85°C Bakery Cafe
Taiwanese bakery cafe chain known for sea salt coffee, espresso drinks, fruit teas, and 60+ varieties of bread and cakes. New 3,300 sq ft Baton Rouge location is a ground-up renovation, slated to open early October 2026. Owner Ah Ho Yeoh is also scouting future locations in Covington and Lafayette, LA.
Legit Protein and Fuel Bar
Sister concept to Legit Nutrition in Mandeville, LA. Set to open in August 2026 inside TSC Fitness Studio in Bogalusa with its own separate entrance. Menu includes protein-packed acai bowls, shakes, energy teas, and low-guilt foods. All items are diabetes-friendly. Will offer walk-in service, curbside pickup, and delivery via a dedicated app.
Joelle’s Soul and Savor
Joelle’s Soul and Savor is an elevated soul food and Caribbean fusion restaurant set to open in mid-September 2026. The concept blends Southern comfort food with West Indies flavors in a fine dining atmosphere. Features marble and granite interiors, an outdoor patio with a stage for live entertainment (violinists, saxophonists, jazz bands, comedy nights, karaoke), […]
Unnamed Café (former SnoWizard site)
Developer Jayson Seidman (Sandstone Ltd.) plans to transform the former SnoWizard sno-ball stand at 4001 Magazine St. into an all-day indoor-outdoor café and restaurant. The yet-to-be-named concept will feature ~1,500 sq ft of indoor dining (approx. 30 seats) and ~1,600 sq ft of outdoor dining. Menu focus on fresh, healthy, local/seasonal ingredients from morning coffee […]
Dearman’s South
Dearman’s Diner is opening a new concept location called Dearman’s South within Brickyard South’s shared open-air patio. The new location features a smaller-plate menu blending the diner’s 68-year history with a more experimental approach. Soft opening scheduled for Aug. 20, grand opening Aug. 29. Hours: Wed-Thu 4pm-late, Fri-Sat noon-late, Sun noon-10pm. Original Jefferson Highway location […]
Bagels! Lafayette
Locally founded quick-service bagel shop offering fresh house-made bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and real-fruit smoothies. Founded by Caroline Merryman, Ashlyn Fruge, and Reece Merryman, the team behind Caroline’s Cookies. Exact location not yet announced; buildout of an existing commercial space is forthcoming. No opening date announced.
Habibi Lebanese Grill & Pizza
Owners Kamil Jaouhari and Wasim Jamhour, behind Habibi Lebanese Grill and Wine Bar and Royal Woodfired Pizza in the Marigny, are planning a new blended concept called Habibi Lebanese Grill & Pizza at the former IHOP location at 835 Canal St. A permit filing with the City of New Orleans has been submitted to subdivide […]
Lounge XII
Lounge XII is a sports bar/nightlife lounge currently in development at the former Show Island Bar and Grill and Floating Island Bakery Café space. The project is led by entrepreneur Paul Pitcher and honors the legacy of the late NFL wide receiver Jacoby Jones (jersey #12, Super Bowl XLVII). Specific opening date and full concept […]
St. Elmo’s
Italian concept restaurant from restaurateur John Michael Rowland (also behind Pigeon & Whale and The Husky). Located in the former Uptown Sports Social space in the Garden District. Permit filed for major interior renovation including open-kitchen layout, parquet and marble flooring, custom booths, and faux rock wall. Menu focuses on refined Italian fare with handmade […]
Café by Emeril
Café by Emeril is set to open this fall in the forthcoming Fairmont Hotel in downtown New Orleans. A second location of Emeril’s Delmonico is also set to open at the same location. Article also notes a second Meril restaurant already opened in July in Las Vegas.