A tavern tucked in a tiny 19th-century Creole cottage, Jewel of the South offers a romantic experience with the highest level of cocktails -- including a return to an oft-overlooked New Orleans drink creation, the Brandy Crusta. Owners and local cocktail legends Chris Hannah and Nick Dietrich have teamed up to provide a one-of-a-kind experience, tipping its hat to Joseph Santini who created the Brandy Crusta in his own bar, called Jewel of the South, in the 1850s. There are other lovingly resurrected throwbacks on the drink list from cobblers to punches to Manhattan variants.

The tastefully colorful Creole cottage in a relatively quiet corner of the French Quarter is a suitably historic home for Jewel of the South, a new venture from two of the city’s most renowned bartenders. Named for a 19th-century local bar that was among the first in the city to serve cocktails, Nick Detrich and Chris Hannah have opened up this small, perfectly formed rustic tavern—think bare brickwork and dark woods—in miniature, which pays homage to those early days. This bar taps into the history of drinking (and eating) in New Orleans in a way that's unique for the city.

Opened by Chris Hannah, one of the city’s most esteemed bartenders, this modern cocktail destination is tucked into a Creole cottage that dates back to the 1830s. Jewel of the South is named for a restaurant that was opened by Joseph Santini, inventor of the Brandy Crusta. Hannah has revived this largely forgotten but influential drink—it was the first cocktail to incorporate fresh citrus juice—and has made it the bar’s signature offering, alongside skillful interpretations of the classics.

The colourful Creole cottage is a suitably evocative home for this new venture by two of the city’s most renowned bartenders. Inside, you’ll find a small, perfectly formed tavern with exposed brickwork and dark woods. It’s one of the few places where you can try a Crusta, a historic local proto-cocktail, and with sours and cobblers on the drinks list, it’s one of the most esoteric and exciting in town.

Jewel of the South calls itself a classic New Orleans tavern, but really you can just think of it as a place that puts an equal emphasis on the food and cocktails. And both are extremely quality, if not a little bit over the top. There are multiple cocktails that cost over $25, and you’ll find a lot of caviar on the menu, along with plates of wagyu beef tongue.

While you could spend weeks in the dynamic city and only scratch its surface, Jordi says a three-day weekend can still give first-time visitors a feel for the city. Whether you’re headed here for a quick trip or a leisurely extended vacation, you’ll want to check off at least a few of the 25 best things to do in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The cocktail creativity here puts London and New York on blast. The drinks come hyper-local, thanks to citrus plucked from the fig, loquat, and blood orange trees in the courtyard, and the white tables and French chairs quickly fill with regulars when this aptly named “ Jewel” opens each evening.

Jewel of the South is a French Quarter restaurant-bar in an old Creole cottage that reveres and remixes the city’s cocktail traditions.

Raw oysters might be a luxury, but the glory of New Orleans is that you can get equally amazing oyster selections whether you go to a fancy white-tablecloth joint or a darkened dive bar where you can grab an ice-cold beer and make small talk with an oyster shucker while sports flicker on big screen TVs in the background. Both Acme and Felix’s are two of the city’s most famous oyster bars, and what they lack in glamor, they make up for in charm and an only-in-New Orleans vibe. Cooter Browns, located way Uptown along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line in the Riverbend, is known for their mighty beer selection, bustling oyster bar, and laid-back atmosphere.

The idea for the company from co-founders and restaurateurs John Stubbs (owner/operator of New Orleans’s Jewel of the South) and Jon Sybert (Michelin starred chef/owner of Washington D.C.’s Tail Up Goat, both of which will have a menu of the month) came during the onset of the pandemic. “We met a lot of other restaurateurs around the country on Zoom calls; everyone shared the same challenges: operating on thin margins and wondering how to reach customers outside of fine dining,” says Stubbs. “One of the more interesting innovations from the pandemic was nationwide shipping but our kitchens are optimized for fine dining.

