Fuego Tortilla Grill
Texas-based taco chain opening first Louisiana location. Fast-casual restaurant featuring tacos, bowls, desserts and margaritas. Open 24 hours, six days a week (closed Mondays). Grand opening includes free T-shirts for first 100 guests and free queso for a year for first 20 guests.
Insomnia Cookies
Popular cookies shop known for warm, made-to-order cookies and late-night service. Will be located between Hub City Cycles and Teche Drugs Pharmacy in former DBR space. Permits filed for renovations and signage, buildout expected to take 2-4 months once construction begins.
Omni New Orleans
1,000-key headquarters hotel across from New Orleans Convention Center with 100,000 square feet of meeting space, restaurants and bars, rooftop pool deck, spa, and parking garage. $600 million development by Omni Hotels & Resorts.
SMASH
Pickleball and restaurant eatertainment concept featuring full-service restaurant, rooftop bar and pickleball amenities. Will include 10-14 courts, playground area, and 6,500 square-foot rooftop space. Founded by Aaron Dulin of Fat Pat’s Grill and Bar.
Emeril’s Chop House
Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse is partnering with L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge to open an American steakhouse that will replace the current 18 STEAK restaurant. The restaurant will serve exceptional steaks, fresh seafood, signature dishes and handcrafted cocktails.
Cheba Hut
Cannabis-themed sandwich chain opening second location in Long Farm Village development. 2,400 square feet space, operated by same franchisees as Ben Hur Road location.
Dunkin’
New 1,700-square-foot Dunkin’ location with Next Generation design, featuring modern layout, front-facing bakery case, signature tap system, and small meeting space. Expected to employ around 25 team members with hours 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
1241 N Rampart Boutique Hotel
Two-story boutique hotel with four guest suites across approximately 9,900 square feet. $1.8 million construction project with potential pool amenities subject to separate approvals.
Unnamed Restaurant by La Petite Grocery Owners
La Petite Grocery owners Justin and Mia Devillier purchased the former Upperline restaurant space and are opening a new restaurant concept. The restaurant is currently in construction phase and doesn’t have a name yet. The Devilliers stated they’re not simply reopening Upperline but starting something new.
Nammii
Vietnamese restaurant co-owned by Tam Nguyen and Bao Chau Huynh serving Hong Kong-style and Vietnamese cuisine including dim sum and Vietnamese noodle soups. 1,700 square-foot space formerly occupied by China Taste. Fourth restaurant for the owners who operate three other Vietnamese restaurants in Baton Rouge.