New Orleans Creole Cafe Reviews

A Creole/Cajun cafe right in the middle of a dozen Mexican restaurants - who knew? After eating close to a dozen tacos the night before, it was great to change things up a bit. The New Orleans Creole Cafe is a short walk from the center of Old Town. It has an outdoor cafe for eating, as well as an indoor area. I decided to have a Savoie's Alligator Sausage Po-Boy sandwich and an Abita SOS beer. As you can see from the picture, the sandwich was HUGE. I barely finished it. The alligator sausage was very tasty, with the right level of spiciness. Service was good and the food was excellent. If you go, you are probably better off eating outdoors than inside the enclosed eating area. Although I originally wanted to eat indoors, I and my partner found the indoor eating area dark, with a slight musty smell. Your experience could be different. I will return there again for an outdoor meal.

I've been in New Orleans many times and the food at the New Orleans Creole Cafe in Old Town San Diego is perhaps not as good as the best in New Orleans but it's darned good. There were 5 of us and we got a variety of dishes and everyone enjoyed their food. They might want to work on adding a little green side, like a small salad or some such, to the red beans and rice and the jambalaya etc. Their wine by the glass menu has few choices, which isn't a good thing. But it's a nice small room, with friendly services, and good food. This is an odd place. The servers have to enter and exit through the one door in the small dining room after walking along a covered porch. This is a new one for me. I'd recommend trying it if you get tired of Mexican or Italian while in San Deigo. Old Town is sort of fun. We went there a second time early in the morning and found it to be much more pleasant than in the evening, though the evening was fine too.

My husband and I ate here for lunch on our recent vacation. It is a very quiet place and very small but cozy. Outdoor seating is available. My husband and I both enjoyed our food. The owner came over to speak with us and he was friendly. There was a customer who came in that always comes for their bread pudding. We didn't try it but it sure smelled good!

I'm actually writing this review as I'm sitting in the beautiful San Diego weather, on the patio of New Orleans Creole Cafe! I've got a beautiful glass filled with their signature Sweet Tea and a recently emptied bowl that used to have some absolutely delicious dark Jambalaya with Sausage. My wife is mourning the loss of her French Onion soup, of which she savored every drop! LOL The atmosphere here is amazing, the menu varied and rich with selection, and the food absolutely delicious! If you have an opportunity and desire to relax for a while with great food and drink, then New Orleans Creole Cafe is a place to visit!

My wife and I were going to tour the Whaley House with no intention of eating dinner and noticed a New Orleans Restaurant tucked away in the courtyard. Being dyed in the wool, born and raised New Orleanians and Who Dats, how could we resist. The food was fantastic and if I could rate them above excellent I would. I had the Shrimp Remoulade Salad for my appetizer (delicious) and Shrimp Creole, that was every bit as good as my moms and that is saying a lot. Home made bread to boot. My wife had the Crawfish Etouffe and we both used the bread to clean our plates. We split a bread pudding that was quite large delicious. The chef explained that his recipes are handed down from his mother, she must have been quite the cook as well. If you enjoy Cajun or Creole cooking, you will be in your happy place at the New Orleans Creole Cafe.

This is a well kept secret in San Diego. It faces a small park beside the Whaley House Museum in Old Town. The food is good and plentiful. The Po Boys are enormous at lunch time. The gumbo was rich and the gator appetizer equally good.

Found this little gem when I was waiting for my tour at the Whaley House tour. I only had the French Onion soup, but it was delicious. It is perfect for a quiet romantic dinner away from the bustle of Old Town.

This unlikely spot in Old Town was a hit for dinner last weekend. The restaurant is tiny and unassuming, but the food is excellent and the service was attentive. I recommend the gumbo and jambalaya. A nice change from the touristy Mexican restaurants that abound in Old Town.

I nearly missed this place, as it stands back a bit from the road. I was the first one in the restaurant for dinner, but someone has to do it! There is some seating outside but the main restaurant is a small room with about 8 tables. The waiter and chef were friendly and it was nice to relax to the jazz in the background. I had a small gumbo followed by chicken creole and it was superb.

This seems to be one of the few places in Old Town that is not a Mexican restaurant. I ate here on the recommendation of someone who had eaten there. I expected a lot more. The food was a bit overpriced for the quality. Food was average, heavy on the salt. For some reason, no dessert was available on a Saturday night (but was available the night before). The one waitress seemed a bit overwhelmed when the outdoor patio area got full. Service was a bit slow. I did look into the kitchen (thinking it was the front door to the restaurant), and there seemed to be one chef making the food, so I guess it had a "homemade" food feel. The restaurant is located on the grounds of the Whaley House Museum. By the way the restaurant bathroom is located in a separate building right behind the Whaley House, which may be a bit of a creepy experience if you believe the story of what may have happened on that spot.

I really enjoyed our dinner at this little slice of New Orleans in San Diego. It is in Old Town, right next door to what is called the 'most haunted house in America' (which is a must see too, after dark). Lots of nice choices on the menu and several Louisiana beers too! Great French Onion soup too. Since most of the restaurants in Old Town are Mexican food, this is a refreshing choice.

The atmosphere was wonderful and unique. The dining area seats about 20 people and the food is prepared in a summer kitchen next door to the dining area. It was Delicious!!!

The New Orleans Creole Cafe is in Old Town San Diego and a bit off the beaten path. We had the Alligator sausage as an appetizer and I enjoyed a Blackened Chicken salad with a fabulous remoulade and my husband had the Muffuletta salad, equally tasty. The owners took great care to make sure that we were well taken care of. We highly recommend a visit!

