Live Oak Cafe

The healthy gringo I had heard my previous visit was outstanding. I came back today and tried out the Mexican breakfast and was blown away. The black beans have so much flavor and the side of Pico de Gallo really goes extraordinary well with the soft tortilla beans eggs and generous serving of avocado. The live music really tops it off for me. Not to mention the excellent coffee. Some of the best in Nola. I will be back often. Well done Live Oak!

My daughter frequents the area whenever she can & she stopped in to this place for breakfast due to it’s personality, served with music; well that, and she was hungry for breakfast.
Due to the creative listening skills of her server Grant. she was served her perfect breakfast of poached eggs, fresh sliced tomatoes, fresh sliced avocado and fresh sliced whole grain bread. She was in one of her versions of heaven. where servers listen and aren’t annoyed with her particular order request. She was completely in awe of the care and thoughtfulness that went into serving her.
And a big thanks to the chef also for taking the time to create it!

Can’t say enough good about this place. They locally source their ingredients, the coffee is over flowing, and it’s home to the best biscuits and gravy you’ll ever have. Strawberry fields pancakes are out of this world — almost a crêpe like consistency. I bring my out of town friends here and no one has ever left disappointed!

Great friendly service, great breakfast (my friend didn’t care for her grits, they were a little soupy) and a very cute place.
Only complaint was there was more then a few flies in there! I know it’s New Orleans and it’s hot and there is bugs but this was almost too much.
Maybe they have a door being left open? Who knows but because of this we probably won’t be back.

Hitting the mid-​morning brunch rush is never fun. You can always expect to wait, especially with 6 people, but what we experienced at Live Oak today redefined what I consider a long wait.
We were walking down the street with no clear objective and stumbled upon this café. There wasn’t much else around and there were a couple empty tables, so we decided to stop in. When we put in our name, the server doubling as host, told us the wait would be around 10 minutes. 20 minutes later, we were seated. But before, as we were walking to our table, he said, «the kitchen is a bit backed up»
A bit backed up, what exactly does that mean? Unfortunately we failed to clarify and gambled with our appetite in mind. Turns out a bit backed up means an hour and some change. One hour from when we placed our order our food arrived. We were getting up to cancel when it finally came. Not even an estimated time, may we comp something for you to make up for it, or a hey. It’s graduation week, we are soo sorry. Nothing. Just realistic expectations could have turned this 2 star into a 4.
When we finally got our food, the restaurant had already closed for the day and they rushed us out. In the words of Stephanie Tanner, «How Rude.»
Worse part, the food wasn’t too bad. But, I’ll never be back to try again.

I guess I forgot to complete my review. New Orleans is not as full of wonderful breakfast choices as one might think. We were so happy to stumble on this place for a cool and delicious breakfast spot. This WILL be a «take the out of towners» spot for sure.
I give them 4 stars on food and one star on noise. That little dynamic duo is too small to be so loud. Listen. When I have to ‘shout’ my conversation over food — you are too dang loud. When they took a 10 minute break, I wanted to celebrate.

Live Oak has become my favorite brunch place Uptown. The huevos rancheros are what keep me coming back, but I am a big fan of their creamy, cheesy grits too. I also appreciate that they accommodate those on a vegetarian diet by subbing avocado for meat in their dishes. Their coffee, from French Truck, is top notch too. The staff all seem to be hardworking, fun people who check on the customers regularly, especially to make sure said coffee is refilled. Grant waited on us the last time and made us laugh. And of course there’s the live music, which is an added bonus at brunch.

We returned last Sunday to give Live Oak another shot after speaking with the owner, and very happy to report we had an excellent time. The musicians were fantastic, our wait time was nil, our orders were correct, and the food was, as always, absolutely delicious. Only complaint is our waitress didn’t seem to know the menu and forgot to bring us waters. Glad to report they’re back on their game and I’ve also been informed they’re sourcing seasonal produce locally now, which is wonderful. As long as they keep eggs benedict and huevos rancheros on the menu, we’ll keep coming back!

