I was in New Orleans last month the food at Nola was better then 3 of the restaurant in the real Nola. The � Po boy was to die for. Onion soup was delish. Green friend tomatoes very good. Hubby had vo do pasta it was fantastic. Would recommend this place. Staff was good and efficient.
I know that in order to provide a helpful review, I should probably type at least a few sentences. But, all I can think of is...Oh my gosh! When can we go again!? Service, food, drinks and flavor were on point! Wowsers!
Great food, great atmosphere, great service! Very impressed with how quickly we were seated on a Saturday night (usually a harbinger of a restaurant that isn't very busy, or isn't very good); and a live jazz band set the tone for a great evening! Can definitely recommend the crawfish bisque, fried green tomatoes, and especially the jambalaya! We will most certainly be back!
We ate here for the first time before going to a play this past weekend and had a wonderful experience! The food was awesome and our waiter Robert was more than attentive, kind and joked with us like he’d known us forever! We would definitely go back!
Jeannene Lillie Jones-Rupert
+5
Amazing service! Our food was taking a little longer to come out and our server brought out a complimentary appetizer that was amazing!! We will absolutely be back again!
Great food, great atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon, and the service was on point. Highly recommended.
I love the atmosphere. Very friendly. I ordered the smoked catfish with cornbread. The catfish was a little on the salty side, but it was still good. The bartenders are wonderful.
We were greeted and seated by Kim!!! She was by far the best server we've had in a very long time!! Thanks Kim!! On another note the food and atmosphere was out right amazing! Thanks for a wonderful experience!!
The appetizer (gator bites) was great and our drinks were good. The main dishes were a bit disappointing, since they weren't spicy enough. We thought NOLA was New Orleans cuisine and didn't realize it was a very tame version of everything they have listed on the menu. The jambalaya wasn't very flavorful and the "blackened" catfish didn't have enough blackened seasoning and was actually charred/burned on the edges, so only the center was edible. The voodoo fries were good, but also didn't have enough cajun seasoning on them.
The wait staff and manager were wonderful. The manager sent out a dessert to make up for it and explained that everything is made to order, so next time we'll ask them to make it spicier like real New Orleans food.
If you go there expecting real New Orleans food, I recommend you ask them to make whatever you order spicier.
Nola was one of the first dining I did back in Pittsburgh. A really attractive place and the menu seemed worth a try. Seemed like a family place with proper service so we went for this one.
We began with salad - Caesar. Moderately priced this was really fresh. Good amount of chicken was added. The best part is that it's house made Caesar dressing.
We then went for the steak and egg sandwich. This was damn nice. Nicely grilled. Later we tried fresh onion soup that stood true to its words.
For the main course highly recommended crispy alligator and frog legs. Two dishes that made our night.
Do try their wide array for cocktails and wines. The bartender is really good!
One of Pittsburgh's best! Always great food and great service. Pan-blackened catfish and Jambalaya are particularly amazing. Selection of on-tap beers is well selected for the season. Done here, if you like cajen you will be surprised!
Our grueling holiday work was done at the club for the season, and we needed to unwind, and celebrate. Amanda (one of our club managers) and I browsed Urbanspoon in search of a restaurant that was reasonably priced, and fun. We finally chose Nola on the Square. Nola is described as “a New Orleans Jazz Brasserie located on beautifully renovated Market Square. A breathtaking transformation of the storied 1902 Landmark Tavern, a Nouveau Creole menu by Executive Chef Andrew Hebson, Bourbon Street cocktails, live jazz and blues music Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings all contribute to that Big Easy vibe. You’ll love our Patio seating on Market Square and the convenience of Market Square Valet parking.”
Such a great atmosphere for starters. The food is on another level than most soutern cusine, and most importantly- it is original! They won the Pittsburgh Social Exchange's cookoff a few summers ago, and they pride themselves in meals of all points of appetite. A great venue- happy they are back!
Nice atmosphere staff has little to be desired. They ignored us after making a drink that was not what we ordered. We didn't make a big deal but they were less than thrilled..
This restaurant is cool but just not my style of food. I couldn't see going here every weekend it would get old. It's great for big events. And hey the gumbo is pretty good too.
Having traveled to Louisiana for work a lot, I was missing the tastes of good Cajun cooking, so NOLA was a great find that I highly recommend to anyone & everyone!!!
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I've been to Nola's a few times before and have always had good experiences. The fully stocked bar always has a "relevant to the season" selection of Craft Brews and the staff is courteous, knowledgeable and professional. They offer a New Orleans Nouveau Creole menu with live jazz on select evenings. The outdoor seating with a view of the bustling Market Square presents a wonderful atmosphere (if you're lucky to get a seat) on a hot summer day while the interior provides a feeling of being in a tavern on Bourbon Street (I know, I've been there too).