I love cajun food and when I discovered this place near my hotel on a business trip I ended up having dinner here every night (and had friends join my on nights 2 and 3). Humberto is one of the owners and worked the small dining room each night and he took great care of everyone. I tried a different dish every night - all were great but if I had to pick one favorite it'd be the crawfish etouffe. Reasonable prices and a small, cozy dining room just add to the experience. It's a bit tucked back away from the street, but definitely worth a drive to experience something a little different for a change. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

My friend and I went to New Orleans in July for a vacation. This place brought back some great memories. We had the red beans and rice with alligator sausage and the jambalaya. We had the Abita Purple Haze beer! Everything was delicious! Our server was so friendly and the ambiance was charming. It's in the garden behind the famously haunted Whaley House. I'm anxious to go back for Po' Boys.

Went for lunch on a Saturday. Had the gumbo, which was great. Note that this place is run by just one man. He’s doing the serving, cooking, etc. He is very nice. So don’t be in a big rush if you go here. But definitely do go.

super creole restaurant hidden in old town. very cozy setting, friendly attentive service. but the star of the show is the food - fantastic crawfish étouffée. likewise bread pudding. only complaint was the hurricane drinks tasted like cough syrup but everything else was good to excellent.

If you live in So Cal and need a New Orleans meal head to New Orleans Creole Cafe in Old Town San Diego .Great atmosphere Great food

Best restaurant in old town!!! Food is amazing as well as the impeccable service!! Food is cooked to order! They capture the true essence of New Orleans food to a tee!A wonderful place to have quality time with family or friends! Would highly recommend!

In the middle of Old Town, nestled behind the Whaley House, is a quaint creole restaurant. Last night in San Diego & Mexican food didn’t sound quite right. Needed a new taste experience & this popped up close to my hotel. I had the lighter portion of the Shrimp 🍤 Creole which was the effect amount of food. Tomato 🍅 based sauce was amazing & they kicked it up a notch with a little heat. Service is excellent. You have the option of sitting inside or out. Wonderful place with a charming ambience. It’s worth giving it a try.

While I enjoy all the different selections of Mexican food while visiting Old Town, having something a little different is always nice. Once we stumbled onto this place, and being from the south I just had to give it a try. I was not disappointed. This is some of the best Creole food I have had outside of the Bayou state. The facility is small, but I think it adds to the dining experience. Mark & Humberto take pride in the food they make and serve to their customers. I chose the Camellia red beans and rice, as well as the chicken/shrimp gumbo, finishing off with bread pudding in a whiskey sauce. And I have to say BRAVO! I will return every trip I make to San Diego. I highly recommend this dining experience to all who visit San Diego.

Lovely outdoor seating area, waiter was friendly and helpful. Food portions were a good size, authentic tasty dishes and my husband enjoyed the good selection of beer. Would recommend.

Pleasant and surprising setting just off San Diego Avenue. The host was congenial, informative and effecient. The food was ooooweeee good!! We learned alot about creole food and the history of the property. We shared 5 different dishes and every one was superb.

I work in San Diego. Rarely do we go to "Old Town". Too much of a tourist trap. However my two assistants and I had lunch at this little restaurant and am I glad we did. If the weather is bad or cold be aware the "dining room" has about 6 tables maximum. The main dining area is outside on the patio. We went for lunch and it was raining. We were one of 2 groups in the dining room. It was perfect. Recently refurbished 1860's era room. Wood floor and walls. Vintage photos. Very rustic. Alligator sausage with the house made BBQ sauce was outstanding. Jambalaya was fantastic. Gumbo and the roux were very tasty. I will return.

Wanted something different in Old Town. Stopped by here at 7pm on a Sunday. Earlier they seemed crowded but by this time everyone had cleared out. I was by myself so seated inside instead of on patio. Had to go peek my head in the kitchen to get this seat, there is no hostess or sign up place. One chef, one waitress, horrible service. Waited 10 min to order a beer, another 10 to order food. Took over an hour for the jambalaya to come out and then the chef brought it. I order the shrimp one (there were about 5 overcooked ones in there ) and a few pieces of sausage. Note: This would not have worked if you were a non-meat eater. It was ok, but there was no hot sauce to add (which it needed) and was not well seasoned. Poked my head back in the kitchen to pay the bill. I think if you were not honest you could have just walked out and no one would have known. This is a cute place and I wanted to like it. Sorry to say that I would not recommend it.

With all the good Mexican restaurants in Old Town, we were worried about what we would find in this very small, off-the-main street restaurant. But we were pleased with the food. The menu had authentic Creole recipes which were delicious and plentiful. The restaurant is very small and lightly staffed, so it was difficult to get anyone's attention to get seated and the service was slow. But the restaurant has a lovely patio area and we enjoyed sitting out in the wonderful San Diego weather while we waited for our meal and we didn't feel rushed like many of the more popular restaurants where lines form.

We were bowled over by the ambience in this small Louisiana inspired restaurant. All true to character, with the most delicious food imaginable. We felt like we were back in the Big Easy as we watched the cooked to order food coming out of this small kitchen on a busy Saturday night. Loved the overall experience so much we booked our next nights reservation as we paid our dinner bill. Second night was not a letdown and we saw several of the previous evenings patrons also back for an encore ... What a recommendation!!

