My husband and I ran into this cafe and it was fantastic! All of the staff was so friendly. We so enjoyed visiting with them. Please check out this little gem while visiting New Orleans. Yum and fun! read more

So our initial plan was to go to Willa Mae's. We were on our first trip to NoLa and wanted some good fried chicken, but their wait was ridiculously long and it was scorching hot outside in the line. So we looked for another place with good reviews, and I am 110% glad that we found High Hat Cafe. We started with a watermelon mint lemonade, and I was afraid it would've been too sweet, but it was soooo good and perfectly lightly sweetened, carbonated, and super refreshing. I ended up with another refill because I downed that one fast! I wasn't even going to eat because I was still full from a big breakfast, so we shared two of the fried chicken platters amongst 5 people. One order came with 4 pieces (one drumstick, one thigh, one wing, and one breast) along with a side of mac n' cheese and fries. Upon first bite of the chicken, everyone's eyes lit up and we just looked at eachother with no words. Needless to say, we ordered more chicken to share and I didn't even care anymore about the calories and how full I was to begin with. Just get me more. The mac n' cheese and fries were also very good. Our server was very sweet and attentive. I was really glad that we came here instead of our initial plan, because I honestly can NOT see it getting any better than this. Highly recommend. read more

See all

I've been to High Hat dozens of times and their brunch cannot be beat! It always feels like a late home-cooked breakfast when I come here. Yesterday I went to brunch in the post-apocalyptic time of Hurricane Barry. (More like Hurricane Barely) Anyways... Being that I walked out of my home not knowing what time it was from being inside for about 4 days straight, I didn't realize brunch was ending in about 5 minutes. Nonetheless, I was notified I could still order it. They are truly amazing for that alone! I started off with my absolute favorite brunch drink from them, the grapefruit mimosa; a bubbly and fresh twist on the regular degular champizzle with OJ. Aside from being tasty its awfully pretty for a drink. As for what I sunk my teeth into, this time it was the Cornmeal Pancakes with Apple-Smoked Bacon. Each brunch entree is also served with two eggs, so I scrambled 'em. I love their cornmeal pancakes as they remind me of the southern pancakes my grandmother makes, none of that Aunt Jemima stuff. It was amazing as usual and I'm a big fan of their syrup as well, it goes so perfect with the pancakes. My other favorite brunch dish here is the chicken and waffles, which I'd also recommend 1000%. The chicken is so crispy and juicy! Shout out to High Hat for being open immediately after a hurricane as well. This truly displayed, like many other restaurants and businesses in New Orleans, our resiliency to get back running quickly even after being hit with the forces of nature and natural disasters. read more

High Hat Cafe - Grapefruit mimosa! - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The chicken is amazing as well as the vegetables. A wonderful menu with a lot of variety.

Delicious black eyed peas and collard greens. not full of grease or meat. I would definitely come back to try other menu items. Fast, friendly to-go service. read more

The food, service and feel of this place is amazing. A friend and I came here after getting horrible service at the Burger Company. From the drinks to the dessert we ate every bit and the pimento Mac nd cheese is something you'll never forget! read more

You really can't go wrong with High Hat. The service is always great and quick. This time, I sat at at the bar so I got a little bit of a different experience. My mom got the fruit and crabmeat special and loved it. The second she took a bite of watermelon, she threw her hands up in amazement. My mom is the type that rarely finishes her plate but she finished it all this meal! My chicken and waffles were really really good. I do wish the chicken had a little more salt to it but that's personal preference. The drinks were amazing as always. I typically get the Space Cowboy, which I always love, but decided to switch it up this time and got the Life of Leisure. It was great! It was so light and refreshing and I can't wait to go back so I can get it again. Both of the bartenders were awesome! Ambiance is great, I especially liked the bar decorations. I will say the bathroom was less than desirable and I really wish they would have paper towels instead of just the hand dryer. read more

See all

Great little diner gem! Stopped here on a local's recommendation and we were not disappointed! The waiter and staff were friendly and attentive. The food was great! My husband had an omelet and I had the special, which was rice and beans with a pork chop. Delicious! We'll definitely stop back next time we're in town visiting! read more

