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Muriel's Jackson Square is one of those rare French Quarter spots that delivers on every front: the food is genuinely excellent, the building drips with history, the rooftop view is postcard-perfect, and there is a ghost who gets his own table set every single night. Whether you are here for a birthday dinner, a pre-Bourbon Street cocktail, or a full-on haunted dining experience, Muriel's delivers something you will actually remember.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Price Range | $$–$$$ (3-course dinner around $55–$56; entrées $28–$45; cocktails around $12) |
| Best For | Haunted dining, Creole classics, special occasions, rooftop drinks |
| Neighborhood | French Quarter, directly on Jackson Square |
| Address | 801 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116 |
| Walkability Score | 99/100 (Walker's Paradise) |
| Dress Code | Smart casual |
| Parking | Street parking; validation available at nearby lots |
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The Full Write-Up
A Building With a Past (and a Resident)
Muriel's sits on one of the oldest corners in the French Quarter. The original structure dates back to 1718, and it was partially destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788. Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan bought the damaged property, restored it, and turned it into his family home. In 1814, according to local legend, he lost the house in a poker game and died by suicide on the second floor rather than leave. His ghost, often described as a glimmer of sparkly light rather than a full apparition, is said to still roam the building, particularly the second-floor séance room. The staff lean into it rather than shy away from it, and honestly, that is part of the charm.
The Ghost Table and the Séance Room
Before you even sit down for dinner, do yourself a favor and explore the upstairs. At the bottom of the staircase, you will find the "ghost table" set every night with a glass of red wine and bread for Pierre Jourdan. It is a small gesture, but it sets the tone for the whole experience. Head up the stairs (Gregorian monks serenade you, which is a fun touch) and you will find the Séance Lounge, which is widely considered the most active spot in the restaurant. The lounge has a red velvet wall and a moody, intimate feel that makes it perfect for a pre-dinner drink. The rooftop balcony, accessible from the second floor, offers a stunning view of Jackson Square that you simply cannot get anywhere else.
My First Visit (and Why I Keep Coming Back)
My first time eating at Muriel's was for my birthday dinner, and the experience was genuinely amazing. Before we sat down, we grabbed a drink from the bar. I ordered the signature Vampire's Kiss, made with mandarin orange vodka, strawberry-balsamic gastrique, cranberry, and lemon, and it was delicious. From there, we went upstairs to the séance room for a drink, then stepped out onto the rooftop balcony to take in the view of Jackson Square. It was one of those moments that makes you fall in love with New Orleans all over again.
For dinner, I went with the three-course Table D'Hote menu, which was around $56 at the time. I had the house salad, the bronzed salmon, and the vanilla bean crème brûlée. My husband ordered the Tasso Carbonara, the wood-grilled pork chop, and the dark chocolate pecan tart. The portions were generous and filling, and we actually had leftovers to bring home. What really stood out, though, was the service. Every single staff member we interacted with was friendly and attentive, not just our server. That kind of hospitality is not as common as it should be, and it made the whole evening feel special.
Muriel's has since become a favorite spot for us, whether we are stopping in for a drink at the bar or splurging on a full dinner when we have a little extra in the budget.
What to Order (and What to Know Before You Go)
If you are going for the full dinner experience, the three-course Table D'Hote menu is the best value. You get an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert for around $55 to $56, which is reasonable for the quality and the setting. The seafood gumbo and turtle soup are both solid starters, and the shrimp and grits is a reliable crowd-pleaser. The dark chocolate pecan tart is rich enough to share, and the vanilla bean crème brûlée is a lighter way to finish.