In the middle of tacoville in Old Town San Diego, the New Orleans Creole Cafe has a entirely different type of flavors and sizzle to offer. With casual outside dining in the court yard of the historic buildings and the spring flowers, the cafe offers a serenity while sipping your sweet tea. My shrimp por boy sandwich was generous enough for two and cooked to tender perfection. The wait stuff was wonderful.

I really don't know how these 2 manage to handle things so well with just the 2 or them working. Between Mark and Humburto they waited on the customers, cleared the tables, mixed the drinks and cooked the meals and handled payment of the bill at the end of dinner and it was all great. I've gone for dinner at restaurants where they are no where near as busy, they have wait staff, bus boys and cooks in the kitchen and the food and service does not approach the level that we experienced last night. They took care of all the customers equally well and even took pictures for a party group that was celebrating a party. The restaurant is set back a bit from the main street so it is very relaxed and not as noisy as restaurants on the main drag. It is very cozy but tables are set far enough apart that there is no eavesdropping on other tables conversations. We started off with the alligator sausages. They were just slightly charred and oh so good. Hot bread was served with dinner. My husband had the crawfish etouffee and it was amazing. It had a very generous serving of crawfish and for $21.00 was very good value. I had the shrimp platter. The shrimp was absolute perfection. It had a very light batter and the shrimp was very tender and flavorful. There were at least 10 good sized shrimp on the plate and it was accompanied by red beans and rice and a salad. They only open for dinner Thursday through Sunday and lunch Thursday through Monday. It's a very small restaurant so reservations are a good idea. It was a much nicer evening than we had expected. It is a definite repeat when we return to San Diego. Mark and Humburto - you're both amazing. I don't know how you do it but you're both just amazing.

We enjoyed our first dinner here on a busy weekend with Comic con attendees all over town. The restaurant is tucked away & is very small. The 2 owners do everything: greet, take orders, cook, & check on their customers: very nice. Food was good. I had shrimp creole, a large serving with nice spicy flavor. My companion had red beans & rice which he liked. Bread pudding for dessert: yum. Parking can be an issue in Old Town on weekends but definitely worth the time to try this spot. Recommended.

When staying in Old Town, there is no shortage of good Mexican food. What you don't expect to find is great Cajun food. This restaurant was such a fun adventure. At first it is a little confusing, there are two buildings, one is the kitchen and on is the dining room. Once you find your way to the dining room the fun begins. The menu has all the classic cajun dishes. I had the Red Beans and Rice w/ Andouille Sausage ($14.50) very flavorful and a large portion. My husband had the small bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo to start ($6.75) which he enjoyed and the jambalaya with sausage & chicken that he raved about ($13.75). Be sure to check the days and times before going, they are not open everyday.

Away from the crowded streets in olde towne we had an excellent meal, grilled alligator sausage served wit a barbaque sauce that made you want to lick your fingers evrything was delicious but I won the prize by ordering Shrimp Creole. Two guys started this "labor of love" resturant and it shows. Next time we are there from the east coast we are going back!

Looked like a cute dining spot. Unfortunately we were not able to eat there. The waiter threw the menus on the table before we sat down and after waiting for 15 minutes we never saw him again so we decided to leave. No one needs to be treated that way. I'd you don't like your job don't take it out on the customer. Another table of customers also left after no one waited on them as well. I think management needs to take a look at their wait staff. After all customer service is all part of the experience.

.This place was recommended to us and we found it quite a surprise. Only patio seating was available, 4 tables, and food took almost an hour. It was worth the wait. Husband had the Red beans & rice and I had Jambalaya.

We were recently in San Diego, Old Town and came across this little restaurant located on the Whaley House compound. It was nestled off the main street and under beautiful sprawling pepper trees. We were looking for something different than the Mexican fare served in the area, and were delighted to find this restaurant. We were greeted as if being welcomed into their home, the service was excellent and personal. We chose to share a salad and dessert from the advice that portions were large. The food was excellent and authentic as the chef was from New Orleans and using home recipes. The restaurant is liscened for beer and wine. To add a finishing touch the chef visited our table and told of his experiences with Whaley House. An overall delightful evening, I will definitely go back. Thanks guys for the memories.

Every time I come home for a weekend from the Bay Area, which averages about 3-4 times per year, I make it a necessity to grab lunch or dinner at the New Orleans Creole Cafe. The food is downright amazing. Every dish. I have tried nearly the entire menu, mostly because I love to bring my groups of friends there and everyone orders such a delicious variety and we all end up sharing the meals. So many good spices and fresh meats and fresh seafood! Don't be shy and not try the Macaroni and Cheese with Andouille Sausage. It is possibly the best all around dish for an entree, an appetizer, a dessert, a group, an individual, children, adults, and everyone else. It just works so well and is very delicious with a really authentic cheese. Sweet tea, as mentioned by everyone else, will change your life at New Orleans Creole Cafe. It did for me. Never can I enjoy another Sweet Tea Arizona Iced Tea to the fullest. The service is absolutely terrific - so friendly and fast because it is a small place. The atmosphere is truly one-of-a-kind. You either eat on a patio looking onto the Whaley House garden and backyard which is quite beautiful. Or you eat in a small dining room that has so much character, sweet jazz music playing in the background, and nice tables. Ask your server for history of this particular area if you're interested in hearing some good stories. I always have the best time at Creole (what we locals call it), which is why I am so determined to get back there time and time again. From the food, to the service, to the atmosphere, I don't think you can get a better value at many more places in San Diego.

Sooooo good. The food was so incredibly rich and flavorful, and such a cool location! Highly recommend!