This was my 1^st time in NOLA and this was our 1^st stop from the airport. My hubby and I stopped here for breakfast on Sunday. Once we arrived, we saw how crowded it was and it was only 10:45am. We waited about 20mins to be seated. Once we got our seat we ordered an OJ which was amazing. Freshly squeezed and you can definitely taste the fresh oranges. We ordered the Mexican breakfast and Shrimp and Grits, the food took close to an hour to come out, but when it did finally come, OMG it was SOoo GOOD! My husband LOVED the shrimp & grits, my Mexican breakfast was simple yet packed with flavor. We also got their homemade biscuits, and let me tell you, those biscuit right there had me licking my fingers. I ordered two more after eating our meal and drink unlimited coffee which was good for only $ 6.50. The food was definitely worth the wait. The staff and live music was great! Whenever we come back to NOLA, this will definitely be our 1^st stop. If you are looking for awesome quality food, with great people and live music, THIS IS THE PLACE!

Such a cute cozy place to eat! The seating situation was a little tight and the waitresses had to squeeze in between tables to get to everyone. But other than that, very great atmosphere and we never felt like like we needed to find a server bc they constantly came to check on us! We ordered the Benedict plate and the bro. Both were so DELICIOUS and made me want more! Freshly squeezed OJ and lemonade was heavenly! Way better food and service than anticipated! Will certainly go back soon!

Classic diner food but slightly less greasy with some original and tasty items on the menu. The inside is newly renovated, and there is often live piano music. The biscuits, breakfast plates, and huevos rancheros are all awesome and very well priced. The servers and staff are lovely, attentive, and accommodating. This place is just what you need after (before) a night (day) of drinking.

We arrived to a very crowded restaurant and luckily we were seated almost immediately. Service was great, but the time to receive the order was a little long, but it was worth the wait. The blueberry pancakes were delicious and the Slammer sandwich was good as well.
The only negative was that the menu online was not the menu at the restaurant. Since my husband is vegetarian, he had already decided what he could enjoy. Unfortunately, many of his options disappeared with the limited Sunday menu, hence a 4 star rating instead of 5.
In spite of the menu change, would I consider dining here again? Absolutely!

I live down the street from this place and made it in for the first time a few weeks ago. They had an omelette on special that was my favorite ever, and they had lovely live music by a folk band. That girl could sing, too! They have indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s extremely cute. I had the fancy grilled cheese and was happy! I also appreciate how fresh and high quality the fruit they use is. This is a new favorite spot!

This place is amazing! Fresh, homemade with love and super friendly service. Tried every vegetarian option… all delicious. My favorite is the parfait! Out of this world… highly recommend their bagels and iced coffee. And there is also live music there that is the perfect volume and fantastic. Love this place! Can get super busy tho and not very big so pick a good time to go for this experience

My super picky chef at work sang your praises, so I headed in this morning to give y’all a try. Let me just say: Live Oak, you’re doin’ somethin’ right! The menu boasted the typical brunchy cocktails (mimosas, bloodies, etc.) but I opted for an iced coffee as I needed to be productive today. Ordered up the shrimp & grits with a cup of fruit. The grits were alarmingly creamy in the best way, & the shrimp & sauce had a wonderful depth with a brightness from the addition of fresh lemon & parsley. I’ve never had shrimp & grits with bacon added in, but I’m definitely not mad at it! These guys definitely run a veeeery close second place to my favorite S&G at Atchafalaya… but for ten dollars less… so…YES!
I’m going to save my nit-​picking as it was my first experience, & none of it is enough to keep me away. Definitely going to be a new staple in my breakfast rotation! Thank y’all for a delicious meal.

I had lunch and the service was good and friendly, the food came out pretty quickly and the price point was good. If there is any constructive criticism, I would say larger coffee cups for us caffeine fiends and that the live musicians in the middle of the day was more awkward for me than anything.

Steve made the difference for us! Cool café, live music… we found this place by accident yesterday after touring the cemetery off of Magazine. The menu posted in the outside of the place changed because of Marti Gras :(
Steve stepped up and said that they could make the dish we wanted which made us so happy since we took the trolley to get here from the river (about a 15 min trip.). Thanks Steve!
Good food options, live music, I am happy!!!

