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Bayona’s courtyard is a popular date night spot.
Chris Granger/Herbsaint

Date Night Dining Under the Stars in New Orleans

14 New Orleans restaurants to enjoy a special occasion meal in this great weather

by Beth D'Addono and Clair Lorell
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Bayona’s courtyard is a popular date night spot.
| Chris Granger/Herbsaint
by Beth D'Addono and Clair Lorell

New Orleans oozes romance in the best of times; a veritable playground for lovebirds. Throughout the pandemic, date nights took a backseat — but the time is right to break out of the routine, and so is the weather. How about this idea: get dressed up for date night under the stars at one of these 14 romantic restaurants in and around town. Save room for dessert.

See here for a guide to New Orleans’s most romantic restaurants.

Did we miss your favorite date night restaurant with outside seating or takeout in New Orleans? Leave a comment or send a tip.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Boucherie

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When it became very apparent how important it was to have a covered outdoor dining space to stay afloat during the pandemic, Nathanial Zimet, executive chef of Boucherie, built his own. It features a permanent covering surrounded by trellises growing new evergreen wisteria vines, picnic tables and benches, as well as smaller four-top tables and purple chairs to match the flowers when they start to bloom. The modern Southern restaurant offers a fab cocktail program along with the likes of blackened shrimp and grit cake and whole hog pulled pork.

8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 862-5514
(504) 862-5514
Boucherie/Official

Also featured in:

Lilette

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From the tasteful tile work and snuggle-friendly booths to the by turns delicate and swaggering French (and sometimes Italian and/or Asian) cooking, this Uptown stalwart has date night written all over it. One of the city’s most consistent restaurants is also one of its loveliest.

3637 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 895-1636
(504) 895-1636
Lilette/Facebook

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The Delachaise Wine Bar

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Drive by this St. Charles Avenue favorite in the evenings or late at night and the front patio is bound to be packed with people. With epic cheese plates, duck fat fries, cocktails, wine, and a streetcar view, it’s no surprise.

3442 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 895-0858
(504) 895-0858
The Delachaise
The Delachaise
Brasted/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

Herbsaint

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Although Herbsaint has scattered sidewalk tables under umbrellas and of course that lovely courtyard, there’s also a covered sidewalk area with seating out of the rain. Pull up a chair and enjoy some of chef de cuisine Tyler Spreen’s savory takes on contemporary, seasonal French-Southern cuisine along with rustic Italian dishes.

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-4114
(504) 524-4114
Herbsaint/Facebook

Also featured in:

Jewel of the South

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On the quieter outskirts of the Quarter sits an enchanting 19th-century Creole cottage that houses this beautiful cocktail bar and restaurant. Have a seat at the bar, in the vintage-style dining room, or on the pretty courtyard and sip some of the best cocktails in town. While the drinks may have top billing due to its cocktail-expert founders, the food is equally refined, with shareable dishes featuring caviar, burrata, and foie gras.

1026 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 265-8816
(504) 265-8816
Jewel of the South

Also featured in:

Bayona

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Bayona, set in an 18th-century Creole cottage, has been charming diners since Regina Keever and chef Susan Spicer opened the doors in 1990. Bayona drips with romance, but the vibe is casual and inviting. Pair chef Spicer’s award-winning global cuisine with one of the most serene patios for fine dining in New Orleans.

430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 525-4455
(504) 525-4455
Chris Granger/Official

Also featured in:

Vyoone’s Restaurant

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Vyoone’s is one of the Warehouse District’s best-kept secrets, a romantic French-meets-Creole spot oozing with ambience. In addition to a balanced menu of delicate French starters and contemporary Creole entrees, the top-notch wine list and magical courtyard make for the perfect special occasion setting.

412 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 518-6007
(504) 518-6007
Vyoone’s/Facebook

Also featured in:

Sylvain

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Grab a seat on the intimate back patio at Sylvain and prepare to be dazzled. The elevated gastropub cuisine is stellar, from the famous fried chicken sandwich, grilled gulf shrimp, and pappardelle bolognese. Add in the perfect cocktails and candlelit outdoor space, and you won’t want to leave.

