Chemin à la Mer
New Orleans
Consider dining on the terrace for views of the Mississippi River with your meal.
Chemin à la Mer offers a refined dining experience in New Orleans, expertly melding the robust flavors of a traditional American steakhouse with French culinary precision. Located at 2 Canal Street, just a short stroll from the French Quarter, this restaurant provides a picturesque setting on the riverfront. Renowned chef Donald Link crafts a menu that highlights premium steak cuts sourced from distinguished suppliers. The kitchen employs a unique French-style cast iron searing technique to enhance the steaks' flavors. Diners can savor their meals in the elegant main dining room or on the expansive terrace with views of the Mississippi River.
The menu is a meticulous fusion of Louisiana culinary traditions with refined French techniques and unexpected influences from the West Indies and neighboring cultures. Guests can pair their steak dishes with a visit to the Grand Oyster Bar, which boasts an array of fresh oysters sourced from various coasts.
The locale also houses the Purple Grackle Lounge, a sophisticated southern escape where imaginative cocktails accompany an all-day dining menu. Whether visiting for a relaxed oyster tasting or a lavish steak dinner, Chemin à la Mer offers a distinctive choice for both locals and visitors seeking an exceptional culinary journey in New Orleans.
Reviews
The reviews don’t do this place justice. The views are great, the service is great, the ambiance is great, and the food is incredible. We ordered the black drum with crab meat on top, shrimp, wedge salad, and the gumbo. The drum was some of the best fish I’ve ever tasted. I can’t believe we didn’t know about this place sooner. We will definitely be back.
If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s just as memorable as the food, this is the place to be. The restaurant sits right by the water, offering beautiful river views that create the perfect backdrop while you dine. The atmosphere is incredibly romantic and intimate, making it ideal for a date night, anniversary, or any special celebration. The menu is thoughtfully curated. While it’s selective, it’s obvious they’ve focused on perfecting every dish they serve. Every bite was absolutely mouth-melting and full of flavor. One of my favorite surprises was being able to enjoy delicious non-alcoholic wine, which perfectly complemented our meal. Our waiter, Teddy, was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and made us feel well taken care of throughout the evening. To top it all off, Sous Chef Dawn personally came to check on our table, which showed how much the restaurant genuinely cares about its guests and the quality of their dining experience. This was the perfect way to end my birthday celebration, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the breathtaking views and romantic ambiance to the exceptional service and unforgettable food, I highly recommend this restaurant. I’ll definitely be back!
One of the best dining experiences we had in New Orleans. The oysters were the freshest we tasted during our trip—clean, sweet, and free of any shell fragments or grit. The seafood gumbo and Shrimp Rafael were both outstanding. Our server and the sous chef were attentive and welcoming, making the meal even more enjoyable. The only minor area for improvement was the host stand, which felt a bit formal compared to the warm hospitality we experienced throughout the rest of the restaurant. We’d definitely return.
We ordered the ribeye and the filet mignon menu. The ribeye came out perfect, but unfortunately my filet mignon, which I ordered medium rare, arrived completely well done. We politely asked for it to be remade, but after waiting over 30 minutes, we decided to cancel it instead. What made the experience worse was the manager’s attitude afterward. He came to our table visibly upset and asked if we wanted to still take the steak home and pay for it, even though the mistake was on the restaurant’s side. The interaction felt uncomfortable and unprofessional. Very disappointing experience overall, especially for a restaurant with this reputation. Sadly, we will not be returning. unprofessional. To make matters more disappointing, this dinner was for my mans birthday. We mentioned it when making the reservation, yet there was absolutely no acknowledgment, celebration, or even a small gesture from the staff. For a restaurant located inside The Four Seasons, we truly expected a much higher level of hospitality and service.
