4.8
- 4.8Food
- 4.8Service
- 4.8Ambience
- 4.5Value
Noise • Moderate
202620252024
From the OpenTable editors: At Compère Lapin, James Beard Award-winning chef Nina Compton dazzles with showstopping dishes that marry her Caribbean heritage and French fine dining pedigree. Dig into favorites like goat curry and broiled shrimp with Calabrian chili butter in a stylish space dressed with exposed brick and warm woods. Don’t miss award-winning cocktails like The Copper Hopper—a tropical, tequila-forward drink served in a copper bunny mug, a nod to the restaurant’s namesake folklore rabbit.
Executive chef: Nina Compton
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OpenTable reviews from verified diners
Reviews from people who have dined at Compère Lapin.
4.8
Noise • Moderate
New Orleans / Louisiana
Innovative
New Orleans / Louisiana
American
New Orleans
Innovative
New Orleans
American
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New Orleans1 review
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New Orleans21 reviews
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April 15, 2026
Profile of chef Nina Compton and her New Orleans restaurant, showing how it blends Caribbean flavors with Creole traditions to redefine the city’s dining landscape. The piece also traces the couple’s journey from Top Chef to building a local institution.
Published in Garden & Gun
September 23, 2025
Named among Eater's All-Time 38, Compère Lapin is highlighted for shaping New Orleans dining with Caribbean-inspired flavors under Nina Compton. The profile notes its signature goat curry and its lasting impact on the city’s culinary culture.
Published in Eater
July 1, 2025
Chefs across the South named the New Orleans restaurant run by chef Nina Compton among the region's best biscuits, per Southern Living.
Published in NOLA.com
June 22, 2025
Chef Nina Compton discusses her new Kwéyòl Creole cookbook and her culinary journey from Saint Lucia to New Orleans, where she helms Compère Lapin. The piece highlights Caribbean influences shaping her dishes and her commitment to preserving regional flavors.
Published in StyleBlueprint
June 3, 2025
To celebrate its 10-year milestone, Compère Lapin offers a four-course greatest-hits prix-fixe menu drawn from popular dishes of its first decade. It also debuts a Summer Rum Cruise featuring weekly Caribbean rums in flights and cocktails.
Published in NOLA.com
May 29, 2025
BABs closes after seven years, with Compton focusing on other projects. Compère Lapin in the Warehouse District marks its tenth anniversary with a throwback menu of favorite dishes.
Published in NOLA.com
Direct answer: warm, energetic, and thoughtfully designed. Compère Lapin blends a casual-elegant dining room with upbeat energy, lively music, colorful decor, and bustling service. Guests describe a buzzy, convivial vibe that’s perfect for celebrations and special nights; it can be noisy at peak times, but the back of the restaurant tends to feel calmer and cozier.
Likely yes during peak times, Compère Lapin is often busy, especially on weekends, during festivals, and popular brunch times. Guests report waits even with reservations and occasional 15–20 minute hold times; reservations are recommended and arriving a bit early can help. If you encounter a delay, staff often offer complimentary drinks while you wait.
Busiest: Friday–Saturday evenings, festival periods (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest), and popular Sunday brunch times. Quietest: early weeknights and earlier dinner seatings or Sunday brunch before peak service. If you prefer a calmer meal, aim for Monday–Thursday evenings or an early reservation outside major events.
Generally yes, families and kids do dine here, and many guests celebrate birthdays with children in tow. The menu is focused on inventive Caribbean-Creole plates rather than a dedicated kids menu, so parents often order shareable items or simpler dishes for younger diners. For a family-friendly experience, consider an earlier seating and call ahead about menu flexibility.
Yes, the team is accommodating. Guests frequently praise staff for handling food allergies, dietary requests, and celebration touches (birthday cards, complimentary desserts). If you have allergies, seating preferences, or a special occasion, call ahead so the staff can prepare and note your requests on the reservation.
There is no explicit information about public-holiday hours in the provided sources. Guests mention holiday and special-event visits (NYE, Mardi Gras), but to confirm holiday hours or special menus, call the restaurant or check its official website or reservation platform.
If you want a lively, celebratory night go Friday or Saturday; for a more relaxed meal, choose a weekday (Mon–Thu) or Sunday brunch. Many guests single out Sunday brunch and early-week dinners as excellent times to enjoy the food with fewer crowds; if you want the full buzz, pick a weekend evening and reserve early.
Service animals are generally permitted in restaurants, but there’s no formal policy in the provided information. One guest mentioned a positive experience bringing a dog, but policies vary by venue and seating area. Call Compère Lapin before your visit to confirm pet or service-animal arrangements and where pets are welcome.
Compère Lapin serves brunch and dinner. Brunch: Sunday 10:30 am–2:00 pm. Dinner: Monday–Thursday and Sunday 5:30 pm–9:00 pm; Friday and Saturday 5:30 pm–10:00 pm. Call or check the restaurant site for holiday hours or special events.
Yes, Compère Lapin is a popular spot for date nights thanks to its warm, stylish dining room, creative Caribbean-Creole cuisine, and craft cocktails. Guests frequently praise the lively yet intimate ambiance, attentive service, and standout dishes like the curried goat, fried chicken, and legendary biscuits. Expect a buzzy, sometimes loud room on weekends and festival nights; ask for a back table for a quieter experience. Reservations are recommended for special evenings.
Portions tend to be moderate and are designed for sharing, small plates and focused mains. Guests often recommend ordering a few starters to sample (the biscuits, pig ears, and pork belly are popular) or choosing the “Just Feed Me” tasting option to try many highlights. Some diners find mains on the smaller side, so plan to share or add an extra dish if you’re hungry.
For a quieter meal, choose an early weeknight seating or Sunday brunch. If you want the full high-energy vibe, go Friday or Saturday evening or during festivals, when the room is lively and buzzy. Guests often suggest early reservations to avoid waits and to secure a table in the back if you prefer less noise.
Family-friendly: yes, guests regularly bring families, celebrate birthdays, and children (including toddlers) are welcomed; the team has accommodated dietary needs. Accessible seating: not explicitly stated in the available information, so call ahead to confirm wheelchair access or other specific accommodations before you arrive.
Compère Lapin offers a lively main dining room with varied table sizes, a roomy bar, and a back area that many guests find quieter and more intimate. Reviewers mention a comfortable waiting/lounge area and corner tables for more privacy. The restaurant does not advertise private-party rooms, so for private events you should contact the team directly.
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