For generations, New Orleanians grew up playing along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain from West End Park to South Shore Harbor, an area prized for dining family and fine, along with boating and entertainment. Decimated by the Seventeenth Street Canal flood wall breach after Hurricane Katrina, the neighborhood was devastated, with many restaurants closing their doors. But as the locals in this well-heeled part of town rebuilt, restaurateurs wanted a seat at the neighborhood table, with much, but not all, the action dotting Harrison Avenue. Restaurants like Junior’s on Harrison, Lakeview Burgers, and Station 6 are just the tip of the iceberg as this dining district expands.
Read MoreWhere to Eat and Drink in and Around Lakeview
There’s more to the neighborhood than seafood joints
R & O Restaurant and Catering
This classic, family-friendly Bucktown seafood and seafood joint is a go-to for Italian and Cajun classics, and more specifically, its roast beef po’ boy delivers chunky goodness and hearty beef flavor. Thin-crust pizza is popular, as are the soft-shell offerings, including a platter, a po’boy, and even soft-shell crab Parmesan.
Station 6
Local chef Aaron Burgau and a group of partners took over this Bucktown seafooder from founders Allison Vega-Knoll and Drew Knoll last year, but not to worry. Burgau, who also owns the excellent Patois, kept the Station 6 chill vibe and creative kitchen firmly in place. Favorites like sizzling garlic shrimp, chargrilled redfish on the half-shell, and grilled salmon tacos with black bean corn salsa live on. The lake is just over the levee and a massive pumping station looms next door, which Vega and Knoll thought was Station No. 6. It turns out they misread the map, but it still has a nice ring to it.
Rizzuto's Ristorante & Chop House
Rizutto’s Ristorante & Chop House wears its old-school vibe with pride, from the tufted red velvet banquettes and formally attired wait staff to its sparkling busy bar and white tablecloth landscape. But it’s Rizutto’s food that keeps the place buzzing: housemade linguine with clams; the beet salad with Marcona almonds, feta, and crisp quinoa; and chicken Marsala. Steak lovers won’t want to miss the 10-ounce prime spinalis, a specially cut marbled hunk of steak that is the cap of the ribeye, a real game changer.
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The Backyard
The Backyard is the bomb, a kid and dog-friendly outdoor space that radiates a chill, Sunday afternoon kind of vibe. The eats are smoky barbecue-centric — love the muffuletta deviled eggs and housemade pimento cheese — and there’s a super cocktail and craft beer list and nine flat screens for catching the game. There’s a good menu for the kiddos too, with staples like chicken bites and grilled cheese, including tots and a juice box.
Chez Pierre Bakery Lakeview
The Lakeview location is just a few years old, but this French Vietnamese bakery has a legacy status in the area, quickly becoming a neighborhood staple for affordable food. The friendly Harrison Avenue location expands on the menu, with excellent made-to-order spring rolls, rice noodle dishes, banh mi, and specialty pastries like croissant doughnuts. Banh mi are less than $8, a steal.
Sala
Sala is a sleek restaurant and lounge owned by the Riccobono family, also owners of Cafe Navarre. They’ve dug into the neighborhood with specials like a Tuesday to Friday happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. with discounted drinks and nibbles. The food has lots of polish and flair — try the grilled shrimp spinach salad with blue cheese or panne veal topped with crawfish over pasta.
Ming's
Ming’s is a pretty little spot tucked away behind some shops on Pontchartrain Boulevard. The popular lunch destination offers traditional favorites like hot and sour soup, fried rice, and egg foo young (special on Tuesday) along with tempting options like black bean chicken and Mongolian beef.
Two Tony’s Restaurant
Originally opened in the French Quarter in 1987, this Creole Italian seafooder is a solid choice, thanks to the culinary talents of Anthony Montalbano senior and junior. Come hungry and plow through heaping platters of fried seafood, chicken parmesan, and spaghetti and meatballs. The vibe is warm and friendly at II Tony’s — that’s how it reads on the sign.
