Creole stalwart Gabrielle can be counted on again this year, as for most holidays, to provide an on-point meal with which to observe Lent. This year, it’s a to-go-only $19 fried fish plate with vegetables, potato salad, tartar sauce, and a cookie. Order onlinehere, but get in early, as these sell out.

孩子們頭暈是一個機構在frying chicken or seafood, so it’s a sure bet for Fish Fry Fridays. The corner Treme shop serves a delicious catfish Jourdain, fried catfish topped with lemon butter crabmeat and shrimp sauce, along with two sides, for $18.99. Beyond that, the restaurant has another favorite Lent-friendly dish, Trout Dizzy, which is as good as it looks.

Aside from Bao Mi’s many Lent-approved options, this awesome Vietnamese grab-and-go spot downtown is offering a number of specials every Friday during Lent, including a fried catfish banh mi (and could even include green curry shrimp and grits). Dine-in only.

For a dinner-worthy meal at lunch prices, stop by the delightful Cafe Reconcile every Friday for various Lent special — so far, there’s been a crispy crabcake po’ boy with topped with crawfish sauce on a pistolette, but keep an eye out for different specials, like catfish amandine.

The food at the new iteration of this longtime pub favorite is better than ever, and it’s offering a classic special during Lent: fish and chips, spiced to perfection. Keep an eye out for other special offerings throughout the season.

The splurge-worthy Alon Shaya restaurant in the new Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is an outstanding Lent-friendly destination, from seafood on the half shell to blackened Gulf snapper. During the 2023 Lent season, the restaurant has also added fried redfish to the menu, sure to be a crunchy, crispy standout.

This awesome restaurant and market hybrid is a reliable source of seasonal goodness. On Fridays during Lent, the Fish Fry Friday special for dine-in or takeout is a fried catfish plate with bean salad, mirliton slaw, cornbread, and remoulade for $15.⁠⁠

This Honduran hotspot in Bywater has brought back its popular redfish tacos for Lent, fried in a beer batter escabeché served with homemade mayo with lemon, cilantro, and jalapeño.

B Sweet’s is already selling out on Big Fish Fridays, serving fried fish and shrimp plates alongside next-level sides and sweets. Get in early!

Blue Oak’s specials are always top notch, whether it’s Monday’s red beans and rice or the crowd-pleasing Big Ol’ BBQ Baked Potato. For Friday during Lent, fried fish specials are on the board, like the Firecracker shrimp po ‘boy (Bang Bang sauce, red cabbage and jalapeño slaw, and mayo on a hoagie) or the spicy catfish sandwich with spicy glaze, white barbecue sauce, and pickles.

A celebration of all things seafood takes place daily year-round at Ralph Brennan’s Red Fish Grill, and for the seven weeks of Lent that celebration focuses on the fried varieties. Ever-changing Friday options might include crispy redfish served with crawfish mac and cheese, corn hush puppies, and Ravigote sauce or a Vietnamese-style whole fried Gulf fish served with ginger, spring onions, asparagus, cilantro rice, and lime fish sauce, available at brunch and dinner.