Special Report

Updated February 22, 2008 The Sixty Best Ethnic Restaurants In New Orleans Compared with other great restaurant cities, New Orleans is not a particularly good town for ethnic dining. But it's better than it was even a few years ago. And incomparably improved over, say, 1980. Not one single Indian, Thai, Vietnamese or Lebanese restaurant existed then. No sushi bars. Very little Hispanic food of any nationality. The reason for this is benign: we had (and still have) a very strong ethnic cuisine of our own. Any place with a distinctive local cooking style tends to exclude the styles of other places. But we have developed a taste for exotic eats. We're getting more of it all the time. It seems to arrive one cuisine at a time. The Thai restaurant community has exploded in the last few years. Before that, it was the Middle Eastern restaurants that multiplied rapidly, and Japanese places before that. Although certain categories are still very limited (or completely absent), I thought I could make up a list of the fifty best ethnic restaurants around town. I was wrong. After going through our list of open restaurants, I found 160 of them. After weeding out the clear mediocrities (and worse), and then lopping off a few dozen decent places, I was left with sixty restaurants so good that they had to be on the final list. So what's another ten restaurants? That's why sixty. The plan is to count them down, starting today with Number Sixty and offering one more every day until we're done. But first, I'd better define what I mean by "ethnic restaurant," if only to keep myself from having to answer dozens of e-mails about it. For obvious reasons, I'm leaving out our native cuisines, Creole and Cajun. Also American, even though that's almost an ethnic cuisine here. And although French and Italian are, strictly speaking, ethnic cuisines, they're so much a part of the local culinary style and so familiar that most people don't view them as foreign. So I'm not including those restaurants, either. Here's something else that will inevitably be asked: How can you compare a sushi bar with a Mexican café? All I can say is, watch me. If there's an ethnic restaurant you think should be on this list, write me at tom@nomenu.com. I'd like to hear your reasoning. And if you know about one I don't, I'd like to. The countdown completed on February 22, 2008. However, we intend to keep the list dynamic adding newly-discovered restaurants good enough to make the list, and moving the rankings around to reflect current realities. Some restaurants that are not currently included, but will be as soon as I can review them fully, are Baru Bistro & Tapas, Gimchi, Phoenix, and China Rose. Bookmark this page and check it now and then if you're a fan of ethnic dining; I plan to keep updating it often. Subscribers to the New Orleans Menu Daily Five-Star Edition can get full reviews of each of the restaurants by clicking on the restaurant's name. #1 RioMar 3$ Warehouse District: 800 S. Peters Reservations 525-3474. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Mon-Sat. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. www.riomarseafood.com Spanish. Latin American. #2 Cafe Minh 4$ Mid-City: 4139 Canal Reservations advised: 482-6266. Lunch and dinner continuously, Tues.-Sat. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Contemporary Vietnamese. #3 Cafe East 3$ Metairie: 4628 Rye Reservations 888-0078 Lunch Sun.-Fri. Dinner seven days. Open continuously. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Chinese. Pan-Asian. #4 Vega Tapas Cafe 3$ Old Metairie: 2051 Metairie Rd. 836-2007 Dinner seven nights. AE DC DS MC V www.vegatapascafe.com Spanish. Pan-Mediterranean. #5 Clementine’s Belgian Bistro 3$ Gretna: 2505 Whitney Ave. 366-3995 Lunch Tues.-Thurs. Dinner Thurs.-Sat. DC, MC, V (No American Express) Belgian. #6 Hoa Hong 9 Roses 2$ Gretna: 1100 Stephens (a half-block south of West Bank Expy.) 366-7665 Lunch and dinner Thurs.