What a fun, relaxed but classy place with great diverse food. I can be slow on the uptake and I'm mad at myself for taking way too long to enjoy Meril. First came an early evening at the bar--don't miss happy hour. Great drink specials and a perfectly blended Old Fashioned, or two, helps you devour the French fries starter. Wow what a generous portion. Next came a weekend dinner. You may want seating along Giroud Street to see and be seen. But the best seat in the house are the tables before the open kitchen. What entertainment, in a good way. The choice of snacks and small plates is dazzling. The dumplings with a robust chili sauce is best but people also rave about the wings. Mine were really quality chicken but not as crisp nor spicy as I like. But with the wings the service kicks up a notch. Staff is very attentive and efficient but when they brought out the warm towelettes to help your fingers with the wings. Ah a small touch that goes far. The trout almondine special was top notch as was the crawfish pasta--a real peppery sauce. Roasted carrots made a colorful and tasty side. Then the grand mariner tiramisu. Only one of the best in the South. We were so impressed. And as a heads up the place is comfortable with a big menu that includes flatbreads and cheeseburgers. Beer and wine is quality and fairly priced. You are good for the big entrees or just play it loose. Perfect. read more

Made a reservation for a date night. What a mistake! We ordered two apps and two entrees. Tuna bundles were delicious (though incredibly small)! My redfish entree was the highlight of our meal. However, the fried gulf shrimp tacos and the shrimp fettuccini with andouille were abysmal. Do not let these cooks near shrimp until they know how to flavor it. The batter on the fried gulf shrimp was powdery and bland. The shrimp and andouille fettuccini actually had ONE 1/2 centimeter slice of andouille which accompanied such a lackluster bunch of shrimp in sauce that tasted like lunchable pizza sauce. Not impressed! Our server was very kind and attentive! read more

We were in New Orleans for one night and chose Meril based on what I remember were mostly positive Yelp reviews. The space itself is chic, well lit, and has a great energy. The staff, from the manager to our waitress, were incredibly welcoming and attentive. I'm a complicated diner (no meat, no dairy, allergic to seafood, no lettuce, no pasta), and our waitress handled it with professionalism and kindness. She checked with the chef, who offered two options, and I went with the Asian stir fry. My wife ordered the shrimp linguine along with Brussel sprouts. All of the dishes were adequately presented, but the flavors didn't quite land for us. My stir fry was mostly sauce and rice and lacked depth. My wife found her Brussel sprouts were mild outside of the onion and bacon. She found her linguine oily and needed Parmesan cheese to add some flavor. When the staff noticed I didn't eat my entrée, they removed it from the bill without hesitation. That gesture stood out as many places would still charge even if the dish didn't work out. Their effort to accommodate my restrictions and make things right was truly appreciated. Overall, the service and atmosphere were excellent, even if the food missed the mark for us. I'd still say the hospitality alone makes Meril worth a try, especially if your tastes differ from my very specific dietary needs. --- If you want, I can also create a shorter "quick take" version or help you choose the best star rating to match the tone you want. read more

Ambiance is great, love the open concept kitchen. The deviled eggs were good, as was the fish, but all of the shrimp was overcooked and chewy and dry. read more

Meril - Deviled Eggs, a pasta special, and a redfish special - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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6'18'2023 Although this review wasn't posted asap, the memories are current. I chose this place for Father's Day 2023 while on vacation. I made a reservation for a party of 6. My party and I arrived on time. We were kindly greeted as there was a short wait. We were impressed w the DJ and attractive waiting area. This place has great décor!! Soon after we arrived, we were seated. We were seated at a spacious table and greeted by Z who made amazing recommendations. Collectively, we ordered the following. Korean Fried Chicken Wings Brussels Sprouts Fried Chicken & Waffle Smoked Lamb Chops Pineapple Upside-Down Cornbread Crawfish Cajun Dip Meatball Sliders Korean Beef Short Ribs Frozen Espresso Martini Each and everything came out well plated, well seasoned, and appropriately hot. We devoured our food. I highly recommend this establishment for any occasion. Great establishment, service and food!! Win! Win! Win! read more

