Continental Spanish Cuisine & Tapas...with the best view in New Orleans! The history of New Orleans cuisine began with the discovery of Louisiana by Spanish Explorers. On February 1st, 1777 at the tender age of 29, Bernardo De Galvez became the first Spanish Governor of Louisiana. Part of his mission was to befriend the native peoples & encourage immigration. Two principle groups he invited to make Louisiana their home were Spanish settlers from Canary Island & French Acadian (Cajun) immigrants. As the French & Spanish cultures integrated, & melded with the local Native & African Americans, they exchanged meals and recipes. At Galvez Restaurant, we’re proud of the role Spanish cuisine played in making New Orleans a globally recognized destination for foodies. In fact, it’s with this fine heritage in mind that our sumptuous dishes are prepared from scratch to the highest standards of authenticity. …and we think Bernardo de Galvez would have loved this place!
"After a couple of "mediocre" food experiences in the french quarter, this spanish restaurant was a welcome surprise. When I saw the location - I thought this was going to be a tourist trap, but it was not. Great views from every table. Great for sunset dinner time. One side of the restaurant has all windows facing river. We got here late, but service was exceptional - from the bartender to our server. Food was very good. The caldo gallego, while small in portion, was very good, and the paella, large portion, also very good. Sangria was great. Main Entrees were from $18 to 30+, Caldo was $9. The Flan was OK not great, so maybe try the chocolate option instead. However, this is a place I will be back to."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: scenic view
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"Great food was brought down by the aggravatingly "fair" (borderline poor) service or Lebowski-like dudeness of the server. He was asked about bread that had never been brought and lackadaisically offered to bring us a couple of pieces (this was after the meal and we noticed other tables receiving bread), referred to us - my wife and I - as "guys," taking time to plug in his phone... Not bad at, say, some chain restaurant, but perhaps below Galvez's expectations for its staff? Service was a poor complement to the chef's delicious food."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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"The long stemmed rosé for Mither's Day was a nice touch along with the gorgeous balcony views for photos. The food and service were excellent. Galvez has been a favorite of ours for years and I highly recommend it. Be sure to try their homemade Sangria :-)"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion
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"Galvez Restaurant has an outstanding location on the 2nd floor looking across the levee and streetcar tracks to the Mississippi River, downtown New Orleans, and Algiers. However, as is sadly and unfortunately typical of restaurants in great locations, the food was not acceptable. Both design and presentation of the dishes suffered. We suggest that the restaurant focus on a much smaller number of items and invest in kitchen resources that can deliver high-quality cuisine. Otherwise your wonderful view is being wasted."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: romantic, scenic view, late-night find
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"Had dinner here Thursday night of second weekend of fest. Slow night for all restaurants we passed getting here, and only 2 other tables in use upon arrival for 8:30 reservation. Seated promptly at table by windows which provided great view of river. Had mixed results on selected food. Pitcher of red sangria was very good. For appetizers, cerviche, sauteed spinach and calamari were good, but BBQ shrimp was lacking flavor. Had paella for dinner that was good. Service was indifferent as waiter rarely checked back on table even though only 1 other table was being served through most of duration of meal. Nice break from traditional seafood dinners we normally have on trips to New Orleans, and may be worth return trip in future."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: scenic view
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"We ended our annual large group trek to the Jazz Fest at Galvez, after 6 pretty splendid foodie nights around Nola. I picked it because of the tapas options and the large-ish menu, knowing we'd all be pretty ready for a change. I'd heard reviews on both sides of the fence for Galvez and was prepared to be happy but not overjoyed.... however, everyone in our group loved it, loved how quiet it was ( so we could actually talk with each other without shouting on our last night together), how wonderful our server (Atilla) was, and finally, that the food was not only decent but pretty darn good. I would go back."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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"Awesome views of the mighty Mississippi. Food was slightly better than average and overpriced. Paella lacked rich flavor as the scallops and shrimp were as if they were simply boiled and added. The bread was not stale, but not soft and fresh. Overall good experience."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Good - not great, on 2nd floor w view of river-fish stew was good, raw oysters very good, can't remember 2nd main dish, flan excellent, convenient to French Market in Quarter,able to hear each other"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"We had a good meal at Galvez, but they have a lot to learn about customer service. It seemed like a chore to get our waiter to our table & then he off again."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups
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"Good selection of tapas. Hard to choose which ones to have and both were very good. My duck (always thrilled to see duck on a menu) was great. My husband really enjoyed his paella. Nice quiet dining room. Easy to carry on a conversation while watching the big boats go down the Mississippi. Too full to try the desserts."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"This was our first time at Galvez and we wanted to like it and hoped the other reviews were wrong. Even though we had reservations, it took them 45 minutes to get our table ready. This restaurant seems to have some operational issues. Our server was stretched very thin, and tried his best to make amends for the slow service. The food was ok; we ordered tapas only and the food was delivered in spurts. We had to ask for bread, which came at the end of the meal. The view is spectacular, but we would not recommend Galvez."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: scenic view
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"Heavenly smells from the kitchen as soon as you walk in! Delicious paella and bouillabaisse. Sangria was was too sweet, but good wines on the list. Lovely view of the Mississippi. Sat next to the piano--great music with our dinner."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2007
Special Features: scenic view
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"Galvez is a real hidden gem along the river in New Orleans. It's almost impossible to find a table in the city that has a close view of the waterfront. Galvez has it!
The food is classial Spanish with New Orleans flavors. Clearly the best Spanish food in the city.
