I While near New Orleans for work, I met a friend from Baton Rouge, so we could have dinner, and he could show me around the city. At his recommendation, we went here. It's a hole in the wall that is definitely popular with locals, and fills up quickly, which is what I wanted. The food is top-notch, and the vibe is casual, with a mix of classic, but casual dining. One recommendation: go hungry. The food is rich, and the servings are generous. read more

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I'm always interested in going where the locals go when we're in town and this was such a delightful dining experience that we've been trying to get to for years but could never seem to work it into our schedule. The main dining room is inviting and stylish in an understated way. Our server was super friendly and the food was excellent. We had an appetizer sampler to start - hubs wasn't fond of the thick batter on the calamari but also noted it was tender and tasty. My family is Italian and had Italian friends who owned a shop and made their own homemade Italian sausage... I'm not saying Mandina's makes their own but one bite took me back. I think the texture would have been better served in grilled chunks rather than the slices that tasted fried; the crispy surface area of the cut exposed interior wasn't bad but not my preference. Also included was fried stick of eggplant which was some of the best I've had. I ordered the veal parm for my entrée that was cooked perfectly, the marinara was exquisite and the perfect ratio to the veal and the pasta. Another entrée ordered was the shrimp bordelaise but switch the shrimp out for a veal cutlet which they were happy to do as my daughter doesn't eat tomato sauce but was eager to try the veal. The down side was that their bordelaise wasn't traditional bordelaise of the red wine sauce variety; the dish turned out to be like pasta tossed with garlic and butter and we wish we had known. When I asked the waitress if it would be traditional bordelaise she confirmed that it was, which was why we ordered it. That it turned out not to be was a let down. But all-in-all this was a great dining experience for all the right reasons. If you're like me and hate being stuck in touristy eateries, hop the street car down Canal and tell the conductor to let you off at Mandina's and thank me later. read more

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We were there Saturday 2/23 for a birthday dinner. We really enjoyed ourselves. We had to share a space with a volleyball team, we did find ourselves yelling trying to talk with them. Lol. It was cool though. Maybe just get a seat in the regular dining room if possible. I hope that space isn't as loud. I'll be back sooner than later. read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I've been going to Mandina's for decades, so this review is disappointing to write. Rainy Wednesday around 6:30 PM, not very busy, staff and waitress were excellent as always. Most of the meal was fine aside from slightly overcooked onion rings. The issue was the dinner salad. The iceberg lettuce had browned edges and some of the lettuce and red onion were becoming translucent. In my opinion, this was clearly not freshly cut produce. I sent the plate the photo sent back. She handled it well. What surprised me was management's response (Marshall), apparently no comment, and the untouched salad was still left on the bill. Restaurants make mistakes. That's normal. But longtime customers usually expect at least some acknowledgment when something that obvious gets sent back untouched. Still a longtime fan of Mandina's, but this visit felt unusually indifferent compared to the hospitality I've known there for years. read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Acceptable? - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

In town for a meeting, a good friend and local to New Orleans suggested I needed to experience Mandina's. Obviously a local's fave, it has been around since 1936 just outside of the downtown business district (and a few miles from the infamous French Quarter. Housed in a noticeable and well maintained pink building, the place is definitely New Orleans and feels like a very popular neighborhood spot! Crowded on a Friday night, reservations can be made, but even as busy as they were, we got seated after a short wait. The bar and main dining area are all in one room, in a well-lit, nostalgia/New Orleans memorabilia decor. Not a fancy place, but a warm, friendly atmosphere. There is a smaller more private dining area just off the main, up a few steps. The bar is part of the original fixtures, as noted in a photo on the wall from a 1945 newspaper article. It's mostly standing room, with 5 or 6 stools, but a great place to visit or people watch while you wait for a table. One thing I will note are the prices; very affordable for the area, and for a place with as much history and reputation as Mandina's have. You can have a larger group to dine and not bust the bank. On to the food. We were regaled with their pre-app bread, butter soaks and so fluffy and delicious, while we purused the menu. For starters, you have to try their onion rings (but be careful--a Half-order for two is more than enough!). The highlight of our dinner was the other app we had, the Crab Fingers. The meaty crab claws were in a delicious souffle of new orleans spice and bread crumbs that was in itself absolutely wonderful. The aforementioned bread, which on its own was fantastic, is made truly heavenly by dipping into the sauce, after you've ravaged the crab fingers. While we really wanted to dive into more seafood, we were advised that Mandina's has some of the best Italian food in the city, so we opted to forgo the etoufee and redfish options and instead went with the Eggplant Parmesan. The enormous dish was split for us into two and still represented two very large plates. Candidly, we're probably old school New York Italian, so the sauce, while tasty and plentiful, was a bit too sweet for our taste. And the eggplant, which again was not skimped on, was cut into larger slices than our preference and a bit heavier batter. So all in all, the eggplant parm was good, but not our favorite style or part of the meal. We have a lovely young woman server, who was attentive and helpful (she did share the portion size as we were contemplating 2 entrees, after our appetizers...so thank you for sparing our waist line!!) Bottom line; for a visit to a true New Orleans local treasure, Mandina's should be on your list. read more

