As the excitement of Sunday, February 9th, 2025 builds, New Orleans is hard at work transforming into a festive hub for The Big Game. The perfect blend of food, cocktails, culture, and fun, the Crescent City boasts an array of award-winning hotels, restaurants, and bars, certain to make Super Bowl weekend unforgettable.
SLEEP
Virgin Hotels New Orleans:
Just a short walk from the Superdome and in the heart of all the action, Virgin Hotels New Orleans is the perfect place to stay and play during The Big Game. The boutique lifestyle hotel mixes a passion for food & beverage with music and culture that fuses with Crescent City’s unique personality, providing an inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. Guests can expect festive happenings such as burlesque brunches, live music sets, and local pop-up shops throughout their stay, as well as enjoy sunshine and views on the rooftop or top-tier dining down below. Weekend programming for The Big Game includes Watch Parties and Late Night programming with local and national musicians. Rooms can be booked by visiting virginhotels.com/new-orleans. Virgin Hotels New Orleans is located at 550 Baronne Street.
EAT & DRINK
Tujague’s:
Right in the center of it all in the French Quarter, the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans and the third oldest continuously operating restaurant in the U.S., Tujague’s is the birthplace of brunch and the Grasshopper cocktail. From Presidential visits by Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and France’s De Gaulle to the many obstacles and challenges the restaurant faced, the story of Tujague’s is multi-faceted. Under the auspices of Executive Chef Meg Gray, the menu at Tujague’s features both classics like Turtle Soup and Shrimp and Grits, along with creative dishes including Crispy Pork Belly with parmesan polenta and pepper jelly gastrique; Oysters en Brochette – bacon wrapped Gulf oysters with wilted spinach, Crystal butter sauce and tomato jam; and a Pan Roasted Maple Leaf Duck Breast with foie gras mashed potatoes, wilted spinach and orange rosemary demi-glace. Guests can also take part in the Table d’hôte – the five-course tradition that was the only menu served from 1856-2013. New brunch offerings and a brand-new selection of cocktails make Tujague’s the perfect perch for modern Creole cuisine and innovative libations served up in a four-story space complete with private dining rooms and courtyard seating. Tujague’s is located at 429 Decatur Street. Reservations are encouraged and can be made on OpenTable. Telephone: (504) 525-8676; https://tujaguesrestaurant.com/
Compère Lapin:
Located downtown in the heart of the warehouse district, Chef Nina Compton’s beloved New Orleans restaurant in the Old No. 77 Hotel – Compère Lapin – has received critical acclaim, including Eater National’s “Best Restaurants in America” and a rave review in The New York Times. Compère Lapin is the first New Orleans restaurant to receive the prestigious Spirited Award® by the Tales of The Cocktail Foundation – honored as the “Best American Hotel Bar”. The renowned neighborhood restaurant features robust dishes that meld the flavors of Compton’s Caribbean upbringing and love for French and Italian cuisine, while highlighting the Gulf and Louisiana’s beautiful indigenous ingredients.
At Compère Lapin, Compton serves up a menu that is as diverse, colorful and tempting as the city itself. Complementing Compton’s delectable fare, the award-winning beverage program at Compère Lapin pays homage to New Orleans’ rich cocktail heritage, making it one of the hottest restaurants in NOLA. Compère Lapin is located in The Old No. 77 at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street.
Palm&Pine:
Known for its bold, boundary-crossing cuisine, Palm&Pine is the celebrated French Quarter restaurant from James Beard: Best Chef South semi-finalists Jordan Herndon and Amarys Koenig Herndon. The menu draws inspiration from “the South and south of that,” embracing the flavors and culinary traditions of Louisiana and the American South, along with the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Since opening in 2019, Palm&Pine has become a must-visit New Orleans destination, with its seasonally evolving menu and innovative dining concept that blends deep-rooted regional heritage with vibrant global influences. Standout signature dishes include Hot Sausage Carimañolas – the perfect combination of a traditional South American yucca fritter and a New Orleans hot sausage po-boy and Corner Store Crudo with yellowfin tuna, Pineapple-Big Shot Nuoc Cham, daikon, fresh herbs and shrimp chips. Cocktails blend classics with creativity and heavily feature agave and cane spirits, tropical fruits and spices, and an array of curated liqueurs and bitters. The Kitten Club menu features an array of thoughtfully prepared non-alcoholic libations. Palm&Pine is located at 308 N. Rampart Street in New Orleans. The restaurant is open for dinner every night except Tuesdays. Weekend brunch is also available. www.palmandpinenola.com Phone: (504) 814-6200.
