Walking into the Court of the Two Sisters is a bit of a trip. You leave the chaos of Royal Street, push through that heavy gated entrance, and suddenly you’re in this massive, sprawling courtyard that feels like it hasn’t changed since the 1800s. It’s famous. Like, "every tourist guidebook since 1950" famous. But if you’re looking at the Court of the Two Sisters menu, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Is it a tourist trap? Is the food actually good? Honestly, it depends on what you order and when you show up.
The place is a landmark. It’s got those Wisteria vines that are probably older than your grandparents and a history that stretches back to 1833 when Emma and Bertha Camors—the actual "two sisters"—ran a notions shop there. Today, it’s a powerhouse of Creole cuisine. You aren't just going for a quick bite; you’re going for the atmosphere, the jazz, and the kind of heavy, sauce-laden food that New Orleans built its reputation on.
The Daily Jazz Brunch: A Massive Undertaking
Most people come for the brunch. It’s a buffet, which usually sets off alarm bells for "foodies," but this isn't a Golden Corral situation. The Court of the Two Sisters menu for the daily jazz brunch is basically a greatest-hits album of Louisiana cooking.
You’ve got the cold station first. Don't skip the seafood pasta salad or the pickled okra. The boiled shrimp are usually snap-fresh, and they don't skimp on the cocktail sauce. But the real reason people line up is the hot section. We’re talking about massive silver chafing dishes filled with Turtle Soup—finished with a splash of sherry—and Corn Maque Choux.
If you've never had Turtle Soup, this is a good place to try it. It’s thick, savory, and slightly acidic. It’s a polarizing dish, sure. Some people find the texture a bit much, but it’s a New Orleans staple for a reason. Then you have the Grillades and Grits. This is the sleeper hit of the brunch. The veal is braised until it basically collapses if you look at it too hard, served in a rich brown gravy over creamy, butter-heavy grits.
Custom Omelets and Benedicts
While you’re wandering around with your plate, there’s an omelet station. It’s standard, but the ingredients are solid. However, the Eggs Benedict is where the kitchen shows off. They do a classic version, but sometimes they’ll rotate in variations with crawfish or boudin.
It’s easy to get distracted by the sheer volume of food. You see people piling jambalaya next to king cake and it’s a mess. Don't do that. Treat it like a multi-course meal. Start with the fruit and salads, move to the soups, then hit the heavy Creole entrees. The live jazz band moves around the courtyard, so you'll get that "New Orleans moment" regardless of where you're sitting.
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The Dinner Menu: A Different Beast Entirely
When the sun goes down and the string lights come on, the Court of the Two Sisters menu shifts. The buffet disappears. It becomes a formal, seated affair. This is where the kitchen actually gets to cook to order, and the quality jumps up a notch.
You’ll see the "Dinner Classics" section. It’s very traditional. If you’re looking for "fusion" or "modern deconstructed foam," you’re in the wrong zip code. This is a place for Shrimp Etienne. It’s their signature—shrimp sautéed with green onions, mushrooms, and Creole seasonings, served in a white wine butter sauce. It’s rich. It’s buttery. It’s exactly what you expect from a high-end French Quarter spot.
The Meat and the Heat
The Steak Diane is another big hitter. They flambé it with brandy, and the sauce is packed with shallots and mushrooms. It’s theatrical. It’s also very heavy. New Orleans cooking doesn't care about your cholesterol, and the Court of the Two Sisters is no exception.
- Trout Meunière Amandine: A classic. The fish is lightly floured, fried, and topped with toasted almonds and brown butter.
- Duck à l'Orange: Not as common in the Quarter as it used to be, but they keep it on the menu for the traditionalists. The skin is usually crisp, and the sauce isn't too cloying.
- Veal Oscar: Topped with lump crabmeat and hollandaise. It’s a lot of protein, but the crab is usually high quality.
One thing to keep in mind: the price point. Dinner here is an investment. You’re paying for the "Sisters" brand and that courtyard. Is it the best steak in the city? Probably not. Is it a Top 5 dining experience because of the environment? For many, yes.
Navigating the Wine List and Cocktails
You can't talk about this menu without talking about the drinks. They have a massive wine cellar—one of the biggest in the city. The wine list has won awards from Wine Spectator for years.
