Bayona

Classic spots in the French Quarter tend to turn tables fast, which can make it feel like you're just a part of a large march of tourists. But at Bayona, you can linger in the plant-filled courtyard (that has more cobblestones than a Roman sidestreet) with a couple friends for a while over a bunch of Creole dishes. It feels like your own secret little garden where you can eat duck liver pate, grilled pork chops, and fennel and pepper-crusted lamb loin that’s always cooked perfectly.