A couple of days ago during my lunch break I had a hankering for something spicy so I headed over to Nola’s and ordered up a serving of the jambalaya. It took only about ten minutes for a hot cast-iron dish to be placed in front of me filled with shrimp, scallops, chicken, andouille, veggies and of course beans and “dirty” rice. The spices blended together to make the meal flavorful without being too spicy... a delicate line to tow. It was truly delicious; I know I’ll be back again. Perhaps one day I’ll muster up the courage to try the Frog Legs or the maybe the “Crispy Fried Alligator”.
Went here for the first time this weekend. My wife had the salmon and I had the catfish. We both really enjoyed our meals. We also tried the gator tail, it was really good. I wood highly recommend
Excellent Cajun Food. Cute place. Had the gator and the catfish, both were excellent. Parking is terrible.
Nola. Our table was ready; the food was great! What an easy way to make a reservation. I will continue to use Urban Spoon.
Fun atmosphere, good food, service needs attention. My husband and I took our 2 college aged daughters to dinner last night. We had reservations at 7:15 but were not seated for awhile. There was a band playing which was fun. Once seated, it took a long time for our server to appear. He stopped by, told us a few things then left without asking for a drink order or giving us any water. He finally came back with water and took our order. The appetizer came out quickly but the entree was really slow. That said, the food was good - we had fried green tomatoes, cajun catfish and jambalaya. Overall, we enjoyed the meal but not the server.
Great service despite the crowds .... Although it was Friday night, our waiter Dan and the rest of the support staff was absolutely great. One of the diners had a small spill and Dan quickly came back with club soda to get it out of the fabric. Food was well prepared and well priced. Will again return and not be concerned with it being a "busy time".
NOLA was delicious! I highly reccomend it to everyone.
Nola's. Nola's is one of the few Pittsburgh restaurants where you can slurp down sumptuous gumbo while watching a blues front man shred with his tongue on his electric guitar. This is a great Pittsburgh restaurant which must be experienced first hand. Bring your taste buds and leave the kids at home.
Love this place.. The staff is great and the food is always good. I'm glad Nola is open again. We missed you.
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Absolutely great!. I took my fiance to NOLA on the square for her birthday dinner this evening. We're both from the south, and half of my family hails from/resides in New Orleans. We had a 7PM reservation made weeks ago, and were seated immediately upon arrival. We selected the fried alligator and red beans and rice as our starters. The alligator was PHENOMENAL(best I've ever had) and the red beans and rice was spot on! I had the shrimp and grits, while my fiance chose the shrimp and scallops mac daddy. Both were excellent. We settled on the apple/caramel bread pudding for dessert. It was great, as well as the homemade vanilla ice cream that accompanied it. My fiance had the sangria, and enjoyed it. It was a little too rosy for my liking, but it satisfied her palate. Our waiter, Sean, was sufficiently attentive, and the manager, Mark, made his rounds to ensure that each guest had a pleasurable experience. I love the open kitchen setup, which affords you the opportunity to witness the painstaking approach and dedication that is shown to each plate.
We often joke about how Yinzers (generally speaking) don't know good food when they taste it, and often make horrible reviews on good, if not great, restaurants on here. Ignore the 81% rating above. This place would be at a 95% or greater if it were located elsewhere. We look forward to coming back to try brunch and po-boys at lunch!
Also worth noting, parking is a premium around the square... That being said, if you make one pass with no spots available, there are a couple of parking garages that are a short walking distance from NOLA.
Our dining experience at NOLA was fun and the food was good. Our waiter was lively and accommodating and it was a great dining atmosphere, however, I felt the food was a bit over priced. I ordered the Mac-daddy entree expecting to have plenty of shrimp and scallops to spare but when the entree arrived it had 3 scallops and 3 shrimp (and not the jumbo kind) over a skillet full of pasta. The entree was flavorful and I enjoyed it, but For $27 I expected more seafood and less pasta. The beignets were also delicious!
Delicious food, warm atmosphere, and great live music! Will definitely have to return
Beignets. Beignets are the best thing on the menu! Fabulous. Also enjoyed my shrimp scallop mac daddy. Great fun especially sitting outside in the summer.
Fantastic service from Shane. Great food and the beignets were so much better than cafe du Monde in New Orleans!
Loved eating lunch here! The catfish is superb! Ask for Alan, he is an excellent server.
Wanted to like it but.... I took my fiance to NOLA for dinner on Monday before the Anthony Bourdian, Eric Rippert show at the Benedum. On the whole, the service was lousy, slow, and the food took way too long. None of the food was at the right temp, and as the piece de resistance, the server asked to clear my entree plate while I was still eating it.