If you’re sticking to the New Orleans vibe, you’re probably looking at a Sazerac or a French 75. Their Sazerac is stiff. They use Herbsaint to coat the glass, just like they should. If you’re doing the brunch, the Brandy Milk Punch is the way to go. It’s basically a boozy milkshake that feels socially acceptable to drink at 10:00 AM.
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The Dessert Finish
Whatever you do, save room for the Bananas Foster. They don't do the tableside flambé for every single order like some other spots (looking at you, Brennan’s), but it’s still a powerhouse of brown sugar, cinnamon, and rum.
Then there’s the Bread Pudding. Every restaurant in New Orleans claims to have the best bread pudding. The Court of the Two Sisters menu features a version with a whiskey sauce that is aggressive in the best way possible. It’s dense, moist, and will definitely put you in a food coma.
Misconceptions and Reality Checks
Let’s be real for a second. Some locals will tell you this place is just for tourists. And yeah, you’re going to see a lot of people in "I heart NOLA" shirts. But there’s a reason it’s stayed open since the mid-20th century under the Fein family. The consistency is actually pretty impressive given the sheer volume of people they feed.
The courtyard is the biggest draw. If it’s raining, you’re moved inside to the dining rooms. They’re nice—lots of dark wood and history—but they don't have the same magic as sitting under the trees. If the weather is bad, you might feel like you’re missing out on half the experience.
Another thing: the dress code. It’s "business casual," but for dinner, people tend to dress up. Don't show up in a tank top and flip-flops and expect to feel comfortable. Brunch is a bit more relaxed, but even then, people generally try to look nice.
Why the Menu Still Matters in 2026
In a world where every new restaurant is trying to be "edgy," there’s something comforting about a place that refuses to change its roux recipe. The Court of the Two Sisters menu is a time capsule. It preserves the "Grand Dame" style of Creole dining that is slowly disappearing as younger chefs move toward lighter, more globalized flavors.
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The kitchen relies on the "Holy Trinity"—onions, bell peppers, and celery. You taste it in the gumbo, you taste it in the jambalaya. It’s foundational.
A Note on Reservations
If you're planning to go, especially for the weekend brunch, you need a reservation. You can try walking in, but you'll likely end up standing on Royal Street for an hour. Use OpenTable or just call them. If you have a large group, this is one of the few places in the Quarter that can actually handle 10 or 12 people without breaking a sweat.
What to Skip
Not everything is a home run. The pasta dishes on the dinner menu always feel a little out of place. You’re in New Orleans; why are you eating fettuccine alfredo? Stick to the Creole specialties. Also, the coffee is standard—if you want that real chicory kick, you might want to head to Café Du Monde afterward, though the Sisters' bread pudding pairs perfectly with a plain black cup.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
To get the most out of the Court of the Two Sisters menu, follow these specific steps:
- Time your brunch right: Arrive around 10:30 AM. You beat the massive post-church or post-hotel-checkout rush, and the food on the buffet is at its freshest.
- The "Shrimp Trick": If you're doing the brunch buffet, head to the shrimp first. They go fast, and sometimes the kitchen takes a minute to refill the ice bed.
- Ask for Courtyard Seating: When you book, explicitly request the courtyard. If it’s a nice day, the indoor seating feels like a consolation prize.
- Try the Turtle Soup: Even if it sounds weird. Put a little extra sherry in it. It’s the most authentic "old school" flavor on the menu.
- Check the Weather: If there's a 90% chance of rain, consider moving your reservation. The atmosphere is 60% of the value here.
The Court of the Two Sisters isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s trying to keep the wheel turning exactly as it has for decades. If you go in expecting a quiet, intimate, cutting-edge culinary experiment, you'll be disappointed. But if you go in for the jazz, the history, and a plate full of rich Creole gravy, you’re going to have a great time.
The menu is a roadmap through New Orleans' culinary past. It’s heavy, it’s expensive, and it’s unapologetically old-fashioned. And honestly, in a city that’s changing as fast as New Orleans, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
To prepare for your visit, check their website for any seasonal changes to the dinner menu, as they occasionally swap out the fish selection based on what's coming out of the Gulf. If you are traveling with a group, call ahead to see if they have any "prix fixe" options available, which can sometimes save a bit of money compared to ordering everything à la carte at dinner. Lastly, make sure your camera is charged; the courtyard is one of the most photographed spots in the South for a reason.