NEW RESTAURANTS IN NEW ORLEANS, SUMMER 2025
The Herbed Gulf Snapper at The Kingsway, New Orleans
NEW RESTAURANTS IN NEW ORLEANS, SUMMER 2025
It’s been a few months since we took a look at the new restaurant and cafe scene in New Orleans. Here’s a few of the new places that have opened up across the city:
The Kingsway
One of the more high profile openings (and much anticipated) is this solo venture from Saffron chef Ashwin Vilkhu. This higher-end/fine dining Asian restaurant isn’t far from Vilkhu’s former home on Magazine Street, and the buzz builds itself: Ashwin and father Arvinder Vilkhu were this year co-nominated for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: South. There’s a seductive tasting menu and Taylor Adams has created an intriguing wine list. Website
Congregation Coffee
This second location for the local roasters has opened in the former Community Coffee Spot at 900 Jefferson Avenue. Our writer Marielle Songy wrote a feature on the opening - click here.
Website
Mister Mao @ The Maidstone
Chef Sophina Uong unleashed some striking creativity at Mister Mao, and it’s arriving poolside at hotel The Maidstone (at 3522 Tulane Avenue). The small plates and easy bites can be eaten at your sunlounger, and include tostadas, salads and even a caviar (with Zapp’s) service if you’re feeling fancy. Website
Lost Coyote
A restaurant with its own pool is just what New Orleans needs for the summer season, and this venture from Colin Kennedy (Creole Cuisine Concepts). Its location at 1614 Esplanade Avenue borders the Treme and they’re serving an eclectic American menu, plus bottomless mimosa brunches at weekends, and a $20/day pool pass that gets you a glass of fizz. Website
Pita Paradise Mediterranean Grill
New Mediterranean/Lebanese options are always welcome to these tropical climes, and this new Freret Street spot (formerly Kolache Kitchen) is serving fresh takes on the classics: gyro, kebabs, shawarma, and a healthy swathe of homemade sauces. Website
Come Arepas
Having thrived in their Kenner location, Chef Julio Machado brings this Venezuelan classic to the Marigny. Machado, a Venezuelan native, serves up the flat cornmeal caked with roasted chicken, pork and beef, as well as chorizo, seasonal veggies and fresh avocado. Website
Boil and Barrel
This place wasn’t quite open at the time of writing, but David McCelvey (who has worked with Emeril Lagasse, and ran Frankie & Johnny’s) is fronting what they’re billing as being “a lot like your family’s fishing camp. The drinks are cold, the stories get better every time you tell 'em, and the day’s catch always tastes a little sweeter.” That’s the story - the menu is classic boiled and fried seafood, oysters, and a huge bourbon menu. Check back, it should be any day now. Website
The Kingsway
One of the more high profile openings (and much anticipated) is this solo venture from Saffron chef Ashwin Vilkhu. This higher-end/fine dining Asian restaurant isn’t far from Vilkhu’s former home on Magazine Street, and the buzz builds itself: Ashwin and father Arvinder Vilkhu were this year co-nominated for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: South. There’s a seductive tasting menu and Taylor Adams has created an intriguing wine list. Website
Congregation Coffee
This second location for the local roasters has opened in the former Community Coffee Spot at 900 Jefferson Avenue. Our writer Marielle Songy wrote a feature on the opening - click here.
Website
Mister Mao @ The Maidstone
Chef Sophina Uong unleashed some striking creativity at Mister Mao, and it’s arriving poolside at hotel The Maidstone (at 3522 Tulane Avenue). The small plates and easy bites can be eaten at your sunlounger, and include tostadas, salads and even a caviar (with Zapp’s) service if you’re feeling fancy. Website
Lost Coyote
A restaurant with its own pool is just what New Orleans needs for the summer season, and this venture from Colin Kennedy (Creole Cuisine Concepts). Its location at 1614 Esplanade Avenue borders the Treme and they’re serving an eclectic American menu, plus bottomless mimosa brunches at weekends, and a $20/day pool pass that gets you a glass of fizz. Website
Pita Paradise Mediterranean Grill
New Mediterranean/Lebanese options are always welcome to these tropical climes, and this new Freret Street spot (formerly Kolache Kitchen) is serving fresh takes on the classics: gyro, kebabs, shawarma, and a healthy swathe of homemade sauces. Website
Come Arepas
Having thrived in their Kenner location, Chef Julio Machado brings this Venezuelan classic to the Marigny. Machado, a Venezuelan native, serves up the flat cornmeal caked with roasted chicken, pork and beef, as well as chorizo, seasonal veggies and fresh avocado. Website
Boil and Barrel
This place wasn’t quite open at the time of writing, but David McCelvey (who has worked with Emeril Lagasse, and ran Frankie & Johnny’s) is fronting what they’re billing as being “a lot like your family’s fishing camp. The drinks are cold, the stories get better every time you tell 'em, and the day’s catch always tastes a little sweeter.” That’s the story - the menu is classic boiled and fried seafood, oysters, and a huge bourbon menu. Check back, it should be any day now. Website