Alma Café:
Meaning “soul” in Spanish, Alma Café is the award-winning Honduran restaurant located in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood, just outside of the French Quarter. The flagship location of Araujo Restaurant Group, Alma is a reflection of Executive Chef/Owner Melissa Araujo, who was recently named as a semifinalist for James Beard: Best Chef South 2024. Chef Araujo pays tribute to her grandmother’s cooking with hearty dishes like Baleadas, Pollo Chuco, Carne Asada, Platano Maduro, Pupusas, and Marmahon. Alma has its roots deeply entrenched in Honduran tradition and celebrates the Central American culture, food, and music Araujo grew up with. Alma Café is located at 800 Louisa Street, and a second location in Mid-City New Orleans is slated to open in late 2024. (504) 381-5877. https://eatalmanola.com/
BABs:
Helmed by acclaimed national Chef Nina Compton, BABs (formerly Bywater American Bistro) is a casually sophisticated culinary haven embodying Compton and husband/partner Larry Miller’s vision of a “restaurant for every day or any day.” At BABs, the James Beard: Best Chef South showcases comfort-driven dishes grounded by meticulous technique and imbued with her natural finesse. Dishes highlight Compton’s exceptional pasta-making skills with selections such as Wagyu Beef Lasagna with Fontina fonduta; Spaghetti Carbonara with andouille and black truffles; and Cavatelli with shrimp run down sauce. Located in the Rice Mill Lofts building in New Orleans’ “sliver by the river” Bywater neighborhood, the space exudes warmth and intimacy with rustic touches like warm woods, ambient sconces, and a variety of plants. BABs is located at 2900 Chartres Street. www.Babs-Nola.com
Beggars Banquet:
Named after the famous Rolling Stones album, Beggars Banquet is New Orleans’ Lower Garden District’s new American bar and bistro under the direction of the Dilonno family. There, Chef Michael Dilonno who owned and operated a New Jersey soda shop turned luncheonette of the same name, helms the kitchen and has created a menu that pays homage to the south and Dilonno’s illustrious 50-year career, injected with Italian, French and Asian touches. From Fried Green Tomatoes with burrata, balsamic reduction and arugula to Duck Leg Confit with butternut squash, onion, bacon, pecans and hot honey, dishes are meticulously executed and thoughtfully presented.
Cocktails are equally impressive with creative concoctions like Best of Both Words – bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari, cacao and coffee. The space features plum walls, brass lighting, bathrooms adorned in Rolling Stones lyrics, and a hand-painted mural by local tattoo artist Vivian Hava of Tough Love Tattoos. Beggars Banquet is located at 1330 Prytania Street. Phone: (504) 766-6711. www.beggarsbanquetneworleans.com
Commons Club New Orleans:
Just a stone’s throw from the Superdome and the social epicenter of Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Commons Club is a dynamic restaurant, bar, and lounge offering a modern social club experience for locals and visitors alike. The Kitchen at Commons Club features an array of dining spaces, from a communal Chef’s table and open kitchen to relaxed “porch” seating and private dining rooms. At the helm is Executive Chef Chris Borges who puts his creative spin on Southern seasonal cuisine with Mediterranean and West Coast influences. The Bar at Commons Club welcomes a mix of live New Orleans entertainment and offers thoughtfully crafted cocktails, a curated wine and Champagne selection, and tempting bar bites. Those seeking a more intimate setting will enjoy The Shag Room – a playful lounge featuring colorful furniture for ample seating, plush, luxurious fabrics, custom decoupage wallpaper, and local New Orleans art. The Shag Room is perfect for a gathering of friends, an intimate soiree, and private events. For more information, visit Commons Club New Orleans. Stay up to date on Instagram at @commonsclubnola. Commons Club is located at 550 Baronne Street.
