The 12 Hottest New Restaurants in New Orleans, January 2025

"After 30 years leading Birmingham, Alabama’s farm-to-table dining scene, celebrated chef Chris Dupont returned to his native New Orleans to open what he says will be his “last” restaurant. At Étoile, Dupont is starting with a seven-course tasting menu priced at $150 served three nights a week — Thursday, Friday, and Saturday — dishes that might include crabmeat and peach relish gazpacho; black drum with crawfish succotash and heirloom tomato butter; and rabbit arancino served with creamed Silver Queen corn. It’s a Parisian-inspired, American South beauty sure to become one of New Orleans’s finest new destination dining spots, with plans to add an a la carte option in the future." - Clair Lorell