Met friends for a lovely breakfast. I started with a Willa’s Fancy Brew cocktail with St. Germain, amaro, Kahlua, cold brew and cream, and everyone agreed that it was delicious. Definitely one of the most inventive and best tasting cocktails of my trip to New Orleans. I wish the Monkey bread I ordered had wowed me half as much. It was good, but not what I expected and not especially impressive in its uniqueness. The others enjoyed avocado toast, cheese grits (which looked amazingly cheesy) and bacon, eggs and biscuits. I didn’t try the biscuits, but everyone said they were excellent.
EAT HERE! The food was amazing. I had the biscuit with butter and jam. This is probably one of the best biscuits, if not the best, I’ve ever had. The lamination in the biscuit is next level. I also had the hangover bowl and I could have sworn they put my grandmas stew over some grits...SO good! The potatoes are also perfection. The service was great. Coffee also delicious.
OMGAAAAAAWD! Okay 👌🏾 this restaurant was an amazing experience, not being local we took a gamble on where we were going for breakfast and this restaurant pleased everyone at the table. The biscuits and gravy were perfect.Now lets talk about the service...We had an amazing server named Ashley who called us babe made us feel welcomed & loved and then sang to us!! Absolutely changed our day for the better. We will be back! Fans for life.
A perfect brunch. The James Beard Award speaks for itself, but the food/service confirms.The Fried Chicken Biscuit & Tabasco Honey was one of the best brunch items Ive ever had. While you wait for your meal, walk over to their pastry counter and they will heat up your selection for you to eat before/after your meal. Everything is delicious, but the blueberry ginger muffin is so good, but you cant go wrong with any of their pastries.
Very delicious. First time we went there we couldn’t find a table so we went early next day. It was definitely worth it. It was one of the best fried chicken I’ve had. Coffee was delicious. Cookies and milk were just what we needed. Definitely recommend it. Try to get a reservation earlier or if you are gonna go for breakfast/brunch be there early
I think it may have just been an off day. But the food was good for what I got. The staff gets a 5 star review. The food is what gets the 3 star review. It was tasty just wasnt hot. By the time it arrived it was a bit cold. But the perk about Biscuits an Gravy is that it can still be eaten cold.
Amazing food & service! The shrimp and grits was the best I’ve ever had. They can accommodate a big group if you call them beforehand. You MUST GO! The Bloody Mary is spicy and the Willa Jean Fancy Brew is the best coffee cocktail I’ve ever had. Definitely a bachelorette stop- we were one of 3 bachelorette parties there at the time.
Even with the great Kelly Fields moving on, this bakery and breakfast spot is still King in NOLA. I can not find a single bad thing on the menu, but their avocado toast and hangover bowl are two of my favorites and go-to’s. On the apps, the grilled banana bread with whipped butter is a must, and this is coming from someone who eats gluten-free. On your way out, you will be tempted to take pastries to go… do it. Just make darn sure you get at least one chocolate chip cookie. The service and atmosphere are more than good as well, but it’s the overall culinary masterclass on display that keeps me coming back.
Pretty cool place, the vibe is very modern trendy but the food blends classic southern well so that almost every palate will be satisfied. The seating is ample and its in a cool spot. If using a GPS the directions can be a bit off so I would just plug in rouses nearby. The biscuit is as good as there is in the city, a great flaky biscuit and the sausage gravy is legit. Will def. Eat again
I am absolutely in love with Willa Jean! I heard great things about the place and had it saved as a place to check out on my next visit to New Orleans. Not only is the place open and welcoming but I loved the whimsical decor of large wisks as light features. But enough about that lets get to what had me sit back in my chair and just mentally process what I was tasting. The Willa Jean biscuit! Lord Jesus bless the hands that made this heavenly pastry! Have you ever thought how can I make a biscuit thats similar to a buttery flakey croissant? Well Willa Jean accomplished that! Not a grits person like me, Willa Jean will change that with their cheese grits. When I dont feel the need to add anything to your grits like salt or pepper you have accomplished what seems like the impossible. This place is now a staple in my New Orleans restaurant lists. Im telling everybody who will listen check them out and get some of that Willa Jean goodness in your life!
Food is good southern with a nod to the fancy. Dishes were decoratively plated and so tasty. Theres a bar for us single people and others who dont want to wait to be seated. There was a gorgeous bald blue eyed barista adding to the ambiance when I was there making a bar seat doubly desirable. The portions were generous and the menu variable. I picked the least appealing description and was still full when I left. My only change would be to make that chamomile mint tea concoction available in a tall iced option. So good! Get the T-shirt!
