Vessel is a lovely, relaxed restaurant in an old church. The inside is dark and intimate with an eclectic group of local diners. After traveling all day, we decided to sit outside on the patio. We had a fantastic waiter who took great care of us. They have an experienced bartender and a great signature cocktail list. Highly recommend any of the martinis. The charcuterie board was delicious as were all of our entrees. Highly recommend the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp! Bread pudding was divine. ***Brown butter rosemary fries - pass on these unless good plain fries are what you're looking for. I didn't taste a hint of brown butter or rosemary on the fries and their "maison sauce" was just ketchup. read more

This place was pretty cool! I came here for dinner with my friend and I've always been wanting to try it out. The ambiance of this place was the best part of the experience - the Vessel is located in an old church building. I loved the vibes and it felt both classy and casual at the same time. We didn't have reservations on a Saturday night, but we were able to be seated as soon as we came in! We started with the hand cut fries and I found them to be delicious and fresh. Afterwards, I had the seafood pasta and it was great - appropriate balance of the pasta and seafood. We ended with the creme brule and it was perfect - it had the right amount of crunchiness at the top and was soft as soon as you broke into it. Overall, I had a great experience here and hope to try this place out for brunch in the future! read more

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My first visit to Vessel had me hesitant to return but I'm glad a friend talked me into giving Vessel another chance because this visit was a lot better. Popped in with a large group for brunch and they were able to accommodate us without reservations (probably luck, don't chance it). I started with the Tipping Point cocktail and it was delicious, perfect combination of sweet and tart. For my entree I got the crispy chicken sandwich which is served with rosemary brown butter fries. The chicken was seasoned well and the shoestring fries were hot and crispy. Everyone in my group enjoyed their entrees. Our server Chase was friendly and attentive. They have happy hour every day so I'd love to return to try other cocktails and small bites! read more

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3.6. A chill vibe. Inside was really cool to see. Drinks were pretty light. Bar food is bar food, nothing to write home about. Duck empanadas were delicious, even though they're Sysco food (taste just like any other duck empanada I've had). The fries were ok. Way too oily & thin. Really unique experience & cool concept, but drinks and food are ok especially for the price. It's pretty steep for what it is. I'd come back to try their other drinks & for the vibes. read more

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Came for a small birthday get together for a friend. We enjoyed our time, drinks, food, etc. The service was timely, friendly, and very attentive. Again, the food was great. I think the BBQ shrimp could use more work, but tasting everyone else's food was great. The duck empanadas and crab at gratin appetizers were our favorite that we tried. The filet mignon steak, and salmon were probably the top entrees. I didn't get a picture of everyone's food as we were starving. read more

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Good food, good service, good wine Seared Scallop Risotto, Pork Porterhouse, and New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp were big hits. read more

Vessel NOLA - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The Vessel Nola has been on my Brunch list since I've made it. It's located inside an old church. It was my pick for my Birthday Brunch this year and it did not disappoint! We went on a Sunday around noon and it wasn't crowded but I do recommend making a reservation to be safe. We were warmly greeted and led to our table. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful, open and bright. Our server was fantastic and I'm sad that I can't remember her name. We always start with appetizers. We chose the Cheese board and added the Chicken & Waffles. The Cheese board was beautiful and all of the cheeses were delicious. We all loved the jam with candied pecans and fruit as well. The Chicken & Waffles were just as good and my husband said it was some of the best chicken that he's had. For entrees we shared the Brunch Burger, the Boudin Benedict and a side of Biscuits. All were delicious and the burger was cooked to perfection, juicy and delicious. We received 2 large biscuits with butter and a small jam. I love biscuits and these did not disappoint. They were moist, thick and flavorful. We skipped dessert because my friends had brought some doberge petit fours for me. We were all impressed with the cost of the feast we had and all had an amazing brunch. I definitely recommend! read more

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Had a wonderful brunch at Vessel NOLA. Stepping inside this beautifully restored 1914 church instantly transports you into a calm, inviting atmosphere. The food was spot on, we had the Boudin Benedict and the chicken & blueberry waffles. The cocktails were just as impressive. Our server was attentive and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. Can't wait to come back for happy hour with friends or dinner for a future date night! read more

