Came here with a large group and the servers were so lovely! Great at explaining everything to big loud crowd like ours. Food was delicious, tried the: - alligator cheesecake - so good - fried green tomatoes - crispy but not oily - soft shell crab special - YUM! So flavorful - smothered cabbage and corn sides - also so tasty - coconut bread pudding - delicious, wish it was more coconut-y though - creme brûlée - a little forgettable Lovely experience, would come again. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Soft shell crab - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Wow--where do we even begin? We spent hours researching where the locals eat, and this restaurant kept coming up. It absolutely lived up to the hype! Our waiter, Jonathan, made the experience unforgettable. He took the time to sit down with us, walk us through the menu, and share his recommendations--and every single one was spot on. We ordered the blackened redfish, catfish, gumbo, savory cheesecake, bread pudding, and vanilla bean crème brûlée. Every dish was outstanding! And we can't forget the cornbread--the aroma of warm butter hits you the moment it's placed on your table. It was the perfect way to start the meal. What really stood out was the staff. Every waiter worked together as a team, helping one another and creating such a fun, welcoming atmosphere. You could tell they genuinely enjoyed what they do, and it made the entire dining experience even more special. From the incredible food to the exceptional service and inviting ambiance, everything was top-notch. If you're in the area, don't hesitate to dine here--you won't regret it! A special thank you to Jonathan from the family from Texas for making our visit so memorable. We'll definitely be back! read more

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The best meal we've had in New Orleans! I researched all the best restaurants and we've gone to so many, but Jacques-Imo's was my favorite! If you're looking for a dressy date night, this is not the place for you. But if you just want a hearty delicious meal in a fun atmosphere with friendly, attentive service- this is the place!!! We ordered: * Watermelon mojito - very refreshing * Hurricane - boozy * Ribeye special * Short rib special * Eggplant pirogue * Barbecue shrimp - which Daniel, our server who clearly loved his job and joyfully took care of all his customers, graciously peeled for me All our meals included the complimentary corn bread, a spinach salad, and 2 side dishes (we had the corn, mashed potatoes, and shoestring fries). The meal was already so filling, but our wonderful Daniel brought us a toasted coconut caramel bread pudding with 4 spoons! This place is packed every day after 7pm, but if you come early...you should be able to score a table. Reservations can be made for larger parties. It's a little out of the way, but worth the trip! read more

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Oh how I love this place the steak fried chicken and soft shell crab is amazing the service was great loved the vibe and music and plus the best crème brûlée ever! read more

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This place is amazing!! Everything was incredible that we had for food and drinks and the service was incredible. Everyone was so friendly. I will absolutely be back next time I'm in town. read more

This place is all around a must in New Orleans. It was clean, a great atmosphere and the staff was friendly! Our waiter gave us great recommendations. The food was so flavorful and the best we had in New Orleans. Pro tip, eat the crème brûlée and bread pudding as one bite, not separate! Best thing I've ever had! We will be back! read more

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Definitely the best meal I've had in New Orleans by far! They have extremely limited seating, expect a 30min - 1hr wait time for dinner. Dark ambiance but very vibrant vibe. Fantastic service, we really loved our sever! We loved the cornbread so much he brought us a second serving. Would recommend everything we ordered: - Cajun bouillabaisse: intense mussel flavor in the stock. Nicely cooked seafood and goes well with the cheese crusted bread. - Chicken pontalba: very nicely done chicken. Super tender but not artificially juicy. Huge fan of the wine reduced sauce, I was scraping the last bits off my plate. - Seafood gumbo: best gumbo we've tried in New Orleans and we've tried one at every meal! Very thick and strong presence of the seafood components. - Cornbread: was complimentary but we loved it so much. Best cornbread I've had. Will definitely be back in future trips! read more