Awsome food,excellent service. Best food experience we had in the US. Recommended to all who would like to try southern cuisine.

Driving around looking for a parking spot and kinda looking for a place to eat I see this cute little house/ building so we stop by to see and I'm so happy we did, not only for the food but for the old town settlement it was in,the food was so good so if your looking for good food and great scenery this is the place to go

You walk up to what looks like 2 seperate tiny houses, one holds the dining room, one holds the kitchen. We chose an outdoors, patio seat. We were greeted, given menus and made to feel 'at home.' My husband is from South and LOVED the food. Said he could have had seconds on the red beans and rice, except he was full. I had the special and it was a good sized portion, I left more than full and stayed that way. It is spiced like Cajun food, so if a little 'kick' is not your style, this may not be the place for you. We even had a cat show up as with the legend of the neighboring Whaley Manison.

We enjoyed having lunch at New Orleans Creole Cafe in Old Town. We stumbled across this lovely restaurant with great food and service.

We were looking for a good restaurant to visit with four couples before a walking tour of old town, so after reading the reviews on Tripadvisor we decided on this charming looking little place and made reservations. Oh my goodness, I'm so glad we found this place! We were seated in a small, but very comfortable historic building and soon had our orders and drinks on the way. I (and four others) had the crayfish étouffée, which was served over rice and good and mild. This is perfect because from there you can give it however many shakes of hot sauce to get it to just the right level of hot if you want, but the sauce was creamy and the seafood plentiful! Others had the BBQ shrimp, the mac and cheese with andouille, and the gumbo and all said it was delicious! We were able to visit and have a good time without a rush which made it feel all the more like supper in New Orleans! My only wish was that they hadn't run out of the bread pudding, but there's always next time!

Enjoyed a peaceful lunch in the shady courtyard. Watched the butterflies go from flower to flower. A nice rest spot from walking around old town... Enjoyed iced tea and BBQ shrimp.

We went their twice during our vacation. Since we lived for several years in Cajun Country (Texas / Louisiana border) we didn't expect much. We were pleasently suprised. The gumbo was delicious and the crawfish etoufee (which is the test to every cajun restaurant) was first class. It is a very small place in Old town and you can have inside and patio dining. The service is also excellent. The waiter was only suprised when we ordered gumbo again for desert. They have also good cajun beer (vodoo beer).

My family and I have been coming to the creole cafe here in old town san diego for years now. We periodically drive the 2 hours plus from La Verne Ca in los angeles county for the delicious meal and warm service. That's how good this food is! I highly recommend the Creole cafe. You will become a regular customer as we have.

Great quiet little restaurant. This place is only run by 2 people (chef and server/host) and they’re both a delight. The ambiance is cozy and the location makes it feel like a hole-in-the-wall place. We had the Dark Roux Gumbo that had a Smokey/spice/delectable taste that was to die for! A hidden gem of you want that warm, cozy charm.

Last night my husband and I celebrated my birthday with dinner at the New Orleans Creole Cafe. The patio was so pleasant, yet through the trees and flowers we could see bustling Old San Diego. We ordered the two signature items on the menu, crayfish etouffe and gumbo. Delicious! My husband mentioned it was my birthday, and hot bread pudding appeared for dessert. We couldn't have asked for a more pleasant evening.

Dined at this wonderful restaurant tonight, my wife and I were both amazed and delighted at the tasteful cuisine, no doubt one of the very best restaurants we have dined at! Will be returning soon to sample another tempting item from the menu!

Right next to "America's Most Haunted House", New Orleans Creole Cafe has great food and attentive service. Don't be shy about peeking in the kitchen to find someone to seat you, especially if there are few customers when you get there. Our service was great, and they made my son's gumbo extra spicy for him. It was nice to do something different, since there are more than enough Mexican restaurants in Old Town. We also enjoyed the oldies on the Sirius radio!