Ok brunch spot, not great if you’re veggie or vegan and want something other than avo toast. We missed our reservation by 30 mins (our fault, were added to the wait list and told 10/20 min wait. After 45 mins we asked how much longer and it seems they forgot about us, the restaurant was only half full. Brunch was good, albeit over priced.
The food in this town never disappoints, and Willa Jean is no exception!Made from scratch authentic Southern food like dense, moist honey cornbread, light whipped butter, flaky pastries, and delicious beverages (including alcoholic ones) will have you coming back. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.I got the Hangover Bowl complete with cheesy grits, braised short ribs, grilled onions and garlic, all topped with a perfectly cooked egg!The ambiance is very shabby chic in a cozy way. This inclusive restaurant also takes a stand for LGBTQA rights by having proper pronouns on the bathroom signs.There is no reason to dislike this restaurant, it is perfect.
Neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot featuring coffee, baked goods, wine and cocktails, and assorted brunch and lunch items.This is popular place, so expect to wait on the weekends. Also the crowds make it difficult to adhere to Covid protocols.I started with the Maple Whiskey Sour served in a Mason styled jar. The glass was completely filled with ice making a bit difficult to enjoy the actual cocktail, but all in all a tasty drink.Next came the Roasted Beets with puffed rice and goat cheese, which was tasty but only took up less than a quarter of the plate it was served on. Didnt really understand that.Last was the chicken and biscuits with Tabasco Honey. The chicken was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The biscuits were fantastic; good toasted color, great texture and a nice taste.In summary, popular neighborhood spot for coffee and baked goods, or more of a sit down breakfast and lunch place. For a sit down meal you may want to come on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
THE breakfast spot in New Orleans. This place blows me away every time we eat there. It is consistently delicious. Eveything from the drinks to any item on the menu has been stellar.The cornbread, shrimp n grits and the honey chicken biscuit are amazing. My wife and I did a quick 2 night 3 day trip to new orleans and ate here every day without question its that good.
DELICIOUS! Modern, unique spin and flavour combinations on southern brunch food. I got chicken biscuit with tabasco honey and YUM! The biscuit was unlike any other Ive had-soft warm layers on the inside that get crispier and crunchier as they turn to a crust on the outside. I loved that there was plenty of honey sauce too even after the biscuit soaked up a lot of it! Im glad I had time to spare because it did take longer than I expected for the food to come, but trust me, the wait is totally worth it!
Willa Jean has such nice decor and flow. I went during lunch on Monday in which they were pretty busy. Street parking was easy to find. They don’t have a huge menu which I like because it makes it easier to make a decision. I had the fried chicken on a biscuit which was pretty good and really liked the mix of honey and tabasco sauce on top! Overall, pretty good experience, but our table service was a little slow at some points.
Great early breakfast, opens at 0700am. The food and atmosphere were great as well as a very friendly staff. Carol was very knowledgeable of the menu and helped us select the perfect breakfast. If you are wanting to avoid the festivities of Bourbon St. and get a quality breakfast, I highly recommend stopping in. You can park on the street if lucky or the parking garage right across the street.
I heard Beyonce ate at this restaurant once, but I didnt verify that fact. If she did I can see why: elegant decor, delicious baked goods, Southern cusine and strong drinks presented with style and grace. Look, if you are fancy then this is the breakfast bakery for you. Bring your mother for brunch kinda fancy, because we all know mothers are the most discerning critics. Staff are warm and personable too. Feels equal parts artsy and homey. The parking is a challenge though because there is no lot, so its all street. If you get over that minor inconvenience, then youd be in good company with great food.
Amazing!!!!The cornbread that they give as an appetizer is HEAVENLY, especially because its warm and delicious! For my meal, I ordered the BBQ shrimp toast; the sourdough absorbed all the delicious sauce and the shrimp was cooked to perfection. New Orleans has some iconic eats, and Willa Jean is definitely one of them!
Went there this morning with my husband to have breakfast. Well Im not sure who considers this place a breakfast joint. Well it surely isnt a breakfast place. The people were absolutely not friendly and then the breakfast choices were only biscuits. Absolutely horrible experience and then upon getting up the staff didnt treat us good at all. This place is horrible. You want great breakfast and service go over to Surreys because they are fabulous.
