Commanders Palace Reviews

Historic restaurant. Excellent food and service from start to finish.

Sorry to have to report that after being warmly greeted 10 minutes early for our 8:30 reservation, we were dumped in the bar and ignored for 35 minutes. When we complained at the front desk (bar staff being MIA), the only words to describe the hostess's reaction were "unapologetic" and "uninterested." So we left. Too bad. Have heard wonderful things about Commander's, but they clearly dropped the ball this time.

Wow, wow, wow! Awesome from top to bottom. Service, ambiance and of course the food. Turtle soup, must have.

The dress code is apparently not a strict code.

The food was good, and well priced. Our shrimp and tasso appetizer was exceptional.

I have a feeling that the restaurant itself is just too big. because it's large and is as popular as it is it makes the experience less special. When you're surrounded by multiple large groups that demand more attention than your table of two, you feel like an afterthought.

Incredible service, atmosphere, food, and drinks. Could not ask for anything more from a restaurant. Maybe the best meal I've ever had.

Truly remarkable service and the food was brilliant.

Commander's Palace is hands down the best restaurant in New Orleans. This is a must-try for anyone visiting New Orleans.

Fancy restaurant in New Orleans, interesting dishes and great service.

A classic dining experience. High end old school class and service. Expensive and worth it. Wonderful ambiance from entrance to the walk past a uniformed row of servers, to the 30's New Orleans decor, to the prompt coordinated simulataneous service of all in our party, to the jazz ensemble playing.

Service was impeccable, food was delicious, atmosphere was busy but pleasant. Loved the courtyard and tree growing they the building

Try the commander s palace for lunch. The food is amazing and you can get 25 cents martinis with your meal. I got the steak and for drinks I got cosmo, it was really, really good. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is so lovely. Small outside area is great to sit down for a while with your drinks after having your meal. And the small pond is very cute.
I made reservations in advance, if you are looking to go at a busier season especially, I would recommend making your reservations way ahead of time.

The staff was outstanding and food unbelievably delicious!

It was a totally Extraordinary experience... Great conversation, life stories and food with
Chef Tory McPhail, he tantalized our palate's with some of his *AMAZING* creations, by preparing a 6 course meal of his personal favorites for us!!!
Thank you my heartfelt appreciation Chef Tory you are a true sweetheart!!

Atmosphere was elegant and welcoming. Staff and food were amazing.

There for Mardi Grad every year.... A famous place with the BEST food and service.... A tradition at its finest, where Emeril got his start!

This is a great foodie moment: excellent service and delicious meals, what s else?
This lunch menu is a great value add! And having a nice weather to enjoy the lunch in the lovely yard listening to the fountain was just perfect.

Really great dinner experience! Service was awesome. Manager pays attention to detail and very attentive to your needs!

One of the best meals and dining experiences in the U.S.
Definitely worth a repeat visit.

Extremely delicious food, beyond compare! Foie Gras was prepared to perfection, and we agreed that it was one of the best things we had ever tasted! My filet couldn't have been cooked more perfectly, and the champagne poached crabmeat was the perfect compliment! The staff provides next level service that manages to be top notch without being stuffy. This is how it's done folks. Thank You!

Bread pudding was good. Food was decent, but I was expecting a little better.

Pablo and Eric were welcoming and provided a fabulous dining experience for my guest and myself. Pablo definitely knows his wine & is more than happy to help you find your perfect selection. Commander s is very lucky to host such a dedicated and top-notch team.

we loved everything about Commander's Palace. Food, staff and everything excellent

A New Orleans institution. Outstanding service and creole favorites.

Excellent food and service. A legendary spot for a good reason.

Last night was not a great day at Commanders and I feel like Steve knew it was out of hand. With him being the most recent manager with about three years under his belt. As a party of six we expect a few hiccups but I have had better service here. Food came out cold and a few things got forgotten like my main dish. Tea was ordered and they had a nice selection, got the pot of hot water but no cup to drink from. Turtle soup was cold a salty and was sent back. The pork chops came out stunning! The salad was warm and they had very long periods of time between services. Enjoyed the time with family. Service was a shiny as the sign out front with half the bulbs burning. Like u said I've been before and had great success. Sad if this is the new normal. Steve please get your act together.