Meril - 6'18'2023 Father's Day Meal - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We found Meril and made reservations the day before. We did not see a kids menu online but took the chance that the server would have options. They have cheese and pepperoni flatbread options, pasta with red sauce, buttered noodles and a burger. They were out of burgers on this night. My daughter chose the buttered noodles and they were great even for an adult! My husband and I shared: Meatballs Barbecue shrimp Tuna bundles Pocket bread *they were out of brussel sprouts on this night Banana cream pie for dessert Everything was amazing. The tuna bundles were my favorite. The pocket bread is perfect for sopping up the leftover house meatballs sauce. Don't skip the banana cream pie - I recommend sharing. No one needs a whole piece by themselves. Service was impeccable. I think it's a great option for families whose kids can handle this vibe. read more

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Had a great time here with some friends of the PCA cigar world for dinner the last night before we left. Food was great, as we ordered a ton of appetizers to share with the group of 10. We enjoyed some great drinks. Would definitely comeback and get some pictures and do a more detailed review. Highly recommend Meril to eat at. read more

I saw a recipe somewhere that this place was touristy and overrated, but I am so glad we went here for dinner! I loved everything I ate. The pork ribs were so good, excellent flavor. We also had the buttermilk fried chicken and that was perfection. The third thing we tried was some sort of dumpling- also amazing. We were celebrating a birthday so at the end they brought out a super fun giant cotton candy that we all tried. No complaints on service or the atmosphere. The restaurant was spacious. We did arrive during happy hour and the specials were only offered at the bar so that was disappointing knowing we could get drinks and appetizers for half off just a few feet away. We would 100% go back. read more

Meril - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I've never had less than a great experience at Meril's. Great food, great service and always the best vibes. I love going here for Sunday brunch. Good spot to bring a group since the menu has many shareable options. Also a nice place to go by yourself and chill at the bar. Everything is pretty tasty but there are some staples that I always get. I recommend the fried turkey necks, house meatballs, crispy Brussels sprouts, crispy gulf shrimp tacos and the margherita flatbread. That seems like a lot but keep in mind, it's all shareable. Merils has a full bar so you can order whatever you want but they make a great lemon drop and an Indigo French 75 (they use empress gin instead of just plain gin). I've seen so many birthday celebrations here, you get a free cotton candy complete with birthday sparklers. It's tasty and makes for a great social media picture. Located in the CBD so be prepared to pay for parking. read more

Meril - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Two words. Tuna.bundles. They'll change your palette for the better and just order 2 orders, you'll be happy you did! Also love the deviled eggs and the wise guy flatbread. Their specials are hit or miss - right now they have amazing crawfish fritters and a strawberry salad. You won't regret going here! read more

Went back and it's always consistent, great service and delicious food. Musts - banana cream pie - boudin balls are a new editor and yummy - tuna wraps with the yuzu ponzu sauce - meatballs read more

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TLDR: A fun, casual Emeril spot with fantastic shareable plates, standout Creole-inspired dishes, great service, and thoughtful touches that made our celebration feel special. Meril is Emeril Lagasse's more casual and playful take on modern Creole cuisine, and it absolutely delivers. While his fine dining flagship is just a few blocks away, this restaurant brings a relaxed vibe without sacrificing creativity or flavor. My party of seven visited on a Saturday night with a reservation, and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. They walked us through the menu, made great suggestions, and really leaned into the family style experience that Meril is designed for. The menu is appetizer heavy, which we loved because it encouraged sharing and sampling. We ordered nearly every starter on the menu and were not disappointed. Highlights included the Barbequed Shrimp, Vietnamese Caramel Wings, Candied Pork Ribs, and the House-Made Meatballs. Every dish had its own personality, and everything came out hot, well-seasoned, and beautifully executed. Most of our table also shared entrées, and the quality carried through. My wife and I split the Blue Crab Linguine with Calabrian chili butter, which was excellent and full of flavor without being overly heavy. We were celebrating our recent wedding in New Orleans, and the staff surprised us at the end of the meal with a fluff of cotton candy topped with a birthday sparkler. It was a fun, unexpected touch that really capped off the evening. Overall, Meril is a fantastic casual spot offering inventive takes on New Orleans classics from the renowned local chef himself. It's approachable, lively, and a great addition to any NOLA dining itinerary. read more

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Our server was fantastic! It got so busy and we had a large group. Everything we ordered was delicious. My entree was the fish of the day which was grouper. It was delicate and fresh. My only complaint would be there was not enough because I could have eaten the entire fish. I cannot remember the sauce but it reminded me of a Blanc paired well with a dry white. Shrimp tacos, deviled eggs, wings, and Mexican corn were are amazing as well. Wish there were an even number of deviled eggs given they were slightly on the smaller side, though great touch with the roe topping. Desert was mouth watering, I ordered the Rocky road bread pudding! read more

