Galvez Restaurant

We loved the potato croquettes, BBQ shrimp and the bouillabaisse. The view or the river was perfect and our Dutch waiter was very friendly and attentive. Would highly recommend.

Before I launch into my review, I have some good news and I have some bad news.
First, the bad news… ugh.
After having dinner at Galvez for the first time last night, I learned that their current location on Peters in the French Quarter, with that spectacular view of the river (more on that later), will be closing after June 21. So, if you want your Spanish cuisine with a New Orleans twist with those killer vistas, then go eat there ASAP! At some point after the 21^st, the Brennan family is supposed to be taking over the space.
The good news is that the Galvez’s Chef Laura Cedillo will be opening up a new restaurant elsewhere. I don’t know when and where that will be as of yet, but all I can say at this point is pay attention to the local restaurant news. I know I will be doing that myself.
Okay, now that that’s out of the way… let’s talk about the fabulous food and atmosphere!
How I have never heard of this place before now is a mystery to me. With a prime location near the French Market, one of the best views of the Mississippi River and a fantastic Spanish-​influenced menu, I would have thought that this place would be hot on the dining radar. If you want a «best kept secret», this place is it!
My date and I had a reservation, but the restaurant was nearly empty. The host showed us to a table that he referred to as «Lover’s Lane»: a corner booth framed by lush greenery. Really, though, any table in the house would have plenty of the lovely atmosphere and view to offer.
For an appetizer, we ordered the Spanish cheese plate. It came with three selections of cheese – Manchengo, an herbed blue, can’t remember what the third was – along with sliced green apples, Serrano ham, quince paste and grilled bread. The cheese and the accoutrements all pairs perfectly together; you could not go wrong with any combination of items on the plate.
For our entrees, I opted for the Pargo Estilo Galves: red snapper topped with olives, slivers of red onion and grape tomatoes served atop a bed of white beans with sliced avocados and salsa fresca on the side. I’ve eaten a lot of fish prepared a lot of different ways, and this dish is EASILY in the Top 5. It was wonderful!
My date order the nightly special, which was the grilled South American fish topped with a grilled pineapple, mango and avocado salsa atop of a grit cake. I had a sample of his entrée and that was quite delectable as well!
Basically, what I’m saying is that you NEED to get here before June 21. Get in on that gorgeous view and the equally gorgeous menu. I highly recommend the fish dishes on the menu. Order and thank me later!