If you appreciate restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients, you should give Live Oak Café a try. I stopped in here with a few other folks for brunch last Sunday and it was a good choice. They were busy but not packed, so we had a couple of tables to chose from.
Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and she was passionate about the restaurant’s fresh and local concept. I ordered the house salad with bacon and avocado added. Sounds boring, I know, but it was fantastic. No joke, probably the best salad I’ve had in a long time! The house made vinaigrette dressing was very good too. The salad was served with edible flowers that they apparently grow themselves. I’m guessing this is the «seasonal surprises» listed on the menu, because it was a surprise to me. For me, it was a good surprise. Our server noted my appreciation and brought us a small plate with a sampling of other edibles to taste.
Two of my brunch mates ordered the Huevos Rancheros, and the other ordered a couple of eggs and a few sides. Although the salad was the only thing I tried, everything looked great and everyone was pleased.

Live Oak is my favorite Sunday brunch spot. It’s usually packed, but that’s understandable because they have live music on Sunday… which is my favorite part! The food is delicious and fresh and price is very reasonable. I love the veggie sandwich. Coffee is also delicious. Great, hip spot for a delicious Sunday breakfast/​brunch. Staff is also awesome!

When I first moved to New Orleans I would go religiously to Live Oak every other weekend. The service at Live Oak has always been pretty spot on. I can’t vouch a lot for their set menu, because I always order from their list of specials, which is typically a much smaller list and seasonal. It has not failed me, I have had consistently good food at Live Oak over the four months here in New Orleans, along with pretty spectacular service. The prices are reasonable and it’s a cute place for a date. However, not overwhelmingly large enough for huge groups, because the interior with seating is relatively small. I do occasionally wish the music is a little lower because it can be unpleasantly loud at times. If I’m not in the mood for the music, I tend to go way before 10AM, before they set up the music.
Do try the grits here and definitely have their freshly squeezed orange juice!

I don’t even know where to start. THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!! The coffee is phenomenal. Everything is so fresh and you can truly taste the personal touch in the food. I have officially found my new favorite breakfast spot in NOLA. Live music and great atmosphere. The BISCUITS!!!

One of the most valuable lessons we learned in New Orleans is that things happen when they happen. It’s an intricate timing of long enough to start feeling impatience but feelings are quickly overtaken by annoyance one of the steaming plate of magic is set in front of you. The fresh squeezed lemonade is enchanting. Doesn’t matter if it’s hot, cold, dry or wet outside — you need one of these. The biscuits and gravy were delicious as well. For those seafood averse, the gravy has a tinge of seafood to it and I can’t attribute that to actual seafood or just seasoning but it was quite good.

Had a Living Social deal for Live Oak, so we went for brunch. The live music was nice, liked listening to the accordion player while we were there.
Wasn’t too impressed with the BLT, added avocado for $ 1 extra, and can’t say it was worth it. Service was average, the waiter didn’t seem too happy to help us. Would have given 3.5 stars, but bumped it up to 4.

I was beginning to toe the line and become hangry. I don’t really know why I don’t take the time to prevent such things, but oh well. On my quest to find things off the beaten path for visitors, I am taking the time while I have it now to find them.
I happened to find parking on a side street near Live Oak Café and decided to go in. At just 1pm, the place was not full, just about 3 customers. I was told to pick a seat any where. The restaurant has an open, airy feel with a kitchen you can see into. The restaurant is very neat and clean, very well lit. I initially wanted the lemonade, as it was on the menu as being freshly squeezed, only to find out they were out. I went with water and a coke. To eat, I chose the BLT on sourdough. The bread was a bit too toasted for my tasting (which is why I knocked a star off what should be a solid 4 star place), and I just ended up poking the goodies out. The bacon was extra crispy, just how I like it. The spread they used was tangy, like a homemade dressing of some sort. It was pretty good. As I was getting ready to leave, the waiter welcomed in new customers, without seeming to care that it was creeping up on closing time, and I think that was pretty darn cool.

