage into a vibrant celebration of contemporary Creole cuisine. The interior features local art, reclaimed cypress, and quirky touches that spark natural conversation starters.
Their famous Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch lets couples customize drinks together – a fun, interactive experience. For dinner dates, the duck confit with watermelon and the Gulf fish with crawfish étouffée showcase chef Chris Lynch’s creative approach. Live music on weekends (typically jazz trios) provides ambiance without overwhelming conversation.
The covered patio, complete with fans and heaters, offers year-round outdoor dining under twinkling lights.
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