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Name: Napoleon House
Address: 500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA, 70130
Telephone: (504) 524-9752
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.63

Napoleon House

500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA, 70130

(504) 524-9752
Store is closed

Napoleon House Menu

Appetizers

Antipasto Salad

Cheese Board

Bruschetta

Bruschetta

Boudin Sausage

Spinach And Artichoke Dip
Salads

Shrimp Remoulade Stuffed Avocado

Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocado

Insalata Mista Jardiniere

Caesar

Soup & Salad
Poor Boys

Ham

Turkey

Salami (genoa)

Pastrami

Corned Beef
New Orleans Favorites

Red Beans & Rice

Jambalaya

Jambalaya Portion

Seafood Gumbo
Desserts

Spumoni

Cassata

Torrancino

Lemon Ice

Flavored Ice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Napoleon House

Appetizers

Antipasto Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Board [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Boudin Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach And Artichoke Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Shrimp Remoulade Stuffed Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Mista Jardiniere [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup & Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Poor Boys

Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salami (genoa) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastrami [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corned Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
New Orleans Favorites

Red Beans & Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jambalaya [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jambalaya Portion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Spumoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cassata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Torrancino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Ice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flavored Ice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Candice M.

The muffeletta sandwich was out of this world.m. I couldnt stop eating more..i was stealing parts of my husbands half... the half of sandwich is the size of a whole. I also loved the gumbo but the sandwich took the cake for me!
(5)
Jen K.

Deliciosos Muffaletta was wonderful...love the history of the place. Service was outstanding.
(5)
Kathy F.

We were told by locals to get the Muffalotta here. I will be thinking about that sandwich for a long time. Our waiter was very friendly. I saw him being very friendly with all the customers. I loved the decor of the place. When you walk in, you escape into a different world. I think it's a perfect place to eat and get a away from the heat outside. I would recommend.
(5)
M G.

I have been coming here for years and just had my first bad experience. The waiter complained when we wanted a separate check for the 5 people I was with. Said we were annoying, was rude to my kids, and tried to tell a neighboring customer what she had ordered when he was incorrect. Apparently this was just bought by Ralph Brennan, so let's hope he does not let a tired and maybe overworked waiter be the impression that customers get. He added in 20% tip, by the way. To the waiter: just because you have a tough day, does not mean you should be a jerk. You left a group of 20 people, mostly New Orleanians, with a foul taste. I do love this place, and will come back, but won't take service from this "I am too hip" guy again.
(1)
Cassandra S.

My husband had the roast beef and gravy po boy, I had the jambalaya. We were both overly pleased with our meals. I also the Primm cup delicious! I think anyone should have come to this place. The service was amazing as well, hospitality is their middle name.
(4)
Brenda C.

I'm not much of a drinker but I had their famous Pimm's cup. I'm converted. It's light and refreshing and so addictive. One is not enough. I had the Greco focaccia eggplant, roasted red peppers, goat cheese and mushroom panini. It was so filling and yet it didn't feel like I over ate to the point where I can't walk. It was toasted nice and crispy. My husband ordered rice and beans. It was very, very good. Granted, you wouldn't think that dish could ever come out bad but I assure you, it can but this place was on point. Now to the good part: they're famous for their Pimm's Cup. It's Pimm liquor, a splash of sprite and a splash of lemonade. Straight up perfect remedy on a hot day in NOLA. most places don't add the lemonade so it's their twist. It's one of our favorite restaurants now. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Ariele L.

I loved this place! Atmosphere and food, were beyond perfection. It was a dark and antique rustic setting inside and the food tasted like it was cooked on seasoned cookware, the great kind of course! We had the gumbo and red beans with sausage and rice, the simplest items on their menu were great, I can't imagine how the entrees are!
(5)
Leslie G.

Great food and an ambiance that will take you back to a slower time! Bring your appetite and a friend and have the Muffaletta and don't forget to order a Pimms Cup.! Everything was absolutely delicious. Great service too!
(5)
Sarah P.

I finally had a chance to try Napoleon House's famed Pimm's Cup and found it to be the perfect refreshment on a hot, humid day. We walked in, sidled up to the bar for adult beverages, and admired the untouched-by-time feel of the place. Our bartender was friendly, but not too chatty, leaving us to enjoy our conversation and drinks. My Pimm's Cup was citrus-y without veering too sweet or tart. My husband's Sazerac packed a tasty punch. I can't speak to the food, but the drinks and service were spot-on. Side note: The bathroom was gnarly with unlockable doors and graffiti-festooned stalls. It seemed strangely frat house-ish for an otherwise nice establishment.
(4)
Alison Q.

Can vouch for the Muffeletta. I was surprised how inexpensive our meal was. Great value.
(4)
Derrick R.

Its one of the best lunch spots in the French Quarter. I like the history of the place its been here over a 100years and counting (reminds me of the place i work at) but nevertheless the sandwiches are always good and the drinks cold!!!!!
(4)
Ashley H.

I'm pretty ambivalent about Napoleon House. If someone I'm with wants to go, I won't say no. But, on the other hand, I can't say that I've ever actually suggested it myself. It's a cool place to step into to escape a hot and humid day in the Quarter. They also make a tasty Pimm's Cup, which is also very refreshing on a hot day. I've only eaten here once and I didn't really enjoy it. I doubt I'll do that again. But yeah, if someone says "hey let's go in a have a drink" as we're walking by the Napoleon House, I'll go in.
(3)
Liz T.

Sigh. I really wanted to love this place and I can't. It's a great building with a great history and ambiance. I really wanted this place to knock my socks off, and it didn't. Waiter - damn, I wish I remembered his name. NEVER came back to check on us, we had to flag him down for a check. My husband always tips good because he's worked in service and this waiter didn't get much. Why should he? He brought food. Never came back. Food - I decided (based on reviews) to try the muffaletta, especially since you can order a quarter of a sandwich. Hmmmm, it's 2/3 bread. WTF? It's a sub on a fancy bread with olive dressing? (And I love olives) Nope, they can keep the other 3/4 of a sandwich, not worth the calories. I would go back just for drinks - not for a meal. It's worth it for drinks and the history. That's it.
(2)
Rebecca C.

This review is based on on drinks only so if you are looking for comments on the food this is not the review for you. The Napoleon House is one of the most famous bars in America and the building itself dates back to 1812. They are known for their Pimms Cup so this is what we had the day we visited. Well in point of fact we each had two, they are just that good especially on a hot Louisiana day. We sat at the bar which gave us a good view of the room and granted us a good conversation with he bartender along with ringside seats for some front staff interactions. This is not to say there were fights oh no but there was a very interesting discussion about the use of the proper glassware and when a Collins glass is to be used. I especially loved the comment "I didn't say he was doing it wrong, I said I was doing it right" The bartender was fantastic, just the right amount of chatty and when he found out where we were from shared the details of his recent trip to...that's right Banff! So not only did he know exactly where we were from but he had actually been there and could't say enough good things about our beautiful mountains and wildlife. I forget that a lot of people spend their tourism dollars coming to our beautiful city/province and so it was a nice encounter. Definitely a great place to stop and grab a drink, relax and chat with a good bartender.
(4)
Lynden G.

We were directed to this establishment by both my cousin and our tour guide. I wasnt totally blown away by the food (though the loaded baked potato was delicious) but I was very happy with the service (excellent) and the pimms cup (refreshing). The prices are very good for what you get. The interior is pretty cool.
(4)
The B.

We only went in here for drinks. The bartender was very nice. We also got a cheese platter, which was also very good.
(4)
Edward W.

We came here just for the Pimm's cup. The pimm's cup contained British Gin based liquor & lemonade, splash of lemon-lime soda & cucumber garnish. It wasn't too sweet and for $7 it was a good deal. They seated us outside, which was perfect since it was a relatively cool night. I'd recommend sitting outside if the weather permits it.
(4)
Kelleigh E.

I LOVE Napoleon House. I've introduced many a people because it's always been a local favorite. Tonight I was disappointed. Tonight was an extraordinarily unfortunate experience for me. My family is very suburban, but they love the feeling of being New Orleans tourists. Slowly I've been introducing them to my life-long favorites, and today was a first for a few. They've had the NH Pimm's Cup, which no doubt rules NOLA, hands down. Tonight, I wanted to enlighten them on the culinary genius to boot. Understandably, there is a policy that outside drinks are not allowed, and for that, I have no issue. Waits are long for great culinary experiences and we gladly agreed to drink and wait for a table. We quickly downed our *frozen* beverages (only holding empty cups when the table was ready). It's not what is said but how it's portrayed. I'm not only offended, but hurt, by the offensive bad attitude of the foul old lady that pushed with the most northern attitude possible that unless we waited for the traffic to die down on a street with no stop signs to cross the street and dispose of our empty cups (after waiting), they would not seat us in our much awaited seats in a NOLA favorite. If they're so strict that empty outside cups cannot come in, they should have a trash can near the door. The jambalaya is one of the best recipes in New Orleans. The muffaletta is a close second to Central Grocery (taking best of NOLA), the roast beef is easily one of the best and no question, there is not a single place in the WORLD that can accomplish a better Pimm's Cup. However, after the foul mistreatment of the unfortunate staff this evening, I will not refer another person because it's uncalled for, and never to be expected or accepted in our city full of southern hospitality and from now on, I'm done. My guests this evening had gladly awaited Pimm's Cups recommend by me, some who have never had it before. We had a round of waters this go because bad continued to worsen and honestly, we just wanted to eat and get out as quickly as possible. Had we not been treated with such disrespect, multiple rounds a would have no doubt been ordered. As for Matt, our server, he was the blandest, rudest server I've encountered in a while. When he asked, "how's the food?" someone at the table replied, "the jambalaya is great and the muffalettas are tasty, but their duck poboys barely have any duck on them at all and her loaded potato is hardly loaded." Matt's reply? "Well, that's the portion size," and then walked away. After enough was enough, I pulled the manager aside and told him my glowing review of how incredible I've always found NH to be, but that on this evening, I couldn't have been more disappointed. He said, "well I don't know who you are or where you're sitting." I pointed out our table and then he walked away never to be seen again. Tujague's makes a great Pimm's Cup too. Sorry, y'all. Customer service arrive ALWAYS wins in this city and from now on, I'll take my guests elsewhere.
(4)
Elle P.

A beautiful place with reach history and nice story. Good food. Good drinks. Try Pimm's Cup here. Very refreshing. Enjoy courtyard seating.
(4)
Angelus K.

The ambience is cracked paint and old wood beams. How do they get away with that? With great story. Supposedly, this building was built by the mayor of New Orleans to house Napoleon. Wait, it gets better. The pirate Jean Lafitte was going to be involved in a conspiracy to bring the Emperor to the New World. Alas, it wasn't to be. In any event, they also have a pretty cool old bar here--and a bartender with an extremely impressive handlebar mustache. The food is pretty good--I've had the duck po boy, which was surprisingly not greasy and the muffuletta--also very good. What really makes their sandwiches is the high quality of bread that they use. Both he French bread and the muffuletta bread are soft with good crusts. (I like the sesame seeds on the muffuletta bread, too). The drinks are nothing extra, but aren't crazy expensive for the French Quarter ($6-7 for most of them). In fact, this place is a pretty good bargain for such a high tourist zone. The waiters are old guys in bow ties... They have been pretty nice the two times I've been there, but seem very overstretched.
(4)
Megan M.

My friend and I were visiting New Orleans recently and her sister told us we had to get the Muffaletta. I was skeptical, not the biggest fan of olives. Holy cow. It was delicious. We also got red beans and rice and jambalaya. Not the best I've had but still edible. We ordered Pimm's Cups, one regular and one seasonal (with blackberries). They were spot on. Overall it was a great experience and the ambiance is beautifully eclectic and fun!
(5)
Rick O.

Great Pimms service was just ok.
(3)
Stephanie V.

By far makes my favorite drink and best Pimm's cup in New Orleans. If you are in NOLA, Napoleon House is a must! I also had a veggie muffuletta and it was amazing! One of my friends said it's the best muffuletta in the French Quarter. Definitely get the Pimm's cup and muffuletta. The interior is also beautiful. The courtyard makes you feel like you're back in time.
(5)
Gina S.

The rooms feel like you are in a haunted inn. There is interesting artwork and stories on the wall. The menu though is like a lunch spot. It mainly was all sandwiches, sorry Po Boys, Muffaletas and some gumbo. I had heard they had a fancier menu for dinner before Katrina. I think it is time to bring it back. The staff though was really nice and inviting.
(3)
Raul Q.

I was hooked by the ambiance at first loved it!!! however the short man with a mustache who greeted us was arrogant and rude BUT the food and our waiter made up for the experience i recommend it for a quaint and comfortable dining environment ..,, ENJOY !
(4)
Christina S.

Love the space and the history. The barman apparently the husband of the original family owner. What an awesome time!!! Hanging with the locals.
(5)
Eric K.

The ambiance is worth special note here. The building is a historical landmark -- this is all well documented and sets the stage for the decor. What I find interesting is the selection of music: the classical music doesn't seem at all out of place in the context of the building, but it's something of a rarity in the French Quarter, where walking a block in any direction from here will bring zydeco, blues, and even modern dance hits to your ears. Food wise, we kept it pretty simple. We ordered the goat cheese and feta spread as an appetizer. This is a great thing to order if you like goat cheese and/or feta well, which we do, so it was. One of the signature items on the menu was a warm muffeletta. For tourists, this is an Italian sandwich with ham, salami, olives, and delicious on it. Usually it's a cold sandwich; it got started over at Central Grocery (if memory serves), being sold to working folk at lunch. Napoleon House serves a warm version, and we enjoyed it very well. I will say that the menu fibbed about the portioning of it, though: we ordered a whole muffeletta, which it said serves two. We discovered that a quarter of this thing is roughly the size of a cheeseburger, so a whole sandwich serves two giants or four normal people. Random point against it: spotted a mouse on the premises.
(3)
Jill C.

I visited Napoleon House with Ruggy J. as we blazed a trail in New Orleans for the Best Sazerac of All. Not only did it not disappoint, we were completely blown away. His review is fabulously thorough, so I'll just add that that Sazerac was the absolute smoothest cocktail I've ever had. It was magic. I was confused by its magic, frankly. How did Mario do it?? If you travel to seek out local culture, Napoleon House is an absolute must-visit stop in New Orleans.
(5)
Kelly C.

I gave it 3 but I really want to give it 2.5. It's getting stars because of the decent fresh vegetable selection and the ambiance. It loses stars because of the service. The ambiance is pretty cool. It's that old world feel with muted lighting. You can just imagine yourself sitting in this place at the turn of the century. Loved the ambiance! My Napoleon salad was pretty good too. I mean, it's difficult to find a fresh vegetable in this town. This California girl was seriously craving some fresh veggies about 3 days into the trip and this place quenched that desire. The Pimms cup was nothing special I really don't get it. It tasted like pineapple juice. It was fine as far as fruity refreshing drinks go but I really don't get why it's so famous. It's like a 'tiki lite' drink. The service sucks here. Let me clarify. Our waiter sucked. He was so involved with talking to another waiter that he left off parts of our order. We ordered the charcuterie plate for an app and it never came. Then when he brought us our dinner I asked about the charcuterie and he said he forgot and asked us if we wanted it then. NO. It's an app you ass. It comes first. He also forgot our drink orders and had to come back and ask what it was we wanted again. I could forgive him if the place was packed. But it was not. I could forgive him if he was new. But he was not. I just can't forgive him because his forgetfulness was because he was so busy shootin' the you know what with another waiter. Pay attention to your customers! Anyway if you want to know what the pitiful tip, well, now you know.
(3)
Christopher T.

Mixed feelings about this spot. We found ourselves here at just before 11am when they open on a Monday. We were debating between breakfast and lunch after sleeping in. I was glad we skipped this place for lunch and instead just came over for a drink after breakfast across the street. I was really excited for their Pimms Cup but it proved to be not the greatest we enjoyed in New Orleans. The finacee's Bloody Mary was much better. After sitting down to the bar we waited several minutes for any sign of our bartender. Finally a different server rolled up to tell us the bartender would be back shortly and was off changing the soda kegs. When our bartender did arrive he could only be described as a bit surly. He seemed distracted the entire time we were there, complaining about everything including the trucks outside making too much noise. So much so that we only stayed for one drink each and didn't even bother with a to go drink. I will say the drinks were much cheaper than we had anticipated, only $5.50 each for our cocktails. I think we just got a random bad experience but nonetheless it was a bit on the disappoing side I must say.
(2)
Lauren C.

So good! I went with a huge group and everyone was happy. It was a comfortable temperature inside for the most part (which is super in NOLA where every restaurant is freezing), great waitstaff and host-they were able to set up a table for 14 with last minute notice in a flash! And though some people don't appreciate the classical music or opera, it was a great touch to establishment. High class feel with out the high costs. The tuna salad stuffed avocado was amazing, by the way.
(4)
Orson F.

Convenient location and pleasant staff. Got the "roast beef poor boy" and the Caesar salad.
(3)
Diane D.

Stunningly rude treatment. I was in New Orleans for the first time a few days ago. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who was born and bred there offer to show another friend and me around the city. He suggested we meet at Napoleon House as it was very historic and atmospheric. Fine. We wandered into the restaurant courtyard looking for my friend and were immediately accosted by a tall, grey haired waiter who basically asked us what the hell we were doing there? Excuse me? Um, I'm looking for a friend who told us to meet him here. We spent less than 30 seconds in the courtyard, (I swear), then walked back into the main room/bar of the restaurant. My cell rang, unbeknownst to me the friend who was to show us around was outside in his car, and waiting to chauffeur us. The friend I was with in the restaurant, not realizing he was calling me, momentarily suggested we sit down and wait. There was, admittedly, a wait for tables, so she was wrong on two counts to do so: first, others were waiting, second, my friend, the local, was actually waiting outside. It was a MISUNDERSTANDING. This all happened in a matter of seconds, but before I could convey this to her, the grey haired waiter followed us and accosted us again. I told him to leave us alone, we were leaving, and he moved somewhat threateningly toward me and yelled at us to get out(?!) Seriously. For the record, I've been fortunate enough to have traveled a lot, usually have great experiences and New Orleans was no exception except for this bullying idiot. Virtually everyone else I came into contact with there was at a minimum polite, if not exceedingly gracious, helpful and kind. This guy was an arrogant, hostile jerk -- or at least having a very bad day-- or both. Whatever the case, send him home. Hillary W. below called it right-- if you're going to operate a restaurant in a historic district that is crawling with tourists, it kind of goes without saying that you're going to have to deal with, drat the luck, tourists. We were not drunk, we were not obnoxious, we were simply momentarily looking for a friend who had recommended the place. Jeez.
(1)
Lisa Marie M.

You will find no better place to relax and have a drink or two, especially the Pimm's Cup of course. No televisions, classical or opera playing all the time, it's a lovely respite. Sit on the patio, at the bar. It's gorgeous. FORGET the food. Have your dinner, lunch, etc, anywhere else, but you will LOVE it as a delightful drinking establishment.
(5)
George C.

Cool spot to grab a Pimm Cup! Order one! The bartender was a nice guy and chatted us up about New Orleans. I didn't catch his name but he had a killer mustache! We didn't eat here but plan on coming back to try the food next trip.
(4)
Marty J.

One of the stops on our bike bar your was napoleons house for their famous pimms cup. It's gin and lemonade and delicious. I didn't go inside but apparently the owner of the bar offered his house to Napoleon who had been exiled twice from France.
(4)
Duane D.

I make a point to have lunch here anytime I am in New Orleans. First, the place is very cool. This is an old, historic building with a great vibe. When the weather is nice, the whole place is open air and there is a quaint open-air courtyard. The lunch menu is great. I can't get past the muffalettas and red beans & rice - so I haven't ventured out too far, although it all sounds good. Also worth trying is the Pimms Cup -- a refreshing gin-based drink that I've never seen anywhere else. The prices are also very reasonable, which is a nice change in the French Quarter. Give the Napoleon House a try -- it's a favorite of mine.
(5)
Beth W.

This is a great spot if you're a geek for history. It's 200 years old and, fittingly, there's a bad-ass poster of Napoleon (that I've unsuccessfully tried to find online) in the back corner of the secondary dining room just before the cozy-looking courtyard (where I'd love to come back and dine, weather permitting). If you dig Savannah, you'll dig The Napoleon House. Inside the restaurant, in the main and adjacent dining rooms, it's dark even during the lunch hour, which was when we were there on our last day in New Orleans, just before catching a flight home. Our entire party was glad we stopped in. The menu was extensive. Unable to stomach any more seafood or fried foods in general, I had the The Corsican salad. It wasn't exactly worth writing home about, but it was still good. Better was the Cheese Board. The Napoleon House knows their cheese boards. I'd be content to come back here and get my wine and Cheese Board(s) on... for hours... even if I got the same somewhat-cold server who only warmed up when he found out we were from Chicago and informed us that Midwesterners tip better than Southerners. (Pressure much? And, as a former Southerner, this earned him no points in my book.) In short: great, varied menu; cozy venue; and I'd love to come back and linger over dinner in somebody else's section.
(4)
John M.

While in NOLA for a conference I wanted to try a Muffeleta and Sazerac... and stumbled across Napoleons House. Ended up eating her 2x during that week. The Muffeleta was better cold (ask for it cold, otherwise it comes out served warm). Dixie beer was cold, and the small interior patio was small and charming. Is most the clientele tourists ? yes... but at least they are not out front hawking people to come in and dine on formica tables. This place still has a local feel to it.... although I'm sure I was just one of the many touristas visiting !
(4)
Marcus C.

We stumbled upon Napoleon House in a daze from the previous night's celebrations and libations. After a brief wait, we were whisked through the restaurant and seated in the back on the patio, which was so pleasant! I had the jambalaya, which was very good, but I couldn't quite get over the fact that it was served as three scoops - like from an ice cream scoop. My lunching companion had the red beans and rice, which he claimed were also very good. Efficient service, a modicum of atmosphere, but solid food.
(3)
Odette P.

Loved this place for a few reasons: great service, ambiance, seafood gumbo and PIMMS CUP!! It became my favorite cocktail after being here!
(5)
Joe D.

This was a really nice, relaxing place to have lunch. Simple as that. Despite it's good reputation it was not at all noisy or crowded.
(4)
Sarcastic T.

Not sure what was going on today, but every place we went in NOLA was out of pretty major things. Napoleon house was out of french bread and a few other things but we were seated quickly and our server was friendly. The Pimms Cup was OK and the cheese platter was OK. When we were done, we had to flag down the server (who was still super friendly) to pay the bill. Overall, not offensive, but can't say I'd make it a "must-do" for any reason at all.
(3)
Sara W.

Mercy! 85 reviews and counting! I'll try to keep this short. I've dined at Napoleon House twice. On visit #1 the food was good, and our spot in the courtyard was precious, but service was just ok. Visit #2 was even better! I dined in the courtyard with two other lovely ladies and service was fantastic. Honestly, we're not even THAT good looking, but we had three waiters smiling at us and checking on us throughout the meal. Maybe one of us had a nip slip or something... Anywho - There are three reasons I love this place: #1 The decor is awesome. This place looks at least 1000 years old. The paint is cracked, antiques cover the walls, and the old fashioned bar is awesome. The courtyard has a nice fountain and is covered with plants - adorable. #2 Napoleon House introduced me to the Pimm's Cup. For this, I will be forever grateful. #3 The food is cheap, and very tasty. Sooooo many places are overpriced in the FQ. I love coming here for a bargain meal. *Try the muffuletta - it has celery in the tapenade which is odd for me, but it is one fantastic sammy. So sometimes, your bargain meal comes at a cost, i.e. not so great service. Sometimes, you get lucky and you have a cheap, tasty meal with fantastic service. Either way, I'll keep coming back to Napoleon House. The place is just too cute to pass up and the prices can't be beat.
(4)
Audrey J.

I had a poor boy here. On the table. Dripping with juices. *ahem* No, we are not in the San Fernando Valley, and this is not "Hot Babes & Farm Boys XII." My poor boy was a decent poor boy. A pastrami poor boy, at that. And, yes, the menu listed it as a "poor boy" (i.e., it could, indeed, afford the "or" of the "poor"). Decent. But nothing special as far as I'm concerned, especially when combined with semi-surly, forgetful service. That said, the ambiance is pretty nifty. Dark wood, Napoleon-related memorabilia and nick nacks lining the shelves and walls, and an honest-to-god historical plaque hung right outside the door. I'd say there's no need to eat here, but coming in for a drink and to soak in the environment and history would be worth it.
(3)
erica k.

Had my first Pimm's Cup here and it was excellent! We enjoyed the nice courtyard. We had lunch here and it was delicious. I ordered the avocado and shrimp salad. Wonderful! You must stop at this historic restaurant while in New Orleans; you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Ry O.

Somehow it was 90 degrees and balmy just outside of Napoleon House on that little stretch of Royal Street, but it managed to be perfectly comfortable on the patio. It's possible it was the 4 industrial fans they have going at all times, the charming fountain which mimics an old man spitting into a public water source, the lush foilage, or that Pimm's cup (OK, two) .... but it was definitely what I needed. Order red beans and rice.
(4)
Lisa M.

Napoleon House is our mandated first stop for on every trip to NOLA. It's become a tradition to start each trip with a relaxing Pimms Cup. We have spent many an hour relaxing with friends, enjoying Pimm's and beers and people watching. My favorite place to sit is a table near the windows in the bar area, especially on mild days when the doors/windows are open. We have also whiled away a few afternoons back in the courtyard as well. I love that they play classical music and you can actually sit and have a conversation and aren't shouting over loud music. It;s my favorite bar in the Quarter. While I prefer a cold muffaletta, the warm one served here is delicious as well if you are looking for something different. Its one of those "not be to missed places"
(5)
Stacy D.

I love this place! It is so cool inside. I love the bar and the waiters are friendly. The Pimm's Cup was great.
(4)
Amanda J.

We came here for lunch and sat in the outdoor patio area. Loved the ambiance of this place (which we were told has not changed in hundreds of years) and the history behind it is amazing. Had the red beans and rice with sausage and it was perfect. My friend had the jambalaya (which she had been dying to eat ever since we got to new orleans) and she loved it. one weird thing, you only get one free refill on your soda with the purchase of food. So if you want to pound free sodas you should go somewhere else. The service was a little slow but it had started pouring outside and a lot of people moved inside so that kind of mixed things up. A very traditional new orleans type restaurant!
(4)
Sara M.

This review is for the bar only. My friend and I stopped by here a couple times on the way back to our hotel. Mainly for Pimm's cups. We were not disappointed! They make their Pimm's cups with 7-up as opposed to ginger ale and we loved them (enough to hunt down Pimm's once we got back to Boston). The bartender was really awesome - friendly without being at all pushy or intrusive. He let us sit there enjoying our drinks and people watching for as long as we wanted. He even gave us a taste of a sazerac when he made one and had some extra left over. The atmosphere is very old world, dark and cozy. Would definitely return.
(5)
Kat G.

A friend of mine who grew up in New Orleans told me tales of his underage drinking and debauchery here long ago, so I figured it'd have to be a decent place to get a drink on a lazy weekday afternoon. I was right. We came here midday for a drink and a sandwich, and we weren't disappointed. We sat at a table next to the sidewalk. Our server was personable, kind and efficient. Jay H. had a Sazerac; I had a Pimm's Cup. Both were wonderful. The sun shone in through the trees on the sidewalk while we sipped our drinks and waved at the tours that pass by every few minutes. Our muffaletta was lightly toasted and was just the thing to satisfy us--not too much food, and not too little. The restaurant itself is beautiful. If I had more time in the city, I'd be here every day.
(4)
Ed G.

We got food to go so we could have a sandwich on the airplane. We got the Mufalletta which was delicious. We also got the Meatball. I didn't care for it at all. There was a small piece of bone in the meatball and the sauce wasn't tasty.
(3)
Drew K.

One of my favorite places for jambalaya in the Quarter. Napolean House's structure is old and dark, with the building dating back to the late 1700's. If you'd rather have some fresh air, the courtyard is small but very pretty. Excellent service and an all around good lunch stop.
(4)
Ola F.

Stopped in here for a quick drink on my last day in NOLA. Had the Pim's Cup and it was deeelish. At first I was wary of the bartender's lack of measuring the ingredients (it seems that in the fancier places the bartenders ALWAYS measure) but he knew what he was doing. The mint julep was another story though. It was too sweet. But if you're in the FQ and looking for a drink and some ambience stop in here. I can't vouch for the food though.
(4)
Mark W.

Excellent place for sandwiches, especially hot muffelatas ( sliced meat and garlic-olive oil salsa. Don't be put off by cave-like atmosphere, as the main dining areas are warm and friendly social spots. The patio is worth waiting for. Service is quirky, but charming. Background music is classical music, a welcome treat. A unique New Orleans institution, local bar and local clientele. I find this place to be a refuge any time of the year.
(4)
James C.

Originally built in 1791 for Napoleon himself, charming place for a Pimms Cup and cheese plate. So much character and check out the courtyard.
(4)
Ordale A.

Le sigh. (That's my French side speaking) [This concludes all of the French that I know] I think I got my hopes up too high. I really like the muffuettas at Jason's Deli, so I expected one from a REAL NOLA establishment to be...BIBLICAL! (Note to self: learn new adjectives) The service was great, and the place had really nice "Columbus was our first customer" historical vibe. Then came the food. I ordered seafood gumbo and a muffuletta. Now let's play a game called "Expectations vs Reality" The gumbo had a crab claw on top as garnish. Expectation: "THIS is real NOLA. This is gonna be the best gumbo of my life. I will write songs about it, which I will play on a lyre as I travel from town to town." Reality: "Is this tomato soup? Why do I taste so many tomatoes?" The muffuletta...had a muffuletta on it. Expectation: "Okay, there isn't much meat, but this sandwich will be so good that I won't notice. And who knows, maybe the rest of the meat is baked into the bread." Reality: "There is no meat baked into the bread. Also, there's news coming in from my taste buds that I may be imagining the meat that I see on the sandwich." I give the place two stars for the atmosphere. The food wasn't repulsive, but I wouldn't go there again.
(2)
Vijay P.

Napoleon House has a lot of history behind it and we specifically came here for two items. The Pimm's cup and muffaletta sandwich. Prices are fairly cheap, but the lines were longer than expected. Our server was sure cool, but took care of us and we throughly enjoy our experience. The muffaletta sandwich lived up to my expectations and I even took an extra half to go. Come here early to avoid the lines and stay longer to enjoy the drinks.
(4)
Allison F.

I loved coming here not only for the food (I had an Italian Muffuletta, duh) but also the ambience...historic building, historic city...it only adds to the charm of NOLA!
(4)
sam a.

Amazing Pimm's Cup. Terrific Muffuletta (Beats the hell out of Central Grocer!) Beautiful Outside patio. Nice French Quarter oasis.
(4)
Donna H.

Nice ambiance and convenient, easy to find location....especially when you are staying right next door!
(4)
Marielle S.

Stopped in here during French Quarter Fest to take a break from the heat and get a bite to eat. Considering it was a busy day, we were seated and served quickly. We got to sit in a small table in the corner, which I really liked. It was nice to be away from the crowd for a while. We decided to order the muffaletta and split it. It was a little on the bready side, but after a long day on my feet it was delicious and hit the spot. I loved the atmosphere of this place. All of the doors were open and people were sitting outside and inside eating and talking and enjoying each other and the nice day. It gave the afternoon a very quaint feel and I really appreciated it. I'l definitely be back and I'm excited to try the other food that they offer.
(4)
Michael Levi T.

Had a Pimm's cup, jambalaya, and muffalata and they were all great. I liked this muffalatta better than central grocery.
(5)
Sarah G.

Everyone said we had to come here for a Pimms Cup. It is historic, it is a cool bar, it is a must see, etc. So we went like good tourists do and we got our Pimms Cup, which came with quite the price tag, but then again, when a spot like this is labeled specifically for coming to get a Pimms Cup, as Matt J. would say with supply and demand in his nerdy economic lingo, Napoleon's makes its money to stay in business. It was some cool decor going on too inside--very old and historic looking, old chipping plaster walls, dark brown wooden bar area, and then there is a patio area too in the back in a courtyard that is kind of cool to hang out in. That's where we ended up, and it was pretty relaxing. We did get a little appetizer plate sample though that was blah. No flavor in the cheese or anything they gave us, so that was another star down there too. But if you are a tourist and in New Orleans, people will say you are dumb not to go here and get at least one Pimms Cup, so we did, and you shall probably too. Just don't waste money on food, focus on the Pimms Cup.
(3)
Amy H.