Great restaurant located close to restaurant with friendly servers and food. A bakery as well. The biscuits were excellent, the gravy went along well with it. The biscuits sure did the trick, the gravy could have had more heat. James Beard nominated. The latte was excellent as well, perfect balance except could have been more hot. Overall, definitely a worthwhile place to visit if you are looking for breakfast/brunch.
I was super excited to have breakfast at Willa Jeans. Theres a reason their slogan is in biscuits we trust and the grits were the BEST grits Ive ever had...no joke! A bit pricey if you order separate items so check out the WJ Breakfast. It includes all of the favorites for less than $20.
AMAZING FOOD, SERVICE QND COVID PROTOCOLS
My wife and I have opposite tastes in restaurants. I like discovering places that have good food at affordable prices, with little regard for atmosphere or critical acclaim.So when I walked into Willas, I wasn’t looking forward to breakfast. I was doing my best to act like I was glad I was there, but my wife of 39 years could probably tell I was just along for the ride.Much to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed breakfast. The fried chicken and Honey Tabasco biscuit was probably the tastiest dish I’ve eaten on our week long trip. The chicken was moist, but thoroughly cooked, tender and crispy in all the right places. My compliments to the chef.
Willa Jean offers a light and refreshing interior while serving up a mixture of fresh takes on southern classics. Your staples are represented like grits and fried chicken sandwiches. They are also specialists in biscuit sandwiches. Willa Jean also offers a great atmosphere for sipping coffee or enjoying their selection of wine or cocktails. Definitely recommend stopping in.
Biscuits are DELICIOUS! Service was very friendly and professional. Decor is unique and adorable. Whisk lights above counters are so unique and perfect for the setting. Really neat balloon light fixtures over tables too. Shabby chic industrial style that is fun to look at and somehow makes you feel right at home
Jonah is an excellent waiter!Heres the scoop on some foods:sausage gravy - canned, skip itBacon - okAsk to build your own BLT!Biscuits - tough and chewyChicken - crispy crust but wasnt quite done or it was rooster meat which is more chewy.Get the monkey bread - wonderful! The bill was $75 before the tip. Whew!
The service was good, the chicken and coffee were good, but they make a big deal about their biscuits and this is not a biscuit. It’s puff pastry or something similar, but there’s no crumble and it’s VERY chewy. Hard to bite and doesn’t absorb the butter or jam like a biscuit should. I was really looking forward to a good biscuit, and this is not it.
Some of the most incredible deserts youll ever have in your life, are here at Willa Jeans! They will make you weep with joy, and even make you a bit insecure about yourself, particularly the Almond mousse and the scrumptious chocolate cake! Egads!The rest of the food is also a happy kick in the tastebuds...shrimp and grits, the braised short rib, and the must have -- hangover bowl...just what the doctor ordered. Also the sea salted honey latte is definitely worth the cab fare $6!
Came to Willa Jean on a Sunday morning during our trip to New Orleans for brunch, we waited about 10 minutes for a table. Ended up getting a number of dishes and drinks with a dessert.Most everything we got was fantastic tasting and had a lot of flavor and attention to detail. The cookies with milk were absolutely amazing and have totally changed our perspective on just how good cookies can be. The service was also top notch and made the experience even better.Couldn’t recommend this place enough if you find yourself in the area.
Wow….Willa Jeans has left me speechless, one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. I dined here for the first time and was blown away. We got the artichoke dip, cornbread, & fried chicken biscuit. Each item was amazing and I know I’ll be dreaming about each of them for awhile….our server Sarah was also great!
Willa Jean is one of the best restaurant experiences Ive had while here in New Orleans. The location is bright and welcoming, the staff is so kind and helpful, and the food is excellent. My east coast cynicism has been cracked by the sunny atmosphere and I can firmly say that biscuits > bagels.
I try to make it here every time I visit New Orleans. Great place with a friendly staff. They set the bar high with their quality of ingredients. Thanks to the help of the staff, my new go to is the chicken and waffles with a side of gravy. Its incredible.
Best biscuits Ive ever had in my life!
Oh my goodness! Willa Jeans is amazing! We went on Tuesday because my friends name is Willa (Bean). We went back on Wednesday because the food was so fantastic on Tuesday. The staff was attentive and engaging. The homemade biscuits are phenomenal. The shrimp and grits are rich and flavorful. The decor is crisp yet whimsical. I dont often get to NOLA, but the next time I do, you can bet Ill visit Willa Jeans.
