Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Cajun stew of crawfish tails smothered (étouffée) in a blonde roux, the holy trinity of onion-celery-pepper, garlic, butter and seafood stock, served over white rice. The everyday Cajun rice plate of Louisiana.
Étouffée is the canonical Cajun rice plate, traced to the Acadiana parishes west of New Orleans through the early 20th century. The dish became a New Orleans restaurant staple via Cajun migration to the city in the 1950s. Mandina's, Lil' Dizzy's Cafe and Atchafalaya all run defensible versions; crawfish season runs January through July.
4 editor picks for Crawfish Étouffée in New Orleans, ranked by editorial score. All New Orleans signature dishes · Crawfish Étouffée across every city.
Lil' Dizzy's Cafe in New Orleans is the Baquet family's Treme Creole soul-food corner at Esplanade and N Robertson, with fried chicken and a lunch buffet.
OrderFried chicken plate
TipLunch only Monday to Saturday 11:00-15:00; the gumbo and fried chicken combo is the canonical order.
Cochon in New Orleans is Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski's James Beard winning Cajun room on Tchoupitoulas, an ode to whole-hog cookery in a converted.
OrderThe cochon with turnips and cracklins. Then the rabbit and dumplings.
TipCochon Butcher around the corner sells the same charcuterie at a counter; cheaper and equally good for lunch.
Mandina's in New Orleans is the 1932 Mid-City Italian-Creole corner room on Canal Street, founded by Sicilian immigrant Sebastian Mandina and still serving.
OrderThe trout amandine. Add the spaghetti with red gravy and a side of bread.
TipSit at the bar for the streetcar view; the kitchen runs faster off the bar pickup.
Atchafalaya in New Orleans is the Louisiana Avenue Creole room on the edge of the Garden District, known for a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and the duck.
OrderThe duck hash with sunny eggs, then build a Bloody Mary at the bar.
TipBrunch runs Saturday and Sunday with live music; arrive at 09:30 or hold for the 13:00 turn.
Crawfish Étouffée makes more sense with someone from New Orleans explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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