625 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 265-8123
(504) 265-8123
Sylvain/Facebook

Also featured in:

Chemin à la Mer

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Donald Link’s fifth-floor French restaurant at the Four Seasons offers jaw-dropping views of the Mississippi river’s non-stop action. Dine alfresco on the balcony and enjoy the James Beard Award-winning chef’s fancy Parisian-inspired steak and seafood menu. Chemin à la Mer is a great place to celebrate just about anything, especially each other.

2 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 434-5898
(504) 434-5898
Chemin à la Mer/Official

Also featured in:

Cafe Sbisa

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When it comes to romantic settings, the second floor and Decatur Street balconies at Cafe Sbisa cannot be beaten. Originally opened in 1899, this classic French-Creole restaurant led by talented chef Alfred Singleton is an atmospheric stunner, with original wood, intimate balcony and patio dining, and a staircase that harks back to a golden age.

1011 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 522-5565
(504) 522-5565
One of Cafe Sbisa’s romantic balcony tables.
Cafe Sbisa/Official

Also featured in:

The Elysian Bar

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This cool renovation of a Catholic church complex includes a lovely center patio for nibbling under the stars. Hotel Peter and Paul features the Elysian Bar, an intimate space run by the smart folks at Bacchanal. Order cocktails and small to medium plates from the creative, light menu — just right for a date night.

2317 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 356-6769
(504) 356-6769
Elysian Bar/Facebook

Also featured in:

N7

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N7 is a tucked-away gem on Montegut Street, a nonchalantly chic French-meets-Japanese eatery in Bywater with a gorgeous, candlelit patio, a soundtrack of cool French pop music, and bistro fare like steak au poivre and duck l’orange.

1117 Montegut St, New Orleans, LA 70117
The courtyard at N7.
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Also featured in:

Saint-Germain

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For a casual romantic setting and light snacks, try the courtyard at Saint-Germain, one of two dining options at this lovely Bywater spot. Lit up by bulb lights and tables nicely spaced out to add to the intimacy, you can expect to enjoy bites like pate, chili shrimp, sweetbreads, as well as rare wines under the stars.

3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 218-8729
(504) 218-8729

Also featured in:

The Country Club

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Dining poolside feels like being on vacation and that’s exactly the vibe radiating from the Country Club in Bywater every day of the week. Enjoy chef Chris Barbato’s global menu — don’t miss the silky sweet corn and blue crab bisque and the panko-crusted fried cauliflower swabbed with an Asian sweet and savory sauce.

634 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 945-0742
(504) 945-0742

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Boucherie

8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118

When it became very apparent how important it was to have a covered outdoor dining space to stay afloat during the pandemic, Nathanial Zimet, executive chef of Boucherie, built his own. It features a permanent covering surrounded by trellises growing new evergreen wisteria vines, picnic tables and benches, as well as smaller four-top tables and purple chairs to match the flowers when they start to bloom. The modern Southern restaurant offers a fab cocktail program along with the likes of blackened shrimp and grit cake and whole hog pulled pork.

8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 862-5514
(504) 862-5514
Boucherie/Official

Lilette

3637 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

From the tasteful tile work and snuggle-friendly booths to the by turns delicate and swaggering French (and sometimes Italian and/or Asian) cooking, this Uptown stalwart has date night written all over it. One of the city’s most consistent restaurants is also one of its loveliest.

3637 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 895-1636
(504) 895-1636
Lilette/Facebook

The Delachaise Wine Bar

3442 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Drive by this St. Charles Avenue favorite in the evenings or late at night and the front patio is bound to be packed with people. With epic cheese plates, duck fat fries, cocktails, wine, and a streetcar view, it’s no surprise.

3442 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 895-0858
(504) 895-0858
The Delachaise
The Delachaise
Brasted/Eater NOLA

Herbsaint

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Although Herbsaint has scattered sidewalk tables under umbrellas and of course that lovely courtyard, there’s also a covered sidewalk area with seating out of the rain. Pull up a chair and enjoy some of chef de cuisine Tyler Spreen’s savory takes on contemporary, seasonal French-Southern cuisine along with rustic Italian dishes.