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This is my favorite New Orleans restaurant by far-- and I was there last week for 4 days and I went to eat here 3 of the 4 days and took a huge to go order back home for me and my family that wasn't with me! That says everything I need to say! - Consistency is top tier and service is as well. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Location 5/5 Gumbo 10/10 Atmosphere 5/5 Staff 5/5 Return Factor 5/5 read more

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Mandina's menu is a New Orleans "Greatest Hits" list of turtle soup, gumbo, fried seafood, and a variety of home-style Italian and Cajun-Creole dishes. The food is seldom great, but I'm always happy to be there. I visit Mandina's when I want to eat a good meal, surrounded by people who don't know I'm not New Orleanian. At Mandina's, I've sung "Happy Birthday" and bought first-daters their dinner. I've joined local friends, knowing I'd enjoy an evening filled with arcane references to long-gone people and businesses and buildings. And I've eavesdropped on lunchtime conversations at the bar, between folks who, as they got sloshed, shed their reserve without losing their dignity. These things, plus the menu, are all a part of the New Orleans Way. read more

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My friend took me here as her choice for a "locals favorite" and it did not disappoint! The food was so flavorful and the portions were huge. Also our server was great, he brought me multiple sauces to dip my shrimp in - mmmm SO GOOD! The restaurant itself is very large, bright and would be a great place for groups. I really hope I get a chance to go back and try it again! read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Fried shrimp - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Mandina's earned our loyalty fast. We visited for lunch and liked it so much we returned the next day. Something we rarely do while traveling. We started our first visit with Abita Boot beers and spicy Bloody Marys. The Bloody Marys had solid seasoning. The complimentary bread deserves special mention. Light texture, full flavor. Day one, my husband ordered the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich with a cup of Turtle Soup. I went with the Soup & Salad combo, choosing the Turtle Soup and Italian Salad. The sandwich satisfied my husband. The Turtle Soup delivered rich flavor and generous portions of meat. The slice of egg was a pleasant surprise. The Italian Salad stands out for olive lovers. Green olives dominated the bowl, with black olives playing a supporting role. Artichokes, a tomato wedge, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncinis and anchovies rounded out the mix. It's a tasty combination. Our server Sue provided excellent service throughout the meal. We returned the next day and started with Bloody Marys again. My husband upgraded to a bowl of Turtle Soup. I ordered the same Soup & Salad combo. We shared the Italian Salad. If what we got is the small size, I can only imagine how big the full size is! Two days, two solid meals. Mandina's delivers consistent quality and generous portions. We'll be back the next time we're in town! read more