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This is a fan favorite local recommendation. It is a super quirky really fun decorated place. This is my first time visiting this place and ohhhh boy absolutely delicious! Alligator cheesecake is absolutely fantastic, it is kind of like a crustless quiche so good. We got the tuna special and oof that sauce was divine, I wanted to lick the plate. The blue cheese with the steak was equally good. And finished with the coconut bread pudding....my mouth is salivating. Also the watermelon mojito is everything, get that 100% Staff are so sweet too! read more

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Cajun cooking at its finest! When I think of the NoLA food scene, Jacques-IMO's comes to mind. Every thing I ate here (from the complimentary savory cornbread to the succulent redfish) exceeded my expectations! The restaurant itself is vibrant with art and disco music blared through the intimate dining setting. Come early in order to get a seat or be prepared to wait. Either way uou will not be disappointed! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Blackened Redfish - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Great atmosphere, wonderful staff, and fantastic drinks! Definitely go here for the food, it was all amazing. DO NOT skip on the alligator cheesecake!!! read more

Just landed in NOLA and went straight to Jacques-Imos! That house restaurant had such an authentic vibe in one of Nola's lovely neighborhoods! You gotta try the 'must have' Hurricane cocktail, it really packs a punch! We even had the Alligator cheesecake... yeah, you read that right! Chris gave amazing service and also suggested the stuffed Catfish with Crab Meat Dressings... it came with cornbread and salad, and we finished our meal with a Caramel Bread Pudding. Everything was delicious, sultry, and flavorful! read more

Come here for guaranteed high quality specialty creole food in New Orleans with quirky art and on point with Nola's style. Everything here is one of a kind! The night started with the best appetizer I've had - corn bread. They did an amazing job with this. The blackened redfish with crab chili mayo was spectacular, I wish I was a local so I could eat this often. Austin Leslie's fried chicken was obviously a home run and the shoestring fried were perfect size and crisp. I had a blast at this quirky establishment and walked around to take pictures of the murals and paintings. My only issue is this is far away from downtown but I say the trip is worth it every time! read more

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Jacques-Imo's is one of those places that locals will gate-keep. They don't take reservations for parties less than 5. Seating is a little tight in spots but workable. The menu is a good mixture of standard creole comfort food. My companions and I walked in on a Friday evening and were told it would be a 45 minute wait for a table if 3. However, no more than 10 minutes later, we were seated. When I say we could have ordered everything on the menu, we could've ordered every single thing in the menu. Of note, we had the crawfish and alligator sausage cheesecake, pork ribs, deep fried roast beef po-boy, Aunt Leslie's Fried Chicken, and lamb shank. Not pictured was the bread pudding which we devoured without picture. The group traveled to New Orleans to try out time of the best cuisine the city has to offer. In my opinion, Jacque-Imo's had it all; good food and good service. read more

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The hostesses were extremely rude, they didn't acknowledge us upon entry to the restaurant. They remained focused on their conversation they were having and randomly looked up at us several times and continued to chat and at one point they started calling names for tables without even asking us if we wanted a table. Fast forward to getting added to the waitlist and finished a seat at the bar for a drink while waiting, I saw someone who appeared to be a manager and got her attention to inform her of the situation. She apologized and made sure we got seated and even sent over an appetizer on the house which wasn't my angle . My goal was to assist the staff on training as this place is well known however people (me particularly) don't support and spend their money where they are tolerated and treated rude. Fast Fast Forward Our food was amazing we had several dishes and the star of the show was the Red Fish. We got to me Jacques he came through jumping up and down and dancing bringing the mood all the way up in the restaurant. He sat with us for drinks and we took photos. - Blacken Red Fish is amazing - Corn muffins are like your great grandmothers recipe - Fried Grits with corn grits was tasty read more

