Better than it was before Katrina

This modern day melting pot was way ahead of its time and proudly boasts of its reputation for hiring African Americans at a time when racial tensions were high. The Camellia Grill was the first restaurant in New Orleans to hire African Americans to work in front of house, and to this day still prides itself on promoting from within.

This progressive mindset has set the stage for what is still one of the biggest melting pots of New Orleans culture in the entire city. On any given day you might find famous rock stars, politicians, poor people, students, cops end even robbers. It’s a place to get to know your neighbors and to be a part of the real New Orleans.

The Camellia Grill was opened in 1946 by the New Orleans family. From the outset the place had gentility and class. Its reputation became so great that after its golden age ended (in the 1990s), newcomers often wondered what the big deal was all about. When the place failed to reopen for many months after the hurricane, the place was covered with love notes begging it to reopen. Finally, restaurateur Hicham Khodr bought it from the third-generation owner, performed a deep renovation of the kitchen (but not the cherished dining room), and reopened the place in April 2007 to mobs of customers.