This location has been host to several mediocre restaurants and this café is no different.
I ordered eggs Benedict that was served on a biscuit or toast. $ 13 and you can’t scrape up a Thomas English muffin? Whatever. I was hoping maybe it’d still be tasty. The hollandaise sauce was not homemade. The egg was rock hard. Disappointing for sure especially when I asked for soft poached runny eggs.
My husband had the biscuits and gravy and he said they were hard and not fresh. If you don’t make your own biscuits, at least buy them each morning if you plan on charging $ 11.
All in, I’m thankful we had a living social, because I wouldn’t pay $ 25 for that meal.

This cute little place is worth the effort to get to while in NOLA. I found it by accident and I a so glad I did. I am eating low-​carb so I did not have, what looked like from my vantage point, their I incredible grits. I may have to try them after I shed a few lbs. I had to stop my server and tell him that I had the best omelet in my entire life. It was a special today and I don’t know if they will have it when you’re there. I am one to put some hot sauce on my eggs to give them a kick. I would not have spoiled this omelet masterpiece with one drop of hot sauce. I would have ruined it if I’d «put that s**t on everything.» The coffee was hot and flavorful. I wish I was staying another day to be able to find my way back to the Live Oak Café. Kudos to them for a great omelet.

Labor day brunch, we sat outside and were waited on very quickly. No alcohol license yet, so no mimosas. Outside dog friendly. Orange Juice is freshly squeezed. The wait time for our brunch was 45 mins, so it ended up being lunch. Our brunch arrived and it was superb. The juevos rancheros and shrimp n grits were perfect. This is a must place for brunch. There is live music inside which can be heard outside at a mellow sound. Our new brunch spot.

Ridiculously loud (!) and awful music, can’t get coffee refilled. Can’t comment on food yet, since we’ve been here 45 minutes and have not gotten food, yet. headache, and not from hangover… won’t be back

My friend Ben & I went here for breakfast this morning,& I ‘m so glad we did. Ben had Huevos Ranchero with avocado & I had scrambled eggs, potatoes & a biscuit. The food was so good, I may very well go back tomorrow to try their lunch menu.
We were seated & served right away, didn’t have to wait for our food & the best thing of all– the music wasn’t unbearably loud like the last time I was there. Yaaaay ! There was a duo playing– the guitar player (electric, turned down, thank you very much !), with a chick singer who was Really Really Good.
So for anyone who wasn’t sure about going to the Live Oak Café’, GO !!! You won’t be disappointed.
And by the way, the prices are quite reasonable — well worth it

Like the decal on the glass outside says, the grits are creamy; hands-​down the best grits you can get at a breakfast spot. Usually I don’t even bother with grits because most places either over– or under-​cook them. These were on point. ON POINT
I’ve gotten the huevos rancheros and the 3-​egg omelette. Both were fresh and tasty, my two preferred breakfast adjectives. I would happily get either again. Only weird thing is that while they were similarly priced, the omelette was nearly too much for one sitting (it felt like a 5-​egg omelette to me!) but the rancheros was pretty light even with the add-​ons, making it a tad more expensive that I’d expect.
But, they do have live music in the morning, which is a cool signature and surely has to require some mark-​up on a few items. So I’m fine with that.
Oh, and get the watermelon juice.

Ate breakfast here on the porch. I had the hue is rancheros. They were great, but the add-​one of chorizo and avocado brought it up to about $ 3 more than the menu price, which I believe should cover it all as it makes it much more of a legitimate meal. I lived in NOLA for six years but have been gone for three and hadn’t ever experienced the Oak corridor. Was really surprised to see the revitalization.
There was live music inside which was really cool, but We brought our four-​legged friend, so sat outdoors on the curb. This would have been pleasant, but was really unnerving as people drive down Oak Street as if it was a freaking NASCAR track (literally 45 – 50 mph when they should be moving at 25. The entire time can be punctuated by an intense fear that at any moment a speeding car may jump the curb and take us out. This happened two nights later while dining at squeal, but luckily the inattentive driver just did an H&R on other cars, not people. Nonetheless, confirmed my fear. If the Oak corridor is to be viable, they really need to enforce speed if for no other reason, to ensure pedestrian safety. The place is literally dangerous. And I don’t usually balk at safety concerns. Good coffee!

