After a long day of travel to get to NOLA, I was too pooped to go out and hit the streets tonight for dinner. Ordered DoorDash from HDK on the cred of the many positive Yelp reviews and it didn't disappoint. Tried two dishes, as I couldn't settle on one. The fried fish and shrimp were outstanding! Loved the dipping sauce and the seafood was cooked perfectly. The fish fillet was about an inch thick and so moist and flaky. Yum! Not sure I loved the fries with the crawdat sauce - they were a little salty. This ff dish kinda gives poutine vibes with the gravy. The Superdome was also tasty. I liked the fried fish better than the blackened, but the mashed potatoes and corn and sauce draped over the fish was rich and delicious. This fish was much thinner and a little chewy. I'd love a hybrid of Superdome using the thicker fried fish. Bread pudding was my dessert, warm and dripping in caramel/brown sugar sauce. I had to restrain myself from eating the whole thing! This was a perfect way to start my visit to the Big Easy. read more

See all

I got takeout from Heard Dat during my first visit to New Orleans several years ago and it was one of the best meals of that trip, so when I visited again it was my very first stop after arriving from the airport. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed as the entire street had a power outage, but the chef very kindly came out to greet us and let us know what was going on and offered us some complimentary cold water for our trouble. I made sure that my group instead came back on our way out, and everyone raved about their meals and said perhaps it was best that we saved it for last! My Seafood Extravaganza came with a THICK piece of blackened fish, a generous topping of grilled shrimp, and excellently cooked fries topped with that crawfish sauce. My friends loved the grits and dark meat fried chicken in their meals. We all dug in so fast I'm sad to say I didn't take any photos to share! The chef came out once again to chat with us, and it's clear he really appreciates every guest. Heard Dat Kitchen offers the best of both soul food and Creole food under one roof with a good helping of Southern hospitality, and it's absolutely worth a trip or ordering in from the more touristy parts of the city. As our rideshare drivers testified, this is the real deal! Keep in mind it only has counter seating and outdoor picnic tables in a pretty small no-frills spot; I think the service and food definitely deserves to be displayed in a full-service restaurant if that is what the chef ever decides to do. read more

Having been loyal patrons of Heard Dat Kitchen for years, driving all the way from Houston (361 miles) specifically for the flavor and quality we've always loved. Unfortunately, during our visit yesterday evening (2/7/26), the food was drastically different, bland and unseasoned. Our Bourbon Street tasted like plain chicken, the NOLA had minimal seasoning, and even the red beans were lacking flavor. It was shocking given our history with this restaurant. We reached out personally on Instagram instead of posting a negative review, hoping to give feedback directly. Their reply confirmed that Chef Jeff prepared our meals using the same recipes and ingredients, but it didn't acknowledge our loyalty or long-term support. It felt dismissive, as if years of patronage didn't matter. We love Heard Dat Kitchen and want to continue supporting it, but this experienceand the response left us disappointed and questioning whether our business is truly valued. Unfortunately it seems this is no longer a place that appreciates or values pur business. read more

This was our last dinner in NOLA (this trip). I wish we had gone earlier in the week, because it would've been a repeat for sure. Absolutely delicious, kind and friendly people working there. We sat in the new patio space which is modeled after the owner's grandma's house If we were NOLA residents or had a reason to throw a party there, I would absolutely book that space. In the meantime, check them out for lunch or dinner. You'll be glad you did! read more

We dined at quite a few restaurants during our stay in New Orleans; however, this hidden gem was hands-down the BEST (we even recommended it to our Uber driver!). The restaurant is tiny, but don't let that fool you: the portions were plentiful, and the taste was unlike anything I've experienced before! Quick and friendly service, southern hospitality. It's definitely on our list of places to visit when we return! read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Crawdat Cornbread and potato salad - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Absolutely insane food. Definitely suggest getting a little bit of everything and sharing if possible. Portions were extremely generous, especially considering the level of the food. The gumbo is probably some of the best I've had right after my maw maw's. I got it as a side, because I had to have it, and easily could have made it two meals. If you had to pick one dish to try, the Bourbon Street Love was phenomenal. The employees were so sweet and helpful. There was a nice breeze out and some shaded tables so we decided to enjoy everything outside. In such a foodie city, Heard Dat Kitchen was a real highlight of the trip. Just wow! read more