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Who could pass up dining in a renovated church?! Not me! That being said, we came for the architecture but stayed for a birthday meal. The warm golden light during golden hour is a stunner! I'd revisit for the ethereal lighting alone. The good - our food was split into two plates in the kitchen when sharing, came out quickly,and was plated beautifully. I did not try the pork belly but my dining partner gave it a thumbs up. The Caesar salad, old fashioned, chicken, and kaluah chocolate mousse dessert were all the same in that they were fine, but not memorable. What was memorable was the thoughtful happy birthday message on the dessert. I appreciate them making the night special for my dining partner. The not so good - Renovations have their quirks, this one seemed to be a dripping ceiling that occasionally drips on guests- both a hazard and inconvenience. I guess it happens pretty often considering the staff literally ignored it. Additionally, although nice, our server wasn't the most knowledge. I was charged $15 for Makers on my old fashioned (although I was not given the makers options, the mid point was chosen for me). There was a lot of back and forth with the need to refer to the bartender when asked any questions about the cocktails or wine. We also found it surprising that our food came out before our 2nd drink. As others have mentioned they require a 4% charge on cards, which I personally wouldn't mind if the service and offerings matched the atmosphere. Would I return? Only possibly for happy hour. While their drinks are pretty standard in offerings and preparation, the atmosphere is certainly one that everyone should experience once...if not a few times. read more

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Came out to brunch and was pleased with my meal. The chicken is as crispy as it looks in the photo! Our server was nice and the food came out relatively quick. read more

Vessel NOLA - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Met some friends here for brunch. Love the vibe inside. Parking is pretty limited. Service wasn't the fastest but our server was very friendly and helpful. I had the eggs benedict..biscuit was pretty dry and the ham was skimpy. Didn't really enjoy it. My friend had the blueberry waffle and that had good flavor. Overall it was an OK experience. read more

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First, the ambiance in this restaurant is AMAZING. it's honestly the main reason to go here, IMO. Well, that and the drinks. The cocktails are hand crafted and they know what they're doing. They do take a bit of time to create, but they're worth it. Unfortunately...that's where the truly positive things end. From what I could tell they only had one server working (I could be wrong about this) and there was a large party seated outside, so service was very slow in general. I saw one party come in, sit down, and eventually leave without even ordering, presumably because they were tired of waiting. The food was okay. I ordered the Monte Cristo, but it...wasn't really a Monte Cristo? It didn't even match their menu description. It was basically a grilled ham, turkey, and cheese sandwich with shoestring fries, but I had waited so long for everything at this point that I didn't have it in me to question why it didn't seem to actually be a Monte Cristo, either based on what that sandwich actually is or their menu description, heh. Was it a *good* sandwich and fries? Sure. But again, not what I really wanted or expected. read more

Vessel NOLA - Bees Knees cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Just like all the other reviews this is a beautiful unique church to restaurant revision setting. I was going to ding them a star for service but as any reasonable person knows everyone is short staffed and with the Xmas season upon us large groups are present for lunch and dinner celebrations. Our dining experience was Fabu! You must check out their holiday drink specials and their extensive wine list before ordering your usual libation. I went way out of my comfort zone and ordered their Tequila Old Fashioned. This was a perfect blend of Blanco tequila, agave, and spiced cocoa bitters, insert chef kiss here. Plus 1 ordered their Paloma and it was a perfect blend of tequila, lime and grapefruit, and soda. My appetizer was interesting. How about Korean style crispy pork belly with fried green tomato with citrus and beurre blanc. Oh my this was perfecto! Plus 1's Caesar salad was AOK but the homemade Caesar dressing carried this dish. Plus 1's main course was their seared scallop scallops over risotto. These were large scallops seared perfectly and finished with pecorino Romano cheese, lemon juice, black truffles, and chive oil. I could not take my eyes off their Cajun inspired seafood pasta. My entrée arrived with a heaping helping of scallops, shrimp, and calamari. The linguini was served al dente' perfect with an interesting brandy cream sauce. We were Comped dessert which was a light as a feather chocolate mousse which completed our 5-star dining experience. Pro tip: If you are staying downtown (by Canal) just hop on the trolly and it's a 5-minute walk. read more

