Located within: The Chloe
Before you even enter The Chloe, you’ll see patrons sitting out on the patio enjoying food and cocktails. The restaurant and bar is best experienced outdoors, where you can lounge in rocking chairs and at bistro tables among the string lights, although the interior dining rooms are also stunning in their own right.
Located within: Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
French for “brother rabbit,” Compère Lapin is one of Chef Nina Compton’s restaurants. Featuring a mix of Creole and Caribbean cuisine, each dish is a love letter to the chef’s home, St. Lucia. The vibe of the restaurant is exposed brick with low lighting at night, making for a romantic dinner.
Located within: Hotel Saint Vincent
In the hotel that was a former orphanage, you’ll find San Lorenzo: a bright, breezy nook with coastal Italian cuisine. Stop by for an elegant lunch inside or outside on the patio.
Located within: Virgin Hotels New Orleans
It may not be unique to New Orleans, but Commons Club here at the Virgin’s NOLA location stands out from the rest, with local talent at the helm. Start with brunch and drift to the lobby for drinks. The restaurant comes alive with drag and burlesque brunch from local entertainer Trixie Minx.
Located Within: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
Burgers, fries, shrimp, deviled eggs; the cuisine at the Peacock Room might read “sports bar” but the interior speaks for itself. Filled with French bistro-style tables, velvet couches, and chandeliers, you’ll quickly understand why locals flock here to meet up. Also beautiful? The hotel’s other restaurant, King Brasserie.
Located within: The Pontchartrain Hotel
Jack Rose is exceptionally decorated and filled with lots of nods to local culture. You’ll find it in the paintings that adorn the walls, including a larger-than-life mural of local hip-hop legend Lil’ Wayne. Go further into the dining room and find a skylight filled with hanging plants, making it feel as though you’re outside.
Located within: The Eliza Jane Hotel
With high-top seating, green cushioned-chairs, and black-and-white patterned flooring, the ambiance is set at Couvant inside the Eliza Jane Hotel. Enjoy French-Southern cuisine; if you’re feeling fancy, go for the "La Piece de Resistance" 22oz NY strip steak.
Located within: Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
Located on the same property yet distinctly different, Miss River and Chemin á la Mer have a lot to offer. On the first floor, Miss River (from Chef Alon Shaya) is brightly lit with both a marble-topped bar and a chef’s table within. Meanwhile on the fifth floor at Chemin á la Mer (from Chef Donald Link), choose between sitting at the bar during oyster happy hour, in the main dining area, or out on the terrace, which offers sweeping views of the Mississippi River.
Located within: Hotel Monteleone
Within Hotel Monteleone, the vibe of the Carousel Bar is unmatched - but the hotel restaurant also features some elegant ambiance. You’ll find a wall to ceiling glass box filled with knick-knacks and décor. During jazz brunch, the restaurant comes alive with New Orleans culture.
Located within: Hotel Peter & Paul
Perhaps the prettiest restaurant on this list, The Elysian Bar is like a luxe retreat from the city, filled with mellow tones, greenery, soft lighting, and hand-picked touches. Stepping outside onto the enclosed patio, the space comes alive at night with twinkle lights and candles. The bar is among the most beautiful in the city.
Located within: Copper Vine Wine Pub & Inn
This wine bar and restaurant was established before the accommodations, unlike any other restaurant in this mix. One could say the restaurant inspired the lodging. Lush greenery adorns the patio, as well as the inside of the restaurant, so you can enjoy your wine flight in style.