Best Seafood in New Orleans: A Guide to the City's Most Delicious Seafood Dishes

If you're a seafood lover, there's no better place to indulge in your passion than New Orleans. The city is renowned for its seafood cuisine, with a wide variety of dishes that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. From classic Cajun gumbo to succulent crawfish, there's something for everyone in the Big Easy.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the top seafood restaurants in New Orleans, as well as some of the must-try dishes that you won't want to miss. We'll also explore some of the seasonal seafood events that take place throughout the year, as well as the sustainable seafood practices that many restaurants in the city are adopting. Whether you're a seasoned seafood aficionado or a curious newcomer, you're sure to find something to love in New Orleans' vibrant seafood scene.

Key Takeaways

• New Orleans is a seafood lover's paradise, with a wide variety of dishes to choose from.
• There are many top seafood restaurants in the city, serving up everything from classic Cajun gumbo to succulent crawfish.
• The city is also home to a number of seasonal seafood events, and many restaurants are adopting sustainable seafood practices.

Top Seafood Restaurants in New Orleans

If you're looking for the best seafood restaurants in New Orleans, you've come to the right place. In this section, we'll highlight some of the top-rated seafood restaurants in the city. Whether you're a local or a tourist, these restaurants are sure to satisfy your seafood cravings.

Award-Winning Eateries

New Orleans is home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the country, and many of them have won awards for their cuisine. One such restaurant is GW Fins [1], which has won numerous awards for its seafood dishes. Their menu features a wide variety of fresh seafood, including lobster, tuna, and shrimp.

Another award-winning seafood restaurant in New Orleans is Peche [2]. This restaurant is known for its wood-fired grill and fresh seafood dishes. They offer a variety of seafood options, including oysters, crab, and fish.

Local Favourites

If you're looking for a seafood restaurant that's a local favourite, look no further than Casamento's [3]. This restaurant has been serving up fresh seafood since 1919 and is known for its oysters. They also offer other seafood dishes like shrimp and crab.

Another local favourite is Acme Oyster House [4]. This restaurant has been serving up fresh seafood since 1910 and is known for its oysters and po'boys. They also offer other seafood dishes like shrimp and crawfish.

Hidden Gems

In addition to the award-winning eateries and local favourites, there are also some hidden gems in New Orleans that are worth checking out. One such restaurant is Brigtsen's [5]. This restaurant is known for its seafood dishes, including crawfish and shrimp. They also offer other dishes like gumbo and jambalaya.

Another hidden gem is Peche Seafood Grill [6]. This restaurant is known for its fresh seafood and wood-fired grill. They offer a variety of seafood options, including oysters, crab, and fish.

No matter which seafood restaurant you choose in New Orleans, you're sure to have a delicious meal. From award-winning eateries to local favourites and hidden gems, there's something for everyone in this seafood-loving city.

[1] https://gwfins.com/ [2] https://pecherestaurant.com/ [3] https://www.casamentosrestaurant.com/ [4] https://acmeoyster.com/ [5] https://www.brigtsens.com/ [6] https://pecheseafoodgrill.com/

Seafood Dishes You Must Try

If you're in New Orleans, you must try some of the best seafood dishes that the city has to offer. From signature Creole cuisine to fresh oyster bars and Cajun specialties, there's something for everyone.

Signature Creole Cuisine

New Orleans is famous for its Creole cuisine, which is a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences. Some of the must-try seafood dishes include:

• Gumbo: This hearty stew is made with seafood, sausage, vegetables, and a roux-based sauce. It's usually served with rice and is a staple in New Orleans cuisine.
• Jambalaya: This rice-based dish is similar to paella and is made with a variety of meats and seafood. It's seasoned with a blend of spices and is a popular dish in Louisiana.
• Crawfish Etouffee: This dish is made with crawfish, vegetables, and a roux-based sauce. It's usually served over rice and is a staple in Cajun cuisine.

Fresh Oyster Bars

New Orleans is also known for its fresh oyster bars. Some of the must-visit oyster bars include:

• Acme Oyster House: This iconic restaurant has been serving up oysters since 1910. They offer a variety of oyster dishes, including chargrilled oysters and oyster po'boys.
• Drago's Seafood Restaurant: This restaurant is famous for its charbroiled oysters, which are topped with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese.
• Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar: This restaurant has been serving up oysters since 1940 and is known for its oyster Rockefeller and oyster po'boys.