See all

Delicious local food in a casual setting! Last meal on our way out and the perfect place. Gumbo was amazing and the red beans and rice. Would definitely come back. Also, not overly heavy which was nice. read more

Arrived in New Orleans from Houston really hungry. Decided upon this place called Heard Dat Kitchen and I must say that the food was good .Wasn't packed but it had a high volume of traffic which is good.It was a little hot inside but the two ladies there were the best and made you forget that .Good Spirits.Even wished me Happy Birthday.Great place check them out read more

We read the reviews and checked it out. It was pretty good! The staff was really friendly. They were out of gumbo (what I wanted) so I got the red beans and rice which was ok. The fried chicken was amazing and salad was also good. My husband got the fried fish, which he said was good. It came with Mac and cheese which he said was only ok. The real stand out was the Crawdat Mac. We all agreed that was amazing. Definitely go check it out and find something you love there. The staff was awesome so we'll come back next time. read more

There's a lot of good food in New Orleans but there's only one heard dat kitchen. I found this spot on accident 5 years ago and it's been blessing me and my homegirls ever since! It's a little hole in the wall spot that probably can't hold more than 6 people inside so you know the food is going to be bussin! It's probably best you take it home anyway so you can make all the noises that you need to make comfortably without being judged lol You have to try them for yourself! When I tell yall I came here two days in a row because I was having withdrawals, I really mean that. I highly recommend the seafood extravaganza! I promise you will not be disappointed and If you are let me know so I can look you in your face and call you a liar. Shout out to my girl Esther that took care of me and I'll see yall when I'm back in town read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Seafood extravaganza - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

super flavorful and definitely worth it. The service was good and everyone was friendly. The space inside is a bit small and tight, but once the food comes out, you forget all about that. I'll definitely be back! read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

So you land in New Orleans, stand in the heat waiting for an Uber at the airport, and finally make it to your hotel room after checking in at the front desk. You sink onto the couch in your room. Your stomach growls. But it is too late for breakfast and past lunch, almost dinner time. But you want to eat, now. What do you do? You hop on Uber Eats, scroll and find "Heard Dat Kitchen", order a few items, and it ends up being one of the best meals you've had in New Orleans and maybe one of the best meals you've ever had in your life. Everything I ordered on Uber Eats here (catfish over red beans and rice with cornbread and extra side of cornbread with Crawdat sauce) was absolutely delicious, perfectly seasoned, delivered quickly, and piping hot, so you know it was fresh. Don't even question it, add it to your list of restaurants to try out. read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - cornbread with Crawdat sauce - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

This stop was recommended to us by some friends and we were super glad that this was our first stop! Amazing food! Super happy with everything we ordered (crawdat Mac, Superdome, Gumbo, and Seafood Extravaganza). The service was also top tier, the lady chasing us out brought out our food and checked in on us. The chef even stopped by to see if we enjoyed everything. Definitely lives up to the statement on their wall "New Orleans best hole in the wall" read more

See all

This place changed me, y'all. This is the definition of soul food. We wound up ordering multiple times over the span of a few days during our stay in NOLA. I will be dreaming about the food here until I go back. Get the side of green beans. Get the cornbread. You can't go wrong, truly. read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Bourbon Street Love - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This place popped upon my google search for best food by black own business. And let me tell you they did not disappoint. Every dish I order was hot fresh and delicious, I even went back twice in one day. The owner and staff are really kind and beautiful people. If you want some really genuine Louisiana cuisine, this is the spot! read more

Straight Trash. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE. It's shameful how a place markets itself to get popular, then raises the prices and lowers the quality & amount. $30 for a tiny plate with the littlest sides I've ever seen, and a tiny lil square of bread pudding. Shame. Go to Melba's or any gas station and get More, Better and Cheaper!!! You're welcome check out what u get at Melba's - see the picture! read more

My only regret was not coming back to try their signature dishes! We came by on a whim and wish we had the stomach to try more stuff. Their gumbo was pretty good and potato salad was on point. I would comeback to NOLA just to try other stuff on their menu. It's a local hidden gem! read more

Was in New Orleans for 5 days and ate from her twice times.I wish I could have taken a to go with me. When I say EVERYTHING is delicious.... Zero lies told! Will come here every-time I come to town read more