I am currently on the keto diet and I forgot to ask for no breadcrumbs on the wedge salad... I ate it anyway and it was really good. Just FYI though, the breadcrumb seasoning tastes like it has a lot of sugar in it. It was worth it because for a salad it was really good. I got a side of bacon and it was like 4 or 5 pieces, so plenty of food. I also tasted the hangover bowl which was amazing. We sat at the bar and the cookies, cookie dough and milk the people next to me got looked so delicious. Highly recommended this place!
This place has absolutely beautiful and tastiest pastries and food as well. I went there couple of years ago and tried Blueberry ginger muffins. Those were so good and even till this day I cannot forget it. Great customer service and food as well.
Awesome place to eat. This is a place where you come eat some fresh and classy New Orleans food for lunch or early dinner. The BBQ shrimp sour dough toast was amazing. Maybe even on the fancy side. They offer a wide variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, and fish/shrimp options. I would eat here again.
Our experience at Willa Jean was a bit underwhelming. We got the fried chicken sandwich, the BBQ shrimp toast, and the kale Caesar salad.The salad was very very good, a balanced and delicious dish I couldn’t stop eating. The shrimp toast was nice and very flavorful, but a bit too heavy for my personal taste, I could only eat very little of it. My partner really enjoyed it however.The fried chicken sandwich was sadly on the dry side and bland? We were very excited for it and it’s kinda hard to mess up a fried chicken sandwich, but it felt like they forgot to put something on it, maybe a sauce that comes with but was accidentally left out. I didn’t care for the side chips either.Their coffee is excellent (I believe they get their beans from Intelligensia) and service fast and friendly. The decor is also smart and tasteful. I think it’s a place worth checking out, maybe we went on a bad day.
Willa Jean is a beautiful breakfast spot in a convenient location on OKeefe. My only complaint, is how in 2021 can a restaurant not offer special menu items and bread for gluten free diners? I know that they specialize in biscuits, but, there was very little to order for those of us who have restricted diets.
Very good brunch spot. The plating is beautiful and the food within delicious. Never order a single mimosa as they are 11$ which is ridiculous, order the Mimosa bar which is 45$ for whole bottle. Expect a wait on most days. We arrived at 10:30 on a Sunday and experienced a 45 minute wait. Our server (Max?) was amazing. Thanks for the cookies Max!
Place was good but bacon was not my style. Was thick and chewy instead of crisp
My boyfriend and I went here for brunch. No complaints. They were friendly as soon as we walked in. The cornbread was the best Ive ever had, so different. Most people where I live make dry cornbread and Willa Jeans was far from boring and dry. I got the avocado toast and it wasnt some basic girl toast it was packed with flavor. I wish I knew how to make both dishes because Im back in my home state and im craving their food. Thank you for a great experience!
This is a quaint cafe that can be quick if needed. It’s a coffee shop/bakery/bar and dining area all in a higher-end feeling establishment. We got the artichoke dip and crostini for an appetizer. It came out piping hot and was delicious. We loved our entrees too! I got the fried chicken sandwich with Serrano slaw and he got the swordfish sandwich - both served with chips that were excellent! The meat on both of our sandwiches was really thick and filling. We were talked into the cookies and milk - warmed up and served with a beater that had a hit of cookie dough on it. The milk had a vanilla flavor. They were incredible. We were stuffed, so we took one cookie to-go. So good! If you’re in the area, stop here!
I was going to leave 5 stars, but... floor was really dirty, napkins were in bad condition. Food, coffee and customer service was amazing. Patrik was our server, we really liked experience working with him. In general will recommend. Hopefully next time they will fix that couple things
Came for weekday breakfast. Everything we got was executed so beautifully and tasted amazing. Started off with pour overs and the banana bread - coffee was so smooth and banana bread was warm and not too sweet. Avocado toast and grain bowl - piled up with plenty of toppings. Would def recommend!!!
Perfect example of corporate policy that retrains your staff from providing quality service experience. You had no crowd, no line, and 12 empty tables but your staff did not feel empowered to put together two tables in less than 40 minutes for a party of 7. We luckily found Two Chicks who were not only amazing people but had awesome food.
Food was great but was not hot. We had the biscuit and gravy and fried chicken sandwich!
Willa Jean is a must on any New Orleans trip. The food was great and the service was amazing! The veggie and grain bowl is all your food group must-haves in one place. The perfect amount of spice and a beautiful Chai latte and you morning has been perfected. Also dont forget your morning mimosa to go. Give them a try you cant go wrong.
My server was very friendly. Enjoyed the food.