This was not impressive for me, but it was not HORRIBLE. Def. a lunch place. The prices are cheap but so are the portions. The seafood gumbo was good, not great, but not bad either. I think they should have a larger portion for dinner rather than lunch but it was not horrible. My friends thought the same it was 'meh". I think if you want something quick def. come here. The Pimms cup was great though! Very refreshing! The service was really good as well. I loved the little Italian man who came and got our plates, he was the highlight of the evening!
(3)
Krissy D.

The ambience was nice but the drinks were okay. It was an old establishment which had classical musical playing in the background. We ordered the Pimm's cups and a chilled shots of Lucid Absinthe. The Pimm's cup was okay, nothing special. Here at this bar, bartender served the Absinthe by pouring it over a sugar cube to help balance the flavor of the liquor.
(3)
Shambavi K.

this place is easy to miss. it's right at the corner but it's old gray fascade is easy to pass by.. doesn't look too inviting with the old fashioned look. We only came here for drinks and sat at the very pretty courtyard at night. I wish I had gone back for food. service was hospitable and the bread pudding was tasty.
(3)
Anh T.

Came here just to try Pimm's cup. We were seated outside and I highly recommend it if the weather allows. The ambiance is very nice and well lit. The Pimm's cup was $7 and was as good as the others here say it is.
(4)
Anita C.

I give four stars for the location and service. We are outdoorsy types and found it tough to find a good courtyard cafe in NOLA so Napoleon had us there. Our waiter was super friendly and efficient - never pushy but always a small gesture away. The food? Meh. We had the tasting plate and it came straight out of the fridge. Cslearly pre-prepared and virtually tasteless. Stick to the drinks, enjoy the courtyard. Leave happy.
(4)
Christina M.

Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970, this restaurant was resident to Mayor Girod (mayor from 1812 to 1815,) who offered up the home to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821 during his exile from France. Apparently, Napoleon never made it, but the name stuck. Thank Lenny at the bar for this piece of information. As usual, we found everyone in New Orleans to be incredibly proud and willing to tell you all about their town and their heritage. We drank some delicious NOLA brews under the bust of Napoleon and listened to stories of actors, politicians, and artists who had travelled through the Napoleon House. Food was great, though admittedly we only got a charcuterie plate. Still, delicious. We WILL be back.....
(4)
Airkat Z.

Awful place. The bartender told me they already did last call but kept serving hipster regulars. Awful vibe and total dick bartender. 7/29 11pm white guy, obsessed with patron with bowtie
(1)
Rian F.

The food was good Large portions with the muffuletta- bread was soft, and the half with a side is more than enough. Make sure you like green olive, or this is not for you. Pimms cup- tasty, refreshing... Would be nice on a hot day. Sazerac- first one... Not for me, but supposedly they are good :) Only three stars as the service was slow and without any personality.
(3)
Jaimes E.

Stopped and ate here on our 24 hour drive to Miami. The scenery and ambience is to die for, not to mention the history. People have written their names all along the walls (I know, it sounds like destruction of property, but it's Nawlins...it fits). The waitstaff was perfectly friendly and helpful. The food was good, not superb, but good. Who goes to Nawlins to eat anyway?
(4)
Joanna V.

Cute atmosphere, mediocre food. The building itself is super beautiful and adorable. Exactly what you want in when dining in the Quarter. The food however, was incredibly mediocre. I wouldn't recommend this place for food. Go for a drink and take in the atmosphere.
(2)
Colette A.

My friend, a native, stopped here for drinks and it did not disappoint. The paint is peeling on the walls covered with photos, you can tell the bar used to have a real live cash register, and every seat in the small room was taken. This place oozes atmosphere. I drank a sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans, and soaked in the ambiance.
(5)
Ashley J.

This was THE BEST place I ate at while visiting New Orleans. I still dream about those red beans & rice. Really, can you go wrong with a Pimm's cup, red beans & rice, and muffaletta? YUUUMMMM. I sat on the patio (as you do) and enjoyed every last bite. For an out-of-towner, this place is charming and authentic. PROS: Great food, good service, unique restaurant. CONS: Absolutely none.
(5)
Gene F.

Yesterday was our first visit since the ownership change. We always came here to have the Muffaletta that is served warmed up. We had ordered this many times and it was always excellent.....unfortunately, not yesterday. Skimpy cold cuts and roast beef substituted in for a cold cut. Must have had an inch thick layer of olive salad on it. I mean it was edible, but not like when the Impastado family owned the place. I did speak to the manager about this, who said he would address the issue. We won't be back there soon. Too many other places in NOLA that are excellent all the time. PS - our favorite waiter, Rob, who had been there for many years is also gone with the old management.....
(3)
JR C.

We were doing a walking tour around Bourbon and our super knowledgeable and local tour guide told us that this was the best place to get a Pimm's Cup. Can't doubt a local, and lo and behold, it was pretty darn good. Inside, this bar was on the upper echelon of decorative environments. Our particularly hipster bartender, complete with curly mustache, mixed a strong beverage that was in equals parts sweet and tough. It was a short stay, but they were happy to mix it fairly quickly so we can get on with our tour. Thumbs up.
(4)
N K.

We had the ratatouille sandwich and garden veggie sandwich. Both were amazing. Very cool atmosphere.
(4)
Michelle B.

I was agonizing on how to review Napoleon House because I had heard so many great things about it but the food was just mediocre. My friend ordered the red beans and rice which he liked. Meanwhile I ordered the shrimp remoulade and avocado which was just ok. The service on the other hand was great with our waiter checking up on us but not overbearing. Plus my friend and I had a room practically to ourselves with the doors open and we could people watch as we ate. Their appears to be a second floor but a private party was upstairs so i couldn't check it out. And the ambience is fantastic with a lovely courtyard in the middle.
(3)
Hanae K.

Nice looking chill atmosphere. Courteous bartender with a very very stylish mustache. Was recommended here by a local because they have the best Pimm's cup. She was right, it's amazing. You should get it.
(4)
Shannon B.

Went here for drinks on a Saturday afternoon over Labor Day Weekend. The place has a lot of history and a lovely ambiance that perfect for afternoon drinks. I ordered a Sazerac and my traveling companion opted for a Pimm's Cup, as she never had one. The Sazerac wasn't the best Sazerac I've ever had, but, it was inexpensive and, if you want the best Sazerac in New Orleans, you go to the Sazerac Bar. Love the building with all its history. The service wasn't super attentive, but, it was also nice to not be rushed so we had time to enjoy our drinks.
(3)
Geoff C.

I didn't eat here but drank some of their draft beer and the fact the place is so old makes it charming. Check it out when in the Big Easy.
(4)
Laney F.

Napoleon House will never fail you if you utilize it correctly. I shall formulate a quiz to help you maximize this fabulous French Quarter Favorite: 1) Have you (or your group members) had a hand grenade in the last 3 hours? Yes? Walk away. Go eat at a restaurant with 3 platters on the sidewalk showing off the size of their shrimp poboys. No? Go in. Their wine doesn't completely suck and they have decent old fashioned cocktails and a menu with some refreshing salads and spreads. 2) Do your feet hurt? Yes? Stop by! Their main bar has cozy tables and fabulous and generous air conditioning. If the weather is remotely nice, SIT ON THE PATIO. It is so peaceful and quiet. The servers are respectful and kind. There's a flowing fountain and pretty plants. A great oasis from the quarter hustle and bustle (and bachelorette parties). No? Keep walking and drinking until they hurt- then go to Napoleon House. 3) Are you at a bachelorette party? Yes? Unless it's for a second wedding or a nice light lunch, go to Cat's Meow or Oz. Then convince the bride to have her sweet romantic wedding at Napoleon House. No? Stop in for a yummy Pimms cup with great service before your hand grenade or cocktail from a fish bowl. 4). Are you with a hot date? Yes? Get a table. Order some delicious light apps and make out over your Pimms cups on the patio. Mr. F and I have shared many a romantic moment Al fresco at the dimly lit joint. No? Order a cheese board and a Poboy and drink at their full service bar until your date gets hotter. 5) Are you vegetarian? Yes? They have more late night vegetarian options than anywhere else in the quarter. Their bruschetta is fresh, salads light and spreads filling. No? My meat eatings guests have never complained about their fleshy options. I hope this helps. Napoleon house is a great place with a lot of options, good service and a chill vibe, but still has that epic "must see Nola" status.
(5)
Jodi S.

This little gem and our waiter Jordan made our trip to the French Quarter. Jordan recommended we try the tradional Pimms cup and the bourbon milk punch cocktail and they both were excellent. We also tried the stuffed avocado salad per his recommendation and loved it. The prices were the best we had found in NO. We went here our last day and wished we had found it sooner. Jordan also gave us a tip on where else to go and we ended up having the best day ever. Thank you Jordan!!!
(5)
Ashleen S.

I'm one for dark brooding bars, and Napoleon House Bar & Cafe definitely fits the bill. Come in during a hot afternoon, and cool off with a Pimm's cup. Sit on the bright, sunny patio and enjoy the ambiance of the French Quarter. Stop by on your way back from dinner, and feel as though you are entering into another century. Dimly lit, drafty bar, crumbling tile: it all adds to that certain charm you didn't know you were looking for. Sit in the hollowed out corner of the bar and write your name on the wall. You'll be back! (Oh, the muffaletta was dee-licious! This was the first one I ever tried, and I compare all others to it.)
(5)
Colin A.

Kind of a cool place if you want a quick drink and a snack but don't go out of your way or wait in line for it. The best thing about the place is its history, and for that alone, is worth stopping at if it's convenient.
(2)
Emily D.

My friend, her daughter, and I found this place last night and gave it a shot. They were able to seat us right away at 6 pm on a Saturday. The indoor courtyard seemed like a nice idea but turned out to be chillier than we expected. I ordered half a muffaletta which was very yummy. I would have loved a little more olive salad but that's just me. I also ordered a side of jambalaya, which I'd skip if I came back. The sandwich was plenty of food so I barely touched my side. Maybe if the jambalaya had been exceptional I'd still insist on ordering it but it didn't stand out to me. I also got the Pimm's Original. Basically tastes like lemonade and 7-Up, so it's a good choice if you're normally a big gin fan (like me). My friend ordered the hummus variety plate and the duck po-boy to split with her daughter. I didn't care for the hummus recipe they use here. It could have been smoother and seemed like it had a lot of lemon & maybe kalamata olive juice? Something was strange about it. The olive tampanade was good as was the feta (though the cheese was just a ball of cheese which was hard to dig into). My friend is a picky eater so she took the coleslaw off her po-boy. They liked the duck but missed the moisture the coleslaw would have added. It seems like a nice place to come with a group who wants to hang out, grab a drink, and talk. There was a raucous table of older adults next to us who I'm sure would agree with me on that statement.
(4)
J B.

Eh. You aren't coming here for the food. The big draw of this place is atmosphere: classical music playing while you sit in a cozy little cafe or courtyard. This place has history and feels like it. That said, food is kinda bad. Went for lunch. This is not a place for classic NOLA fare: jambalaya was quite bad (thank goodness for hot sauce). That leaves po boys with deli meats, which had an off taste (especially the nasty cole slaw, avoid!). Tried a Pimms, great for a hot day but not exactly a tasty drink, certainly not worth $7. I don't feel a need to come back. Try it for lunch, it's lovely to sit. You shouldn't feel the need to sample much of their menu.
(3)
Jackie C.

This was our first restaurant upon checking into our hotel. The front desk recommended Napoleon's and their muffuletta. I thought the ambience was incredible and quite pretty and the food decently priced and pretty good. My husband and I weren't huge fans of the muffuletta, but we're also not too keen on olives and we had no idea how many olives were actually on the sandwich. My reluctance to give the restaurant 5 stars is the cleanliness. There were food crumbs on the table where we were seated that the hostess just brushed to the floor. Our utensils, after we had to ask for them since we initially didn't have any, had dried food caked on the forks. It looked like they'd been run through a dishwasher and the food wasn't rinsed off beforehand.
(4)
Michele C.

The fabled bar and restaurant that is home to the Pimm's cup. Classical music greets you and wafts thought the place. The courtyard is from days gone by and the plaster gently peels from the walls adorned with various works of art... The food is scrumptious- shrimp stuffed avocado is to die for as is the warm muffuletta.... Really everything is good! The drinks are made well and the bar features quite a wide selection. It is a wonderful respite from the heat of the day and it encourages a slow and easy pace. We locals still love it and it is a must do for out of town guests!
(4)
Nile H.

We walk down da street til we can't walk in dis heat no mo. We go inside dis joynt and grab all da seats at da bar. We was like Oh ma God! Place is bodacious! We ate da muff and we ate da po boy and we ate da Pimms Cup #1. So good dat we want to live herre now. Fuck da rest.
(5)
Nora G.

We had been on a great food roll until we came here!! The ambiance sucked. It was so dark that we needed flashlights to see the damn menu. Our waiter, Bruce, was not very friendly and freaked when I asked him for separate checks. Other places were accommodating to us except this one. I ordered the jambalaya and it was mediocre at best. The only good thing I had was the Cuba Libre drinks. To be fair, my friends had meals that they enjoyed such as the Organic Sandwich and some kind of salad. Finding good food in the Quarter has not worked out for me in all the years I have been going to Nawlins. I recommend that you skip this place.
(2)
Anna A.

My husband would probably give Napoleon's 4 stars for the architecture and history alone, but the food and service were slightly lacking. We ordered the Pimm's, and it was absolutely perfect. My husband had the chicken sandwich. He seemed to like it, but it was quite small. I had the quarter muffaleto and a side of jambalaya. The muffaletto was OK, but it was unevenly heated. All in all, the muffaletto at Central is much better. The jambalaya was good, but I received about a 1/4 cup for 4 dollars. Our waiter was nice, but he was clearly in a rush to get us out. He came with the check while i was still eating. I'd go back for the Pimm's, but I'd eat somewhere else first.
(3)
Cathy C.

A caveat here, I haven't eaten here and can only review the abilities of the bartenders. And to refine the review even more, the only drink I've ever ordered here is the Sazerac. I came here for it because Napoleon House's was rated best by more than one source, and I heartily agree. This drink is the perfect blend of sweet and fire, with just a hint of licorice from the absinthe. Pure, liquid magic. We stepped in at 10:30 on a Saturday night, Yelper Daughter tired and wanting to go back to the house, but I refused to leave NOLA this time without my Sazerac. We had a seat as the courteous gentleman behind the bar made my drink and poured YD a Coke. I tipped him one dollar for the drink and another one for insulting him by asking him to put the king of New Orleans cocktails in a go cup. And by the way, a Sazerac on an empty stomach makes for the perfect little buzz going on, and much easier review-writing!
(4)
Alex J.

Food is OK. I like the jambalaya a lot. But that's not what they're known for or what the average person is coming here for. The drinks are the thing, and maybe a little bit of history (apocryphal or not). Specifically, traditional cocktails. They are the most famous place in town, and maybe the country, to get a Pimm's Cup. Or sazeracs. The ginger mint julep is very tasty, albeit a little sweet. They have only one beer on tap, but others by the bottle. But like the food people aren't coming here for beer.
(4)
Tracy J.

My first time having a muffulatta, a favorite of the hubby. He thought it and the jambalaya he had were very good. I enjoyed my 1/4 sandwich. Tried the Primm' cup and really enjoyed that as well. We were lucky enough to get here just before the dinner rush. Food was really good but the gum chewing waiter left a bit to be desired.
(4)
T C.

Entering Napoleon House is like entering a different time! It's a casual yet calming and soothing space among all of the craziness in the French Quarter. The cocktails were delicious and cold and the food was great...especially for the price! Absolutely recommend the shrimp remoulade in an avocado and the jambalaya.
(5)
Jennifer B.

Stumbled upon this spot on our French Quarter stroll. Waitstaff is friendly and food is good. I had the tuna salad on avocado with a side of jambalaya and hubby had the meatball sub. All was good for a random lunch in NOLA. Nothing super amazing...but good ambiance.
(4)
Rev. Robert D.

Everything is pretty good We had the gumbo and the jambalaya and a Bottle of wine for lunch. And it was all good!
(3)
Anne T.

This was my first stop after a long day of travels from the Northwest. Starving and thirsty, we grabbed a table for two and our drink orders were quickly taken. We ordered the appetizer boudin to start and paired them with mint juleps- both were perfect! For lunch we ordered jambalaya, our server highly suggested a side of red beans to go with for and extra $2.50. I would have to say, of all the jambalaya and beans we had on the trip this was near the top, so delicious, balanced heat and perfectly smokey! We left full and even came back on one of our last days for another round
(5)
Darcy W.

This review is for the bar only! The BEST Pimm's cup in the quarter! I always make a stop here just to have this refreshing drink! I have tried them other places and they just don't compare! It's a really cool bar with excellent service, and great people watching!
(4)
Chad And Steph P.

Simple food done well. It appears they ate focusing on doing one sandwich at a time, right, then repeating for everyone. To those whose reviews included drivel about the staff, go back. We were treated very well by all, they must have changed. Yes it does look 200 years old, but the food is now
(4)
s. m. j.

We checked in on Facebook to Crescent City Books after just arriving in NOLA around 1 p.m. on a Saturday. A friend told us to go to Napoleon House and have a sazerac for her. We were thinking we wanted a "mild repast" before the afternoon got away from us, and we did NOT want a smokey bar or a food-themey restaurant on Bourbon Street, so we took her advice. We were thrilled! We actually walked by it a couple of times, because we were looking for it on the wrong side of the street, and it is not garish or flashy looking in its corner lot. We waited a few minutes for a table, but got right in around 2 p.m., at a table near the street. I was facing the restaurant, and when I looked out the window, I was glad. My husband's view was of some kind of loading area of a hotel, but the room in the restaurant was a feast for the eyes, a crusty, ancient feast. I should mention, I love "crust," the old, unshiny, decrepitude. All the art was of representations of Napoleon. We sat by a painting of the emperor in front of the Eiffel Tower and a Metro poster roll. :) Our waiter was very European: businesslike and professional, efficient, not friendly. I noticed that when a larger party that included some locals came and sat next to us, he was friendlier with them. He did ask us where we were from. While I was interested in trying some of the cocktails, such as a Pimm's cup or a sazerac, I was not feeling that well from the travel, so I stuck to the house wine. Friends, this was only $4.50 per glass! It was a fine, red table wine. My husband stuck with root beer, which he drinks whenever he is really thirsty. We didn't want a large meal, and though the menu was varied, we looked just at the appetizers, salads and soups, and we chose the spread sampler of three spreads: goat cheese, hummus and tapenade, which came with small toasts and pita slices. We thought the goat cheese spread was the best of the three, and it was really delicious. The hummus was fine, but the tapenade was disappointing. It was really just chopped ingredients, without enough olive oil to really bind it into a spread and consolidate the flavor. But, honestly, it all was good, and hit the spot for us as we strolled about the Quarter. I will definitely have Napoleon House on my list of places to go in the French Quarter, and next time I will try a Pimm's cup!
(4)
Karen N.

I REALLY like this piece of history!! Initially just came here for the original Pimm's Cup of course but then stayed for an appetizer. It was a balmy evening and we were still able to sit in the rear courtyard with the heaters going. It was just really nice to absorb the oldness of the building. I mean 1791 and still standing is more than impressive; do yourself a favor and read the back of the menu for a little history lesson. We wanted to eat, eat elsewhere so we just had some bruschetta. Went with the option that had caponata. The eggplant really brought a different dimension that I hadn't had before. It really turned something simple to something incredible! I am happy thinking about it. Anyway, do yourself a favor and drop in on this place. It's a great place to have a drink and be amongst some history.
(4)
Maile N.

A very cool memory of New Orleans is getting Pimm's Cup drinks at the bar or getting them to go in cool, plastic Napoleon House cups. A perfect warm weather drink. Cheers!
(4)
Laila B.

I moved away from New Orleans for a few years and on one visit back, I was craving a Pimm's Cup from Napoleon House. Maybe my taste buds changed or maybe they make them differently but it tasted like a whole bunch of cheap, pre-mixed ingredients like that powdered base used to make sour mix. If you want a real Pimm's Cup, go see Chris at Bar Uncommon at the Pere Marquette. This man is no bartender, he is a mixologist, I think he has done demos at the Smithsonian on drink mixing! You will die and go to heaven when he makes a drink for you. Anyway, love the atmosphere at Napoleon House, inside or outside in the courtyard. The food is good enough, I liked the muffaletta and the shrimp remoulade in avocado cups. I don't ever really go here except when I have people visiting from out of town and everyone enjoys it.
(4)
Betty N.

Awesome ambiance. Love the history here. Digging the background classic music. But the drink? MEH. How can anyone screw up on a vodka martini with a twist? Apparently you can . . . here.
(3)
Janette C.

We were originally heading to K Paul's, but upon finding it closed, we looked for the next place we could go that was recommended on Yelp with Gumbo. The Gumbo was delicious. Seafood based, good roux. The only problem we had with it was that there wasn't enough! It was more of a "cup" size than a bowl. I had the mufaletta while my boyfriend had the Gumbo. I order a half mufaletta. Flavour was spot on. Very good. Average amount of meat, nothing overboard. We also had the Pim's Cup for drinks. Wonderful drink on a hot day! I could imagine sitting there sipping them and reading my Nook :) All in all, great atmosphere, good food....would definately return.
(3)
Michelle N.

Jambalaya is excellent, smokey and flavorful. Muffuletta is advertised as a specialty but fairly average. Pimm's beverages are very good. The classic is lovely to drink in one of the street side tables, the ginger mint variety is very good also. Loved the atmosphere, lots of history that they've taken pains to preserve. Service wasn't amazing, but we found that to be typical for NOLA. Overall worth a stop for a cocktail and the atmosphere alone!
(4)
Terese C.

We had the best crawfish ettouffee here! Service was outstanding along with the food.
(4)
Nick H.

The Napoleon House has been around since the 1700's and is one of those classic New Orleans establishments. As you can see from some of the pictures, the interior is awesome...another reviewer described it as "old world." Prior to our trip, I hadn't heard much about the food at this place, but I did hear about the famous Pimm's Cup. We stopped in specifically for the drink and we were not disappointed. It's gin-based, with lemonade and maybe ginger ale, but I'm not sure, and served with a cucumber. A perfect summer drink. The bartender and manager were both very friendly. He (the manager) allowed us to have a seat outside so we could enjoy our drinks. Definitely will come back and try the food.
(3)
Elexa B.

It was nice to get sat with our party of 6 immediatley for lunch with good people watching on the street. The food was average and when I tried a muffaletta later during my trip from the more popular market place I was much more impressed. I wish Napolean's muffaletta had more of a kick with its olive spread. Too much bread too. The other place had a more olive oil foccacia type bread, much tastier. I thought the decor was very pretty, european and old timey. Liked the open doors and windows.
(3)
Tushar G.

You must try the Sazerac here, from the city that invented the cocktail. Great bartenders, great conversations. Can't go wrong.
(5)
Meg V.

The place deserves 5 stars just for the ambiance alone! Every time I visit New Orleans...this is on my list to do. Just brought a group of 12 girls...and they all loved it. It's dark, cozy and they play classical music in the background. The interior is GORGEOUS. The muffaletta is the way to go....along with their Pimm's Cup.
(5)
Sonya S.

We were here on a Tuesday night. The restaurant is beautiful. Old, dimly lit, romantic. The food, is just OK. I ordered a Pimm's Cup. It was totally tasteless and did not seem to contain any alcohol. Not worth the $6.50. We ordered the Cheese Plate ($8.50), the Bruschetta ($6.00), and I had the Organic Sandwich ($7.95), and my boyfriend had the Gumbo ($7.50). The cheese plate had one tasty cheese on it and the other 5 blocks were meh. 2 blocks were a dill flavored cheese and neither of us really care for Dill, so that was a disappointment. It came with a basket of toasted and regular breads which were good and there was enough to enjoy the cheese without running out. the Bruschetta was not very good. It was more like garlic bread without the garlic. French Bread cut in half and smothered with cheese, thin slices of tomato on top, and a thin thread of pesto. Sounds pretty god, but it had no flavor. My organic sandwich was good. Nice multi-grain bread, nice avocado and fresh veggies. My boyfriend said the gumbo was nice, smoky and flavorful. I thought that for $7.50 his soup was quite small. Our waiter was not very good or attentive, which is always a disappointment. But all that being said, when we go back to New Orleans again in the fall, we will likely go there again because it's pretty, and cheap for New Orleans. We will avoid the apps we ordered this time and try something different.
(3)
Cocobe L.

Coming here since 99 for The Pimms cup which is great... Muffuletta pretty darn good but everything else I have tried here, or my friends have tried sucked from a localvore point of reference. I come for the Pimms and when I could do Muffuletta's I ate those here. Been two years since I tried one here but it was good then. I tried the humus this visit it was tasty , got a soup with it that had some form of milk product in it that was icky and very processed tasting, got a salad that was horrible...If you are picky about your food just drink here, if you could careless about what you eat and where it came from you will love this place...
(2)
Katheryn A.

Delicious, yummy and tastes like New Orleans (if that makes any sense?) I had the jambalaya and I'd definitely travel back for it. I recommend getting extra wedges of lemon to drizzle on though.
(4)
Shelley V.

I cannot say enough good things about this establishment. I love the decor, the staff and those damn Pimms Cups! Good selection of food and they serve until 11:30pm. There's a courtyard if you want to sit outside and apparently the upstairs can host wedding receptions. Please do yourself a favor and come here and order a Pimms and po boy and enjoy the atmosphere.
(5)
Matthew C.

There is something cool about dining or enjoying a drink in a historic place. You will get this experience at the Napoleon House. The first occupant was the Mayor of New Orleans, but legend has it that the home was offered as a refuse to Napoleon during his exile. My advise is soak up all of that history, enjoy the classical music they play in the background, all while enjoying their house specialty - the Pimms Cup. The food will not blow you away, but there are some standouts. The bruschette is simple but delicious. If you do order this appetizer, please order it with the caponata! It is unique, delicious and adds an entirely new dimension to an otherwise simple dish. Also, I was impressed with their veal parmesan sandwich w/eggplant. The sandwich had a rich flavor and you get a great value. The size of this sandwich is quite large. In my opinion, Napoleon House is a must try when you are in the French Quarter. Do yourself a favor and at least grab a classic cocktail and enjoy the ambience!
(4)
Margaret T.

For our flight back to NYC, we decided we wanted to bring a nice, light dinner -- the Muffaletta*. Central Grocery, having hours similar to the DMV, is only open from 9-5 Tuesday - Saturday so a second choice destination had to be found. A quick poke of the Yelp app and we were at Napoleon House**. One look at the restaurant and you know that this is something kinda special. Dark walls covered in old paintings. Classical music, slightly on the somber side, being played. A lovely backyard dining area with archways and shrubbery for a sexy look. I don't know about Central but I'm pretty sure they ain't got it like this. At 2pm, we were quickly seated in the backyard per our request and ordered a Pimm's Cup ($5.50) and Diet Coke for enjoying there and a whole Muffaletta ($14) was ordered to go. I finished off the Monday NYTimes crossword and our to go order was delivered; swaddled like a newborn and ready for it's flight and eventual demise. Fast forward 4 hours. Sitting on the plane, I whip out this monster sandwich that could possibly double as a floatation device in case of emergency water landing and start nibbling. Not bad for a sandwich that's been stowed securely under the seat in front of me for so long. I thought the combination of meats were nice -- not too much that it's overwhelming and not so little that they seem stingy. The olive spread had a good amount of celery in it which gives it a refreshing crunch. I did wish the cheese was melty and the bread was warm and softer (which I'm sure it was when it was fresh) but I can't hold that against them since I chose to eat it in a pressurized cabin 20,000 feet above Tennessee. It even came with 2 pickle spears, 2 pickled peppers, and 2 olives all nicely tucked inside the wrapper. I ate half the sandwich and felt like I was going to explode like an inflatable bra during rapid decompression. So yes. Napoleon House has great atmosphere that's kinda creepy but in an elegant way. The muffaletta is an impressive sandwich that makes for a great traveling companion/pillow. I highly recommend it. ------------------ *For the uninitiated, a Muffaletta is a 3 pound sandwich that resembles a bar-stool cushion stuffed with meats, cheese, olive spread, lettuce and tomatoes. **Reading their menu informs me that Napoleon, that prima donna, never actually lived in this house though it was built specifically for him. It was so rude of him to die.
(4)
Megan H.

Pretty good spot, good food a little noisy and great setting.
(3)
Lauren R.

My family and I chose to eat here based on a few other Yelp reviews. We couldn't all decide and a place to eat while wondering the French Quarter but somehow we ended here. We waited about 10 mins for a table near an open door to the street. The place is very dark at night, but don't fret, the server will bring you a flashlight. They have a really cute courtyard area that seemed perfect for an intimate date. They are most known for their muffuletta and Pimm's Cup drink, both which we tried. The drink is definitely something special...you can't taste the alcohol AT ALL - Trouble (yes, that's with a capital T). I wasn't in the mood for Cajun food so I ordered a Caesar salad and a loaded baked potato. Weird, I know! My meal was awesome though, I wasn't disappointed. You can't really screw up a potato, although it could be loaded with more cheese. The salad had the best Caesar dressing I've ever had, upon my first bite I instantly wished I ordered the large. Not really worth a second visit but there's nothing really wrong with the place. Just kind of average.
(3)
Karen S.

This place has the best muffaletta and jambalaya in town. The muffaletta is traditional, with a large round bun and the usual ham, salami, cheese, olive salad toppings. Order a whole for 2 people and you have a meal at a bargain. It's done up nice and hot with pickle/olive garnish on the side. The jambalaya is more of the brown kind, which many locals (such as myself) prefer over the red jambalaya (a la Mother's). I've had some of their other dishes, like the cheese plate, tuna-stuffed tomato, or the spinach salad (goat cheese and nuts mmm). Good, but not memorable. The courtyard is my favorite in the city. Very pleasant surroundings, classical music being piped in...on a nice day I feel like I just can't go back to work. I find their service good overall, but not a "guarantee"...every so often you can get bogged down. Since I go here from work, time is important, so if I have a meeting at the back end I won't always risk it. That being said, I've never had a problem with the waiters. The gentlemen int he white shirts and black bowties are classic old-school New Orleans. Fantastic.
(4)
Hazel A.

Nice place to stop by for dinner. I order the jambalaya. It was very flavorful with just enough kick to it. The service was really great.. he suggested food and drink to the group and even snapped a picture for the group. The place was really darkly lit, with nice outdoor seating and large doors to open during the warmer seasons.
(3)
Scott P.

We had the most peculiar experience here... dropped in to have the Pimm's cup, because that is what you do... apparently, we got the bartender who truely couldn't give a crap. When we sat at the bar, there were only 2 other people seated in the bar. They weren't busy, at all. The bartender let us wait an excessive amount of time before taking our orders. Then we had our "okay" Pimm's cups. It was a good thing I was decompressing and going into vacation mode. We ordered another round of Pimms and the bartender forgot. At that point, the two of us were half the damn customers at the bar. I would hate to see how he handles six or eight customers! Awkwardly, we got our second round of drinks - after the bartender asked if we were sure we still wanted our drinks. I think you should check out the Napoleon House for its history and the well worn interior... regardless of how I feel about the service, I still enjoyed the ambiance.
(2)
John K.

Just an okay selection of wines. Service okay. Location pretty great.
(3)
Ryan O.

My first ever Pimm's Cup was here and because of that this place will always hold a special place in my heart / liver. My Sazerac cherry? Also broken here. Ever since my first visit I've been on the hunt to find a Pimm's Cup that would rival the one I had here. I haven't found one and I don't think I ever will. The one here is in a word: perfect. The cucumber aroma in your nasal cavity right before you take your first drink gets your senses ready for probably the most refreshing drink I've ever experienced. As for the food, I would say it is more along the lines of 3 stars. I had the muffaletta here... it was okay but I wasn't impressed. Also the bread pudding... again, it didn't blow me away. I did try the shrimp remoulade though and that was quite remarkable. In fact it was one of the better meals on my last trip. The building itself is a rickety old ramshackle of a structure. That might be due to the fact that it is over two hundred years old and for that I love it. The men's room looks like it is probably 500 years old and smells like it too but that is pretty common for the Quarter. Pro tip: If you have a large party for dinner this might be your jam. On a Thursday night at peak dinner time we were able to find a table for 6 quite easily. We would go on to find that this is nearly an insurmountable task anywhere else in the French Quarter.
(4)
jeffrey m.