C-
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Pleasantly surprised!! Being from the deep south, its incredibly difficult to find a great, authentic Creole experience in Pittsburgh. NOLA is just that. I highly recommend the crispy fried alligator. Cooked perfectly and of the highest quality. Fantastic!! I also ate the crab and asparagus flat bread. Not as great as the alligator, but still good. Although, well conceived, it was poorly executed. The crust, perfect. The sweet and spicy roasted red pepper sauce, good. Although, I could taste white cane sugar. Try honey or balsamic vinegar next time. The crabmeat was low grade claw meat and shredded. The asparagus looked great, but it would have been better if marinated and grilled. Overall, still an A+. The very little that let me down was the kitchens fault. However, the servers, bartenders, and management made up the difference. Mike is a great, personable pro bartender!!! Overall, the decor, ambiance, service, management, and location make this place suberb. And, don't get me wrong, the kitchen does an excellent job also. What a wonderful, authentic Creole place. A great addition to Pittsburgh's multicultural cuisine offerings. The have zero competition in this city, whatsoever.Go try it.
Last night we had a large group sit in a private room upstairs. We had about 20 people ( many from out of town) and the space was perfect. The atmosphere was great and we had 2 waiters to ourselves who were very friendly and attentive. The entire group loved their meal. We shared appetizers of oysters, pork belly and alligator and the entrees ranges from shrimp and grits to quail to the fish of the day. Everything was delicious and the out of guests raved that they would love to come back. Thanks, Nola!
Awesome! Me and my date were wondering around downtown and ended up at Nola's. The last bar we were just at made us feel like we were a burden because they would closing within the next hour....not Nola's! Both bartenders were so friendly and made great tasting drinks, we only had an appetizer but it was fantastic!! Great job Nola's, keep up the good work!
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Wonderful evening. We took my mom and step-father here for a birthday celebration on Saturday night. We had a 7:15 reservation and were seated promptly at a table with a great view of the kitchen. We had a great server, believe his name was Alan. He was very attentive to everything we needed. The Pork Belly appetizer was perfect! One of the best dishes I have ever had - hands down. The saltiness of the pork paired beautifully with the sweetness of rootbear based sauce with mustard seeds. Very creatively prepared and plated. The onion soup was wonderful as well - the veal stock and sherry were noticeable without taking away from the golden onions. My step father and I had the Quail dish - good, but the flavors were so mixed and strong that the quail did not shine, could have been any other bird. The short ribs that my husband had were excellent. Very tender and flavorful without overwhelming the meat. We all also enjoyed the desserts. The Bananas Foster Flan and Warm Butterscotch cake were superior but the show stopper dessert was the White Chocolate and Sour Cherry bread pudding. Yum!
This place is amazing! Our waiter Mark was attentive and helped us have a great experience in the short time we had there. Gumbo, alligator, and étouffée were phenomenal.
Fantastic time at NOLA!. My husband and I stopped in for a lunch date, our first date in years with 3 little ones at home! Our waitress was great! We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes, Hurricane and Toulouse Martini. Ordered the Jambalaya and Shrimp and Grits which were both fantastic! Then our waitress and manager surprised us with on the house beignets! The food tasted delicious, a fun atmosphere and great staff! Will definitely go again soon!
NOLA is a culinary delight. The French onion soup is the best I've ever had. I highly recommend the Jambalaya, they will make it as spicy as you like. The butternut squash flat bread is to die for especially with the house bacon.
Great service, really good food, nice atmosphere. My partner and I had dinner on a Friday evening in January. Market Square and the surrounds were empty, but NOLA was bumping inside. Thankfully, we had a reservation and were seated quickly. I don't know what the other reviewers experienced, but our service was excellent. The food was very good; we had deep fried alligator, jambalaya, flat bread, and a salad, and sticky toffee cake for dessert, all really good. Around 8:00 a live band started up, playing covers like The Weight (take a load off annie) by The Band, which fit in well with the rest of the atmosphere. We had a great time, and would recommend the place to anyone looking for something to liven up a weekend evening.
Went to Nola on a Friday night. Was shown to a table promptly and the server (Alan) was excellent. We had the fried green tomatoes, which were very good.
For entrees I had the tuna special of the night which was delightful and my dining partner had the steak frites. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals.
The hurricanes are good as well, but the red velvet bread pudding stole the show. It is a must have when visiting Nola.
Excellent food, service and management! My husband and i were in the Burgh for the Madonna concert last week, without dinner plans. We 'met' Nola's assistant GM on the street and wound up having an absolutely fantastic meal. The pork belly and frog legs that we had for starters were amazing. My husband had the mac and cheese with scallops and bacon, which he really enjoyed. I had the pork loin with butternut squash puree special and it ranks in my top 10 best meals. Cudos to the Chef and the kitchen brigade, you rocked it! Our server was fantastic and the AGM (so sorry that i can't remember her name) was great.