It's coming up on a year marking my husbands and mines very first visit to the New Orleans Creole Cafe, which led to many wonderful visits thereafter. We first stumbled upon this quaint cafe on our first visit to Old Town last Valentine's Day. It is situated directly south (right) of the Whaley House, a little ways back from the street, amongst a few other historic buildings. There is both an indoor dining area and a small patio. We have all but once sat on the patio, which basically allows you to stare and and study the Whaley House (deemed America's Most Haunted). There are only four tables on the patio, which is boxed in by a yellowish picket fence. The tables are actually full sized black metal patio sets, and would offer lots of table space for a group of people, or a feast. The inside area is almost the same size as the patio area but with a few more tables, eight if I remember correctly, topped with crisp white table cloths. Hardwood floors, wood paneled walls and an exposed beam ceiling is the simple interior of the dining area. A few pieces of artwork adorn the walls, and a wood and mirrored unit spans the back center wall opposite the front door, which has windows with lace curtains on either side. The building that houses the kitchen is actually the building next door, and the server must enter the front door each time to bring food and check on guests, as there is no direct access through a hallway from the kitchen. We have only ever seen the same server there, and he has never been accompanied by another server or a busboy. He is friendly and works like a busy bee when customers are there. If it's busy, this may mean more of a wait, but it's worth it. There is also no public restroom located in either building. Where is the restroom you ask? It's in the small building behind the Whaley House that Violet Whaley committed suicide in by shooting herself. Technically she didn't die in there, as she was moved back into the house where she passed away, but it's still pretty creepy. (The server has a key you need to ask for to access the restroom.) On to the food. The first time my husband and I ate here I went straight for the Crawfish Etouffee, which sounded delicious. My husband ordered the Shrimp Creole, that they ended up being out of, and settled for the Jambalaya, or it was the other way around, I can't quite remember. His was good, rich and spicy, but mine was just exquisite. The Crawfish Etouffee is made with the traditional trinity cooked with a light roux, hit with a little bit of heat, and flavored with delicious tender bite-sized crawfish. It is served over a formed mound of white rice, and left for the customer to mix once they have been served it. The first time that I had this dish, I fell in love with it. I had to come home and find a recipe to try to recreate it, but I have never been able to make it as good as it is at the New Orleans Creole Cafe. The chef at the cafe has some super delicious special ingredient I can't figure out that makes it taste just that good. I've always wanted to ask, maybe one day. Now my husband and I never even have to look at the menu because we come just for the Crawfish Etouffee. Don't forget to order a cold tall glass of Sweet Tea to compliment the meal. Refills are free. As for dessert, the options are limited, but homemade I believe. If I remember correctly the choices are Bread Pudding, Red Velvet Cake, and Pecan Pie. From what I can tell pretty much everything is made from scratch, which is why it's possible for the cook to run out of something on occasion, or to only have certain desserts on certain days. From experience I know that good Cajun Food takes times to make, and this place isn't like those chain restaurants where a bag or can can be opened and quickly heated to replace something that runs out. The first time we ate here we peaked our heads into the open door of the kitchen, as we could not pass up the opportunity to give our compliments to the chef. We have never once left without stopping by the kitchen to give our thanks for a delicious meal, in which we get warmly greeted. The gentleman that does all the hard word is always adorned in a white brimmed plantation style hat, and looks like he just stepped out of Louisiana. Overall the service, ambiance, and delicious food make The New Orleans Creole Cafe a wonderful place to relax and have a satisfying meal! The Crawfish Etouffee is a must have! We can never wait to go back.

The chief just came back from New Orleans he brings back spices and supplies from there. He is from there and learned to cook there I tried there étouffée was superb Thry had my favorite abita beer The restaurant is located in old town San Diego in a time house on a side street reservations a must on weekends outdoor seating limited and inside seating is too. Tiny place but the food is amazing and authentic for certain.

My wife is from New Orleans and we are always looking for a good purveyor of Creole and Cajun cuisine. The food at this wonderful little restaurant went right off the charts! Hands down, this cafe is serving some of the best New Orleans dishes we've had anywhere - better than a lot of places we've eaten in New Orleans itself! The Crawfish Etouffee and Creole Shrimp are both incredible and very authentic! The seafood is fresh, delicate and perfectly cooked.. The sauces are silky smooth and loaded with flavor, having just the right amount of spice. The chef really has it figured out! Even the 'simple' macaroni and cheese is fantastic; served with a great andouille sausage that is not too hot. The presentations are lovely, as is the quaint surrounding of the small dining areas and lovely courtyard. Of course, no southern meal is complete without a dish of Bread Pudding, which we also found to be well prepared and tasty. What a find! Right in the middle of the popular and somewhat frantic bastion of tacos and Mexican foods that is the Old Town village, here is this incredible place of New Orleans deliciousness! We will be back indeed.

Every time I am in town (working vacations, 2 or 3 times a year), this Cajun Girl drops by for some back home cooking. Set away in cozy trees you can find true Louisiana cooking. The setting and atmosphere assist with the entire experience. Food: The gumbo is rich and thick, and the crawfish etouffe is some of the best I have ever had. Only slightly spicy and rich in flavors! My 11 yr old loves her heritage, so we haven't had to make any special requests. Outdoor seating is the best! Down sides: Hours of operation (wish they were opened more) and lately a reservation helps to ensure seating and timely service.

BBQ shrimp, New Orleans style. This hidden gem is right in our backyard. This is the only dish I tried because I was already full but the entire plate was murdered. You must check this place out!

Greatest find in "OLD TOWN". Small quaint, excellent service and menu. Plenty of parking nearby. No noisy crowds.

There are about 100 Mexican restaurants within a stone's throw of this place so stumbling upon an alternative was most welcome despite the fact that it's slightly odd. For example, we walked up to what looked like the front door, which turned out to be the front door to the kitchen, not the dining room; we never did end up seeing if there was a place to sit inside, but no big deal as the patio was plenty comfortable. We counted two employees total tackling the needs of all diners, so service was not at all quick, but we nonetheless got the feeling that the guy taking care of us was very genuinely interested in making sure we had a quality experience. Cocktails weren't particularly strong so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a Mardi Gras destination... but oh my word, the food. The three-meat jambalaya was just otherworldly. I mean, it was $21, so it should be good, but it lived up to the price. I wasn't ready to say goodbye. Between bites, it struck me that this patio was also a fun place to watch families of tourists embark upon their Old Town explorations. Anyhow I would definitely recommend New Orleans Creole Cafe if you're looking for something different in Old Town and you have a little extra coin and time to spare.

Tucked with its entrance on the back yard of the Whaley House in Old Town San Diego, the New Orleans Creole Café is a well-kept secret. They open from 11:30 to 8 only Thursday through Saturday. The menu is refined Creole home cooking. Crawfish, shrimp and alligator/pork sausages are found in etouffe's, gumbos, po'boy sandwiches and in authentic New Orleans BBQ sauce. The heat disappears with a taste of water or bread -- what a trick. This is definitely a reminder of home, even to the Abia beers to wash it down with. The 22 oz Andygator beer is an experience in itself. There is formal indoor eating as well as a great patio. Everyone is welcomed and service is first class. In 14 years in San Diego, this is the first New Orleans authentic food that we have found and a native is its chef. You can bet we will be back. Highly recommend the restaurant, the setting, the food, the ambiance and the Old Town neighborhood with lots to do before and after. Very kind owners to server your every need.