Most items very good! Skip the bread pudding...very weak, shrimp remoulade poor.
(4)
Naree S.

Had a Primm drink and a muffalatte sandwhich, cool place. price was average.
(4)
Annie E.

As we walk up to this place, a guy in a horse drawn carriage yells to his tourists aboard, "The Napolean House has been around since the 1700's, they're know for their Pimm's Cup." So, of course we have to check it out. And when you get inside, it looks like it's been around that long. Which is one of the cooler things about it. Dim lighting. We order a few Pimms Cups. They were okay. Not great, but okay. Kind of like everything else we got there. To be honest, I was surprised to see it had such high ratings on yelp. Had the Shrimp Romoulade. Okay. The gumbo, not bad. I would go back to order one drink and enjoy the eerie ambiance. That's about it.
(3)
Tim K.

This place was a nightmare. Supposedly famous service, and it took us 15 minutes to get a waiter. Turns out, it had to be a bartender since the other waitstaff couldn't be bothered. Once the bartender came over to serve us, it took me far longer than expected to ask for a Pimms Cup with tonic instead of Sprite. If it were a restaurant that just got its first bottle of Pimms I may have understood. Instead, this restaurant has it listed as their signature drink. It can't be so hard to press the tonic button on the soda gun vs. the sprite button. Our meals came out nearly 30 minutes after they were ordered despite the fact all we got were sandwiches. The meal? Palatable with slight hints of flavor. Overall this restaurant was a huge disappointment.
(1)
Carolyn J.

Pimm's Cup is worth the trip! Ask to sit ij the outdoor courtyard. We ordered a spinach dip, not worth it but the chill atmosphere and refreshing cocktail outweighed the appetizer!!!
(5)
Karla g.

The Napoleon house building is rich in history and captivating in its authentic decor. It takes you back at least a hundred years. Ask your waiter to tell you about the history and you will hear a story of gangsters, prohibition, murders and hundreds of guns hidden in walls that are still being found. We were so intrigued we almost forgot we were there to eat. The food was wonderful. They serve generous portions. Try the Half Muff!
(4)
John M.

The Pimms Cup had nothing on the Victory Bar (Central Business District) and the Cheese Plate was a major slap in the face (pedantic cheeses presented with no care or joy). From this Yelper's eyes, the place is a tourist joint running on a reputation that's about as dusty and musty as the window decorations.
(2)
Michael S.

We apparently got lucky coming here on a slow weeknight. Our group of 5 was seated promptly and wait service was excellent. Got the Pimm's cup and it was great. Muffuletta sandwich was huge and tasty...others got roast beef which the waiter recommended and it did not disappoint.
(4)
Bianca K.

Prepare to wait around a lot, be ignored, feel hurried, and have your money snatched up as quickly as you place it on the table to pay the bill. We walked into Napoleon House on a mild friday afternoon ready to have a few Pimm's Cups however we where ready to walk back out again after waiting at the host table for 15 minutes without so much as a glance from a single server!! Eventually however someone took pity on us, finally made eye contact and decided to seat us... in the courtyard... at a dirty table... in the corner right in front of the service door and underneath a loud air conditioning unit... grr!! About 10 minutes later our waiter finally made his presence known, took our order (a Pimm's Cup and a beer) and delivered our drinks back to us after another 10 minutes or so... In fact come to think of it, the only thing the staff managed to do quickly was snatch up our credit card at the end... oh and a note to the servers.. its really not polite to open up the bill to check the tip while your customers are still seated at their table. If you desperately want a Pimm's Cup and don't mind leaving infuriated by all means visit Napoleon House.
(1)
Ruth W.

my rating is based on the fact that my feet did not cross the threshold after viewing the fully visible mouse/rat poison dish displayed in the window and possibly impossible to remove since it is framed in...seems to be a food prep area with poison pellets spilling out and tracked who knows where. seems like they are missing an opportunity to make a charming window display with several windows, but choose to display vermin traps and lost cutlery. no thanks.
(1)
Jimbo J.

I'm not sure how this place has become so highly rated, but this was our worst experience in New Orleans. We specifically visited this place based on Yelp reviews, and were sorely disappointed. We showed up around lunchtime on a Saturday. After a short wait in the small (but thankfully indoor & air conditioned) waiting area, we were seated on the patio. It was at that point that our (group of 4) experience began to sour. After waiting for about 10 minutes with no sign of a server, I happened to glimpse the hostess angrily pointing out our table to our assigned (I'm assuming) server. He casually walked to our table and gruffly asked if we wanted something to drink. He completely bypassed any form of a greeting, list of specials, etc. A few minutes later, he returned with some waters and dropped off (without saying anything) some menus. Since the muffaletta is supposed to be the specialty of this place, two of our party (myself included) opted for it. After about 20 minutes (during which time our server never reappeared to refresh water or for another drink order), our food appeared. The muffalettas were ok by regular standards, and bad by New Orleans standards. My main problem? Too much bread. The sandwiches weren't pressed at all, so I mostly tasted bread (which is made by the restaurant and is decent). I also had a Pimm's Cup (another specialty of the restaurant) and found it to be really watery. Our waiter promptly disappeared again, then reappeared with the check much later. After we divided up the bill and did the math for him, he returned and promptly told us that the check could only be split two ways. We adjusted our math, paid and left (he didn't bother asking us how the meal was or if we were satisfied). My guess is that this place gets a lot of business due to its proximity to Jackson Square. Do yourself a favor, and skip it entirely.
(2)
Rachel W.

Still one of my favorite places to get a drink. If I find myself in the quarter by myself, I don't hesitate for a second to go there and get a Pimm's Cup (or two..or three..) I did have an interesting food experience a couple months back which I shall share with you now. I was on a blind date, and from first meeting the guy, I wanted out of it quickly. I suggested Napoleon House to get a drink, but upon arriving, the guy announced he wanted to eat. It looked like they wanted to close but sat us anyway. Long story short, I had an okay muffaletta (better to get one at central grocery), and he ordered some shrimp avocado boat thing. Surprise Surprise, the shrimp wasn't the best, it tasted rubbery. I told my date that it tasted frozen, and he proceeded to throw me under the bus when the waiter asked if everything was okay, pointing a big finger in my face and declaring, "She said it was frozen" and refused to pay for it. I was horrified. The waiter must have picked up on my vibes and kept asking if I was okay or needed another drink, which was must appreciated. I also had a roast beef po-boy sitting at the bar another time, and it was mediocre as well, and very soggy, almost too soggy to eat. I'm gonna stick to my Pimm's Cups.
(3)
Donny N.

They are known for their Muffulettas and I enjoyed mine quite a bit but my wife thought it was too "olivey". Considering it was our first one ever, I don't know how they rank among the best in NO. Overall it wasn't spectacular but wasn't bad.
(3)
Nick M.

Do you really want to know Nawlins?? Napoleon House is Nawlins, this 200 year old landmark captures the essence of the French Quarter. It's where the mayor at the time offered Napoleon himself refuge during his exile. He never made it but they renamed the building. One of the things that I found very cool was that they play Beethoven's Eroiqua, which he composed for Napoleon and other classical composers while you enjoy your meal and or beverage. It is absolutely the best part courtyard in all of NOLA!!! And don't get me started on the perfect Pimm's Cup**. I can't say a lot about the food because I only had a Organic sandwich but it was dam good!! Our waiter was a bit rude and impatient but he was with everybody including the other staff so he must have been having a bad day. Regardless this is a must stop when you visit!!!!! ** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piâ€¦ Theirs is a British Gin, lemonade, splash of lemon-lime soda & cucumber garnish mix.
(5)
Caro M.

The food here was great! It was in such a historical building, the decor was super authentic, the lights were dim, the weather was super humid... it smelled like ghosts... but the service was shitty as fuc*! I'm talkin, the people who came into the restaurant after us got served first. That's just messed up on its own. To make matters worse, we saw a scrumptious Louisiana cockroach roll right by my foot. The sight of that was so appetizing I almost yacked all the food I just ate back onto my plate. I must admit though, the food was really good here and reasonably priced. I guess it's a "give and take" situation, huh? Bring RAID the next time you come here.
(1)
Allie K.

Tiny hole in the wall that makes THE BEST Ramos Gin Fizz.....so good that we went back for 5ths!!!
(5)
L H.

I stopped in here hungry for something authentic New Orleans and I got it. I sat at the bar and had red beans and rice that came with a small side salad. I only wish it came with 2 pieces of the sausage.. It was absolutely delicious and some of the best tasting red beans and rice I have had. The dressing on the salad was pretty good too. Slightly creamy and tangy. I think it was around 7 dollars for that little meal and after, I was perfectly full (enough so that I could go enjoy a gelato after). The bartender was so nice and attentive despite the amount of people in there. I didn't try the pimms cup and opted for a glass of wine instead. I would definitely go here again on my next visit!
(3)
Denise G.

In our ever quest of finding new places to eat in New Orleans, we stumbled on a place called Napoleon House. The menu looked like it would cover all of the food that the 6 of us were looking for. I just wanted some gumbo. I found that that the gumbo in New Orleans is fabulous and I want it with every meal. We sat down and immediately the server was rude. He obviously didn't want to be there, nor cared about his job. We started to order, then he interrupted us to speak to another server for a minute. I was already not having it. The service at most places we had been to for the trip was great, but not this place. He then came back and continued to take our order. Once the food came, he had already messed up a few orders and been rude the whole time while doing so. The food was not great. There are so many better places to eat at in the French Quarter. I sadly feel like we wasted our timel on this place. Once we were done with our meal, I noticed a Zagat sticker on their window. That is usually an indication of a great place to eat. However, in this case, the Zagat part was covered on the sticker. I found this odd and made me think this place was a joke. I will never go here again and I don't suggest that anyone try it either.
(1)
La B.

it's a charming spot, the decor is a nice historical journey and there is outdoor seating. Lots of places to post/lock your bike. Could be good for large crowds on days that are not super busy. We went after one of the parades, it was later in the evening and we had a meatball sandwich and a muffalatta. Both large enough we had enough to take home for a snack later. The staff are thoughtful and it's not too loud. This is a spot lost of tourists may stop into or local folks come to meet up with old friends. It was a good choice for us to grab some food and relax after parading all day. Menu is a bit limited and there doesnt seem to be much dessert that I can recall available.
(3)
Liz B.

My boyfriend and I were down in the French Quarter this past Saturday night for the French Quarter Festival. We heard about this place from some friends and decided to see for ourselves. For a Saturday night (around 8:30pm) the wait was not bad at all! We sat in the dark bar area were promptly waited on. I loved this historic building and classical music playing in the background. If I were to go back, I would request to sit in the garden-courtyard, which looked so lovely at night with a nice breeze. My boyfriend got a Pimm's cup, ham poor boy, and jambalaya and loved every bit of it. I got the red beans and rice which included a good hunk of french bread and small side salad. Delicious! What an incredible deal this place was! Our total bill was around $20. I would absolutely go back, if not for the atmosphere, for the amazing deal on great New Orleans food.
(4)
Stephanie V.

Napoleon House was really the turd on our trip. The server was such a dick - I'm not sure that he could have tried any harder to show us how disinterested he was. We struggled to get service out of him. I ordered a muffaletta because I really wanted one and had read reviews that this place was comparable to Central Grocery, if not better. Anyway, that was a lie. Muffaletta was pathetic. Bread was too big, too soft (and somehow still dry), barely any meat, and the tapende was scant and flavorless. The jambalaya was pretty good. But I was so disappointed with the service and sandwich, not even good jambalaya could redeem this experience. Such a bummer. Save your money, go elsewhere.
(1)
Jeff O.

On a one night stop in New Orleans, we decided to stop here for dinner... This restaurant captured the French Quarter experience for me. A historical house that's been around for hundreds of years, and converted to a restaurant in the early 1900's, Nap House has a cool charm that can overwhelm. The dining area is classy without being obnoxious or elite. Weathered walls, clever accents and antiques adorn the place. Servers wear bowties and black n' white attire. But the food and pricing is very reasonable. I tried several items... The best thing I had was the Muffaletta. It was, in my mind, nearly perfect. The boudin, jambalaya, and pates were tasty but not mind blowing. There is a lovely patio outside for a more romantic setting. Classical music plays while you eat or drink. I loved that. A cool place to check out if you're in the Big Easy.
(4)
Kellie A.

Pim's Cup was DELICIOUS. Atmosphere was very New Orleans - old, dark, moody, gothic. Unfortunately the service, as noted in many reviews, was TERRIBLE. I was ready to walk out after not even been greeted by anyone for over 15 minutes (yes, I timed it) aside from a busser who gave us water. We stood at the host table for a few minutes with no acknowledgement by staff that did not seem terribly busy. It was a Friday night but nobody else was waiting and a couple of tables were empty. Staff would just stroll by and say nothing. Finally the older gentleman host seated us. We tried to get his attention after 15 minutes of sitting because we didn't know who our waiter was. He looked at us and looked away. The waiter working the room, who refused to look at our table or make any eye contact with us strolled up at his leisure and asked what we wanted to order. Service after that was slow. Nobody asked how our food was. Nobody brought drink refills. The best part - at the end of the night as I was standing up and putting my coat on, the server came up to us, said "I need this", took my signed receipt out of the receipt book, looked at it. put it back down on the table and snatched the book away. I don't need to be fawned over by any means. And maybe they hate women.. I noticed the single man sitting next to us had two people tripping over themselves to serve him. But this is literally the WORST SERVICE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED. Yes, we should have left. My friend wouldn't let me as she wanted Pimm's Cup from here. Of course I'll never go back and not recommend it. All they need are a few new servers who care about being in the service industry and it'll be a great dining destination.
(1)
Rick F.

To experience the true New Orleans Mufaleta you have to have one at the best place in The Big Easy, Napoleon House. The history of the place is well worth the visit. It was apparently built around 1797 and expanded in 1815 as the intended residence of Napoleon Bonaparte. He never came, apparently remaining exiled in Elba, but the history stuck and on entering you are instantly carried back to the end of the 18th century with the decor and interior of a house more than 200 years old. The Mufaleta is great, so much so it is offered in 1/4, 1/2 and whole sizes. I had a 1/4 with a side "portion" of jambalaya and a Stella Artois beer a perfect combo on a pleasant spring day. We sat in the patio in back but the two other rooms are delightful and reminescent of the early 1800's.
(4)
Lisa W.

The last two po-boys I had here were unspeakably poor. The salad I had two days ago was just okay. But the service! Oh my God, the service...when I ate here last weekend, the waiter actually shouted at me and flung the menu in my face when I asked a question, in which I had not taken an ugly tone. His response was so rude and over-the-top, my dining partners were embarrassed for me and I was humiliated. He was also incredibly rude to my friend when she asked him to adjust the fan setting. It was quite obvious that this place's only objective was to turn over our table and get us the hell out for the lunch rush. I have tried to give them the benefit of the doubt on three occasions now. But I will never, never, never set foot in this restaurant again. I will never recommend it to anyone. And even if out of town guests want to eat here, which is the only reason I was there recently, I will not agree to accompany them. It breaks my heart that such a once-great place has devolved so spectacularly.
(1)
Stephen W.

We went there for lunch to try the warm muffaletta that I saw on Food Network. I guess it is an acquired taste. I thought it was disgusting. Just horrible. Mine was not even assemble right--the bread was too small and only covered half the meat, so the olive spread fell out all over. The wife liked hers. I am giving it two stars because our waiter was a cool guy and got us in and out under a time constraint. The place is super busy at lunch so they must be doing something right, but IMHO it is not the warm muffaletta.
(2)
Sean S.

Order the muffaletta. And a sazerac. That's what I did and I had one of the greatest meals of my life.
(5)
Erika M.

great location, fun history and decent food and drinks. Meatball sub was a little dry, but the mufaletta was delicious according to my friend. Will definitely go back again.
(4)
Sarah F.

This is hands down my favorite bar in the world. Quaint, quiet, a cool escape from steamy Chartres St, I always get the Pimm's cup.
(5)
Johnny L.

I was there the weekend before Mard Gras 2012 ended. Excellent red beans and rice! Love the atmosphere. Sat indoors. Took a walk around and notice the European structures throughout the place. Not expensive at all! Try going, you may actually fall in love with the place.
(4)
Rob S.

Evey thing here was pretty good until I found half a receipt at the bottom of the plate. I can only guess that the other half was at the bottom of my stomach. There was no explanation and no apology.
(2)
Helen V.

Their catering menu is definitely a lot different than their menu. Or at least when I went back for dining in, I was trying to find the alligator sausage that was served but couldn't find it. They also had a yummy spaghetti for the cocktail party I was at. That was not on the menu either. They also had calamari at the event which was also not listed on the regular menu. I had stopped by there 2 days later to eat but nothing seemed as appealing to me. I had their boudin sausage which I've never had boudin sausage before. Not a fan...it might be I just don't like boudin sausage in general, but definitely left a funny taste in my mouth...
(4)
Maura B.

Once upon a time, there was an adventure game This adventure game was called "Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers," and Young Maura B. played this adventure game through something like six times. She was enthralled by the atmosphere, the characters, the complex storyline, and above all, the sense of place. This magical adventure game was set in pre-K New Orleans. So when Maura B. started taking trips there, she decided to visit as many of the game locations as she could. Gabriel Knight Bingo, she called it. Napoleon House is the site of a puzzle in the first half of the game. Maura B. happened upon it in the middle of some of the hottest weather ever recorded in New Orleans, and though she'd planned ahead and worn a nice sundress, she was still more than ready for a Pimm's Cup. She entered Napoleon House in the early afternoon and was greeted kindly by a busman and shown to a little table in the corner, where she discovered just how refreshing those Pimm's Cups are. Since it was still sort of lunchtime, she ordered a quarter muffuletta and a green salad. Maura B. had forgotten what she'd read, which was that Napoleon House is about the only place in town that serves muffulettas HOT. And darned if she didn't really like it that way, with the melty cheese intensifying that briny oily olive relish. Her salad was fresh and crisp too. When it was time to leave, the nice man who'd seated her sent her on her way with a smile and a handshake, and she promised to return for another Pimm's Cup. Well, she didn't make it back before she had to go back to wherever she came from. Which means she'll just have to make another trip.
(4)
Matthew L.

Plus +Mario makes the best Bloody Mary's and Pimm's Cups on the planet +The muffuletta and jambalaya are made to perfection +the setting is rustic and unadulterated Minuses -none.
(5)
Kelly S.

This place will transport you to another time and place. It is one of my favorite spots in New Orleans. I have never eaten a meal here. My favorite time to go is after dinner for drinks and dessert. It is, in my opinion, one of the best spots in the world to just sit, drink, and watch the world go by.
(5)
Chris and Tami T.

When our waiter dropped off our check he said "Meow." We spent a majority of our meal talking about people who talk about cats. I mean, we don't talk about cats. But some people do. It's whatever. We drank Pimm's Cups. We ate a cheese plate and sat in a dark corner. Nobody knew we were there except for our waiter whom we granted special access to in order to be waited on. This was the same for everybody around us. The food isn't special, but everything else is pretty much the most special thing in the world. I'll never forget the way the waiter said "Meow" when he dropped our check. We don't talk about cats, but can you imagine how magical this would be if we did? One of these days we're going to be at Napoleon House every day.
(4)
Laura F.

Excellent location. Stellar bartender. Awesome drinks. Great vibe. This bar was a block away from our hotel, so needless to say it was convenient which can have a tendency to be a tourist trap. Not Napolean's. This place attracts friendly locals as well. I'll definitely be back next go-round.
(5)
Rodney B.

The Pims Cup here isn't the best in the city, they don't muddle the cucumber and that is just wrong in my book...
(2)
Derrick L.

Pimm's cup & muffaletta via Joey Stauffer
(4)
Carlos P.

We stumbled on to this place as we walked the French Quarter looking for a lunch spot. It was worth the stumble. I had the Madrid sandwich and it was delicious. I loved the touch of black beans in the sandwich which gave it a spicy little kick. My friends ordered the Jambalaya, a generous portion too, and everyone was satisfied with it. The place itself is gothically gorgeous. We sat in the patio outside and enjoyed the afternoon with our delicious food.
(5)
Napoleon V.

This is the house that Napoleon would have lived in if he came to New Orleans. The food here is good but it's the ambience, just very comfortable and everything works. Muffalettas are good!
(4)
Melissa G.

Pimm's Cup is the real deal, obviously. I am a convert, which is problematic, because most bars don't have Pimm's, nor the fixings for a dark'n'stormy, which is my other drink. Also, these Pimm's are creepers, in the best way. Daytime drinking that doesn't feel guilty. Also, the cold-smoked chickpea hummus is beyond amazing. If I lived here again I would come here and enjoy bottomless Pimm's Cups and hummus every single day. This aspiration is closer to being a feasible reality in New Orleans than in any other city!
(4)
Mandy H.

Absolutely charming patio/courtyard area. I felt like I was transported into old world New Orleans when I stepped in this place. The food was good - especially the boudin. I wasn't a huge fan of their muffaletta - I am partial to Central Grocery's less cheese, more olive salad version. The Pimms Cup is a must on a hot summer night.
(4)
Vincent R.

Greatest Bar in New Orleans and One of America's and The World's "Great Watering-Holes" I just Love it, and usually make at least 3 stops here every time in this Wonderful City on The Mighty Mississippi. The Pimms Cup is the House Drink and Napoleon House the # 1 Place to get it in the World. The ambiance is beyond compare "Wonderful" here in this 200 Year Old French Building that was built by Mayor Girod for The Exiled Emperor Napoleon who was supposed to live out the remainder of his life in Exile in this building built for him by The New Orleans Mayor. Napoleon never made it, he died in exile on the Island of Elba off the Tuscan Coast in Italy. Great drinks, not the greatest food but good-enough and at good prices, and the Charming Old Ambiance that has changed, more than makes up for any minor deficiencies in the kitchen .. When in New Orleans Napoleon House is a "Must Do" along with Cafe du Monde near by for Beignets & Cafe Creme, and a stop at Galatoire's to round out your Big Easy Bucket List.
(5)
Dana D.

This is a great spot to hang out with the girlfriends, family, or boyfriend to enjoy a Pimm's Cup and appetizers. My personal fave is the cheese board- comes with 6 cheeses, bread, apples, and pepperoni. The Pimm's Cup is so refreshing in the summer heat, especially out in the courtyard patio. It doesn't feel like you are in the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, it's pleasantly surprising because it's hard to escape feeling 'touristy' in the French Quarter sometimes. Sometimes the service is a little slow, but always courteous.
(4)
K S.

So I've been here a number of times over the years, and it's where I like to go when I want a little something and to relax in the courtyard. My waiter is usually a character and always engaging. I can't help it, but I always get the rebbeans, which comes with sausage (red beans and rice.) A little bit of hot sauce and I'm ready to go! I like that it's not the gut-busting portions for which America has become known. My friends and family often order the muffaletta, which can be ordered in quarter, half, and whole portions. (Note: whole = whole size of your head.) It's so great to get a local beer or one of their famous original cocktails. The bar and the courtyard are both just nice places to sit and relax. It won't bust your budget, either. This is the place built for Napoleon by his sympathizers when they wanted to bring him to the United States. He died in exile and never saw it.
(4)
Dustin P.

My lady friend and I, whilst wandering the area, chanced upon the Napoleon House a few days ago. On reviewing the menu, we were pleased to see that it was both affordable and had a nice range of delicious looking foods. With great anticipation, we went in. That, clearly, was the first mistake. After waiting some time, we placed our order - gumbo for my lady friend, a reuben for myself. Eagerly, we sat back and waited for our food to come. And we waited. In a restaurant with 3-5 tables out of a slew filled, we waited. The sun rose higher, and we waited. Ents had a moot, and we still waited. I grew a full beard, and, still, we waited. To be fair, it was about half an hour total. Still, for a full staff and virtually no patrons, this seemed a bit absurd. Then, as our order arrived, we understood, at last, the cruel joke we were the butt of. I'm a large fellow. I enjoy food. I enjoy reubens. What I got was something more akin to a larval stage reuben. At some point, if allowed to thrive, it may have become something sizeable enough to be called a sandwich. As it was, the alleged sandwich was roughly 4"x5", similar in proportion to Wonder Bread. To really add glamor to the experience, the good folk served it to me using the heel of the loaf. I, clearly, was in an ecstasy of fine dining. The gumbo, while tasty, was also about 1-1.5 cups total volume. I say it was tasty, though, really, we're working on conjecture; I'm not sure that it was actually enough to coat all the regions of the tongue. Perhaps it was bitter. We'll never know. I think, on reviewing our time at the Napoleon House, that several questions were raised as to how it remains in business, hasn't been burned down, and how the waiters survive on what must be quite meager tips. It did, however, clear up why Napoleon died in exile - better death alone than any real association with this atrocity in restaurant form.
(1)
Jessica K.

We had fine service, quick and attendtive, if only a bit snobby, but we suffered no consequences of his snobbery so that's fine. I had the Corsican salad, which was quite good, and a baked potato (they didn't have many vegetarian options but enough to make a meal out of... a handful of salads, baked potato, appetizers) and my sister had a grilled chicken sandwich that she didn't really care for (it had something gravy-like on it that wasn't mentioned on the menu). She really liked the jambalaya. The place was pretty interesting, too. The patio looked nice, potentially romantic, and sitting in a cubby with a loved one would probably make for a nice evening. I wouldn't go back, considering there are so many choices and we're only here for so long, but I think it's a solid dinner choice.
(4)
Maggie H.

We loved the Napoleon House! So there wasn't any one things that makes the Napoleon House stick out in my mind as one of our better experiences in NOLA. However, there are a couple things that I will point out: First, the service that we received was great. Our waiter was attentive but not annoying and he had a great attitude about the chaos that was happening around him. We found ourselves chatting with him throughout our time there. Second, the Pimm's Cup was a great signature drink. I would never think to order this drink somewhere, but it didn't disappoint. A Pimm's Cup is gin, lemonade, sprite, and a cucumber garnish-doesn't sound like it would mix well but somehow it does. Third, the atmosphere was super fun. There are different colored lamps, writing all over the walls, and little nooks to sit in. The food was ok, nothing super awesome. However, as a bar Napoleons was awesome and I will be returning.
(4)
Alison C.

Walking into the Napoleon House is akin to entering a time machine. The restaurant was founded in 1797, and the decor still provides an old fashioned, traditional vibe. The host even maintains the olden times feeling with his handlebar mustache. Busy lunch hour lines wrap around the corner, as service can be a bit slow. While this mainstay has a dedicated local following, its French Quarter location draws many tourists. The small bar entices impatient patrons from their spot on the line, causing them to pull up a wooden bar stool and enjoying a classic cocktail. Dining is available in the pub area, in the neighboring dining room, or out on the beautiful garden patio. After a minor fifteen minute wait, my friend and I were seated at a small, round table near the bar. We decided to celebrate our first day in New Orleans with a lunchtime drink. My house specialty Pimms Cup was a tart blend of gin, lemonade, Sprite, and fresh cucumber. The cocktail was very refreshing and a perfect treat in the warm weather. For lunch, we opted for the renown muffuletta sandwich (ham, Genoa salami, pastrami, Swiss cheese, provolone cheese, and homemade olive salad served on doughy Italian bread). This was our first muffuletta, so we had little to compare it to at the time. Initially, I loved the savory meat and cheese blend. I found the light olive salad a terrific accompaniment. My friend, however, thought the sandwich was missing something. Looking back now, after my trip and another muffuletta tasting, I can agree with that. The bread was actually dry, and some additional salt and pepper would have improved the meal. I did like the fact that the olive salad was less oily than most, though. The olive flavor was still there, but in a more subtle way. One important thing to note is that the restaurant offers this delicacy in both full, half, and quarter sizes. The menu states that the full serves two people, while the half serves just one. However, the half is definitely enough for two as well (see picture). The Napoleon House Bar & Cafe serves up a muffuletta-ish full size of classic New Orleans that will delight tourists and locals alike.
(4)
Lauren H.

I went a few days ago to find the worst meal in NOLA. I couldn't eat the pork sandwich because the meat was beyond dry and the sauce was flavorless. The gumbo was served with half of a very old and inedible crab that also had to be spat out. There was a huge wait at the door and I wanted to warn everyone to leave. The building is old and full of character, but it's not worth the "food."
(1)
Clarence J.

This is an interesting place. It's got an old, 'beat-down' vibe, in a solid old city type of way. The exposed brick walls and sagging wooden plank ceiling add to the feel. Service-wise, it suffered though. The staff was less than friendly, especially compared with everywhere else I went in New Orleans, and didn't seem very knowledgeable about their food or drinks. I ended up only having drinks here -- which seemed to be the case for most customers when I was there -- so I can't speak to the food at all, but the drinks were okay. People rave almost as much about the Napoleon House's Pimms Cup as they do it's history, but I didn't think there was anything special about theirs vs. anyone else's in the Quarter. To me, I'd suggest dropping by for a quick drink for the history of the place and then moving on to the next joint.
(2)
Loiosh T.

Lemme sum up: Very good food, excellent service, great atmosphere I love The Napoleon House because it doesn't try to be something it's not. Over the years, they haven't changed a THING, which is precisely why I enjoy coming here. The quality of the food remains consistently satisfying, the staff is always demure but attentive, and when I walk in the door off the corner, it's like the day I first visited years ago. The decor appeals to me. Old world, chipping plaster over stonework walls and dark hardwood furniture make the interior room feel like you're in WWII Europe. The front room is dark except for the sun that comes in through the street side windows. There is an interior courtyard, like all good New Orleans buildings, and another interior side room that is more modern. However, I prefer sitting at the polished hardwood bar. Ambient music is classical and played softly. Various pictures scattered across the walls complete the old world decor and give you a feeling of being people-watched by folks long gone. The food and drink at Napoleon House are not over the top. If you want to stuff your face with po' boys that are spilling their contents over your shirt, then I suggest somewhere else. If you want a tasty gumbo, jambalaya, or muffaletta, you've come to the right spot. I order the cup of jambalaya and quarter muffaletta so I'll have room for the fresh fruit plate and scoop of mango ice at the end of the meal. Perfect combo for a summertime visit! The Pimm's cup is refreshing, but I like to sip my pouilly fuisse, if Mario happens to find a bottle. Speaking of whom, my compliments to Mario. If you are fortunate enough to be seated at the bar, you may get a chance to see some real bartending. Mario is adept, professional, and efficient. It takes more than a couple of visits to crack his polished calm, but he remembers regulars. I appreciate someone who can manage busy house orders yet still keep an eye out for the slightest need of their own bar clientele. Napoleon House can be packed. Let's not kid ourselves, here...it gets a lot of press and tourists tend to flock to it around the standard lunch times. Do yourself a favor and hit it after the typical lunch rush so you won't be standing around waiting for a table or bar space. Napoleon House has become my personal refuge when I'm visiting The Big Easy. Old world feel and classic themes give the building a real presence. The blending of French, Italian, and Cajun cuisine is a beautiful thing. Don't make Bonaparte's mistake or you'll miss out on a good time.
(5)
Melanie J.

Decent place. Pims cup was great - too bad I thought bartender was somewhat rude.
(3)
Jen L.

Outstanding atmosphere, yummy cocktails and great snacks. But then again, I have a special affinity for Napoleon House. In the 1930s there were apartments on the upper floors (the 1st floor was a grocery not a bar). My grandparents lived on the 3rd floor when they were 1st married. And if you give my mother a few sips of an adult beverage, she will giggle that she was conceived there. It's her only dirty joke.
(5)
Blythe Z.

I visited here last week for lunch and it was just lovely. Had my fist PIMMS CUP - so great, It was truly a refreshing drink. I loved it. It looks close to a Long Island Iced Tea - but so much better... however you couldn't pay me to eat the cucumber garnish - haha. The weather had just warmed up a lil and we were able to eat in their court yard. So beautiful! I'd give it a full 5 starts if their bathrooms were better - pretty icky.... but I wasn't going to let that ruin my fantastic lunch before heading to the airport to travel back to a chilly Chicago. The place was truly beautiful place with lots of history. The food was good, and our service was spot on.
(4)
Doug W.

