Every August, New Orleans celebrates its lively culinary scene with Coolinary, a month-long dining program that invites locals and visitors to experience the city’s top restaurants at unbeatable prices. Featuring specially curated prix-fixe menus, Coolinary isn’t just a promotion, but it’s a citywide celebration of flavor, innovation, and heritage. This year, three standout participants, Good Catch Thai Urban Bistro, Saint John, and Gris-Gris, are offering menus that showcase the depth and diversity of New Orleans cuisine with global flair and local soul.
Good Catch Thai Urban Bistro: A Journey Through Thailand
Located in the heart of the CBD at 828 Gravier Street, Good Catch Thai Urban Bistro is a relative newcomer to the New Orleans dining scene but already a beloved destination for vibrant Thai flavors. For Coolinary 2025, Executive Chef Aom Srisuk invites diners on a culinary journey through Thailand with lunch and dinner menus that reflect her personal connections to cities across the country.
Lunch is offered daily for just $25 and includes a choice of an appetizer or dessert alongside an entrée. Options include crowd-pleasers like Tom Kha Soup, Fried Pot Stickers, and Fresh Rolls, paired with entrées like Spicy Clam Udon, Green Curry with Mixed Seafood, or Pineapple Fried Rice with Chicken.
The dinner menu, also available daily, elevates the experience with three curated menu sets, each inspired by a region in Thailand: Chiang Mai, Loei, and Koh Samui. These sets are designed for a minimum of two diners and are priced at $45 per person, with optional wine pairings to complement each regional flavor profile. From northern spices to southern seafood influences, Good Catch’s Coolinary experience is both immersive and intimate.
Reservations can be made at goodcatchnola.com or by calling (504) 581-2205.
Saint John: Elevated Creole with a Twist
At Saint John, Chef Eric Cook continues to reimagine New Orleans’ Creole cuisine for a new generation. Located at 715 St. Charles Avenue, this French Quarter-adjacent eatery blends nostalgia with modern execution which is something that’s clearly reflected in its Coolinary offerings.
For lunch (available Monday and Friday only), guests can enjoy a two-course menu for $28, choosing dishes like Grilled Lamb Lollipops or the inventive Veal Parm Poboy, followed by either a classic Root Beer Float or indulgent Bread Pudding.
The three-course dinner menu, offered daily for $58, takes things up a notch with signature dishes including Louisiana Seafood & Andouille Gumbo, Rabbit Fricassee, and a robust Cioppino. Each course reflects Saint John’s commitment to showcasing Louisiana ingredients with elevated technique and heartwarming presentation.
Reserve your table via Resy or call (504) 381-0385 to experience one of the most buzzed-about dining rooms in the city.
Gris-Gris: Comfort Food with Chef-Driven Soul
Over in the Lower Garden District, Gris-Gris continues to charm both locals and visitors with its Southern comfort classics and upstairs chef’s counter experience. For Coolinary 2025, the restaurant’s three-course dinner menu is available daily (except Tuesdays, when the restaurant is closed) for $55.
Diners can begin with a Tomato and Feta Salad or Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, followed by a hearty entrée of Venison Backstrap or Chicken Clemenceau. Finish the evening with Sicky Bun Bread Pudding, a dessert that’s quickly becoming one of the restaurant’s signature indulgences.
With its open kitchen, warm hospitality, and elevated takes on New Orleans favorites, Gris-Gris remains a top pick for Coolinary. Book via Resy or call (504) 272-0241.
Since the original publication of this article, more restaurants have shared their menus for Coolinary as well. Check out their offerings for this annual culinary event.
The Bower
LGD’s lush and local-centric restaurant, The Bower, is doing COOLinary 2025 in style. From August 1-31, guests can enjoy a three-course dinner featuring seasonal, chef-driven dishes for $48 (plus tax & gratuity). Start with your choice of bold first-course flavors such as the Lion’s Mane Mushroom Cake with pistachio and hot honey vinaigrette, Crispy Shrimp with a Calabrian chili emulsion, or creamy Whipped Feta with house-pickles and grilled baguette. For the second course, select from standout entrées like Roasted Chicken with tahini and carrot reduction, Peppered Radiatore with smoked trout roe and mushrooms, or a Paneed Pork Loin paired with spicy elote salad and pickled watermelon. End on a sweet note with a decadent Cannoli Budino or summery Watermelon Ice Box Pie with lime, sweet cream and blueberry. The Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street. www.thebowernola.com.
Birdy’s Behind The Bower
Celebrate COOLinary at Birdy’s Behind The Bower with a two-course lunch special, available Monday through Friday for just $25 (plus tax & gratuity). Start with a choice of a refreshing house-made beverage, like the tropical Bird in Paradise (rum, pineapple, coconut, orgeat), the citrusy Red Robin (tequila, lime, hibiscus), or the earthy-sweet Ube Matcha (available hot or iced). Then dig into bold flavors with your pick of Pork Belly Elote – spicy skillet corn, guacamole, poached egg, and root beer reduction; Short Rib Sandwich – with blue cheese, pickled red onion, jalapeños, on a pretzel bun; and the Huli Huli Chicken Bowl – sweet and spicy pineapple chicken with Hawaiian mac salad and cucumbers. Birdy’s Behind The Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street. https://birdysnola.com/.