This was my second visit to High Hat, and it was enjoyable. My husband and I ordered the Boudin appetizer. It was really good, and the pickles added a nice acidity. For our meals, we shared the fried chicken (with Mac and greens) and the Cuban sandwich with green beans. Everything was delicious. The sandwich was crispy on the outside, and the ingests very flavorful and not dry. The green beans tasted fresh, not mushy. The chicken is cornmeal fried, and the batter has really nice seasoning. The chicken was a bit dry, but the vinegar sauce and hot sauce on the table took care of that. The Mac was good, but the star side dish was the greens. They were hearty, with a sweet edge to balance their natural bitterness. Really delicious. The service was good and friendly. We will return! read more

See all

High Hat is one of those places that you could take friends who are visiting NOLA and are interested in trying Cajun Creole cuisine. We went on a Monday afternoon and it was quite busy, but we were able to be seated very quickly. My friends and I all decided to try the Catfish which is one of High Hat's signature dishes. The catfish comes with hush puppies and a side of your choice. The hush puppies were made really well and they were so warm and fluffy in each bite. Additionally, the fried catfish was great and it comes in multiple sizes (a small basket, a large basket, and whole catfish). Lastly, I really enjoyed the mac and cheese as well - if you are visiting the South, you must definitely try the way baked mac and cheese is made here. The atmosphere at High Hat was really joyful and it's a nice place with really great food. In addition to their classics, they also have daily dishes that you can try that they put up on their chalk board menu. Highly recommend to come here to try the great food they have to offer! read more

High Hat Cafe - Whole Catfish w/ hush puppies and Mac and Cheese - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

I love this place! It's been a favorite for years. Ignore any negative 2021 comments. Everyone is struggling now to get back on their feet and find workers. Flying into town for work and heading there for lunch on Tuesday! read more

After a morning at the zoo, we decided to get a late lunch at high hat cafe which was halfway between the zoo and our hotel. Great catfish and BBQ shrimp! The catfish is crispy and flakey.. with some cornmeal in the batter. We had it with perfectly seasoned fries. The BBQ shrimp is one of my favorites and the sauce goes perfect with grits. The service was great also with a super friendly waitress read more

High Hat Cafe - Catfish kids order - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Great food and great service. I am on a sodium restricted diet, and they really try to work with me on my dietary needs.

After browsing some of the other reviews, I was intrigued by the sweet potato salad. So I ordered the catfish plate, substituting the sweet potato salad for the fries. Best decision ever. I would like to start out by saying that I am not a huge fan of fried catfish. I've only had it a handful of times, but I wanted to give it another go. Boy was I glad I did. The catfish was delicious, and so were the hush puppies. The catfish was not overly greasy, yet it was still moist and delicious. As for the coleslaw...well, everyone has their opinion on how coleslaw should be made. I am not one of strong opinion there. I love coleslaw, and I love all the different ways they are made. The coleslaw at High Hat Cafe was not very creamy, and it was slightly sweet and tangy. I loved it! Last but not least, the sweet potato salad. WOW. It was kind of life-changing, I'll be honest. I can't even describe it, but it was delicious and I want some more now. I know that wasn't helpful, but I would definitely recommend it! read more

High Hat Cafe - Catfish platter with sweet potato salad - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Stopped in here for dinner on a Monday night. Service was great. I enjoyed that multiple servers stopped in at our table to make sure we were okay during our visit. For appetizers we had the BBQ shrimp and the Gumbo. Both were pretty good. My only compliant was the gumbo was a bit salty but again I have a low tolerance for salty so maybe I was just a punk. For dinner after much decision making I opted for the catfish basket. I was surprised at the size of the catfish kinda small but nonetheless it was good. I very rarely get dessert but couldn't turn down apple pie. Felt like someone's grandma had made it and it was quite yummy with the ice cream on top. Overall was a great experience can't wait to visit again. read more

High Hat Cafe - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Fried oyster remoulade poboy was outstanding. I was skeptical about ordering it, thinking I was going to get a over bearing sauce. That wasn't the case, it had just the right amount of sauce. The oysters were fried lightly enough with a cornmeal batter that the sauce slightly soak in. Complimented by a fresh sliced po boy bread from Liedenheimer, was just nostalgic. read more

High Hat Cafe - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

I heard a lot about this restaurant so my expectations was pretty high. First off, let's talk about the parking situation. Parking is pretty good. Lots of street parking and there is a parking lot across the street. If you don't feel like paying for parking park along the neighborhood. The wait staff was really nice and helpful. My party came 30 min late. However, the host still set me down at a table and the wait staff checked up on me often. They messed up on our bill and over charge us. However, they handled the situation really smoothly and quick. No hassle on our end. Now the food! I got the catfish with mac and cheese. The catfish was thin. The batter and the way they seasoned the food is good. The mac and cheese though!!! Is a must! The food came out kind of slow but I totally understand. It was pretty busy and they made love to their food. The only problem was that i was still hungry after. Which was fine. That is how they get you to buy dessert. Too bad I didn't:p The strawberry mint lemonade was good! It is not on the main menu. read more