Vessel NOLA - What a great space - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We stayed down the street while in town for my wife's mother's birthday, and it became our nightly haunt. The barkeep (Kammy, I believe) was super knowledgeable and super fun. Every drink she made was top notch. We didn't try any of the food, but the bar experience was excellent. Even made me a roadie old fashioned when I remembered I could do that in NOLA. Plenty of comfortable seating all around, as well as a patio out back. I'll be back next time I'm in town. read more

You're captivated From the moment you lay eyes on this historic 1914 church. I purposely arrived around 7 o'clock to the catch rays of the golden hour shine through the stained glassed windows. Luckily it wasn't busy and I was alone so The waitress sat me at the best seat in the house where I assumed the altar would be. GORGEOUS. Everyone was very attentive and the seafood pasta was delicious. They were out of Brussel sprouts at the time but the asparagus paired with the bacon molasses was perfect! Over all experience... 10s across the board! read more

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My boyfriend and I came to Vessel for date night and were really impressed with the aesthetics of the space--beautifully designed, intimate, and perfect for a night out. The food absolutely lived up to the hype; everything we ordered was well-prepared and delicious. Unfortunately, the experience was dampened by the bar staff. The interactions felt cold and unwelcoming, with very poor interpersonal skills, which was surprising given the otherwise elevated atmosphere of the restaurant. Great food and ambiance, but the service at the bar left a lot to be desired. With friendlier, more engaging staff, this place could truly be a standout in Mid-City. read more

Vessel NOLA - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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In a stunning church, Vessel is a feast for the eyes. The stained glass windows are beautiful, making this a unique dining experience. I came here for a happy hour, so I did not try any of the food. Their drinks were good however, and strong. Service was decent, but it was very loud inside while we were there. There's also a story about a lady who haunts the building that adds a fun touch. I will definitely be coming back here for a full dinner service and review. read more

Had another great meal with super service. We celebrated our niece's first home purchase on the north shore with both she and her BF. Three of us had scallops with crab and one with shrimp. I had blackened fish with crab. Three of us had old fashioned's and Haley had their signature beehives. We had a great time as usual. The ambiance is so cool. read more

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Good was really good! Service was excellent, Ambiance was perfect! The old fashion and The Bess Knees cocktail were great! Loved the salmon with carrots and sweet potato mash, fish dip and brown butter fries! read more

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The vessel was a vibe. The staff was awesome. The food was great. The tequila old fashion was a must! This was a great little spot to hang and get away from the hustle of other things down here. read more

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Only went for a drink and it was very nice. Old church turned into a bar with very unique and aged features. They do have food but I didn't order anything. Dark, almost sultry atmosphere. Cool place to gather read more

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The concept here is amazing- restaurant in an old church. However, I think that's what this place is banking on. We reserved for brunch and upon arrival it was dead. Ambiance here- beautiful from the stained glass to the wall seating. Service was lacking here however and we had to constantly ask for things. We ordered the blueberry waffle to share and it sounded a lot more appetizing than it was. We each only ate 1/4 of the waffle and left the rest. The bartender doesn't fill up the container for juice for mimosas and when asked for more, they charge you 6.00. I wouldn't recommend this place personally . read more

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Let's go ahead and say that you need to go here for the interior design. Located in an old church, vessel is the PERFECT spot for a tourist who wants NOLA history intertwined in their trip. The staff was so nice, great vibes. The burger and fries was okay, but I think mine was just cooked too much! Overall a really great experience. read more

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The Mrs and I stopped in for a light meal, a crafty cocktail, and some pretty. Check, check, and check! We have been to this lovely converted church several times with friends or just the two of us. Every time is a sacred experience where folks can't help but speak just over a whisper. This time, we both got a different salad, then split an order of Brussel sprouts and the side of the rizzoto, which hit the spot just right. I had a scrumptious strawberry gimlet, and she the Rose'. Service was friendly, even played a game of "was that a first date" in reference to a couple that had just left. Bathrooms were clean. read more

Every member of our party of four enjoyed their meals. It was very quiet on a Sunday night. Service was great too. read more

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My friends brought me here tonight so that we could try a new Happy Hour. The inside ambiance is beautiful with a touch of Nola. I love the fact that it used to be a church, how cool is that!? Parking was easy and free. When we pulled up, we noticed outdoor seating that looked pleasant. We ultimately chose to go inside as it was cold outside. Once inside, we were greeted and seated immediately. It was mostly empty on a Thursday night. Drinks were ordered for happy hour. We also got the cheese plate and calamari. Both appetizers and drinks were good. Service was great. All in all it was a nice experience. read more