Place was a bit difficult to find as it is slightly tucked away but wow is it worth finding!! Really old fashioned setup with a small dining area in an old wooden building with some period pieces dotted around. It's very simple but the food is just to die for. Just how a restaurant should be in my opinion. About the food and service, not the decor! Cannot recommend highly enough, a must try!!

Old Town San Diego usually means lots of great Mexican food. But, if you want a change of “taste” you’ve got to give this funky little restaurant a try. It does a fabulous job of creating a Louisiana vibe and dishing out excellent NOLA style cuisine. Give it try.

My husband, son and I really enjoyed this small restaurant. There is indoor seeting for 16 or so, and the same outdoors. It has a quaint and cozy feel. The chef was gracious, the front of the house was as well. Other reviewers noted that there is only one person in the front of the house - and he was busy, but our service was timely in every way. They seem to have everything under control, and will turn away guests if they are unable to accomodate. The food was very good. We shared the mac n cheese as well as the rice and beans and the alligator sausage (yum). Our son loved the gumbo and the french onion soup which he was gracious enough to let all of us try! My husband finished off his crawfish etouffe, our son loved the gumbo, and I was totally impressed by the shrimp creole. I recommend this spot for everyone.

Surprisingly affordable and seemed authentic to me. Service was a little slow when we were there. It wasn't crowded, but the food seemed to be coming from a different location...not sure. I do recommend it and will definitely go again, but I'll make sure I'm not in a hurry.

I enjoyed a lovely dinner with a friend here during a weekend trip. It is tiny, quirky, and the food was delish.

I love this place! Great food, nice staff and quaint. The desserts are awesome! It's just off the main walkway, kind of have to look for it but don't miss it. One of the best in Old Town, totally worth it.

I hate to say this, but this place is not authentic New Orleans food. It is okay food and if you like pretty boring food with not a lot of flavor you might love this place. I don’t mean that as an insult. I like food that has tons of flavor and when I say spicy, I mean spicy. This food was just so so, and certainly not like anything you would get in New Orleans. It is a sweet little place though with nice people working there.

One of our group wanted to have some Creole food so we went to the only place in town. New Orleans Café in Ol Town. The food was pretty good but not exceptional but I have spent a fair amount of time eating in NO La. The Alligator sausage was pretty average. The F onion soup was Ok but the bread crouton should be toasted and not just fresh bread with cheese on top onions were puree and should have more bulk, Gumbo was good chicken & Sausage combo. Shrimp Creole with sausage was good but not outstanding, Crawfish Etouffee was rich and the best dish. Fried Shrimp was cooked perfect but I did not try it. Overall the meal was pretty good but not exceptional.

This is my favorite place in San Diego. They have had a lot of renovations so their seating is currently more limited, but even at full capacity this is still a pretty intimate eatery. Located behind the famous Whaley House, New Orleans Creole Cafe has entrees approved by NOLA natives and SoCal fans alike. It's not a place you want to be in a rush - but it's worth it. Kick back with the delicious bread, sweet tea, jambalaya, and let the mild San Diego weather relax you. Tucked back away from the main drag, it's very quiet and mellow, and the food is fantastic.

I came to have lunch here today. January 13th 2019. Came in (wasnt busy) I asked if I could sit in the patio. The waiter said yes and that he would be with me shortly I said ok and made my way to the patio. 15/20 minutes later and no one came out, no menu no nothing. 0/5 stars. I was completely forgotten about on a day it wasnt busy at all.

Delicious and authentic New Orleans cooking! The service was fantastic, complete with great wine and food recommendations! The atmosphere was quiet and pleasant and the location in the heart of Old Town really added to the experience. I would highly recommend this to everyone I know!

What a treat! Took a couple tries to find them open ( Thursday-Sunday), but was worth the effort. The Gumbo was some of the best I ever had. Great flavors very well balanced. The Étouffée was very good, rivaling anything I have had in Louisiana. Highly recommended!!!

Feeling like I am back in Louisiana with out all the noise! The food is amazing!!! I got the Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage and man both seasoned to a TTT!!! The cheese taste was amazing !! Couldn't stop there got the Red Beans and Rice and mixed it with the Macaroni and Cheese along with the Sausage!! I am going back to try all the other items on the menu!! You do wait as food is being made fresh but it's worth the wait!!!! The hidden spot in Old Town right on the Whaley Property!

Typical Creole food from my place, enjoy the meal. The people are friendly and welcoming. You can try all the good créole specialities.

It takes up two small buildings--one is the kitchen and one is the dining room. There is also a garden eating area. The night we went it was a bit chilly, so we ate indoors. We decided on the Jambalaya, which was very good. Service was very quick. Will definitely eat there next time we are in old town.

We were anticipating a good creole dinner tonight. Maybe some good gumbo or jambalaya. We finally found the restaurant. When we went there it was closed. Nothing on website to indicate closed except menu was unavailable,stating being revised. ??out of business

Our first time at this new restaurant in Old Town. Certainly odd to be in an area of mostly Mexican restaurants, and it is in a somewhat hard to find location, with a quirky layout. BUT, the food is delicious, with xlnt service in spite of the layout. The gumbo was hot and flavorful, and the jambalaya with chicken and andouille sausage was delicious with the right amount of spiciness. It is the perfect restaurant to visit before a play at the Old Town Playhouse.