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Every local said to check this place out, and I absolutely understand why. The pride in this restaurant radiates from the walls. The confidence of having customers walk through the kitchen says it all. The service was impeccable. Matt was a rock star from the moment we sat down all the way through the fifth dish he brought to our table and beyond. You start off with the cornbread, which was excellent. Moist, yet perfectly crumbly and lathered with herbed butter. Then the appetizers. The calamari was crispy and provided brighter notes than you'd expect from something out of the deep fryer. And the shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake? It was interesting. Wouldn't say we loved it but worth trying as it's the primary reason so many people told us we must visit. The entrees were flavorful and unique to creole soul, but my redfish was a touch dry. Overall a great dinner and Jacques-Imo's is worth the wait. read more

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Had their alligator cheesecake at the festival in April 2026 and I'll dream about it! Don't sleep on this bad boy - it's like a queso or a quiche had a baby with a soufflé read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Shrimp And Alligator Sausage Cheesecake - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I have been wanting to eat at Jacques Imo for a while and I was not disappointed! Service was very friendly and our server was so helpful in parsing out which dish I should order (I was stuck between four different fish dishes). Based on their recommendation, I went with the Pan Fried Gulf Fish with Pecan Meuniere and really enjoyed it! As a pescatarian, I was a little limited in the sides I could order, but they were so nice and helpful in telling me which sides were paired without meat. The sides I ended up with were the mashed potatoes and the show string fries, which two potato preparations in one meal is a first for me, but both were excellent so no complaints here. In fact, the shoestring fries in particular were magnificent. Each entree is also served with a small salad and corn bread that is to die for. I also had a hurricane cocktail (for the first time!) and enjoyed it. read more

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Loved loved loved this place. While in town for work, someone recommended three places to choose from and this one sounded like my kinda place. It was off the beaten path, cute, quirky, with the absolute best team of servers, and the most flavorful and delicious Southern cooking you could hope for. We were there on a weeknight not long after opening so we were able to get a table without waiting - whew! I had the cajun bouillibaise with mashed sweet potatoes and coleslaw and had a smile on my face the whole time we were there. The bread pudding dessert that was not on the menu was also phenomenal. What a treat. The owner came through and chatted with some regulars and then we ran into him on the street going back to our car. Nice fella. Great restaurant. Highly recommend and can't wait to return! read more

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Great spot. Good food and a great vibe. Definitely a good recommendation for out of towners.

The reviews say it all. Even if it's a bit out of the way it's so worth it. I loved the kitschy interior, the friendly and knowledgable waitstaff and the super food. The absolute perfect combination for a great and memorable dinner! I had the redfish and was very happy with my selection. read more

YUMMY!!!!! The corn muffins were delicious...sweet and crusty with this garlic butter drizzle. The watermelon mojito was very refreshing and was stocked with muddled fresh watermelon. The duck and andouille sausage gumbo was ok...I prefer mine a little more hearty. The "cheesecake" was delicious! It's similar to quiche but more savory. The grouper iberville was perfectly cooked. My favorite sides were the stewed cabbage and the mashed sweet potatoes. My hubby had the Austin Leslie fried chicken and it was great...4 pieces, you can choose dark or white meat or combo. The place is like an older house transformed into an upscale dive...don't freak out about walking through the edge of the kitchen to get to the dining room. The servers were very attentive and everyone was helping each other out. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Grouper Iberville, red beans and rice, stewed cabbage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Definitely worth the trip out of the city, about 15 mins away. Everything here is so good can't go wrong, you can get a drink at the bar before they seat you. They also have a bar next door. Service was perfect and the vibes just gave New Orleans with the decor and music. read more

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First things first, go! Every Uber driver or tour guide will recommend this place as somewhere to eat while in town, and I totally agree! There is a wait, even though I was just dining by myself and had made a reservation. I waited about 30-45 minutes, which is why I gave them four stars. But after waiting, the service was good, and the food came out quickly. It is a quirky restaurant with a lot of things going on (decor and unique ambiance of restaurant). read more