High Hat Cafe - Strawberry mint lemonade - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the best burgers in town. I always sit at bar so I can get my alcohol a bit faster . Diane (one of the awesome bartenders) makes some badass cocktails and they also make their own juices and tonic. Yummy!! Chill restaurant, high ceilings so it can get loud and they are open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Back to the burger though, I get the burger with manchego and cheddar, fries egg, dressed with a Serrano pepper on the side. Depending on my mood, French fries, or the mac and cheese or salad are just a few of your choices. The burger is mouth watering!!! And you have to try the pie!! No matter what they have, try it!! To die for! read more

High Hat Cafe - Burger with Manchego and Cheddar- dressed with Serrano peppers. - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Tried to go here a few times but never made it out until yesterday evening. On Yelp, all the pictures are of delicious looking fried chicken but we were informed that it was only for brunch and certain week days. Bummer. Anyways, upon arrival, we were greeting and ushered to wait by the bar by a super friendly gentleman. I ordered the veggie plate that consisted of green beans with bacon, pimento cheese mac and cheese and collard greens. The plate came with a slice of cornbread. Dear God, the sides were phenomenal. I loved everything on my plate with the exception of the cornbread. I like mine to be on the sweeter side and this version wasn't. My friend got the baked catfish plate and said her food was good. I'd come back for the mac and cheese. YUM, oh and fried chicken :) read more

High Hat Cafe - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I used to go here every visit to NO. Had something they called gumbo which was just awful. Veggie meals are now $18, and we had to wait 20 for a basket of cornbread. They didn't notice I didn't eat the gumbo (most servers would ask). Change of ownership, pretty poor food. read more

We have seen this place on TV since we lived in NYC, and came across it last week and were thrilled that it lived up to its memory. The tamales were a bit dry, but the BBQ shrimp was very rich and delicious. The Cuban used smoked pork, which in my opinion overpowered the rest of the sandwich. The service was perfect, and everyone was very friendly. read more

See all

I had no idea this gem was in my backyard. I don't know what is going in in the kitchen but the food that is being prepared is a work of angelic art. This is comfort food at the core! The slow roasted pork is the best I have ever had in my life. All the dishes are culinary art with a splash of Nola Culture. This is one of the very few times I wish they had a extra star to give to this place A 6 star rating. If you are local please visit. If you are out of town. This is a must stop on your food spots. You will be glad you came. If you are on earth and a foodie, I'd make plans to specifically visit High Hat and let your culinary appetite be quenched by what I consider one of the best chefs in the city! I will be back for more ! read more

See all

We discovered High Hat maybe 10 years or so ago. It became a regular part of our visits to New Orleans. Not pretentious, average priced, American food with New Orleans sensibilities but nothing tries too hard or is overdone. Simple enough after hitting heavy sauces and hot hot dishes and all the hype, it's time for a break at High Hat. My lady usually gets a special. Always interesting, usually a good seafood dish. But this time she went with the menu's Smoked Chicken and it was of course tasty and moist. Other years I've gone for just a simple burger, very good burger , of course tried the pimento cheeseburger. They have made pimento cheese their thing but frankly it doesn't do much for a burger. However this time I had a side of pimento cheese grits which were quite good with a splash of tabasco. The Cuban sandwich pressed in poboy bread was very good. I presume the same slow cooked pork that's on the hot dinners menu, good ham, and better manchego cheese and more of it than I usually see with these which really made it better than expected. Our service was very good but have had a couple issues in past visits so it depends on how busy and who you get. But as crowded as it gets they seem to always get us seated quickly and this time with a wheeled transit chair which always complicates things. I see they still have Jack Daniels Ice Cream. It sounded like taking a chance to me but once had a donut grilled until it starts to caramelize topped with it and it was great. Finally, I always look forward to a hibiscus phosphate! So refreshing. The hibiscus tea is very nice too but it's the only place I know to get the phosphates. read more

