Commander's Palace, New Orleans

The pride of New Orleans, Commander's Palace is not merely a restaurant; it's a building in a blue-and-white Victorian suit that somehow makes lunch feel like a civic ceremony. Open since 1880, and part of the Brennan family’s celebrated culinary world since 1974, this place has had more than enough time to prove that fine dining can be elegant, theatrical, and very much alive.

Indeed, no visit to New Orleans is complete without savoring a meal here. As soon as you cross the threshold, you'll be impressed by the welcoming atmosphere – warm without being stiff, and the famously gracious service. The whole operation is run with the confidence of a restaurant that knows exactly how loved it is...

And when it comes to the food, Commander’s Palace stops being charming and starts showing off. Turtle soup with sherry, Gulf fish with champagne-poached jumbo lump crab, and the famous praline parfait all make appearances on the kind of menu that seems designed to test your loyalty to ordinary meals. The kitchen’s “dirt-to-plate within 100 miles” approach keeps the focus on fresh regional ingredients.

Over the years, Commander’s Palace has collected awards for best restaurant, best chef, lifetime achievement, and best wine list. It has also been called one of the most popular restaurants in New Orleans year after year, which is no small achievement in a city where people discuss dinner with the seriousness other places reserve for politics.

And then there is the jazz brunch. Indeed, weekend brunch here is more than just a meal but a New Orleans ritual with music, polish, and enough indulgence to turn a regular weekend into a small social occasion. Reservations are strongly advised, because this may be a large restaurant, but it fills quickly. So plan ahead, dress the part, and give yourself time to enjoy one of the Garden District’s great edible landmarks.