1. 
Brennan's. French Quarter: 417 Royal. 504-525-9711. After closing for a year and a half, a restoration costing well into eight figures, and a new (but still Brennan) management, Brennan's is more beautiful than ever, with most of its groundbreaking brunch dishes along with at least as many new dishes. You can get the grandest brunch in town any day but Monday.
Arnaud's. French Quarter: 813 Bienville. 504-523-5433. Not only does Arnaud's match the menu riches and antique genuineness of the premises that Brennan's offers, it it less well known for brunch and so easier to get a great table in. Live strolling jazzmen complete the pleasures.
3. 
Commander's Palace. Uptown 1: Garden District & Environs: 1403 Washington Ave. 504-899-8221. The only reason that Commander's ranks below the two above is that its brunch isn't as good as either lunch or dinner. But the enjoyability of the beautiful premises and its strong kitchen can't be denied. Live jazz. Brunch on both Saturday and Sunday.
4. Mr. B's Bistro. French Quarter: 201 Royal. 504-523-2078. Nobody does the classic New Orleans restaurant dishes better than Mr. B's, and their Brennan bona-fides bring the great egg dishes. Live music at the street end of the longest bar in New Orleans.
5. La Provence. Lacombe: 25020 US 190. 985-626-7662. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, in a French-style country inn eleven miles from the end of the Causeway. The food has never been better, and the relaxation is total. My favorite time to go there is late afternoon. Piano genius and regular customer Ronnie Kole usually noodles away on the keyboard in the bar after his dinner.
6. Broussard's. French Quarter: 819 Conti. 504-581-3866. Broussard's had a rough year under its new management, but that seems to be resolving itself. Meanwhile, the brunch has been solid since day one. The bottomless mimosas may have something to do with that.
7. Atchafalaya. Uptown 2: Washington To Napoleon: 901 Louisiana Ave. 504-891-9626. Chef Christopher Lynch and the management have taken a brilliant approach to brunch: they serve it every day but Monday, with surprising polish for a restaurant whose environment and prices are those of a neighborhood cafe.
8. Cafe Adelaide. CBD: 300 Poydras St. 504-595-3305. Hotels have always been the first places to look for breakfast or brunch beyond routine. Cafe Adelaide is run by the Brennan's of Commander's Palace, which tells the rest of the story. Free valet parking. Women wearing hats at brunch get free cocktails.
9. Antoine's. French Quarter: 713 St Louis. 504-581-4422. It could be said that Antoine's invented fancy eggs dishes in New Orleans. But it didn't start serving brunch until after the hurricane, when it embraced the idea totally. A jazz trio alternates between the front room (which is preferred, because of its big windows) and the big red room in the rear.
10. Redemption. Mid-City: 3835 Iberville St. 504-309-3570. Chef Greg Piccolo created an array of brunch dishes during his years at the extinct Bistro at the Maison de Ville. After four years here in the converted, century-old-this-year church that was Christian's, he's brought them out of hiding. What a perfect place to be on a Sunday.
11. 
Court of Two Sisters. French Quarter: 613 Royal. 504-522-7273. The Court serves brunch every day, from a buffet that evolves from breakfast fare at nine to decidedly lunch-like at two. It is not as touristy as many believe it is. Best Sazerac in town for the eye-opener.
12. Crystal Room. CBD: Le Pavillon Hotel, 901 Poydras. 504-581-3111. One of the last brunch buffets worth talking about, the restaurant of Le Pavillon Hotel is less expensive and less ambitious than most buffets, but it's still there. Easy walking distance from the Superdome.
13. Cafe Degas. Mid-City: 3127 Esplanade Ave. 504-945-5635. The surroundings of this little French bistro is immensely appealing, particularly on days when it's comfortable weather outside. Nobody makes better egg dishes than a French chef.
14. Patois. Uptown 3: Napoleon To Audubon: 6078 Laurel. 504-895-9441. A fascinating blend of old-time French-Creole dishes, in a restaurant which for most of its history was a neighborhood joint.
15. Restaurant des Familles. Marrero To Lafitte: 7163 Barataria Blvd. 504-689-7834. Here's the brunch for when you have friends in from out of town. The restaurant's large windows give onto a primordial bayou that may well bring an alligator to view. (Note: it is not a pet, but a real alligator, with a deep bench. )