Always a great place to be and eat. For 12 years i have turtle soup and stuffed quail

We had a fantastic meal! The service was excellent. We can't wait to come back!

One of the best eating experiences I've had in my life. Food, drinks, atmosphere were all top notch. Particularly the bread pudding souffle stuck out.

I only give this place the second star because of the history of this place. Other than that it's a complete disappointment! I have no idea why everyone talks about it in every blog. It seems like they gave up on trying and are resting on their laurels because it's a tourist trap and they know most people wont be back. I have never had such high hopes and been let down so far as I have with commander's palace. I hate writing bad reviews and can count on one hand how many I've written but I feel like I have to say something in hopes of getting their attention. The turtle soup was bland flavorless and they act like adding sherry to it makes it special...it doesn't I've had better gumbo at acme oysters and for all they hype and price you'd expect this place to be exceptional. They have really cheap martinis (like $.25 or $.50) which is impressive and that's probably to draw in some locals because their food won't do it. All in all you'll probably go here because of the hype and then you'll go somewhere else to actually get a decent meal. I'm sorry commander's palace but someone has to say it....

Commander's Palace is the flagship of all the Brennan family restaurants, and a magnificent dining experience. The roster of famous chefs who got their training in the kitchens of Commander's Palace is too long to list.

Out-of-towners should expect to dress nicely. For the gentlemen, a sports coat is recommended, but a necktie is not strictly necessary. Resort wear for the ladies. It's really not possible to be overdressed for a fine meal at Commander's.

The food and the service here are world-class. This is also a favorite spot for locals, many of whom have been coming here for generations. The Garden Room is particularly attractive, perched as it is on the second floor overlooking the magnificent live oaks in the courtyard.

Reservations are recommended on normal days, and absolutely necessary on holidays and event days, which can book up months in advance.

No trip to New Orleans could be considered complete without a meal at Commander's Palace. I never visit the city without coming here. All of the Brennan family restaurants are excellent, but Commander's has that extra something special.

Excellent food and drinks, authentic southern vibe and the best service. The brunch menu includes a starter, entree and dessert (priced around $40) so be sure to arrive hungry. The live table-side music is an nice touch.

the best steak I have ever had is here! go here! this was 20 years ago btw lol

Outstanding food, awesome service and great atmosphere

Loved visiting this restaurant while we were in town for our wedding. The best of the best in NAWLINS!

Amazing brunch! Truly fantastic service, and delicious meals. The setting was lovely, with a jazz band serenading each table. An excellent experience!

Outstanding as usual. Treat yourself to a beautiful meal and support a culinary legend!

Famous joint in the Garden District. Pricey place for dinner with limited menu. Drinks are fantastic. Would recommend going for brunch if you are looking to save money.

Not crazy about dress codes, but in THIS city, it is nice to kind of "go back" to the old days of dressing up for dinner..or lunch, or brunch.
We came for lunch and were seated in the main room on the first floor. Classy decor, great for people watching. I got a tour afterward, but first:
THE SERVICE: These folks are trained well. Polite, helpful, friendly. Just great!

THE FOOD: We started with appetizers.
Ginger, molasses, and rum braised pork belly. Fantabulous! The pork just melts in your mouth. The flavors of the sauce just play in your mouth. There are a couple of brussell sprout leaves in it and even THEY have great taste.
Smoked duck and roasted pumpkin orecchiette. With wild mushrooms, kale and broth. Wow. Superb.
I had the Soups 1-1-1 which are small portions of their famous turtle soup, gumbo and soup du jour, which was mushroom. My first turtle soup...awesome, savory. Gumbo was flavorful and great, and mushroom was also bursting with flavor.
My entree was Toasted garlic and whiskey flambee'd shrimp. Described on the menu as "A saute of Cajun andouille, grilled Vidalia onions, Louisiana red beans and roasted tomatoes with a warm Andouille-fat vinaigrette and smoked corn polenta".
I don't know how they get so much flavor in shrimp that are cooked to the point of perfection, but they do. There is so much flavor in this dish is can't explain it. It's just great. Superb. Awesome. Yeah.....
We also enjoyed a melon aperitif.
This place lives up to every accolade I've heard about it and more..
After dinner I got a tour of the upstairs dining area, which is sun shiny and overlooks the garden, which is sooo beautiful.