Consistently Good. I've eaten at NOLA around ten times. The food and service are consistently good to very good, all at a fairly reasonable price.
Probably the best cajun-style food I've had in Pittsburgh in years. Great moderate-range wine list. Very creative cocktail menu. If you're not feeling Cajun, give their very good pizzas a try.
I'd feel comfortable here after work at happy hour, with my wife and friends before a show, with my colleagues at lunch, or on a Sunday afternoon with my kids. A great Market Square venue for just about anyone.
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We went here mainly to try the alligator. We were informed after sitting that they were out of it, as well as the pork belly. We stayed anyhow and ordered the frog legs, which were good.
We then placed our order for dinner. I got the crawfish andouille flatbread, boyfriend got the redfish. We asked when they get the gator in, and the waitress informed us that they actually do have it tonight. Great!
We ordered that as well.
It looked a lot like general tso chicken. The aioli sauce was basically a spicy mayo and was drowning the dish. I personally did not care for it, mainly because of the sauce.
Our entrees arrived shortly after. Neither of us were impressed. I ate mine anyway. It was a bit stringy, I had to spit a few bites out. The sauce was very sweet. The red fish was fishier than expected. The waitress, who was very knowledgable and accomodating the whole time, was happy to replace it with something new. It was replaced with the pork chop. This was by far the highlight of the meal. Cooked perfectly, well seasoned and the mustard sauce was amazing!
We then got dessert. Beignets and bourbon cheesecake. Both so-so. Cheesecake was way too strong, but not terrible. Beignets were okay. Their sorbet was nice. Coconut, poundcake and peanutbutter flavored. I'm not sure why they were all served in the same bowl though. Yuck.
All in all the food was hit or miss. We ended up liking about a third to a half of what we got.
The service, on the other hand, was impressive. The waitress made our experience wonderful. Managers stopped by a few times to make sure all was well, and servers and bussers continuously make sure our drinks were filled and dishes cleared.
The overall atmosphere was nice too. Good music good decor.
The biggest problem though was how boisterous everything was. It was loud. There were drunk patrons wobbling around and cackling, one of which stopped at our table to ask questions.
The layout of the restaurant was nightmarish. We witnessed a dozen close calls with staff members nearly colliding with eachother. Although professional at the table, many of the staff members were unproffesional while walking through the restaurant. It was also annoying to have ice buckets lugged alongside our table along with racks of glasses.
Overall it was average. Worth going once. We wouldn't make the 30 minute drive and pay the 90 dollar bill again.
Great Date Night. My Girlfriend and I had dinner there last Friday. The atmosphere and food was wonderful. We had the seafood jambalaya, duck special, jumbo ya-Ya, and pork belly appetizer all prepared to perfection and the chocolate cake was great.
The Manager checked on us throughout our dinner; however the servers need a little work.
All in All it was a great experience. We will be back and strongly recommend this place. The music on weekends is also a great touch.
Say yes to oyster stew. Oh, the oyster stew with artichokes and silky broth was definitely the best part of the meal though the fried green tomatoes were nearly as good as the ones I ate in Greenwood, Mississippi, at the Alluvian. My husband's pork chop was quite tasty was were the accompanying potatoes and collards (and we're talking Pittsburgh portions here). My Nola salad was fresh. The service was outstanding. Our server was enthusiastic without being cloying. He refilled our water promptly and was prompt with our check (we were on our way to the theatre). All in all, a happy dining experience
We like it. Hubby and I have hady lunch here several time as we are both fans of New Orleans and its cuisine. I can't say it compares, but its better than average for Pittsburgh variety and we like it ;)
Having been to new orleans city many times and having read all the reviews about this restaurant, i can say it is over rated. The atmospheres is okay. Food is good but not supereb. Service is excellent. The jazz nights make the place quite noisy and hard to have a convetsation in a big group.
Ate at NOLA last night and can't wait to eat there again. Our waiter Alan was excellent, great knowledge of the menu and quick with the beer. We ordered the fried green tomatoes as an app and the sauce on them was fantastic. My wife ordered the scallops Mac daddy and it was great. The scallops were big and the dish was very cheesy and creamy. I went with a shrimp oyster po boy and it came with a huge portion of fries. We both left happy and full. The live music was great, definatly returning for lunch, dinner or maybe just to grab some drinks and listen to great music.
