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New Orleans, one of the most exciting dining destinations in the country, has long been known for its vibrant food scene, where Cajun, Creole, and Southern traditions blend with global influences. And as the city approaches the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2025, it’s no surprise that women, embodying resilience and creativity, are at the forefront of its culinary renaissance, transforming the city’s food culture into one of inclusivity, sustainability, and storytelling.
Here, three trailblazing women share their take on the Big Easy dining scene and why they see food as a powerful connector—linking people to the land, to each other, and to New Orleans’s rich, layered history.
Mosquito Supper Club
“The seasons on the bayou are not necessarily summer, fall, winter, and spring. They are marked by nature, traditions, and distinct emotions,” writes James Beard Award-winning chef Melissa Martin in her new book, Bayou: Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life. The book weaves together recipes and essays that highlight Cajun cooking with Melissa’s captivating life story, while also drawing attention to Louisiana’s rapidly eroding coastline. “The bayous are the arteries of Cajun life. As the land disappears, so does our way of living,” she explains. “Cooking these dishes is my way of preserving that heritage.”
Mosquito Supper Club, the restaurant she opened in 2014 in a double-shotgun frame house tucked away in the Uptown neighborhood, reflects this philosophy. The menu features anchor dishes from Melissa’s childhood in Chauvin, Louisiana, like delicate soft-shelled shrimp, jambalaya, seafood gumbo, and a classic oyster soup, alongside highbrow offerings such as oysters with caviar and shrimp and watermelon salad. Fall is particularly magical here, as the restaurant’s menu shifts with the season, embracing heartier fare as the temperature cools. Despite the menu’s evolution, 99% of the ingredients remain local, honoring the bounty of shrimpers, oyster fishermen, crabbers, and farmers who define Southern Louisiana cuisine.
Lagniappe Bakehouse
Former professional dancer turned pastry chef, Kaitlin Guerin, describes her journey to opening her bakery as a true homecoming. After honing her craft in top kitchens across the U.S. and abroad, she returned to New Orleans to launch her pastry pop-up just before the pandemic hit. Reflecting on her path, Kaitlin shares, “As Edna Lewis said, ‘All paths of self-discovery lead back home.’”
Her creations offer an elegant nod to the African diaspora and Southern foodways, showcasing local ingredients through a seasonal lens. “I see pastry as a form of storytelling,” she says. Kaitlin’s newly opened Central City brick-and-mortar shop features her celebrated sweet and savory creations made from local, seasonal ingredients and a top-notch coffee program. From croissants filled with locally made sausage from Vau Cresson, a fourth-generation Creole sausage maker, to cornmeal cake drizzled with honey butter, the emphasis is on sustainability and local sourcing. “Every ingredient tells a story. From flour milled by women at Carolina Ground to the honey drizzled on our cornmeal cakes—it’s all about connection,” she says. Be sure to try the pain au chocolat, featuring a fruity, delicious Tanzanian chocolate baton from Piety and Desire.
Wild Terrains
A small group travel company for women, specializing in itineraries that offer transformative experiences supporting women entrepreneurs, Wild Terrains just launched their first domestic trip, a four-day/three-night girls trip to NOLA. “It was important to me to design an experience that not only celebrates the rich culture of Louisiana, but connects travelers with the women who are the backbone of this complex and vibrant city, and what better way than through the food?” says Lauren Bates, founder of Wild Terrains, whose family is from Louisiana. The itinerary is packed with exclusive experiences, like an evening ride through the waterways of Louisiana s fragile coastline in a small fishing boat headed to a bayou dinner party. If getting a reservation at Mosquito Supper Club is hard, imagine sitting down to a soulful private feast, prepared by Melissa and inspired by the recipes of her mother; shrimp okra gumbo, crispy fried soft-shell crabs, and blackberry dumplings. The evening embodies what it means to share a meal here in South Louisiana: it speaks to life on the bayou, the delicate ecosystem, the rich Cajun cuisine, and the close-knit communities that thrive here.
