New Orleans Restaurants and Bars Earn National Acclaim

Food & Wine honors top dining and drinking spots in the Big Easy

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:42pm

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A highly stylized, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a classic New Orleans cocktail glass, rendered in bold, vibrant colors and heavy black outlines to capture the city's vibrant drinking culture.New Orleans' renowned cocktail culture earns national acclaim with the Sazerac Bar's recognition as one of the best hotel bars in the U.S.New Orleans Today

New Orleans has been recognized as one of the top food and drink destinations in the United States, with a renowned French Quarter hotel bar and a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Warehouse District earning national accolades from Food & Wine magazine.

Why it matters

New Orleans' vibrant culinary and cocktail scene has long been a point of pride for the city, attracting visitors from around the world. These latest national honors further cement the city's reputation as a premier destination for exceptional dining and drinking experiences.

The details

According to the Food & Wine awards, the Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel in the French Quarter was named one of the best hotel bars in the country. Meanwhile, Peche Seafood Grill, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Warehouse District, was recognized as one of the top fine dining establishments.

  • The Food & Wine awards were announced on April 10, 2026.

The players

Sazerac Bar

A famous hotel bar located in the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Peche Seafood Grill

A Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant in New Orleans' Warehouse District.

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What they’re saying

“New Orleans has always been a culinary destination, but these latest accolades show that the city's food and drink scene continues to evolve and innovate at the highest levels.”

— John Besh, New Orleans-based chef and restaurateur

What’s next

Food & Wine plans to feature the award-winning New Orleans establishments in an upcoming issue highlighting the country's top dining and drinking destinations.

The takeaway

These national honors solidify New Orleans' reputation as one of the premier food and beverage cities in the United States, attracting visitors from around the world to experience its vibrant culinary culture.