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We dined at Meril before a wedding reception at Lucy's and had a great time trying the pineapple upside-down cornbread, street corn, vegetable flatbread, and fettuccine with truffle butter. We topped it off with the banana cream pie, which was excellent. Would definitely go back just to have more of the banana cream pie, as well as the street corn. Service was attentive and timely and the atmosphere was lively but not too loud. Easily a place you can go with a group and still hear everyone else at the table while enjoying a delicious meal. read more

Service was great, immediately seated and greeted with a smile and "baby" (which I love) the ambience was kind of fancy but still came in casual and no one batted an eye. We ordered a little bit of everything but what really stood out were the turkey necks and corn bread!!! Please don't skip out on these. I know turkey necks can be a little intimidating but really the flavor and tenderness was so memorable I will definitely be back. read more

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Delicious meal at this Michelon Star restaurant. Staff was very personable and attentive. Food was AMAZING. Chef is not afraid of seasoning. Spicy rigatoni, crayfish linguine and banana cream pie were fabulous. Definitely a new favorite restaurant when we visit New Orleans. read more

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The ambience of the restaurant is very classy. Everything is very clean and modern. We arrived early for a reservation and went to the bar for happy hour. Enjoy the cocktail and a couple small plates. Ask for Paul or Sadecki in the bar for dinner. We had the barbecued shrimp, a Caesar salad, blacked red fish in the creole butter and banana cream pie. All were excellent. read more

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Great vibe and delicious food!! Everything we had was really good. We started with a number of the appetizers with the shrimp dumplings being my favorite. I had halibut for main course which was cooked perfect. The bread pudding for dessert is a must try, awesome! Oh and we actually saw Emeril walk through the restaurant back into the kitchen. They guy is still doing it. read more

Meril - Appetizers - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I've been a patron of Meril's for years for various occasions, but I particularly love sitting at the bar after a football game. This particular day, I caught their daily happy hour. I had a delicious flatbread (which didn't hold back on toppings) and the deviled eggs (accompanied with Zapp's chips which truly complement them). The service is always friendly and professional. And, the restaurant is beautifully designed and quite spacious: weather you're in the bar area or overlooking the kitchen, you can't go wrong. read more

Meril - Flatbread - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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The service was amazing. Our server was so attentive and gave some good recommendations. We had the pork ribs, meatballs, and wings. All of them were really tasty. My favorite was probably the ribs though. They were sweet and tangy and the meat was tender. Our server recommended the holiday cocktail. It wasn't something I would normally order so he offered to give me a sample. After having the sample I ordered the drink. It was delicious. read more

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Met work group here for dinner. 3 people ordered the fried chicken and had mixed reviews. 2 did not like at all ( one said chicken tasted like fish) and other said too dry and didn't eat it. The 3rd liked! I got the burger and enjoyed it! Overall decent food. read more

Let me preface by saying I don't eat red meat or shellfish so while my options may be a bit limited on the menu I still enjoy the food here. My go to is the general Tso's Broccoli, omg so good and it packs quite a kick. Their flatbreads are standard. The grilled salmon is a great pick for an entree, the spinach and watercress puree pairs excellently with the fish. I also really wanted to like the deviled eggs since they're known for them but they just need a dash of Tony's lol. And for dessert I would recommend the rocky road bread pudding read more

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Merils was an easy 10/10! The service was amazing, water was refilled constantly. It was nice and talkative in there. The food was 10/10 as well. We got 8 orders (for 5 people)of a mixture of their small plates, flatbreads, and gumbo. Everything was full of flavor and incredible. We also tried the banana cream pie - do not miss!!! I didn't take a picture, but it was massive and easily fed four of us. This was our first experience trying gumbo in New Orleans and it was delicious. I will add pictures to come. read more

Meril - Gumbo, pepperoni pizza, deviled eggs, barbecue shrimp, shrimp taco, cauliflower - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

So much on the menu to try and we tried so much but I would've ordered more if I could've because it was all so good!! I loved the tasting menu/family style options. Everything was delicious. Our server was the sweetest and very attentive. The place was packed so make sure to have a reservation. They have a large bar that was very crowded on a Saturday night! Perfect for a birthday celebration, especially with their cotton candy. The tuna was so fresh. The barbecue shrimp were insane and I'm a harsh critic as a Louisiana native. The wings were perfectly crispy. So good. Get everything!! read more

