Mamou is a great place to bring a date, eat steak tartare, and drink a glass of red from Burgundy. Beyond snails, we love the braised celery hearts with beef tongue, gulf fish a la royale, and risotto—basically anything that leans into the rich and butter-loaded dishes they do really well. If you’re around Louis Armstrong Park and need a glass of wine and a snack, hang out at the lively emerald green bar, which is just as fun as the rest of the fuschia-accented dining room.

This modern French brasserie was an instant hit when it made its debut in 2022. The vibrant menu offers an elegant homage to South Louisiana Creole traditions, with the refinement of French fine dining techniques. The elevated experience retains an approachable charm, and the cozy setting is perfect for enjoying the likes of steak tartare, crusted Gulf fish and oyster dressing served with court bouillon or risotto with shrimp, crab fat and radish.

This 2022 newcomer to North Rampart Street reimagines what New Orleans’ dining scene would look like, had France kept the city as a colony. The Gulf Fish ‘Court Bouillon’ has oyster dressing and rouille and the Braised Celery Hearts are a perfect share option, with Smoked Beef Tongue on top. Executive chef Tom Branighan named the colorful, one-room restaurant for his great-grandmother, and he brought on Molly Wismeier (formerly of Restaurant R’evolution) to create a stellar wine program, that includes several by-the-glass rarities.

Earlier this year, MaMou made “Bon Appétit’s” Best New Restaurants list and “The New York Times’” annual list of the top 50 restaurants in the U.S. – not bad for a spot dreamed up on a modest scale in the middle of the pandemic. “With the reception we’ve received from the community and the press, it seems like our task is well accomplished,” Branighan said.

There’s just something about a good French restaurant that screams romance, and MaMou is no exception. Located just on the edge of the French Quarter, MaMou feels like walking into a Parisian brasserie. Inside you’ll find a cozy-yet-cool atmosphere, with flowers dripping from the ceilings and a lush, red velvet banquette running the length of the back wall.

- Rating: 4.6/5 (75 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 942 North Rampart St. New Orleans, Louisiana - Categories: Brasseries- Read more on Yelp. This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros. You may also like: Best suburbs in New Orleans

MaMou got their start only two years ago in 2022 and have been a hit ever since they opened up their doors. This unique modern French brasserie has a really cool interior that would make for a great date night. Executive Chef Tom Branighan and Sommelier Molly Wismeier make the perfect menu blend of food and drinks.

Everyone from the young blood Cajun groups like Lost Bayou Ramblers, to world-renowned groups like Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys tear into it on the Blue Moon's back porch. It's pretty much a guaranteed good time no matter who's on the bill.

MaMou brings French-inspired cuisine to the heart of the city. Lastly, Café Amelie, set in a historic courtyard, combines modern Creole cuisine with an enchanting ambiance, making it the ideal destination for an unforgettable night out.

Last year, the French Quarter bistro MaMou (942 N. Rampart St.) and Dakar NOLA (3814 Magazine St.) the Uptown restaurant for modern Senegalese cuisine, made the best new restaurants list from Bon Appétit.