About The Brandy Crusta & Sidecar: If you are seeking out some international flair in New Orleans, then you will love Brandy Crusta which was invented by Italian Bartender Joseph Santini. The drink is a mixture of cognac, bitters, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and orange curacao which is shaken to a froth and strained into a sugar-rimmed glass before being topped with orange peel. Those ingredients on paper may sound like a super random drink, but it is definitely in consideration as one of the best drinks of New Orleans and often called the Jewel of the South.

You’ll want to linger a while at this gracious tavern housed in an 1830s Creole cottage, especially if you snag one of the seats in the outdoor garden. Co-owner Chris Hannah presides over the bar, where he’s perfected the art of the Brandy Crusta, a 19 th-century drink crowned with a “crust” of sugar and graceful drape of lemon peel. You also won’t go wrong ordering a French 75here; Hannah previously manned the bar at Arnaud’s French 75, where his version of the effervescent classic has become the gold standard.

With a passion for hospitality, Jewel of the South is an easy choice for one of the top 10 upscale bars in New Orleans, as well as in the United States. Complete with old brick walls and blue painted shutters, Jewel of the South is an ode to Southern architecture and a true hidden gem. The cocktails flaunt a perfect pairing of seasonal flavors and ingredients with mastered techniques and a dedication to history and tradition, all in all making for an easy evening with good company in a swanky space.

With a cocktail program run by legendary barman Chris Hannah, known for his multiple James Beard award-winning cocktail menus at Arnaud’s French 75, Jewel of the South is the spot to try fancy drinks with ingredients like loquat-infused Suze and schmalz-washed rum. The courtyard also offers a sophisticated, romantic respite from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding Quarter, and it’s also a great place to splurge on caviar, if that’s your thing. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

What happens when two of the world’s best and most revered bartenders join forces to open a French Quarter craft tavern dedicated to exploring the history of New Orleans’ cocktail culture?. Answer: a glimpse into the looking glass that is the future of imbibing. Nick Detrich, formerly of Cane & Table, and Chris Hannah, the longtime face behind the counter at Arnaud's French 75 Bar, named their business after a 19th-century restaurant, the domain of iconic bartender Joseph Santini.

If New Orleans had a Mount Rushmore of cocktail men, Antoine Amédée Peychaud would be looking down upon us. In the early 1800s, he created Peychaud’s bitters, which became a key ingredient in local liquid landmarks like the Sazerac and the Vieux Carré. With its relaxing courtyard and knowledgeable staff who can walk you through all the notables, from fizzes to punches, Peychaud’s is an ideal spot to start your education in the city’s history of drink.

When this French Quarter eatery first opened up in the Spring of 2019, the city’s fooderati were abuzz with salivating excitement. Located in the French Quarter, Jewel of the South is as much a restaurant as it is a cocktail bar. This contemporary tavern serves up excellent seasonal fare with a Southern accent and an award-winning bar program that mixes up seasonal signature cocktails alongside a list of classic drinks as well.

The Brandy Crusta predates most famous cocktails, invented in New Orleans in the 1850s by Joseph Santini. Jewel of the South serves this forgotten classic with the attention it deserves, using cognac, orange curaçao, lemon juice, and simple syrup, served in a sugar-rimmed glass with a lemon peel garnish. This drink influenced the development of many modern drinks, yet remains largely unknown outside New Orleans.

Chris Hannah was already one of New Orleans’ most-beloved bartenders long before he and his partners opened Jewel of the South. Today, the restaurant is a NOLA culinary mainstay, and the bar turns out some of the most beautifully rendered classic (and classically rooted) cocktails anywhere. A Brandy Crusta is never a bad idea here, or venture someplace new with an Absinthe Colada or a Sour Cherry Negroni.