Poor service was more of a stand-out than the food. The food was average at best. My po-boy was served luke-warm. The jambalaya was an f-ing joke. It tasted like week-old blandness. Someone should be embarrassed. I'd never go back, except it is very cheap, so the above problems are forgivable.
(2)
Kim S.

We headed into Napoleon House for a late dinner on Friday night. The server, hostess, and even the busser and other kitchen staff we saw were *very* friendly. There was a ton of atmosphere, and it was really lovely outside on the patio. There were nice fans that kept the air moving, and it was pretty much perfect. Great Pimm's Cups, good Roast Beef Po-Boy with Debris, and all affordable. Everything was fine, until we noticed the giant cockroach crawling around on the brick wall over the fountain. I was willing to not let it strongly influence my rating here on Yelp, like maybe a star or two off. We actually were fairly entertained by the giant thing cruising around while we were sitting there waiting for the bill. After we handed over the credit card, and a large RAT ran into the patio from the nearby alley and headed straight for the kitchen, I decided I had to remove some more stars. My boyfriend thought that without the cockroach AND rat, it would have been a 4.5 evening at Napoleon House. Sorry kids, I'll give you a rat OR a cockroach, but BOTH?!!? No thanks, you're getting a 1 star review now. Wish I could love you, but major infestations (even in New Orleans) are too much for me. The food was good, but I couldn't help but wonder how many bugs were in it....
(1)
Michele G.

The muffaletta did not live up to the USA today review. It lacked flavor quality was not good and it had very little cheese or meat. Bread was stale. Service was slow and unattentive. Central grocery is way better.
(1)
J T.

Excellent 1st stop on our trip, just getting in from the flight, we took a walk and hit this restaurant and pub and picked a winner. It was a small meal just to hold-us-over to continue our first day, but so well worth the stop. Salad and Lunch menu satisfied us. Atmosphere of old, old New Orleans wonderful. Learned about the history of the place later on our trip, and only enhanced our memory!
(4)
Jeremy S.

The food is alright and the service isn't so great, but that isn't what you come to Napoleon House for anyhow. You come for the ambience. Napoleon House feels like it's facade is falling down around you, but that's just part of it's charm. It's maintained, but you can see it's age. They serve drinks here, including new orleans classics like Mint Juliep and Pimms Cup's, but they also have standard bar offerings as well as a small wine list. The food isn't amazing, but there are some surprising little gems on the menu (the organic sandwich is out of place, but really good). They aren't open too late, but in my opinion, the best time to come is in the afternoon anyhow. Take a break in the middle of the day and sit in the courtyard or one of the window seats and have a drink.
(3)
Jonas S.

Muffaletta was DELICIOUS-every flavor exceeded expectations,...music provided perfect ambiance. Special request of "no pork-all pastami" muffaletta was greeted with a friendly smile and tone of surprise when we told them other restaurants in the area had REFUSED. DEFINITELY WOULD come here again-ANYTIME.
(5)
seth w.

I had a quick acceptable drink here with a colleague from work, tipped well enough for two drinks ($3.00). As we were finishing up we ran into some other friends that were in town for the same job said our greetings and took off. After we left the bar tender informed our friends that we didn't pay our bill and tried to con them out of more money. I do not appreciate thieves nor con artists, of which the bartender most certainly acted as. Hopefully this bar can clean up it's good name.
(1)
Rory H.

This classy landmark's old patio / courtyard with stone floors and fountains transported me to days of lounging in Southern Europe. The fans that blew the sweat beads off my face made the heat bearable. I ordered a muffuletta and was glad I did. The melted cheese toned down the olive salad which typically overpowers the famous sandwich. I ended my meal with a chilled Saz that hit the spot.
(4)
Brian L.

Ordered Muffuletta-yummy where have you been all my life pimm's cup-its different than a british pimms cup in that it doesn't use pimm's but its very refreshing i think it too weak though sazerack-never had this but probably won't get it again mint julep-they made it crap braught in the wrong type of glass crap burbon ice was done wrong kitchy atmosphere must sit in the courtyard! Service was A+
(4)
Sharece B.

I'm sure this old, beautiful bar has more to offer than an Italian Po-Boy, but that's what I ordered here and it was delicious. I topped if off with a bottle of Abita Amber and called it good. They were starting to film a movie in the street outside Napoleon House and our waiter informed us that at one point Gene Hackman sat at our table. It's a busy place. The wait is long and the tables are scarce. I'd plan your stop at the Napoleon House. Make sure you're not starving because it may take a while to get your food.
(5)
Christopher W.

Good atmosphere, good staff, good food. Roast beef poboy is a must.
(4)
Scott B.

Napoleon House is like your rich uncle that makes an appearance at Thanksgiving. A distinguished member of your family, who's absence would be noticed so he's sitting over there in a corner, drinking your booze, aloof and bored. You have small talk, but he misses the chance to engage. We got muffalettas that were ok, but made me wish we went to Central Grocery. Our server went AWOL for a bit. I did notice the same waiter left another table's drinks at the bar and they had to ask another server to retrieve them. Oh well, we are in New Orleans often and we will remember next time.
(2)
Lyn P.

This is the place for a Pimm's Cup in NOLA but I can't say that I was overly impressed with the food. I actually hated their muffaleta - mostly because I hate celery and they actually use it in their olive salad. Yuck. I also had their charcuterie plate, which was decent, but they way they serve the bread kinda sucks for charcuterie - they need bigger/sturdier pieces. I dug the character of the place and our service was fine, but I wouldn't come back to eat here - definitely more of a drinking spot in my book.
(3)
Derek W.

We just went for drinks but Napoleon House is a old restaurant downtown. The pimms cup is awesome. Perfect for hot nights. The bruschetta was also good. Cool atmosphere with open doors and windows.
(4)
Brooks ..

Napoleon House serves food, but to think of it as dining "destination" is to do the place a disservice. It's an atmospheric bar that serves pub grub. I never eat there, yet it remains my favorite mellow haunt in the often boisterous French Quarter. I go for a Sazerac or a couple of Pimm's Cups, and only in the quiet off-hours. For maximum effect, stop in on a rainy afternoon after the lunch crowds depart (say, between 3:00-5:00 p.m.). Order a drink, and soak up the timeless atmosphere. Napoleon House is old, old New Orleans, and feels like it. I owe my existence to Napoleon House. In 1945 (at the urging of the bartender) my young and tipsy parents took a taxi from Napoleon House to City Hall and tied the knot. : )
(5)
Russell W.

Muffalettas are delicious. They don't have as much olive flavor as most and the bread is awesome. The Pimm's cup is a great summer drink. It's got Pimm's No. 1 (a gin-based drink), lemonade, lemon-lime soda, and cucumbers in it. It tastes like an awesome lemonade. The seating area surprised me. they have a charming courtyard area to sit in. I'll definitely be coming back here.
(4)
Pat D.

Was on a quick trip to NO and had to have a muffuletta - but Central Grocery was closed. Made the mistake of believing reviews that said Napoleon House made an acceptable alternative. Not. Their sandwhich bears no relationship to the real thing - dry, flavorless. The 4 stars? For the Pimms Cup. - the absolute best - go and sit at the bar and have one or two- for early lunch - skip the food - sets the tone for the rest of the day.
(4)
Nicole J.

The food was reasonably priced. The atmosphere was very charming. The traditional Pimms cup drink was a bit too sweet. The pasta salad was mediocre tasting. The gumbo was not memorable, but did taste good. The waiter did make us feel very welcome.
(3)
Nemo F.

Good tastes authentic, homemade and fresh. Louisiana Pesto Pasta Salad was a little hard (not cooked enough), but the Jambalaya was delicious, and so was the Red Beans and Rice. The Pimms cups were very refreshing as well. Atmosphere is relaxed, great service, great price for the portions. Highly recommend!
(5)
Ariel M.

Tasty Tasty Pimm's Cup and it wasn't made by Mario so I really wanna go back and try one made by him-he's there during the day btw. I'm only giving it 3 stars because the bartender kept pushing us for a tip even though we weren't done with our drink...How rude!!! (in my Stephanie Tanner voice). He was kind enough to let us know that the kitchen was closed right when we got there so not to expect any hot plate items so I appreciated that. The Pimm's Cup is the only thing we tried because we were super turned off by the bartender's attitude. Immediately after making our drink he said, "what no tip?!" Then he returned at least one once more to check if we left one... In NOLA I feel the need to leave a good tip but I just left $1 and he was VERY thankful. I was sooo confused by this character. Maybe people don't tip but I always leave a tip especially when they make a TASTY yet strong drink! I'll be back for Mario!
(3)
David K.

Fun in the French Quarter with Daniel G. continued into the next day. I was asleep while he was out and about taking pictures and exploring. Rise and shine! Time for lunch. He suggested meeting here, so I found my way a few blocks down and we ate outside. For a mildly humid Saturday, eating outside wasn't too bad and there was a nice breeze in the courtyard. I wanted something truly New Orleans and the server recommended two really awesome dishes combined. I had the shrimp remoulade stuffed avocado salad and a bowl of jambalaya. Add a Pimm's Cup and it was perfection! Thumbs up for the people watching. I think Daniel and I both had a few good glances, although he was much more interested in the architecture. It was Loyola's graduation, so there were a few parties that made me smile. There were also typical tourists (aside from his camera, I think we fit in) that me us cringe. Overall a good blend. Oh, and thanks for the great compliment from the staff as we were leaving - apparently we're the new Depeche Mode. Spotted again! :)
(4)
Dennis C.

We ate lunch here on Oct. 27, 2014. Great place for mid-day cocktails and lunch. We have always favored the muffuletta sandwich (a whole sandwich is good to split between two people). While still a good sandwich, better muffulettas can be found elsewhere in the French Quarter (the best we found is at Cafe Maspero near the river -- far more meat on the sandwich). However, nothing beats the atmosphere of Napolean House, and its fascinating history. Again, great place for a mid-day cocktail, ok for a meal.
(3)
Ted S.

13 years ago I stumbled upon this place and ordered my first muffuletta, which my wife and I declared the best sandwich ever. Fast forward to a dry, dense loaf of bread with too much olive spread and a masked layer of meat. This, granted, was cold. Years ago we had their hot sandwich, which we've been thinking about ever since. This was a serious disappointment. Stick with the hot sandwich. Maybe that's still good. On a side note, this place has great ambiance, and the service was good.
(2)
Adam C.

Skip this place. While on our Honeymoon we ducked in to what looked like a fun place to eat. It's mainly Italian fare but we ordered the gumbo and jambalaya because we were in New Orleans. The half crab hanging out of the gumbo was black and silver. The jambalaya was terrible. Food poisoning plagued the rest of our trip.
(1)
Scott S.

Very nice and affordable place to eat in New Orleans. Great Pims cups!
(4)
John A.

Gotta say this was one of my fav's. The Muffuletta was great - as it didn't taste too "olive". The Bourbon Milk Punch had the potential to be very dangerous (and fattening). Also tried the gumbo - but it didn't impress.
(4)
Angela P.

There was a huge crowd outside for lunch when they opened, so we kept walking past and decided to go back later. Later, there were still people milling around outside, but we easily got 2 seats at the bar. So don't allow the crowd outside to mislead you: I guess they were just standing around, loitering, or waiting for a table. I really have no idea. Napoleon made the list as a "must see historic bar," although I'd forgotten the importance of it until we ordered. That's right, they do the Pimm's Cup, and they do it well! Very light and refreshing drink, I could've drank these all day. There isn't much to look at here, and there isn't much to take pictures of, but take note of the Napoleon bust behind the bar and the worn walls. They didn't try to make that shabby chic, it's just shabby and old, which adds to it's charm. Know what you want to drink before the bartender approaches. He was very impatient with me and my husband. We didn't "himm and haww" over the drinks, but he gruffly told us to just get the Pimm's because that's what they were known for. We certainly didn't regret it, but I certainly didn't appreciate the cranky old man 'tude. Have a Pimm's and GTFO.
(4)
Joann K.

A Pimm's Cup is one of New Orleans most famous drinks. If you want a good Pimm's Cup, you will find one here. The bartenders know what they are doing. Just be careful because they go down real easy.
(4)
Jo El S.

The Napoleon House on Charles Street has an interesting back story. It was created in 1814 as a haven for Napoleon Bonaparte after his exile, unfortunately, he never stepped foot in his namesake and now the The Napoleon House is *also* known for two cocktails, Brandy Milk Punch and a Pimms Cup! I had never had a Brandy Milk Punch before and what better way to have my first taste than in his historic building with such a rich history. Unfortunately, we weren't able to sit in the garden which affected the ambiance of our meal dramatically (but we were also just grateful to get off our feet after a long tour that morning.) While my first Brandy Milk Punch was good I recreated it at home later and I like mine better. I also was disappointed with the Pimms Cup, I have had better in London. They were "nice" drinks but in the town that INVENTED the cocktail, I excepted more. I hear the Sazerac is good so I *might* give it another try on my next time in town and I will make sure I sit in the garden as well.....that or just hit up Cafe Adelaide and the Swizzle Stick Bar or The Commander's Palace for their 25 cent Martini's lunches!
(2)
Kurt N.

My first thought when I stepped in here was that Imagineering had to have been here when they designed New Orleans Square and Adventureland. We were seated in the courtyard and it was really neat even though it was a tad rainy. I had the Muffaletta and the Pimm's Cup, and for the $14 I spent, was really impressed. The waiter was attentive but not too much so, and the food excellent.
(4)
Ken K.

It was busy on Saturday around 1 pm. The hostess was either over stressed, or just not the right person for the job. Interpersonal skills were a bit off on this day. We live in Florida in a tourist area....we understand what its like to work in a tourist place....still, a person just has to learn how to manage tourists, or choose a different job - just saying. Mario at the bar is a great guy, and we chatted about what it's like to work in a touristy spot - he is a gem, and he makes a great Pimm's Cup - the reason for our visit. We checked that box, and moved on to the St. Louis Cemetery.
(3)
Jill M.

The food was fine, but our waiter was inattentive and distracted. I am not sure if he was overwhelmed or just bad, but it made for a very frustrating meal.
(2)
Cristy C.

Eh... it's alright. I love the ambience though, I will say that. There's something about going back in time and being in old houses and historical places that I love. I guess that's why I loved going to Ursuline Academy and why I live uptown and work downtown... so much history! You can't go wrong with the red beans and rice. I've brought a few friends here before and they usually get a muffelata (or however you spell it). I'm sorry to say that I'm a New Orleanian and I don't like them nor do I like fried foods very much either. Still, however, I've managed to survive this place on snowballs, crawfish, raw oysters, and red beans and rice. It's a good place to stop by and admire the history and food, if you're into that kinda thing. Just don't expect to be "wow-ed"
(3)
Kyle H.

I'm pretty sure the nearly 200 great reviews for Napoleon House all say "Pimm's Cup on the Courtyard", and now mine does as well. I am no longer a Pimm's virgin, which is a staple at Wimbledon, apparently. It's a refreshing gin-based drink, topped with cucumber, and enjoying one on the patio courtyard, among flora and fauna, should be on your list of Musts when visiting New Orleans. I was able to enjoy dinner here, and the Fish Steak sandwich (a nicely grilled thick piece of tuna) with garlic compote, was tasty. Not sure why it didn't come with the chips as stated on the menu, and my dining partner's first choice was out for the night (as were our Fishies until a few more were "found" in the kitchen). The hostess at Napoleon could use a lesson or three on taking reservations. Her system seemed amateur and totally random, and we and others waiting in line were snapped at and confused. But dining to the sounds of Mozart's Jupiter Symphony in their lovely courtyard melted away any and all stress of the day. Napoleon House is the tops.
(4)
Lane A.

A classic Nola establishment. Went on a Saturday night, so it was a bit crowded, but since there was only 4 of us and we didn't have a seating preference, we were sat relatively quick. None of us were overly hungry so we mostly ordered appetizers. We were there more for the social aspect than the actual food. We ordered bruschetta for the table. It was pretty good. I ordered classic red beans and andouille sausage with rice. It was ok. I found a couple of pieces of, what I can only assume was, gristle. Not the best meal I've ever had, but the staff was friendly and the atmosphere was classic Nola. Side note: not only was the Mercedes-Benz SuperBowl commercial filmed here, but it was filmed at the same table that our party was seated at. Kind of cool.
(3)
David T.

This is a nice little bar on Chartres Street; not too expensive given the area and with nice decor and character. I've been here twice, and both times the drinks were good- fairly strong, and not syrupy like other places in New Orleans I could name. I also like the lemon sorbet, though it's frozen solid every time. But still a lovely little bar, and we tend to go back as much as we can.
(4)
J. N.

If your'e on a quest for the best Sazerac, you won't find it here. The bar is quaint, but the service is lackadaisical. I looked up the spelling of that word just to make sure I adquately portrayed the attitude of our bartender and the waitstaff.
(3)
Craig W.

Yes, I've had a Pimm's Cup or two (or twelve) here in my life, like everyone else. No, I haven't had anything else. It's a historic place (and looks it) and the story behind it is interesting and worth checking out. I also like the fact that there isn't a giant sign advertising the place outside, a refreshing change from the disaster which is the present state of Bourbon Street. The bar is extremely small but if you can grab a seat, do so. Grab yourself a Pimm's Cup, especially on a hot day, and watch the tourists and locals and waitstaff at work. It's a classic New Orleans place and experience. And the drinks are simple to make at home. Really, they are. Try one on a hot day and you may always want to keep some Pimm's handy for the future.
(5)
Mindy L.

Talk about atmosphere! Paint peeling from the walls, lovers grafitti filling the cracks, scratched up table tops lovingly buffed to a dull gleam...and the photos...beautiful photos of so many memories held by this place. A place that can be referred to as a "quiet" French Quarter destination. I tried the house special "Pimm's Cup" which was an interesting blend of Pimm's soda and goodness knows what else. There was definitely cucumber (as evidenced by the cucumber swimming at the top of the glass). It was tasty and refreshing...something I am glad to have tried, but not something I will order out at the bar otherwise! I signed the wall as seems to be tradition...encasing our names in a little red heart...for all to see for years to come. A must stop-in spot!
(4)
Gary R.

I alway visit the Napoleon House when visiting NOLA. Don't leave without stopping by this wonderful place. Historical Feel/Look - 5 stars Ambience - 5 stars (inside or courtyard) Food - 3 stars Drinks - 4 stars Waiter - 4 stars (if your lucky)
(4)
Jesse S.

The waiter was really, really fantastic, as was the atmosphere. The food and the value were not. The cheese board was an absolute joke-- I would not be surprised if it was all sourced from big blocks of Kraft cheese, but coming from Wisconsin, I didn't expect that I would be impressed with it. What I did expect was that NOLA jambalaya would be better than the jambalaya I can get in Wisconsin. Shockingly, it was not. Bland and dense. I really felt I paid too much for some pretty mediocre food.
(3)
Paul K.

Decent bar with a lot of history. We went for lunch, service was decent but the food was just OK- had an italian sub poor boy with a side of jambalaya- not bad, but not up to the standards of some of the other places in NOLA. Probably a good place to go just swill a few beers.
(3)
J Z.

Beautiful old world ambiance. Food was mediocre at best. Boudin sausage was mostly rice, little meat and a mush -2. Satsuma sauce was good. Muffeletta -1 was sub-par compared to Central Grocery's. Red beans and rice was barely avg in flavor. Jambalaya was grainy and almost certainly from a mix with little flavor -2. With so much on offer in the Quarter, don't waste your time here for the food.
(2)
Bobby B.

Yes. I actually went into the Quarters. It wasn't my fault. Girly wanted to do some shopping in a local business due to the local business day thingy and because she's a born again NOLA-girl. Anywho... She loves going here. She feel like the history of the place washes over her each time she walks through the door. I'm pretty sure pigeons pee on us on the way in, but who am I to say? So...I give the food 3 stars. I've never had anything bad there but nothing has ever blown my mind. Not even the prices which is why it still gets a 3. it's not too expensive and the po-boys are priced just fine for the Quarter...just a little under-stuffed. I give a 4th star for the service, which has always been amazingly good. Our waiter today probably spent 20 minutes chatting with us about the area since we were locals. I take one star away for that damned opera they like to play. If I happened to be there on a day they played classical instead of opera, I would have given them 4. Timing sucks, doesn't it? Check it out. You may just get lucky and not hear opera. :)
(3)
Rachel P.

Two words: Pimm's Cup. Do it. The Pimm's Cup is an amazingly refreshing drink consisting of a gin-based liquor, lemonade, and 7-Up, garnished with a slice of cucumber. I defy you to drink only one of these little beauties. Tip: Drink it at the bar. The to-go cup looked to be about 30% smaller than the glass you get if you drink it in the restaurant. Basically, the Pimm's Cup almost deserves it's own little review. There's it, and then theres: Everything else: Napoleon House is located in a 200 year old building, and apparently, it has been a bar/restaurant since 1914. It looks and feels the part. They have a really nice outdoor seating area, however we opted to eat inside to cut down on our wait time. Service was interesting. The hostess was crabby...almost entertainingly crabby. I guess you have different standards for what constitutes acceptable customer service when in NOLA. Our waiter was nice, but service was slow and drink refills were hard to come by. I give him big props for steering me AWAY from a menu item! I asked him how the fish sandwich was, and he looked me dead in the eye and shook his head "no"!! Ok, point taken! I ordered the "organic sandwich" (avocado, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, cream cheese, vinaigrette dressing) based on our server's recommendation. It was very fresh and tasty, especially the thick, fluffy multi-grain bread it was served on. My husband ordered half of an Italian Muffuletta. Unfortunately, his half-muff featured a TON of celery mixed in with the olive salad, and my husband despises celery. It was so pervasive, there was no way to scrape it off of the sandwich. Therefore, I cannot give a fair assessment of the muffuletta, because he hated it based on the celery explosion alone. As it so happens, I hate celery as well, so I did not sample a bite. In conclusion, this was a cool place, and I would come back PARTICULARLY for the drinks. I enjoyed my lunch, even though there was nothing traditionally "NOLA" about it. I think this place is definitely worth a try.
(4)
Rodney H.

Pimms Cup for two in the souvenir cup is actually a great aperitif for just one. Did these before heading out for the evening, with lunch, and even just as they were getting ready to close. There is no where, except maybe Hermes Bar, that even comes close. The food is very good and enjoyable and you can do no wrong with the muffaletta. Service was prompt, drinks were replaced when the other was within an inch of being done and the prices were inline with what you would expect.
(4)
Sam 'Wags' W.

Great ambiance, delicious food, local bar with extras. Courtyard seating is preferred. Ask waiters for history lesson (particularly rumors about Napoleon), including up-stairs facilities. Naturally New Orleans! As Bonaparte's Home Orleans Ex-Pats Schemed Sipping Pimm's in cool Courtyard #NOLA_Haiku
(5)
meredith m.

Just so so. Mitch was super slow server and food/drink was only so so. The ambiance was great and it's a really neat place to see.
(3)
Jim S.

Chicken Caesar salad: chicken delicious; salad not Caesar and laden with red peppers. More of an Italian dressing. Shrimp Remoulade: really good. 3.5 stars out of 4. Red Beans and Rice: wonderful. Gumbo: ehhhh. Not impressed. Loaded Baked Potato: it was a loaded baked potato. Meatball Poboy: so so. Needed more sauce. Pims cups: yummmy
(3)
Danny R.

Not much more can be said about this place... The bartender (avec moustache) makes one of the finest Sazeracs in New Orleans. I learned this while eating a birthday lunch with my family a year ago. I prefer my muffaletta hot, therefore Napoleon House has my number. If you can't finish, take it back to your hotel and let it sit for a few hours and enjoy. Check out the B & W framed print against the back wall, hanging over the table for two. Awesome. Every visit to NOLA warrants a stop in this historic landmark.
(5)
Maggie C.

Been to the Napoleon House before but unfortunately their fame may have gotten the best of them. They serve an excellent Pimm's cup and the crowd at the bar is always entertaining, but the service is slow and lacking energy. It seemed to me that the hostess deliberately dragged her feet when it came to sitting patrons at the tables. Unsure if she was lazy and discontent with her job or if she was trying to create an artificial environment by having a line outside the restaurant and a bar area extremely packed. When we arrived we were told 20 minutes for a table even though there were plenty of open tables. After 45 minutes, we were seated at a table that had been vacant for the last 30 minutes. Content with our drinks, we decide to get a bite to eat, but unfortunately not a single server approached our table. After waiting for 20 minutes we finished our cocktails and decide to go down the street to eat instead.
(2)
Chris K.

I felt a bit insulted by this place. The menu says gratuity is added for parties of 8 or more. They added 20% gratuity for our party of 5. That's disingenuous and suggests that we were somehow pegged as non-tippers. The vibe inside was nice and the food was tasty and well priced. But I don't like my food served with a side of attitude.
(2)
Janette W.

I like it here, it's just as a bar should be, dark, mysterious and serving drinks! I like the atmosphere here but I was surprised there were not more specialty cocktails on the menu.
(4)
Q. T.

Great atmosphere and highly romantic. Great classical music for ambiance with a vintage new Orleans setting. As for the food mediocre at best. We had the muffelata sandwich and other apps. The sandwich was OK but the bread was dry and hard. Is your looking for a quick lunch option, this may fit your wallet's needs. Service was good, too.
(3)
Lisa D.

Really cool and unique vibe. My husband and I shared a muffuletta, side of jambalaya, and a cup of seafood gumbo and everything was delish. Their most famous drink is the Pimm's cup and it was damn refreshing. Def recommend a visit here.
(4)
Aria M.

A hidden gem in New Orleans. We came here on vacation without planning anything and found this place walking around. It is an old establishment with so much charm and the food is very tasty as well. The service is amazing treating each customer like family. If you live in New Orleans or are visiting make sure you go here. You won't be disappointed :)
(5)
Dan R.

Napoleon House doesn't look a day over 200. Paint peels off the walls, vintage lanterns hang from the wood-beamed ceilings, antique fixtures crowd the interior haphazardly, and classical music travels leisurely through every room of this charming New Orleans landmark. Pretty romantic stuff for a group of ten bros on a bachelor party weekend, am I right? Well, when we arrived to a packed house and subsequently put our name down at the hostess stand, we promptly ordered ourselves a round of Pimm's Cups. The bar makes the traditional English cocktails with reverence for the original (and apparently, very secretive) recipe. So, while they may not have had 7-Up back in 1840 when the drink was first concocted, when used to top off an ice-filled glass of Pimm's #1 (gin-based liquor), lemonade, and cucumber garnish, well, one of the most refreshing libations in the balmy Bayou is suddenly at your thirsty lips. And so, amid cooling ourselves off with said cocktail, the staff was able to seat our whole party together, after we'd been told they might have to split us up between two tables. And to top it all off, we scored a spot in the courtyard. Now, this outdoor space is especially endearing in its own right. It's a shame Napoleon himself never made it here (despite the offer of refuge for the exiled French Emperor by the former New Orleans mayor in 1821; and hence the name of this establishment), because I'm led to believe he would've enjoyed the rather European, open-air, grotto-like dining atmosphere this section of the cafe could've allowed him. Listen, it charmed the pants off this guy, but something still tells me it would be to the liking of someone with a bit more prestigious standards than myself, as well. Anyway, their speciality, the Italian Muffuletta, is no joke. Ham, Genoa salami, pastrami, Swiss cheese, and provolone are perfectly balanced with their delicious house-made olive salad, which makes up nearly half of the sandwich. It's certainly a healthy, but seemingly necessary, portion here, as if it were cut off right before it was to over-power the whole thing altogether, which of course it never did. And, to think, I only ordered the Quarter Sandwich. However, I did so with good reason - to make sure I had room for a portion-sized serving of their Jumbalaya. The bits of sausage in this Cajun favorite were so stick-to-the-skillet crispy, you could've told me they were bacon and I'd have believed you. And who can really argue with anything that, if it isn't bacon, at the very least tastes like bacon? No one in Louisiana, that's for damn sure. Despite the continuous rounds of Pimm's Cups thereafter, it remains a sobering thought to see so many other New Orleans-style establishments around America try to encapsulate the feel of the French Quarter. This establishment, however, doesn't pull it off simply because it's in the thick of it all, it does so by preserving its history so damn well. Still standing since 1797, Napoleon House is one of those celebrated establishments where you realize authenticity has no real substitute.
(5)
Matt M.

The atmosphere at this place is great. We sat out in the courtyard which was really nice. We tried the Pimm's Cup which was good but a little weak for my tastes. We had the boudin sausage for an appetizer which was really good. Their gumbo is also pretty tasty, as was the muffuleta that we split. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the location.
(4)
Jelena S.

One of the best bars/restaurants I've visited in NOLA. Dim, intimate, away from the craziness of Bourbon Street, definitely a more mature setting, but not stuffy. The service was the best we'd had - the bartender was knowledgeable and mixed the drinks to perfection. And he gave us ham and cheese finger sandwiches... so tasty! You must try a Pimm's Cup and sazerac. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Vanessa B.

What a great place!! I tried my first Pimm's cup here, and immediately declared it my new fave drink. I tried it at a few more places around town, and besides the one served at the old absinthe house, this was definitely the best one!! The place looks great, such history! The garden area is great, but the nice air conditioned bar was a welcome break after a long morning of walking around. We will definitely be back here next time we're in town!
(5)
Chelsea B.

We were looking for a muffuletta and came across this place, the food was good and super filling. We ordered the cheese board which was a great choice if you like your cheeses. We also tried the pimms cup drink, it was light. Tried the tuna club which was pretty good (even though not NOLA cuisine) and the muffuletta which was huge! And also good and filling! (Could have went with the quarter after the app.) also tried the strawberry Napoleon (which was pretty strong..maybe try something else to drink). Overall it was a cute place with courtyard and street side seating, nice to sit and relax for a while through all the walking!
(4)
Kathleen D.

oOOOh the greatest Sazeracs! Ahhhh refreshing Pimm's Cups too! This here is a drink review, just ooohing and ahhing bout some drinks... Get em. Napoleon House stirs what has to be the best Sazerac that I've ever had, and my rollin' buddy's Pimm's Cup was pretty delicious too. Proficiently prepared cocktails are served here in a unique atmosphere rooted in antiquity; I do believe that's worth the trip alone. Actually, I'd happily accept a Sazerac of this quality from just about anywhere, but you know, added time-honored ambiance is swell stuff too. I can't yap about the dining offerings cause I've taken nary a bite outta this 200+ years old landmark of a place. The once intended exile home of the little dictator, Napoleon House absolutely exudes history and character. A lot of atmosphere here, baby. Well-worn walls, rust colored with aged plaster peeling, are covered in paintings and portraits, many of himself. If you sit at the dark wooden bar, a bust of Napoleon will be eyeballing you as you drink. The courtyard outside is more than alluring and a lovely place in which to sit back and tranquilize. Amid the greenery, this outdoor space is so perfectly ideal for sip sip sippin' on some Sazeracs. If you're a fan of the cocktail I suggest that's just what you do.
(4)
Matthew F.

I don't visit New Orleans without also visiting Napoleon House. The front room and the courtyard are both charming as hell. The kitchen is underrated - they do a very good muffuletta and solid jambalaya. The waitstaff, which used to be a little gruff, has become more smiling in recent years. And you'll only hear classical music, a nice respite from the occasionally oppressive noise of the Quarter. The hours can be a little odd for New Orleans - closed Sunday, and never open late - so check that before you go.
(4)
Sarah W.

Service was incredibly slow. Probably waited 10 minutes for anyone to speak with us and then an additional 15 minutes before our order was taken. Got the jambalaya and boudin which were average but nothing special.
(3)
Troy E.

Matt the server needs to find another profession, the person at the door needs to be demoted to dish washer and the manager needs to go to school to learn what it means to manage. terrible experience. The cook did a good job. Food was tasty, the service I could get a better experience at a fast food restaurant.
(2)
Kim H.

Love love love this place! Great introductions to Pimms and the boudin sausage is to die for!
(5)
Marcin M.