-Tues. (closed only Wed.) AE DC DS MC V Vietnamese. #7 Ninja 2$ Uptown: 8433 Oak 866-1119 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE DC MC V Japanese. #8 Basil Leaf 3$ Riverbend: 1438 S. Carrollton Ave. Reservations 862-9001 Dinner seven nights. AE, DC, MC, V. #9 Kim Son Gretna: 349 Whitney Ave. (at West Bank Expy.) 366-2489 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE, MC, V. Vietnamese. #10 Byblos 3$ Old Metairie: 1501 Metairie Rd. 834-9773. Uptown: 3218 Magazine, 894-1233. Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. AE DC DS MC V Lebanese. #11 Horinoya 3$ CBD: 920 Poydras 561-8914 Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Mon.-Sat.. AE DC DS MC V Japanese. #12 Trey Yuen 2$ Mandeville: 600 Causeway Blvd. 626-4476 Lunch Tues.-Fri. and Sun. Dinner Tues.-Sun. AE DC DS MC V www.treyyuen.com Chinese. #13 Thai Spice 2$ Covington: 1531 US 190 985-809-6483 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE MC V Thai. #14 Lebanon’s Cafe 2$ Riverbend: 1500 S. Carrollton Ave. 504-862-6200 Lunch and dinner, seven days. AE MC V Lebanese. #15 SukhoThai 2$ Marigny: 1913 Royal 948-9309 Lunch Tuesday-Friday. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. www.sukhothai-nola.com Thai. #16 Laurentino's 3$ Metairie: 4410 Transcontinental 779-9393 Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Mon.-Sat. MC, V. Spanish. #17 Shogun 3$ Metairie: 2325 Veterans Blvd. 833-7477. Lunch and Dinner seven days. Open all afternoon Sat and Sun. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Japanese. #18 Pupuseria Divino Corazon 1$ Gretna: 2300 Belle Chasse Hwy. 368-5724 Lunch and dinner continuously, Mon.-Sat. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Salvadoran. #19 Dong Phuong 1$ New Orleans East: 14207 Chef Menteur Hwy. 254-0214. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.-Mon. (Closed Tues.) AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Vietnamese. #20 Fiesta Bistro 2$ Carrollton/Riverbend: 1506 S. Carrollton Ave. 865-1612 Lunch and dinner continuously seven days. AE DC DS MC V Spanish. #21 Sake Café 3$ Garden District: 2830 Magazine Reservations: 894-0033. Metairie: 4201 Veterans Blvd. 779-7253. Kenner: 817 W Esplanade Ave. 468-8829. Elmwood: 1130 S. Clearview Pkwy. 733-8879. Covington: 126 Lake Dr. (Northpark) 985-809-6689. All: Lunch and dinner continuously seven days. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Japanese. #22 Jamila’s 2$ Riverbend: 7806 Maple 866-4366 Lunch and Dinner Tues.-Sun. AE MC V Tunisian. #23 Rock-n-Sake 2$ Warehouse District: 823 Fulton 581-7253 Lunch Fri. Dinner seven nights. AE MC V www.rocknsake.com Japanese. #24 La Thai Cuisine 3$ Uptown: 4938 Prytania. 899-8886. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Mon.-Sat. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Thai. #25 Kim Anh Noodle House 1$ Harahan: 6624 Jefferson Hwy 739-9995. Lunch and dinner (10 a.m.-8 p.m.), Mon.-Fri. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Vietnamese. #26 Sesame Inn 2$ Mandeville: 408 N. Causeway Blvd. 985-951-8888 Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. AE DC DS MC V Chinese. #27 Lola’s 2$ Esplanade Ridge: 3312 Esplanade 504-488-6946 Dinner only, seven nights. No credit cards. Spanish. #28 Sushi Brothers 2$ Lee Circle Area: 1612 St. Charles Ave. 581-4449 Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner seven nights. AE DC DS MC V www.sushibrothers.net Japanese. #29 Five Happiness 2$ Mid-City: 3605 S. Carrollton 482-3935 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE DC DS MC V www.fivehappiness.com Chinese. #30 Tan Dinh 2$ Gretna: 1705 Lafayette 361-8008 Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Vietnamese. #31 Megumi 3$ Mandeville: 4700 Hwy 22 985-845-1644 Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Japanese. #32 Mikimoto 2$ Carrollton: 3301 S Carrollton Ave. 488-1881 Lunch Sun.-Fri. Dinner seven nights. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. www.mikimotosushi.com Japanese. #33 Acropolis Cuisine 2$ Metairie: 3841 Veterans Blvd. 888-9046 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Greek. #34 Little Tokyo 2$ Metairie: 1521 N. Causeway Blvd. 831-6788 Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. AE DC DS MC V Japanese. #35 Wasabi 2$ Marigny: 900 Frenchmen 943-9433 Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. AE DS MC V Complete menu available here. Japanese. #36 Nirvana 2$ Uptown:4308 Magazine. 