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Thought this restaurant was just okay. We had the sweetest server who tried to make the best of it, but the food took quite a long time to come out, especially the apps. The ribs, cornbread, and Mexican corn were yummy, and the crispy chicken salad was amazing. But the paccheri, broccoli app, and crab curry noodles were just okay. I was especially disappointed with the crab noodles. The portion sizes on the pasta dishes were alarmingly small. Overall it's a nice place with lots of space and a fun crowd, but not sure I'd return. read more

Meril - Bananas Foster Doberge Cake - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This was a causal spot that served modern American dishes with some southern inspiration along the way. There was an open kitchen that was cool to see too. The service was appreciated while the food came out in a timely manner. We ordered six different snacks and small plates as it was described on the menu. I will explain each one below. Pineapple Upside-Down Cornbread ($9) - This came with a bacon marmalade. The bread was not overly sweet but did pair nicely with the bacon marmalade. The marmalade had a nice balance of sweet and salty. Deviled Eggs ($12) - There were three halves topped with smoked trout roe. There was also a coating of Zapp's chips present. This was okay at best. The yolk filing was plain and disappointing. The crispy chip was a nice touch though. Crispy Boudin Balls ($14) - There were three balls with pepper jack cheese, creole mustard and pepper jelly. These were okay. They were fried perfectly, but they were just alright. The creole mustard was the key as it provided a slight spicy factor to them. Gulf Shrimp & Pork Dumplings ($14) - There were three to an order I believe with napa cabbage, bonito flakes, and chili-sauce. This grew on me as I kept eating them. The actual dumpling was decent, but the cabbage along with the chili sauce really was tasty. The dumpling was too thin without much filing I thought, or it was overpowered by the cabbage and chili-sauce. The chili sauce was a tad spicy but not overbearing where it was uneatable. Vietnamese Caramel Wings ($16) - There were five wings to an order, and they were topped with jalapeno and cilantro. These were very interesting and unique. They could have been fried more, but the flavor was there. There was a hint of sweet and the jalapeno provided a bit of spice to these, but they were just very fascinating due to the actual flavoring on the wings. I was very curious what other flavors and seasonings were present but could not pinpoint them. Crawfish Beignets ($18) - This was a special on the night I attended. They came with a seafood boil aioli and green onions. There were three to an order. Again, these were fried perfectly, but the filing was lackluster. The aioli was nice, but the filing was decent. For dessert, the banana cream pie ($14) was ordered. It came with a caramel sauce and chocolate shavings. This was nicely done. There were a ton of banana slices present, and the overall slice was not overly sweet even with the amount of cream present. I could not believe how light it was though too. Will I go back? I suppose so. read more

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The staff was amazing. They answered our questions to ensure we had the best experience. We arrived during happy hour. The prices were still maybe 2-4 dollars cheaper than usual. The reason for the low score was the food. The pineapple upside down cornbread was hard and burnt. It shouldn't be crunchy. The turkey necks was so vinegar forward and soaked it lacked any rich savory flavor that I was begging for it to have as I ate it. I didn't finish it because it was too tart with vinegar. I also had the deviled eggs and they were light and airy. The salad was crisp and fulfilling. The ambience was fine st first but a conference party came and overwhelmed the regular patrons. I was bumped around in my chair at the bar. There was so much room where they had reserved but they moved all over the place. I'm sure they paid for that privilege. read more

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This was a nice dinner stop for us. I wasn't overly hungry so I got the special flatbread of the day, which was meatball. I really appreciated the waitress recommendation of the flatbread. It was nicely prepared with a crispy crust and melty cheese. The meatballs had nice flavor. The restaurant was not overly loud, wait staff were very efficient and friendly. I enjoyed this experience and would definitely recommend! read more

Meril - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Emeril is really hurting. Charged .3 cents for butter (on bill) and the 3% credit card fee.