I enjoyed spending a lazy afternoon sharing red beans and rice, and drinking a pimm's cup and a beer in the outdoor courtyard. Service was friendly and relatively quick, and the food and drinks were good. The courtyard is beautiful and a great place to relax away from the crowds of the French Quarter. We were led to this place by a friend of mine who lives in New Orleans and it felt like a bit of a treasure in the midst of the French Quarter chaos. I'd come back for a quick drink again or an hour or two of just chatting and snacking in the outdoor area.
(4)
Deb M.

Long overdue review from our trip to NOLA in April of 2013. We arrived in the city around noon, checked into our hotel in the business district, and decided to walk right over to the Quarter. It was a warm day, and we were just trying to get our bearings and figure out where to have a late lunch. Hot and tired and THIRSTY, we finally just decided to stop it at Napoleon House. Our server was a little standoffish at first, but we started joking with him and he warmed up quickly and we had a great time with him. My biggest problem with NOLA in general is the beer choices. I love IPAs, the hoppier the better, and good ones are really tough to find in this city. But, I'm writing this review about the red beans and rice. Fantastic. We tried the beans and rice at a few other locations that were supposedly "the best" in the city, but they weren't even close. This will be the first place we visit when we return to NOLA. And this time we're both ordering the red beans and rice! This is a beautiful, old building that's just dripping with history and the patina that comes with being here for over 200 years. Definitely seek it out!
(4)
Justin E.

My phone rang and Johnny's meek voice squeaked through the receiver like a mouse behind a wall. "Meet me at Napoleon's," I told him. Napoleon's is easy to find at the corner of St Louis and that other street I can't pronounce. I strolled down and got a table that was wedged in a breeze way and ordered the wonderful Bruschetta. I thought about getting the boudin but didn't know if my stomach could handle it. Johnny showed up looking nervous and un-groomed. I told him to sit down and have a drink. He started to order a budwiser until I interrupted and ordered him a Pimm's cup. He didn't know what that was but really liked what the waiter brought. "So you got the funds?" I only assumed he was trying to move the conversation along because I always have the funds. I leaned foward and gave him a look that spoke, "don't make me punch you." "Okay, okay" he reassured and pulled out a small white paper bag and placed it on the table. I pulled a wad of cash and handed it back to him. The waiter came by one more time. Johnny left in a hurry as if he had somewhere else to be. He left half his Pimm's Cup which I finished because the drink is so damn good here. I ordered a po- boy and sat at my table enjoying the atmosphere and wonderful service.
(4)
Brenna S.

This is the first bad review I've ever given and I hate to do this. I should have known when instead of seeing a hostess, I watched who would be my server dealing with the unhappy table I replaced. The server took five minutes to say he'd be right with us and ten to get our drink order. He never came back to get us a second round of drinks. The food was decent, but not getting checked on made my food go cold before I could really enjoy it all. When we got our food, I ordered a drink, waited at least ten minutes before Getting up, asking someone to grab me a few extra hot peppers and going to the bar to grab my watered down Gin and tonic. When I got the bill, he charged my friend for something she didn't order because he decided she would need it. I talked to the owner about getting the drink and peppers taken off since I had to wait ages and ultimately serve myself and he just argued with me. Might be good to note that he compared his restaurant to a vending machine.. the least effective vending machine ever. I've never ever had such a bad time in a restaurant.
(1)
Meghan P.

I must downgrade my initial rating. The staff completely ignored my coworker and her sister, who are black. They waited for a good 10 minutes to talk to someone about a table for our group (the rest of us were standing outside). Multiple staff people walked by but did not address, them say hello, ask them to hold on a minute- nothing. It's inexcusable.
(1)
Stef S.

The food wasn't anything amazing, but it's a fun place for to gather friends for dinner. The Pimm's Cup is SUPER delicious. Dangerously delicious. This was my favorite part of the meal. The other reviews can't lead you wrong. The Jambalaya was much drier than expected, and the bread roll was nothing impressive. The cheese platter contained a few blocks of cheese, one sliced apple, and a few pieces of pepperoni. Meh. The baked bruschetta was interesting. It was just warm garlicky bread. Decent prices and beautiful building with outdoor seating for dinner
(3)
Jaime G.

Awesome little place in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Makes me want to live in this place! Tried the Pimms cup, jambalaya, and muffalata sandwich. The bomb! Man the pimms cup is all that. Super good. No real taste of liquor and the hint of cucumber is refreshing. The muffalata sandwich is warm and tasty cheese, ham, salami, and picked olives. Kind of like an Italian deli sandwich with mild gardinaire. The jambalaya was my favorite with sausage and chicken was delish. Added extra Louisiana sauce for good measure. Loved the atmosphere -very old historic rest- and a must try in NO.
(5)
Lindsay A.

Napoleon House is a place I love to take visitors while exploring the French Quarter. It has been my savior when my parents needed to beat the heat, a place for my sister to try some New Orleans classic cocktails, and a way to get friend's cranky parents off my back for a freaking second. The Napoleon House has a colorful history that will keep any visitor intrigued long enough to calm down for a half an hour or so. The bar is the star in my opinion, itself being beautiful and a great place to experience any old-school New Orleans cocktail. I usually go for the Pimm's Cup, mostly because some of my visitors get weird when I want to drink bourbon at 1pm, but they really make excellent ones here. My mom likes the heated muffaletta here, which I will split with her on occasion, but it's not something I crave. I like to eat in the courtyard area with my guests, which again provides enough distraction to give me a moment of peace. The waitstaff here can be wonky, I think they think they're funny but it usually just comes off as odd. The long and short of it, Napoleon House is a great place for a cool bar to enjoy a classic New Orleans cocktail and a nice courtyard environment. Take your tourists there to shut them up for a few minutes.
(4)
cat w.

I didn't get to eat here but I went here for a drink before going to dinner elsewhere. I've been in new Orleans for 3 years-and can't believe I haven't been to this place before. The staff are friendly and the courtyard is beautiful and very romantic. If any one ever wanted to propose to me this word be the ideal setting. I enjoyed a glass of Rhine wine and it was an overall great experience. I'm excited to go back and eat here!!
(5)
Michelle Marie R.

Best lunch spot during a recent trip to Mardi Gras! Beautiful building with such history! Dined on Amstel Light and red beans & rice in the center outdoor courtyard.
(5)
Aileen M.

Awesome place to eat with good food in French Quarter of New Orleans. I got the seafood gumbo and it was delicious! My husband also enjoyed his muffaletta sandwich as well. Great service and the waiter shared a history of this historic place!!
(5)
lella b.

If you like rude service, 4 items available on the menu after 8 pm on a Saturday night (WTF? It's New Orleans IN THE QUARTER PEOPLE!) and being treated like it's an honor to hand over your cash, this is the place for you! I won't go back and wouldn't send my worst enemy. We arrived at 8, 4 items available: Muffalata, Jumalaya, Red Beans and Rice and Gumbo: None of the items were stand out make you want to come back again, it took way to long to be served on a slow Saturday night, the hot dishes were warm and water refills wound up in the shoes. Skip the Guinness: it's not on tap. We won't be back - especially after being told they were out of the house salad and yet the red beans and rice came with a side of salad. . . . New Orleans is far too good of a town to have a bad food experience. They bank on the tourist trap trade. Skip this place and look else where.
(1)
Janice A.

Great old look. Food okay. Service not so good even at the bar.
(3)
Scott F.

recently visited New Orleans and this was one of the best restaurants we ate at. The price was right, service was friendly, and food delicious. It had the local flavor that we were looking for.
(4)
Cheryl R.

I LOVE getting away & going to Napoleon House for lunch - my fav lunches are their Corsican salad w/ grilled chicken (freakin' YUM!!!) & their SHRIMP REMOULADE STUFFED AVOCADO oh MY GOSH!!! YUM!!! It's fabulous when the weather is just right & you sit in the outside patio - soooo nice!!! I have seen their muffuletto's & those look awesome !! napoleonhouse.com/index.â€¦
(4)
Jesse B.

After an amazing night out, I was feeling the side effects of one too many hurricanes! I needed food and I stumbled upon this great cafe! My group of three were promptly seated by open doors facing the street and served some much needed water! We perused the menu and the only thing I thought I could stomach were Red Beans and Rice with a side salad. My massive hangover caused me to eat this meal very slowly, but it was amazing. The beans were creamy and the pistolette roll was fresh! My only complaint is the side salad was served on the same plate as the beans, causing the lettuce to heat. The service at this place was amazing and you can't beat the price. The decor was very old world meets new with a strong Napoleon influence! I would definitely eat here again during my next visit to The Big Easy!
(4)
lauralee s.

Great ambiance. Crumbly paint, high ceilings, the works. Good service. Friendly, quick on the beer refills. Try the dixie beer. Goes down pretty smooth. The food was okay. It was good prices for what it was, but there wasn't anything too spectacular about the edibles. I would go again for lunch, but probably seek out a broader menu for dinner.
(3)
Sofia S.

Best Sazerac I've ever had, and the Pimm's Cup was perfect! Great atmosphere.
(5)
John S.

We went to Napoleon's for dinner the other night. We were a big crowd but the wait wasn't long. I ordered the pulled pork. I also had a caesar salad which wasn't great. Napoleons was kind of expensive. My pulled pork was good but not amazing. I may have ordered the wrong thing. This place is a little too pricey for the value of the food. But I wouldn't say don't go. But you have to order the right thing.
(3)
Pete B.

Very poor service. We waited at the front door for 10-15 minutes and never once were asked by anyone for our name or to get our name or seating. However, there were waitstaff hanging at the bar chatting it up with customers. We left, too rude.
(1)
Amiee L.

Pimm's Cup: This is the place to get this and by far I think it's a good drink and I am certain I would get use to it if I lived closer to Napoleon House and could have it more often Po Boy's: They didn't have the one I wanted (Roast Beef) so got the Italian one instead. Didn't like it. I need to stick to ones that are a little more traditional.
(3)
Sheena M.

Stopped in to rest our feet and fill our bellies, boy were we glade we did! We sat outside in the warm air and cool breeze, it was so relaxing. I opted for the traditional muffelata and my friend a po'boy. We also split the cheese board. All of our food was well prepared, of adequate proportion, and yummy! A great place everyone must try while in the French Quarter.
(4)
David W.

Over rated. Classic historical layout with odd hours of 11-5:30pm. Great poor boy sandwich or whatever they call it. The place seems to nickel and dime you though as lettuce and tomato is .45 cents extra and cheese is $1.50 extra. So if you don't get that, it's just a few slices of meat on white bread.
(3)
Amy w.

The price is right and truthfully, the food was alright but not remarkable. Plastic plates and cheap silver ware......but..... the building is so amazing! I am rating this for the atmosphere. I loved it.
(4)
Stephanie S.

LOVED this place! It was just the restaurant we were looking for! It has the New Orleans feel and the food to match. We ordered the Italian Muffuletta and a roast beef poor boy. Delicious!!! There was a bit of a wait for us to get a table (and a wait to get on the waitlist), but we were also there during Mardi Gras. Enjoy!
(5)
Caroline W.

Enjoyed a relaxing hour here, had a nice glass of Rhine wine and sharing a panini. Had to wait a few minutes to be seated whilst staff members finished talking and telling a joke to each other but after that it was plain sailing and couldn't fault the service.
(3)
Lauren A.

silverware was dirty and we asked the waiter to change it. He gave us a look and brought another set that was just as dirty. Service was bad food not any better, but it was a beautiful old building in French quarter. go thee for only drinks and enjoy the atmosphere but don't go hungry.
(2)
Wendy W.

We were seated right away but had to wait for service for 10 minutes. The Red Beans and Rice was very good, the muffalatta was enormous, even the half size was too big for one person. Jambalaya was ok, but not the best I've ever had. Quirky atmosphere. For the price, it was a nice find.
(3)
Brian B.

I can't speak to the food, but the Napoleon House is always on my list of places to visit when I'm in NOLA. Why? The Pimm's Cup. I don't know if they invented it here or not, but they are definitely famous for it, and the price is still reasonable at $5.50 each. The atmosphere is great as well - this place has been here since the late 1700s. Good service to boot. Stop in an have a drink or three next time you are walking by....
(4)
Wes K.

I only had drinks, they were awesome, in fact the best drinks I had in the quarter. I had four pimms, a bloody, and a sazerac. Mario the bartender was cool. I highly recommend the drinks. The bloody could've had some more condiments. The pimms are light and refreshing unlike most of the touristy grenades/hurricanes that are premixed and loaded with sugar. I really liked the decor and the way the bar was situated near the entrance of the corner door.
(5)
Laura K.

Walking into Napoleon House on Halloween, with classical music filling the atmosphere and a table of pirates front and center - like, people in real costumes, not just a patch over an eye and a plastic hook arm, but with plumage and fancy flair - was remAAARRRRkable. Sitting in the courtyard sipping a Pimm's Cup, so fabulous French Quarter. I was wearing false eyelashes with long feathers on them. I don't wear these every day, but it was Halloween. "Are you wearing false eyelashes?" I was asked by another patron. No, my lashes are just naturally long green feathers. "There's a young woman in the restroom who desperately needs help." she said. OMG, eyelash emergency! I sprung into action. She not only needed help with applying her lashes, but also with full makeup so she could look like a wenchy-witch to please her boss (er- pimp?) I was in the ladies' room for about 15 minutes as this little urchin had never before worn makeup and needed to be talked down from her escalating anxiety of having a stranger touch her eyelids. I considered it my good deed for the day. The upside - the table service was so unbelievably slow and inattentive, that when I finally returned to the table, our muffelatta had arrived. On this day we taste-tested muffelattas. Napoleon House vs. Central Grocery. Napoleon's was really quite good, but I decided I prefer the sandwich cold instead of warm as served here.
(4)
Jay J.

We asked around where we could find the best muffeleta in the French Quarter and were told "Napoleon House" and "Cafe Maspero". Maspero won this battle, rather handily. The Napoleon House has a great atmosphere, in a very old and historical building with a courtyard and gas lanterns, but the food was a bit of a let down. While the muffeleta was HUGE (we ordered the whole to split and still couldn't finish it between both of us), it just wasn't too tasty. The bread wasn't fresh, the meat to olive salad spread ratio was WAY off. Far too much olive spread. Going for the atmosphere is understandable, just avoid paying too much for the food.
(2)
Summer P.

Another joint we always hit when in New Orleans. Napoleon House is best for a drink and appetizer. I always get the Pim's cup and we share the fruit and cheese plate.
(5)
Nikki D.

When we got into our room at the Omni, we asked where we could get a quick bite, preferably a muffalata. They pointed across the street to Napoleons. The atmosphere was really cozy and we sat in the courtyard area. Service was fast and friendly and the prices were decent. The muffalata was mediocre. Really lacking on meat, but in general, split 4 ways, a great snack.
(3)
James S.

This the worst dining experience in the 2 weeks I stayed in New Orleans. My wife ordered jambalaya and she was told they were out of it. The disappointments just started there. Plan B, she ordered red beans and rice, a local staple, and I ordered mufaletta. We were both SO disappointed!! Plenty of beans but hardly any rice. The mufaletta role was OLD! We complained politely and were rewarded with a small side bowl of rice. We paid and left leaving most of our "food" on our plates... no apology from our surly server. Rest assured We'll never be back.
(1)
Christiana R.

The menu is pretty...basic. Po' boys and other sandwiches, salads, cold pastas, and red beans and rice are some of the items on the menu. But the stand-out item on the menu is definitely the bruschetta, in my opinion. It's realllly delicious and I could've been satisfied with two orders of that dish and nothing else. But no, I just had to order the red beans and rice...no flavor but it's a pretty big portion. I had one bite of the caesar salad and that was plenty for me...the dressing was just plain weird and not something I was used to. My sister ordered some sort of pasta dish and a Pimm's Cup...she said her food was decent but let's just say she reallly enjoyed the Pimm's Cup! Okay so in conclusion, the food is nothing special. The main reason this place gets 4 stars is because of the decor and the service. The interior of the restaurant is just beautiful and takes me back a few centuries...i love it. Also the workers are sooo nice. They were funny and friendly...they were one of the highlights of my New Orleans trip!
(4)
Kevin C.

If you are in the New Orleans are it is a must to visit the Napoleon House. Get off of Bourbon St. and make your way to this little gem in the French Quarter. Its a tad bit off the beaten path but well worth to give it a try. The bartenders all are funny and have a good sense of humor and if you are a history buff this is the place to go. Originally built to house Napoleon Bonaparte, this is now a converted bar and cafe. The inside is a blast from the past with its decor and all original interior. Definitely worth a visit if you make it to the New Orleans area. When I was there I didn't get a chance to try the food (only spirits) but will definitely the next time I am down there.
(4)
Kurt A.

The food is fine, but Napoleon House gets five stars for their lovely courtyard, their inexpensive dishes (Jambalaya for $6.95), and their great staff. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Maria A.

For a touristy place in the quarter- great atmosphere, great service, and good food. I usually get the eggplant Parm and the pimms cups.
(4)
K B.

One of the few places where a vegetarian can eat! I stumbled across this place today {as i sit in the NO Airport} and got an 'organic sandwich'. Was it organic? Probably not..... but it was vegetarian and very good. Super charming place, I'd like to shoot a film or photoshoot here, the light is gorgeous. Will def be making my way back here. btw --- if you are vegan and in the french quarter.... consider yourself screwed. :/
(4)
Christian N.

God I miss you.
(5)
Jen R.

alright, the pimm's cup is not as good as it used to be. but you know what? since i learned how to make them myself, i haven't been satisfied with anyone else's anyway. so still worth a trip, and still the best pimm's in the quarter (in my opinion) but for what it's worth... serve over ice in tall glass: 1 part Pimm's No. 1 2 parts Lemonade Two fingers of Ginger Ale Garnish with slice of cucumber
(4)
lee u.

The end of a 25 year plus love affair. I've been visiting NOLA almost yearly since the 1980s and the Napoleon House has been my favorite spot in the city. While I've never cared much for the food - I've rarely missed stopping in for afternoon or after-dinner drinks and I've recommended it to countless friends. In a city where it is the norm to witness drunken and disorderly tourists, Napoleon's is an almost magical oasis of bow-tied servers, opera and an interior that is a perfect example of elegant, faded NOLA style. Unfortunately, on my visit this week I met the same server Diane D. refers to in her review below. My husband and I (both in our 60s and completely sober) stopped in about 8pm on Tuesday evening. We came in on the Chartres St. side and saw no diners in the inside dining room. There were less than 20 customers in the bar area. A Please Wait to be Seated sign was in the entrance of the bar area and we dutifully waited about 10 minutes at the podium. When two other couples came in and walked around us to seat themselves, we decided to do likewise and seated ourselves at an empty table for 2. We waited patiently another 10 minutes or so. We were enjoying the atmosphere and were not at all put off by the lack of service as we were in no hurry. A waiter with gray, wavy hair walked up to our table and asked "What are we doing here?" We were confused by the question and said we were waiting to be served. He replied more loudly "I know - what are you doing here? You can't just come in and hop from table to table!" We were again completely confused. We didn't know if he thought we were customers that had been at another table and moved. We replied that we hadn't hopped from any other table - we had just walked in. He proceeded to walk away from our table complaining loudly as if we had done some terrible thing. We didn't know what to do. So, we got up and left. I admit that there was a sign saying that we should wait to be seated - so perhaps we were wrong to have seated ourselves. However, he could have politely asked us to go back to the front door, move to another table or indicate that he was coming back to take our order. ANY adult should be able to respond to a person that has unwittingly violated some "house rule" with a reaction other than flat-out rudeness. So - I could forgive a lot from the Napoleon House - bad food, warm beer, slow service - but you know some things are unforgivable. I'm sorry. It's over. I've heard Sazerac is nice.
(1)
Elaine G.

This place was recommended by the concierge in our hotel. First, I have to say the building is really nice. I'm sure it's a historical building or something but I didn't get a chance to read the story posted at the front. We were seated outdoors which was a really nice little courtyard. The service was friendly and attentive. The food was just okay. Not bad, just okay. I had a quarter muffeletta and a side of the jambalaya. We also had the cheese plate so this was a perfect sized brunch for me. My friend had the gumbo and she also said that it was just okay. After we had been in NO for a day or so, someone else recommended that we come here for drinks. We didn't get a chance to but it looks like that would have been a better choice.
(3)
JR D.

Even with all the press, movie scenes, and tour guide bylines, this place has managed to avoid pandering to the masses and retains its old-timey feel. Maybe its the old, faded pictures of nobility adorning the rooms, or the peeling walls reflecting the dim flickering of sparse lamp lighting, but this place breathes authenticity. And its cocktail list and bartenders might as well be taken right out of the prohibition era. Gin Fizz, Sazerac, old-fashioned are the front runners, but they can make pretty much anything you could think of (except a sugar coded headache in a yard glass).
(4)
Tiffany M.

Worst. Service. EVER. We wanted to stop by Napoleon's for a few drinks to cool off and got just that. 2 rounds of refreshing Pimm's Cups and a kick back atmosphere in their courtyard. The glaring downside was the crappy service. Our server was a total brat, making snobby comments and was as neglecting as ever. When we paid at the end (of course w/ us having to ask a different server for our tab since he never came back again), our original server was overly persistent on taking the signed credit card receipt; wanting to see what we tipped him. Yeah right buddy. You get 1 penny. That's it. Come here for a New Orleans signature Pimm's Cup, but don't expect to have Grade A service.
(2)
Michael B.

I almost hesitate to write this review, lest I ruin it for the locals...my buddy who is from New Orleans touted this as his favorite bar in the city, and now I know why. It is by far one of the coziest places I've ever been and the bar where the very first cocktail invented in North America saw light of day (or dim public house candle). If you like brown liquors, order the Sazarac. If you don't like brown liquors, order the Sazarac. Napoleon House may make a believer out of you. This pub is one of the reasons New Orleans has laid claim to the "most European city in the U.S." The furniture is worn, old, and comfortable, the plaster coming down in all the right places...just gorgeous. Check out the pics up top ^.
(5)
Sally L.

This place was decent for a late lunch, but not amazing. We split a 1/2 muffaletta & a bowl of gumbo. The muffaletta paled in comparison to the one from Central Grocery and it was served hot instead of cold. The gumbo was too thick for my taste. However, I'll bump this place up a star because the service was impeccable & the ambiance of the outdoor area made me almost feel like I had traveled 100 years into the past.
(3)
Matt L.

I stopped in back in August for a drink and small bite to eat and really enjoyed it. My wife and I each had a Pimms cup, which were great, and we ordered the red beans & rice, and charcutiere plate. Both were outstanding, and the waiter was very helpful with our orders and in helping us find some places to check out that aren't at the top of the review sites. If I am ever back in NOLA, I will definitely be stopping in. Great ambiance, food and drinks in my experience.
(4)
Steve S.

Po' Boys are the draw at this dark, romantic, and moody French Quarter bar and cafe. Portraits of Bonaparte line the walls in this old house that was supposedly made for the deposed French emperor to live in (he chose to go elsewhere for his exile). In addition to the wonderful po' boy sandwhiches, the bar makes excellent Pimm's Cup and Sazerac, two NOLA classics. Time is a bit more vague in New Orleans and that is definitely reflected in the service. Still, there's nothing wrong with kicking back on the back patio and relaxing with a sandwich and a drink on a lazy afternoon.
(5)
jacko l.

Muff 2 - huge, giant sandwich bread, out of proportions with amt of food in the actual sandwich. No big deal. I seen others on Decatur from a liquor store that look more promising Atmosphere 4 - cool joint. More of a bar with bar food. Not really a full bore restaurant
(3)
Julie R.

I love this place and will visit each time I come to New Orleans... We visited twice during our long weekend trip. Had our first Pimm's cup there and it was light and refreshing. We also enjoyed the bruschetta and a Muffalleta. The place is dripping in history and I think I enjoyed the atmosphere of this place more than the food... a very cool place to hang out and catch up on conversation with friends. I also love all the character of this place and had fun taking pictures here... see my photos above.
(4)
J M.

Nice patio/courtyard, good (cheap) muffaletta. No complaints.
(4)
Erin V.

This is a new Orleans Original! I recommend the pims cup and eat in the courtyard. Everything is good here and has a great laid back atmosphere with GREAT prices. Nothing fancy but great food and a classic resturaunt. The service was bad last time I went but the food and drinks made up for it!
(5)
Chris S.

This is gloriously anti-Bourbon Street. Dark and cool on the hottest days, classical music softly piped in, almost unnoticeable, the only activity coming from the servers rushing from room to room with the occaisional trip out to the shady bach patio. Napoleon House is simply a fantastic bar that drips with historic charm. We walked in and settled at the bar, looking for a cool drink on a humid spring day, and we found it. The Pimm's Cup. Perfect. Making the experience even better was the bartender, who must have worked there just about his whole life, explaining some of the historic and recent events involving The Napoleon House. Since that first day, Napoleon House has turned into a place that we stop in whenever we are within a couple of blocks, even if just for one drink. The food is really good, and it's one of the most reasonably priced places in the French Quarter. The muffaletta rivals the one at Central Grocery, and it's served warm, with the cheese melting and olive salad dripping through each layer. Simply put, I could live here if need be, and each time I go I almost wish need would be.
(5)
Mark E.

This is my favorite bar in the world. The pace is slow, the building is ancient, the classical music on the turntable is hard core. You may hear an entire opera, a medley of piano sonatas, or a symphony. The charcuterie plate, absent for a couple of years after the Federal Flood, is back, and perhaps the best bar snack there is. I'm not crazed by the muffaletta, but that's not my favorite NOLA sandwich-- I prefer the fried oyster sandwich (NOT a po'boy) at Casamento's or any kind of po'boy at Johnny's.) The Pimm's Cup cocktail is refreshing in the hot weather, though way too easy to drink. I really prefer their Sazerac. This iconic NOLA cocktail-- said to be the original cocktail-- can be found elsewhere (the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone}, but you spend more for a drink that is no better. Trust me, I know the formula: Rye whiskey (no, you do not have to use Sazerac; Old Overholt is fine), two shakes Peychaud's Bitters, one shake Angostura; add a splash of bar syrup, garnish with a twist of lemon peel. Shake with ice, strain into glass chilled and seasoned with a splash of Herbsaint liqueur. You can sit all afternoon at the Napoleon House, kill time for your dinner and club gig (Snug Harbor, Maple Leaf, Irvin Mayfield's clubs, etc.), or just chill in the sad-but-true New Orleans environment. Whatever time you spend at The Napoleon House, it is time well spent.
(4)
Jaime O.

no complaints - well maybe the single draft choice of Micheleobs-something-dark. I tried it, i drank it. Hubby and dad had a dixie. We didn't eat, just had a refreshment. The menu looked pretty good, good price good selection. Just needed more time in NO to get back over there.
(4)
jenn w.

I came just to try the Pimm's Cup and ended up getting a muffuletta as well. The Pimm's cup is probably one of my favorite drinks that I have tried in New Orleans. It is not too sweet but very refreshing and the cucumber slices are a nice touch. I thought the muffuletta was pretty good but I don't have anything else to compare it to.
(4)
Anthony Z.

Sazerac was mediocre. Pimm's cup only slightly better. Muffaletta was made with dried out toasted bread and just did not taste that good, despite my being pretty darn hungry. Come for the ambiance and shitty service, but whatever you do, don't expect to get good food and drink.
(2)
Danielle J.

I love this place--sit in the courtyard and try a bloody! Been there a few times in the rain, and while we were getting wet, it was still worth sitting outside. Also, supposedly their pimms cups are great, but i'm not a huge fan of the drink in general, so cant say, but good bloodies and nice history (napoleon was supposed to go hide out there, or so they say)
(4)
scott s.

underwhelmed. i'm going against the grain when i say that, but i was totally underwhelmed by napoleon house. the space is nice -- historic, small but not too cramped. it's dark, so don't head in here thinking you're going to catch up on your reading unless you have cat vision. i sat in the small courtyard, which was very pleasant. service was speedy but not in your face, which i appreciate (especially as a single diner). prices are very reasonable (especially for the location -- the french quarter). what really disappointed me was the food itself. perhaps i had built up some huge image based on other reviews, but i was seriously unimpressed. that's not to say the food was bad. it was just not that fantastic. i ordered a salad, which came DROWNING in salad dressing. i usually order the dressing on the side in order to avoid this very situation, but i forgot and i paid the price. seriously -- there was about a quarter cup of dressing left on the plate after i finished the salad. i couldn't taste anything but the dressing. very disappointing. i also ordered the cheese plate. i was all stoked -- six different kinds of cheese! when it arrived, i wanted to cry. it was the basic cheese you'd find in your local grocery store -- cheddar, swiss, gouda, some kind of pepper cheese, . . . SO DISAPPOINTED! i was hoping for a little chevre or at a minimum a chunk of funky blue. nada. so anyway, the prices and service are good. but the food really wasn't much to write home about, so i can't in good conscience give it more than two stars.
(2)
Jessica C.

I've eaten here twice. The first time the food was mediocre and the staff was weird. Same thing the second time but with the special bonus of styrofoam plates and plastic utensils. I broke my fork mushing a baked potato and ended up eating the entire meal with it. The shifty-demeanored waiter, who was prone to wandering away from out table while we were talking to him, had some vague explanation for the disposables and took no notice of my fork stub. It shouldn't be legal to charge $12 for an entree not served with real dishes and flatware.
(1)
Justin M.

Went for dinner. Muffaletta was fantastic, as was the salad I ordered with it. Waitstaff were friendly, knowledgeable and very attentive. The icing on the cake? It's not expensive!
(5)
Lia T.

In LOVE with Napoleon House. Excellent Sazeracs. Try the Corsican salad to start. Or, do as G and friend did and get the Jambalaya plate. They were practically fighting to lick the plate. Muffalettas are fab. G and Friend split a whole one and I had a quarter which they prepared meat free. Mmmmm. Wish we had this place in San Diego. Sat out in the courtyard and it was the most romantic, beautifully lit space. Realized we were slightly under cover when it started to drizzle and we didn't get wet. Really, I can't get over how delicious and beautiful this place is yet so CHEAP!
(5)
Marty T.

So many good reviews -- and then there's this one ... Beautiful, beautiful setting, great courtyard, even the food is good. The service is AWFUL. So awful our party of 6 seriously looked around the courtyard for a camera and/or Ashton Kutcher. First the waiter insisted on waiting for all of our party to arrive before taking any orders so he "wouldn't have to keep walking back and forth." Then after ordering, the food did not come out as requested, when the extra lettuce and tomato was brought out it had a very obvious hair on it. The waiter's reaction was actually encouraging when we pointed it out -- he simply stated "s*&t" and moved on. Not 2 minutes later, a tray full of water was spilled down my back. Guess that's what we get for asking for refills!!! It makes for a good story, but other than that not worth the $10 a head.
(2)
Maria H.

Muffaletta is yummy goodness. Eat it while it's hot because the bread gets too hard when it cools down.
(4)
Ralph R.

First time having a pimms cup. Awesome!
(5)
Adina F.

Reallyyy beautiful ambiance. With classical music blasting, for a few moments you'll be convinced you've entered a time warp to Vienna in the 1700s. The portions are huge here, so don't be surprised if after you eat your appetizer you're full! I ordered the bruschetta and my friends ordered a spinach artichoke dip in a bread bowl and both orders were humongous and almost hard to finish. The po' boys are delicious and decent sized, they don't come with sides but you don't really need one after all the eating you're going to do! Their outdoor courtyard seating is GORGEOUS, soo quaint and adorable.
(4)
Michael S.

This is one of my favorite spots in the French Quarter for food, however I strongly believe the food to be only a little bit better than average. It's quite inexpensive compared to other FQ spots and is better than much. However, the Pimms Cups are delicious, and worth the trip. If you're looking for a spot in the FQ that serves traditional New Orleans dishes and charges around $15 a plate this and the Jumbo Shop are probably the best spots. Not great, but a lot better than a lot of spots in the area.
(4)
G. J.

The service was very friendly and the jambalaya was phenomenal. Decent local beer selection -- I really enjoyed the Abita. They also serve Dixie (lager), whose brewery was almost entirely destroyed by hurricane Katrina and is now apparently being rebuilt. The decor was western and dark and lovely. Good for an afternoon drink and snack.
(4)
Digi 4.