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Visited Vessel NOLA on two occasions. Brunched here in May after daughter's college graduation. We sat outside and it was surprisingly very comfortable even with the south LA heat. Food was so yummy that I returned a month later with friends. The location is a beautifully renovated church in a cute neighborhood. Servers were quite friendly, helpful and accommodating. Each visit involved 5 or more people. Reservations are recommended - the place is not super big and can get pretty busy. We had a great time each visit that I didn't get great food photos. read more

Vessel NOLA - Chicken sandwich with bacon! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Service was pretty good. The restaurant is clean and quiet which was nice. Keep in mind that they charge 4% card fee and 20% gratuity on parties of 5 or more when booking--not a bad thing but important to note before going. We had a market salad, soft shell crab pasta, Brussels sprouts, and smoked fish dip. The salad was fantastic. Just wish there was a little more of it. (8/10) The softshell crab pasta lacked flavor. The pasta tasted like it was tossed in butter, salt, and garlic with nothing else. The crab fry batter did not taste like it was seasoned with anything but salt--which surprised me because I've gotten the softshell crab eggs Benedict about a year prior to this dinner and it was great at the time. I do not think the price for this was fair considering the lack of flavor and quality. (4/10) The Brussels sprouts were pretty good but I wish they were served on a plate of some kind. They came in a bowl, so the top ones were crispy and all the ones underneath were soggy from the steam. (7/10) Smoked fish dip was okay. (6/10) read more

Unfortunately, my most recent experience at Vessel was not so pleasant. The service was fine as our waitress tried to accommodate us. The real let down was the food. I came here for some drinks and apps and was totally let down. First the Caesar salad. The description on the menu states that this salad should have "house made focaccia croutons." Well, the croutons were not house made or focaccia. They they came from a bag. Next, the harissa roasted carrots. You cannot see them in my photo but they came to our table with no harrisa. The carrots were also not cooked all the way and still hard in the middle. Now, the crab au gratin. This dish had a similar issue as the salad. The description states "focaccia crostini" but as you can clearly see, they gave us toasted white bread. There was no mention from the waitress about any of this when we ordered, so when these plates were set down at the table, we were disappointed. The only thing good that we got was the French fries. I used to recommend this spot for the cool ambiance since it's a church turned restaurant, but there were too many mishaps this time around. read more

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We were a group of 12 for brunch, seated on the back patio - with a reservation of course. Also seated at the same time was a group of about 20 for brunch, also seated on the patio. We assume they too had a reservation. Usually I like to enjoy a beverage and not be rushed into a meal, but this process - ordering drinks and then getting our meal order put in took forever. We saw food coming out regularly for the other table just as we were getting our order in. Over two hours after arrival, still no food. Then came word that they were out of burgers which several in our party ordered - and we saw come out for the other large party. Then we were told something else ran out. This further delayed our order so that the full sitting took over 3.5 hours. Completely unacceptable. The restaurant should not take multiple large parties simultaneously. The kitchen and bar just can't handle it. And they need to acknowledge that. If you are in a large party and want to come, insist that no other large parties can be taken. Someone from our party was perturbed enough to track down a manager and was told our food would be out shortly. That was right before learning they were out of so much. No effort was made to apologize, no discount, no comped round of drinks. I don't think that would have helped - we were all pretty ticked. It's clear a decision was made to put through orders for the other table before ours. That's fine - I get that food should be served to guests at a table together. But this was a serious logistics problem that requires better management. read more

Vessel is such a gem. I met a business associate here in order to hash out the details of a project. We were immediately greeted by the smiling face of our server Angela. She was super helpful in informing us of the best drinks and food items. I ordered a strawberry gin drink which was so yummy. Because it was happy hour, we ordered a few of my favorite snack bites that happened to be just enough for my guest and I. The smoked fish dip is one of my faves and I always make sure to order every time I visit. We also had some fried and Brussels sprouts. I could resist ordering the crème brûlée to finish everything off. Overall, I love the experience every time I come to Vessel. Not only is the building itself beautiful but I never fail to encounter a beautiful soul (here's looking at you Angela). read more