I moved to NOLA from Pittsburgh last August and on return trips come to NOLA on the Square. I expected a very fake "Nawlins" style restaurant much like you would find if you were a tourist in NOLA. What I found was a restaurant that is truly trying to capture New Orleans north. I will admit that the food is not the best New Orleans food I have had, but I didn't expect it to be. Their po'boys are as authentic as po'boys can outside of New Orleans can be. I appreciate their twists on New Orleans style food, and overall it is good quality. Full disclosure Cafe du Mondes beignets are better, but if you're looking for true beignets then you have to take a trip. I spend as much time exploring the city as possible and the decour, devoting to New Orleans through food (and drink with Abita on tap), and the waitstaffs knowledge of New Orleans. I'm not a local, but this is the best New Orleans style food I've had outside of the area
Great food and overall experience. The alligator appy was fantastic, jumbalaya had good flavor, and the grilled catfish was cooked perfectly. great service, quality atmosphere. would definitely return if in pittsburgh again.
Great Food!. I've read the reviews on here and I was hesitant to go to NOLA. I decided to buck up and go for lunch. I didn't go expecting food like in New Orleans (just as I wouldn't expect legitimate Chinese food from a local Chinese restaurant.) Any ways I've been to New Orleans, I loved the food down there, but I am from Pittsburgh and I'd have to say I liked the food better here (and the service here is light years ahead of what you get down there) My server was Corrine, she was very knowledgeable. I wouldn't expect her to know all about New Orleans culinary style and how NOLA's compared, because if you ask me that's not a very reasonable expectation. Any ways I loved the alligator and I catfish for my meal. Unbelievable. I'll be back soon
Fun place!. Took my BFF there for her birthday and we had a fabulous lunch. The service was perfect - attentive but not overbearing. The menu is fun and filled with interesting and inticing choices. We had the fried artichokes as an appetizer and they were wonderful. Light and crisp and the sauce was tasty. She has a crab sandwich and I got a flatbread and both were delicious. The atomosphere is festive. We also were able to sit outside and enjoy our coffee and people watch. I miss 1902 but this place is also a keeper!!
To Eat Or Not To Eat
+4.5
A great way to spend a Fridy night! Everything about the night was awesome - the service, the atmosphere, the food and the wine!
Fried gator was great! Service was fantastic. Our waiter, Mark, was awesome. French onion soup was the best I've had in Pittsburgh. We split the special-crabcakes. Excellent! We will be back!!!!!
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Frequent NOLA flyer!. My boyfriend and I frequently go to dinner at NOLA because we love the live jazz and the funky fun atmosphere! I've also taken my coworkers and my girlfriends and I have to tell you... I've never been disappointed! The food is unique and the drinks are delicious. Ladies, take a seat at the bar if you see that the tall dark and handsome italian bar tender is in! His name is Julio and he is as charming as he is an excellent server. Being a former bartender myself, I can a attest to the fact that he knows his stuff and makes to die for cocktails! I think even my boyfriend has a crush on him and I have even overheard other patrons asking him to leave Nola to work at their establishments. point is, hes good. get a mixed drink and linger over the menu while your taste buds warm up. If you are going for a more romantic evening (and trying to avoid falling in love with the hunky italian bartender) check out the back or side rooms-a bit more quiet but equally stimulating. Try the alligator bites-they will please even the most timid eaters! Scallop macdaddy is one of NOLA's signature dishes and mmmm mmm it is good. And the filet, a must. Im usually always full my dessert so I wont remark on this area. In the spirit of Fat Tuesday, the bf and I are headed to NOLA tonight... it will certainly be crowded but trust me-it is worth the wait 365 days a year.
Loved it!. Went here for Valentine's Day...wonderful experience! Staff was very friendly, loved the live jazz and the skirt steak with voodoo frieds was delicious...can't wait to go back!
Cajun. Had dinner their last nightand it was great. Food service was unbeatable. I love food Cajun food and it was like being in Louisianna. Hat off to Everyone from the Owner, Chef Red and on down. This is my new favorite spot.
Great food, attentive service. I bring my clients here for lunch and it never fails to be a good choice.
Service - Prompt and attentive. The staff will check on the quality of the food and see if anything is needed.
Food - Delicious. I've had their soups, salads, flatbreads, sandwiches and entrees. They are all delicious.
Atmosphere - If you're here during lunch without a reservation, prepare to wait. The atmosphere is bright and lively.
Amazing! Stellar service, great New Orleans cuisine (only as spicy as you are), and plenty of freshness and atmosphere (including live jazz on weekends) to liven up the city. The mac daddy is in a class above.
Nice Change for Downtow. Recently had lunch there for the first time - nice change from the old 1902. Like the how open and bright it is. Good menu - nice change of pace for downtown Pittsburgh which has limited good places to eat. Reasonably priced, good wait staff. Recommend for nice place to eat and even take clients - nice Louisiana style food and not too spicey
Tasty Cajun Goodness. Can't get enough of this NOLA style cooking! And on a nice evening, being able to eat outdoors is an added bonus.
