There is no doubt that life in New Orleans looks a bit different these days thanks to COVID-19, but the city’s love affair with incredible food has endured. While some local restaurant icons, like K-Paul’s, have decided to close their doors, other famous eateries are still cooking up irresistible cuisine so you can celebrate special moments or just enjoy a fantastic meal.
The annual food extravaganza known as COOLinary is kicking off again, with roughly 50 popular local restaurants participating in the event from August 1 to September 13. Among the establishments offering special menus and prices in honor of the annual summer food spectacular, there are quite a few that feature fabulous experiences ranging from low-key bites to fine-dining at its grandest.
Although eating out isn’t quite the same as it was just a few months ago, these restaurants make it possible to still enjoy a delightful meal. Many of them offer options for dine-in, take-out, or delivery, so you can choose the dining experience that is the most comfortable for you. All of the restaurants are implementing special protocols to ensure the utmost safety and well-being of all of their employees and guests. Plus, all businesses ask their patrons to please mask up, NOLA.
Get ready to take advantage of some unbeatable prices and mouth-watering dishes during the New Orleans COOLinary 2020 event at these top-notch restaurants:
- Palace Cafe — Located in the Central Business District, in what was once Werlein’s Music Store, this stunning restaurant is a member of the Dickie Brennan family. The soaring archways and beautiful ironwork throughout the dining room create an artistic setting where you can indulge in classic Louisiana Creole cuisine served with a touch of ingenuity and flair.
The restaurant is also doing its popular summer tradition, Temperature Lunch, Wednesdays – Fridays through Labor Day, where two courses are priced at the previous day’s temperature.
You can enjoy your meal in a variety of ways including both indoor and outdoor dining, take-out, or delivery. Make sure to call or go online first to reserve your table. To learn more about how Palace Cafe is taking care of its employees and guests, check out their current guidelines. Note: The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and not offering COOLinary deals these days. You can find more details about the special menus and prices this restaurant is offering for COOLinary here.
- Cafe Degas — Hop on the Canal streetcar line and head toward Mid-City to find the enchanting Cafe Degas, which offers fantastic French Creole cuisine served in a whimsical atmosphere. The mostly outdoor bistro is named for the 19th-century painter Edgar Degas, who once lived further down Esplanade Avenue.
Cafe Degas is currently offering table service with limited indoor and outdoor seating, take-out, and delivery, and offers brunch on Sundays. Note: The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and not offering COOLinary deals these days. You can find more details about the special menus and prices this restaurant is offering for COOLinary here.
- Ralph’s on the Park — This stellar, fine-dining restaurant offers fresh, locally-sourced ingredients used to create magnificent globally-inspired Creole cuisine. The restaurant, located across from the majestic oaks of City Park in Mid-city, is only a streetcar ride away from the Blake Hotel. The establishment is part of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group and extends its safety promise to all of its employees and guests.
During COVID-19, Ralph’s does not have valet parking available but invites guests to self-park for free in its private parking lot behind the restaurant. Note: The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and not offering COOLinary deals these days. COOLinary brunch and lunch deals are only available for dine-in. You can find more details about the special menus and prices this restaurant is offering for COOLinary here.
- Copper Vine — This delightful and posh wine club features contemporary southern cuisine and an impressive collection of over 30 wines on tap. The stylish, neighborhood spot stands in what was once the home of Maylie’s restaurant and bar, one of the oldest restaurants in New Orleans, opened in 1876. Many of the dishes on Coppervine’s menu, as well as the classic wisteria vine on the patio, pay homage to some of the most iconic and popular elements that were once favorites at Maylie’s.
Copper Vine is open for dine-in, take-out, and delivery. You can make reservations through Open Table or you can order meals to-go online. Note: The restaurant is open Monday-Sunday, however, it does not offer COOLinary deals on Saturdays or Sundays. You can find more details about the special menus and prices this restaurant is offering for COOLinary here.
If your culinary adventure guides you to a streetcar journey, streetcars are currently operating on the Saturday schedule for Monday-Saturday and the Sunday schedule on Sunday. All passengers over 2 are required to wear a mask and the streetcars are accepting fares. For more information about streetcar service in New Orleans during the pandemic, check out the Regional Transit Authority’s service alerts.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, want to have a romantic dinner for two, or just have a casual meal with friends, each of these restaurants provides a perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience. Make your meal even more memorable by staying with us at the sophisticated and modern Blake Hotel. We can’t wait to see you!