See all

OMG... this place is unassuming but should be world known. The food was so good. I will come here every time I'm in New Orleans.. no joke. Seasoned and fried perfectly - fish and shrimp with crawdat seasoning with angel hair sauce. I had the seafood extravaganza. My sister-in-law the bourbon street love which was chicken on top of Mac and cheese topped with shredded cheese with craddat cheese sauce and green onions. She also got and gumbo. All was fantastic! She brought me here as she was raving about it and now I am. You must check it out. It's a hole in the wall but the best hole in a wall there is. No formal seating. Take out mostly but we sat at the bar table and stools. They have outdoor seating but today was too cold. Soooo good. Trust me.... Sooooo good! read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Seafood extravaganza - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

A quick uber ride from the French Quarter. This little unassuming cafe has some of the best food! Service was good and helpful. She explained what some of the sauces were and told us her favorites. 10/10 definitely check them out. read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Menu - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

this place was amazing!!! Would highly recommend the red beans and rice with blackened fish. Everything was insanely flavorful and fresh. The service was especially great and we were checked on multiple times to ensure that we were enjoying the food (which we definitely were)!! read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Dat Red Bean Plate - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The food was amazing! Just what we were looking for, authentic southern food, not some chain version for the masses. The staff could not have been nicer. We arrived at a quiet time between lunch and dinner and the chef/owner came out to talk with us. The interior is small, so I suggest going in good weather so you can sit at a picnic table outside. read more

See all

Order at the counter from a very informative menu. Sit at a table outside and they bring out the meal. To go container and plastic utensils. 5 star food. Mardi Gras Mambo. Moist filet of catfish perfectly fried served on a bed,of Mac n cheese. Peas had great flavor and a scoop of creamy potato salad. Large portions, all very tasty. read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Mardi Gras Mambo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Friendly fast service (I ordered online) and super savory and delicious. Not much inside seating so plan for to-go most likely. A few outside picnic tables on the sidewalk. read more

See all

Everyone was so nice and gave such honest recommendations. All of the food was absolutely authentic and delicious!! Everything was 10/10! read more

See all

The food was excellent. The chef was really nice and impressed my co-worker, so that was nice. The thick bullet proof glass doesn't do it justice. We ate out front. read more

Have you ever eaten something so good that you instantly know that you're going to leave a review? Dat tea was the perfect blend of sweetness and lemon. The red beans and rice were seasoned and had a nice spice in the sausage. I went with the fried chicken and it might be the best fried chicken ever, crispy even after delivery (DoorDash). The cornbread was very good but warned that it is a bit on the sweet side (I know some people don't like that). My only suggestion is to include butter for the cornbread. I also like that utensils were included. read more

Genuinely some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. Everything was warm and delicious & the chef came out to check up on us. He was a sweetheart and so was the girl at the counter. Definitely coming back read more

Man let me tell yall! We come to New Orleans like twice a year from Southern California (a couple others from other parts of the country) & We found this gem on a fluke run for food.... when I tell yall everything was Phenomenal!!! I got the fried fish w étouffée crawfish laid over the top... ‍‍‍‍ My wife got the Shrimp laid over fries Oh & for dessert I got their bread pudding... the best one I've eaten in New Orleans!!! Hands down! I can't remember what everyone else got but there wasn't much talking... Just smackin!!! Nom nom nom!! I was soooooo impressed w the flavor profile. But Wait wait wait! Then it was a cutie at the register who was teaching her nephew.... about 7-8yrs old, how to ring us up & take orders...such a honorable & diligent young fella with great work ethic!! The area is a little rough, but it wasn't much to us.... East Side of Long Beach & my boy is from Philly They close early, about 5:30pm... That's the only downside. Stupid good!!! Amazing!!! We'll definitely be back next year!!! Go swing by & get yall some good food read more

Visiting from Las Vegas, my husband and I dine out a lot (including at Michelin-star spots), and Heard Dat still blew us away. Everything was executed masterfully. The mac and cheese was perfectly al dente--rich and creamy without being overcooked--and the signature Crawdat sauce was sublimely balanced, adding depth without overwhelming the plate. I don't think I've ever had fried seafood this good: shatter-crisp on the outside, tender and juicy inside. The crown jewel, though, was the gumbo. It was so soulful and layered that neither of us could let a single drop go to waste. Both sides were phenomenal--the grilled cheese and the potato salad each hit that same "just right" balance. We finished with warm, moist bread pudding draped in caramel sauce that tasted like it was executed with absolute precision--comforting yet elevated. Service was wonderful from start to finish; Essence took great care of us, and Chef Jeff is the true GOAT--every single item was perfect. We'll be back before we leave. Five stars, easily six if we could. Thank you! read more

