Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Willa Jean

    4.3 (2.7k reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Willa Jean Photos

    Business Info

    WILLA JEAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Classy
    Casual

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Willa Jean

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Emily W.

    We came for brunch on a Thursday afternoon and were sat right away. Our server Amari was great and prompt. The inside is super cute and the lights at the bar look like little whisks. The main look to the restaurant is grandmas kitchen especially with the pale green paint. We ordered and had our food in minutes even before our drinks. I got the biscuit with chicken and Tabasco Honey and it was great. A nice large piece of chicken and a lot of honey tabasco which made it sweet and savory. It was so large I couldn't finish it so I am glad I didn't get a side. I would come back for the quick service.

    Tara R.

    This is specifically for the grab and go coffee counter. It's a great option to grab a coffee or pastry to go. Not super spacious ordering, waiting can be tight trying to stay out of the way plus be acknowledged by barista. Good coffee. Willa Jean the restaurant otherwise is an open airy space. The hostess was cool greeted me upon entry and leaving.

    Greg M.

    Off the charts good! Used Yelp to find this place. Came in on a Sunday morning and had no issue with getting a table. Ordered some sort of platter that had scrambled eggs, cheese grits, sausage links, bacon and asked for sausage gravy as well. OMG, this thing was huge! Not a big eater of grits, but these were delicious! But the biscuit is worth bragging about. Never had anything quite so flakey. And the sausage gravy was out of this world. No shortage of sausage in it either. Coffee was also good. Server was fast and friendly. Would not hesitate to return.

    Coconut cake
    Samantha C.

    This review is solely for the Southern coconut cake which I got to-go. I noticed that the cake was quite dense and hard because it was refrigerated when I first purchased it, so I waited until it was room temperature. Outstanding coconut flavor with hints of almond? The cake was light and fluffy, toasted coconut added the much needed textural difference + nuttiness, and frosting/custard layers were full of coconut flavor without being too sweet.

    Front entry
    Nicole F.

    Cute, trendy place for breakfast/lunch. Portions were generous and the staff were really nice. The house made granola over yogurt was good but they had a heavy hand with the honey on top. I think they should put the honey on the side because it became too sweet to finish. The potatoes that come with the eggs are seasoned, heavily! They were good but too salty to keep eating. The sweet potato waffle was ok. The food was just solid but nothing particular strode out. Maybe we should have tried the biscuits or cornbread....

    Fried Chicken Salad. Famous Biscuits, fried chicken and hot honey sauce.
    Ryan W.

    Willa Jean was one of those places that felt special the moment we walked in. The atmosphere is beautiful -- warm, stylish, inviting, and full of charm -- but what really made this place unforgettable for our family was the people. The staff was so kind, genuine, and welcoming, and our experience was made even more special by Michelle. She very quickly felt less like our waitress and more like a sweet new friend. We connected with her on a personal level, and that kind of kindness and authenticity is something you do not forget. She made us feel so comfortable, so cared for, and so at home. It is rare to meet someone who leaves that kind of impression, and we truly cannot wait to come back and see her again. Rocky, the manager, was also wonderful and helped make the whole experience feel extra thoughtful and welcoming. And of course, the food was absolutely outstanding. The fried chicken is, without question, one of the best we have ever had. And the homemade biscuits with hot honey sauce? Completely next level. Our family loved that combination so much, we came back for it twice during our trip -- and honestly, we would have happily gone back a third time. Willa Jean gave us more than just a great meal. It gave us one of our favorite memories from New Orleans. We left feeling full, happy, and genuinely grateful. The next time we are in NOLA, there is no question -- we will be back, and one of the things we are looking forward to most is seeing Michelle again.

    bacon  egg  pimento cheese
    Cecilia T.

    We had an enjoyable breakfast here. Hits: -The pineapple mimosa was well balanced and refreshing. -The egg, bacon, and pimento cheese biscuit was awesome. It was of a size where we ate it with a knife and fork - there was no way to take a bite of something that big. We asked for a soft scramble and it was perfectly executed and the crispiness of the bacon was beautiful. Misses: -The deviled egg Cobb salad was an interesting mix of artisanal baby kale and the brown end of an old head of romaine. The ham was delicious, and the pickled onions were great, but it was way overdressed for my taste, and overall just a miss.

    cornbread

    The chicken and waffles are hands down AMAZING. The service was nice, and the atmosphere has a really cute boho vibe. My disappointment was definitely the cornbread. I saw the picture online before ordering and it looked DELICIOUS, so naturally I wanted to try it. When it came out, though, it looked completely different from the picture online. I honestly felt a little catfished I still tried it, and while it wasn't dry or bad texture-wise, the flavor tasted like cornbread straight out of an old senior living nursing home. Just very plain and not at all what I was expecting. I asked about the picture online and was told that it was actually their old recipe, which was sweeter, and they've since changed it. I never got to try the original recipe, so I can't say which one tastes better, but I definitely wish the current photos reflected what you're actually going to receive when you order. And personally, a sweeter cornbread doesn't sound like a bad thing at all for a breakfast/brunch spot! Overall, the chicken and waffles absolutely delivered. The cornbread just didn't live up to the expectations that the online photo gave me.

    cornbread
    Chloe L.