Atmosphere is nice. It feels like having home cooking in someone's back yard. The problem is that the food is just so-so. Nothing amazing. Somewhat bland in terms of spice but a little too heavy on the salt. The bread looks like one of those cheap Italian bread they sell at the supermarket with no resemblance to a "French baguette" that it is supposed to be. Service is OK.

I had wanted to try New Orleans Creole Cafe on a couple of previous trips to San Diego, but things just hadn't worked out. Well, I must say, it was definitely worth the trip! My girlfriend and I enjoyed the outdoor setting on the patio. The sweet iced tea was so refreshing! I believe my girlfriend had at least 3 glasses! I ordered the red beans and rice with andouille sausage. It was unbelievable! Took me back to when I was a kid and my grandfather used to make it! My girlfriend had the French Onion and it had now set her standard for excellence! The service was very friendly and accommodating. I couldn't ask for a more pleasant, enjoyable experience!

If we get a chance to return to San Diego we will make a point of returning to the Creole Cafe. The fried shrimp was the best I have ever had. Light, tender, hint of spiciness. My husband had the crawfish etouffee and thought it was also the best he has ever had. We wish this restaurant was in our hometown, we would be regulars for sure. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside and enjoyed Old Town as the sun was setting. Highly recomend.

It was hard to find, hard to find the staff, and then we sat on a patio and I listened in on this Mexican family's fight in Spanish...hilarious. The gumbo was nice, came with hot bread.

We found this gem by chance and had the whole rooms to ourselves for the 1st hour. The history of the dining room was so neat to hear from owner Humberto. The food was DELICIOUS, prices were reasonable for the quality of food we received. Everyone at the table ordered something different and everyone loved their dishes. Take a break from the yummy Mexican and give New Orleans a try. You will not regret it!

Great options. Lived that they can blacken the catfish po boys. You stand in line to.place your orders then you find a place to sit.

This is one of my all time favorite places to eat in San Diego! It's a little place hidden next to the Whaley house in old town. I always get the crawfish étouffée or the blackened chicken salad. The same waiter is always there he's a sweet heart. I would recommend this place to anyone. The atmosphere is great and the food never disappoints.

Didn't have a chance to look at the menu. Waiter was 100% rude in front of other customers. He wouldn't acknowledeg we were there and he skipped us to tend to other customers arriving after us. When I asked for menus he said he would take care of us when he had time. My family was embarrassed, disappointed and we left hungry. Not returning. Thanks for a terrible experience.

New Orleans Creole Cafe reminds me of being in New Orleans. I'm not sure why, since it's nestled in a Spanish style historic area. Maybe it's the authentic food, the laid back vibe or the fact that it is situated right next to the haunted Whaley House. In any case, the food is delicious, the service is friendly (if a little slow) and sitting on the porch while sipping an Abita beer is a relaxing treat. Make a reservation - the restaurant is small and fills quickly at dinner time.

This is a very small, not fancy (at all) restaurant completely run by one man - host, cook, waiter, cashier. The food was very good. All four tables were full, so service was understandably very slow. But it was worth the wait. Go there and enjoy and don't be in a hurry.

This is a sweet little place in the heart of old town San Diego. The outside patio area is lovely for drinks, dinner and or a home made dessert. The inside dining room is warm and cozy. But the food is the best part. Mark, the chef with the "southern plantation" hat, uses family recipes to serve delicious, fresh home made delights and Umberto serves everyone with a gracious southern hospitality. The shrimp are wonderfully fresh and the gumbo is thick with just a touch of hot bite. And the bread pudding is the best I have ever had! Make sure you get to this place

I recently stopped by the New Orleans Creole Cafe for lunch while visiting San Diego Old Town. This restaurant is hidden away behind a cluster of very populated local Mexican cuisine restaurants that seemed to be overcrowded with tourists. I steered away from the crowds and chose to dine at New Orleans Creole Cafe for what I hoped to be something a little different. I was not disappointed. It was a gorgeous day so I chose to dine on the quiet patio which is back from the main street. The menu is rich and diversified, but though I was tempted to try a number of offerings I settled on the Fried Shrimp Po Boy and a beer. I was pleasantly surprised when the dish was brought to me. Be prepared for a very generous sandwich! The shrimp were lightly battered, large and plentiful and stuffed into a massive baguette. I could barely wrap my mouth around it. This was a really tasty sandwich and washed down with the beer it was a real treat! Service was polite, friendly and quick. While I cannot speak for the dinner menu, I would definitely give this cafe a try for lunch if you are visiting Old Town. It is worth the visit.

They had a variety of dishes, but we had the Shrimp Creole and Gumbo. Both were wonderful dishes (tasted both) and good value for the dish! They had other dishes for those not into seafood or want something else. I will have a hard time ordering something different because I loved the shrimp creole so much! But I will definitely be back. If you are in a hurry, ask for a fast meal and see what's available. Since its cooked to order, it will take longer than at chain restaurants, but definitely worth it! It's next to the Whaley House, so very quaint area.

I had been to Old Town many times, but never would have known about this place if it hadn't been recommended to me. My mom and I went for lunch on a weekday, we were the only ones there, which I thought was a bad sign, but boy was I wrong! I am guessing it was because no one else knew it was here either! I had a Po' boy, and my mom had the gumbo. Both were very good and worth the trip, the outdoor seating a nice, shady, and quiet spot in busy Old Town.

