Commander's Palace is an upscale Creole restaurant in New Orleans' Garden District, known for its turquoise-and-white Victorian exterior, gracious service and traditional dishes. Inside, the mood is polished but welcoming, and a meal can include turtle soup, gumbo or shrimp and grits, followed by the Creole bread pudding soufflé. Weekend jazz brunch adds live music to the meal. Book ahead and check the dress code before you go; this is a special-occasion restaurant, not a casual stop.
A Garden District dining landmark
Commander's Palace is in the Garden District, at 1403 Washington Avenue. Its turquoise-and-white exterior makes the restaurant easy to recognize among the district's large homes. The restaurant has been part of New Orleans dining since 1893, and its kitchens have been associated with chefs including Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse.
Inside, the atmosphere is refined without feeling stiff. The dining rooms have individual decorative touches, and the restaurant suits a celebratory meal or a planned evening out. Some diners are drawn to the upstairs Garden Room for its windows overlooking the courtyard and nearby oak trees. Seating depends on the reservation, so request a preferred area when booking rather than counting on it.
Creole dishes and a tableside dessert
The menu centers on Creole cooking, with familiar regional dishes alongside changing preparations of seafood and other Louisiana ingredients. Turtle soup is one of the long-running choices; it is served with sherry, and some versions include chopped egg and lemon. Gumbo is another staple, though its ingredients can change with the season or day. Pecan-crusted Gulf fish and shrimp dishes are also associated with the restaurant.
For a fuller meal, shrimp and grits is a hearty option. Shrimp and Tasso Henican combines Louisiana white shrimp with housemade tasso ham, pickled okra, red onion, pepper jelly and a beurre blanc sauce. Menus can change, so check what is available when you visit.
Leave room for the Creole bread pudding soufflé. It is finished at the table with warm whiskey cream, adding a bit of theatre to dessert. Pecan pie and other sweets have also appeared on the menu.
Brunch, martinis and planning your visit
Weekend brunch pairs the restaurant's Creole dishes with live jazz. Bloody Marys, turtle soup and the bread pudding soufflé are among the brunch choices mentioned, though the exact menu may differ. If a martini is part of your plan, the well-known 25-cent versions are associated with weekday lunch.
This is a popular restaurant, so make a reservation ahead of your visit. The dress code calls for collared shirts and closed-toe shoes; check the restaurant's current guidance before setting out. The address is on Washington Avenue in the Garden District, a short walk from Lafayette Cemetery. Allow time for a leisurely meal and arrive dressed for an upscale dining room.
FAQ
Where is Commander's Palace?
It is at 1403 Washington Avenue in New Orleans' Garden District, across from Lafayette Cemetery.
What should I order at Commander's Palace?
Turtle soup, gumbo, shrimp and grits, and pecan-crusted Gulf fish are Creole options associated with the restaurant. The Creole bread pudding soufflé is a signature dessert.
Does Commander's Palace have a dress code?
Yes. Collared shirts and closed-toe shoes are required.
When is the jazz brunch?
Live jazz brunch is held on weekends. Make a reservation in advance.
When can you get the 25-cent martinis?
They are associated with weekday lunch at Commander's Palace.