Take the time to get to Galvez when you are in New Orleans, you will always come back."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Had to wait 40 minutes for table even though I had a reservation. View of Mississsippi River was great. Service was above average except for wait to be seated."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: scenic view
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"The location is great and has a wonderful view of the river. The restaurant was pretty quiet when we arrived. Waited for a while for someone to acknowledge and seat us. Once we were seated, it took at least 20 minutes before a server came over to our table. The service just went downhill from there. If we weren't with friends we would've left. The food was ok. The calamari was good, but underseasoned. The paella was a bit gummy, but had nice flavor. We don't recommend this restaurant and won't be going back."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2009
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"We have eaten at Galvez a couple of times and also when it was previously "Bella Luna". The location is the best in the French Quarter with magnificent views of the French Quarter and the Mississippi River. Very Romantic to be there as the moon rises over the River ;-).
The food is fantastic. My wife had the scallops. There was three of the biggest scallops you have ever seen. The largest was the size of a fillet that you would get in most restaurants. I had the BBQ shrimp and it was great too. To top it all off we got the best view of the French Quarter Fireworks Saturday night.
Not as famous as other new Orleans Restaurants but a true gem"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"I loved the airy-open feel of the 2nd floor balcony. Very scenic at sunset on the river. Food was delicious and affordable. The empanadas with duck were a table favorite as well as the crab & corn bisque. We tried all the apps and were so full we didn't get to the entrees. You have to get there early if you want their famous sangrias (red is the best). Our service was extremely poor almost non-existant. So expect a long meal. Great for a romantic evening but not much else."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Food was delicious with very fresh ingredients and generous servings. Service was friendly and prompt. The only thing is that the restaurant just had 1 or 2 tables of other diners while we were there, so it wasn't very lively. Overall we really enjoyed it!"
Dined on 04/09/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"The food was wonderful, the view overlooking the river was amazing, the service was impecable and the prices were reasonable. I would recommend Galvez for a special occasion or an evening out - bruch or dinner. Fabulous!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Yes, we read the reviews about service. And while the server wasn't necessarily running circles around us- he was very attentive and took time to explain anything we had questions about. One of us is gluten free and needed to have some things checked, which he was happy to do.
The location is lovely, the restaurant is nice and the food is imaginative. We chose several tapas choices- and all were good. Some were better than good. The ceviche had nice pungent onion and garlic with large shrimp, the spicy shrimp was just spicy enough, and the cheese stuffed-wrapped olives were a revelation in salty flavors.
The sangria is very, very good- and I'm not a big fan of sangria. This is nice and spicy- fruity without being overly so."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, scenic view
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"Hard to find if strolling down the street but this hidden gem is one of the best Spanish restaurants ever. Spanish soups, paella, flan... You name it they make the best version of it. Then there is the awesome view, live music and great service that makes the great meal OUTSTANDING. I will return."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Great authentic Spanish food. The paella and seafood dishes were great. Tapas were delicious also. Beautiful view of the Mississippi in an elegant setting. I'm a local and didn't know this place existed. Glad I know now."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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"Been here before and experience was very good. This time was a real disappointment. Food service was especially slow for all courses. Restaurant was not overly busy (not that being busy would excuse poor service). Don't mind paying higher prices when overall dining experience is good but we definitely didn't get it that night. We are crossing this place off our New Orleans favorite places to dine."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic, scenic view
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"Galvez is probably one of those "undiscovered gems". We went (group of 4) this past Saturday evening and had the most delicious meal and wonderful service. Lovely views of the river. We had several tapas dishes as our appetizers and everything was wonderful. Shrimp Ceviche, Manchego Bambas, potatoes and a cheese platter. Entrees were well thought-out and delicious. Sangria can be very hit or miss, but theirs was perfect. Service was some of the best we've ever had. Barbara did such a wonderful job greeting us and checking in on our throughout our time there and our waiter, Alphe, could not have been more wonderful. Highly recommend it."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"My girlfriend and I came down for Mardi Gras and Valentines Day, when we arrived they were a bit behind, but it was valentines day and people were taking their time. We didnt have to wait long, wine list was awesome, had some great pinot noir. Dinner was outstanding, everything was. Our first waiter was a bit overwhelmed, but when the waitress took over, she was very capable, and very nice. overall the experience was great. -I'm sure my girl has a totally different take on it, she didnt like to wait and it was apparent the "bar tender" wasnt a bartender...he was merely tending the bar lol. She needs to relax anyway so...
great time."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"My wife and I had our first dining experience at Galvez the night after Valentine's Day. We had a table by the windows that looked out over the Mississippi River. The atmosphere, staff and food were outstanding!
We started with the Manchego Bombas which were delicious! I also had the corn and crab bisque which was very tasty. My wife had the "Salmon a la Parrilla con Salsa de Chorizo" for her main course which she loved! I had the special of the day which was sheephead between grits and crab cake and a crawfish cream sauce. Amazing! We also splurged and had their Spanish coffee and their special Valentine's Day dessert - a thick chocolate cake, chocolate covered strawberries, and chocolate sauce. We will definitely be back!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"We went twice and loved it. Went on a Monday while at Mardi Gras (A little peace and quiet and great tapas type food. Then we returned for Valentine's Day (cancelled what we originally had booked)(."
Dined on 02/10/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Our experience was no doubt partly unusual, as we were the only people in the restaurant for a while (dinner was at 7 p.m.). The food was excellent, the staff very attentive, and the view was over the Mississippi River (Galvez is in the French Market area of N.O. just outside the French Quarter). FWIW, this was the weekend before Mardi Gras."
Dined on 02/10/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, scenic view
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"My family and I attended the late new years eve sitting and had very poor service.The staff were completely run off their feet and after 1 1/2 hours of no food coming we left hungary and unhappy.We watched the fireworks by the river and had a hotdog on the way back to our hotel.0/10"
Dined on 12/31/2012
2012
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