This is the first Coolinary for Jewel of the South (1026 St. Louis St., 504-265-8816), which a masterful approach to cocktails (from maestro Chris Hannah) is paired with chef Phil Whitmarsh’s modern British cuisine. The result is quite different from anywhere else in town — with many vegetable-forward dishes and creative renderings of familiar staples. You can sample three courses for $45.

Address: 1026 Saint Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112 Price Range: $$ – $$$ | Happy Hour: Yes. is a cozy James Beard award-winning restaurant and bougie cocktail bar that brings a historical touch to your drink. It’s famous for its Brandy Crusta, a cocktail that tells the tale of New Orleans’ rich cocktail history, paired with locally inspired gourmet dishes.

Taking its name from one of the first New Orleans bars to serve cocktails, Jewel of the South offers a refined modern take on the classic local tavern. Set in a charming French Quarter cottage, the bar has exposed brick walls and a blend of historic and modern decor. It is one of the few places you can try a crusta, a New Orleans original featuring brandy.

Famous for their award winning cocktails, Jewel of the South is a fantastic restaurant that couples its drinks with its mouth-watering entrees. Located in the French Quarter, each Sunday the brunch menu brings locals and tourists in for some tasty meals. Please note that a Saturday brunch in New Orleans is not possible here– only arrive on Sundays!

Why you should go: When longtime New Orleans barman Chris Hannah departed his post at Arnaud’s French 75 to open this spot, it instantly became the city’s best cocktail bar. This year, it deservedly won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar. Located in a refurbished 19th-century house, Jewel is an elegant spot for a round or two.

What Guests Like: Exceptional Cocktails, Off-the-beaten-path, Great Flavors & Service. The awards for this bar and restaurant just keep stacking up, from high-up placements on esteemed “best of” lists from Esquire to Tails of the Cocktail. The setting is ideal, a Creole cottage built in the 1830s set right in the French Quarter.

It’s been a very long time since bar patrons in New Orleans were curious about which Brandy Crusta was in season. Or if the bar establishment turned out an especially authentic Roffignac. Or if the French 75 contained the right brand of gin, giving true balance to the accompanying sparkling wine.

A tight knit and aesthetically pleasing bar space with artisan, hand-crafted signature dishes. Jewel of the South serves some of the best cocktails you can find within the French Quarter. Make sure to make a reservation for dinner if you want to stick around to eat as this place books up fast!

Jewel of the South is a hidden gem with Southern charm and locally inspired dishes, perfect for a cozy date night. Italian Barrel invites you to savor the warmth of Italian hospitality while enjoying authentic flavors of Italy. MaMou brings French-inspired cuisine to the heart of the city.

Another French Quarter favorite, Jewel of the South is a beautifully appointed venue for drinks. I’m going to say it early and boldly, the food menu is for the birds, particularly for vegetarians, but don’t go for the food. Go for the amazing drinks and ambience.

- Rating: 4.5/5 (191 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 1026 St. Louis St. New Orleans, Louisiana - Categories: Cocktail Bars, New American, British- Read more on Yelp. You may also like:Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the New Orleans metro area

Tucked away in the French Quarter, you’ll find the winner of the 2022 Tales of the Cocktail. Their intimate courtyard is perfect for a girls’ night out or a date night. Be sure to make reservations for this one in advance.

Jewel of the South is another one of the top bars in New Orleans. The food is pretty damn good, too, if you’re looking for a spot for dinner and drinks!. This rustic-chic tavern is tucked away in the French Quarter.

• My favorite cocktails in the city are made by Chris Hannah and his team at Jewel of the South. Please also don’t leave without ordering the Eaton Mess – it is my absolute favorite dessert in the city!

Enjoy the Big Easy’s haunted history from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage, or party it up till the wee hours of the morning in the Warehouse District.

1026 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112Phone: 504-265-8816 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Jewel of the South (@jewelnola)

Legendary bartender Chris Hannah pours a cocktail behind the bar at Jewel of the South in the French Quarter. Photo: Courtesy of Denny Culbert