With the Lenten season upon us, New Orleans restaurants are rolling out a variety of seafood-focused dishes and meat-free specials to accommodate those observing the tradition. From upscale dining to casual spots, chefs across the city are offering creative takes on classic Lent-friendly cuisine. Here’s where to find some of the best offerings this season.
Compère Lapin
Located in the Warehouse Arts District, Chef Nina Compton’s award-winning restaurant is serving up a delectable array of Lenten-friendly dishes perfect for the season. Start with the Smoked Fish Dip, paired with seeded crackers and smoked trout roe, followed by the bold and flavorful Fried Fish Collar with passionfruit glaze and pickapeppa salsa. Try the Tuna Ceviche, enhanced with coconut, lime, and jerk peanuts for a light yet satisfying bite. A refreshing Green Papaya Salad with mirliton, tamarind vinaigrette, and sesame adds a zesty touch, while the Broiled Shrimp with Calabrian chili butter brings a spicy, savory finish. Treat your taste buds to these vibrant, coastal-inspired offerings this Lent. The restaurant will also offer a variety of specialty Lent mocktails.
Mister Mao
Helmed by James Beard semi-finalist Chef Sophina Uong, Mister Mao is embracing Fish Fridays with dishes like Gulf Shrimp Cocktail with gochujang BBQ, Wood-Fired Gulf Fish with smoked farro, and Khmer Cauliflower with peanut, coconut, and vegan fish sauce. Other Lent-friendly options include a Ginger Salad with peanut, crunchy bits, and serrano peppers.
Alma Café
Chef Melissa Araujo’s Bywater eatery features Lent dishes with a Latin twist, including Camarones a la Diabla (grilled Louisiana jumbo shrimp with Calabrian chile butter), vegan Moros y Cristianos (red beans and jasmine rice cooked in coconut milk), and a Crawfish or Soft Shell Crab Benedict served atop Jewish rye toast.
Commons Club
At Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Commons Club offers a rotating selection of Lent specials for brunch and dinner. Dishes include Moules Marinières with Urban South Paradise Park beer, Moroccan Spiced Red Snapper, and Creole Cioppino with shrimp, mussels, and mahi mahi. Other options range from Roasted Chesapeake Bay Scallops with caviar beurre blanc to BBQ Shrimp with brown butter and bottarga breadcrumbs.
BABs
Formerly Bywater American Bistro, BABs is offering Tuna Carpaccio with preserved truffles and a hearty Cioppino seafood stew. Guests can also enjoy Branzino with puttanesca and Blackened Octopus with sweet potato and coconut puree.
Osteria Lupo
This Northern Italian hotspot brings Lent-friendly flavors with Pesce Crudo (red American snapper with tomato-walnut pesto), Marinated Mushrooms with chili and garlic, Wood-Fired Oysters with rosemary and focaccia, and Yellowfin Tuna with fennel and olives.
Costera
Sister restaurant to Osteria Lupo, Costera celebrates Coastal Spanish flavors with dishes like Seared Yellowfin Tuna with pistachio romesco, Louisiana Blue Crab Salad, and Gulf Fish a la Plancha with herb aioli and blistered tomato.
Beggars Banquet
In the Lower Garden District, Beggars Banquet offers a mix of seafood and vegetarian dishes, including Smoked Redfish Dip, Crispy Firecracker Calamari, and a Fresh Gulf Fish dish with potato crust. Vegetarians can enjoy Mushroom Toast with cipollini onions, capers, and pesto, or Sriracha Cauliflower.
Tujague’s
The second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans, Tujague’s is presenting Lent specials such as Gulf Shrimp Remoulade with fried green tomatoes, Roasted Mushroom Crepes with herbed goat cheese, Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with saffron risotto, and Gulf Fish Amandine with citrus butter sauce.
Bower
Chef Marcus Woodham at Bower is offering Spicy Scallop Arancini, Peppered Conchiglie with Louisiana blue crab, Tuna Crudo with satsuma vinaigrette, and Gulf Shrimp with sherry and farm cauliflower.
Good Catch Thai Urban Bistro
For those craving Thai flavors, Good Catch specializes in authentic Thai seafood dishes, many of which can be made vegetarian. Standouts include Spicy Clams with basil and chili paste, Pineapple Fried Rice with Gulf Shrimp, and Panang Curry with tofu. Mocktails like the Passionfruit-Lychee Spritz and Butterfly Strawberry add a refreshing touch.
Saint John
Saint John offers a mix of seafood and vegetarian options, including Redfish Meunière with artichokes and arugula, Mirliton Ceviche, Baked Macaroni Pie, and a Shrimp Po’Boy special every Friday. Mocktails like the Strawberry No-Jito and Tall, Dark, and Handsome make for perfect non-alcoholic pairings.
Gris-Gris
This popular restaurant features dishes such as Oyster Pie, Cast Iron Seared Fish with stewed green beans, and Catfish and Cajun Caviar Po’Boy. Their mocktail offerings include La Vie en Lavande, a house-made lavender lemonade, and Midnight Sun with elderberry syrup and chamomile tea.
With so many restaurants offering diverse and delicious Lent-friendly specials, there’s no shortage of great places to dine this season in New Orleans. Whether you’re looking for classic seafood dishes, vegetarian options, or globally inspired flavors, these eateries have you covered.
Toups Meatery
Each Friday of Lent, diners can enjoy a $26 lunch special featuring wild-caught fried catfish, hush puppies, potato salad & tartar sauce. All proceeds of this special will go directly to Toups Family Meal – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization started by Isaac & Amanda Toups which is dedicated to fighting food insecurity in New Orleans.