Birdy’s:
Birdy’s Behind the Bower is the charming Instagram-worthy spot perched in the back of New Orleans’ Framework building in the Lower Garden District. The restaurant serves an all-day brunch featuring Southern-inspired, locally sourced American cuisine inside and in the welcoming outdoor courtyard. Chefs work closely with partner farm, Sugar Roots, to source fresh, local ingredients for dishes that range from comforting house-made breakfast items and specialty toasts to health-conscious power bowls and salads. Standouts include Polenta Toast – crispy white cheddar polenta, Buster crab, roasted poblano pepper and corn vinaigrette, queso fresco; a festive Funfetti Bubble Waffle served with Louisiana strawberries, Chantilly cream and granola. Of course, Birdy’s famed Brunch Board – donut, granola, slab bacon, hot coppa, bubble waffle, fruit, seasonal jam, mini cookies, mini pancakes, triple crème brie, soft boiled eggs; and Biscuit Board – whipped local honey butter, seasonal jam, chicken sausage gravy are also available. There are $20 Bottomless Mimosas and Birdy’s Bloody Mary; along with signature cocktails like the Cold Brew Old Fashioned – Jameson, cold brew, mole bitters and Hummingbird – white peach Grey Goose, Fiero, simple syrup, grapefruit, orange juice, Luxardo cherries. Birdy’s Behind the Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street in New Orleans. Telephone: (504) 302 2992. Reservations can be made online at https://birdysnola.com/
Osteria Lupo:
In spring 2023, Osteria Lupo opened at 4609 Magazine Street in New Orleans’ Uptown neighborhood. The brainchild of Chef Brian Burns and Reno De Ranieri, who own wildly-popular Spanish-inspired restaurant Costera, Osteria Lupo showcases Northern Italian cuisine with a variety of house-made pastas; roasted meats and vegetables from the wood-fired oven; seafood and other regional specialties. Guests can enjoy a menu of shareable plates, along with a stellar wine program and full bar. Designed by New Orleans architect Brooks Graham, along with De Ranieri and Burns themselves, the 4,700 square foot space has been transformed into a stunning restaurant seating approximately 140. Exposed industrial ceilings and polished concrete are balanced with warm hues of blue, soft globe pendant lighting and blonde wood. The open kitchen with a mosaic tiled wood-fire oven serves as the focal point of the restaurant, while an adjacent bar and lounge area are the perfect perch for drinks with friends or casual dining. Visit osterialupo.com and stay up-to-date on Instagram @osterialupo.
Costera:
Costera is the wildly popular coastal Mediterranean restaurant & bar in Uptown New Orleans. Under the direction of Chef Brian Burns and Reno De Ranieri, who also own the Northern Italian hotspot Osteria Lupo, Costera serves an extensive selection of small and large plates, meant to be shared. The restaurant highlights Louisiana produce and Gulf seafood in a modern, yet casual, communal-dining setting. Dishes range from the rustic simplicity of Pan con Tomate with roasted garlic aioli to a sophisticated Braised Lamb Shank with salsa verde and Manchego. Cocktails run the gamut from light spritzes to boozy concoctions and the wine program highlights Old World Spanish and French selections. A stunning two-story private dining room makes for the perfect game day celebration, and the restaurant also offers a tasting menu. The restaurant is located at 4938 Prytania Street in New Orleans. Visit www.costerarestaurant.com for additional information.
The Bower:
Located in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, The Bower is the culinary darling of Latter Hospitality (Tujague’s and Birdy’s). Executive Chef Marcus Woodham, who has worked at some of NOLA’s most acclaimed restaurants including Luke, Restaurant Patois, and Galatoire’s, works closely with partner farm Sugar Roots to provide a menu featuring the best seasonal ingredients from the fields and garden. Diners can enjoy house made pastas such as rigatoni with ground shrimp and crab and tagliatelle with chicken saltimbocca, prosciutto, capers, and spinach, to mains like seared scallops with Maggie Mushroom conserva, farro and hot coppa and paneed pork loin with mint, radish, avocado, and watermelon molasses. Cocktails, under the direction of Mickey Mullins, are created with the same farm-fresh ingredients from Sugar Roots and are an exercise in both creativity and meticulous execution. The Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street, New Orleans. Telephone: (504) 582-9738; www.thebowernola.com
The Bower Bar:
The Bower Bar is the perfect perch to gather with friends for cocktails, conversation, and bites. The indoor/outdoor space has a lush look and feel with living green walls and plants from locally-owned landscape architects, Luna Botanicals. The cocktail program at The Bower Bar is under the direction of Beverage Director Mickey Mullins and features field-to-glass libations focusing on the seasonal herbs, flowers and produce from local partners Sugar Roots Farm. Cocktails include 51 Problems – beet-infused mezcal, passionfruit, lime, Suze, demerara, and a smoked salt rim; LGD – reposado, hibiscus, orange flower, orgeat, and mole bitters; and the Hydrix – bourbon, mint-infused Contratto, amaro, and aquafaba. Zero-proof drinks are also on offer featuring the Sugar Roots Spritz with house made hibiscus syrup, lime and soda, and Pear-Ly There – spiced pear puree and tonic. Wines are equally impressive and include small production vintners, as well as widely-known global collections. Guests at The Bower Bar can enjoy the same culinary creations found next door at The Bower, along with the famed “boards” for cheese and charcuterie. The Bower Bar is 1320 Magazine Street.