Wild Terrains tapped the executive director of the Made in New Orleans (MiNO) Foundation, Lauren A. K. Darnell, to lead the trip. “We’re spotlighting women who not only excel in their fields but are actively shaping New Orleans’s cultural landscape,” says Darnell. “These are innovators in food, art, and design—trailblazers who embody the spirit of this city.” This new role is a perfect fit for Darnell, who is at the forefront of promoting equity in the hospitality industry and providing career development, mentorship, and resources for BIPOC professionals in New Orleans through her consultancy business, Porch Okra, and her role with MiNO. “In the hospitality industry, which preserves so much of our culture, it’s often the people working behind the scenes who are most marginalized. It’s my personal mission to change that, says Darnell. “My family’s history, from weathering hurricanes to my mother becoming the first Black Crawfish Queen and my father’s work as a civil servant attorney, taught me the importance of justice and helping others.”
Together, these women represent a new wave of tastemakers and leaders in New Orleans—rooted in tradition but unafraid to innovate. Their work tells the story of their lives, their communities, and their deep connection to a city that, despite its challenges, continues to inspire dreamers, artists, chefs, and creators. Whether you crave classic Cajun dishes, inventive pastries, or a blend of international and local flavors, these are their must-visit women-owned or run recommendations.
Start your morning with a stroll through the French Quarter, then head to Ayu Bakehouse located in the heart of the Marigny. Co-owners Kelly Jacques and Samantha Weiss infuse their love of New Orleans staples—like muffulettas and boudin—alongside Southeast Asian flavors inspired by Kelly’s heritage, all through the art of pastry. The sleek, open kitchen allows you to watch as jalapeño cornbread cookies, croissants, kaya morning buns, and muffuletta breadsticks come to life.
New Orleans isn’t known for its bagels, but Flour Moon Bagel’s founder Breanne Kostyk is changing that perception. Offering hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels with a crisp, chewy exterior and a soft interior, this bakery brings a fresh approach to a classic, with locally sourced toppings and spreads like Sweet Grass Pimento Cheese and Acme Whitefish Salad, as well as an expanded menu of sandwiches and tartines.
Christina Balzebre started Levee Baking Co. inside of Mosquito Supper Club. Pop-ups, a common way to test new concepts, thrive in New Orleans; you can build a community, and in no time, move to a brick-and-mortar space. The city’s tight-knit, supportive community encourages experimentation. Christina’s naturally leavened bread and handmade pastries have gained a loyal following, with standout items like chocolate babka and seasonal, savory open-faced croissants. The focus here is on sustainability, and working with local farms and female millers to source the highest quality ingredients.
Mojo has become a staple in New Orleans’s third-wave coffee scene, with its three locations drawing locals and visitors alike. The Lower Garden District location on Magazine Street is especially popular.
This wine bar and restaurant is the creation of sommelier Skye LaTorre, who brings over 20 years of experience and a passion for wines crafted by small, ethical producers. At Pluck, the focus is on connecting guests to wines that evoke curiosity and emotion, while staying approachable and fun. The menu is thoughtfully designed to complement the wine.
A seamless blend of a cozy wine bar and East Coast-style pizza joint, neighboring Patron Saint, a wine shop and bar, and St. Pizza, a pizzeria and tavern owned by Leslie Pariseau and Tony Biancosino, offer a carefully curated selection of natural wines and a menu of sourdough pizzas plus red sauce classics. Pair your tomato pie or pepperoni slice from St. Pizza with a glass from Patron Saint’s thoughtful wine list, featuring small, low-intervention producers from around the world.
Founded by Miriam Matasar and her husband, Darrin Ylisto, Really Really Nice Wines is a welcoming neighborhood wine shop and bar located just off Magazine Street. The bar specializes in natural wines, as well as a curated menu of elevated snacks including specialty cheeses, charcuterie, house-marinated olives, and their signature duck fat popcorn. The space also hosts Tuesday night restaurant pop-ups with cuisine ranging from dim sum to omakase-style sushi.
Celebrated New Orleans chef Ana Castro just opened her first solo restaurant this summer, Acamaya, in partnership with her sister, Lydia Castro. The food is a vibrant exploration of the sister’s heritage, featuring Mexican mariscos, a catch-all Spanish term for seafood or shellfish. Located in the Bywater neighborhood, the space’s upbeat vibe echoes the menu; think fresh seafood prepared in innovative ways; bass ceviche, vibrant green adobo shrimp, octopus with a walnut salsa negra, and fish tostadas alongside carne asada, arroz negro, costras, and sopes.