In an old town full of Mexican food, I found a diamond in the rough.... literally... it’s still a chunk of Cole. New Orleans Creole Cafe, is set up is a little unconventional, to say the least, It’s a older building on the grounds of the old the Whaley House Museum in Old Town San Diego. The kitchen is at one end, the restroom is in the middle and the dining room is on the other end, the waiter/chef/busboy/cashier literally has to go outside back & fourth to the kitchen & dining room. Reservations are highly recommended, because there is literally 20 seats in the dining room and Maybe the same on The patio. There is a sign asking for guests to check in with the kitchen before going to the dining room.... I was dining by myself this particular evening and I thought that to Be a little strange & sort of uncomfortable. I arrived at 5:03, when they opened, there was one “regular” and myself. By 6:00 there were 6 other people in the dining room, a couple and a part of four. I ordered French onion soup to start. The flavors were not developed, the onions tasted like they were dehydrated and the broth, although thick with a nice consistency, the lacked salt, garlic and flavor. The bread which is typical dry, like crouton, was fresh with a piece of cheese melted to it. Salad came with my dinner, vignette dressing was mostly oil. I ordered crawfish, It was loaded with crawfish but not flavor... again it lacked depth of flavor, salt, pepper, garlic and the seasoning. The, owner/waiter/chef/busboy/cashier was very nice. Nothing in that restaurant said “Cajun or Orleans” except for the fleur de lis On the flag hanging on the Hutch. Eveytime someone used the bathroom the dining room could hear the had dryer... it shook the room I think part of the lack of flavor and development problem is not starting the sauces before they open... it was scheduled to open at 5:00, I was there at 4:45 and the owner/waiter/chef/busboy/cashier showed up at 5:58 and when I checked in with the kitchen upon arrival (as posted on the note on the door) there was nothing bubbling on the stove... So the flavors are not having time to develop. I arrived at the restaurant at 5:00 o’clock and I was back to my hotel by 6:45 So the service wasn’t bad. I heard some of the locals say that the wait is forever and getting the order is even longer ... I understand that because the waiter is also the chef and the busboy and the cashier and the dishwasher and, I believe, the owner. It would be a good place, if the flavors were allowed the time it takes to develop. The French onion soup was made the old fashioned traditional way with dry crusty bread and baked in the oven with cheese on it. The salad dressing needs actual vinaigrette and not only oil. Need a designated waiter/waitress. If you have your heart set on trying this restaurant here are my suggestion 1.) go early, early as possible, like right when they open. If you don’t go early make sure you make a reservation because like I said before there are literally only 20 seats (chairs) in the entire dining room. 2.) look at the menu before you arrive so you know what you want to order and order your meal when they take your beverage order. 3.) take your own garlic Very disappointed visit. I had such high hopes, I love Cajun food, but .. lesson learned, in a town full of Mexican food don’t eat the Cajun. Side note: I had a case of “the squirts” before I left the restaurant.

Location and Ambiance: We find the NOCC convenient on theater nights as it's just across the parking lot opposite from Cygnet. This is a quaint little place, with the dining-room at one end of a sort of cottage, and the kitchen at the other, so that the server goes to and fro along the porch between. There's also a pretty outside patio area. The bathroom is in a shed in the yard. It's a very well-appointed shed though! You either love the quaintness or you hate it. The food: I'm by no means a connoisseur of creole food, but I am an enthusiastic eater! The menu is restricted and a little pricey, but the food here is very good. My Other Half had the chicken and sausage gumbo, a richly spiced soup with rice, and he polished off every last bit. I had the fried shrimp po'boy sandwich. It was described as coming on a French baguette, but it was in fact on a French loaf, so there was much more bread than I'd bargained for. I ended up eating just the shrimp, which was absolutely delicious, very well-flavored and fried in a light crisp batter. The portion was generous so after a nibble at the very good, fresh bread I felt I'd had a full meal. But as everyone knows, dessert goes into a different food-space, so I was able to force down almost half of the bread pudding with whiskey sauce which we had to follow. I can't say we chose it, exactly, as it was the only dessert on the menu! Let's face it, bread pudding is hard to get wrong if you have a good sauce, and this one was good. The wine: The wine list is short and rather alarming, offering only 'Chardonnay', 'Cabernet' etc with no clue as to the label. So we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the reasonably-priced Chard, which turned out to be a J.Lohr, which we like. All in all, we're quite fond of this little place, and go back several times a year.

As a Tulane graduate and yearly visitor to New Orleans and many great friends still living there, I know a thing or two about good Nawlins cuisine. And let me tell you this is some darn good New Orleans cuisine. My mom read on article in the Orange County Register and said we should give it a try. Glad we did. The Jambalaya was to die for, and how many crawfish can you put in etouffe? Now I can get my New Orleans food fix more than once a year when I hit the Big Easy

I liked the food at this place although it isn't a place you can get in and out of quickly. There is no one to greet you when you walk in. I walked in to every door and still had to wait until someone showed up. I eventually sat outside and found there is only one guy to serve everyone. There are only six tables outside so you wouldn't think it would be that hard. But we literally had to flag him down if we wanted something... and a couple of times we were ignored. It took forever to get the check and forever to get the card back after paying the check. I agree that the food is good but a large part of going out to eat is the service. I'm not sure I will come back here again.