If you are a foodie and want your tastebuds to dance, then you must enjoy a meal at Commanders Palace. We typically will go 1-2 times a year just for the sake of it and we enjoy every time and every meal. The flavors and preparations are mouth watering and tummy happiness.

Commanders is the Grand Dame of dining in New Orleans. Great food, service and atmosphere. Put on your nice clothes and experience what other restaurants can only try to imitate.

The food was good, but we got the B team for waiters when we were there for dinner last week. They struggled with getting our bottle of red wine. It didn't come out until after the appetizer and entrees were served, even though we ordered it before any food orders. The manager was attentive and comped the wine due to the issues. However when dessert came, they brought the 2 pre-ordered desserts but never asked the rest of the table if they wanted anything. By the time we flagged them down to get a dessert menu and then order, everyone else was done with their desserts. So the timing on everything was very bad for such a good restaurant. It fell far short of the dinner experience we were expecting.

The staff was very friendly but the menu is very limited and the portions are very small for the price. It is just another expensive tourist trap with over priced food.

Such an up-scale restaurant and the staff was superb!!! ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!

Outstanding service, delectable flavors. Loved the quail, soufle was delicious with well prepared Cosmo martini. Highly recommend!

Typical restaurant of the Louisiana tradition.
The reference for restaurants in the area

Cockroach ran up my friends leg. He killed it showed waiter. Not much reaction. Food average and attempt at fine dining service was tired and clumsy

I'm diffinitly coming back! Food is fabulous and the service is amazing!!

For the price, food was just okay. Service was great, but that's expected for the price tag.

The finest dining experience I've had in YEARS. They know how to take care of their guests! Pampered would be an understatement. My wife and I were celebrating our 10 year anniversary and Commander's Palace was an experience we will remember for many more decades to come!!! Make reservations far in advance and request the Garden Room. A New Orleans MUST!!!

Food was OK, service was fine and the view was nice. Overall experience is a New Orleans traditional fine dining restaurant.

Food, service and drinks were fantastic. Can't get over the shrimp tasso app. Amazing!!

Great ambiance. Our waiter Robert was amazing. The food was ok. Nothing crazy to rave about. I would only go back if Robert was our waiter. Shrimp needed some salt, some of the food was lukewarm and not hot. Dessert was the best part.

25 cents martini...nothing can beat that. The bread pudding delicious.

This review is a mixture of two visits I have had to this establishment, one in February of 2014 and a more recent visit in September of 2015. Individually I would give my first visit 5 stars and my second visit 3, but overall the food triumphs over the problems the restaurant may have. The first time I visited I had the pleasure of enjoying the chef's tasting menu, a 7 course trip with a cocktail break in between. From crab and caviar to crawfish ravioli to an amazing dessert they called the "Pavlova" (or was it another Russian ice skater...), every meal was accommodated with a detailed description by our server and was brought out in a timely manner, leading to an overall excitingly beautiful and tasty 3 hour meal which felt much shorter than it actually was. Sadly I could not order the complimentary wine, for I was too young and inexperienced, but I can only assume it would have made the meal even better. What was great about our server was that he allowed us to take a guided tour of the restaurant after our meal, while explaining the history of Commander's Palace. Nothing about this first visit disappointed, and it felt like the best restaurant in the world. During my second visit I had the opportunity to take off my rose-tinted glasses as I ordered from the regular menu. As I expected, the food was still amazing, the Caminada Pass oysters, stuffed quail, and bread pudding (especially this!) being the highlights of the night. However, the service on this occasion was utterly slow, almost grinding to a halt. We were a large party in a private dining room, but our server would show up on a few occasions to bring food, then exit the doors to disappear into the wind for 30-40 minutes. While I cannot find fault in the food, one of the best you will find in New Orleans, the service may end up leaving your food cold and your tongue dry.