    Super clean and modern brunch spot in downtown. Great for a hearty brunch. I would recommend coming for their Golden Hour from 7am-9am for some good deals on drinks/shareable bites. We ordered: - Cornbread: extremely moist. Very different from other cornbread I've had. So good we ordered it twice. This is half off during Golden Hour! - Granola bowl: surprisingly very filling. Very refreshing bite from all the food we've been having in Nola. Only $5 during Golden Hour! - Fried chicken biscuit: not your traditional biscuit but definitely a huge serving. Fried chicken was done nicely but the biscuit was a bit hard for our liking.

    Front counter
    Jackie Z.

    Love this cute coffee shop and restaurant! Stopped by for coffee and a pastry, and were so pleased we came back for lunch.

    veggie omelet
    Joel Jz Z.

    Had a breakfast here and let's start out that the pastries That were very nice. We had eggs at our table of all kinds. Abby our server made some suggestions for us and I went with the Crawfish Omelet that she suggested but subbed the potatos out for thier biscuit... I tasted the potatoes they were also delicious but the biscuit was the best I had all week in New Orleans! The Crawfish Omelet was filled with Crawfish Mozzarella and spices. It was a nice omelet smaller in size than the others I had this week but good. My friend had the veggie omelet but be sure to like Mushrooms as it is filled with mushrooms. Loud and large space Abby was great and kept us feed well.

    London Fog
    Raegan D.

    This breakfast has to be top 10 of all time for me! The chicken and waffle situation had my mind blown. The bourbon syrup and the toasted marshmallow fluff with the sweet potato waffle was a flavor bomb that I couldn't stop eating until I was stuffed. This is definitely where I'm coming for breakfast next time I'm in town! The London fog was incredible as well as the cheesy grits. 10/10

    WJ Breakfast - those grits were sinfully amazing
    Sue D.

    Omg is this place delicious! It's off the beaten path of NO touring but so worth the short walk. We started with the milk money latte - I got hot, she got iced. Both were perfection. For breakfast I ordered the WJ Breakfast: two eggs over easy and it came with cheesy grits (divine ), a heavenly flaky biscuit + sausage and bacon. Loved it all. She had the chicken and waffles. She said it was the perfect balance of salty, savory and sweet. In her one word: scrumptious. Service was friendly and our food came out very fast. Highly, highly recommend!

    Drinks

    See all

    1 month ago

    Visiting from Ca. and this place is great! Had the chicken and biscuit and a side of sausage gravy. Shout out to John our server!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Stu C.
    1
    151
    615

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lauren T.

    Lauren T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg M.
    105
    740
    1850

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carlie L.
    30
    13
    16

    23 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lauren T.

    Lauren T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lauren T.

    Lauren T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lauren T.

    Lauren T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Deb G.
    209
    874
    1267

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Cindy R.
    1
    109
    93

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lauren T.

    Lauren T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 69

    Willa Jean Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Willa Jean

    Do they still serve the Mimosa Bar during brunch?

    Can reservations be made? I see an online reservation tab but there are no times available on any days?

    No reservations and be prepared for very long waits. The food and service quality have gone downhill recently and I no longer go there. No longer worth it and surly service

    They don't serve crawfish anymore?

    oh i don't know... i didn' have crawfish when i went.

    I do not see mimosas on the menu but did see a pic of some small carafes. Are they unlimited? Please help as the menu is not clear

    We were served a bottle of Champagne with three different juices to mix with. Very cool idea.

    Does Willa Jean serve lunch on weekends along with or only brunch?

    Brunch only.

    View All 6 Questions

    You might also consider

    Southerns - Boudin Balls

    Southerns

    4.4(176 reviews)
    7.7 mi
    $$

    I came here under advice of my lovely nephew. I ordered the original chicken sandwich-mild, an…read moreorder of fries, and a drink. My order was delivered to me in a short time and I set to eat. Guys, it was THE BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH I'D EVER HAD. It was lava hot, juicy, and greasy. It was also absolutely delicious. I was concerned that the thigh meat was going to taste different. But I could not tell.The fries were crinkle cut, but were seasoned well. Didn't even need ketchup for them. The place is very clean and they had 80s music playing in the background, my favorite decade of music. Not surprising, being an 80s kid. The damage all told, including a tip, was $25. Is it expensive? Yes. Is the quality and quantity of the food commensurate to the price? Also yes. Is it worth the hype? ABSOLUTELY YES. I was also informed there's a Hammond location. I will definitely bring my family there, as it's closer, to try them out as well.