A few practical tips: dress code is smart casual, so leave the flip-flops for another day. Parking is street-based, but Muriel's validates at nearby lots, and the Hotel Place d'Armes on St. Ann Street is a good backup. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and during festival season. Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. is a local move if you just want a cocktail and a snack without the full dinner commitment.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, with a caveat. Muriel's is not the cheapest meal in the French Quarter, and it leans a little touristy because of its location and reputation. But the combination of genuinely good Creole food, a fascinating historical setting, the ghost lore, and that rooftop view makes it worth the splurge. If you are looking for a memorable dinner that gives you a story to tell, this is it. If you just want a drink and a view, the bar and séance lounge are worth a stop on their own.
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Nearby: What to Do After Muriel's (Within Walking Distance)
You have just finished a three-course dinner, maybe split a dessert, and the night is still young. Good news: you are standing in the middle of one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the country, and almost everything worth doing is within a five to fifteen minute stroll. Here is how to stretch the evening out without ever needing a car.
Take a Stroll Through Jackson Square and the Moon Walk
The most obvious move is also the best one. Step out of Muriel's and Jackson Square is literally right there. At night, the square takes on a completely different personality. The street performers are still out, Saint Louis Cathedral is lit up, and the crowd is a mix of locals and visitors who all seem to be in a good mood. It is free, it is beautiful, and it sets the tone for the rest of the evening.
Walk through the square and head toward the river. You will hit the Moon Walk, a nearly 3,500-foot brick promenade that runs along the Mississippi River. It is open-air, free, and surprisingly peaceful at night, with unobstructed views of the river and the city skyline behind you. If you catch it at sunset, the view of St. Louis Cathedral peeking above the levee is genuinely one of the most photographed angles in New Orleans. There is no better way to walk off a heavy dinner.
Browse the Pontalba Buildings and Royal Street
If you still have energy for a little browsing, the Pontalba Buildings frame two sides of Jackson Square. They are the oldest continuously occupied apartment buildings in the United States, built between 1849 and 1851, and the ground floors are lined with shops and galleries. Walk the arcades on both sides, and look closely at the cast-iron railings. The initials of Baroness Pontalba, who commissioned the buildings, are woven into the ironwork. It is an easy detail to miss if you are not looking for it.
From there, Royal Street is a few steps away. By day, it is known for antiques and galleries. By night, it is quieter than Bourbon but still lively, with plenty of window shopping and the occasional street musician. If you are into art or architecture, this is the street to wander.
Catch Live Music on Bourbon Street (or Somewhere Better)
Bourbon Street is a ten-minute walk from Muriel's, and it needs no introduction. It is loud, chaotic, and exactly what you expect. If you want the full French Quarter nightlife experience, this is it. The upper blocks, closer to St. Philip and Toulouse, tend to have better live music and a slightly less chaotic vibe than the lower end near Canal.
If Bourbon feels like too much after a nice dinner, head to Preservation Hall instead. It is a legendary jazz venue just a few blocks from Jackson Square, and the traditional jazz sets are short, intimate, and genuinely special. It is a completely different kind of New Orleans night, and for a lot of people, it is the one they remember most.
Join a Ghost Tour (Because You Just Ate With One)
This one is almost too perfect. You just spent an evening in a building haunted by Pierre Jourdan, so why not keep the theme going? Several ghost tours depart from the French Quarter every night, and many of them end near Jackson Square, which means you are already in the right spot. The tours typically run about two hours and cover a mile or so on foot, visiting spots like the LaLaurie Mansion, the Ursuline Convent, and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. It is a fun, slightly eerie way to walk off dinner, and it pairs nicely with the haunted history you just experienced at Muriel's.
Grab a Nightcap or a Late-Night Beignet
If you are not ready to call it a night, there are plenty of spots for one last drink. Fives Bar, tucked into the Pontalba Buildings right on Jackson Square, is an intimate cocktail lounge and raw bar with a classic New Orleans feel and a happy hour earlier in the evening. Napoleon House on Chartres Street is another historic option, known for its Pimm's Cup and old-world atmosphere.
And if you skipped dessert or just want something sweet, Cafe du Monde is right there. The beignets are a rite of passage, and at night the line is usually shorter than it is during the day. It is a simple, perfect way to end the evening.