Enjoyed. I was a little concerned given some of the comments on here but still wanted to try it. Wife and I went for lunch. Started w/ red beans, I enjoyed them. Wife had the catfish which was delicious. I had a the chicken and sausage po boy, also very good, could've been a little more generous w/ the creole mustard. Finished w/ peach cobbler which was great. I do understand some folks complaints, it is not traditional N.O., more like new twists on creole and Cajun dishes. However, the food was very good and the service was excellent. Will be back.
Great atmosphere. And a refreshingly different restaurant. I love the fried alligator appetizer!
Good Meal. A little bit on the pricey side but I was very impressed with my food and the experience. I ordered some type of pork sandwhich and it was excellant. Service was fast and people were very kind.
Good experience overall.
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Yum!. Had a really great meal here on a Monday night! Service was great and attentive without being overbearing. We really enjoyed everything! Had the alligator appetizer, Crawfish & Sherry Soup, followed by Scallops Mac Daddy and Pasta Pontchartrain. Alligator was perfectly crispy and the sauce complimented it well. Soup was also delicious and well seasoned, it could have used a few more crawfish, however. The scallop dish was incredible! I asked that they add a little spicy kick to it, and they added the perfect amount of spice. My Italian grandmother would have killed me for eating seafood with cheese, but it was totally worth it! The pasta was equally as yummy, with a nice spice and good acidity from the sauce, the crawfish were wonderful! I think this dish could have used a few more crawfish as well. Not that it would hold us back from returning for more great dinner experiences! We shared a jug of Mississippi Mud, and it went well with all of the dishes that we ordered!
Looking forward to eating here again!
Loved it! Quality food, great service, and definitely captured that NOLA flair. I would go again, but only with someone special.
The Atmosphere Alone. The food at NOLA for me was very underwhelming and borderline not very good. The price was a little pricey given the lack of good food. The service was not that great, as we waited a long time before someone came to our table.
However, I would go back to NOLA for the atmosphere alone. The environment is very relaxing yet upbeat and the jazz music is great.
It's hard to find a place in Pittsburgh to go at night that's not either too dull or filled with drunken adolescents.
This is the great in between! And, if their food gets better, well, that would be perfect!
First I am from New Orleans and this place has good creole cooking and a good selection of NOLA brews. Who orders eggplant pizza at a creole restaurant? Never heard of that being indigenous to New Orleans. Get the Alligator, redfish, crab salad, red beans or shrimp and grits. All are excellent.
Wasn't sure what to expect after reading the reviews..it was great tho!! Immediatelt fell in love with the outside of the building. We were instantly welcomed, had a great waitress! She was really helpful with the menu. The Nola salad is delish!! And the voodoo fries are soo addicting! I got the chicken and andouille po-boy, my bf got the shrimp po-boy. Cocktails were OK, might have been what we ordered or the bartender. Really greatexperience, will def return! Went for lunch on a saturday and it was really nice!
Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez. Be sure to make a reservation, and take advantage of the free valet parking since you will most likely get a $30 ticket if parking around the newly snazzy Market Square (as we did). The one thing I didn't like in three visits was a Vieux Carre cocktail (having had one at the Hotel Montelone in Nawlins that killed) but the bartender kept trying. However, this is home of THE best oyster stew (and I've had a lot of it, up and down the Eastern Seaboard). Scrumptious. Ditto every other side dish, salad and entree' at NOTS (not the best acronym but let it roll ;). Sit by the front window or outside if you can, though there's plenty of ear and eye candy inside.
First class operation. Perhaps some of the other recently opened restaurants should take a lesson from management here. Managers here are so on top of everything and don't miss a beat. The food is excellent and service is wonderful. If something does go wrong with a food order, it is immediately fixed and made right. We try many restaurants in pittsburgh and this one tops the charts for customer service and quality. Everyone must try it.
Stopped in for lunch. Our waitress was very nice and extremely attentive. I had a lunch combo of onion soup and a nola salad. Both were very tasty. Maybe a little pricey for lunch ($11), but not outrageous. The sandwiches and voodoo fries looked delicious, they will be on my list for my next visit.
This is an excellent CREOLE restaurant. This place is great if you appreciate Creole-influenced cuisine, rather that the popularized, and generally inauthentic anyway, Cajun cuisine that most folks seem to expect. The service has been outstanding (I have dined there 4 times now), and, most recently, it was refreshingly busy for a Thursday night in Pittsburgh. The Shrimp Grits are my favorite, but everything that I have had has been great! This is a lively establishment, which I see as a plus, but others might not. Of course, there are plenty of quiet places to eat where you can stare out at the view to distract yourself from the food and service, but NOLA is a place to go to enjoy food, service and a downtown professional crowd!
Love the atmosphere. The pulled pork po boy was amazing. Definitely recommend the voodoo fries and the Nola salad.
