Kenji Kazoku, from the team behind Kenji Omakase, opens April 29 in Old Metairie with Toyosu-sourced fish, dry-aged fare and charcoal-grilled wagyu.

Espíritu Mezcaleria & Cocina has opened a Mid‑City outpost at 139 S. Cortez, keeping Rosella’s colorful interior and bringing mezcal flights, birria tacos and a largely gluten‑friendly menu.

Big Mike’s is building a 7,700‑sq‑ft flagship on LA‑311 with a stage, outdoor green space and a fall 2026 opening. The new site triples the size of the current outpost.

A mother‑daughter team opened Barrio Bites at 4201 Canal St., serving pasteis de nata, baleadas and Luma coffee.

Food & Wine’s Global Tastemakers named Emeril’s among the country’s top restaurants and the Carousel Bar among the best hotel bars, boosting New Orleans to No. 4.

Cold Stone announced a New Orleans location and plans to open two to three south Louisiana shops over the next five years, and it is recruiting franchisees to run them.

After almost 30 years on North Carrollton Avenue, Mid‑City's Pho House is closing as the owners retire. The Carrollton counter will serve its last bowls this week.

Nicole Theriot is the first woman to lead Galatoire’s kitchen, overseeing the restaurant and its sister venues while bringing classroom training and high‑volume experience.

Empanola will open a Central Business District shop inside the Holiday Inn at 203 Carondelet, bringing its full menu, coffee and catering to downtown workers and tourists.

Teams at Hogs for the Cause are building lobster shacks, golf simulators and a paddle‑wheeler as they race to raise money for families battling pediatric brain cancer. The two‑day festival is April 10–11 at UNO Lakefront.

Keith Lee is waiving food vendor fees at his May Familee Day festival in New Orleans, opening the event to small local restaurants while bringing national acts to the lakefront.

Banh Mi Boys will open a Mandeville counter on April 12, bringing its banh mi–po'boy hybrids and quick‑service menu to the Hwy 22 shopping strip.

Sushi By Us, a chef-led 'Mexakase' counter from Veho Hospitality, has opened inside Tacos del Cartel in downtown New Orleans. The intimate spot serves nigiri and fusion small plates.