A Few Practical Notes
Everything in this section is within walking distance of Muriel's, but the French Quarter is best explored at a relaxed pace. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your head up, and do not feel like you have to hit everything in one night. The Quarter rewards people who wander. If you are staying nearby, you can always come back the next evening and pick up where you left off.
Nearby Places to Stay
If you are making a night of Muriel's, you might as well stay close enough to walk. The French Quarter is best explored on foot, and parking is a headache you can easily avoid by booking a room within a few blocks. Here are some solid options near Jackson Square, ranging from historic charmers to full-service hotels with all the amenities.
Place D'Armes Hotel is probably the closest you can get to Muriel's without sleeping on the restaurant's rooftop. This 3-star property sits in eight renovated townhouses just 0.5 km from both Muriel's and Jackson Square, with room options that include Balcony Rooms overlooking the Quarter and Courtyard Rooms facing a lush garden. It has a saltwater pool, free WiFi, valet parking, and is rated 9.0 out of 10 on Booking. The courtyard is genuinely lovely, and you can walk to Muriel's in about five minutes.
Andrew Jackson Hotel is another historic pick, occupying a former boarding school building on Royal Street. It is a 21-room European-style property with tropical courtyards, wrought-iron balconies, and a documented haunted past, which pairs nicely with a Muriel's ghost tour. Muriel's is within walking distance, along with Cafe Amelie and Roberts Gumbo Shop. The hotel is pet-friendly, offers 24/7 coffee in the lobby, and has access to courtyard pools at its sister property four blocks away. Parking is off-site at the sister property for around $48 plus tax per night, so factor that in if you are driving.
Hotel Monteleone is the grande dame of this list. This historic property is a New Orleans landmark, and it sits in the heart of the city near Jackson Square and the French Market. It has a full-service spa, an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, a health club, and Criollo Restaurant on-site. Guests consistently rate it 9.6 out of 10, and it is a great choice if you want a more polished, full-amenity stay while still being close to the action. It is a bit of a splurge, but for a special occasion dinner at Muriel's, it makes a fitting home base.
Bourbon Orleans Hotel is a solid mid-range option with a prime location. It is steps from Bourbon Street and within a five-minute walk of Jackson Square, which means Muriel's is practically in your backyard. The hotel was renovated in 2024, has an outdoor pool, a gym, and private parking, and it scores 9.0 out of 10 from guests. It is a good balance of price, location, and amenities if you want to be right in the thick of things.
Hotel Mazarin is a smaller boutique option on Bienville Street, about a 10-minute walk from Jackson Square. Guests consistently praise the location, calling it fantastic for both Bourbon Street and the square, with loads of restaurants nearby. It is clean, comfortable, and well-reviewed, making it a reliable choice if you want a quieter street without sacrificing proximity to the action.
French Market Inn and Omni Royal Orleans Hotel are two more names that pop up consistently in searches for Jackson Square accommodations, both within 200 to 250 meters of the square. The French Market Inn is tucked along the Mississippi River side of the Quarter, while the Omni Royal Orleans is a larger full-service property with a rooftop pool and views that stretch over the neighborhood.
A quick tip: if you are visiting during festival season or a major event, book your room and your Muriel's reservation at the same time. Both fill up fast, and you do not want to end up staying in Mid-City and Ubering in when you could be walking back to your hotel after a three-course dinner and a Vampire's Kiss.
The Takeaway
Muriel's Jackson Square is more than a restaurant. It is a piece of New Orleans history with a ghost story, a rooftop view, and a menu that actually delivers. The three-course dinner is a solid value, the Vampire's Kiss is a must-try cocktail, and the séance room is worth a visit even if you are just stopping in for a drink. Go for a birthday, go for a date night, or go just because you want to say you had dinner with Pierre Jourdan. Just make a reservation, dress smart casual, and leave room for the crème brûlée.
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