New Orleans Restaurant herbsaint
New Orleans Restaurant herbsaint


An 'in the know' joint that does New Orleans classics well; it's well-loved by locals and a little more under the radar.

701 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, United States

  • Cuisine


Donald Link's flagship menu
    The vibe

    Upscale but casual

    The crowd

    Convivial cross section

    The food

    European symphony

    The service

    Intimately engaging

Our Review

Paul OswellContributing Writer

Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.
Housed in a relatively anonymous-looking building in the Central Business District, the dining room is disarmingly casual and as such, feels like a democratic venue to sample some of the city’s best food. The L-shaped dining room has simple lighting and unpretentious wooden furniture under calming olive tones.

What was the crowd like?
Dinner service has one of the more unusual mixes of people, welcoming as it does tables of post-work executives, well-heeled families, and casual tourists who have broken out of the French Quarter grid and decided to explore.

What's the drink situation?
The wine list mixes Old and New worlds confidently, and at one of the more affordable price points for a restaurant at this level. Many reflect the French and Italian influences, and the cocktail program is an equally reliable back-up plan.

You don’t become a well-loved New Orleans restaurant without paying some homage to the classics, and the dirty rice and chicken, tasso, and andouille gumbo here remain as popular as ever. Outside of familiar local dishes though, Italian and French ones vie for attention, with the gnocchi and homemade spaghetti being particularly memorable. Crispy goat and the duck leg confit are also a delight.

It’s a cozy dining room and the staff navigate the tables with balletic grace. Servers knew the menu and wine selections intimately, and aren't shy to engage in as long a chat as demand for their attention would allow.

What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
Herbsaint may not have the swagger of some of the city’s more famous restaurants, but this plays to its advantage and it delivers an assured discretion. It feels like a place for people more ‘in the know,' but without any undue snobbery.

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