What a find! Great little funky place on Freret Street, near Tulane, serving a mix of NOLA and Memphis cuisine. (The original "Hi Hat" was in Memphis, and its vintage sign hangs over the bar.) The place was packed on a Monday early afternoon, and with good reason. My wife had the BBQ shrimp and I had the pulled pork po-boy -- both recommended by the server -- and both excellent. This is the kind of place I would return to weekly (and probably gain 40 pounds) if I lived in NOLA. Highly recommended. read more

This place is a gem! We stumbled upon it by mistake because the wait was too long at the place around the corner where we were planning on going. I think I've found my new favorite restaurant in New Orleans!!! Their pimento cheese is the best! I didn't think pimento cheese could get any better, but then these guys come along and melt it over grits, fries, burgers... it's heavenly!! They make fresh ginger ale, which I've never seen anywhere else, which is amazing! I've flown back home to Utah and I'm still thinking about their pimento cheese and ginger ale. Their desserts are great too - don't skip them! Even if you're too full, get the desserts. I'll keep coming back again and again every time I come back to NOLA. read more

I've lost count of how many times I've been to High Hat. It's absolutely my favorite restaurant ever! The selection is wonderful and the food is consistent. I've never had a bad experience here. My orders always come out correct and in a timely manner, even when it's busy. Their seasonal fig pecan pie changed my life, I'm not even kidding! I can't imagine pecan pie without figs anymore. I make sure to get it every time it's in season. Their other pies are great, too! I usually order the melty, savory cuban sandwich with hand-cut, perfectly seasoned fries OR the heavenly flat top catfish with field peas. But seriously, everything is worth trying here and I've (almost) tried it all. Be sure to check the chalkboard for specials!! Their selection of cocktails is fun and creative! They make a lot of their ingredients in-house. There's a great variety of local draft beers, too. Not to mention, the person who draws the chalkboard art is a true artist! High Hat's staff is very welcoming and attentive. They're great at making suggestions without being too pushy. Most of them have been working there for a while, so they know their stuff and can keep up when it gets busy. When I'm at High Hat I feel very much at home, as corny as that might sound. I'd give infinite stars if possible!! read more

See all

I love High Hat. I come here almost every visit to NoLa. My sister lives right down the street so it is convenient. Great food. Pickled everything and pimento cheese! I had the Pork Debris last time for brunch, it is my favorite. Everything is good here. It is good old southern comfort food. Friendly and helpful staff. Plenty of seating. Nice open restaurant. Specials written on the board on the wall. Convenient location on Freret street, close to other restaurants. Street parking. Check it out! read more

Great service, good drinks, okay food. Like the majority of restaurants in NOLA, High Hat had very personable service. Since good service is the default here, restaurants really need to stand out with their food. And in a extremely competitive market, High Hat's food was below average for me. I wanted to enjoy this Freret gem so much! We came looking for Fried Chicken, but they didn't serve it during Sunday dinner. I got the Fried Catfish instead. Breading was not crispy enough, and the dish was forgettable. The sides were somewhat redeeming. Apple-smoked Bacon Green Beans were ridiculously enjoyable with great bacon flavor. The Pimento Mac & Cheese was good. The side of plain bacon was of noticeably low quality though - thin cut, fatty, off taste. The Delta Hot Tamales our waiter raved about were probably the worst tamales I've had. To be fair though, all the other tamales I've eaten were made by little old Hispanic ladies. You can't imitate that. The dessert special was probably my favorite part. Warm Apple Honey Pie w/ housemade Jack Daniels Ice Cream. The honey was great in the pie and the ice cream was unique, creamy, and a great pairing. With this spread of high highs and low lows, I would find it hard pressed to visit High Hat again. There's just too much good food in this city. read more

See all

service was amazing (and honest) and i had an overall amazing meal - probably one of the best meals ever. there was a wait but it went by fast. the food was so good, i definitely recommend the Cuban and Grillsworth (i think it was called? I don't remember). I would definitely come back when I'm in NOLA! read more

High Hat Cafe - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

We've been here twice and it's one of those places we crave going back to every time we're in New Orleans. A true family run gem, the food is amazing, the drinks are awesome, I can't give enough stars!!! read more

So servers were nice and understanding. It's a quaint little cafe with a diner feel. I had the pimento Mac and cheese is was great. I had the strawberry mint lemonade I was ready to chug that bad boy down ! Of course I had to try the corn bread and it just wasn't my style a bit dry and texture not for me. I also tried the bbq shrimp and well I didn't care for it it's not theirs I just haven't liked the bbq shrimp anywhere is Louisiana so far it's something about the seasoning just not for me. read more