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Great atmosphere and friendly staff! There are so many great menu options to choose from, and the staff couldn't have been more welcoming. While waiting for my order, I looked up the history of the restaurant -- highly recommend doing this, it's really interesting! I ordered the fried catfish and fries, and from the very first bite, I could tell this was unlike any fish and chips I've had before. Wow -- perfectly seasoned, tender, and absolutely delicious. This is definitely a place I'll be returning to! read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Fried Catfish - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The BEST Chicken Parmigiana! I was in NOLA a couple of weeks ago as part of a cross country train trip/vacation. A friend wanted to take me to dinner, but knew I do not like seafood. Him and his daughter took me to Mandina's for dinner. My friend and I had bread, chicken parmigiana, and a glass of cab. Then he ordered one of each of the three desserts (white chocolate bread pudding, king cake cheesecake, and a chocolate candy bar pie of a thing) and coffee. We all shared the desserts, but my favorite was the cheesecake. The restaurant is cute, and was PACKED. The service was spot on (I can't remember the waitress' name now)! The food as plentiful and delicious! I have bragged to a lot of people about the meal. The chicken Parmigiana was the best I have ever had!!! If you are in NOLA, you have to stop in (on an empty stomach!) read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Didn't get a good picture of the meals, but boy was it good! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Service was good. Taylor took good care of us. The Eggplant Parmesan with spaghetti was the sore point. Was served a plate of fried eggplant sticks piled on the pasta and covered with slabs of cheese and then drowned in sweet tomato sauce. Your food has usually been good, but the person who put that together should not be in your kitchen. Cost was removed from bill, which was nice, but it really hurt my affection for your restaurant. We will be back, of course, but just wanted to encourage a bit more attention to the meals served. read more

Best Chicken Parmesan I've ever tasted. The portion is large and easily sharable if you didn't bring your appetite. The red gravy is spectacular. read more

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Found this place while visiting, and it's so nice and just is part of the neighborhood. Seemed like mostly locals, not many tourists, if that's what you're looking for. Server seem to have their regulars, but if you are just visiting like me--you quickly feel like you've been coming here for years. Big portions and good prices. Lunch or just daily specials under 20$ is great. The soup and side salad (no extra for the shrimp), was $15.95, I believe, what a steal! Will be back if I'm ever in New Orleans again. read more

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This place is a great hidden gem. The atmosphere is nice . Our party of four was taken care promptly and well waited on . The turtle soup was great . Fish with Meunière sauce was great . The spaghetti and meatballs are huge . I believe our waitress name was Melissa she was a delight . read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Fish with Meunière sauce - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

My husband would say we had to go try Mandinas every time we passed it, so we decided to have our Anniversary dinner here. It was an underwhelming experience. There's nothing fancy about this restaurant. Very bare with old wooden table and chairs and cement floor. Our first negative was our Server who didn't give her name and her first words were: do you have any questions; do you know what you want? We were never told any specials or asked if we wanted anything to drink other than the waters that were brought to us when we sat down. I ordered a drink from the bar that never came. The best thing of the night was the onion rings that we got as an appetizer . They were fried to perfection and crispy and not greasy. Our entrees were a meatball sub, meatballs and spaghetti and the stuffed shrimp special. Everything was good; however everything lacked seasoning and spice. For a New Orleans restaurant that has been around for a long time, you would expect more flavor. Definitely a one and done for us. We never knew our Servers name until we got our bill. So Sheila you really need some friendliness to be a server! read more

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The service was quick and the wait staff was very kind. A bit of a wait when we arrived kinda noisy but it was a Friday dinner rush. The crab fingers in wine sauce were a perfect portion and cooked great. The cup of gumbo tasted great. read more

When in Rome.... When you are in Louisiana on a Monday, it's Red Beans and Rice for lunch or dinner. Mandina's is an old school NOLA restaurant, around since the early 1920's! Mandina's specialty is local seafood and Italian cuisine. Located on Canal Street, they are a local favorite for home style cooking. Service is friendly and efficient. The atmosphere hasn't changed much in the last 100 years. For a taste of traditional New Orleans...Mandina's is a must! read more

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We were visiting from California and we were looking for authentic creole food at a local restaurant that wasn't a tourist spot. It was fabulous. Just a short red car ride from the French Quarter. I had the turtle soup and crawfish etteufee. Both were delicious! Highly recommend! read more

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A family standby for years! My parents even went on dates at Mandina's. Garlic bread amazing seafood although I cannot pass their spaghetti and 2 h-u-g-e meatballs. It may be a bit loud depending on the dining room you're in but hey, you are in New Orleans. We never miss a stop when we're in town. read more

