dress code for dinner?

Question

We have reservations for some nice restaurants and are wondering about dress code, especially for teens. Restaurants we have reservations at: Brennan's, La Petit Grocery, Peche, Mister Mao's, and Dooky Chase. Any insights are much appreciated!

Answer

New Orleans is known for its vibrant food scene, and many of the restaurants you’re visiting offer upscale dining experiences, so it's important to be aware of the dress codes to ensure you and your teens are comfortable and appropriately dressed. Here’s a breakdown for the restaurants you mentioned:

Brennan's
This is a fine-dining institution in New Orleans, and the dress code is typically upscale casual to business casual. For adults, this means collared shirts, nice pants or dresses, and closed-toe shoes. For teens, a nice polo or button-up shirt, along with khakis or nice jeans, should be fine. Avoid shorts, flip-flops, or overly casual attire. Women may opt for a nice dress or blouse with slacks or a skirt.
La Petite Grocery
La Petite Grocery has a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere, but it still falls under the category of "upscale casual." A collared shirt or nice blouse for adults, and for teens, a neat outfit like a polo shirt, button-up, or a nice sweater with trousers or skirts would be appropriate. Avoid overly casual wear like athletic wear or flip-flops. A nice pair of jeans is fine, but no shorts.
Peche
Peche has a slightly more laid-back vibe compared to some other fine-dining spots in New Orleans, but it's still on the nicer end of casual dining. The dress code is typically casual, but neat. For adults, smart casual is appropriate, such as collared shirts or blouses and nice pants. Teens can wear a nice shirt (polo, button-up, or nice sweater) and nice jeans or chinos. No flip-flops or shorts.
Mister Mao's
Mister Mao's has a chic, trendy atmosphere, and the dress code is casual with a touch of elegance. For adults, it’s fine to wear a nice casual outfit, but avoid anything too casual like tank tops or ripped jeans. For teens, a neat, stylish outfit like a button-up shirt or a nice blouse with casual pants or a skirt would be perfect. Jeans are fine as long as they’re not too casual or distressed.
Dooky Chase's
Dooky Chase’s is a beloved New Orleans institution and while the dress code is more casual, you’ll still want to be neat. Think “Sunday best” attire, especially for a nicer evening meal. For adults, this could mean a nice dress, blouse with slacks, or a collared shirt. For teens, a neat outfit like a polo or button-up shirt, and nice pants or a skirt should work well. This is one of the more relaxed dress codes on your list, but avoid athletic wear or overly casual outfits.

Overall, for your teens, a smart-casual approach will work for all of these restaurants—think collared shirts, neat pants (no shorts), and closed-toe shoes. For the adults, business casual is a safe bet, but you can also go a bit more casual at places like Peche and Mister Mao's. It's always a good idea to check ahead if you're unsure about any specific restaurant's dress code, but with this general guideline, you should be good to go!