Emeril's

Emeril's, contemporary Louisiana fine dining in the Warehouse District

Emeril's is the flagship restaurant of Chef Emeril Lagasse, located in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. It opened in March 1990 in a former warehouse in an industrial neighborhood and has since established itself as a benchmark for Creole and Louisiana cuisine. It is currently led by E.J. Lagasse, the founder's son, as chef and co-owner, and holds two Michelin stars.

A tasting menu experience

The restaurant offers an elegant dining experience built around its own tasting menu. It is a selection that rotates with the seasons and brings together Emeril Lagasse's classic dishes from over the years, reimagined by E.J. and his culinary team. The offering falls under what the establishment itself describes as contemporary Louisiana cuisine.

Local produce and sustainability

The kitchen places emphasis on natural, sustainable ingredients sourced from farmers, fishermen and purveyors in the region. The restaurant states its intention to use the best Louisiana produce available and to create dishes that highlight the richness of the surrounding area. This philosophy of seasonality and proximity is shared by E.J. Lagasse and his team.

The Wine Bar

The establishment has a separate space, The Wine Bar at Emeril's, with its own opening hours, which are more extensive than those of the main dining room.

History and accolades

After opening in 1990, the restaurant received a five 'bean' review in the Times-Picayune in its first few months and accumulated distinctions such as Esquire's Restaurant of the Year, the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef South and the Wine Spectator Grand Award.

In 2021, E.J. Lagasse joined the leadership after training at the Johnson & Wales culinary school and working in kitchens in New York, London and Stockholm. The restaurant underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2023 under his direction and reopened with a renewed menu that combines the establishment's culinary legacy with modern techniques.

Later accolades include the AAA Five Diamond designation in 2024, its inclusion in Les Grandes Tables du Monde and Relais & Chateaux that same year, and earning two Michelin stars in 2025. E.J. Lagasse received La Liste's New Talent of the Year award in 2023, the American South Young Chef Award and, in December 2025, Esquire's Rising Chef of the Year distinction; the restaurant was recognized as Comeback of the Year in Esquire's best new restaurants selection. It also appears at No. 30 in the inaugural North America guide of The World's 50 Best Restaurants (September 2025) and in Observer's Nightlife & Dining Power Index 2025.

The people behind the restaurant

E.J. Lagasse trained in kitchens such as Café Boulud and Le Bernardin, and worked at Core by Clare Smyth in London and Frantzén in Stockholm before returning to New Orleans in 2022 to take over the restaurant's leadership. Outside the kitchen, he has been a member of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation board since May 2025 and of the New Orleans Museum of Art board since November 2025.

Emeril Lagasse, owner and chef, trained at Johnson & Wales and furthered his studies in Paris and Lyon. Before opening Emeril's in 1990, he led the kitchen at Commander's Palace for eight years. He is chef and owner of six restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas and Miramar Beach (Florida), as well as three restaurants aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, and has developed an extensive television career.

Restaurant services

• Seasonal tasting menu
• Wine program
• Private dining room for events
• The Wine Bar at Emeril's

Location and contact

800 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans LA 70130