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I had very high expectations based on reviews. I was beyond disappointed with my first visit. Hubby and I were visiting New Orleans, and saved Jacques-Imo's for our last dinner. We were staying in the French Quarter, so it was a bit of a journey to get to the restaurant. We arrived, and knew that it would most likely be a wait, based on reviews. Our wait was nearly an hour, on a Wednesday night. When our table was ready. We were given one of the 2 tables located just inside the entrance, adjacent to the waiting area. We literally sat 2 feet away, from where we waited for the table. Had I known we would be seated in the waiting area, we would have eaten at the bar. I did ask if we could be seated in the actual restaurant, I was told that it would be another 25 minutes. The space in which we were seated was dark, chilly, awkward, and impersonal. Once we were seated, we were warmly greeted by our server, Courtney. We proceeded to order drinks. I ordered Riesling which was listed on the menu, but not available. We received corn muffins drizzled with a garlic, butter, parsley sauce, not my favorite. I requested plain muffins with butter on the side, much better. We ordered the crab stuffed shrimp, as an appetizer, the presentation was nice, but the shrimp was just ok, the filling was non-descript and too mushy. We proceeded in ordering our entrees. I ordered the redfish with smothered cabbage and mashed sweet potatoes. Hubby ordered the fried chicken, with mashed potatoes and coleslaw. Both entrees included a spinach salad, which wasn't a salad, it was spinach leaves with a sesame dressing. A few tomatoes, pickled onions, anything additional would have been nice. We didn't enjoy the "salad" and therefore didn't finish it. Our entrees arrived after approx 30 minutes. The cabbage included sausage, which is not listed on the menu, I don't eat pork, and because our table was so poorly lit, I almost ate it. I asked for coleslaw to replace the cabbage. The cold coleslaw arrived on a small plate, wedged next to the hot sweet potatoes, which made my coleslaw warm. The red fish was ok, cooked and seasoned nicely, but it sat in a pool of creamy sauce, that was just not needed. My husband rated his meal 5 out of 10. 3 pieces of chicken, that were just ok. Mashed potatoes and meh, coleslaw. The best part of the entire visit. Was our server, Courtney. She was friendly, professional, and understanding. I left extremely underwhelmed and disappointed. read more

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This is hands down one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. I will crave this fried chicken forever I swear! So glad a local told us about this place because wow. Our server Gretchen was so friendly and provided excellent service. The inside is unique and has such a cool vibe. What an absolute hidden gem off the beaten path. This will be my staple every visit to the area (which is often)! read more

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My favorite restaurant of all time. Food is always so delicious! Service is top notch. Watermelon mojitos are always delicious as well. I usually will try to go every year and bring friends and family who are visiting from out of town. Love the decor and ambiance as well! read more

I don't even know where to begin... my whole experience here was great. I felt welcomed and our server Haley was one of the best servers I've ever had. The food was very good. Had some of the best cornbread appetizers. The shrimp and alligator cheesecake was sooo rich and so gooood. I seriously was full by the time my entree came out. Highly recommend going in groups and sharing food like family style. Tables were a bit crammed in and close together but it makes sense to squeeze in as many people as possible bc it's so crowded and worth going to! The bathroom is located in like a pseudo kitchen and it's so tiny but it def adds character to the whole restaurant and vibe. Gotta try it at least once if you're in the big easy! read more

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researched all the best restaurants and we've gone to so many, but Jacques-Imo's was my favorite! If you're looking for a dressy date night, this is not the place for you. read more