Its a place that does not try to be something that it's not. no gimmicks, good food and ok service. Quiet, kinda dark, but a nice ambiance makes this place a semi- gem off the beaten path. Food is good and muffalletas are not the original but they are a fair copy especially since this place is the only place to get them after dark. Don't expect much and you will be very satisfied.
(3)
David B.

Simple and inexpensive food.
(4)
Colin G.

We met a couple and has some drinks with them one afternoon and they absolutely raved about the Pimm's Cup at Napoleon House and told us if we didnt get one before we left new orleans than we hadnt seen the true essence of the city. Im so glad we obliged and followed their advice. We went and had a Pimm's Cup and stayed for a couple more. The blend of gin, lemonade, and 7up was refreshingly simple and flavorful. The cucumber slice in the drink was a nice touch as well. I cant speak to the food but if you're ever in New Orleans and want a refreshing drink go ahead and stop by, you wont be disappointed.
(4)
Shaun A.

The place for pimms cups! Food isnt bad either. Great location in the Quarter right by the Omni royal orleans. My favorite place to get a cup on a hot day.
(5)
Melissa G.

Pimms Cup was excellent and the place is dark and old and charming. Food was very good and I would recommend.
(4)
Dean L.

Great lunch spot not a great dinner menu
(4)
liz d.

Eek! I don't what happened since I last visited this place a year ago. Against the advice of our server at another restaurant, I brought my friends here anyway b/c I had a good time the previous year. Did I eat my words. We walked in and were begrudgingly seated. It was no where near closing. He sat us and told us someone would bring us water, and handed us menus. We then proceeded to overhear him, he did not try and hide it, tell another waiter "I don't want their table. You take it." Rude! First, don't let the customer hear that, and second, he should have said some excuse, like "I'm too busy, he's taking you." It gets worse. This server was just as rude, and curt. Food came out in a decent amount of time but was cold and tasteless. I will never, ever recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
R T.

Affordable for New Orleans and the Pimm Cup is soooo good!
(4)
Debbie Chiou S.

the pimm's cup tasted like lemonade. good, but nothing special. the mufuletta was quite an experience - definitely large enough for three. very tasty - actually discovered that i like olives, haha. if i could change one thing - toast the bread!
(3)
G. B.

Stopped by late at night during the French Quarter Festival. Needed a change from all the Cajun food, so we had panini. Excellent! And.... Of course, washed them down with a Pimm's Cup.
(4)
audrey w.

Fabulous. We came the morning after a drunken night out so i was grumpy and partially blind. It was my first real meal in new orleans...very first Po'boy and Pimms cup. The atmosphere is rustic and worn in...like an old leather chair or suitcase. I just love a place where you can take a buttered sandwich, and smother it in gravy....while sipping perfectly made cocktails. Ohh new orleans, you stole my heart-
(4)
Michelle M.

We loved this place so much we ate there twice during our vacation to New Orleans! Normally in such a rich culinary city I would frown on doing such a thing, but I just couldn't leave without sitting in that courtyard and sipping a Pimm's Cup! First time we went we were seated by the open "windows" that are really doorways to the outside - beautiful French doors - and we split the Muffaletta and jambalaya. Our livers were still hurting from the Hand Grenades we drank the night before, so we didn't try the Pimm's on that particular visit. The food was solid; I had never had a Muffaletta and it was much better than expected. I wouldn't say it's the best food you can get in New Orleans, but the ambience and experience really makes this place stand out. The second time we went we popped in for a drink and a cheese plate in their courtyard. The Pimm's Cup definitely lived up to the hype; it was so delicious and refreshing. And the cheese plate - out of this world! I know, I know, you're thinking, "But it's just a cheese plate.." but it's so much more than that. Seven different types of cheese served on a board with fresh slices of pepperoni and apple, paired with garlic toast . Delicious. A bit off the beaten path for the Bourbon Street-types, which makes it perfect for the traveler looking for a real New Orleans experience.
(5)
Dan B.

I came to Napoleon to try the blasphemous HOT muffaletta sandwich. That's right, hot. If you don't know what a muffaletta is, it's a classic New Orleans sandwich piled high on Italian bread with salami, ham, provolone, and olive salad. Usually, they are cold, but at Napoleons they give you a hot one. I have to say that overall I like the cold one better, but this was still very good. I love the setting here on quiet Chartres St where you can sit at the edge of the restaurant overlooking the street. There is also a charming courtyard in the back if you prefer to eat lunch. In other words, the ambiance is fantastic. The service was okay at best. If you're looking for a better muffaletta experience, though, go to Central Grocery on Decatur Street.
(4)
Marc R.

Neat place. The Sazerac (drink) was excellent, as was the muffaletta. I'm not a connoisseur, but I was very underwhelmed by the jambalaya compared to what I had at other restaurants during our tour de Louisiana.
(4)
Meredith C.

Our waiter was very snooty about being employed at a glorified sandwich shop, but it was actually kind of funny. I had a chicken and goat cheese sandwich which was very rich, delicious, and filling. I topped it off with their signature Pimm's Cup which was tasty.
(4)
Chrisa H.

Since when is a 7 and 7 made with rum? Nuff said
(1)
Julie H.

Yuck, yuck and more yuck. This was one of those experiences you wish you could rewind. I know you know what I mean. To the point - the muffaletta was simply gross. The bread was stiff, the olive salad was mostly celery and OLD. It was MUSH. Very little olive flavor in the olive salad. How do you suppose you do that? I fussed at my daughter for complaining after her first bite then ended up commiserating with her and scraping the green stuff off the bread and trying to salvage our meal. The Caesar salad was also a bomb. Not DA-bomb, just a bomb. The Romaine was less than fresh and the dressing had a very strong mustard flavor. Again, what's up with that??? The jambalaya was room-temp and served with an ice-cream scooper. There's just something about getting scoops of food on drab plastic plates that SCREAMS cafeteria food.The flavor was okay but not good enough to salvage the experience. Now, we did venture to the ladies room and noted that the ambiance in the courtyard was much nicer than the dank surroundings in the main dining room. Yes, I know it's a historic building but that doesn't mean the food has to match the surroundings. Several of the diners in the courtyard were eating roast-beef po'boys that looked delicious! (You gonna' eat that?) If you absolutely must dine here, order the roast-beef and let me know how it was. If you go here and order the muffaletta, don't say I didn't warn you.
(1)
Jasson S.

Gorgeous building / style and like some of the other posters I wanted to get up and explore the house. Definitely a great place to hang out with friends for a few drinks... on the flip side, the food was average and not worth writing home about.
(3)
Erin G.

I have to agree with Sarah K. I really like this place. I'm veg and I love the organic sandwich, and the paninis (listed in the appetizer section, for some reason) are tasty too. They also have some tasty spreads and dips and the salads are good. I think the Pimm's cup is grand and have been known to drink too many because they are damn tasty and super refreshing. I love the old creepiness and the courtyard in the back is nice and pretty quiet. It can be busy and service can be a slow, but it's a historical location in the Quarter, what do you expect?
(4)
Mardi C.

went here with friends from out of town, and being a local? had drinks here, but never had food. we did a light lunch, with hummous, tahini and olive salad... yummy, creamy, and addictive. then we had a spinach salad, and pesto on brioche... both just as addictive. I'm craving these dishes since we went there. sat outside, the waitstaff was really fun, and chatted us up. Simply wonderful experience. I will be back soon. and will explore furthur into the menu... bon appetit!
(5)
Victor L.

Napoleon House is a must when visiting the French Quarter. It is one of the oldest establishments of the area and has very unique decor scheme. I went there on two separate occasions: drinks one night and food for lunch. The night I went out for drinks was once in a lifetime experience as I drank one of the best drinks I have had in my young life thus far, a Ramos Gin Fizz. It was a) made properly (real whole egg, shaken for a good three to four minutes, chilled glass), and b) served with pride as all bartenders should do. My second visit included the famous Muffalleta which was enormous, filling, and divine. Also had a Pimm's cup which was great and a Sazarac which is an acquired taste but tasty nonetheless. Pay Napoleon House a visit because it is a great establishment, one that you will never regret.
(5)
T S.

I have to go on and on about my beloved Napoleon House when I speak of places to eat in New Orleans. First of all - this is THE PLACE to get a muffaletta. The olive salad they use is incredible and the bread is fresh and crispy. Plus, for those that don't eat a lot, you can get a quarter for $4. My eight year old son loves the turkey po boy - which comes to your table with thick, crusty french bread. Hard to get your mouth around, but my son manages and gobbles it down each time. The second reason to go to Napoleon House is the Pimm's Cup - a great refreshing drink to sip after walking around in humid New Orleans. While service can sometimes be slow, I've always been treated well - even during rush times. Also - did I mention they have a great courtyard? Just gorgeous.
(4)
Stefan A.

We had a nice late lunch and cocktails in a true New Orleans experience. We ate in the charming interior courtyard. The space has a happy decrepit quality that is the essence of the quarter. The Pimm's cup was a real standout. The muffelata was good, jambalaya OK (I wouldn't get it again). We had a great time talking with our waiter (delightfully grumpy in a socially acceptable Southern way) and the couldn't-be-more gracious owner for 30 minutes about a variety of things - differences between SF and NOLA spumoni ice cream, post-Katrina NOLA rebuilding, and, uh, some other stuff (did I mention I was drinking? I find waking up in NOLA works better with just a splash of bourbon).
(4)
Julian V.

Great Pimm's cup. The Muff is also good, as it is a hot Muff.
(4)
Susan B.

The best Pimm's Cup bar none!!
(5)
Ben G.

Wasn't too struck by the food, but the service was nice and the atmosphere was too.
(3)
John O.

Today was my second visit to this place. Yes, this is the place for a Pimm's Cup. It is a specialty drink in NOLA. I also ate here. The food is good. Not expensive at all. I ordered a muffaletta the first time, very filling for two! Today I ordered the red beans and rice. I was very hungry and actually finished the whole plate! I noticed in many reviews that the food was rated mostly just okay. Well, to me, this place is more of a bar than a restaurant. A bar that happens to serve food. Sort of like an Irish Bar. The atmosphere is really neat. Nice courtyard toward the rear of the building. The bar is very old. The place is like over 150 years and the bartender has been their for like 60 years! Very cool place to visit.
(4)
Chris B.

Cool, casual atmosphere, good food. We had lunch here and I was impressed with their food. Though not spectacular, my poboy was tasty and the service was quite good. I'll go back for lunch again when I'm in the quarter.
(4)
Becky R.

Stopped in before dinner for a Pimm's Cup of course. Really cool interior and super friendly bartenders. He walked us through the different specialty drinks he was making other customers and gave us ideas on what to order next. I kinda felt like I was somewhere in old-school England or something. A must when in New Orleans!
(4)
Karin K.

I will definitely visit the Napoleon House again the next time I'm in NOLA. I took the advice of other reviewers and tried the Pimms Cup...loved it. So light and refreshing on a warm day. We sat in the garden area which was lovely. Be sure to arrive early as it fills up fast. I had the Shrimp Remoulade Stuffed Avocado. Very yummy! My husband had the Italian Muffuletta. Great! If you like olives and fresh bread, you'll love the Muffuletta.
(5)
Lisa Anne L.

Local and trusted friends recommended the Pimms Cup but we arrived to find the Napoleon House closed from July 4 - July 20, 2010. Just FYI.
(1)
yj k.

i thought i didn't like gumbo til i had it here!! their seafood gumbo is da bomb!! their jambalaya was the best that i have had as well. red beans n rice was pretty good...but i think i was just too full the service is fast and friendly. it gets really crowded so i suggest going beofre noon.
(5)
Scot H.

love the interior/atmosphere. waiter not so knowledgeable-couldn't tell us about the cheese board. however, he was attentive otherwise. muffaletta was served hot (texas style). kitchy history and pictures throughout. don't forget to sign the wall.
(4)
Randy T.

For the past couple of decades I've stuck to my favorite restaurant when visiting The French Quarter but during this past year since I've had to spend a considerable amount of time in New Orleans I've decided to stretched my legs visit a variety of different restaurants in the Quarter. My last visit to New Orleans I found myself in probably the worst restaurant I've ever encountered ever!!!! Since I've always wanted to try a Pimm's cup I found myself at Napoleon House and was first taken aback by it's history of this building and the Impastato's. Normally when I write a review I start with a little history of the restaurant and try to describe the overall ambiance however, in his case I'll skip all that and go straight to the juicy stuff. We arrived during lunch hour and since the bar wasn't very busy we got a table right away. My partner was disappointed that we didn't sit in the courtyard but it was a little too humid for me. My partner ordered a meatball sub but since they were out of meatballs she settled on an Italian sausage sandwich and I ordered an Italian sub with a side of Jambalaya. When my Pimm's cup arrived I didn't know what to expect but what I received tasted like dishwater!!!!! My partner grimaced when she had a taste. The first sign that something was amiss was the amount of time our meal took, a couple seated after us received their meal before us and a six topper that arrived almost twenty minutes after us was served not long after us. My partner like the taste of her Italian sausage but couldn't help but notice that the that the top and bottom slices didn't match and looked like it had been dropped on the floor and put back together, my partners exact words! When she opened the sandwich the sausage had been split and half of it was overcooked. My partners bread was tough as shoe leather and mine was as hard as a rock, we left half of the bread of our sandwiches on our plates. Now since this is New Orleans Jambalaya is a staple that everyone should know how to make but what I was served wasn't even close. My Jambalaya was very dry with no chicken and a few specks of andouille sausage. My Jambalaya did have a little surprise though, a couple of red beans that were raw!!!! We never got a chance to tell our waiter about our experience cause after he dropped the check he made himself scarce even though my partner tried to stop him to tell him about our disgusting experience. He must have expected something was amiss. My partner and I have always been excellent tippers but for the first time in my life I considered stiffing our server. In my opinion Napoleon House doesn't even deserve 1 star but since thats the lowest rating Yelp allows me to give. You guys suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Note: My partner couldn't help but notice all the fixtures and ceiling fans havn't been dusted in ages and when we passed the kitchen a filthy window fan layered in dirt and dust was blowing into the prep area. Normally after eating in the Quarter we stroll around and spend a little money in New Orleans but after eating at Napoleon House we were so disgusted we went directly home.
(1)
Heather M.

The muffeletta and pimms cup drink were greet. However the service was horrible! The bartender ignored my mom, sister and I for 15 minutes without ever acknowledging us. When I finally had to ask for a seat he was rude and never asked us if we wanted to sit inside or outside. He sat us inside. When I asked if we could sit outside he said, " your close enough!" how rude. He looked into the outdoor courtyard and said, "nope full." but it wasn't full. You all need to bump up you friendliness and customer service!!
(2)
L T.

I'd return to give it another chance, but was somewhat disappointed in the experience. The place does have a cool atmosphere and back story, and my "meal" (the seafood gumbo) was delish. However, it was really a cup-sized portion served with a bit of bread - i honestly felt it should have been advertised as an appetizer or half-portion. My friends were happy with their beans and rice and po boys. Everything was served on plastic plates - like Chinet or something. They don't have a lot of hot seafood options, for New Orleans - more sandwiches and salads. Mostly I was peeved by the grumpy and inattentive waiter, who left my mixed drink up at the bar for nearly 10 minutes before bringing it over (I was sitting across from the bar and almost walked over to get it myself). My friends got their beers on time so i was alone in having nothing to sip on :) My guess is they know they'll get customers no matter what, so they don't bend over backwards to please.
(3)
Colleen R.

I've never been a fan of their food or their surly service, but the experience of sipping a Pimm's Cup in Napoleon House on a hot, humid day is unmatched by anything anywhere else. I mean, check out the little Google Map next to this review -- Napoleon House has its own landmark icon in a neighborhood that's dripping with history. Whether out in the intimate courtyard or at one of the tables in the dimly lit interior, it's easy to pass a little time here in true New Orleans fashion.
(5)
Sira D.

This place is amazing! I couldn't possibly love a cafe more. They serve Pimm's, the food is amazingly good, the atmosphere is unparalleled, and the waiters are consummate professionals. The prices are really good for the area and the quality of the food. We sat outside in the courtyard and I had the Organic Sandwich, which was perfect. Later the same night we met our waiter in a bar and he remembered our faces, drink orders, and menu choices. All in all, I'm very impressed.
(5)
Ashley M.

This was my first time to NOLA. The atmosphere was superb. The food was as great as the atmosphere : ) The Muffaletta was incredible. The pesto pasta was not shabby either! Too bad they didn't have any Jambalaya left when we came, otherwise that would have blown us away too! Darn, I guess we will have to come back to New Orleans again... ; )
(5)
Natalie T.

I was watching JFK and in the opening scene when the President gets shot, the main character says "lets go to Napoleons, they have a TV" and sure enough they filmed inside this restaurant.
(4)
Daimon E.

As a relaxing bar to people-watch on a nice afternoon and just take a break from whatever you need a break from anytime, this bar gets 5 stars. As a place to eat, it gets 3 stars. So it depends what you're looking for. Food first - I've eaten here a few times, and it's average. Not bad, but nothing you're going to remember. There are far better places to eat in the Quarter. There is not a better place to hang out and have a few drinks when the sun is beating down outside. The bar is dark and cool even when the full-length shutters are opened and the walls are largely open to the sidewalk. Sit down, slowly decide on a drink to order and relax as the classical music plays and New Orleans happens around you.
(4)
Scott S.

Too many happy tourist reviews for this place. The food is decent enough, coffee is terrible, so is the service. Slow and unresponsive, not to mention having to flag downs waiter for everything. The one redeeming point here is that the bartender is an expert, and his amazing bloody Mary saved this place from a worse rating.
(2)
Adam P.

Amazing atmosphere. We went for lunch and afternoon drinks. The perfect sunny afternoon place.
(4)
M. M.

I decided to check out this cool historic little joint for my first drinking and dining experience in New Orleans, after getting dissed off by whoever answers the phone at K'Pauls. Before I went to Napoleon House I read some Frommer's review that said it had a nice courtyard and surly waiters in bow ties. This is the second time I've seen the word "Surly" used to describe waiters in New Orleans and the second time it's been dead wrong, or else "surly" now means "real nice people who talk and laugh and check up on you multiple times while you eat." I tend to go to restaurants by myself a lot when traveling alone and it's always a crap shoot how restaurants will respond to that. Some of them will stick you in a corner and forget about you and others will go out of their way to pay you speshul attention because you don't have anybody to eat and chat with. At first I was worried that Napoleon House would be the former as they parked me next to some coat tree that the staff was hanging their backpacks on, but which was also in the window that opens onto the street. Unfortunately there was not much to look at on the street except parked cars, people with kids or booze wandering aimlessly past, and the Royal Orleans garage across the street, but the breeze was nice and after I changed seats I could dig a little of the historic innards of the restaurant (which also has a beautiful bar in the next room). I considered asking to sit in the courtyard but it was getting really windy so I decided to stay put. There was kind of a wait before they took my order (I think a shift change might have been happening) but right when I was about to give up a very nice waiter came and took my order and then I was repeatedly visited throughout my meal by him and another very nice waiter who kept checking to see if I needed anything. It was probably the best wait service I've had anywhere in the US in months. I had jambalaya, a Pimms and a Dixie beer. The Pimms was decent though it's a little weird to be drinking a british drink in a quintessentially French place. The jambalaya was a tad dry, like "bar jambalaya" that had been sitting in a pot on the stove all day, but it was adequately spicy and went down OK when chased with alcoholic beverages. I want to go back and try a muffulatta and hang out some more at the gorgeous old bar.
(4)
Sean B.

Didn't eat anything but the Muffaletta, but the ambiance was nice, the Abita was cold, and the service was friendly.
(4)
Bee S.

Went here for a late late dinner one night while in NOLA. We literally stumbled upon it desperately trying to find somewhere to eat on our way home. I had no idea it was so popular and now I will never forget it! The service was amazing, we sat outside on their little patio (gorgeous btw), and the prices are so reasonable. The outside looked pretty sketch (later I found out why - it's like 200 years old), but after our amazing meals and beers I realized it's all a charade! By looking crappy on the outside, you would never guess it is so awesome on the inside. We had the cheese board appetizer and I had my first ever poor boy sandwich. It was HUGE. Was not expecting something called a poor boy sandwich to be so humongous. It wasn't your typical meat between two slices of bread, it was so much food I had to split it with a friend. The waiter kept the beers coming and all in all for 3 people our bill was something like $50-$60 (what!?). Maybe it was a mistake on the waiter, but I was so impressed with the entire experience I tell everyone I know going to the french quarter to eat here!!
(5)
Christy T.

It is lovely, absolutely wonderful. Did you step into a time warp that you feel both respectful and awed by? Absolutely. The amazing plaster walls, hundreds of years old, stretching 18 ft to the ceiling all yellowed and patched with oil paintings strung everywhere. The worn floors, the ancient bar. The wait staff spinning stories true or false of the history. Ambiance does not even begin to explain this little bar. We stayed, had a few Pimms and marveled over the history all around us.
(4)
N. B.

When my food came, the first thing my husband said was "mall food"...and our drinks tasted like cough syrup..Move on
(1)
Katy N.

Food was terrible but not as bad as the service. After we waited 45 minutes for a table we asked about our table and the hostess rudely told us she never wrote our name down. We waited a few more minutes and were seated. After ordering we waited over an hour for our appetizer which was just spinach and artichoke dip. 4 tables that sat after us ate appetizers and lunch and paid before we received our appetizer. We questioned our waiter about our food, he then apologized and quickly brought out all of our food which was disgusting. The gumbo was terrible, the BBQ pork sandwich was bland, the fish steak sandwich was over cooked/dry and the pastrami poor boy was tasteless. They promised to comp us something because of the mix up and when we got the bill NOTHING they promised was removed from the bill. After I questioned the waiter on the bill he only took of the spinach and artichoke dip which was basically the best thing we had. Overall I would never go back there again!
(1)
ginger w.

I was determined to try a muffaletta sandwich on my trip to NOLA. I know the Central Grocery is The Place To Go, but I didn't want to carry around my sandwich and look for a park bench on which to consume it. So we skipped breakfast, and were in line at 11 AM on a Saturday when the place opened. We were seated right away (we asked for the courtyard - it was a lovely day) and had 3 Abitas (local beer) and split a muffaletta. It was good, I wouldn't say to die for. My understanding is there is more to the one at CG. However, the bread was fresh and the cheese was melty. It is truly a venerable place, but very touristy. Full bar and the menu has all the regional favorites. It was a nice enough place to stop for lunch, try a NOLA famous food item, and soak in a French Quarter experience. One sandwich is more than plenty for 2 adults. Tab was $30.95 before tip. A little steep for lunch, but this is the Quarter. Service was good, but we were early, so there you go.
(3)
Mister R.

A little overpriced. But everything I ate was good, considering the area.
(4)
Scott T.

Somehow we always find our way here for a cool and refreshing Pimms.
(3)
Jerry S.

The place has the best atmosphere of any old French Quarter spot pluss good food and service. Not a "NOLA" which is near but good local food.
(3)
Emily T.

Although the food was really good, I wanted to get up and explore the Napoleon House because it looked so cool.
(5)
Abbe M.

I was in New Orleans for my second time on a business trip about two weeks ago. Expensing meals is always a great perk when traveling for work--especially in New Orleans, which touts so many great places to dine. Problem is, travel budgets have been slashed since the recession so I had to keep it reasonable. For anyone on a budget in New Orleans, The Napoleon House truly delivers. And actually, for anyone who wants some true New Orleans flavor, whether traveling on a dime or not, I would suggest this place in a heartbeat. The decor is original, and when I say original, I mean early 1800s original! Despite 200 years worth of peeling wallpaper, which by the way adds a perfect touch of New Orleans mystique, a visitor can understand why this place was destined for Napoleon Bonaparte. The prices, however, don't scream nobility. We started with a charcuterie of patÃ©, andouille sausage and foie gras, which was was only 6 bucks! And to stick with the New Orleans theme, I had a muffaletta and a pimm's cup. Both were ridiculously cheap but ridiculously good. Beyond the prices and the quality fare, the Napoleon House is a must because of its location. It's only steps away from Bourbon Street, but those few steps are just enough to remove a person from all of the debauchery on Bourbon Street. It has the type of relaxed environment that allows a person to go there wearing jeans or if the mood strikes them, to dress up, as well. Whatever your pleasure, the Napoleon House is a quintessential New Orleans establishment.
(4)
Kimberley A.

If you're searching for old New Orleans, this is a great place to find it. From the faded Napoleon reproductions and posters to the crumbling walls and courtyard, it's pure old world romance. I had the muffaletta sandwich which was fine, but it's the ambiance that really makes this place special.
(4)
Jonah E.

The ambiance alone makes this place one of my favorites in the Quarter. But the muffaletta's here are the absolute best I've tasted in the city.
(4)
Dixon T.

Order a Primm's Cup (get the souvenir glass if you must) and the assorted cheeses and pates, then sit at a small table near the street and watch quarter stroll by. This is one of the few places in the city that you can get a boudin, and although they aren't as good as the ones you get outside the city, it's still yummy. They are also famous for their warm muffaletta, but I prefer the Central Grocery. All and all, this is a favorite places to relax in the quarter and just people watch, as long as one of those horse drawn carriages doesn't pull by and re-leave it's self. (not the carriage silly. the horse.)
(5)
Andrew C.

The muffaletta was really good, as was the Pimms Cup. The courtyard is gorgeous, and the inside of the restaurant has a lot of charm. I would eat here again.
(3)
Jude F.

What a flat-out delightful place. Comfortable atmosphere, classical music, dangerous Pimm's Cups. Why are they dangerous? Essentially gin and lemonade with a cucumber garnish, they are so sweet and refreshing that you don't notice that you've had six of them while it poured rain outside and you daydreamed yourself back 100 years. Can we teleport the Napoleon House to San Francisco, please?
(5)
Richard H.

Napoleon House is where you go if you live in the Quarter or are an Uptowner entertaining some out of town guests staying in the Quarter. This is the real New Orleans. Why do I say this? Hard to put in words -- just trust me on this one. On a steamy, muggy New Orleans summer night, head to Napoleon House, grab a table in the outside courtyard, grab a Pimm's Cup or Sazerac, and soak it in. If it doesn't sink in, there's no helping you and you should head back to Bourbon Street. If it does, welcome to New Orleans.
(5)
David G.

Went here for a reception after a friend's wedding and could not have been more pleased with the food or service. Charming spot with a nice outdoor patio and charming rooms upstairs for the reception.
(5)
J. R. H.

My recent lunch/cocktails at Napoleon House (NH) were the easy welcome back that New Orleans offers in a post-Katrina reality. NH keeps its authentic/historic atmosphere, exceptionally good service, and quality food at realistic prices. The menu holds local standards that are neither over-fancy nor over priced--stick with gumbos, red beans & rice, muffalettas, and the like. In the dining room, small patio, or street-side bar, you won't feel like you've connected with the Big Easy unless you visit NH....a couple of Salzeracs never hurt either.
(4)
Erin A.

Nice patio, quieter section of FQ, no line to get in! Gumbo was good, food was average overall, service was also average. While it was good, it wasn't one of our trip's highlights as far a food was concerned.
(4)
SD V.

It took a long time to serve us (6 in our party) and it took long to bring us our food, bill etc. However, our waiter was very friendly and the food was really good. My friend and I wanted the seafood gumbo but they were out (4 stars) so I had an organic sandwich - vegetarian sandwich with great dressing and a slice of cream cheese - very good. My grandmother still mentions that dressing. Their house dessert was bread pudding and it was AWESOME!!! I do not like the taste of alcohol, but the strong rum flavor, pineapple, raisins and the pudding itself was so gooood!! All of the flavors worked so well together. I hope that Roux Kitchen here in San Jose will have the same bread pudding.
(4)
jade w.

Cheap and good. Of all the places we tried, they had the best gumbo and jambalaya. Unlike the other places, which charged like 14 bucks, these dishes were only 7-8 bucks. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Mark S.

My #1 place for a light lunch and a refreshing Pimms cup when I'm in the quarter on a hot day. They have a lovely patio out back, a building loaded with great history (offered to house Napolean himself as part of a plot for local pirates to storm his island exile prison and set him free), and good casual food (espeicially by quarter standards). A cucumber garnished Pimms Cup is the icing on the cake, and a MUST for any self respecting tourist in the quarter.
(5)
Chris P.

I came for your pimms cup and left a happy man, the waiter who served us was great. He told us what was his favorite and we thought he had great taste. The Shrimp Remoulade was outstanding. the wait on Monday at lunch was a bit rough but the pimms cup while standing outside waiting for our table made it not so bad.
(5)
Isabella R.

Napoleon House is why I know what it means to miss New Orleans. It's an absolutely peaceful and elegant little nook with a most rejuvenating outdoor courtyard and much, much charm. Sitting in the courtyard on a hot afternoon with a cool Pimm's Cup, with the wrought iron terraces and curving golden porticos and swaying banana plants reaching for the light, things are good. Good like being in New Orleans in the most tranquil and elegant spot, deciding whether to lunch on a shrimp remoulade stuffed avocado or to just continue idly poking straw sized circles in the cucumber slices on the bottom of your Pimm's Cup , daydreaming contentedly.
(5)
Katherine D.

I loved this place. The first time I went, I only had a cheese board and a few drinks. The second time I went, I got the Muffaletta which wasn't my favorite but it was still good. If I recall correctly, they serve it warm, which is unusual. The atmosphere at Napoleon is truly fabulous. Make a point to stop by when you're in NOLA and dont' forget to order a Pimm's Cup--it's the house specialty. Napolean House is right by the Pharmacy Museum which is neat-o and only costs $2 or $3. Make an afternoon of it.
(5)
Elizabeth P.

On our recent trip to New Orleans it was recommended to us by several people to check out Napolean House. We really enjoyed our dinner there and felt it was one of the best bargains in town! Their menu is good, but rather small, and their drinks were awesome. They have a quaint courtyartd and it feels like the history of the building has been well maintained. We'll definitely go back again.
(4)
Sandra J.

After a night of walking around New Orleans on a Haunted Tour, I was hungry. Napoleon house was near our hotel and the wait wasn't very long for a Saturday night.. Actually it was quite dead. We were seated outside near a heat lamp which was nice since it was a chilly night. I think the heat lamp kept me from going postal! We were waiting about 10 minutes for someone to give us some water. We we sitting RIGHT IN FRONT of the waiter station. So when are waiter came to us, asked us our drinks, and disappeared. So since we are sitting in front of the waiter station... we heard the waiter say.... "I don't want their table . take it" to other waiter. Ok... we ordered water and one beer and we were sober and dressed in clothes to do a haunted WALKING tour there was no need to be so rude where we can hear you! So our new waiter came to us and didn't let us know what was available.... so of course the things we wanted... was out! We ordered our food and the food came out cold.. Gumbo shouldn't be COLD! I was just so frustrated with my meal and the service I wanted to go back to our hotel. The waiter who dumped us came back to us and was being nice again. Well you lost your tip so don't bother kissing up to us now! I HATED this place. All I heard is how wonderful NOLA was on food and service, I guess people didn't go to the Napoleon House!
(1)
James R.

you know, I really like the vibe and ambiance here - all the old crap on the walls, the waiters eating during shifts at the communal table in the corner, the bar always full at all hours. but the food just isn't that good. mufffaleta and dirty rice were both truly mediocre. but i bet it's a great drinking spot, if it doesn't get too overwhelmed by french quarter tourists.
(3)
Ryan L.

Just went there for drinks. Good ambiance. Sitting in that quart yard there is nothing like it. Pimms cup is good to try if you've never had 1. Do not be in a hurry just take it all in. Great history.
(4)
Norman P.

Fantastic! Waiters are all business, but pleasant. Food is very good, especially at rock bottom prices. Atmosphere is outstanding, especially the court yard on a nice day. Some confusion with the staff over whether they accept reservations a day in advance, but my party was accommodated quickly. Get a Pimm's Cup; you can't go wrong!
(5)
John W.

Concierge at the Royal Sonesta sent us here (without hesitation) when we asked for a recommendation for a good, relatively quick lunch option. Glad he did! Don't expect a one-of-a-kind, mind-altering food experience, just good, traditional NOLA cuisine, very reasonably priced, in a comfortable setting. I had the red beans and rice and it really hit the spot. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Dr J.