Pros: +Food, the craftsmanship and preparation into each dish is easily visible, historical restaurant that makes for a memorable date night.
Cons: Service in the front can range from amazing to humiliating.

Notes: Children, please don't bring children. Ever.

One of the best meals we've had. The service was fantastic, you need only look up and someone came over. If you took a sip of water, your glass was filled, yet you didn't feel like they were hovering. Janet and Claudia were friendly and very helpful. The food was amazing. I chose the pork lunch special that included a very tasty winter fruit and greens salad. For dessert I had the delicious bread pudding souffle! I was so stuffed when I left there, I don't think I'll eat till tomorrow! And their lunch specials came with great prices. It made it affordable for the thrifty vacationer to enjoy a high end restaurant. Will recommend this to anyone coming to NOLA.

Great place.
Beautiful food made by passionate and talented people.
Chef Meg and her team are doing great things.
Had a wonder time. And would definitely suggest everyone dine here when ever possible.

As usual' great service and delicious food for my birthday celebration.

If you want an old south wonderful experience this is the place. Ask for the garden room but any room will do. The food, out of this world. The service OMGOODNESS you feel like royalty. They even valet so you just walk in. It is pricey but worth it to have the perfect meal.

This is a more up scale restaurant but dont let that stop you. We enjoyed the turtle soup and the bread pudding. The waiter made our dining very enjoyable. We had a great conversation about turtle soup and our grandmothers great cooking that sadly is next to impossible to mimick. Our waiter treated us to pecan pie after discussing my grandmother's to die for pecan pie and peach cobbler. Long story short this is a great spot to visit after walking around the garden district and visiting Lafayette cemetery #1. Enjoy!

One of the best restaurants I visited in new Orleans. Excellent food, especially the wagyu beef. The downside is that is expensive, very expensive. The place is very nice, it's an old house, very well equipped and decorated. It's a huge place. Excellent service

The ambience and views are amazing, but I think it's overpriced and a bit over-rated. The food was delicious, though. We ordered the tasting menu.

AWESOME PLACE. The turtle soup was the best soup I've ever had

This is one of a kind unique experience, they make you feel like your royalty. Always filling up an empty cup; and the Food is beyond words for amazing. By far best service I ve have ever seen, very friendly.

Amazing Sunday jazz brunch, hands down one of the best meals we had in NOLA. Incredible experience, amazing food... Highly recommend.

Great food, marred only by excessive noise and an inattentive waiter failing to ask a patron if she wished to order dessert after her coupled companions decided to share special, early order desserts with their spouses.

Absolutely delicious!!! Great service and awesome food!!!

Great food. Excellent service. High prices. Long standing establisher in the Greater New Orleans Area; located Uptown on Washington Ave, this restaurant is said to be one of the quintessentially best restaurant. Winning several awards yearly, this place gets it.

Service is top notch, but so is the pricing. Dress code is not for the faint of heart, no shorts here buddy/madam; as indicated on the door.

Always a treat for a birthday dinner; cool chef's hat they give you.

What a treat! We traveled to NO from California, and many of our friends told us how fantastic this place is. So true! We were met with a welcome attitude, and ushered to our table upon arriving.

The food is succulent - I enjoyed the Citrus Strawberry Salad, Pecan Crusted Sheepshead Filet, and we both loved the freshly baked sugar biscuit Strawberry Shortcake.

Their own Chardonnay was perfect with my entree...and the service was fantastic! We will be back!

The restaurant was built as a wedding present by Emile Commander to her daughter, who, to all the comic nature of the situation, did not get married. Chef - Tory McPhail. The policy of the restaurant involves the use of local products for the most part with a radius of 100 miles. The meal here is therefore a harmonious cognition of the state of Louisiana through gastronomic masterpieces.

I dropped friends off at this place and this was their 2nd time there. They said everything was excellent both times.

Loved the jazz musicians as we dined on a 3 course fab lunch. The bread pudding was to die for