Unearth The Voyage
Louisiana’s food scene is legendary, but some restaurants serve more than just incredible meals. Across the state, certain dining spots come with a side of supernatural stories that have been passed down for generations. From ghostly figures wandering the French Quarter to mysterious perfume scents and unexplained cold spots, these haunted eateries offer an unforgettable blend of delicious cuisine and spine-tingling encounters that keep both tourists and locals coming back for more.
1. Muriel’s Jackson Square
Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan met a tragic end in 1814 when he leaped from a second-floor window of this historic building. Today, his spirit supposedly refuses to leave, making Muriel’s one of the most talked-about haunted restaurants in New Orleans.
Staff maintain a nightly tradition that honors this ghostly resident: a table permanently set for one, complete with bread and wine. Guests dining upstairs often report feeling watched or sensing an invisible presence nearby.
The restaurant embraces its paranormal reputation, and many visitors specifically request seating near the reserved table, hoping for their own supernatural encounter while enjoying classic Creole dishes.
2. Napoleon House
Mayor Nicolas Girod built this structure around 1797, and local legend claims he prepared it as a refuge for Napoleon Bonaparte. Whether the French emperor ever planned to visit remains a mystery, but something otherworldly definitely calls this place home.
Employees and patrons frequently witness lights flickering without explanation and hear distinct footsteps echoing across the upstairs balcony when nobody is there. The most curious apparition is an elderly woman who appears to be sweeping, only to vanish moments later.
The combination of historical significance and persistent paranormal activity makes Napoleon House a favorite stop for ghost hunters and history buffs alike.
3. Antoine’s Restaurant
Operating continuously since 1840, Antoine’s holds the distinction of being America’s oldest family-run restaurant. Founder Antoine Alciatore poured his heart and soul into this establishment, and many believe he never truly left.
Diners and staff report mysterious incidents throughout the sprawling dining rooms: glasses knocked over by invisible hands, unexplained shadows moving between tables, and the sensation of someone brushing past in empty hallways. The founder’s spirit seems particularly active in the older sections of the restaurant.
Despite these eerie occurrences, Antoine’s continues to serve exceptional Creole cuisine, proving that a few ghosts won’t scare away food lovers.
4. Tujague’s Restaurant
Established in 1856, Tujague’s ranks among New Orleans’ most enduring culinary institutions. The antique mirror behind the bar holds more than just reflections of thirsty patrons.
Numerous witnesses claim to have spotted a woman dressed in Victorian-era clothing appearing in the mirror’s surface, even when nobody matching that description stands nearby. Upstairs in the dining room, guests frequently detect the unmistakable scent of perfume wafting through the air with no identifiable source.
These paranormal encounters add an extra layer of intrigue to an already atmospheric dining experience. The restaurant’s commitment to traditional recipes and historic charm makes every meal feel like a journey through time.
5. Brennan’s
Chef Paul Blangé dedicated years to perfecting dishes in Brennan’s kitchen, and his passion apparently transcends death. Staff members working late often sense his presence among the pots and pans, as if he’s still overseeing every plate.
The dining room holds its own mysteries. Patrons report hearing phantom piano music floating through the air when the instrument sits silent and untouched. Even stranger, some guests witness children darting playfully between tables, only to watch them disappear into thin air.
These supernatural moments blend seamlessly with Brennan’s reputation for outstanding Creole cuisine and legendary hospitality, creating an unforgettable dining atmosphere.
6. The Court of Two Sisters
Built directly over what locals called the Devil’s Wishing Well, this French Quarter courtyard carries a reputation steeped in voodoo history. Marie Laveau herself supposedly used the well for her mystical practices, leaving behind an energy that visitors still feel today.
Diners seated in the courtyard experience inexplicable phenomena: glasses vibrating on tables without any logical cause, an overwhelming sensation of being watched by unseen eyes, and shadowy figures that some believe are the restaurant’s namesake sisters returning to their beloved property.
Despite these spooky occurrences, the restaurant remains a popular brunch destination where exceptional food meets fascinating supernatural folklore.
7. Sylvain
This intimate restaurant occupies a carriage house dating back to the late 1700s, located in a neighborhood once notorious as Storyville, New Orleans’ former red-light district. The building’s colorful past apparently left behind at least one permanent resident.
A former madam from the Storyville era is said to haunt these walls, occasionally appearing to startled guests in period-appropriate attire. Her apparition typically manifests briefly before fading away, leaving witnesses questioning what they just saw.
Sylvain’s modern Southern cuisine and craft cocktails draw crowds who appreciate both culinary excellence and a brush with history. The ghost story adds authentic New Orleans character to an already charming dining experience.
8. Old Absinthe House
Few establishments capture New Orleans’ wild spirit quite like the Old Absinthe House. This legendary saloon and restaurant has witnessed centuries of rowdy behavior, secret meetings, and mysterious happenings.