701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-4114
(504) 524-4114
Herbsaint/Facebook

Jewel of the South

1026 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112

On the quieter outskirts of the Quarter sits an enchanting 19th-century Creole cottage that houses this beautiful cocktail bar and restaurant. Have a seat at the bar, in the vintage-style dining room, or on the pretty courtyard and sip some of the best cocktails in town. While the drinks may have top billing due to its cocktail-expert founders, the food is equally refined, with shareable dishes featuring caviar, burrata, and foie gras.

1026 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 265-8816
(504) 265-8816
Jewel of the South

Bayona

430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Bayona, set in an 18th-century Creole cottage, has been charming diners since Regina Keever and chef Susan Spicer opened the doors in 1990. Bayona drips with romance, but the vibe is casual and inviting. Pair chef Spicer’s award-winning global cuisine with one of the most serene patios for fine dining in New Orleans.

430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 525-4455
(504) 525-4455
Chris Granger/Official

Vyoone’s Restaurant

412 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Vyoone’s is one of the Warehouse District’s best-kept secrets, a romantic French-meets-Creole spot oozing with ambience. In addition to a balanced menu of delicate French starters and contemporary Creole entrees, the top-notch wine list and magical courtyard make for the perfect special occasion setting.

412 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 518-6007
(504) 518-6007
Vyoone’s/Facebook

Sylvain

625 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Grab a seat on the intimate back patio at Sylvain and prepare to be dazzled. The elevated gastropub cuisine is stellar, from the famous fried chicken sandwich, grilled gulf shrimp, and pappardelle bolognese. Add in the perfect cocktails and candlelit outdoor space, and you won’t want to leave.

625 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 265-8123
(504) 265-8123
Sylvain/Facebook

Chemin à la Mer

2 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Donald Link’s fifth-floor French restaurant at the Four Seasons offers jaw-dropping views of the Mississippi river’s non-stop action. Dine alfresco on the balcony and enjoy the James Beard Award-winning chef’s fancy Parisian-inspired steak and seafood menu. Chemin à la Mer is a great place to celebrate just about anything, especially each other.

2 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 434-5898
(504) 434-5898
Chemin à la Mer/Official

Cafe Sbisa

1011 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

When it comes to romantic settings, the second floor and Decatur Street balconies at Cafe Sbisa cannot be beaten. Originally opened in 1899, this classic French-Creole restaurant led by talented chef Alfred Singleton is an atmospheric stunner, with original wood, intimate balcony and patio dining, and a staircase that harks back to a golden age.

1011 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 522-5565
(504) 522-5565
One of Cafe Sbisa’s romantic balcony tables.
Cafe Sbisa/Official

The Elysian Bar

2317 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117

This cool renovation of a Catholic church complex includes a lovely center patio for nibbling under the stars. Hotel Peter and Paul features the Elysian Bar, an intimate space run by the smart folks at Bacchanal. Order cocktails and small to medium plates from the creative, light menu — just right for a date night.

2317 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 356-6769
(504) 356-6769
Elysian Bar/Facebook

N7

1117 Montegut St, New Orleans, LA 70117

N7 is a tucked-away gem on Montegut Street, a nonchalantly chic French-meets-Japanese eatery in Bywater with a gorgeous, candlelit patio, a soundtrack of cool French pop music, and bistro fare like steak au poivre and duck l’orange.

1117 Montegut St, New Orleans, LA 70117
The courtyard at N7.
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Saint-Germain

3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

For a casual romantic setting and light snacks, try the courtyard at Saint-Germain, one of two dining options at this lovely Bywater spot. Lit up by bulb lights and tables nicely spaced out to add to the intimacy, you can expect to enjoy bites like pate, chili shrimp, sweetbreads, as well as rare wines under the stars.

3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 218-8729
(504) 218-8729

The Country Club

634 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Dining poolside feels like being on vacation and that’s exactly the vibe radiating from the Country Club in Bywater every day of the week. Enjoy chef Chris Barbato’s global menu — don’t miss the silky sweet corn and blue crab bisque and the panko-crusted fried cauliflower swabbed with an Asian sweet and savory sauce.

634 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 945-0742
(504) 945-0742

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