Pretty good. We enjoyed the evening. Nothing super fantastic but good. May or may not go back. Kind of generic but the food was decent.
Fried gator bites. Loved the fried gator bites. Tender and delicious! Definately a return trip for this and more.
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Not perfect, but a great addition to Market Square.. The transformation of Market Square took a long time, and cost a few people their businesses, including the 1902 Landmark Tavern, this space's previous long-time tenant. But now that the dust has (mostly) settled, the new Market Square is pretty cool, and has obvious potential to be something special.
I went to NOLA on a Friday night, around 9 pm. Simply being open for business at that time is a happy fact. The Strip and Southside may be crawling with dining/drinking/entertainment options, but downtown, sadly, is not.
(Maybe because of its slim night-time competition) The place was packed. There was a three-piece band playing some jazz, some blues, some rock... a nice mix.
That somewhat eclectic music actually set the stage for the entire place. The first impression may seem jazzy/New Orleans, but it's really just inspired by the idea, and ultimately goes its own, more scattershot way. My guest said "it's pretend New Orleans." Kind of a "Well, Duh," statement...but I came to understand the meaning.
We were lucky and got a table near the bar. Our server was very nice and kept a good eye on us. As others have noted, when the music is playing, the place is LOUD. I had to shout my drink order in her ear. We started with the Crawfish and Andouille Creole flatbread. The crust has a great texture...until you get toward the center of the wheel, which was very soggy. The crawfish had a bit fishier taste than I'm used to from my limited crawfish exposure. And I didn't feel the artichokes melded well with the other flavors. The sausage was fine....but unassuming...just like the whole dish, I suppose. My entree, while enjoyable, shared this issue.
I had the grilled catfish with mashed potatoes and grilled peppers. The peppers mixed well with the potatoes and provided a satisfying platform for the catfish fillet. The fillet itself was cooked perfectly, firm but flaky. However, it had very little flavor. I find that pretty surprising from anyplace associating itself with New Orleans. Creole and Cajun cooking is heavily based in spicing and salting the hell out of things! I want to be clear that the dish wasn't bad, not at all. It just seemed...unfinished given its home.
My guest had the Steak Frites et Salade, kind of a deconstructed Pittsburgh steak salad: Strips of hanger steak, a separate pile of "voodoo" fries, and a bowl of NOLA's house salad. The steak was cooked perfectly as ordered, and those fries are FANTASTIC. They are super crispy and have a good, spicy, curly-fry-ish taste. However, the word "voodoo" conjured up something a little more daring...some heat or exotic spice...fraid not.
Dessert was the bread pudding with caramel ice cream. Probably the best course. The ice cream was very rich and the bread pudding had a great silky texture and flavor.
To recap: The most flavorful course, at a restaurant inspired by New Orleans, was dessert. That just doesn't seem right. I will reserve judgement though til I've had a chance to try a few more dishes, especially the jumbalaya.
The atmosphere of the place, though, was much appreciated. A wide age-range (25-65), a good bar (with several Abita varieties on draft), good live music, and a lively crowd, kept that whole side of Market square rocking. On this night at least, that was the only part that felt like a real trip to New Orleans.
Triple crown. Having been a big fan of ceviche and sonoma grill we were very eager to try nola. definately not dissapointed!
after three visits we have tried the gator(awesome) artichokes( good) ,crawfish flatbread(great) and the catfish(perfect) to name a few. and the drinks were no slouch either. plus my wife thinks they may have the best burger in town.
we will be back!
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Yum!. We stopped by last night during the Gallery Crawl downtown. I figured we'd never get a seat seeing how busy it was downtown but the bar seating is first-come, first-served and two tables happened to open up when we walked in.
I had already eaten a few hours before, so I ordered a small NOLA salad. I didn't know you could order smaller portions or things not on the menu, so kudos to our server Jessica for cluing me in! It was delicious and flavorful and just the perfect size. My boyfriend had the jambalaya and he said it was more than worth the price tag. I'm not a seafood fan, but the rice was delicious!
I can't decide the best part - the delicious Abita beer or the beignets and sorbet dessert we ordered! Having never tried beignets, I wasn't sure what to expect but I now feel as though this is the best dessert in Pittsburgh. The sorbets weren't just plain flavors - I know coconut was in one of them, but the other flavors were hard to place. Mixed together, they were phenomenal!
I can't wait to go back!
Finally - a good restaurant in Market Square. Food, cocktails, service and ambiance were superb. We went right after work on a Friday - arrived few minutes early for our reservation, but were seated right away. The atmosphere was electric - I'd love to see it on Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday night when there is live jazz. Our server was extremely friendly and attentive, plus other staff checked on us throughout the evening. We really felt taken care of. I appreciated the thought and high quality ingredients the restaurant devotes to cocktails - can't wait to go back and try more. This being my first trip, I had to get the seafood jambalaya. The flavor and heat level were amazing. As that's just the tip of the iceberg, I look forward to returning again and again to sample the whole menu. A true gem in Market Square!