Multiple famous ghosts supposedly frequent this location, including voodoo queen Marie Laveau and the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. Patrons and bartenders report unexplained cold spots, objects moving on their own, and fleeting glimpses of figures in outdated clothing.
The building’s thick history practically seeps from the walls, and whether you believe in ghosts or not, the atmosphere here feels undeniably charged with energy from another time. It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic haunted New Orleans.
9. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
Dating back somewhere between 1722 and 1732, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar claims the title of possibly the oldest continuously operating bar in America. The building’s age alone would make it remarkable, but the paranormal activity takes it to another level.
Staff and visitors regularly encounter a dark-cloaked figure standing near the fireplace, believed to be the ghost of Jean Lafitte himself. Unexplained cold spots appear throughout the bar even on sweltering Louisiana summer nights.
The bar maintains its original rustic charm, with candlelight providing most of the illumination. This creates perfect conditions for spotting ghosts while sipping a hurricane or other classic New Orleans cocktail.
10. Muriel’s Séance Lounge
While Muriel’s main dining room has its share of ghostly tales, the upstairs Séance Lounge takes paranormal activity to an entirely different level. This dedicated space embraces its haunted reputation with intentional atmosphere and design.
The same table reserved for Pierre Jourdan’s ghost sits here, but visitors report even more intense experiences: objects moving across tables, bone-chilling cold spots that appear suddenly, mysterious lights glimmering in corners, and voices whispering when the room should be silent.
Ghost enthusiasts specifically seek out this space for the best chance of a supernatural encounter. The lounge perfectly blends New Orleans’ love of spirits (both alcoholic and otherworldly) into one unforgettable experience.
11. Diamond Grill
Alexandria’s Diamond Grill occupies a building with a fascinating transformation: it served as a jewelry store from 1865 until 1931 before becoming a restaurant. The structure’s long history apparently trapped at least one spirit inside.
Paranormal investigators have recorded EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) here, and an apparition nicknamed Stella makes regular appearances. Staff members experience doors mysteriously locking and unlocking themselves, and some report witnessing dark shadowy masses moving through rooms.
Despite these spooky happenings, Diamond Grill maintains its reputation as one of Alexandria’s premier dining destinations. The combination of upscale cuisine and genuine paranormal activity creates a unique experience outside the typical New Orleans haunted restaurant scene.
12. Arnaud’s Restaurant
Count Arnaud Cazenave founded this Creole masterpiece, pouring his vision and exacting standards into every detail. Locals insist he never stopped watching over his beloved restaurant, even after death.
Witnesses claim to spot the Count’s ghost surveying the dining room from shadowy corners, seemingly inspecting everything to ensure it meets his high standards. His presence feels protective rather than menacing, as if he’s still running quality control from beyond the grave.
Arnaud’s continues to deliver exceptional Creole cuisine in an atmosphere dripping with old-world elegance. The possibility of dining under the Count’s ghostly supervision adds an extra layer of authenticity to this historic establishment.
13. Bombay Club
Better known for serving some of the French Quarter’s finest martinis, the Bombay Club occupies a building with secrets lurking behind its sophisticated facade. The structure’s previous incarnations left behind more than just architectural charm.
Ghost stories circulate about a former madame who once operated from this location during New Orleans’ more colorful past. Her spirit allegedly remains, making occasional appearances to remind visitors of the building’s layered history.
The club maintains an upscale atmosphere perfect for romantic dinners or business meetings, but keep your eyes open. You might catch a glimpse of the resident ghost while enjoying your perfectly crafted cocktail and contemporary cuisine.
14. La Louisiane
Originally operating as both hotel and restaurant during the 1800s, La Louisiane now serves primarily as an event venue. However, its transformation hasn’t driven away the spirits who apparently still consider it home.
Multiple ghosts reportedly haunt this location, including a former owner’s wife and other figures dressed entirely in black. Visitors frequently detect unexplained perfume scents wafting through rooms, and apparitions appear without warning before vanishing.
The building’s elegant architecture and historic significance make it a popular choice for special events. Couples booking weddings here might get more than they bargained for if the resident ghosts decide to join the celebration as uninvited guests.
15. Muriel’s Main Dining Room
While the Séance Lounge gets most of the paranormal attention, Muriel’s main dining room downstairs experiences its own share of supernatural activity. Guests come for the outstanding Creole cuisine but sometimes leave with ghost stories of their own.
Diners report detecting mysterious perfume scents with no identifiable source, watching chairs slide across the floor seemingly by themselves, and hearing disembodied voices engaged in conversation. Shadowy figures occasionally dart through peripheral vision, disappearing when directly observed.
The main dining room offers a slightly less intense haunted experience compared to upstairs, making it perfect for those who want a touch of supernatural atmosphere without full-on ghost hunting during their meal.
