Nine Real Ways to Keep Your Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant Around

In New Orleans, restaurants are more than menus — they’re memory-makers. They’re where you met your best friend’s new baby. Where you ducked in out of a sudden rainstorm and stayed for hours. Where the server knows your usual before you sit down.

They’ve always been woven into the story of our neighborhoods. And while no restaurant expects to be full every day, the quieter seasons can be harder than most people realize. The good news? You can make a difference without a grand gesture.

Here’s how. Including one fact about reservation/booking apps you likely don't know.

1) Buy their merch

Before you add another shirt from somewhere that you won’t notice you missing, pick up a tee from a place you want to see here next year. Same for coffee mugs, hats, or tote bags. It’s instant support for their bottom line, and every time you use it, you’re putting their name in front of someone new. You’d be surprised how often “Where’d you get dat?” turns into a new customer for them.

2) Leave a short, specific review

Think of it as a little digital word-of-mouth. Two minutes on Google or Yelp helps more than you think, especially for travelers or new residents deciding where to eat. Call out one dish you loved, a detail about the atmosphere, and a reason you’ll be back. Specifics make people trust the recommendation — and they make owners feel seen.

3) Dine there — and be mindful of turnover

Showing up matters most. But during peak times, camping at a table for hours can mean someone else doesn’t get served, which really means a whole second check doesn’t get paid to the business. The message here? Be friendly, not entitled. If you want a long visit, ask if there’s a slower time you can come back. Off-peak dining often means more breathing room, and you might discover a whole new side of the place.

4) Book directly when you can

Reservation apps can be helpful, but many charge restaurants per person or take a percentage of the bill. Calling them or using their own website keeps more of your money with the people making your meal. Even better, you can ask about specials, seating preferences, or menu updates while you’re at it.

5) Share them on your socials

You don’t have to be the person posting artful shots of every plate (unless you want to). A quick story about why you love them, a candid photo at the door, or even just re-sharing their own post keeps their name in circulation. Social media posts are like street flyers — the more they’re passed along, the more likely the right person sees them.

6) Chip in if there’s a fundraiser

Sometimes it’s for a repair, sometimes it’s to get through a slow season. Even a small contribution can be the bridge they need. It’s not just about the money — any of these efforts boost morale, and sometimes that’s enough to get a place (and the staff) through a rough patch.

7) Talk about them — in real life

Word-of-mouth still works. When someone asks what’s new, tell them about the neighborhood spot you can’t stop going back to. Share what to order, when to go, or why it’s worth the trip. Those conversations plant seeds that advertising can’t.

8) Buy gift cards now for later

Gift cards give restaurants a little boost when they need it most. It’s a built-in promise you’ll be back — and they make perfect last-minute gifts. Keep a couple in your wallet for thank-yous or birthdays.

9) Bring business to them

Host your next book club, trivia night, or work lunch there. Weekday events, especially on slower nights, can be a game-changer. A dozen guaranteed covers on a Tuesday isn’t just revenue — it’s energy in the room and maybe the best corn cakes you’ve ever had.

We’re lucky here. The corner cafés, the tucked-away bistros, the places with wobbly tables but the best gumbo you’ve ever had — they make the streets feel alive.

Show up for your neighborhood. Book the table, leave the review, buy the tee, and bring a friend. Each is like a warm hug for your favorite spot. More importantly, these small things add up, and they’re how we keep the lights warm for years to come.

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Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor three years in a row, Cool Murphy Real Estate is a top-producing, licensed real estate team based in New Orleans, brokered by Cool Murphy, LLC.

Celebrated for her next-level creative approach to real estate, Elisa Cool Murphy is an award-winning, top-performing real estate broker in New Orleans and the founder of Cool Murphy Real Estate.

You can learn more about her here.

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