Unearth The Voyage
New Orleans sits on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, where fresh seafood arrives daily from local waters. The city has built its reputation on turning oysters, shrimp, crab, and Gulf fish into unforgettable meals. From century-old oyster bars to modern chef-driven spots, these restaurants showcase the best of coastal Louisiana cooking and prove why New Orleans remains America’s seafood capital.
1. GW Fins (French Quarter)
Walking into GW Fins feels different from most French Quarter restaurants. The space radiates modern elegance while the kitchen focuses entirely on whatever swam into port that morning.
Chef Tenney Flynn built his reputation on pristine technique and daily-changing fish selections flown in from around the globe. His lobster dumplings have become legendary, drawing seafood lovers from across the country. The menu shifts constantly based on the freshest catch available.
Every dish showcases careful preparation and bold Gulf Coast flavors. Servers guide diners through unfamiliar species with genuine enthusiasm. This remains the benchmark for fine seafood dining in a city famous for it.
2. Pêche Seafood Grill (Warehouse District)
James Beard awards line the walls at Pêche, but the real stars swim through the open kitchen daily. Chef Ryan Prewitt transformed how New Orleans thinks about Gulf seafood when he opened this warehouse spot in 2013.
Wood-fired grills char whole fish until the skin crackles and the flesh stays tender. The raw bar gleams with freshly shucked oysters on crushed ice. Small plates encourage sharing, from smoked tuna dip to catfish with pickled peppers.
Lunch crowds pack the communal tables while dinner service hums with energy. The restaurant proved casual seafood could be ambitious and won Best New Restaurant for it.
3. Casamento’s (Uptown)
White tiles cover every surface at Casamento’s, creating a gleaming shrine to oysters that has served the city since 1919. Families have passed down their love for this place through four generations.
The oyster loaf remains the signature dish: a hollowed French bread loaf stuffed with fried oysters until it can barely close. Raw oysters arrive ice-cold and briny at the marble counter. Everything tastes exactly as it did decades ago.
Summer closures follow the old oyster season traditions when the family takes a break. When the doors reopen each fall, loyal customers line up again, ready to reclaim their favorite counter stools.
4. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant – Hilton Riverside (CBD riverfront)
Drago Cvitanovich invented the charbroiled oyster right here, and watching them emerge from the broiler still feels magical. Butter pools around each shell while garlic and parmesan create a bubbling, golden crust.
The riverfront location draws tourists and locals alike, creating a lively atmosphere where families celebrate and business dinners unfold. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the Mississippi River. The menu extends far beyond oysters, with fried seafood platters and Creole classics.
Kids love the energy and approachable menu while parents appreciate the efficient service. This spot proves seafood restaurants can be both iconic and welcoming to everyone who walks through the door.
5. Deanie’s Seafood (Bucktown)
Bucktown sits on the edge of Lake Pontchartrain, where fishing boats once unloaded their catch directly to restaurants. Deanie’s keeps that tradition alive with mountains of fried seafood and boiled crustaceans.
Platters arrive piled so high they seem structurally impossible. Golden fried shrimp, oysters, catfish, and soft-shell crab cover every inch of the plate. Boiled seafood gets dumped straight onto paper-covered tables during peak season. The portions satisfy even the hungriest dock workers.
This original lakefront location maintains the authentic neighborhood feel that made Deanie’s famous. Locals know to arrive early on weekends before the crowds descend.
6. Acme Oyster House (French Quarter flagship)
Lines snake down the sidewalk most days at Acme, but regulars insist the wait is worth every minute. Founded in 1910, this oyster bar has become a French Quarter institution where tourists and locals stand shoulder to shoulder.
Expert shuckers work at lightning speed behind the marble counter, their knives flashing as shells pile up. Raw oysters arrive on ice while chargrilled versions sizzle with garlic butter. The po-boys overflow with fried shrimp or oysters on fresh French bread.
Standing room fills quickly during peak hours as the energy builds. First-timers often become lifelong fans after one visit to this legendary spot.
7. Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar (French Quarter & Lakefront)
Right across the street from Acme sits Felix’s, where the oyster rivalry has lasted nearly a century. Some families swear loyalty to one side of the street while others happily sample both.
Counter service keeps things moving as shuckers work their magic on Gulf oysters. The chargrilled versions compete directly with any in the city, butter and seasonings creating that addictive combination. Raw oysters taste clean and briny, perfect with hot sauce and crackers.
Two locations now serve the Felix’s faithful, with the lakefront spot offering a different vibe from the French Quarter hustle. Both maintain the same commitment to fresh oysters and straightforward preparation.
8. Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar (Uptown/St. Charles Ave)
Streetcars rumble past the windows at Superior, where the corner location on St. Charles Avenue makes it an Uptown landmark. The building’s prime spot attracts both neighborhood regulars and visitors exploring beyond the French Quarter.
