Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Cognac (or rye), Peychaud's bitters, sugar, lemon peel and an absinthe rinse, stirred and strained into a chilled rocks glass. The official cocktail of New Orleans and arguably the oldest American cocktail.
The Sazerac was invented around 1850 by Antoine Peychaud in his French Quarter apothecary, where he served the cognac-and-bitters drink in a double-ended egg cup (coquetier, hence cocktail). The rye-and-absinthe modern formula consolidated by 1900. Designated the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2008. Arnaud's French 75, the Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt and Antoine's all pour the canonical version.
4 editor picks for Sazerac in New Orleans, ranked by editorial score. All New Orleans signature dishes · Sazerac across every city.
Commander's Palace in New Orleans is the 1893 Garden District grande dame on Washington Avenue, the Brennan family flag with turtle soup, jacket-required.
OrderThe turtle soup with sherry tableside. It has been on the menu since the dining room opened in 1893.
TipBook the upstairs Garden Room for the live courtyard view; the dress code requires collared shirts at dinner.
Galatoire's in New Orleans is the 1905 white-tile French Creole room on Bourbon Street, where regulars hold the same Friday lunch tables and tip the captain.
OrderThe shrimp remoulade to start, then trout amandine. Order souffle potatoes alongside.
TipThe downstairs room is walk-in only and no reservations; Friday lunch starts at 11:30 and runs into the evening.
Antoine's in New Orleans is the 1840 St Louis Street dining room, the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States and the birthplace of Oysters.
OrderOysters Rockefeller, invented here in 1899. Then the souffleed potatoes.
TipSkip the main dining room for the Hermes Bar on Bienville, the kitchen runs the same menu and the room is unstuffy.
Arnaud's in New Orleans is the 1918 French Creole room on Bienville Street from Arnaud Cazenave, with mosaic-tile floors, the French 75 Bar next door.
OrderShrimp Arnaud, the house remoulade. Then redfish with Hollandaise.
TipThe French 75 Bar serves the canonical version of its namesake drink and seats walk-ups; no jacket required there.
Sazerac makes more sense with someone from New Orleans explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Join a guided walking tour of the French Quarter of New Orleans and visit 5 distinct eateries to discover its diverse cuisine. Taste up to 9 different food samples and...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Join this tour through New Orleans’ historic and fascinating history of cocktails, and sample them along the way.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Experience the flavors of New Orleans on this 3-hour walking food tour in the French Quarter. Savor local delicacies, explore historic eateries, and immerse yourself i...