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Russell's Marina Grill
Lakeview’s diner institution, Russell’s, celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, legendary for breakfast and bloody marys since Born in the USA ruled the charts. Solid options include fried chicken and waffles to the restaurant’s staple, the Egg Saints #33 with a grilled biscuit, alligator sausage, grilled tomatoes, poached eggs, and homemade country gravy. Save room for the housemade pies.
The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar
One of a handful of seafood restaurants that opened in 2013 right on the lake, Blue Crab offers fresh, no-frills seafood and a terrific happy hour. Unlike Landry’s, a chain that rarely delivers the wow that the view deserves, Blue Crab gets it right. Everything fried is delicious and don’t miss the chargrilled oysters with lemon garlic butter.
China Rose
The menu at China Rose comes in an English and Chinese version, a good sign. If dishes like bean curd skin, beef tendon in brown sauce, and fried pork intestines aren’t your jam, crispy duck, orange beef, and other traditional dishes await. The $9.95 appetizer platter delivers egg rolls, fried wonton, fried shrimp, shrimp toast, crab rangoon, and ribs, a good deal.
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Francesca by Katie's
This Lakeview deli and pizzeria from the owners of Katie’s in Mid-City is a charming little roadside shop, a family-friendly crowd-pleaser that’s a great stop for sandwiches on the way to the Lakefront. There’s a St. Louis inspiration here when it comes to pizza, but it also nods to its predecessor, Charlie’s Deli, for its signature sandwich. The Moon is a riff on the muffuletta, combining ham, roast beef, provolone, Swiss, and coleslaw on a muffuletta bun with Russian dressing. The classic Club is a winner, as are the daily specials.
Creole Creamery
Creole Creamery has made a name for itself throughout Louisiana since Bryan Gilmore and team began turning out insanely good ice cream in Uptown in 2004. Now with three area locations and one in Bay St. Louis, a rotation of creative flavors like black and gold crunch, lavender honey, Creole cream cheese, and Thai basil coconut draw regulars. Summer usually brings blueberry pie ice cream and winter marks the arrival of king cake ice cream.
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Juniors on Harrison
Junior’s on Harrison is a family-friendly, modern American restaurant led by chef de cuisine Darren Arabie. The menu includes a flavorful chopped kale and peanut salad, a Korean beef sandwich, and fish tacos with jerk sauce. A strong cocktail program and an upstairs bar that’s 21 and over is a nice bonus.
Parlay's Bar
This longtime watering hole in the heart of Lakeview on Harrison is a neighborhood favorite, with a super long bar, karaoke, and frequent promos like $3 bloody marys and day drinking specials. Although they don’t have a kitchen, feel free to bring in eats from Reginelli’s Pizzeria or Lakeview Burgers next door. Get ready, this place is lively.
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Lakeview Burgers and Seafood
This family-owned hotspot draws loyal fans for platters of burgers, fried seafood, and mega po’ boys. The gumbo is good and you can get a fresh salad for something lighter. Lakeview Burgers and Seafood is run by chef Joe and his son Josef, who do catering and crawfish boils too.
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The Velvet Cactus
This place is all about its margaritas, pitcher-perfect versions of the tequila cocktail that captured top honors at Top Taco Fest. The Velvet Cactus offers an ornately decorated patio for eating outdoors, with lots of Mexican-themed snacks and dishes for munching. The family grill platter is heaped with fajitas, shrimp, sausage, and sides and easily feeds four — great for the whole family.
Red Bird Fried Chicken
Red Bird, the 2023 winner of the National Fried Chicken Festival, is the real deal. The bird gets a wet batter coating, prepped 24 hours before landing hot and juicy on the plate. The result is white meat, on the bone and tenders, that is astonishingly juicy. The crust crackles at the bite, not too thick, just right. There are sandwiches and sides like red beans and onion rings too. As for the local brand, which also has locations in Covington and Denham Springs, that crispy skin is a slightly burnished shade of mahogany.