Two of New Orleans’ most talked-about fine-dining rooms, Emeril’s and Saint Claire, have muscled their way onto The New York Times’ latest roundup of the city’s best restaurants. The nod puts a reimagined flagship with a tasting menu alongside a younger West Bank upstart built around seasonal coastal Cajun cooking.
As reported by NOLA.com, Times critic Brett Anderson included both Emeril’s and Saint Claire on the paper’s selection of top restaurants. Local broadcaster WDSU also noted that the two New Orleans entries were singled out on the national list.
Emeril’s Reboot Puts It Back On The Map
Emeril’s has undergone a serious glow-up in recent years under the leadership of E.J. Lagasse, shifting to a focused tasting-menu format that has drawn fresh attention. The restaurant was the only two-MICHELIN-starred establishment in the American South when the guide unveiled its inaugural regional selection, according to the MICHELIN Guide. Local business coverage reported that the star and the menu revamp helped drive a surge in reservations and national interest, per New Orleans CityBusiness.
Saint Claire’s Country Comfort
Saint Claire opened in June 2025 on a leafy, four-acre site in Algiers and was launched by friends and chefs Cassi Dymond and Melissa Martin, according to MyNewOrleans. Brett Anderson praised the restaurant’s "homey feeling" and historic property as a perfect fit for its coastal Cajun cooking, NOLA.com reported. Its inclusion on the Times’ roundup helps shine a brighter spotlight on dining beyond the French Quarter.
Why The Honors Matter
National recognition from both the Times and MICHELIN tends to steer more visitors toward New Orleans’ fine-dining circuit and can boost neighborhood spots that might otherwise stay under the radar, local coverage suggests. As gobbles up food-and-wine glory and regional outlets have noted, 2025–26 has been a busy run for the city’s restaurants, with legacy names and newcomers earning attention at the same time.
For readers who want the full roundup, local reporting points to The New York Times’ Restaurant List. Check out the WDSU summary for a hometown perspective and links to the original list. Reservations at both Emeril’s and Saint Claire remain tight as demand follows the national headlines.