I won't delve into a lengthy academic discussion of the building's interesting history, since I don't know it, but NH is a great place to pop into for lunch in the Quarter. Try the shrimp etouffee-stuffed avocado and Muffaletta (no, it's not what it sounds like, unfortunatley, but rather a large, toothsome Italian sandwich with salami, ham, green olive tapenade, and other deliciousness (see the pic)). Ya, the service is not warp speed but who isn't a little understaffed down there right now? I think it adds to the ambiance too, which this place has in droves (did someone say, Patina?).
(4)
Maeve G.

This was the bar my dad hung out in all through college. I tried it four decades later and understood the allure completely. Mario made me an amazing Pimm's cup and I sat at the bar with some locals. The place has a very laid back, non-touristy vibe and it's a great place to strike up a conversation with whoever happens to be sitting next to you. A definite must when visiting the French Quarter. Note: limited hours post Katrina; when I was there in December they were open daily from 11-5.
(5)
E C.

This was a very good find. They had great, authentic food for a great price.
(5)
Deva C.

i simply LOVE this place. their pimm's cup is THE thing to get, especially on a rainy day when there's not much else a pedestrian can do without an umbrella... their cheese plate appetizer was ok, mostly normal cheeses that i could find anywhere... but, the bread pudding was knee-bucklingly delicious! the walls and the decorations are fascinating, and the courtyard area is fairly chill as well.
(5)
Krista C.

Cute courtyard with a simple lunch menu ranging from the necessary seafood gumbo to the shrimp etouffee stuffed avocadoes. Delicious. The service was a bit slow, I'm assuming because of the lack of workers in the city post-Katrina. Otherwise, it was a nice ending to a perfect trip.
(4)
Gourmet G.

Housed in a landmark building dating from 1797 that's rated among the most historically significant locations in New Orleans - it's on the National Register - Napoleon House incorporates two dining experiences under one roof. Napoleon House, with its casual atmosphere, is basically a bar and European-style cafe serving soups, salads, gumbo, and the local sandwiches for which New Orleans is famous - the muffaletta and the po' boy. Girod's Bistro serves Mediterranean and Southern French cuisine, heavy with accents of South Louisiana. (Many patrons of Napoleon House don't even realize that this dining room, with its Old World charm, operates under a different name.) Among the items you might find on its ever-rotating menu are Moroccan spiced lamb loin chops, Louisiana shellfish with Shiitake mushrooms on a bed of angel hair pasta, smoked rabbit jambalaya, and grilled salmon in a citrus cream sauce. Classical music provides a soothing background in both the cafe and bistro sections. Service is very friendly and attentive, professional without being stuffy.
(5)
patrick g.

Ah, Pimm's Cups on the rainy July afternoon. This place was built for Napoleon himself but he died before the locals could convince him to come. One of those rare places that locals and tourist love equally. Good cocktails, surly service, decent charcuterie, unmatched history.
(5)
Jay N.

It's hard to add anything to what's been said by the other yelpers, but this (and Galatoire's) are two places I never miss in NOLA. The place drips history - and the wait staff has found their groove (attentive and friendly). The kitchen is now open for a decent lunch time. The roast beef po-boy and muffelatta are both outstanding - but eating them in that wonderful courtyard and making friends with others at the surrounding tables is "where it's at". And don't forget to relax with a drink at the Napoleon House,, you owe it to yourself.
(5)
Chris H.

I brought two friends from out of town to get muffellattas. Apparently Napoleon is known for them. They were okay. What's more, the service was crap. We rolled in at 9:40pm. Granted, this is 20 minutes before closing, but still plenty of time to serve three half muffellattas with a bruschetta appetizer. It took them 10 minutes just to seat us, and another 10 minutes just to get the water. They even tried to give us a hard time about the kitchen closing after trying to shake us for 10 minutes. When we got the bill, the pen was dead and I tried to get a replacement from the host. I asked him for a pen, and he stared at me as if I wasn't actually there. Never going back.
(1)
Stellah D.

Napoleon house is one of those rare places that make one long to return to a city, just to sit again in the shade of the ancient palms, drinking drinks in the sulfurous light of the old gas lamps. The wait staff wear white, and glow faintly as they move soundlessly amongst the tables, I drank my first Pimms cup here, while being regaled with stories of gold coin, bribes and intrigue.
(5)
Wayne E.

This place is fantastic. The bar oozes with history, the staff are fantastic, and you will soon learn that a Pimm's Cup can cure most of what ails you. In the midst of a crazy Mardi Gras experience, this was the one place where everyone seemed to be an adult, or could act like one for at least 20 minutes. Don't miss it!
(5)
Andrew H.

What I like most is sitting outside in the garden and listening to the classical music faintly playing in the background. Order the Sazarac for something different.
(5)
Vanessa M.

Beef PoBoy perfection? Yes please! This is a must stop for me. I introduced by hubby to the glory of the PoBoy, and he was in heaven here at Napoleon house. Some of the other food is lacking ( don't bother with what they try to pass of as a cheese board), but the traditional fare is spot on. The service is also pretty great. While eating there with a friend we expressed interest in the history of the building. We were given the go ahead to poke around the upper apartments that were supposedly built for Napoleon. Beautiful! So much fun! Definitely solid! Did I mention the beef PoBoys???
(4)
Katie L.

Great Pimms drinks and nice servers. Cheese board was a waste of money- it seemed like they just cut chunks of cheese from packages you would get at the grocery store, plus it was served with apple slices which still had the core and just ok bread. Water and tea pitchers for refills were sitting on top of trash cans, and the bathrooms were smelly and dirty. We loved the atmosphere but lost our appetites after seeing the bathrooms and open trashcans throughout the restaurant. We didn't order anymore food after the cheeseboard.
(2)
Eliette K.

Used to be a favorite. Not anymore. Unfriendly service (guy waiters - girl hostess was nice). Very mediocre food. Back no more.
(2)
Jules Wolfers D.

We went there due to a friend's desire for the drink- Primms Cup was very good! We got a table right away- and the prices were affordable as we noticed on the menu- and the food was awesome. The muffuletta? This came out great- I am not crazy about olives, despite that, the food was great!
(4)
Wendy G.

The highlight to me was still their Italian food though -- MUFFALETTA! I've never thought the olive spread on Italian meats could make such a difference. I truly believe such encounter is rare therefore precious. They've also had an amazing selection of cocktails btw.
(4)
Mark W.

Wonderful music and ambiance! Really enjoyed muffuletta and jambalaya! My wife got the ratatouille calzone. The calzone was too sour.
(4)
Laura C.

After our waiter acting as greeter promptly sat us in his own section, he then proceeded to ignore us for 1 1/2 hrs. This would have been acceptable had the food been exceptional, but it was not. The frozen and re-heated duck po boy was dry and flavor-less. The highlight of my meal were the Zappata's barbecue chips and canned dill pickle that came with it. Bad food. Worse service, never again.
(1)
Joyce M.

Sadly we weren't hungry at all, but we stopped in for drinks and to take in the atmosphere which is pretty awesome. The walls are artfully crumbling with bubbling and peeling paint, underneath a crowded assortment of Napoleon prints, paintings, and photographs. Pretty good beer selection, nice drink selection, delicious Pimm's cups... overall a nice place to sit and relax for a mo.
(4)
Daniel S.

I have been here once before and had a fine experience. Tonight however was not the same case. We left 15 minutes after being seated. By this point we had not had our drink order taken or even been greeted by the waiter. After complaining to the hostess he did walk by and tell us he would be right back. He dropped off food at table next to us and walked away. So did we. Too many good restaurants in New Orleans for this.
(1)
Nick S.

Pimms Cup is all I had here as it's their signature drink, but the old bar feel and bartender were both great.
(3)
Abby T.

If you're looking for history and class in New Orleans, this is definitely a good spot to check out. Laid back, great drinks, and one with tons of character that you'll want to tell your friends about.
(4)
Laura M.

I've never had muffaletta sandwich, and I was bound and determined to change that in New Orleans. Obviously we tried to stop in at Central Grocery first- the line was down the street on Saturday, and since we had a limited amount of time to work with we decided to find another spot to dine. Napolean house became the winner for two reasons: 1.) short wait 2.) affordable prices posted on the menu outside I had serious reservations about coming here, since all advice pointed to Central Grocery and a few other local spots. I'm so very glad we stayed- the muffaletta was served warm, and the melted cheese mingled with the olive salad so nicely that I gasped after the first bite. It was absolutely delicious, affordable, and packaged nicely to allow us to roam the city while eating. Initially I thought I may be biased since this was my first muffaletta and I had nothing else to compare it too. As luck would have it, we found our group dining across the street the next day at Pierre Maspero's, where I ordered my second muffaletta. The difference between the two was stark- Napolean's seemingly was well thought out, the meat was rich, the cheese perfectly melted, and the olive salad mix was heavy on olives, giving it a unique flavor. Pierre Maspero's bread was tough, the meat had either dried out or was overheated on the edges, and the olive salad was so sparse as to make the sandwich extremely dry. Hands down a wonderful experience.
(4)
Brad K.

Service was very friendly. I had a mufalletta and a pims cup, girlfriend had red beans and rice. All was very good. Setting is very cool, I wish dummies wouldn't write on the walls.
(4)
Jo W.

Napoleon House was a more upscale place with a bit older clientele. As crazy as I can get sometimes, I enjoy these type of setting since sloppy drunk people turn me off. Everyone was really nice and friendly. I felt welcomed here. My boyfriend ate a Pastrami Sandwich. It wasn't bad but like he said, it's not like what you get in NYC. I on the other hand kept it New Orleans traditional and got the Italian Muffuletta. It was pretty good, an interested concept that added to the mundane taste of a typical sandwich. I also could not leaving with the house specialty, Pimms Cup. Woooo!!!
(4)
Rebekah R.

First time I've been to NOLA and we went here for lunch. The service was awesome and the food delicious!!!!! And the history of the restaurant is awesome. It's a must to eat here!!!!
(5)
Rachel A.

Legit bartender, southern NOLA swag. Location feels authentic, nice ambience with wait staff in bow ties and small tables, classical music playing. Pimm's cup was a awesome, very refreshing! Was 7$ for the signature cocktail which is fair given the historical/tourist allure of this hideaway location.
(4)
Gary R.

We were searching for the best "muffalettas" to compare in New Orleans. This came up in the top 3 and was close to our hotel. The place is charming old world NO history. As we stood ignored in the doorway a few minutes we were offered a seat in the bar area not either of the warmer lighted dining rooms. Asking why that was what we had available even though there were quite a few open tables inside. 5 or 6 minutes of being ignored before someone came over and that was the theme for the night. Drop the food, ignore the table and move on. The food was good but not the best sandwich I have had in NO. Our server also lost out on a bigger tip, since our drink glasses sat empty after the first round because he never came back to ask us if we wanted a refill. Our first and last time here as there are better places to eat and enjoy some attentive service in town.
(3)
Leonard C.

The drinks are expertly made. The organic sandwich is a delicious veggie option. The jambalaya I had seemed like it had been made some time before I ordered it. The atmosphere there is very old carribean. There is a nice courtyard.
(4)
Brian C.

I've always enjoyed the food and drink at the Napoleon House - muffalettas, po-boys, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, Pimm's Cup, Sazerac, etc. However, I also just had my wedding reception upstairs at the 2nd floor event space and I ahve to say that everything was absolutely first class. Perfect space (other than a lack of elevator to the second floor), outstanding service, very good food, and one of the best values around for events with 50-80 people (they accommodate more than 80 but it would be too crowded for my preference). We also had the Joe Simon Jazz Trio playing which was a perfect fit with the ambiance and the outstanding wedding cake from Debbie Does Doberge combined to make it a perfect event. Highly recommended, whether you're drinking at the bar, eating in the dining rooms or the courtyard, or either attending or hosting an event. One of the best places in the French Quarter, there's a reason the locals go here...
(5)
Joi B.

You don't go to Napolean House for the food. You go here for the ambiance and the Sazerac. Food, who needs it when you've got absinthe in your sazerac (the right way to make it) and divine courtyard surroundings? (If you can't sit in the courtyard, no matter because the inside is quite lovely, too, almost like you're sitting in a cafÃ© in Montmartre (did Napolean frequent cafÃ©s, I'm wondering?) We visited here the night before Halloween (a Saturday), so it was a lovely refuge from the mayhem in the streets. Although crowded and slightly chaotic by the bar, we only had a five minute wait before our distinguished host whisked us into the dark, lush courtyard. I immediately ordered a Pimm's Cup and the K ordered a Sazerac. As soon as I tasted that Sazerac, I realized I had made the wrong choice. Not that the Pimm's Cup was lacking in any way, but that Sazerac! I immediately downed my drink and placed my order for a Sazerac. Yes, perfection. So how about that food that you don't go to Napolean House for? We ordered a cheese plate to start (acceptable, but kind of uninspired choices including a cheddar, and a pepper jack). The K ordered a half muffaletta (I know, I know Central Grocery is the only place to order one, but we weren't sure we'd be able to make it there). The half size is monstrous, by the way and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I was pleased to see a fair number of vegetarian choices (vegans will have a tougher time, as last time I was here I think I ate a plain baked potato) and ordered a veg sandwich that came with diced mushrooms and cheese. Tasty, but certainly not remarkable. As for prices, they are fair and nowhere nearly as expensive as NOLA's fine dining institutions. You can't put a price on the experience, right? I feel like I'm cheapening the evening just because my description cannot do it justice. For an affordable romantic evening that's more about drinking and soaking in the atmosphere...Napolean House. I say, don't miss it!
(5)
Patricia G.

This place has some history and the bldg. And inside is cool but the service is terrible! Not happy people! Bartender not friendly! No Hostess and people waiting to be seated! Its a busy place but not worth the visit! We came to try the pimms! Nothing to write home about...
(1)
Scott M.

Good comfort food at a reasonable price. I started with their specialty drink, the Pimms Cup. Very refreshing gin and lemonade cocktail. For food I had a half Mufuletta and a small side of jambalaya. The sandwich was quite tasty, but a bit heavy on bread. The jambalaya was a rather small portion and a bit dry, but good flavor. If they charged more this would definitely be a 3-star review. But for the price, given its location and history, a four seems to fit. Lunch, simple, comfort food. Yep
(4)
Laura C.

We asked our doorman at our hotel (The Intercontinental) what was his favorite place to eat and he referred us here and told us to order the muffaletta. I ordered that dish with a side of jumbalaya, and oh my lord, so delicious. The atmosphere is incredible, very rustic and 19th century appealing. Our waiter was awesome and we had a lovely conversation with him about New York, since he was originally from there. I tell everyone I know who is going to NOLA to go here to eat. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Luke M. V.

I came to Napoleon because of its history, location, atmosphere and overall reputation. Instead, we got horrible service, a great drink, and no food. The atmosphere was welcoming, both in the bar and dining room--we would have liked to have been able to sit in the courtyard, but bad weather prevented that. Our table ordered Pimms Cups and a cheese plate right when we sat down and after a good 20 minute wait (there were two other tables seated at the time and a half full bar) enjoyed them. Unfortunately, this was the only thing that we enjoyed. After an additional 15 minutes the waiter (who was unapologetic for the exaggerated delay in time for the drinks) came to take our orders, despite our menus down and drink halfway done. We ordered and asked about the cheese plates to which he had a rude response that left us wondering when it would be out. Expecting the appetizer, the waiter came and explained that one of the ingredients from our pesto pasta was out (no pesto). We ordered an alternative sauce. Five minutes later, he returned (without the cheese platter) and was unapologetic and rude in saying that they actually had the pesto but didn't have the seafood to top the pasta. There was clearly lack of communication in the kitchen and lack of training in customer service. After nearly 45 minutes of having one drink and no appetizer, we found another waiter, settled our drink tab and canceled our food order. All of this could have been avoided if the waiter was pleasant. I'm sure our opinion would have been different if we just came after dinner for a drink at the bar.
(1)
John G.

Went there twice recently. Both times the service was sub-par. By sub-par, I mean two old, tired, have buzzed waiters who weren't interested in taking my order. When I got my food (muffuletta and gumbo), I was very happy. Pimm's cup is their specialty, and it was good, but their Bloody Mary was very weak and not worth it. Overall, don't expect good service, but expect decent food in a nice historical environment. I sat indoors both times, but their courtyard looked great.
(4)
Erika C.

This is always a perennial favorite. A must stop, my husbands favorite patio in NOLA. The hot Muffalata is excellent the atmosphere is beyond authentic, and the service is casual. I love it, it makes me happy just thinking about it. Oh New Orleans, I miss you already.
(4)
Bee G.

We loved their Pims Cup. Enjoyed the warm mufaletta in their garden too! One of the few places that has long-time waiters - these guys are pros!
(4)
Sheila Y.

As an previous resident of NOLA and long time customer of this place I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I was with my visit on 6/17/15. They were out of several menu items, the sliced French bread was hard as a rock when I pointed this out the surly waiter said "this is New Orleans you know!" Not going back or recommending any time soon!
(2)
Joseph W.

caveat: we ate here once and only had the red beans and rice and jambalaya for lunch. really solid for the price. $20 with tax and, tip for the two aforementioned lunches and one coffee. it's right in the heart of french quarter. the bar/indoor seating is standard french quarter style and the little courtyard is perfectly quaint. the food was good but not great. the service was quite good, attentive but not overly chatty (don't get me started ... if there is anything i can't stand more is a chatty waiter who wants to get involved in the conversation ... you people-pleasing codependents out there that play along ... stop it! see 'office space' and you'll get what i'm talking about ... ) now where was i ... solid spot, especially on a weekend after you see the line at cafe dumonde. the good: price the bad: being here in the bar on a saturday night at 1 a.m. the ugly: being here in the bar on a saturday night at 3 a.m. the wonderful: the decor, the service, the value
(4)
Victoria M.

Use to go here all the time and loved it and the buildings history is very interesting. Had a couple of girlfriends meet me for a birthday lunch and was disappointed to find the Resturant has begun to cut major corners with their food. Seems they have gotten lazy and none of use where impressed. Sad to see this Resturant on the decline.
(2)
Christopher G.

One of the coolest bars in New Orleans. Just make sure you order the house specialty drinks. The history in this place is absolutely amazing and watching people cruise by, be they tourists or wedding parties, is part of the fun.
(5)
Kat E.

What a wonderful little find! Set inside a historic building is this fantastic little restaurant. Try and sit in the courtyard if you can, especially at night! Inside the walls are all cracked plaster and it has become a tradition to sign your name and put when you had your last visit. Do yourself a favor and get the Muffaletta sandwich and the ginger PIMs cocktail! Delicious!
(4)
Elizabeth C.

One of my best friends has a lot of military friends that need a place to stop for the night on their way to another location. When possible, I volunteer my spare room. Usually they are too tired to go out, but this time was different. This time our guest wanted to see Bourbon Street! My time on Bourbon is generally on the "gay side," where my lesbian friends can find girls and my straight male friends can find drunk girls. Works out for everyone, right? I'd only been to Napoleon House once before and though I'd enjoyed it, the lighting was a bit dark and I wasn't overwhelmed by awesome, so I left it with an iffy-three stars. This night was pretty wonderful, so I've decided it's time for an update! We were seated in 40 degree weather on the patio. There are heaters in the ceiling that worked so well that it was easy to forget we were outside. The jambalaya is good. The bruschetta was great. I can easily recommend both. The wait staff was cordial, and silently attentive. And the patio was beautiful! Definitely a nice, affordable place to go for dinner!
(4)
Anne C.

Food was fine, nothing special. It's all about the atmosphere, here. You feel like you're in a place that has stood the test of time (because you are). Pimm's Cup was okay, not as great as expected, but the Pimm's Ginger Julep was delish!
(3)
Valerie F.

Love this place. So much charm. The Pimms cup is like no other since they Make their own lemonade. The muffelettas are delicious and one of the few places that serve them warm. It's a must try when in New Orleans and we usually hit it twice when in town.
(5)
Valerie N.

Super fun old school bar! Not my fave spot in NOLA, but definitely a scene to sit in, have a drink, enjoy and move on. Service was terrific!
(3)
Kate L.

We didn't actually eat here, but I had to write a review because of the drinks we had. I have to say that I love sazeracs and get them pretty much whenever I can. Napoleon House had the best sazerac of my trip! The was a special one that had some kind of absinthe in it. It was delicious - my friend and I agreed it was the best we've had. We were surprised by how cheap they were too. Maybe it was happy hour? Or maybe they were just inexpensive. Either way, sit at the bar and have one if you are passing by.
(4)
scott d.

If you find yourself on this street corner in the French Quarter it is a must to go inside and have a cocktail in one of the most legendary establishments in the country. We had hummus as a snack that was outstanding.
(4)
Bob L.

If I had a nickel for every Pimm's Cup ever served at the Napoleon House I'd probably be a millionaire -- even deducting all of the times I've eaten at the Napoleon House over the years. Is this place touristy? Of course. It is in the Quarter. But it is good to hobnob with folks visiting from the Midwest every now and then. My favorite things here: when dining alone sitting at the bar; when dining with friends sitting on the patio. Love the quarter muffaletta. Add a bag of Zapp's chips and a glass of iced tea and you have a perfect lunch.
(5)
Sherrinn M.

It was great service and the atmosphere in the courtyard was lovely. If you get anything here at all get the pimm's cup. You will not be disappointed, the spinach artichoke dip was really good and not overly oily or heavy. But the sandwiches were not bad but definitely anti climactic.
(3)
Kimberly S.

I come to New Orleans often, and always make a stop at the Napoleon House. Their Pimm's cup is for real (I've lived in London), food is good, but the atmosphere is what keeps me coming back. The inside is lovely, especially if you appreciate older buildings and history, but the courtyard is the real draw for me. It's very old world New Orleans. For vegetarians, the Organic Sandwich is quite good, as are the panini's and bruschetta.
(4)
Dana T.

Great lunch place! Prices are good as well. My husband had the sausage poboy and I had the muffuletta with a Caesar salad and they were both good. Great place to get some more history, ask to sit in the courtyard.
(4)
Melissa M.

My husband and I went here for drinks and I tried the Pims cup which was very good and refreshing. I was also introduced to a drink called wasso by the really cool bartender. It was warm apple cider mixed with alcohol and spices and was very good on that cold morning. The atmosphere was very "old timey" which I liked. I would recommend trying their Pims cup and Wasso for sure.
(4)
Carrie M.

I am not quite sure how this establishment has 3 and a half stars. We just arrived in NOLA, and started wandering around for dinner. The menu is limited with mostly sausage sandwiches. With such a beautiful ambiance, you'd think they'd beef up the menu. For $9 a got lettuce, tomato, avocado and sprouts between two slices of cold-toasted bread. Oh, and pickle on the side. We left here famished. I ordered a $9 glass of wine and the wine glasses are the miniature glasses that are hardly a 4 oz. pour. We paid our exorbitant bill, then went looking for more food. The venue has an outdoor garden court. It is a beautiful setting. The food was overpriced and of poor quality. The service was mediocre. It seemed as if our waiter was services the entire restaurant by himself. Definitely thumbs down for Napoleon.
(1)
Trista T.

What first caught my attention was the classical music playing. A bit of a change from the blues and jazz. It is a very intimate space with a gorgeous outdoor courtyard. If you end up inside, at least go to the bathroom...you have to walk through! I ate light, a baked potato and a Caesar salad. The basics are good so I can imagine all the dishes are great, they looked good. Service was very slow, they were busy and we were hungry so it was a bit annoying. Otherwise I really liked it!
(4)
Chris M.

For the cost, this is a great deal. I had the beans and rice with andoulli sausage and a side salad. The portions are not huge like some of the other places in New Orleans. I had a big lunch earlier somewhere else and wanted a modest dinner. Napoleon was perfect for a modest dinner. Seating is limited. Atmosphere is "come as you are" casual but the wait staff are business casual. I'd eat here again.
(4)
Flora H.

We stopped by the Napoleon House for drinks after dinner, and while it's a cool place to stop by and see (the vibe and decor are cool) and to get a Pimm's Cup and say that you had one here (supposedly it was invented here), I don't see myself coming back here to hang out. It closes way too early for a bar, especially in New Orleans, and judging from the other reviews, it's not exactly the place to come eat, either. Seems to be more for the tourists than the locals... so if you're a tourist it might be worth stopping by!
(3)
Hillary W.

Oh Napoleon House, how I would love to eat there. I have never given a one star but I will explain the reasoning below. I know that businesses in the French Quarter are frequently bombarded by tourists - often times rude and demanding. Most businesses will take it with a smile, after all this city is about hospitality... unless they decide to take up operation in one of the most historical landmarks of the Quarter - former residence of Napoleon Bonaparte. I'll cut to the point - it has been a running joke with friends and family that if we ever wanted to feel bad about ourselves we should go get a table at Napoleon House. Let me list the last couple of experiences - We show up early afternoon to avoid the crowds, and were told to wait at the bar until a table opens. The bartender ignores us despite trying to get his attention. After 30 minutes of watching staff clean the tables and not come fetch us, we leave. We show up early afternoon to avoid the crowds. We were told that they were setting up for an event so we could not be seated, to try tomorrow. We try tomorrow and the restaurant is closed. Thanks waitress. Maybe it was the afternoon? We show up one evening and were told the wait was an hour. And to sit at the bar... which was full of people. This has been 4 years running. And quite hilariously ridiculous. *#&@! I want to eat here! Maybe some day I'll experience what it's like to dine in this fine establishment. Until then, I'll just throw a stone and hit a better FQ restaurant that will gladly take my money.
(1)
David N.

Good muffaletta, not great. Not as much meat as most either, but olive salad was spot on, and our boudin sausage was solid. Our server was great, very informative, talkative, helpful. We weren't too hungry coming in, more-less wanted to sample their menu, and they more than obliged our requests. The muffaletta came out sliced into two, and there was no problem letting us share a diet coke. Pretty cool in my book. Definitely worth a trip, if not for the food the historical value. One of a kind restaurant for sure. From the wait staff, to the decor, ambiance, and food, we were impressed. If we make it back to NOLA with some fellow tourists, it would be a place to stop in again.
(4)
Mao A.

Pimm's cup review. we went here to try the infamous drink. I was disappointed by this drink. Tasted just like soda very weak in alcohol.
(1)
rhonda w.

Our waiter seemed a bit preoccupied and not truly with us. The muffelletta was actually good but not so sure that I would come back to try anything else.
(3)
Javier O.

HISTORICAL, GOOD FOOD, GREAT PIMM'S CUP! Great place! Delicious po' boys, and jambalaya, this place was built to be the home of Napoleon, you know the little guy who conquered most of Europe. I love the old world feeling of this place, especially in its small patio. The Pimm's cup are not to be missed, they are refreshing and delicious!
(4)
Vicki V.

We loved it! The building, the history and the food. The bruschetta was delicious! Plus, I loved watching the bartender make Sazeracs and Pimms Cups.
(4)
Kathy O.

I have to admit I got nervous when we walked into this place - I thought it was going to be very expensive. Much to my surprise it was an extremely cheap and DELICIOUS meal! I love the interior - very dim and looks like an old pub from Ireland. I had the jambalaya which included chicken and sausage with a little kick. I am not a sausage fan but the meal was incredible. Husband split, yes split, the muffuletta with his friend. Very girlie I know but it was HUGE. The bill was under $50 for 4 people including a couple drinks.
(5)
Andy B.

We were there on a Tuesday afternoon and ordered a sandwich and a small side of jambalaya. The service & surroundings were great and the food was okay (the sandwich better than the jambalaya) - I am just not sure I would go back if I was ever in New Orleans again.
(3)
Amanda T.

Stopped here for our first bit of NOLA dining, fresh off the plane from Charm City. The bar is fantastically New Orleans - reminded me of the ideal corner bar in any move set in the Big Easy. The dining rooms are just as interesting - the courtyard dreamy. The Pimm's Cups were delicious. The muffuletta was traditional and tasty. Our server Jordan was charming and fun - eagerly giving us a list of eateries and attractions to add to our list of activities.
(4)
Gloria H.

Silly us, we walk around trying to find a good place to eat when this is just at the corner from the hotel. Not sure why it never attracted us but glad we finally gave it a try. The interior is very old European feel and the outdoor seating is so relaxing and New Orleans - mellow and chill. What we had: Cappuccino - $3.50 - good Strawberry flavored soda - $3.75 - yummy and refreshing Large Caesar ($5.50) w/ grilled tuna ($6.95) - very good, love having seafood in New Orleans - so good and so inexpensive Franco Panini - $8.25 - forest mushroom medley, spinach and smoked mozzarella small Jambalaya with a side of jambalaya - $3.25. The sandwich was huge and so flavorful. We'll definitely be returning...
(4)
Beth A.

omg napoleon house had the best food of our trip it took a few days to get in with holiday hours and tons of college fb fans in town but when we finally stepped thru those doors to sit on the patio it was glorious i dont typically eat deli meat but their muffaletta was delish and their jambalaya was on the border of perfection my friends luved their seafood dishes only downfall was the disgusting bathroom and grumpy waiter service...but it was ny day and so sir...i will cut u alot alot of slack for actually making it to work :) and to top it all off...its horribly inexpensive
(5)
Lee A.

The food was good and inexpensive. The building is old and beautiful. Try to sit in the courtyard. I wasn't too impresses with the service though.
(3)
Rob J.

Food was awesome.. But Gregory the waiter was TERRIBLE.. unfortunately the poor service over took the great food.go somewhere else and see what NOLA is about. Good food and the people that work there makes for a fun trip.. skip this place or make sure Gregory isnt your server!!!
(1)
Amy E.

This place isn't bad, but it isn't good either. Have you ever been to a banquet dinner at an Elks club or Legion hall? That's the food quality you'll get here. Kudos to them for having good beer at good prices. And also what has to be the most inexpensive bottle of prosecco I've ever seen on a menu. Atmosphere is good. Had character. Wait staff is fine. A bit slow.
(2)
Jessica B.

I was looking for a place to get a mufuletta as close to my hotel as possible after Jazz Fest. I called over and they said they have the best mufulettas in town. They don't. What they do have is a pretty courtyard where you can eat outside. We got the antipasto, which was really good, and split a whole mufuletta. It was huge and good, and one thing I did like about it was that it wasn't as greasy as the ones from Central Grocery (the real best mufulettas in town). On to the Pimms cup. I don't really like gin, based on little incident when I was young and it was the clear liquor I could "borrow" from my parent's liquor cabinet and replace with water. So, while I can see why it's popular, it's not really my drink. Do be careful when ordering. You can get the drink, or for $10 more get the drink and a "souvenir" plastic cup. Apparently the bar default setting is to overcharge and give you the plastic cup without asking if you want it. Boo, I am not a tourist, sir. For a quick meal at a casual restaurant, it's definitely worth a try, but with so many great restaurants around, I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Amanda K.

I came in here from a recommendation from a friend. The place is definitely unique and has it's own vibe but the bartender wasn't very friendly. We ordered two sazeracs and they weren't as good as some others we had so we enjoyed our beverage and left.
(3)
Rob W.

I have only been to the bar, I have not dined here. They mix awesome drinks, and the room is super cool. I like to come in the afternoon, enjoy a drink, and soak in the history and ambiance. A nice place to chill out.
(4)
Jeff J.

We walked right by this place the first time we went. Napoleon House's bar has a great upscale vibe, but we did not find its famous Pimm's Cup to be that great. We much preferred the Pimm's Cup at the little pirate bar on Pirate's Alley and at the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone. But it's New Orleans -try them all!
(3)
Vida A.

Went close to closing time, whenever that is and is determined by the staff i guess, haha. Staff were super friendly but drinks were nothing great. Diverse clientelle
(3)
John R.

We visited about a month ago for a late lunch - was a nice respite from the overpriced touristy venues in the general area. Very good service. I can recommend the Muffuletta sandwich especially.
(4)
Angela H.

Quite the experience of a chilled Tues around lunch stroll about town. The man knew his way and we walked in and out of this place and that place...well this one we should have just stayed bc our later adventures were blah. Whatever you do...sit at the bar...get the jambalaya....order a Pimms Cup...and take in the stories from the best NOLA Bartender. He was sweet, informative, and even said he avoids Bourbon Street. My kind of guy. You go you see you never go back. Agreed. Go here instead. He even had a great old school playlist. For some reason I felt like I was on a movie set...oh wait...it has been part of several...see the stories start...go get lost in a few. Not too mention when our bill came out and it was only $20...we ate and drank...wow!
(5)
Sue F.