I just love Madina's. It captures the true soul of New Orleans. Not fancy, not low end... it's the sweet spot that makes for a great dining experience. Located on Canal Street in Mid-City this restaurant has been a family style mainstay for a very long time, yet continues to maintain consistent quality. You can't miss the place based on its vibrant pink facade. There's a small parking lot next to it, and be sure to arrive early as there are no reservations and the wait time can be long. This place is popular with locals, and they get a good number of informed tourists too. We arrived early for dinner, 5:45, and seated right away. The atmosphere is cozy and down home. Comfortable for comfort food. I ordered a cup of gumbo that was awesome, rich and delicious with all the right ingredients for my taste, including a crab claw. YUM! We got bread and it was the perfect accompaniment. For my entree I had catfish with shrimp Creole on top... oh my gosh, so good. It was a substantial portion and although catfish is not my favorite fish, this was absolutely perfect in preparation and taste. I washed it down with a local draft IPA beer. It was all good and our server was absolutely delightful, helpful and professional. I always look forward to coming here, again and again. read more

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We went to Mandina's for dinner one night while we were down there. It has a very old school feel and you can tell it's one of those authentic New Orleans dining experiences. I really wanted the filet mignon and was told they were out when I was placing my order. I felt like I had to choose another dish quickly so I went with the ribeye, it was tasty but extremely tough. It was very hard to cut. My husband got the beef stew. The plating was different than what we're used to but it was really really good. There was rice under the beef with string beans and peas on each side. We went down close to Mardi Gras so we got king cheesecake for dessert. I didn't love it. I'm glad we were able to have dinner at Mandina's. We also spotted Shia LaBeouf there with his Dad so that was exciting! Service was good. I'd go back. read more

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Since 1932, Mandina's Restaurant has been a beloved Mid-City staple serving hearty, home-style Italian dishes and fresh Gulf seafood in true New Orleans fashion. The service is on point. The room is lively. The portions are famously generous..expect plates piled high with pasta, fried seafood, and classic favorites, and you're almost guaranteed to leave with a to-go box. It's timeless, comforting, and consistently delicious. read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Menu - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Good atmosphere and location with good parking away from the hustle and bustle. Food was underwhelming to me - the crab claws were small and portion was small, and the fried oysters were off to me. They had a dry powder on the outside of the breading and didn't seem to come out hot. Shrimp was ok and portion size was filling on the platter. They have daily specials, which I like, and you could tell they had a good strong local crowd. We brought our two kids in the atmosphere is good for that as it is a bit noisy, and they do have some kids options, not listed on the menu. A good option if you're bringing the family. read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Oh my Lord..... fantastic food, wonderful service (you'll likely wait to get in the place!) and Fabulous cocktails that were very reasonable! I liked it so much I went back twice in a four day business trip. Go, they won't disappoint. Fried shrimp, old fashions, spaghetti and meatballs....all of it great! read more

This used to be my favorite in New Orleans , and I live here! But today I got a to-go order of sautéed crab fingers and an order of eggplant sticks. The crab fingers are mildly tasty but they cost $22.95 for this lil puny serving. This was a complete ripoff. AND, when I showed it to the server, he said "that what it always is". Not only am I NOT going back, nor sending friends but I will tell the world of this pathetic served order! DO NOT EXPECT THE OLD MANDINA'S IF YOU GO. THEY SHOULD ALL WEAR A PATCH OVER THEIR EYE! read more

I randomly stumbled across as I was running errands and decided to get a quick bite. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the nicest bartender who made me feel right at home. I opted for a salad and a glass of wine which didn't disappoint as the salad was the perfect size and tasted amazing! read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Rose - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Service by MEL was superb! She doesn't miss a beat! Food was so yummy! The fried catfish, fried shrimp, and onion rings were to die for! Great find for us out-of-staters here for your annual Jazz Fest! Thanks for the fabulous hospitality! We'll be back! read more

*Delayed post from Jan '25. I was recommended this restaurant by a local who swore this was the place to go for authentic New Orleans fare, but sadly it was a disappointing visit. It was easy to get to using the cable car since it's right off a stop on Canal street and there was plenty of seating and air conditioning for those inevitable hotter months, plus an overall charm with the interior decorations. The staff was also very friendly and served us quickly, but the food itself was gross. We ordered the Creole Eggplant with Shrimp and the Stuffed Shrimp, both of which feature a crabmeat stuffing. Maybe we just picked the wrong menu items, but the texture was like a globby oatmeal and it was over seasoned to try to cover up the fishy taste that permeated everything. The accompanying pasta and fries were both pretty basic, same as the starter bread. It kind of reminded me of a mediocre Ryan's, Golden Corral, etc. place you find through out the south that fries everything. Not worth the trip if you're in the mood to have high quality food, but it'll get the job done if you're hungry. read more

