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Your City Sightseeing Guide to COOLinary New Orleans 2025
Get ready, foodies and explorers! COOLinary New Orleans is back, and there’s no better way to savor the city’s masterpiece meals and tasty treasures than by hopping on a City Sightseeing New Orleans tour. Our Hop-On Hop-Off buses offer a convenient way to navigate NOLA’s streets so that you get quick access to some of the best dining experiences in the city.
What is COOLinary New Orleans?
For those new to this delicious event, COOLinary is an annual celebration where top New Orleans restaurants offer special prix fixe menus for lunch, dinner, and brunch. These incredible prices offer the perfect opportunity to try that pricey restaurant you’ve always dreamed about or revisit a beloved classic dish for less. And with Hop-On Hop-Off tours, you can combine sightseeing with sensational sips and bites! Here are 7 of our favorite participating restaurants that are easily accessible with a Hop On Hop Off Tour – although, you can never go wrong with a meal in New Orleans!
Antoine’s Restaurant
Tucked away on St. Louis Street in the French Quarter, you’ll find Antoine’s Restaurant – the oldest continuously family-owned and operated restaurant in the United States. Since 1840, Antoine’s has been serving up delectable French-Creole Cuisine and hosting notable figures such as presidents, popes, and plenty of celebrities. Antoine’s is credited with inventing Oysters Rockefeller, Pompano en Papillote, Eggs Sardou, Souffle Potatoes, and so much more. Dining here comes with old-world traditions: waiters in tuxedos, table-side service, and a menu that will make your taste buds dance.
To visit Antoine’s Restaurant, disembark from your Hop On Hop Off tour at Stop 1: Jackson Square
Dat Dog Frenchmen
For a more relaxed and unique experience, head over to Dat Dog, a beloved New Orleans original where the toppings are piled high and the vibes are as bright as the building. Dat Dog has earned a reputation for reimagining the classic hot dog with creative flair and local influences. The menu features an impressive lineup of artisan sausages and all-beef hot dogs along with standout options like crawfish, duck, alligator, and vegan sausages. Each sausage can be fully customized with an extensive variety of toppings from traditional mustard and relish to bold additions like house-made crawfish etouffee or andouille sauce. This unique experience is flavorful, welcoming, and unforgettable – just like the city itself.
To visit Dat Dog Frenchmen, disembark from your Hop On Hop Off tour at Stop 3: Marigny/Bywater
Criollo Restaurant & Lounge
Located within the iconic Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street, Criollo Restaurant & Lounge is a vibrant tribute to New Orleans’ cultural fusion – combining Creole, Caribbean, Spanish, Italian, and French influences in every dish. Under the guidance of Chef Joseph Maynard and his team, Criollo delivers ingredient-driven and seasonal menus showcasing the bounty of the Gulf Coast and Louisiana’s rich culinary traditions. Just steps away, you’ll find the Carousel Bar & Lounge which has seen several decades, served countless craft cocktails, and is a world-famous New Orleans destination that you won’t want to miss.
To visit Criollo Restaurant & Lounge, disembark from your Hop On Hop Off tour at Stop 6: Canal Street
Commander’s Palace
Nestled beneath the oak-lined streets of the Garden District, wrapped in a bold shade of turquoise and white, Commander’s Palace is more than a restaurant – it’s a New Orleans staple. Since 1893, it has defined Haute Creole cuisine, delighted bigwigs and locals alike, and trained some of the most legendary chefs in the country – including Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme. Commander’s Palace is a white-tablecloth experience where you’re just as likely to see someone in seersucker as you are in sparkle. Loved by locals and visitors alike, and recognized with James Beard awards for food and service, Commander’s Palace is one place you don’t want to miss while visiting New Orleans.
To visit Commander’s Palace, disembark from your Hop On Hop Off tour at Stop 12: Garden District on Magazine Street
Lula Restaurant Distillery
Tucked along St. Charles Avenue, you’ll find Lula Restaurant Distillery, the first and only restaurant in New Orleans and the Southeast U.S. to legally distill its own spirits on-site – a claim they wear with pride and pour with purpose. Lula uses Louisiana sugarcane and locally sourced grains, creating smooth, high-quality spirits that elevate every drink on the menu. You can even tour the distillery to learn how these award-winning liquors are made. Aside from their delicious, handcrafted drinks, Lula’s food menu is just as exiting – incorporating a Creole/Southern flair in each dish. Whether you’re a foodie looking for Southern comfort food with a twist or a cocktail lover wanting to explore locally distilled spirits, Lula delivers both with style, flavor, and a distinct New Orleans flair.
To visit Lula Restaurant Distillery, disembark from your Hop On Hop Off tour at Stop 15: St. Charles Avenue
Meril
Located in the Warehouse District of New Orleans, Meril is the kind of restaurant that invites you in for a cocktail and ends up winning your heart with house-made charcuterie, FRESH Gulf seafood, and a menu that spans the globe without ever losing its sense of place. While Chef Emeril Lagasse is known for his culinary empire, Meril, named after his daughter, is his most relaxed and contemporary concept to date. The dining room reflects the Warehouse District with exposed brick, polished concrete, an open kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling windows to create a space that feels energetic, but never too chaotic. The dishes at Meril are inspired by Emeril’s global travels, his love for Louisiana ingredients, and his passion for bringing people together around bold, exciting flavors. This is a spot where you order a little bit of everything, so come hungry – eat, drink, and be Meril.
To visit Meril, disembark from your Hop On Hop Off tour at Stop 17: Arts District
Miss River
At Miss River, James Beard Award-winning Chef Alon Shaya shares his “Love Letter to Louisiana” – a heartfelt tribute to the chefs, restaurateurs, and time-honored dishes that helped shape his culinary path. As the signature lobby-level restaurant of the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, Chef Shaya showcases his spirited take on local classics like muffulettas, red beans and rice, and whole fried chicken using refined techniques that elevate each bite. Diners will enjoy exceptional service throughout their experience, including the show of the Food Stage – the centerpiece of Miss River, where chefs display extravagant plating of signature dishes. Beyond the menu, the award-winning design pairs French Quarter flair with contemporary luxury that tells the story of Louisiana’s culture and soul. This restaurant captures the heart of Louisiana’s culinary traditions – combining warm Southern hospitality, attentive personalized service, and a menu rich in cultural heritage and flavor.
To visit Miss River, disembark from your Hop On Hop Off tour at Stop 18: Foot of Canal St
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the best of New Orleans’ iconic sights and world-class cuisine. Travel with City Sightseeing New Orleans, and plan your COOLinary tour today!