Napoleon was here. You can read that in the bathroom stall. LOL. I asked the bartender to make me something non-alcoholic, citrusy and refreshing. I got a wonderful fizzy grapefruit, orange type thing. Yum! It's a nice quiet place to stop off on a Tuesday afternoon while strolling the quarter. The fans are on, all of the doors and windows are open. They were playing La Traviata on the speaker. One star less for the side salad and balsamic dijon dressing. Not very dijon-y and it was mainly lettuce and sprouts. That's ok though, it's not a salad place. I was happy with my citrus fizz and the atmosphere. =)
(4)
Tonya T.

When it comes to atmosphere, Napoleon House is tops. You can practically feel the history oozing off the walls. (At least I hope that was history...) The Pimm's Cup is, indeed, fantastic. It's the perfect remedy for those steamy New Orleans afternoons. My only complaint (and it's a very small one): I've seen pictures of beautiful Pimm's Cups laden with fruits and veggies - this is much more simple: you get a slice of cucumber. But I hate veggies anyways, so it was more of an aesthetic disappointment than anything else. And the rest of the experience was so aesthetically pleasing that I barely gave it another thought. Knowing we were going to have a big dinner later that night, we decided to split some appetizers for a light lunch. We choose the Bruschetta and the Hummus. Instead of little crostinis, the Bruschetta is made with delicious, crusty French bread. It also has pesto on it - glorious. The hummous, served with light and fluffy pita triangles, was also a winner. Overall, I left in a glorious alcohol-and-carb induced haze. And what more can you want on a lazy afternoon? Another must-try in the French Quarter!
(5)
Dawn S.

At what point does decor go from nostalgic to gross and dusty? I think this place has crossed over. We ordered Artichoke ($7.50) and Sundried Tomato Spread and Hummus ($7.25), both came with pita. They both had good flavor. Also had the half Italian Muffeletta ($7.50), which was good as well. The service was attentive and good.
(3)
Gwen J.

I want to give this a 4.5. Wish they had half stars. I make sure to stop in when i am in town. The courtyard is unbelievable. Appearance - 5 stars Ambience - 5 stars Food - 4 stars Drinks - 4.5 stars service- 4 stars
(4)
Matteo R.

I like things with the word "muff" in it. Who doesn't love a nice, fragrant muffin? How about mufflers, and their understated utility? Or just the soft and round sound of the word "muffineer"? And I love ragamuffin! Enter muffuletta: ham, Genoa pastrami, Swiss cheese, provolone cheese, and housemade Italian olive salad. The first thing you'll notice is the sheer intimidating size of this baby. HUGE! A whole muffuletta ($14) will feed two hungry people. If you like olives, you'll love this sandwich: there's A LOT of chopped olives in it, mixed with crunchy celery. Overall I thought this sandwich was ok: the olives are very tasty, but are also the dominating tone here, the cheeses and the pastrami almost an afterthought. Also, the bread resembles a gigantic burger bun, but I wonder if a bread with a crunchy crust and a more fluffy interior wouldn't work better. The Pimm's Cup[1] is nice and refreshing, albeit very light. The kind of drink you would enjoy early in the afternoon on a sunny day in NOLA, while seated in the beautiful and peaceful arched courtyard. At $5.50, it is also rather cheap. The interior, with its paint peels, antique appliances, and dark wooden bar with antique mirror, exudes Boheman romance. The receipt: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tbl P3/4 Chk 1637 Gst 1 Sep05'11 02:58PM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Pimm's Cup 5.50 1 Whole Muff 14.00 Thank You for Coming! ******************************************** You're very welcome. --------------------------------------------------Â------------------- [1] Here's the recipe: Fill a tall 12 oz glass with ice and add 1 1/4 oz. Pimm's #1 and 3 oz lemonade. Then top off with 7Up. Garnish with cucumber.
(3)
S C.

Had the cream of mushroom soup & a salad which was great! I really liked the style and feel of the place but our waiter wasn't very friendly at all & made us feel like we were a huge bother because he started to get to busy. I'd consider going back next visit to Nola and hopefully it will be a better experience!
(3)
Sonia R.

I'm much more familiar with uptown restaurants and friends always ask what is a good place to go to downtown. Now, I finally have a good recommendation that has good New Orleans food and not overpriced like other restaurants downtown. This place has a fantastic courtyard and drinks. As for the food, I recommend any one of their paninis and their hummus was surprisingly good.
(5)
Daniel S.

Absolutely terrible! Stay away! We decided to go based on a friends recommendation, despite the bad Yelp Reviews. We were wrong. It took 20 minutes to get drinks, they weren't crowded. The waiter was slow and rude. When we finally placed our orders, they were out of 2 things we wanted. The waiter came back twice more to tell us that they were out of what we ordered and asking us to choose new options. We ordered a cheese platter, when we asked the waiter where it was after another 20 minutes and he said it was coming, but never did. We ended up canceling our order and walking out. They were not apologetic and didn't seem surprised that we walked out. Save yourself the trouble and go somewhere else.
(1)
Shannon S.

The story of this establishment's name is that it was offered as a residence to Napoleon in 1821 as a refuge during his exile but even after he never showed up the name stuck. The food is "ok" with some items being better and some being a bit "blah" but the main draw here would be for the drinks. They make a really nice and refreshing Pimm's cup and a proper Sazerac. This can be a pleasant place to enjoy some good drinks and good company. They have a nice courtyard to enjoy when the weather is pleasant and seating at the bar or at tables inside when it isn't.
(3)
Chloe F.

This place has mediocre food and sassy service. It's just about exactly what you'd expect in the French Quarter. The interior is interesting-- it seems to be in a very old building. There is more to this place than first meets the eye. There are several dining areas and a courtyard with tables. The menu is fairly unremarkable. They've got the old New Orleans standbys, jambalaya, red beans, muffaletta, etc, and then the rest of the menu is sandwiches. We ordered an appetizer plate that was disappointingly small for the price. If you happen to be standing next to this place when you start feeling hungry, you might as well go in. But I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here.
(3)
Ryan W.

Skip the food; you can eat better elsewhere for the same price. That's not the reason you came here anyway; If you want a muffuletta, just go to Central Grocery. You want to drink Pimm's Cups and Mint Juleps. Not that you can't get better versions of either a block up the street at The Hermes bar, but you came here for the atmosphere. That's what you came here for. You want to drink coll drinks out in a French Quarter courtyard. So, yeah, do that.
(3)
Dusty L.

Stumbled upon this one. Almost walked right by it. Had lunch. Had the meatball po boy and a muffaletta sandwhich. Both were excellent. Service was average. The atmosphere was as cool as it gets. Very rustic. Followed up with the canoli. Id go back.
(3)
Maranda W.

After being a little disappointed with the inauthentic atmosphere at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, this place was a really nice dose of old timey charm. Also, a really nice dose of delicious brandy milk punch.
(5)
Ashlee J.

Had my first muffaletta here. I hope to have my last muffaletta here. My boyfriend and I split half a muffaletta & a plate of jambalaya and it was filling and delicious. The atmosphere is unbeatable. Walls decorated with history, the place just gives off a vibe that you're in France in the 1800s. It looks fancy, but don't let that stop you from going in. We were wearing tshirts and jeans and by no means felt out of place. Our waiter was very nice and helpful. The drinks from the bar were delicious- one of the best Bloody Mary's I have ever had. With the two plates and a drink each, we ate/drank/tipped for right around forty bucks. I hope to make it back here again someday!
(5)
Brad G.

Delicious lunch menu. This was my favorite lunch meal while in New Orleans! The service was great and the sandwiches were amazing!
(5)
Carl W.

What a heartbreaker. As with many other places in the Quarter, the weeknight experience was vastly different from the weekend. We ended up here on a Wednesday night for a round and had a great time - really enjoyed the story, the low-key vibe, historical feel and shabby, weathered authenticity of the place. As we were staying at the Omni next door, it was a thrill to be steps away from someplace so seemingly cool, where we walked in and saw David Wondrich sitting on the very first stool in the bar. When we went back on Friday it was absolutely crushing. After waiting for at least 10 minutes for the barman to complete an order of 2 bottled beers, 2 tequila & sodas, and a round of straight shots of Old Grand Dad - with absolutely no other business volume at the bar - he proceeded to tack on a 20% gratuity, quote the price as if he hadn't, and chastize my boss for not leaving a larger cash tip. He quieted down when he was told that we had seen his scam, and we sat down for dinner. Food was O.K. - I also found that quality declines pretty much everywhere in the Quarter on the weekend so I suppose you might get better fare there on a weeknight.... However, when the bill came so did another scam: the check included a line item for another "20%" gratuity - understandable as we were a party of 11 or 12 - but the amount charged was actually 27%! Our entire party was industry folks, and we typically tip more than that for good karma even if things are mediocre, but this second swindle was just too much. They got their 27%, but I will never go there again. It's worth going there just to say you've been, but do it on a weeknight and check your tab carefully before paying.
(1)
Jennifer S.

Great place to grab a drink at one of the oldest places in New Orleans. This bar/restaurant has such history to it. We were especially intrigued since we tried to come by the day before and it was closed for a movie shoot...we had to come back the next day to see what this place was all about! Definitely worth a stop while in New Orleans!
(4)
Brooke H.

I did not eat here but had the tasty Pimms Cup and really enjoyed it. It is one of the few bars in NoLa that I would recommend people visit. It feels like stepping back in time and the service was great. Great place to pop in for a drink when you are spending the day wandering the city, aka drinking your way through New Orleans.
(4)
John H.

I sort of stumbled in here one afternoon. It was Wednesday so a couple of my favorite places were closed. The place has been open for more than 100 years, and has the pain job to show for it. This is no bother, however, as you will be more than entertained by some of the writing on the wall. Consider this a brief in American Slang, decade by decade. I ordered the Muffaletta, which is prominently featured on the menu, and was fairly impressed. The half, which is food enough for a man and a half, cost just $7.50. the bread was warm, cheese softened, the pastrami was thick, and the olive salad was nicely balanced without the deluge of salt that often accompanies a 'Muff'. The wait staff was seasoned, well dressed and not over-zealous. I would certainly return this stumble-upon victory another time or two.
(4)
Gretchen P.

Perfect Monday afternoon? Absolutely. Pimm's cup, muffaletta, The Carmen Overture, and a seat at a table near the bar at Napoleon House. I was set back all of $10 for a Pimm's cup and a quarter of a muffaleta. Plus, I was forced to enjoy it in at a seat in a perfectly dark restaurant, overlooking a beautiful old wooden bar, and next to a gorgeous courtyard. Life was hard that Monday! If you have never had a Pimm's cup, or if you have but wanted to know what they were meant to taste like, try one (or many) here. Very refreshing on a balmy summer afternoon. That would be any day in any month between mid-February through late January. It is: 1 part Pimms #1 (gin-based drink), 3 parts lemonade, topped off with 7-up and garnished with a cucumber slice. It actually originated in England, but Napoleon House made this drink a staple in New Orleans. While we're on history, it's called Napoleon House because it was rumored at one time to be the intended residence of Napoleon Bonaparte after his exile. Also, if you hear reference to Nicolas Girod, he was the mayor of NOLA from 1812-1815 and resided here. After Prohibition (but I like to think during), the Napoleon House became a bar/restaurant. Please be advised that like many restaurants in the Quarter, Napoleon House is closed on Sunday. I can't tell you how many people I saw walk up to the doors on a early Sunday evening while sitting across the street at Maspero's. It was a steady stream of people. I also want to point out that when I walked up to the door, before crossing the street to eat at Maspero's, I noticed a Yelp sticker in the front window.
(5)
Nelvin J.

Pimms cup! Not underrated! Highly recommend. All other food was average. Service was a little slow. Great place for after-work hangout.
(3)
Jessica A.

Stopped in for a muffuletta to go when Central Grocery was closed. Kind of a long wait for a sandwich when I walked by the window and saw stacks of them being made, but hey - I had the time. The inside of the place had peeling paint, but in a charming antique-y kind of way with skewed framed pictures hung all the way up to the ceiling. The Muffuletta: Good bread, melty cheese, italian meats, diced olive spread and it came with a side of pickles, olives and cherry peppers. Solid pick for a muffuletta if you're aiming to try one. We were able to split it among a few people for a mid afternoon snack. They are HUGE.
(3)
Harry T.

The food is okay. The drinks are very good. Napoleon House is one of only three places in New Orleans that makes a perfect Sazerac. The atmosphere, ambiance, decor, history, and location are more the reason to take in this restaurant. The classical music in the background is another. Go here to spend some time, sit back, relax, drink and forget what century you are in. Enjoy!
(4)
Barry O.

I have been eating at the Napoleon House for many years. It has always been a go to place. However, based on my dinner last night it has certainly slipped. The service was subpar and slow. The meal was sloppy and reminded me of a fast food style presentation. My go to roast beef sandwich was supposed to be hot, it was not. The jambalaya was good, but reminded me of a dressed up box of zatarain's. Just a humdrum meal in a very cool old place.
(3)
Ruggy J.

Like sazeracs? Dig an old school hang? Enjoy rapping with friendly bartenders? If you answered YES to any of the above, you'll have a jolly good time throwing down a few handmade cocktails at the Napoleon House. There were a few things I needed to experience on my whirlwind trip to New Orleans over the weekend. 1. Ogling at Brad Pitt's house 2. Getting coffee/beignets at Cafe du Monde 3. Devouring a po' boy sandwich 4. Grinding on a muffaleata 5. Writing Justin Bieber inappropriate Facebook messages during my trip 6. Drink a sazerac in the city that invented it I did allllllmost all of the above, and I suppose I'll let you figure out which one didn't happen. Hint: it's not #5... that went down in a real big way (photos soon). Clearly I work for Yelp and believe we're doing a pretty darn cool thing by helping ordinary folks connect with rad local businesses, both at home and on the road, so suffice to say, my iPhone app came in quite handy as I searched the city for the best rye whiskey/sugar/bitters/absinthe combo in NOLA. Like clockwork, the Yelp app pointed me to Napoleon House, and it was a huge success. The main bartender at Napoleon House is named Mario, and he actually bears a striking resemblance to the Mario of Nintendo fame. He kind-of speaks like him as well! I asked Mario to whip me up a mean sazerac since I read review-after-review ranting about how he makes the best one around, and they weren't fibbing! I've been to some pretty amazing cocktail bars in my day, but never have had a more perfect sazerac than what Super Mario made for me last Saturday night. Hot damn, son... I might just start referring to the drink as a saz-io going forward. The balance was impeccable, the ice in the glass was perfect (bad ice can screw up a drink faster than Usain Bolt in a 40 yard dash), and the humble Mario just smirked in the most genuine way when he saw me melting in my seat from the first sip. If you're a cocktail enthusiast, you'd be an idiot not to stop in for just one.
(5)
Linda T.

I was seated in the patio area, I recommend you ask for it especially if you are on a date. so romantic and cozy! We ordered the pastrami po' boy and roast beef po' boy, both were yummy. The pastrami had a great spicy cajun mustard, and the roast beef was out of this world (I had a bite of my boyfriend's). We also tried the cannoli...great presentation, but it was just okay. We also tried the famed "Pimm Cups" (I thought my boyfriend had ordered 'Pimp cups"...lol...I was like... what?!?) In the end, the food is not the best in the french quarters but the combination of the service, the rustic old building, great service, good food make it a place you MUST visit.
(4)
Hayley H.

Great location in a historic building? CHECK Devouring my first Muffuletta in record time? CHECK Drinking yet another "famous" New Orleans drink: Pimms Cup? CHECK Having the bartender throw menus at us and being afraid he was going to poison our drinks? PRICELESS. We were thrilled to have lunch (muffuletta, jambalaya, pimms cup, po'boys, anything and everything fried) but did not get off to a good start with the bartender/host. There must have been some misunderstanding over whether or not we wanted to sit in the main room or the back room, and once he finally showed us to our table after moving from two other ones, he threw the menus at us, stomped away and proceeded to mock us the entire lunch with another bar patron. What are you five? Thankfully we are the type of people who laugh it off, but seriously, this guy was the ONLY guy we met in New Orleans with a personal vendetta against tourists. We were honestly scared to order drinks from him because we could feel his disdain for us across the room. Our waiter also had the personality of a brick and was completely unengaging. The entire wait staff aside, the food is good but after the experience, all we can remember is the bartender! We spent a good majority of the lunch trying to come up with some witty remark to throw at him as we walked our tourist butts out the door, but we decided we would rather not be shot and become another New Orleans ghost tale! If you go here, steer clear (and I mean football fields away from) the short guy with the black hair and mustache. If you do happen to run into him, give him a hard time for us and tell him you would have rather sat at "that other table!" **After searching for pictures of the guy, I found out his name was Mario. Diners beware!
(3)
Rachel S.

Crap! Skip it!!! service was terrible, food was laughable in a city that boasts some of the finest cuisine in the world. Drinks were poorly concocted. I wanted to love it as I am a local....I wanted to eat here and cheer, cheer, cheer...but it was disgraceful. Walk two blocks in another direction and find something worth your time.
(1)
Amanda C.

I really like this place. As everyone else has, I came for the Pimm's Cup and was so pleasantly surprised that I ordered a couple more. The bartender is so nice, all the staff wears suits, and despite this, the atmosphere is pretty relaxed. I've never eaten here, but apparently they have delicious red beans and rice.
(4)
Lee H.

This is the place that lays claim to popularizing the Pimms Cup cocktail in the United States. Who am I to argue with a 200-year-old bar steeped in history? The Pimms Cup was lovingly made by our bartender, who was happy to chat with us about the history of the bar as well as places to find good food and music in NOLA. Although we drank at the bar, we had to have a peek at the hidden courtyard that provided an outdoor oasis for patrons to dine. Although the Pimms Cup is for what the Napoleon House is known, they also make a mean Sazerac.
(5)
Zohar M.

Read about this first on Lonely Planet as a recommended lunch spot. We came for a late lunch on a cloudy day. The setting is great with the history of the building and the reason for its name. The classical music added to. We sat outside on the patio and ate red beans & rice (amazing) and a Greco panini (okay). Over all experience: excellent! Need to come again for the Pimm's.
(5)
Ashton R.

Great ambience and history. Food is solid. Not necessarily the best, but definitely best bang for the buck.
(4)
Ada G.

The long line outside is a farce! Don't let it deter you! There are likely five tables available inside....they are just extremely slow at seating. Ask for a table in the beautiful courtyard. Do not come here if you are in a hurry - it took ten minutes to be greeted and offered a drink, and the place was not packed. It took another ten minutes to get the drink. This place has basic pub fare....we came here for drinks and didn't order food, but noticed that nothing looked exceptional that our neighbors were eating. As for drinks, I highly recommend Pimm's Cup. Wonderful refreshing cocktail!
(3)
Erika L.

Come here for the ambiance and experience. It is a legendary spot with great wait staff ...and ok food. Nothing we ate stood out as amazing or great, but the place is hauntedly cool. I really felt the prices did not match the quality of food. the salad- ok, the muffuletta -ok...the beer-ok. I would return but just for a beer at the bar and maybe an appetizer or dessert to wash it down while I soak in the ambiance.
(3)
Laura C.

I eat here with my mother whenever she comes to town. I enjoy the courtyard and the madrid panini as well as the chicken sandwich with goat cheese. That being said I'm not a pimm's drinker, my mother loves them, and otherwise the mixed drinks aren't as flavorful or powerful as you'll find elsewhere in the city. And I reallyu do not enjoy eating inside the restaurant, I find it rather depressing and crowded. My mom swears by the organic sandwich and is always thrilled that she can get zapp's. It's pretty decently priced for being in the quarter. And the staff is courteous.
(3)
Jason R.

I've been deciding if I should review Napoleon... All I had there was an Abita SOS and some incredible conversation. Three of us came here for an apertif. We crammed into the front corner of the busy bar. As we tourists chatted a bit, our neighbor perked up and joined in. He used to work here. In the 50s. We received a wonderful education that turned into a fun conversation ranging far beyond New Orleans. I definitely will return next time in New Orleans and sample more.
(4)
Tiffany B.

So, I am back in my hometown, visiting from VA, and a muffaletta was on the top of my "I cannot get back on the plane until I eat one" list. I wouldn't DARE go down the "which locale in NOLA has the best muffaletta road," so I will just say that we chose Napoleon House for ours partly because they are excellent and partly so our kids could see the restaurant's courtyard. The service was excellent, the food fantastic, and we even managed to convert our youngest child into a muffaletta eater. YEA! My only regret is that we were in a hurry to get to the Presbytere for the Mardi Gras and Katrina exhibits. I would have liked to have eaten another quarter muffaletta and had an adult-type beverage, while savoring the special atmosphere that only the Napoleon House has......
(4)
Andrew V.

With warm weather finally taking hold, I am reminded of my favorite summertime libation, the Pimm's Cup, and the establishment that is so well known for it, the Napoleon House. Although the time has passed since my last visit, many a warm muggy evening have I sipped on these cucumber garnished cocktails with the sounds of classical music here in the heart of the Quarter. And while I do a pretty good job of recreating this drink all these miles from this historic landmark, I can only reflect back to capture the unique ambiance of this institution. Stop in and unwind with this house specialty, you won't be sorry. If you are hungry, they make a mean muffaletta as well.
(5)
Joe P.

What a waste of time. Service was a joke and the food was terrible. As a new Orleans resident I had never been here before thinking it was a tourist trap. I was brought here by my work for lunch one day. I was right. This place is terrible and a poor representation of new Orleans food. Don't waste your time and money.
(1)
Jessica M.

Once again I stumbled on a place in NOLA. We were going to eat at Johnny's down the street. This place has history and is busy even for lunch. Very good sign. We waited for maybe 10 mins with our party of 6 ppl. We sat on the patio that is covered with umbrellas and has a nice little fountain and plants surrounding it. Our waiter was efficient but not happy or at least he did not seem it. He took our order fast and we did not wait long for food. I ordered the jambalaya which was very good, loved the flavor and perfect amount of seasoning, I added some hot sauce at the table. Pimms Cup is pretty tasty but I did not feel the alcohol at all. No Dessert but maybe next time in NOLA.
(4)
N J.

I loved just sitting in here. The interior was dark with sunlight filtering in through the windows. Classical music playing in the background. Wondering if Napoleon ever did reach this place which was built for him to stay in. Only beer on tap was Michelob Amberbock. For cocktails, our waiter recommended their Pimm's Cup, which is definitely very good here. Muffaletta was not as good as Central's but the waiter recommended roast beef po boys which were delicious.
(4)
Jason L.

Without a doubt, The Napoleon House is a New Orleans institution, and deservedly so! It's a throwback, unchanged since time began -- or, at least, since it became a bar, not a grocery store -- and captures the atmosphere of old New Orleans beautifully. To walk into the Napoleon House is to step back in time, and savor history. To sit in the courtyard is to step into "King Creole" with Elvis Presley (a great movie, and certainly his very best), to breathe in "A Streetcar Named Desire," and so much more . . . With Lynn in town for a conference (where else but New Orleans would you host a convention of DUI defense attorneys?), we joined some friends for lunch the first day of the conference and headed over to the Napoleon House -- four DUI attorneys and two spouses (spice?). Six Pimm's Cups (no, NOT each!), some roast beef po'boys (fully dressed; with debris), some jambalaya, and some gumbo later, we were VERY happy campers! Thank you, Napoleon House, for remaining just the same as when I left you. I know you'll be the same when I return . . .
(4)
Blue R.

Awesome place! However, they were only serving drinks since they just changed to off-seaon hours (close early on Mon and Tues) when we were there. Wanted to try their muffaletta but couldn't. The guy tending bar pointed us to another place we got the sandwich at. We stopped and had Primm's Cups. I wanted to come back and try their ginger Primm's Cup, but didn't have time. It's very old world there. Italian guys in white shirts and bowties. Very friendly. Barkeep said if he would have known so many people would show up at 5pm, he would have kept the kitchen open, but I guess off-season they don't get a lot of people in. It's a beautiful old building and worth a stop, it's been owned by the same family for generations.
(5)
Lana G.

Napoleon House is a bar. Typical of bars, it is noisy, but it has two atypical aspects. (1) It affects a crummy dive atmosphere but its clientele is middle class. (2) Its food is a step or two above that served in most bars -- which probably explains its clientele. Except for problems with service, our rating would have been closer to that of other Yelpers. Based on the food, and allowing for the fact that it is bar food, we'd give it three or four stars. Don't expect a three-course meal -- this is a bar, not a night club -- but the food ranges from mediocre to good. The specialty of the house is a muffuletta sandwich. It serves two and it's good. Muffuletta is a type of Sicilian bread, as well as a sandwich. The bread looks much like an overgrown hamburger bun, about ten inches in diameter, with a sturdier consistency. Like a hamburger bun, the loaf is split horizontally. It is then covered with a marinated green olive salad, layers of capicola, salami, mortadella, emmentaler, and provolone. We also tried the jambalaya. We both judged it very poor. It was as spicy and flavorful as a slice of white balloon bread. For dessert, I ordered cannoli. It was mediocre. Lana ordered bread pudding. It arrived with a chocolate sauce -- ugh! -- but Lana liked it. If you think chocolate sauce goes with bread pudding, this is your dish. I also ordered a Dixie Blackened Voodoo beer, which is not black but brown and mediocre, followed by an Abita Amber, which is a good beer. Lana ordered a Pimm's Cup because she'd never had one. It was unremarkable. The music was wonderful and, contrary to Roger's First and Second Laws of Music -- "The quality of the music is inversely proportional to (1) the volume at which it is played and (2) the quality of the sound system" -- it was played on what may have been a good system, and loudly, too. However, it wasn't loud enough to be heard. I caught snatches of classical guitar, Handel's Water Music and a Puccini opera but, for the most part, the music was lost in the din. Service was very poor. We arrived about one o'clock, hungry for lunch, and found a dozen patrons ahead of us. No problem: we were seated in about ten minutes. However, the food did not arrive for well over half an hour, which was far too long for a sandwich and a cup of previously prepared -- i.e., cold -- jambalaya. Then, when I ordered an Americano with my dessert, the waiter pretended to be knowledgeable but delivered a double espresso. (In his defense, he was the second waiter I encountered in New Orleans who would not admit that he did not know what an Americano is. Food arrogance is a local disease.)
(2)
Lauren E.

Very cool place to visit because of its history. We came here for dinner, but I'd recommend it more as a lunch place. The gumbo portion was quite small, but it was inexpensive. Good food for the price, but there are better places out there.
(4)
Jonathan N.

The food is good but not amazing. The environment is fantastic. Locals, outdoor seating, beer...what more could you want!
(4)
Ben D.

NH reminds me of my hometown of Boston, a very old bar with a great menu and wait staff with steakhouse attire. We had a very small cozy corner table for lunch. I had the roast beef Poor Boy (it's not Po' Boy on the menu) and a Pimm's (what would my visit to the Big Easy be without it!). My wife had the red beans and rice. I cannot remember what the kids had as we visited back in August. All I can say is that this place is a must visit!! We actually came here to use the bathroom because another restaurant didn't have one, so we decided to return to eat here. We will make it a point to visit Napoleon House once we return to NO.
(4)
Allyson P.

Stopped in for a late-night muffaletta, which I thought was solid, but not out of the ordinary. I also tried the red beans and rice, which were quite good, just the right level of spice. Beer list was fairly extensive, and service was friendly, if a bit slow. Overall, the food was fine, but I don't think I'd go out of my way to make it back.
(3)
Joanna M.

ahhh, how I loved Napoleon House. an absolute refuge from the french quarter mayhem. even with vomit clad bourbon st only two blocks away, sitting in the lovely, foliage covered, inner courtyard, with my gent by my side, perfectly crafted pimms cup in hand, congenial bowtied servers, i was transported away from the 24-7 frat party outside, to a bygone era of decadence and sophistication. came here on halloween dressed to the nines as a flapper, and i fit right in with the decor and old world ambiance. and if you come, you must read the writing on the walls. there are some gems scribbled on the peeling, decaying walls.
(5)
Larissa J.

Napoleon House has beautiful decor and excellent service. Our waiter was attentive (we went in the middle of the week and it wasn't packed) and very friendly. The walls, artwork, and courtyard are excellent. The food was acceptable, but it wasn't in the portions I was expecting, and the jambalaya was a little cold. It's worth going for the history and environment, and if you get a half muffaletta it's enough to fill a completely empty stomach. The quarter muffaletta and side was exactly on for flavor but not impressive.
(3)
Jesse K.

Had my first Pimm's cup here on a history of the cocktail tour and it was great. The building also has some cool history as it was built with the intention of being where Napoleon would stay if he came to America, which he never did.
(4)
Emily K.

The best part about this place was the atmosphere, followed by the service. The boudin sausage appetizer was the highlight of the meal. I could have had one all to myself. The cheese platter featured apples that were not decored and not sliced all the way through. The antipasti was acceptable. The muffuletta was decent (didn't end up making it out to Central Grocery), with the filling being better than the bread, which was a bit chewy. I washed it all down with a Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager schwarzbier (i.e., a dark, not light, lager), a decent local beer. I tried a sip of my friend's Pimm's Cup, which seemed like a sophisticated relative of the Long Island.
(3)
Hannekin B.

I don't really like eating in the Quarter, and Napoleon House is a perfect example of why I don't. The service ranges from diffidence to incompetence to belligerence; the food is an offensively pale imitation of what New Orleans does best. The server outright refused to do things like bring more water or pour the wine, and had to be reminded several times to bring everything we ordered (god help you if you wanted gumbo). The orders took two hours to come out, and none were special or complicated, and this was after it took half an hour to get the server's attention to actually take our orders. There was only one server doing anything at all, the others were enjoying their own dinners (at 8 o'clock). The food itself was a triumph of institutional gormlessness, the kind of hash and prepack junk that a middling university cafeteria would serve. It's hard to be offended by it, it's just bland and premade, badly handled, and badly presented. The crummy lighting conceals a multitude of sins. The po'boys are spare and frankly ridiculous when compared to the real thing. The muffaletta's ordinary olive salad appeared to have been stretched with leftover pickles, and turned into a weak, flavorless pap. Worse, they'd skimped on the meat and added far too much greasy cheese to a doughy, untoasted bun. The jambalaya bore the sickening scoop-marks we all remember and fear from school lunches, nor did the taste redeem it at all. At the end of it all, paying the check turned into a nightmare, as they were unwilling to do anything to split it. The manager was belligerently unhelpful. Frankly, this is why New Orleans is doomed. Guests come to see our historic city, and they're given this venal pantomime instead. Restaurateurs capitalize on the visitor's willingness to be pleased and unfamiliarity with the true joys of the cuisine. Presented with a captive audience of hungry travelers, they do the same thing that airport vendors do: they serve absymal food and price it gougingly. They then proceed to slap on a thin veneer of 'authenticity' and crow about it. Go elsewhere. Go to Parasol's or Crabby Jack's or Parkway Bakery or Mahoney's, even just the sometimes-excellent food you can find at the unlikeliest convenience stores. Anywhere but farcical slophouses like this.
(1)
Angela O.

I can't remember our meal here too well. We split a muffaletta or however the hell you spell it, and it was huge, delicious, and well worth the price. The drinks were generously poured, and the service quaint. But the patio at dusk is well worth the visit: after shopping and walking and doing all that you do in New Orleans, it's pleasant to sit under the elephant ears and the bouganvilleas and rest, staring up at historical wrought iron, sipping at something, and listening to the cacophony of Bourbon start up ... again.
(4)
Vanessa D.

We absolutely adored this place. Stumbled upon it tired and thirsty on a perfect spring day. The breeze, the cold beer, the great service, and the fabulous food set my world back on it's axis and sent me on my way for another beautiful day in the city. Jambalaya - perfection, paired with a cheese plate and sausages - who could ask for more? I'm still trying to recreate that table. Do yourself a favor, get a seat in the bar area next to the windows, the people watching and the views of the city are wonderful
(5)

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Address : 500 Chartres St
New Orleans, LA, 70130
Phone (504) 524-9752
Website https://www.napoleonhouse.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 5:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Napoleon House

500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA, 70130

Napoleon House Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Poor Boys

New Orleans Favorites

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Napoleon House

Appetizers

Salads

Poor Boys

New Orleans Favorites

Desserts

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