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Fast service and our food came out quickly as well. If you're ordering anything as a starter, make it the crab fingers! They look like some kind of alien concoction, but they are seriously so good! Either withhold eating the complimentary bread or ask for extra so you can dunk it directly in the sauce! I love that their muffuletta comes with whole olives vs chopped - it added a different type of texture to the sandwich. Lastly, my catfish with gravy was massive and so delicious! I want to try the catfish almondine next time. I swapped my fries for a side salad - if you do this, be sure to ask for dressing on the side because my salad was dripping in dressing and could've used a softer hand. read more

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Mandinas is a local institution and its busy no matter when you go. They have a little of everything on the menu from seafood to steaks to italian. Staff was all very friendly as were the locals. I had the meatballs with spaghetti. The meatballs are really good. But the sauce is just wonderful. Silky, smooth and somehow simple and complex at the same time. The white chocolate bread pudding was also great. But the cheesecake was quite a bit different than the New York style we love so much that we just didnt like it as much. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food and we all left full and happy. read more

Mandina's Restaurant - White chocolate bread pudding - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The place was PACKED , and with good reason: great food , fast service , attentive wait staff and a great atmosphere . The comfort food options were nice , people were having conversations and enjoying their meals and drinks . We will DEFINITELY be returning !! read more

Fricking outstanding. Started with the turtle soup that was delicious and chock full of meat. Had the chicken parm I missed on my last visit and was overwhelmed with joy. Crispy, thin, huge and plenty of red sauce to top off the chicken and the spaghetti. Service was crazy fast and the wine was good too. Roll me out and put me to bed! read more

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I was recommended to try Mandina's because it's a local favorite for native New Orleans. You'll notice that right away when they open as the dining room fills up fairly fast right at 11am. The menu is quite extensive but I knew what I wanted: Oyster & Shrimp Po Boy: I thought the ingredients were good. I think they could have gone heavier on the shrimp and oysters. It was too much bread for the Po boy and it was very dry. Soft shelled crab: this was a large crab. Very juicy, in fact be careful as the hot crab jizz will come bursting out when biting into the body of the crab. I like all the sauces available to dip the crab in. Service was friendly and fast. Overall I enjoy my experience but think the Po boy could have been a lot better. read more

Mandina's Restaurant - Shrimp & Oyster Po boy - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Just solid food. Took a friend from out of town here and he loved it. Some of the best shrimp remoulade I've ever had and was thankful he let me take home the leftovers. A good variety of options for the whole family - even picky eaters. read more

Such a staple in New Orleans. So yummy you'll be trying to decide what to order! Excellent service. read more

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Great New Orleans tradition. We love to bring out of town visitors here. Great food ,friendly service and tons of atmosphere. It's a New Orleans treasure. Get there early (5:30 or so) because the wait time gets long very quickly. read more

Always consistently excellent Italian Creole with emphasis on fresh seafood. Can't go wrong with any of that. Great po boys, soups, and daily specials. Onion rings to die for. Service quick and efficient. They used to be known for their grumpy waiters but this has changed. Lots of younger staff too. Deducted a star because I went twice in three weeks and they were out of lemon! Not having lemon for the fish is a big negative. Makes a huge difference in reducing greasiness of fried fish. It's not like the grocery store is far away! Send a kid out to buy a few bags for heaven's sake! No reservations. Full bar. Easy parking. read more

"And in all that brown the sun went down". Good night moon, good night catfish. Whether your fish is bathed in shrimp creole or brown sauce, this place is worth the travel time to eat local. read more

We actually ended up here having tried to come somewhere around the corner with a long wait, and boy was i glad! The restaurant is definitely old time, with most all of the clientele being much older, and the dishes all being old southern comfort food. The portions were absolutely huge, and everything was so delicious! The restaurant was a good size and very bright with memorabilia of it's time in New Orleans all over. We had some sandwiches and I had a pasta dish, and again the portions were incredibly large, but that meant we all got to try each other's food and I'm so glad! My pasta dish was covered in shrimp and very well seasoned, my husband's shrimp po boy was ginormous and delicious, and my parent's muffaletta was definitely the star of the meal. Get out of bourbon street and the French quarter and try this delicious place next time you're in town! read more

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