Fantastic. Just what I was looking for in New Orleans.
Small, friendly and comfortable environment with live music for Sunday morning brunch. The music was perfect for the atmosphere, if a bit too loud.
I had the shrimp & grits and my companion had a grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough.
I was told the grilled cheese was possibly the best ever. Not a bite was left for me to test that assertion. It was served with a healthy serving of jalapeño chips, and though those didn’t appear to be fresh made, that didn’t take anything away from the bargain plate at $ 6.50.
My shrimp & grits were just what I had been craving. Creamy grits, shrimp cooked to perfection, and a sauce that was flavorful and slightly spicy. At $ 12.50 I was pleased with the quality, serving size and price.
If you show up on a Sunday morning, be prepared to wait. The place will be packed. Our server advised us in advance that there would be about a 40-​minute wait for our food to arrive. That’s where I learned that the coffee at Live Oak Café is exceptional.
Aside from the wait (and hey, it was a beautiful morning in a busy city, it didn’t bother me) this was a great little side trip. I’ll be back.

I dropped in here for breakfast this morning, with a hankering for biscuits and sausage gravy after reading their menu and craving on the «Eggs Beauregard».
Sadly they were out of sausage gravy, so I had to make another choice.
I decided to try their Eggs Benedict, and it turned out to be a great choice.
Let me start by saying that in my opinion Eggs Benedict is a staple that few places do truly well. The benchmark is a toasted English muffin, with Canadian bacon, poached egg, and Hollandaise sauce.
There are many ways to fail at Eggs Benedict.
First, the poached eggs. Poaching an egg perfectly is not the easiest thing, and I have been disappointed more often than not. Undercooked with the egg white still clear, or overcooked with the yolk cooked to hardness. The perfectly poached egg has all the egg white cooked, with the yolk warmed but not hardened.
Live Oak Café did their poached eggs as well as any I have ever had.
Many places try to church up their Benedict offerings by substituting the Canadian bacon for something else. Sometimes this is an improvement, (Lobster is an acceptable substitute ;D), but sometimes it just doesn’t do it for me.
Live Oak Café did not use Canadian bacon. However, they did use a ham I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s smoky saltiness was the perfect foil for their hollandaise sauce, which I will discuss next.
And now we discuss the Sauce Hollandaise. This is where a lot of places get a fail mark. If it’s too watery or tastes like it fell off the Sysco truck last year, I am generally dissatisfied.
Live Oak Café delivered a very nice Hollandaise. If it wasn’t fresh made from scratch, I would love to know the brand. Lemony, fresh and bright tasting, the perfect topping to a very good breakfast.
With the Eggs Benny (Can I call you Benny), I had their breakfast potatoes. No complaints there either.
So I understand the place has had a refurbishment recently, and I found it to be a nice, clean, comfortable place to eat. I will be returning.

I had a terrible experience. The waitress was extremely lacking. The place was a mess. And I was the only customer. There was no excuse for the mess and disjointed wait staff. The food wasn’t terrible, but not better than I can make at home. FYI I’m not the best cook. The only positive was the piano man. I feel for the place because is in a great location and has nice potential. My recommendation: re focus your energy on training the staff in customer service concepts. If I would’ve had a better experience, I would’ve probably enjoyed the meal more. I’m going to give this place quite a bit of time before giving it another shot.

The Oak Street Café has graduated up to the Live Oak Café.
What’s new: name, owner, color scheme, simplified menu, and in the sense of graduation, a license to sell alcohol.
What stays the same: the charming piano player, most of the staff, many of the favorite menu items such as breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and excellent Egg Benedict variations that were a prime attraction at the predecessor restaurant.
The overall sense is slightly upscaled, but I actually find the new place offers better value. The sandwiches, in particular, are improved with fresher and more imaginative layers, including the bread choices.