Way Better than 1908!. NOLA is an excellent addition to the Square and PGH in genreal. The atmosphere is fantastic....never would have thought the place could be what it is having been 1908. It's vibrant, open and colorful. And, the food is great! I went with a party of 4, we all tried something different and everything was excellent...the pork chops, fillet, quail and catfish. I think after tasting everything...I would have liked to have gotten the catfish! And, my first time with alligator was delicious!
Defines FRESH. The fiance and i stopped here for lunch a week or so ago and definitely enjoyed our meal. I cant really emphasize how fresh and well cooked everything was. They obviously hired people who know what they are doing in the kitchen. I had the shrimp and grits and my fiance had the shrimp po'boy. both were excellent and very tasty. We also had the BBQ shrimp appetizer which reminded us nothing of BBQ but was still delicious. It came with bread for sopping up the delicious sauce the shrimp were in, we got extra bread just to get the rest of the sauce out of the bowl. :) It did take a while for the server to come to our table but I would absolutely go back and look forward to doing so.
Yum!. The gumbo, jambalaya, and fried artichokes are delicious. The flatbread and Nola salad are ok. The live music was great!
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Loved it!. My friend and I decided to try out NOLA for happy hour. I wasn't sure what we were going to get (crowd-wise) being it was downtown. I got there about 5 and it was already packed. We didn't see anything near the bar, so we requested seating. They were booked til 9, so everything in the bar area was first come/first serve (If you want sit down dinner - make reservations!!). We ended up waiting around and it was worth it. We got a couple seats at the bar, which - and as busy as he was - the bartender was very attentive! A+++! My friend complained that she doesn't like 'New Orleans' style food, but we ordered after taking some recommendations from the bartender. The food came out very promptly. And it was delicious!! We ordered flat breads and even the girls next to us were bragging about how good their food was. Plus, their happy hour specials were great! $2 off wine? $1 choice app selections? 1/2 off flat breads? Can't beat it! Well worth it - might end up being a staple place for our happy hours! If you dine later, they have bands that play. Awesome. Oh, and the crowd was great. We're in our early 30's so we don't like it college age, but we don't like extreme at the other end of the spectrum either. But at NOLA, there were people of all ages: mid-twenty professionals to people probably in their late 40's/early 50's. So it was a good mix. It's definitely worth going!
AWESOME!!!. Just like being in New Orleans, one of my favorite places for the great food they serve there! Everyone in our party of 4 loved their entrees. The hurricane drinks were great too! Wait staff was attentive, and food arrived promptly from the kitchen. We had a great time and will definitely be back. Hopefully they will add some more entrees too. Loved it!
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FABULOUS!. Pittsburgh has a winner with NOLA on the square. My husband & I had a reservation on a Friday night at around 7:30pm. We showed up with our 2 yr old and 9 week old to a happening place to say the least. We were a bit intimidated by the happy hour crowd ( having our kids with us and all) and thought we may need to change our location for dinner that night. Boy was I wrong! A manager noticed me w/ the stroller waiting on my husband to get back from checking on our reservation status. He brought us right in, got us a great booth in the back area of the restaurant (the place is WAY bigger than what it appears on the outside) and made us feel right at home. From the moment we walked in the door we were treated wonderfully! The Staff was AMAZING! The Management Superior & the Food, oh the food was just GRAND! We started with the Crab Ravigote & Catfish Goujonettes. Next we had Crawfish/ Sherry soup & Oyster Stew and for the main course, Blackened Red Fish. We finished off with Beignets. The whole meal was FABULOUS and we cannot wait to return. Thank you NOLAS on the square for making a couple who rarely get a night out anymore, feel so welcomed! I recommend this restaurant to EVERYONE in search of a great meal with matching service!
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I walked into NOLA at late lunch time lugging my massive courier pack as I was just passing through PGH by bus on my way to Brooklyn. Amongst mostly business folk there was still an accepting feeling overall. I always sit at a bar when I can because the folks behind it are typically the most knowledgeable in most establishments. I had an initial dissappointment when this NOLA bar didn't have the beer that I and many NOLA residents craved during my summer days in the crescent city, Abita Strawberry! When you run a restaurant that is a tribute to a drinker's town as such, you really ought to stock their summer beer. This was a check against the cred but fortunately the crawfish and sherry soup I ordered to "compliment?" my substitute PGH Big Hop beer...was excellent. The cajun flavor and medium heat (would have been hotter down there) outlasted the bowl by a minute or so and the crawfish was tender and tastey. