Home FOOD & DINING NEW ORLEANS GOURMET Great Places for Late-Night Dining

Great Places for Late-Night Dining

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Angeli on Decatur
1114 Decatur St., 566-0077
Located on the alternative end of Decatur Street sits this artsy diner offering an eclectic, interesting and diverse menu, much like its patrons. Fairly priced and tasty with generous portions, this is the ideal spot for hungry barhoppers (vegetarians will be in heaven) in search of substance on the lighter side, with favorites such as fresh, tasty salads (grilled chicken and Greek are exceptionally good, and both are served with a piece of garlic bread) and satisfying sandwiches featuring wholesome ingredients like artichoke hearts, grilled eggplant, black olives, chicken breast, portobello mushrooms and roasted red peppers. However, it’s hard to resist the palate-pleasing, thin-crust pizzas with terrific topping combinations, like the best-selling Mystical (sun-dried tomatoes, onions, roasted garlic and goat cheese). They serve food until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Bombay Club
830 Conti St., 586-0972
This distinguished cocktail bar and live-music venue is adored for its impressive martini menu (more than 100 types), its posh, upscale atmosphere and its gracious and inviting owners. But it’s also one of the best-kept late-night dining secrets in town! Those with a discerning palate can dine late without fear of sacrificing quality and service. Chef Nick Gile has created a superb menu, starting with succulent Oysters Rockefeller, Louisiana Shrimp Martini or Flash- Fried Cajun Calamari. Formidable entrée options include delicate Pancetta-Wrapped Maine Diver Scallops, Bombay Filet with Melted English Stilton and the savory Duck Duet of pepper-seared breast and leg of confit. Late-night dining is offered until 1:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Camellia Grill

626 S. Carrollton Ave., 309-2679

Anyone who’s had a late-night of imbibing is sure to have visited Camellia Grill, the quintessential neighborhood greasy spoon (but far less greasy post-K), complete with gigantic alcohol-soaking food, communal counter seating and live entertainment in the form of lively, animated, theatrical cooks and servers, who have themselves become local legends. You can’t go wrong with the basic cheeseburger with fries or an enormous omelet filled with just about anything, and if you’re in the mood to overindulge, order the finger-licking-good chili cheese fries. Top it off with a milkshake or slice of homemade pecan pie.

Clover Grill
900 Bourbon St., 598-1010
With a slogan that states, “We love to fry and it shows,” it’s no wonder that this all-night (open 24 hours), old-school diner is famous for its crispy fries and signature hubcap burgers, which are literally covered with a hubcap as they cook up on the sizzling griddle. A rowdy post-party crowd, local French Quarter characters, a high-energy jukebox and entertaining, quick-witted—at times even sassy!—servers keep the party going as hungry diners inhale huge specialty club sandwiches, heaping plates of eggs served with grits and crispy bacon, build-your-own omelets and classic malts and milk shakes. A true one-of-a-kind New Orleans establishment that’s beloved for its unabashed quirkiness, reckless energy and inexpensive, good old-fashioned grub!

La Peniche
1940 Dauphine St., 943-1460
Located just outside the French Quarter in the Marigny, this local eatery is virtually always open and serves breakfast anytime. The simple decor, approachable menu and unpretentious attitude make it ideal for late-night dining, whether you’ve just left a black-tie event or are club hopping on Frenchman Street. Filling, tasty burgers (like the Kathryn burger topped with ham, Swiss and grilled onions) are crowd-pleasers, as are the fluffy omelets, traditional po’boys and their version of eggs Benedict, which features a generously sliced ripe tomato among Canadian bacon, a poached egg, English muffin and hollandaise sauce. If your sweet tooth is calling, home-style pies (the peanut butter-chocolate chip is divine) and cakes will not disappoint. Open 24 hours Friday through Sunday.

Mimi ’s in the Marigny
2601 Royal St., 942-0690
This unpretentious yet hip hangout attracts everyone from tattooed and pierced rockers to starch-shirted yuppies in search of strong cocktails, a friendly game of pool, funky high-energy music and tasty late-night dining. Delicious small plates of Spanish-inspired cuisine that are affordable and perfect for latenight munchies include flaky beef empanadas; flavorful gambas (shrimp) swimming in olive oil, white wine, parsley and garlic; goat cheese-stuffed peppers; yummy cheeses with Serrano ham, sausages and olives; and tender squid seeped in a tasty concoction of olive oil, garlic, lemon and spices. The kitchen is open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Swamp Room

5216 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 888-5242
While this neighborhood hangout may be unassuming (it’s filled with video poker machines, pool tables, bar stools and TV screens), the food is definitely taken seriously. The menu boasts an array of late-night standards such as spicy wings, potato skins and fried mushrooms, but it’s the gargantuan burgers (made with 10 ounces of freshly ground beef) that thrust it into a higher realm. Regulars swear that the succulent Swamp Burger can rival even the most famous burgers in town. Other winners include the deliciously moist and substantial blackened tuna sandwich and the crispy boudin balls served with a horseradish cream sauce. Food is served until 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.