Tujague’s
Join Tujague’s for COOLinary 2025 and indulge in a specially curated three-course dinner menu available for $48 per person (plus tax & gratuity). Your meal begins with a welcome cocktail—choose between a classic French 75 or the iconic Sazerac. For the first course, enjoy bold starters like French Onion Soup Gratinee Dumplings, or a vibrant Red Wine Pear Salad. The second course offers rich Creole and Southern flavors with options including Pan-Seared Smokey Gulf Fish, Broiled Flat Iron Steak, or a Fried Stuffed Pork Chop with boudin and Creole mustard reduction. Finish on a sweet note with decadent desserts like the Bananas Foster Cream Pie or the Strawberry Pistachio Entremet. Experience the flavors of New Orleans with Tujague’s signature flair—only during COOLinary and only this August. The restaurant will also offer validated parking for diners at three premium parking lots nearby (P401, P402, & P405). Tujague’s is located at 429 Decatur Streetin the French Quarter. https://tujaguesrestaurant.
Osteria Lupo
The brainchild of Chef Brian Burns and Reno De Ranieri, Osteria Lupo, will feature a three-course tasting menu for $58 per person (served family-style, full table participation required, excluding beverage, tax, and gratuity) from Monday to Sunday. Visitors can enjoy a selection (sample menu) of Antipasti, including Spring Green Salad with goat cheese, fennel, walnut shallot vin; Burrata con Panna with arugula pesto, walnut, aged balsamic; Louisiana Jumbo Shrimp with anchovy butter, long pepper conserva, focaccia. Pasta includes Radiatori with Louisiana blue crab, basil, Parmesan; Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka with crispy garlic and Calabrian chili. Secondi & Contorni (main and side dishes) include Grilled Hanger Steak with crispy potatoes and salsa verde; Seared Redfish with brown butter, leek, and garlic bagna cauda, cauliflower, braised radicchio; and Crispy Brussels Sprouts with brown butter, hazelnuts, and ricotta salata. Diners can purchase dessert a la carte at the end of their meal. Osteria Lupo is located at 4609 Magazine Street. http://www.osterialupo.com/.
Costera
Uptown’s wildly-popular coastal Mediterranean restaurant will offer a three-course tasting menu for $58 per person (served family-style, full table participation required) from Wednesday to Sunday. The menu (sample menu) includes citrus and vermouth Marinated Olives; griddled sourdough with Boquerones and green olives; beef shank and potato Bombas with aioli and pickled chilies; blistered Shishito Peppers with arbequina and Maldon; and Crudo with cucumber ginger vinaigrette, pickled fresnos, and pistachios. Second course options include Gulf Redfish a la plancha with herb aioli, asparagus, lemon, and pistachio; 24 oz. Boneless Ribeye with charred onion salsa verde, and Papas Bravas with aioli and piquillo pepper puree. End your meal with Chef’s Selection of Desserts. The quantity and variety of dishes will vary based on party size. Costera is located at 4938 Prytania Street. http://www.costerarestaurant.
Commons Club
Commons Club, under the direction of Executive Chef Chris Borges, will offer visitors a delicious three-course brunch and dinner menu. The $29 per person (excluding beverage, tax, or gratuity) brunch menu will start with a duo of freshly baked Petite Croissant & Pan au Chocolat, served with whipped butter and house-made blueberry-satsuma coulis. Then, guests will choose between a refreshing Avocado Toast with tahini, shaved veggies, and seeds on multigrain bread, or a summery Roasted Corn Salad with corn panna cotta, avocado, and pepitas. For the entrée, opt for a classic Bagel Plate with heirloom tomatoes and whipped cream cheese, a savory Fried Egg Sandwich with bacon and chili aioli, or Gulf Shrimp & Grits in a bold New Orleans BBQ sauce. The brunch menu is offered from Friday to Sunday.
The dinner menu, priced at $49 per person (excluding beverage, tax, or gratuity) and available Monday to Sunday, will feature first-course options, including a choice of a crisp Roasted Corn ‘Elote’ Salad, Goat Cheese Crottin with duck confit and cherries, or Summer Tomatoes paired with Gulf shrimp and charred peaches. Entrée selections include a flavor-packed Fried Lamb Milanese, Peach-Glazed Pork Chop with a Southern-style ragout, Roasted Half Chicken with kale salad and romesco, or Wild Mushroom Ravioli with truffle and nettle pesto. End on a sweet note with either a Cheesecake Mousse topped with blackberry curd and almonds or a fragrant Apricot Bread Pudding drizzled in hibiscus syrup.
Commons Club is located in the lobby of Virgin Hotels New Orleans at 550 Baronne Street. https://virginhotels.com/the-
A Month of Culinary Discovery
Coolinary isn’t just a deal, it’s a love letter to the resilience and brilliance of New Orleans restaurants. Whether you’re craving the bold spices of Thailand, reimagined Creole comfort, or contemporary Southern fare, this year’s program offers a range of unforgettable experiences.
To see full menus and explore other participating restaurants, visit www.coolinaryneworleans.com. Make your reservations early because tables fill up fast when New Orleans eats like this. If you have a hard time deciding, try using New Orleans Restaurant Roulette to pick one of the participating restaurants at random for you!