High Hat Cafe - Bbq shrimp appetizer and cornbread - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Pimento! Pimento! Pimento! We stumbled upon this hidden treasure by accident. It was the best accident... I ordered the pimento cheese grits with the dibris. Super yummy with a surprisingly sweet apple hint to the pulled pork. The catfish was delicious crispy and breaded well (my sister ordered this). The service was swift and efficient and the ambience gave family dinner. The cocktails were tasty and not watered down. We had the 3 ladies (a grapefruit margarita) We will definitely be back. read more

I think I've decide that High Hat is just that OK. I still go here when friends want to give it a try. But I still find it get be hit or miss. My friend was thrilled with his short ribs over potato hash. I had the same hash under a beautifully cooked piece of drum. While his hash was made tastier by the au jus from his hunks of meat. Mine were dry and blah...even with the random addition of a few shrimp. I like that they have actually added a few vegetarian vegetables (ha! oxymoronic) so that vegetarians can have a veggie plate in peace. My friend also really liked the chicken & andouille gumbo so points for that. The soup I had sampled a couple of times (crab & corn?) is no longer on the menu. The special of fried okra was delish too. read more

Good addition to Freret Street. Very casual lunch place. Good options of salads, burgers, etc.

If you have a craving of southern food with a twist this is a great place to grab something to eat. The atmosphere is casual and rustic chic. The menu has a variety of selections from pond raised catfish to a refreshing chicken salad (garnished with cherry tomatoes and green beans). Generally the wait staff is friendly and attentive however this time I can't say this experience was it was in the past. Our waitress checked on the surrounding tables to refresh drinks and make sure nothing else was needed. When it came to my table it felt as though we were on an island by ourselves fending for attention. Even after the surrounding patrons left and we were practically the last group there we remained on the island alone. I will not give an extremely poor rating because I know the quality and customer service the restaurant is known for however it has left this experience dissatisfying. read more

See all

Great food great service look forward to going back I had the Cuban sandwich. It was terrific. The catfish was the best. The gumbo is terrific and the fried chicken on Monday nights is over the top. read more

I took my kids here a couple of weeks ago after we realized that Company Burger didn't open until 5. It was 4pm and I was starving since I missed lunch. We went into High Hat with 0 expectations and came away pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is kind of like a diner with a really cool bar inside. It's almost like 2 separate places in 1 big room. The kids got simple burgers and fries from the kids menu. I got an order of the BBQ shrimp with a side order of stone grits. Not Mr. B's type standards but outstanding none the less. The came classic heads on style and the sauce was just great. I will be back. read more

This place was exactly what I hoped--local, delicious, and creative. The fried chicken was out of this world. It wasn't even greasy! I also got a side of the pimento mac and cheese (best ever) and a side of the bacon green beans (super yummy). I also got a rosemary ginger iced tea and a watermelon mint lemonade to-go... let's just say I should've gotten a whole gallon! So yummy! read more

High Hat Cafe - Southern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

This place was close to where we were staying on Freret so we decided to give it a try for dinner one night. It has a diner like feel, but with a step up. We were quoted a 40 minute wait, but I think it only took about 4 to get a table. There's a large bar where you can wait with lots of specialty cocktail options. We ordered a few things to share among the table. The cornbread was denser than I would have liked and definitely needed some honey butter. The house salad with ranch was good, but there was a lot more celery than I was expecting and it was slightly over salted. The cornbread croutons on the salad were warm and delicious, I think I could have eaten an entire bowl. The BBQ shrimp were huge and the dish was well presented. The shrimp were large and meaty with a dark roux like sauce and lots of garlic. I enjoyed soaking the sauce up with the grilled bread on the side. I also had a portion of the catfish basket. The fish was good, but the breeding lacked seasoning. I'm a little sad I didn't leave room for dessert because their pies sounded amazing. Overall, this place is good, but not the best I've had and a little inconsistent with the seasoning. read more

Food-5 Ambience-3 Service-4 The pictures of their food had me itching to go to this place, so I'm glad I got the chance! I ordered the catfish platter with French fries and some of that delicious-looking Mac and cheese. I wish I could've tried all of their cheesy sides because that Mac and cheese had me wanting more! The pieces of catfish were skinny, but the sides had me oh so full. I wish I had room to try that pecan pie, but I'll definitely be getting it next time! read more