This is a bittersweet review. When visiting New Orleans you can be enthralled in rich history and a touch of haunting atmosphere. This brings you to Vessel, tucked away in a renovated church. With a storied past of ghostly apparition it sets an incredible scene. Walking into Vessel the first two things I noticed was a.) The incredible interior which truly is a vibe and b.) how empty the restaurant was on a Saturday night. The reason for the lackluster crowd became apart as the meal progressed. The menu is very Seafood focused, which is great for a restaurant located so close to the gulf, but the seafood was disappointing to say the least, nothing we had was very fresh and all the flavors were muted. Nothing stood out as a great dish amongst a city of great restaurants Vessel leaves a lot to be desired. Brunch may be a different story but as for dinner aside from the great atmosphere we did not have a very good experience. read more

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Outstanding service and amazing drinks! Cammy, the mixologist, was exceptional--friendly, skilled, and clearly passionate about her craft. The cocktails were top-tier and made with care. I was surprised it wasn't more crowded, but that made for a relaxed and personal experience. It was just my cousin and me this time, but I'll definitely be bringing more family and friends next time I'm in NOLA. This spot is officially on my go-to list! read more

Went here for a birthday dinner at the recommendation of a friend but unfortunately the service is just inexcusable. We sat around for 30 minutes on what seemed to be a relatively slow night and no one even bothered to offer us a water or say "we'll be right with you" or anything. Massively disappointing. We wouldn't have even been seated if the bartender hadn't noticed us. He was the only person who offered any help at all. We walked out. Sad because it's a really beautiful place. read more

I came here for the first time to celebrate a friend's birthday and it was a great time! Our server, Marce'l (forgive me if I misspelled but I recall him telling me an apostrophe is in his name) was excellent! He was very attentive and had great customer service. The food was great & the ambiance is great especially if you are going with a group. I highly recommend! read more

Vessel NOLA - Cocktail + seafood pasta entree. Can't recall the name of the cocktail but it was good! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Hands down thee best church experience so far. Welcoming team, but make sure you have a reservation. Their Swiftie game was on point for the concert weekend. We showed up for happy hour and the prices were amazing! Get the Bloody Mary, good spice. Get the cheeseboard and grits. Outside patio is awesome but can be a bit hot. read more

Vessel NOLA - Tree - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Amazing. Started with Lightly fried shrimp cake, garlic brown butter fries. Turmeric Roasted Chicken, Cilantro and coconut Jasmine Rice, roasted carrots. It was out of this world.. You must try their mocktail's very tasty. Love the ambiance and the friendly spirits . Will return with a larger crowd. read more

So the place is definitely unique and beautiful. Almost to dark for pics 's lol. Service was also good. Now the food the ratio of food to price leaves a lot to be desired. If you going to make portions small lower the prices so ppl will order more for the bites experience. Flavor of everything was really good. Esp those shrimp cakes and the grits. Fish dip can definitely get better so would be an acquired taste for some.. Drinks were strong tasted perfect! read more

Vessel NOLA - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I was so excited to try this place but I think we pick the wrong night . I am giving 3 stars because of our bartender was nice . It was a slow night . The was not hostess and when we walked in there no one say hi or anything . The was lady that walk by us that was working but didn't even made eye contact . So we went and sat by the bar . The were plates and glasses on some tables and at the bar have left and no one was picking anything up . We were going to eat but after seen all that we decided not to eat and just ordered one drink at the bar . The bartender was super nice and made a good old fashion. It is a cool place and hopefully no one goes in a bad night like we did ! read more

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Really enjoyed our dinner at Vessel! Prior to this visit, I had only been in for drinks so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the entrees but I was impressed! The seafood au gratin appetizer was delsih and full of crab meat. I got the seafood pasta for my entree and it was LOADED with perfectly prepared shrimp and scallops. I don't care for calamari so I opted to sub it for crab...I suggest you do the same! The dish would've been perfect if the noodles were a bit more Al dente, but the seafood and flavor was a solid 9/10. My mom's salmon was cooked and seasoned perfectly, and my dad's shrimp and grits portion was tasty and huge. The staff was attentive and friendly. I truly didn't expect much from a restaurant that I consider more of a "cute drink spot" but they proved me wrong! read more

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