New Orleans is known for its food, but trying to pick a restaurant for dinner close to campus can quickly become a headache. To guide your next outing, we picked some Uptown favorites for you to try next. We selected a range of different cuisines and price points, while also making sure that you could get to some of these places easily by walking or taking public transportation.
Wishing Town Restaurant and Bakery
If you’re looking for dim sum with immaculate vibes, check out Wishing Town. On the corner of Magazine Street and Nashville Avenue, a beautiful live oak tree will be your company for the meal if you choose to sit outside on their patio. All of the food here has been amazing, but some things that stand out are the char siu tofu pockets and the onion beef triangle dumplings. Another favorite is their cucumber salad, which is vinegary and slightly spicy to pair perfectly with the warm dumplings. Don’t forget to save room for desserts with treats like lychee chantilly cake and yuzu cheesecake.
We might have an unhealthy obsession with the Fresconon pizza with garlic butter, mozzarella, spinach, marinated artichokes, Roma tomatoes and feta. Once you try this, you too will be obsessed. The marinated artichokes add so much flavor and are such a unique topping that you must go just for this. If you aren’t in the mood for pizza, try the pesto tortellini. It’s topped with cheese and comes out steaming — perfect for a chilly New Orleans winter.
Osteria Lupo on Magazine has standout Italian cuisine with unique twists — one being their radiatori with jalapeno, basil and Louisiana blue crab. The sauce is creamy and balanced with a hint of spice and the pasta is perfectly cooked. We also love their crispy potatoes, which are smashed and covered in cheesy garlicky goodness — our ideal way to serve a potato.
The best gelato in New Orleans is at Piccola Gelateria. With flavors like caramelized fig and a creamy texture, we would include this in our final meal. A few flavors are consistent, but they usually cycle through different gelato and sorbet flavors. The restaurant is family-run, which means they close when they are away for holidays — so be sure to check out their Instagram for any updates.
14 Parishes Jamaican Restaurant
Located just a short 20-minute walk from campus, 14 Parishes is serving up delicious Jamaican cuisine. We also love the spot if you’re looking to mix up your normal catering rotation for any club or events on campus. The plantains are sweet and crispy and the jerk seasoning on any of the meat options is perfect.
Another newer spot on Maple Street, Hot Stuff is serving up delicious food in a casual environment. Everything we have had here has been amazing, seasoned and cooked to perfection — especially the mac and cheese and veggie options. We also love the more unique dishes, like the banana foster pudding. It’s also a great spot to go with a larger group, since there’s plenty of space to sit.
If you are looking for a place that feels like stepping into a different time, Frankie and Johnny’s is the place to go. The restaurant opened in 1942 and served longshoremen who worked at the docks. They serve lots of local classics, including fried seafood and a large selection of po’boys. We tried the smoked sausage po’boy and chargrilled oysters, and both were delicious. With crawfish season coming up, this is a great spot to get your seafood fix.
A block off of South Carrollton Avenue, Pepperoni’s Cafe serves all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. While they are named after pepperoni, the restaurant also has a wide menu beyond pizza. Our families have gone here after move-in each year, and they’ve consistently impressed. Some of our favorites are the Uptowner, the chicken caprese panini and their crepe with fresh fruit and Nutella. If you are looking for breakfast at 3 p.m., this is the place to go.
After a campus tour with her family, Julia’s experience at Lebanon’s Cafe may have been the reason she ended up at Tulane. The food was good then, and it has easily withstood the test of time. One of our favorite things to get is the rosemary lamb chops. They are seasoned beautifully, cooked to perfection and complemented well by the grilled vegetables. They also crush their specials — the whipped feta dip is one of our favorites in New Orleans.