894-9797 Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun. AE DC DS MC V http://www.insidenirvana.com Indian. #37 Pho Tau Bay 1$ Gretna: 113-C West Bank Expy. 368-9846 Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sat. MC V Vietnamese. #37 Liborio 2$ CBD: 321 Magazine 581-9680 Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Tues.-Sat. AE MC V Cuban. #39 Siamese 2$ Metairie: 6601 Veterans Blvd. #29 454-8752 Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun. AE DC DS MC V Thai. #40 Casa Garcia 2$ Metairie: 8814 Veterans Blvd. 464-0354. Mandeville: 800 N. Causeway Blvd. 951-8226. Both: Lunch and dinner continuously seven days. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Mexican. #41 Korea House 2$ Metairie: 3547 18th 888-0654 Lunch and dinner, seven days. MC V Korean. #42 Babylon Cafe 2$ Riverbend: 7724 Maple 314-0010. Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. AE DC DS MC V Middle Eastern. #43 Royal China 2$ Metairie: 600 Veterans Blvd. 831-9633 Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun. AE DC DS MC V Chinese. Dim Sum. #44 Equator 2$ Metairie: 2920 Severn Ave. 888-4772 Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner seven nights. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Thai. #45 Yujin 2$ Ratings: 2$ Covington: 323 N New Hampshire 985-809-3840 AE DC DS MC V Japanese. Sushi Bar. #46 Phoenicia 2$ Metairie: 4201 Veterans Blvd. 889-9950 Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. AE DC DS MC V Lebanese. #47 Carreta's Grill 2$ Mandeville: 1200 W. Causeway Approach 727-7212 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Mexican. #48 Kanno 2$ Metairie: 3205 Edenborn Ave Lunch and dinner, Tues.-Sat. 455-5730 AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Japanese. #49 Cleopatra 2$ Harvey: 2701 Manhattan Blvd. 361-1113 Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. AE DS MC V www.cleopatramediterraneancuisine.com Middle Eastern. #50 Doson's Noodle House 2$ Mid-City: 135 N. Carrollton Ave. 309-7283 Lunch and dinner Thurs.-Tues. (Closed Wed.) AE, DS, MC, V. Vietnamese. Chinese. #51 Casablanca 2$ Metairie: 3030 Severn Ave. 888-2209. Lunch and dinner, Sun.-Thurs. Lunch only Fri. Dinner only Sat. AE, MC, V. Moroccan. Kosher. #52 Casa Gomez 2$ Mandeville: 643 Lotus Dr. (just off West Causeway Approach at La. 22) 985-624-8667 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE MC V Cuban. Mexican. #53 Golden Dragon 2$ Metairie: 4417 Veterans Blvd. Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days. 887-6081. AE DC DS MC V Chinese. #54 Sara's 2$ Riverbend: 724 Dublin 861-0565 Lunch Thurs.-Sat. Dinner Mon.-Sat. AE MC V Multi-Cultural. #55 Thai Pot 2$ Covington: 315 N. Vermont 985-809-7886 Lunch and dinner seven days. MC V #56 Taqueria Corona 1$ Uptown: 5932 Magazine; 897-3974. Metairie: 3535 Severn, 885-5088. Harahan: 1827 Hickory Ave., 738-6722. All: Lunch and dinner, seven days. AE MC V #57 Singha Thai 1$ CBD: 413 Carondelet 581-2205 Lunch Mon. Sat. Dinner Mon.-Fri. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Thai. #58 Shishkabob House 1$ Kenner: 3804 Williams Blvd 712-0765 Lunch and dinner, seven days. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Middle Eastern. #59 Nile Cafe 2$ Uptown: 3100 Magazine 897-0920 Lunch and dinner seven days. AE, MC, V. Northern African. Middle Eastern. #60 Mr. Gyros 2$ Metairie: 3620 N Causeway Blvd. 833-9228. Lunch and dinner, Mon.-Sat. AE DC DS MC V Greek.   Beyond The Top Sixty  Saigon Grill 1$ Mandeville: 2890 E Causeway Blvd. 985-727-7711 Lunch and dinner continuously, Tues.-Sun. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Vietnamese. Taj Mahal 2$ Old Metairie: 923-C Metairie Rd, (behind Hibernia Homestead), 836-6859. Lunch and dinner Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesday) AE, DC, MC, V. Indian. Oriental Triangle 2$ Jefferson: 4808 Jefferson Hwy. 733-2388 Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. AE, DC, DS, MC, V. Chinese. Korean. Special Report I hope you have a great New Orleans meal today! Tastefully yours, Tom Fitzmorris © 2007 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved.