This classic Italian steakhouse with an old school feel and attentive service has been around for more than 20 years, and the atmosphere and approach embrace that history. Stick to classic cuts served medium rare, au gratin vegetables, twice baked potatoes, and the perfectly-browned French onion soup.

TheAvenue Pub’s vast beer selection features local breweries as well as relatively unknown, seasonal, and artisanal ales from around the world. Bartenders are knowledgeable and ready to help; downstairs the focus is on beer and pub grub, upstairs is a smaller bar with an impressive selection of bourbon, whiskey and rye, as well as a wrap around balcony overlooking the streetcar line (and Mardi Gras parade route). As for its impressive food, an ever-changing menu combines Cajun flavors with elevated pub food, including several vegan options.

Mayas has been serving Latin American fusion since 2007, and remains an under the radar destination for ceviche, empanadas, ropa vieja, and fresh, creative cocktails — as well as an excellent Cuban sandwich available only at lunch. Dine at the restaurant’s center bar or at a sidewalk table, and settle in to try a little of everything, and a lot of drinks — palomas are two for one all day Saturday, and brunch cocktails go for $5.

The hottest sandwich shop is hot for good reason: the fried baloney, layered with potato chips and hot mustard on toast; the collard green melt with cherry peppers that is easy to forget is meatless; and a classic-but-different smoked ham with cranberry sauce, mayo, aged cheddar, and arugula on a perfect baguette loaf. It’s also known for wedge and cabbage salads, deep fried chicken pot hand pie, and hogs headcheese tacos, but keep an eye out for specials.

Union Ramen is a long-anticipated solo spot from Nhat Nguyen, and it’s lived up to the hype. The casual restaurant debuted on Magazine Street in 2020 with a menu of chicken broth-based ramen, salads, poke bowls, and a changing menu of Vietnamese small plates, and a bar that can be relied on for fresh seasonal cocktails.

Gris-Gris is a LGD standout, one of the best new restaurants to hit the neighborhood in recent years. Longtime New Orleans chef Eric Cook has created a reliable neighborhood standby for contemporary Southern cuisine with refined versions of favorites like oyster pie, shrimp and grits, and chicken and dumplings. The upstairs balcony offers a special setting for happy hour drinks, weekend brunch, or dinner.

A revamp at Seed thanks to new owners and a head chef with a background in fine dining brought new life to the top destination for vegan and vegetarian fare. A stylish interior fits the fresh menu of soups and snacks, cauliflower katsu sandwiches, kelp po’ boys, and eggplant shawarma on naan, as well as tasty desserts, all available for takeout and delivery in addition to dine-in.

Hotel Saint Vincent opened at this historic LGD address in early 2021, and with it the elegantSan Lorenzo, a restaurant bringing together coastal Italian and New Orleans with a focus on seafood. Go for the raw bar with oysters from the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; tartars and crudos; and fresh pasta dishes with seafood and vegetables, and for San Lorenzo’s gorgeous patio seating. The attached Paradise Lounge is a must for a pre or post-dinner drink.

There’s always a reason to visit Courtyard Brewery, even if it’s not for the many highly-acclaimed, original beers on tap. Formerly tucked away on Erato Street, the brewery’s larger new Camp Street location hosts the city’s top food pop-ups, sells a beloved local ice cream maker’s pints, and even hosts frequent art markets.

A one stop shop for coffee, ice cream, breakfast, and sandwiches, Fat Boy is a great LGD to-go option — perfect for grabbing before a stroll up Magazine. Check out the breakfast pita with scrambled eggs for breakfast, fried lobster po’ boy for lunch, and ice cream flavors like basil/malt, buttermilk salted lime, and semolina/cannoli filling, not to mention espresso drinks and fresh juices.

This cool, low lit bar with a huge bourbon/whiskey list (along with a respectable beer list and a large amount of non-whiskey booze) is home to some of the city’s best pop-ups, though they change frequently. Grab food from the back window and a sidewalk table for solid Magazine Street people watching.

Lengua Madreis Ana Castro’s new modern Mexican tasting menu experience, a standout addition to the LGD’s growing culinary offerings. Castro, who was the chef at Thalia and a former sous chef at Coquette, serves courses like a fontal tetela, a light masa pocket stuffed with cheese and topped with charred avocado; Louisiana long grain rice with clams, shrimp, and mussels; and cobia al pastor in a dimly lit, sparsely decorated room with a minimalist, Colonial-chic vibe.Reservationsare required, and it’s worth the price tag.

Bakery Bar’s location in the shadow of the Crescent City Connection is just enough off the beaten path to make for a relaxing setting for a nightcap or solo happy hour drink. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, brunch is the main attraction, and there’s a bigger bar food menu now, but cake and cocktails still rule the roost here. Try a slice of whatever doberge cake is available that day, or a few dobites, or a cake shake. The fluffy pancakes stacked up like a cake and stuffed with blueberry compote are available for breakfast or dessert, and are good any time of day.