Cajun Specialties

Cajun cuisine is another staple in New Orleans. Some of the must-try Cajun seafood dishes include:

• Cajun Shrimp: This dish is made with shrimp, Cajun spices, and a buttery sauce. It's usually served over rice and is a staple in Louisiana.
• Blackened Redfish: This dish is made with redfish that's been coated in a blend of spices and seared in a cast-iron skillet. It's a signature dish in New Orleans cuisine.
• Cajun Seafood Boil: This dish is made with a variety of seafood, including crawfish, shrimp, and crab. It's boiled in a blend of Cajun spices and is usually served with corn and potatoes.

No matter what type of seafood you're in the mood for, New Orleans has something to offer. So, go ahead and indulge in some of the best seafood dishes that the city has to offer.

Seasonal Seafood Events

If you're a seafood lover, then New Orleans is the place to be. The city is known for its fresh seafood and seasonal seafood events. Here are two events you don't want to miss:

Oyster Festival

Every June, New Orleans hosts the Oyster Festival, a celebration of all things oyster. The festival takes place in Woldenberg Park and features live music, cooking demonstrations, and, of course, plenty of oysters. You can try them raw, grilled, fried, or in a po'boy sandwich. There's even an oyster shucking contest where contestants race to shuck a dozen oysters the fastest.

Crawfish Season Celebrations

Crawfish season in New Orleans typically runs from January to June, and during that time, you'll find plenty of crawfish boils and celebrations throughout the city. Crawfish boils are a quintessential New Orleans experience, where large pots of crawfish are boiled with corn, potatoes, and spices. These events are usually casual affairs, with plenty of beer and live music.

If you're visiting New Orleans during crawfish season, be sure to check out some of the city's best crawfish spots, such as Bevi Seafood Co., Big Fisherman Seafood, or Deanie's Seafood.

Whether you're an oyster lover or a crawfish enthusiast, New Orleans has plenty of seasonal seafood events to satisfy your cravings. Make sure to mark these events on your calendar and get ready for a seafood-filled adventure!

Sustainable Seafood Practices

When it comes to seafood, New Orleans is famous for its fresh and flavourful dishes. But have you considered the sustainability of the seafood you're consuming? Sustainable seafood practices are essential to ensure that we don't harm the environment and can continue to enjoy seafood for generations to come.

Thankfully, many seafood restaurants in New Orleans are committed to sustainable seafood practices. By choosing to dine at these establishments, you're supporting their efforts to protect the ocean's delicate ecosystem and promote responsible fishing practices.

One way that restaurants can promote sustainable seafood practices is by sourcing their seafood from local, responsible fisheries. This ensures that the seafood is fresh and that it hasn't been transported long distances, which can harm the environment. Additionally, local fisheries are more likely to follow sustainable fishing practices, such as using fishing methods that minimise bycatch and protect vulnerable species.

Another way that restaurants can promote sustainable seafood practices is by offering a variety of seafood options. This encourages consumers to try different types of seafood, which can help reduce the demand for overfished species. By offering lesser-known species, restaurants can also help promote sustainable fishing practices and support local fisheries that may not have the resources to fish for more popular species.

Finally, restaurants can promote sustainable seafood practices by educating their customers about the importance of sustainable seafood. This can include providing information about the seafood's origin, fishing methods, and sustainability certifications. By educating customers, restaurants can help raise awareness about the importance of sustainable seafood practices and encourage people to make more informed choices when it comes to seafood consumption.

Overall, sustainable seafood practices are essential to ensure that we can continue to enjoy seafood without harming the environment. By choosing to dine at seafood restaurants that are committed to sustainability, you're supporting their efforts to promote responsible fishing practices and protect the ocean's delicate ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recommend budget-friendly seafood eateries in New Orleans?

Yes, there are several budget-friendly seafood eateries in New Orleans. One such place is Deanie's Seafood, which offers a range of seafood dishes at affordable prices. Another budget-friendly option is the Acme Oyster House, which is famous for its oysters and serves other seafood dishes as well.

What are the signature seafood flavours one can experience on Bourbon Street?

Bourbon Street is known for its vibrant nightlife and delicious seafood. Some of the signature seafood flavours that you can experience on Bourbon Street include crawfish, oysters, shrimp, and catfish. You can also find delicious seafood gumbo and jambalaya on Bourbon Street.

Which New Orleans seafood restaurants have been featured in the Times-Picayune's top 10?

The Times-Picayune is a popular newspaper in New Orleans that features the top 10 seafood restaurants in the city. Some of the seafood restaurants that have been featured in the Times-Picayune's top 10 include GW Fins, Peche Seafood Grill, and Brigtsen's. These restaurants are known for their delicious seafood dishes and excellent service.