Essential Brunch Spots in New Orleans, the City That Invented Brunch

New Orleans is known for its revelry and its flavorful cuisine, so it’s no surprise both locals and visitors love to indulge in restorative morning-after brunches. 

New Orleans’ brunch culture runs deep, and the city is credited with inventing the meal. Considered the mother of brunch, Madame Bégué, in her circa-1867 French Quarter restaurant, Dutrey’s Coffee Exchange, served only one meal a day, every day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — then named “breakfast.” It involved six to seven courses, including fruits and bread, coffee, seafood and meat dishes, and wine and cocktails. This hearty meal was popular with workers getting off their shifts, including butchers at the nearby French market who called it “butcher’s breakfast.” This celebrity chef’s signature meal, which gained fans from locals to loyal cookbook readers, evolved into the wildly popular brunch we know today.

Whether you’re grabbing a bite after exploring miles of parks or recovering from a wild night on the town, brunch is a must-have for powering up your New Orleans mornings. Here are four of the best brunches in the Big Easy, a city that knows how to brunch best.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Atchafalaya

In a cozy cottagelike space in the Irish Channel neighborhood, open for brunch every day, Atchafalaya‘s local roots run deep. The spot has been a local favorite for more than a century, and while it’s changed owners, the teams always celebrate Louisiana’s culinary heritage.

The name Atchafalaya (a distributary of the Mississippi River in the heart of south-central Louisiana) shows the restaurant’s connection to the land, with many ingredients sourced from local farms, fisheries, and vendors. The chefs present a changing menu displaying the wonders of the season — especially peaches and tomatoes in the summer. Try the pan-seared Gulf fish, signature duck hash, and shrimp and grits.

Antoine’s

Antoine’s is the oldest family-owned restaurant in the U.S., founded in 1840 — and you can feel that heritage in the grand dining room. Go all in on Louisiana Creole and French-Creole classics, focusing on anything with oysters, at this French Quarter institution. 

This is the reported birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller, pompano en papillote (pompano fish baked in paper with vegetables and shellfish), pommes de terre souffles (stuffed potatoes), and eggs sardoux (a poached egg, hollandaise, and artichoke-bottoms dish). Come with a group to try them all. 

With Antoine’s in its fifth generation of family ownership — and having served presidents, celebrities, and popes — know that each bite here is a taste of New Orleans history.

Elizabeth’s

Elizabeth’s Restaurant is famous for some of the city’s largest, heartiest breakfast and brunch plates at a no-reservations, first-come, first-served weekend affair.

In Bywater, steps from the Mississippi River, this spot’s New Orleans flair shines in every dish. This is the perfect place to try some calas — a Creole fritter made with cooked rice and sugar (and an alternative to the beignet). The signature Eggs Florentine here has a very NOLA (and very delicious) addition of crispy fried oysters. 

They also put twists on old Southern and Creole delicacies. One favorite is the duck hash served atop a cornbread waffle with a balance of sweet and heat from homemade pepper jelly. Don’t miss Elizabeth’s signature praline-candied bacon.

Enjoy a vibrant local scene here, filled with colorful murals and works by New Orleans artists. Grab a seat at the bar or a table to share some dishes and bloody marys as you soak in the morning energy.

Katie’s Restaurant & Bar

Since 1984, this family-owned restaurant in a purple corner house has food that packs as much personality as its exterior. On a cozy Mid City block just south of City Park, this is the perfect place to start a day of exploring New Orleans’ oak-lined streets.

Katie’s is best known for its takes on one of New Orleans’ most famous dishes: the po-boy. There’s myriad overstuffed varieties of this classic sandwich — whether you’re craving soft-shell crab, fried green tomatoes, or hot sausage. Locals also love the crawfish-stuffed beignets and the pizzas, fired up from an old-fashioned stone oven.  

This neighborhood haunt fills up for weekend brunch and bottomless mimosas, sangria, and bloody marys.