Gulf oysters dominate the menu in every preparation imaginable. Creole classics like seafood gumbo and étouffée share space with raw bar selections. Happy hour draws crowds for discounted oysters and cold drinks on the patio.
The atmosphere balances casual and polished, making it work for family dinners or date nights. Large windows let in natural light while the bar stays lively throughout the evening with Uptown professionals unwinding.
9. The Blue Crab Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Lakefront)
Lake Pontchartrain stretches to the horizon from The Blue Crab’s deck, where diners watch sailboats drift past while cracking into fried seafood platters. The location alone makes this spot special, but the seafood backs it up.
Massive platters arrive loaded with crispy fried shrimp, oysters, and fish. Chargrilled oysters sizzle with the same butter-and-garlic treatment that made them famous citywide. The raw bar showcases local oysters pulled fresh from Gulf waters.
Sunset dinners on the deck create picture-perfect New Orleans moments. Families appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and generous portions that ensure nobody leaves hungry from this lakefront gem.
10. Station 6 (Bucktown)
Chef Chris Barbato runs Station 6 with the care of someone cooking for neighbors, which makes sense since most customers live within walking distance. Just over the 17th Street Canal in Bucktown, this spot feels like a hidden treasure.
Gulf fish preparations change with the seasons and the daily catch. Crab cakes pack more crab than filler, the way they should. The menu stays focused rather than trying to do everything, allowing the kitchen to perfect each dish.
Reservations help during peak times at this intimate space. Locals guard their favorite neighborhood spot while welcoming visitors who make the trip across the canal for chef-driven seafood.
11. Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant & Catering (Mid-City)
Boiled seafood is an art form at Clesi’s, where crawfish season brings crowds ready to peel pounds of mudbugs seasoned just right. The Mid-City location serves neighbors who want quality seafood without the French Quarter prices.
Crawfish and crabs arrive perfectly spiced during their respective seasons. Fried seafood baskets and po-boys handle the rest of the year with equal skill. The casual setting encourages relaxed meals where conversation flows as easily as the cold drinks.
Catering has built a loyal following for office parties and family gatherings. The same care that goes into restaurant dishes translates to off-site events, making Clesi’s a Mid-City staple.
12. Bourbon House (French Quarter)
Dickie Brennan brings his family’s legendary hospitality to Bourbon House, where the name refers to both the street and the spirit. The restaurant balances tourist-friendly location with serious seafood credentials.
Seasonal Gulf seafood drives the menu, changing as different species reach their peak. The oyster bar shucks local varieties while the kitchen transforms fresh catch into refined Creole dishes. The bourbon list runs impressively deep for those who want to pair spirits with their seafood.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner service means visitors can stop by anytime. The Brennan commitment to quality shows in every detail, from ingredients to service, making this more than just another French Quarter restaurant.
13. Seaworthy (CBD/Lower Garden District edge)
A restored 19th-century cottage houses Seaworthy, where the historic architecture contrasts beautifully with the sleek, modern interior design. The oyster selection reaches far beyond local waters, sourcing wild-caught bivalves from multiple regions.
Tasting flights let curious diners compare Gulf oysters against cold-water varieties from both coasts. Knowledgeable staff explain the subtle differences in brininess, sweetness, and texture. The menu extends beyond oysters with carefully chosen seafood preparations that highlight quality ingredients.
The location on the edge of the Lower Garden District attracts a mix of neighborhood residents and downtown workers. Stylish but unpretentious, Seaworthy proves oyster houses can be both educational and delicious.
14. Mosca’s (Westwego/Westbank)
Finding Mosca’s requires determination since it sits in Westwego on the Westbank, far from tourist areas. The remote location and short evening hours add to the mystique surrounding this family-run landmark.
Italian-Creole traditions merge in dishes like Oyster Mosca, where breadcrumbs and garlic transform baked oysters into something unforgettable. Crab salad arrives family-style, meant for sharing around tables covered in red-checked cloths. Cash-only policy and limited hours make reservations essential.
Generations of the same family have kept Mosca’s exactly as it was, resisting trends and modernization. The drive becomes part of the adventure for those seeking authentic, old-school New Orleans seafood prepared with decades of tradition.
15. Delacroix (Spanish Plaza riverfront)
Brand new for 2025, Delacroix brings BRG Hospitality’s polished approach to the Spanish Plaza riverfront. The concept bills itself as a refined fish camp and bar, combining casual Gulf Coast traditions with elevated execution.
Mississippi River views provide the backdrop for lunch and dinner service seven days a week. The menu balances accessibility with ambition, offering familiar seafood in creative preparations. Open daily schedules make it convenient for both locals and visitors exploring the riverfront.
Early reviews suggest Delacroix has already found its footing, joining New Orleans’ competitive seafood scene with confidence. The riverside location and experienced restaurant group behind it position this newcomer as a future classic.