Favorite restaurant in New Orleans hands down. Have been multiple times, only thing that would make it better would be if they took reservations. But with how small of a space there is that would make them impossible to get. So be peep to show up early. I have waited 2 hours before. But Maple St is a nice area you can go get drinks while wait. And the food and atmosphere is so worth it. Classic Cajun food that beats out any restaurant in the area. I got the crawfish etoufee which always gives you a good amount of meat and is one of the best etoufees Ive had. Venison was also really tasty and a good choice if you are looking to try something new. The Brussels sprouts were super good for an appetizer. Always will be coming back! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Crawfish Etoufee and Venison with sides. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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If it's not the best meal I've ever had, it's definitely on the short list. We had alligator cheesecake, fried grits, stuffed pork chop, blackened redfish, fries. red beans, mashed potatoes, cabbage, bread pudding. Every single thing was incredible. Even the mashed potatoes...How the hell does anyone make mashed potatoes taste that good?! The stuffed pork chop in particular was indescribably amazing. The combination of a perfect chop, cooked perfectly, stuffed with something that I would never assume would pair well with a pork chop, and a perfect pan sauce that incorporates all of the above flavors.... Chef's kiss baby. Our server was fun, cool, and helpful. The entire meal was such a good value. In a city filled with amazing food, this place really stands out. I'm so glad I came here. read more

This place was worth the wait! Such a fun place to hang out while you wait for your food. Pictures all over the ceiling, eclectic art, hand-painted walls, you'll never get bored. I had the red fish which I believe was award-winning, best white fish I've ever eaten, hands down. My husband had the shrimp creole and he loved it as well. The cornbread was insanely good too. Just go and be prepared to wait 30 or more minutes, but you won't be disappointed. read more

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Pretty solid overall. The lighting, atmosphere, and music are cool. If you want a quiet spot, this ain't it. It aww a pretty loud in there which was fine with us. The cornbread they bring out is phenomenal. The alligator sausage cheesecake was okay. I've had dishes like that before and it's not my favorite but my wife wanted to try it. I can see why everyone loves it. It's worth trying. The blackened tuna was really good. I thought it was cooked and seasoned well. The short rib was really good too. The smothered okra and tomatoes on the side were perfect. The only negative to me was how small our table was. It was 2 of us but with an app and 2 side salads on the table it was jammed up. read more

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Forget the high end establishments about town, the one place I would recommend in NO to eat if you only had one choice is this one. The food is not only adventurous but great, the service is not only attentive but also very helpful in recommending and explaining the different dishes and the ambience around you speaks for itself. The only drawback is parking on Oak Street, but only when you're going to the restaurant, you will need the walk when you're going back to your car. read more

The service from Haley was wonderful fun and professional. The ambience of the place was absolutely able to capture the spirit of New Orleans. The food was perfection. Jacques the owner, was very warm and welcoming. We had a great conversation with him after our meal. He was very comfortable, just talking with us and enjoying wonderful company with each other. I would highly highly highly suggest this place to anyone wanting a real taste of New Orleans. Thank you, Jacque and Haley for a wonderful dining experience. read more

One of those "musts" when you visit the city. Jacques-Imo's is off the beaten path (of tourists) but the locals know to go there for magnificent jambalaya, friend chicken, and other Creole dishes. Something like C.S. Lewis' Wardrobe, it does not look like much from the front, but once entering, you are in a wonderful place of great food, service, and ambiance. read more

Fun dinner with friends.fun noisy vibe the service was super friendly and helpful. Had the paneed rabbit which was tastey and well prepared.others had a variety of dishes and all were enjoyed including a couple of vegetarians. Good time was had by all read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Absolutely one of the coolest and best of New Orleans. Funky, hip and awesome. Their shrimp and alligator cheesecake is off the charts and is only topped by the customer service of their incredible employees. One of my favorites! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Gotta love New Orleans and her drinks in Go-Cups! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This is the best fried chicken I've ever had! The breading is so light and flavorful. I also loved the ambience and friendly service. read more

Great food and service! We love to bring out of towners here because the served are such characters and the food lends an interesting twist to the local hits. read more

Definitely a classic the I recommend everyone tries at least once. Every time my family comes in town they want to eat here. The prices are not cheap, but they definitely give you your money's worth! The casual atmosphere with all of the artwork make it a fun and relaxed place to get a good meal with family and friends. The service is always good and fairly quick and the food comes out tasting fresh! I'm always excited for the poboy fest just to indulge in that alligator and shrimp cheesecake! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Shrimp And Alligator Sausage Cheesecake - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana