COOLinary, aka New Orleans’ most wonderful time of the year? It is certainly one of them (there are so many), bringing the opportunity to dine at some of New Orleans’ best restaurants at a discount for the entire month of August. I like to think of it as a bonus for staying in the city during the brutally hot summers. We deserve this, y’all!
There are 106 participating restaurants this year for COOLinary offering two-course lunches for $20 or less and three-course dinners for $39 or less. Some participating restaurants even have a brunch option, also under $39.
Don’t stress though, we’ve done the research for you, and we chose our top picks by the neighborhood!
Carollton/Riverbend:
Brigtsen’s
Offering dinner-only Coolinary menu, it certainly does not lack plenty of delicious options that make me want to go multiple times in order to try everything. Catfish-n-grits, Seafood Stuffed Eggplant and of course their famous Pecan Pie with caramel sauce and whipped cream sounds like the absolute perfect Nola dinner.
723 Dante Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
coolinaryneworleans.com/restaurants/brigtsens-restaurant
Uptown:
Avo –
Avo offers both a brunch and dinner menu, including a lagniappe wine pairing option for an additional $15 (yes, please!) Their brunch menu includes options like Smoked Salmon Bruschetta, Crab Cacio e Pepe and Affogato for dessert. You can pair these tasty items with a Bellini, Piccini Prosecco and more wine options. Yum!
5908 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
coolinaryneworleans.com/restaurants/avo/
CBD:
Josephine Estelle – Josephine Estelle offers a lunch, brunch, and dinner Coolinary menu. With Italian options like Cacio e Pepe, Meatballs, Ravioli, and Bucatini, plus southern comfort food like BBQ Shrimp and Grits or a Fried Chicken Biscuit, it’s impossible to overlook Josephine Estelle’s offerings for Coolinary this year. Not to mention the atmosphere is charming, and it’s located in the hip Ace Hotel, a great place to stay and have a drink afterwards.
Josephine Estelle
600 Carondelet Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
coolinaryneworleans.com/restaurants/josephine-estelle/
French Quarter:
SoBou – SoBou, part of the Commander’s Family of Restaurants, offers some of the most unique and extensive menu items for Coolinary. Chicken & Watermelon, Blackened Geaux Fish, Yellowfin Tuna & Caviar, and a Smokey Poblano Pepper Tamale are just a few of the highlights from their menus. “A Spirited Restaurant,” SoBou’s Coolinary menu truly lives up to the name.
SoBou
310 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
coolinaryneworleans.com/restaurants/sobou/
Bywater:
The Country Club – Come for Coolinary, stay for the pool. This menu had me at Crispy Lemongrass Shrimp, but other items worth noting are the Pan Roasted Gulf Fish, Shrimp and Linguini, and a Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup. And the desserts, oh the desserts – they have Baked Ricotta with bourbon poached peaches and pistachios, Torta della Nonna, Chocolate “S’more” Mousse, and a Limoncello Ice Cream Float. On the weekends, don’t forget about their Bloody Mary DIY bar–make it just the way you need it! Make a day of it and relax by the pool afterwards for just $15 for the day. Sounds like a perfect Nola August day!
The Country Club
634 Louisa Street
New Orleans, LA 70117
coolinaryneworleans.com/restaurants/country-club-new-orleans
Mid-City:
Café Degas – Feeling French? Look no futher than the adorable Café Degas, our pick for Mid-City. I can’t decide if their lunch or dinner menu sounds better, but either way, it’s sure to be yummy. Steamed Mussels with Frites, Escargots Bourguignons, Cured Duck Breast Salad, Seared Scallops, and Roasted Leg of Rabbit are all options if you choose to dine at Café Degas. If it’s a nice day, ask to dine outside or near the opening by the sidewalk for the best view in Bayou St. John!
Speaking of al fresco dining, check out our list of 15 quintessential Nola patios for those steamy summer nights (because we all know the A/C is usually too cold inside!)
Café Degas
3127 Esplanade Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
coolinaryneworleans.com/restaurants/cafe-degas-2
Treme:
Gabrielle – 12 years after being closed, Gabrielle recently reopened and serves Louisiana Cajun and Creole inspired cuisine. You’re sure to get a bang for your buck at this fine dining spot with options like Smoked Quail and Green Fennel Sausage Gumbo, Cajun Traituer Fish with Crab Cake, Boeuf Etoufee, and Duck Enchilada with Mango Salsa. The dessert options sound just as divine – Peach Melba Short Cake, Peppermint Patti, or Apple Upside Down Bread Pudding! All for $39.
Gabrielle
2441 Orleans Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
coolinaryneworleans.com/restaurants/gabrielle/
It’s difficult to choose a few favorites with over a hundred restaurants available, but there are no wrong decisions. You’re sure to find amazing dishes at each of the restaurants without breaking the bank. Coolinary gives locals and tourists a great opportunity to discover new restaurants or check out ones that have been on their bucket lists. Dig in!
Written by Laura Steffan aka @lsteffan on Instagram.
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