"The pink Royal Street landmark since 1946 — birthplace of Bananas Foster, Kris Padalino's Creole cooking flambéed tableside. New Orleans theatre at its best."
About Brennan's
Brennan's has anchored 417 Royal Street since 1946, its candy-pink façade one of the most photographed in the New Orleans French Quarter. It is the founding restaurant of the Brennan family dynasty that shaped modern Creole dining, and the place where one of America's most famous desserts was invented — Bananas Foster, created here in 1951 by chef Paul Blangé for owner Owen Brennan.
Today executive chef Kris Padalino cooks Creole tradition with a contemporary hand, and the restaurant remains a destination for the long, theatrical meals New Orleans does better than anywhere. Much of the cooking still happens tableside, the flambé carts and carved courses part of the show.
The Kitchen
The Bananas Foster is the icon — bananas and ice cream flambéed in rum and banana liqueur at your table, still the most-ordered dish in the house. Around it sits a deep Creole menu: turtle soup, baked oysters in Creole sauce, eggs Hussarde at the celebrated breakfast, and tableside Steak Diane and Crêpes Fitzgerald. The blackened redfish and Gulf fish amandine carry the local seafood.
This is top-end New Orleans dining: mains run roughly $38 to $62 and the famous breakfast is à la carte, with dinner for two and wine landing around $200 to $300. The tableside theatre is built into the price, and worth it for the occasion.
The Room
Inside the pink walls is a warren of dining rooms wrapped around a lush courtyard, the grand, old-Creole setting that has hosted Quarter celebrations for generations. It is dressy and convivial rather than stiff — a room that knows how to mark an occasion, with practised service that handles the tableside carts with ease.
The Royal Street address puts it at the centre of the French Quarter, a few steps from the antique shops and galleries. Book ahead for the breakfast and for weekend dinners, when the courtyard rooms fill with people celebrating something.
Best for an Anniversary
The pink-walled grandeur and tableside theatre make Brennan's a classic New Orleans anniversary or milestone birthday. The history and the room also make it a confident table to impress clients over a long Creole dinner.
Not for
Not for diners after a quick, casual bite or a budget meal — Brennan's is a dressy, top-end Creole institution built for unhurried, occasion dining with tableside flambé.
Frequently Asked
What is Brennan's known for?
Being the birthplace of Bananas Foster, invented here in 1951, and for grand Creole dining. A French Quarter landmark since 1946 at 417 Royal Street, it serves turtle soup, eggs Hussarde and tableside Steak Diane under chef Kris Padalino.
Who created Bananas Foster?
Brennan's chef Paul Blangé created Bananas Foster in 1951, when owner Owen Brennan challenged him to build a dessert around bananas. Flambéed tableside in rum and banana liqueur, it remains the restaurant's most-ordered dish.
What should I order at Brennan's?
The Bananas Foster is essential. Add turtle soup, baked oysters in Creole sauce, eggs Hussarde at breakfast, and tableside Steak Diane or Crêpes Fitzgerald; the blackened redfish carries the Gulf seafood.
How much does dinner cost at Brennan's?
It is top-end New Orleans dining. Mains run roughly $38 to $62 and the famous breakfast is à la carte, with dinner for two and wine landing around $200 to $300.
Where is Brennan's and should I book?
At 417 Royal Street in the centre of the French Quarter, behind a landmark pink façade. Book ahead for the celebrated breakfast and for weekend dinners, when the courtyard rooms fill.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Brennan's
Book ahead for breakfast and weekend dinners. The pink Royal Street Creole landmark, birthplace of Bananas Foster, since 1946.
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Practical Information
Address417 Royal Street, French Quarter, New Orleans
Neighbourhood417 Royal Street, French Quarter
CuisineCreole
PriceMains run roughly $38–62 and the famous breakfast is à la carte; dinner for two with wine lands around $200–300
Dress CodeSmart, dressy
SeatingGrand Creole dining rooms around a courtyard
ReservationAdvised, essential weekends
