New Orleans’ French Quarter has thrived as a destination for years because of its highly specific ambiance and the bars and restaurants that define it. Whether they are humble dives; buzzy live music establishments; or places referenced in literature, film and television, each one has a reputation to live up to. Some of them famously meet expectation better than others. Cane & Table accomplishes the feat. Its simultaneous respect for and departure from the standard New Orleans restaurant helped earn its place as a verified local haunt.
The two-story building has a compelling back story, built in 1830 and originally serving as part of Ursuline Convent before housing other bars and restaurants over the generations. Besides providing an interesting and ironic historic context, it has a timeless aesthetic where shabby chic (think chandeliers and aged mirrors) and minimalism come together. Beyond its lively, narrow, front-room bar, it is flanked with a large, laid-back patio adorned with tropical plants and an upstairs private room with its own bar, reception space and “formal” dining area.

© Elyse Glickman
In addition to the special way Cane & Table’s bar and kitchen teams interpret Southern Louisiana’s cultural and culinary underpinnings, the location — tucked into the decidedly less touristy lower edge of the French Quarter along Decatur Street with a blink-or-you’ll-miss it presence — adds a great deal of street credit. As evidenced by its spirits list and expansive cocktail menu, it is a bonafide rum destination whose back bar and bartenders celebrate the region’s legacy in sugar production and rum distillation.
The bar is billed by its management as “proto-tiki,” with Old World Caribbean colonial flourishes and modern twists. This means most cocktails stray from sweet and fruity vehicles and more toward less-charted waters of recipes that are spirits-forward and complex. In addition to dressed up classics, one may encounter a pineapple Sazerac; a banana Manhattan; a Hurricane & Table with a secret blend of rums; or the formidable Jamaica Queens, made with bourbon, rum, sherry, Angostura bitters and orange. The wine list is equally inspired, featuring less familiar Spanish wines such as Txakoli.

© Elyse Glickman
The kitchen deftly combines flavors of the American South and the Caribbean with Mediterranean and Southeast Asian cuisines. The mixture is in keeping with the restaurant’s mission statement, to blend “influences from the trade routes coming into a young Louisiana,” rooted in the idea New Orleans sits squarely on the northernmost corner of the Caribbean. The food menu is tight and focused, which practically assures everything will be executed with care. Southern standards like rice and beans can be found on the menu, but most of what diners will encounter is “all over the map” and, in some cases, worked into a single dish.

© Elyse Glickman
Sharable large plates, in keeping with this philosophy, include a hearty version of ropa vieja (a Cuban shredded beef dish), roasted chicken and Fish Rundown (fried drum, lump crab, coconut curry and “Jazzmen Rice”). The signature C& T salad and appetizers such as crab croquetas and stuffed empanadas balance sultry combinations of spices with rich textures. And, by now, as one would expect, the rum cake — a bold concoction of almonds, ginger sauce, lime cream and Jamaican rum — packs the perfect end-of-meal punch.
1113 Decatur St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
tel 504 581 1112
Read This Next
KŌAST Review
eFlyer Reviews
Feb 19, 2025All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedSlideshow
Feb 24, 20257 Reasons to Put San José, Costa Rica, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through San José, Costa Rica, with us.
Sponsored Content
Sailing the Ionian Sea: Explore Greece’s Nautical Gems
Sailing the Ionian Sea is an enchanting way to experience Greece's breathtaking islands and pristine waters. Known for its favorable winds, calm seas and stunning landscapes, the Ionian Sea offers a paradise for both experienced sailors and those looking to explore for the first time. From lively beaches to secluded bays, these waters have something for every traveler seeking adventure and relaxation.
Airlines
Feb 24, 2025Turkish Airlines Opens Largest International Lounge Outside Istanbul
Turkish Airlines officially opened its largest international lounge outside of Istanbul in Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 5. The lounge marks the airline’s seventh lounge overseas.
Daily
Feb 21, 2025Ireland’s First Radisson RED Opens in Galway
Last December, Radisson RED Galway opened its doors, making it the first Radisson RED brand in Ireland. Located in Crown Square, an impressive new neighborhood between Moniva Road and Joyce’s Road, and just 10 minutes to Galway city center, the upscale Radisson RED Galway incorporates excellent culinary venues, along with art, music and design to create a very comfortable stay, a great fit for this Irish city where music, arts, food and sports are such important cultural traits.
Sponsored Content
A Word with Nat Pieper, oneworld CEO
Name: Nat Pieper Title: CEO at oneworld City: Dallas, Texas First job: Stadium vendor
Daily
Feb 21, 2025Aman New York Offers New Winter Experiences
Aman New York is excited to offer a new and unique program to guests. Building on the success of past programming, like Adventures on the Water that invited guests to explore the city aboard Aman New York’s motorized dayboats, the hotel now introduces a new winter excursion. Adventures on the Slopes continues the tradition of crafting one-of-a-kind hospitality experiences to offer guests the unique opportunity to combine their passion for skiing with the luxury of Aman New York.
St. Lucia Resort Unveils New Villa
Daily
Feb 20, 2025Daily
Feb 19, 2025Try New Experiences at This Turks and Caicos Resort
Amanyara, a luxury resort in Turks and Caicos, offers guests an exciting lineup of experiences throughout 2025.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD
Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.
eFlyer News
Feb 19, 2025New Palace-Style Hotel, Branded Residences Come to Paris in 2027
In 2027, Maybourne opens its newest development in the Parisian quarter of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The Maybourne Saint-Germain brings a palace-style hotel with 101 keys and 23 ultra-luxury branded residences to Paris for the first time.
ShareThis