35 Postcards
Step into Galatoire's and savor nearly a century of New Orleans elegance, where classic Creole cuisine meets a lively atmosphere of upscale charm.
"The front of the house is as important as the back of the house at this historic restaurant. Locals ask for their waiter by name upon entering the family-run staple that has long been known for lines down the street for Friday lunch. Word to the wise: The overall experience is perhaps more responsible for its popularity than the food itself, so ask your waiter what to order and take that suggestion. Soft-shell crab is a must when it’s available." - Clair Lorell
"Friday lunch has been a tradition at Galatoire’s on Bourbon Street for generations since 1905. It’s a party notable for high fashion, flowing champagne, and decadent excess. Some of the best waiters in the city serve platters of trout meuniere, shrimp remoulade, and stuffed eggplant. The restaurant was named Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation in 2005." - Beth D'Addono
"This Bourbon Street landmark is famous for its Friday lunch, where the drinks are strong and the menu is bursting with classics — oysters Rockefeller, eggs Sardou, Galatoire Goute, pompano with crabmeat. Show up early to snag a table (and bring a jacket, gentlemen)." - Eater Staff
"Friday lunch at Galatoire’s is a New Orleans right of passage. To experience it best, you need to sit in the downstairs dining room, which requires getting in line on Bourbon Street before it opens at 11:30am. The servers wear tuxes, everybody is drinking sazeracs and glasses of milk punch, and you can eat old-school classics like shrimp remoulade and gumbo. If you’re looking for a proper “Yes, I’m definitely in New Orleans” way to kick off a weekend, start at Galatoire’s." - zella palmer, carlo mantuano, megan braden perry
"Of course, Galatoire’s remains a classic, although holding onto that title is never guaranteed. The most entertaining option is to go for Friday lunch, when a who’s who of the Uptown crowd drink, table-hop, and raise the decibel level noticeably as the afternoon progresses. Just be sure to block out the rest of the day, and get the turtle soup, crab Maison, and crawfish etouffee." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell
