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!
Good Food, Great Service! I had lunch here after I had a French Quarter tour. I got the red beans and rice and thought the food was great! It was delicious and it really hit the spot after almost 3 hours of walking.
I enjoyed the decor of the place because it really had that old timey cafe/pub feel. They do have a nice little courtyard that you have to travel through to get to the bathrooms and even though the place was full when I visited, it didn't feel over crowded.
I'm surprised that some folks rated this place anything less than four stars.
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! :)
At what point does decor go from nostalgic to gross and dusty? Â I think this place has crossed over.
We ordered Artichoke ($7.50) and Sundried Tomato Spread and Hummus ($7.25), both came with pita. Â They both had good flavor. Â Also had the half Italian Muffeletta ($7.50), which was good as well.
The service was attentive and good.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Crap! Â Skip it!!! Â service was terrible, food was laughable in a city that boasts some of the finest cuisine in the world. Drinks were poorly concocted. Â I wanted to love it as I am a local....I wanted to eat here and cheer, cheer, cheer...but it was disgraceful. Â Walk two blocks in another direction and find something worth your time.
Review Source: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!
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...
Review Source:It was busy on Saturday around 1 pm. Â 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.
I enjoyed spending a lazy afternoon sharing red beans and rice, and drinking a pimm's cup and a beer in the outdoor courtyard. Â Service was friendly and relatively quick, and the food and drinks were good. Â 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. Â I'd come back for a quick drink again or an hour or two of just chatting and snacking in the outdoor area.
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.
There was a huge crowd outside for lunch when they opened, so we kept walking past and decided to go back later. Â Later, there were still people milling around outside, but we easily got 2 seats at the bar. Â So don't allow the crowd outside to mislead you: Â I guess they were just standing around, loitering, or waiting for a table. Â 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. Â That's right, they do the Pimm's Cup, and they do it well! Â 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. Â 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. Â He was very impatient with me and my husband. Â 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. Â We certainly didn't regret it, but I certainly didn't appreciate the cranky old man 'tude.
Have a Pimm's and GTFO.
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.
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. Â When possible, I volunteer my spare room. Â Usually they are too tired to go out, but this time was different. Â This time our guest wanted to see Bourbon Street! Â
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. Â Works out for everyone, right? Â 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. Â 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. Â There are heaters in the ceiling that worked so well that it was easy to forget we were outside.
The jambalaya is good. Â The bruschetta was great. Â I can easily recommend both. Â The wait staff was cordial, and silently attentive. Â And the patio was beautiful! Â Definitely a nice, affordable place to go for dinner!
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.
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!!!
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.
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
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.
The waiter was really, really fantastic, as was the atmosphere. Â 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. Â What I did expect was that NOLA jambalaya would be better than the jambalaya I can get in Wisconsin. Â Shockingly, it was not. Â Bland and dense. Â I really felt I paid too much for some pretty mediocre food.
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
Beef PoBoy perfection? Yes please!
This is a must stop for me. Â 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???
What a heartbreaker. Â As with many other places in the Quarter, the weeknight experience was vastly different from the weekend. Â 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. Â 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. Â
When we went back on Friday it was absolutely crushing. Â 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. Â He quieted down when he was told that we had seen his scam, and we sat down for dinner. Â
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.... Â 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%! Â 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. Â 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.
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