    With its humble beginnings from a food truck to several locations around southern Louisiana. Please…read morerefer to the website for locations. We went to the restaurant in New Orleans (Metairie). It is off Veterans Blvd. It is on the right side as you are driving east. Please be on the lookout. Otherwise, you might pass it by. Tends to spring up and drive by. We almost missed it. This is a fantastic location! Kinda tight and almost missed it. Parking is very limited. If you get discouraged you cannot find a good parking spot. I believe you may park on back street? Do not hold me to that. Worst case, you can always get your order to go. It was our first time. We were curious about and not many restaurants offer fresh made pork cracklings. Usually you have to buy it at a local market or know someone. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They briefly went over a few recommendations. We started with of course, order of adobo fresh pork cracklings. Adobo or traditional** crispy pork belly, adobo sauce, topped with garlic peanut rub Southerns Queso burger - 6 oz. beef patty*, pickled jalapeño, queso, beer battered onion ring with order of fries. Tender meal - Choose your spice level. 3 jumbo chicken tenders, fries, and tender sauce. (Mild) Southerns Original Chicken Sandwich - Choose your spice level. Boneless chicken thigh, Yuzu aioli, slaw, housemade pickle. (Mild) I was curious about the Phuket Sauce. So I got an order too. This tastes great! Not spicy at all. Do not let the pepper fool you. It has a little kick but not spicy at all. All are well seasoned. Few of them you can choose your spice level. We all washed down with fountain drinks. They do offer catering services and possibly call ahead ordering. Please reach out to them for options. If you are in the mood for something different but great food. Give them a try if in the area.

    Photos
    Southerns - Metairie store menu and front counter - September 2024

    Metairie store menu and front counter - September 2024

    Southerns - Mardi Gras Burger

    Mardi Gras Burger

    Southerns - The furniture is super heavyweight, can definitely hold up any big back

    See all

    The furniture is super heavyweight, can definitely hold up any big back

    Café Amelie - Pork chops and grits

    Café Amelie

    4.3(3.3k reviews)
    1.0 miFrench Quarter
    $$

    We had an absolutely exceptional dinner at Café Amélie tonight! With the recent rain, the usual…read morepotent French Quarter street smells were washed away, leaving the air beautifully fresh and the temperatures perfectly cool. Though pop-up showers were still lingering, my husband and I decided to take a gamble on courtyard dining--and I am so glad we did! Sheltered under the green umbrellas surrounded by historic brick walls, lush greenery, and rain-kissed citrus trees, the atmosphere was incredibly romantic and peaceful. The courtyard's intimate layout even brought a bit of extra magic to our evening. We sat near another wonderful couple (and their adorable daughter) and became fast friends, sharing laughs and conversation throughout the night. What truly anchored the experience, though, was the incredible service. The staff was remarkably personable, helpful, and welcoming. The dinner itself was excellent from start to finish, showcasing immense culinary skill across every dish. We started with the delicious brussels sprouts and a uniquely seasoned spring/summer gumbo that was unlike any version we've had before (oh, what I would give for the recipe). As for the entrées, the shrimp and grits were phenomenal, and the blackened catfish sandwich with a fresh salad was executed flawlessly...and the bread pudding was fantastic, too! It is rare to find an experience where top-tier hospitality, a breathtaking environment, and great food come together so (seemingly) effortlessly. Café Amélie is an absolute must-visit! We will be back.

    We were walking around open to going anywhere for dinner and it was fairly early for dinner. We…read morecame across Cafe Amelie and it looked cute inside and was able to get sat right away. The host was extremely welcoming and friendly. Our server and helpers were over quickly to drop off waters and greet us. I ended up ordered the salmon. With it being so early and only one or 2 other tables besides my friend and me, the food did take longer to come out than I expected it to. Both of us did thoroughly enjoy what we got. The salmon was crispy on the outside with a nice sauce over it. We thought we'd have time to get dessert so we ordered a couple but that too took a very long time. We finally waved down our server to cancel and get the check since we had to be somewhere and he apologized and said their WiFi was going in and out so it could be that it was registering on the kitchen side. That may have explained why our entrees took too long. If it wasn't for the service and the food being great - I would not be thrilled about timing. We got there around 5:30p and had to leave by 7:15p so an almost 2 hours experience that probably could have been 1 hour.

    Photos
    Café Amelie - The dining room as we were leaving.

    The dining room as we were leaving.

