National Rice Mill Lofts

"New Orleans is full of elite neighborhood restaurants, but few of them are as good as BABs. The bistro, which is the sister restaurant to Compere Lapin, focuses its space and menu on warmth and big flavors. Blackened octopus, for example, might come atop a sweet potato coconut puree, or you might find andouille mixed in with the spaghetti carbonara. Regardless of what you order, the restaurant is perfect for almost any stage of your night. It's the place to catch up with a friend over a glass of wine at the bar, or to bring your parents when you want to introduce them to the best of the Bywater." - Chelsea Brasted

"Bab's (formerly Bywater American Bistro) does Cajun, Caribbean, Creole, and Southern dishes, and is just steps away from one of the best views in the city at Crescent Park. While you can’t go wrong with sitting inside the industrial-meets-cozy dining room, the best option is to grab a spot at the high top just outside the front door. From there, you can watch the world pass by while trying blackened octopus, arancini with paddlefish caviar, and wagyu beef lasagna. As the younger sister restaurant to the equally popular (but a little fancier) Compere Lapin, this place regularly fills up with both visitors from around the world and neighbors from down the block—all of whom will happily give you their personal recs of where to grab a few drinks after dinner." - team infatuation, megan braden perry

"Bab's (formerly Bywater American Bistro) does Cajun, Caribbean, Creole, and Southern dishes, and is just steps away from one of the best views in the city at Crescent Park. While you can’t go wrong with sitting inside the industrial-meets-cozy dining room, the best option is to grab a spot at the high top just outside the front door. From there, you can watch the world pass by while trying blackened octopus, arancini with paddlefish caviar, and wagyu beef lasagna. As the younger sister restaurant to the equally popular (but a little fancier) Compere Lapin, this place regularly fills up with both visitors from around the world and neighbors from down the block—all of whom will happily give you their personal recs of where to grab a few drinks after dinner." - chelsea brasted, zella palmer, carlo mantuano, megan braden perry

"Casebonne and Schnoebelen formerly owned and operated Italian neighborhood favorite Mariza in the Rice Mill Lofts, which has since become chef Nina Compton’s acclaimed Bywater American Bistro." - Clair Lorell