Nice little place! Healthy refreshing eats & drinks. Visiting from out of town and found them on the web. Nice place got you marked cause I’ll be back
Came here for brunch twice. Extraordinary dishes both times. The cornbread was amazing and the tomato bisque & grilled cheese dish was incredible — I’m not a grilled cheese person myself so I haven’t had many, but this is probably the best grilled cheese I’ve had in my life. Posh decor. Might need to wait awhile during peak hours, but there is a communal table up for grabs and a to go counter.
Good clean ambiance. Decent food. Really good for those who are not use to flavorful food ;-). I had the fried chicken honey butter biscuit, it was pretty good, the biscuit was a bit hard and I had to saw it with a butter knife in order to cut it. The chicken coat with honey was good but you could tell the inside wasn’t seasoned. I also had the hangover bowl with braised short ribs, it was very tender. In the bowl there were cheesy grits and they were really good and creamy. I also had the Rosemary Paloma drink it was a very refreshing alternative to the ordinary mimosa or Bloody Mary. All & all a good experience. Just different from what I was expecting based on the reviews. A seemingly low sodium cuisine. Which is a good thing!
Love this place! Think Ive tried almost everything on menu, and still not sure what my favorite dish is. It can take a while to be seated, but the food and drinks are totally worth it.
Great food, great service, and a fun atmosphere.Portions are large!We had biscuits with jam, a hangover bowl, and a croque madame. All of it was delicious and we both had food leftover.Our server was fast and very attentive. My water was never less than half full, our coffees and food came fast.
Excellent breakfast! Fresh, tasty, and abundant servings with excellent presentation. Went there several times during our stay. Will definitely return!
Biscuit was delicious. Couldnt fully enjoy it, due to the fact that the Sauasge Gravy was way to over spiced with way to much pepper. Every bite was like biting into a mouth full of pepper rather then savory delicious gravy.
Part of our planning for our trip to New Orleans was to visit Willa Jean. We have seen this place on several food shows for the milk and cookies but there is so much more.We started out with a Permento cheese appetizer which was very delicious including the pickled okra and green beans which were a special treat.We also had poutine with some awesome short rib and beef gravy.We also had the cornbread with some fantastic whipped butter and amazing honey.We closed out the meal with their famous milk and cookiesVery nice atmosphere cool location all the food was a very well done and I would do it again.
Omg Amzing...The grits were thick & cheesy. The Chicken nice & seasoned.Had to ask to re-heat my food I perfer it hot ...not warm. Overall great job.
This place was delicious! Everything we had was so good. Sat promptly and had great service! I would for sure return!
Our girls in college love to stop in at Willa Jeans when we are in the neighborhood. They can’t get enough of the cookies and milk! It’s served with a beater of cookie dough and the cookies are warm and gooey inside with the right crisp on the edges. It’s a trendy, hip spot. Very cute inside. It can be a challenge to get service but that’s not why we go. We tried the red velvet and the almond bunt cake, very good.
Avocado toast is pretty good, a little too spicy for me (it has a lot of jalapeno in it), i am also not a fan of parsley and the toast has a lot of parsley! I would prefer cilantro instead. The biscuit with jam&butter was delishious and coffee was very good.
The best milk and cookies Ive ever had! Vanilla milk is amazing and the cookies come out warm. One order of cookies (3) and milk (1) is $10. Trendy Atmosphere with large windows. Really dig this place
Hands down my favorite cornbread on Earth. Dont walk run to Willa Jean for breakfast. The service was friendly and quick. The coffee was hot and strong. Im still thinking about this meal 10 hours later. The spicy chicken biscuit was outstanding. The pimento cheese board was out of this world. So good. Get there.
Best fried chicken ever, worth the wait
My girlfriend and I loved it and would have ordered even more if we didnt have more food plans that day! We ordered the Hangover bowl which was creamy and delicious. Poached egg gets extra points. Outdoor dining was available but food is delivered in boxes.
Get the Pimento cheese board and ask for Sarah shes great! We also had the BBQ shrimp on the bread stuff (below) and it was absolutely amazing. Would highly recommend this place as a quiet but SUPER CUTE romantic date destination. Cant go wrong. Surrounded by amazing decor and chocolate? Guys. Take your woman here. Please. Major points. The ambiance actually feels more like a west coast pastry shop than your typical NOLA restaurant but what do I know Im not an interior designer. Go at dinner! Youll have basically the whole place to yourself. They have a big table that could fit at least 10 people and they have wonderful lighting throughout. I was surprised no one was there in the evening because the place is so charming and look at that portion size! Very filling even though the item wasnt listed as an entree.