In town for our anniversary and wanted authentic New Orleans cuisine before our flight out. We definitely wanted some crazy good red beans and rice. We checked out Yelp and found this place - and we couldn't be happier we did. The place is a charming hole in the wall. There are picnic tables on the sidewalk and maybe 6-7 stools along a counter inside. We were greeted by Tia and she was as wonderful as a warm summer breeze. Great attitude and helped us navigate the menu. We only had time and stomach space for a few items. I will die on the hill that the BBQ shrimp were next level good. Fresh and spicy! The potato salad is equally good, in a whipped format. And the read beans and rice? Oh my goodness. So so good. When we swing back through town we'll 100% stop here again!! read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Ranch fries, red beans and rice, potato salad and BBQ shrimp and fries. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I finally ordered takeout from Heard Dat for my friend and I and we were so excited. We had the seafood extravaganza and the Benson Boogie. I was told it would take about 15 minutes which was really fast but when I arrived for pickup, I waited another 10 minutes for my food. The space is not exactly ideal for dine-in- just something to keep in mind. The crawdat fries that came with the SE were very tasty. Unfortunately, my blackened fish was more charred than I liked and the "blackened seasoning" flavor was lost to the taste of ash. I'd order from here again on a cheat day...but I'd stick to fried foods. read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Seafood Extravaganza - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Loved the food! I ordered the Seafood extravaganza and everything was tasty. Essence provided such great service and deserves a raise!

The food was very mid. Social media definitely overhyped this place. Seafood Extravaganza- apparently basa fish which reminded me of TILAPI ... which isn't identified on the menu and shrimp were not deveined I saw the veins with my own eyes. This service was ehhh, not the best. The young lady got the register was a bit impatient, but that's OK. The ambiance of the restaurant .... had plenty of outdoor seating, kind of reminded me of sitting by the beach minus the beach. read more

We came here after many recommendations during a bachelorette trip. The food was absolutely amazing, some of the best food we had during our New Orleans Trip. The staff were very nice and friendly. We ordered many different entrees and all of them were delicious. 10/10 and we will definitely be back on our next visit. read more

This food is delicious beyond measure. Can't even describe how scrumptious and flavorful everything was. I got the seafood extravaganza (blackened) and the most delicious sweet tea I've had lately. My friend got Bourbon Street Love and potato salad. Practically licked our plates clean. Everyone who worked there was so kind, especially Essence!! It was a perfect day to sit out at their picnic tables. Much love to the Heard Dat crew and chefs!!! read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Seafood Extravaganza (blackened) at top of photo, Bourbon Street Love at the bottom - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This place is fantastic. It's a great find. Food was amazing and atmosphere unmatched. read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Great atmosphere - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Upon arrival we weren't sure if this was the correct place because it looked so small! But it indeed was! There's really only outdoor seating and a few inside. We came as soon as it opened and it did take awhile for food to come out but the girl the took our order gave us a heads up! So do not come hangry because it does take awhile for the food to come out but just know ITS WORTH THE WAIT! We got the bourbon street lovers - chicken over Mac and cheese. It was delicious. Chicken is nice and juicy but is still crispy. Mac and cheese is full of flavor. My personal favorite was the superdome. It's blacken fish topped with mash potatoes, crispy onion rings in a lobster sauce. YUMMMM. At first I thought it being fish was going to be sus but I'm really glad I tried it! This was one of my favorite things we had out here. This place is a must! You will not regret it! read more

See all

This may be a tiny little shack of a place, but it's got DAMN GOOD FOOD. I got the seafood extravaganza and all I can say is wow. The fish and shrimp were perfectly crispy and absolutely delicious. The crawdat fries that came with were also delicious. Pro tip, get the candied bacon and sprinkle it onto the fries, *chefs kiss*. Not to mention the angel sauce that comes with the meal. The sauce was so good I asked for 2 extra. Will 100% come back if ever in town again. read more

Heard Dat Kitchen - Seafood Extravaganza - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Stay away from this place. They take your money and then "forget" to give you half your order. Then they will argue with you and say they "can't do anything about it". They are only interested in screwing you out of your money and giving you poorly made food. read more