James Beard Award-winning Chef Nina Compton’s two restaurants offer different takes on New Orleans cuisine. At Compère Lapin, Compton fuses Caribbean flavors with French techniques and the culinary traditions of Louisiana, creating dishes that are as vibrant as they are delicious. Bywater American Bistro offers a more laid-back experience, with a menu focusing on local ingredients and creative interpretations of American cuisine.
Founded in 1941 by the legendary Leah Chase, affectionately known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” Dooky Chase is as much a cultural institution as it is a culinary one. This iconic restaurant has served as much more than a place for food; it’s been a hub for social change, bringing together civil rights leaders like Thurgood Marshall, Oretha Castle Haley, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Savor classic dishes like gumbo z’herbes, a deeply flavorful herb-based gumbo; shrimp Clemenceau, a succulent Creole dish with sautéed shrimp, peas, mushrooms, and crispy potatoes; and red beans and rice. Finish your meal with their famous bread pudding or sweet potato pie.
This vibrant, bright cafe, located on the grounds of the chic Hotel Saint Vincent, offers a unique fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine, ranging from steaming bowls of pho to bánh mì sandwiches, as well as fresh pastries and a standout coffee program.
Chef Sophina Uong’s ‘tropical roadhouse’ restaurant serves up dishes that lean heavily on Cambodian, Indian, and other Asian flavors, while drawing inspiration from Southern techniques. The restaurant’s bold, playful vibe is matched by its ever-evolving menu—think crispy Korean-style wings, pork chile verde, shiitake-crusted scallops, pani puri, and street corn elote with a twist. It’s a culinary adventure every time, and Sophia’s fearless approach to food makes it stand out in the New Orleans dining scene.
This Neapolitan-style pizza spot is worth the trip across the bridge. Owned by a husband-and-wife duo, Nighthawk Napoletana delivers authentic Italian flavors in a casual, family-friendly setting. The pizza is outstanding, the meatballs are a standout, and for dessert, don’t miss their chocolate budino, an Italian chocolate pudding topped with cocoa nibs and Calabrian chili.
With an unwavering commitment to consistency and quality, this seafood haven, led by chef Nikki Cabrera Mills, who was just named one of Food Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2024, is known for its simple, rustic approach to seafood, focusing on wood-fired dishes that let the ingredients speak for themselves.
This Trinidadian eatery serves up bold, flavorful dishes that reflect the vibrant culinary heritage of the Caribbean. Chef Lisa Nelson’s tagline says it all, “Serving Trinbagonian Island soul food to the northernmost Caribbean city,” a reference to the deep historical ties the city shares with islands including Cuba, Trinidad, Tobago, and Haiti. Don’t skip on the BBQ jerk chicken, coco bread fish sandwich, oxtail plate, and doubles, a popular vegan street food, consisting of curried chickpeas sandwiched between flatbread, then topped with cucumbers, tangy mango chutney, and a drizzle of sweet tamarind sauce.
You can’t come to NOLA and not indulge in a class snowball. This beloved family-run business, founded 30 years ago by Easter Merryman and now run by her daughter, is a nostalgic stop for those looking to cool down with an iconic frozen treat.
Chef Jacqueline Blanchard’s Japanese-inspired izakaya offers an intimate dining experience that blends local seafood with traditional Japanese techniques. The temaki hand-rolls and sashimi are the stars of the menu. Blanchard, a 10th-generation Cajun, also owns Coutelier, a curated knife shop that specializes in hand-forged Japanese cutlery—a must-visit for anyone passionate about cooking.
James Beard Award-winning Chef Sue Zemanick’s neighborhood restaurant derives its name from Zasa, which means “once again” in Slovak, inspired by Sue’s Slovak heritage. The tightly edited menu, which features locally sourced seafood and produce, changes with the seasons and always features fresh seafood like sea scallops with roasted grapes, blue crab fettuccine, seasonally inspired perogies, and sunflower seed-crusted grouper with green harissa.