    Café Amelie - Spring salad

    Spring salad

    Café Amelie - Shrimp and grits

    See all

    Shrimp and grits

    Willie Mae’s NOLA - Hardhide Peach glaze wings

    Willie Mae’s NOLA

    4.0(476 reviews)
    0.3 miWarehouse District
    $$

    So on Day 2 of my first New Orleans trip, I wanted an iconic meal at an iconic New Orleans spot…read more So we headed to Willie Mae's NOLA to try her famous fried chicken. I jumped on my OpenTable app and was able to snag a reservation on a busy Friday night. We took an Uber to the restaurant but I did notice most of the parking for this restaurant was street parking. Walking in about 15 minutes before our reservation and they sat us immediately at the bar,much to my surprise as the restaurant was packed and I had heard rumors of people waiting for long periods of time for a seat. The restaurant was very busy and quite noisy with the constant chatter of a full restaurant along with the most amazing music being played to create the best ambiance for a great meal. Once we sat down we ordered a few cocktails to go with our dinner. We ordered a Sidecar($18.00) and a French 75($14.00) Both were exquisite-tasted great and were well made. For food we ordered the 1/2 Fried Chicken order($18.00) which comes with 4 pieces of fried chicken and a side, I went with the Mac n Cheese but it was out and they gave me Red Beans and Rice and a side of Green Beans in its place. We also ordered the Caesar Salad with the Fried Chicken added.($13.00 + $5.00) Our food got to us in about 15 minutes, which was amazingly fast considering how busy the restaurant and kitchen were that night. Let's talk about the food. The Caesar Salad was pretty good,nice and fresh with a good balance of dressing and cheese. The Red Beans and Rice was my favorite side-was so flavorful and rich. The Green Beans hurt my soul a bit because I realized upon tasting those that I have been cooking mine at home all wrong all these years-they were perfect. The star of the night and what Willie Mae's is famous for though is the fried chicken and it did not disappoint. My wife said I looked like a kid on Christmas Day as I was smiling and enjoying every bite of my four pieces of fried chicken. All I could think about was how I wished my father would've made it to New Orleans at least once as fried chicken was his favorite food and the dish served at Willie Mae's would've blown his socks off. Pure Fried Chicken Perfection! Overall, if you're coming to New Orleans and fried chicken is your thing, Willie Mae's deserves a spot on your list.

    Willie Mae's was absolutely AMAZING! We came in with a party of 10, five couples, and everything…read morefrom the food to the drinks to the service was on point. Our server, Naj, was phenomenal! She was incredibly attentive, gave us great recommendations, and honestly provided the best service we've had since being in New Orleans. She made sure our entire group was taken care of from start to finish. The food was OFF THE CHAIN! Everything came out quickly, piping hot, fresh, and delicious. The cocktails were also excellent and made perfectly. This was easily a five-star experience, and if I could give more than five stars, I absolutely would. Huge shoutout to Naj for making our experience so memorable. We will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Willie Mae’s NOLA - History in the making!

    History in the making!

    Willie Mae’s NOLA - Fried shrimp platter

    Fried shrimp platter

    Willie Mae’s NOLA - 1/4 Fried chicken and Mac and cheese

    See all

    1/4 Fried chicken and Mac and cheese

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - One leg one thigh and max and cheese.

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

    4.5(1k reviews)
    0.7 miWarehouse District, Lower Garden District
    $$

    We stumbled upon Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken while exploring New Orleans, and I'm so glad we…read moredid! The fried chicken was the star--served hot and fresh, perfectly crispy on the outside, and incredibly juicy on the inside. Just good, classic Southern fried chicken done right. The sides were great, but the fried green tomatoes are a MUST. They were fresh, crispy, flavorful, and had the perfect crunch without being greasy. This was also my first time ever trying chess pie, and WOW! It was absolutely to die for--rich, sweet, buttery, and the perfect ending to the meal. The service was friendly and welcoming, and everything came out fresh. Sometimes the best food spots are the ones you just happen to stumble upon. Great fried chicken, delicious sides, amazing chess pie, and friendly service. Definitely a 5-star New Orleans stop!

    Oh my lanta, even thinking about this place is making my mouth water. I've traveled alot in the…read moresouth for work and driven to and from FL TX and CA and this is one of those places you hear about and figure you have to visit. Well I visited and MAN did I enjoy the spicy fried chicken. The crunchy exterior, juicy meat and hearty sides following by a slice of perfect pie washed down by a beverage of your choose your choice-choo-choosing makes it evident why the chicken crossed the road- to get to Gus's You order at the counter and in my case, take a seat and enjoy one of the many tables in an open seating area it lens itself from one person table, top to multiple people in larger parties. You sit and chill and it's brought out to your table which I think is a nice touch of customer service. What happens next is nothing short of Magic. This isn't Gus's county, famous or city, famous municipality, famous state, famous, or even region famous chicken: it's Gus's world famous fried chicken.

    Photos
    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Comfortable

    Comfortable

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - White chicken wing and breast

    White chicken wing and breast

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Dark chicken drumstick and thigh

    See all

    Dark chicken drumstick and thigh

    Willa Jean - bakeries - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...