Mandina's, Canal And Cortez
33 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/NewOrleans, r/AskNOLA30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 14 threads.
What people say, in short
Mandina's is a longstanding neighborhood restaurant on Canal Street that people recommend for classic New Orleans cooking in generous portions. Diners single out the turtle soup, gumbo, onion rings, fried oysters and softshell crabs, and the meatball sandwich draws particular praise, though one visitor calls the sandwich the best thing on a menu that has otherwise been uneven. One commenter praises the Italian dishes, and another describes the seafood as consistent, while one dissenting commenter feels the place has become pricey and no longer worth it.
Address
Mandina's Restaurant, 3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Signature dishes
- Turtle soup, Gumbo, Meatball sandwich
- Best for
- Visitors
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/honestypen in r/NewOrleans · Apr 2026
Lists it among classic local spots.
- Recommendsu/slowllama420 in r/AskNOLA · Nov 2023taste
A native lists it among favorites for seafood and local dishes, especially recommending the grits and grillades.
- Recommendsu/hadeanmoon in r/NewOrleans · Mar 2024consistency
Consistently good for their seafood cravings.
- Recommendsu/RepulsiveLoquat418 in r/NewOrleans · Apr 2026
After a first visit, this diner says they can't wait to return, though the meal was heavy.
- Recommendsu/Weekly-Aide-7719 in r/AskNOLA · Sep 2024
One of their three picks for visitors.
- Recommendsu/cShoe_ in r/AskNOLA · Jan 2026
Easy streetcar ride from the Quarter; suggested for dinner.
- Recommendsu/General_Albatross_26 in r/NewOrleans · Apr 2026
Seconds Mandina's and calls it the best.
- Recommendsu/Icy-Tea9775 in r/NewOrleans · Jun 2024
Answers Mandina's as favorite Italian restaurant.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/MC504- in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2026
Names Mandina's for the meatball sandwich.
- Recommendsu/QueenBee2ooo in r/AskNOLA · Sep 2024
Recommends specific classic dishes there.
- Recommendsu/420wafflehouse69 in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2026
Suggests Mandina's as another option.
- Recommendsu/BigMom000 in r/AskNOLA · Jan 2026
They always enjoy it.
- Recommendsu/PossumHollerKoolaid in r/AskNOLA · Mar 2025taste
Recommends Mandina's, specifically the veal Parm.
- Recommendsu/NYTVADDICT in r/AskNOLA · Sep 2024taste
Recommends it for gumbo.
- Recommendsu/Married_iguanas in r/NewOrleans · Jun 2024
Lists Mandina's among Italian favorites.
- Recommendsu/noladutch in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2026taste
Calls it the best meatball sandwich in town.
- Recommendsu/LogLady253 in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2024taste
Says the fried oysters and softshell crabs are great when on point, and suggests ordering them amandine.
- Recommendsu/caroper2487 in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2024taste
Lists the turtle soup as a must-try.
- Recommendsu/Antique_Demand9413 in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2026taste
Calls the meatball sandwich the best item on the menu and credits it with carrying them through uneven meals.
- Recommendsu/theshortlady in r/NewOrleans · Apr 2026taste
Likes the restaurant's Italian dishes.
- Recommendsu/mullet4evr in r/AskNOLA · Apr 2026
Names Mandina's alongside Irene's as an Italian recommendation.
- Recommendsu/oaklandperson in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2024taste
Recommends Mandina's for onion rings.
- Recommendsu/big-boss-bass in r/AskNOLA · Dec 2023
Defends Mandina's after enjoying a meal there.
- Recommendsu/Onlyfattybrisket in r/NewOrleans · Apr 2026
Lists it among spots with food reminiscent of old delis.
- Recommendsu/Fair_Angle_4752 in r/AskNOLA · Jan 2026portion
Classic New Orleans cuisine with large portions.
- Recommendsu/UninfluentialWear in r/AskNOLA · Mar 2025
Fitting with the list and appropriate to add.
- Recommendsu/Wise_Side_3607 in r/NewOrleans · Sep 2024taste
Says the onion rings are great and everything fried there is good.
- Recommendsu/Rich_Protection_3572 in r/AskNOLA · Sep 2024
Listed among their picks.
- Recommendsu/Key_Coach_8309 in r/NewOrleans · Aug 2024
Suggested as an addition to the lists
- Caveatu/Relevant_Craft2311 in r/AskNOLA · Dec 2023value
Once fun and charming, now expensive and terrible.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.