Let's start by saying this rating is based on the food. The service was beyond 5 's . The hostess were friendly and we were greeted by the owners who held the door for us. Our server was Rasheed and he was very knowledgeable and honest about the menu. We had a relatively large party but attention to detail was still given. read more

Perfect place for a hungry crowd that wants to share their food. It's busy and loud but service is very friendly and welcoming. The food is delicious, everything was very tasty, nothing disappointed! read more

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Such great service and ambiance. We had a quiet brunch on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was decorated with large paintings of Louisiana food like couchon, blue crabs, red fish etc. the small plates were great. The chicken and sausage gumbo is what lost us a star. How are you a Emerils restaurant and the roux was slightly burned and the andouille sausage was rubbery and overcooked. But literally everything else was 5 out of 5. Go with a group and try a little bit of everything. You won't be disappointed. read more

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First time trying an Emeril restaurant, and it did not disappoint! We went for happy hour and had delicious drinks & apps. The grilled zucchini with stracciatella, lemon balsamic, and pistachio was a pleasant surprise! read more

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We expected great food from Emeril's more casual restaurant. We were disappointed. On the plus side, they were open on Sunday night. And the staff is very welcoming and generally upbeat. And the drinks were good. But the basic measure of a restaurant in the food. And Meril fell very short. We shared three dishes: fried turkey necks, Gen Tso broccoli, and cauliflower pad Thai. The turkey necks were tasty enough but are basically a novelty item. The broccoli was cloying and the cauliflower was mushy. We didn't finish the two veggie dishes. Meril seems great for extended families. There were loads of grandparents with children and grandchildren. Especially for birthdays. The star attraction is a sparkler with a huge cone of cotton candy. read more

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We got a reservation on OpenTable but didn't realize it was the first table of the night. They were kind enough to let us sit inside since we were there a bit early for our reservation and technically they weren't open yet. The food was absolutely amazing. All I can say is bacon jam. Ambiance was totally our fault. This was our first attempt using OpenTable to book a table and we were from out of town on a pricey vacation (family trip) so to us this was a special occasion due to price and being out on the town so we selected special occasion on the booking. Little did we know that meant at the end of the meal there would be a huge flaming ball of cotton candy that took forever to fizzle out. I do not blame the restaurant, we eventually had a good laugh about this, but note to self, don't press special occasion button.... read more

I am a huge fan of Emeril. Ever since he let me wear his chef's hat on my 10th birthday, the man can do no wrong. I was at the convention center for a meeting so we walked over for lunch. If you are looking for a dinner review, please look elsewhere. I will be back for dinner but for now, lunch is what you get. The restaurant, like everything Emeril opens, is beautiful with classy touches. The open kitchen concept is greatly appreciated as I like watching the well-choreographed moves in a well-managed kitchen. Since it was lunch we all got flatbreads. They were well made, and tasty, and the price was right. We were also in and out in about 30-40 minutes which makes this an even better choice at lunch. Not everyone can take two-hour martini lunches anymore! Service was friendly and attentive. If you want a great choice for lunch in the warehouse district, give Meril a try. read more

Meril - Pepperoni Flatbread - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

We had reservations to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday and had reached the maximum amount of guests per table, but we had unexpected family joining in. Mackenzie, Ana, and Angie all went above and beyond to seat our group together in the middle of a busy holiday weekend. The food and ambiance were great, the turkey neck was so good (and I was NOT keen on trying it at first, haha.) The cotton candy birthday surprise was a fun change to a standard birthday cake and candle! We'll definitely be back! We were so hungry and there was so much going on with all the attendees that we forgot to take photos of our food, but here's a picture of my delicious coquito that I started off with. Cheers! read more

Meril - Coquitos are always a good idea! - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

(4.25) ~ Very good overall food & service DRINKS: ** Water (tap) = (4) very good, must be filtered;) ** Coffee = (4) very fresh FOOD: ** General Tso's Broccoli = (4.5) Very Tasty! ** Strawberry Lemonade icebox pie (see photo) = (4.5) Very Creamy! ** Pad Thai Cauliflower = (4.35) Very tasty ** Banana Cream Pie = (4.35) Very good ** Cinnamon Toast Bread Pudding = (4.25) Very good ** French Fries = (4.15) Very good ** Double Cheeseburger = (4) very good * Pocket Bread = (3.5) good, but tasted bland... read more

Meril - Strawberry Lemonade icebox Pie - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Had a delicious lunch at merils. The food was soooo good. The staff was super friendly. The prices were very reasonable. A really cute space with nice decor. read more

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Came here for lunch while in NoLa. I tried the crispy boudin balls and some shrimp, and downed them with a Paloma. Everything was absolutely delicious. The bar area is well lit and elegant, and the bartender's service and recommendations were excellent. I was also struck by how they keep the menu fresh; a month later I was telling someone about the place and could tell they'd already rotated a couple of items in/out. Highly recommend you try Meril if you're in downtown NoLa. read more