Spanish Restaurants in New Orleans

If you’re craving Spanish food in New Orleans, you might be surprised at how well the city does it beyond the usual Creole and Cajun fare. There are spots around town where you can grab authentic tapas, homemade chorizo, and seafood paella that’ll remind you of a plaza in Barcelona, not Bourbon Street.

One of my favorites is Compagnie des Mères in Mid-City. Their garlic shrimp and house-made jamón really speak to the heart of Spanish cooking. And if you time it right, stop by for their weekend brunch and try the churros with chocolate sauce,they’re a late morning treat locals swear by. For something more casual, La Paella on South Claiborne serves up massive pans of saffron-soaked rice piled with fresh local shellfish. It’s the kind of place you want to bring friends to,sharing plates, good wine, laughs. And here’s a tip: check their chalkboard menu; it often includes daily specials you won’t see on the website.

Spanish cuisine isn’t the biggest category in New Orleans, so it feels like a little secret. If you’re up for it, venture beyond the French Quarter and you’ll find places that feel more like a neighborhood hangout than a restaurant trying to catch every tourist’s eye.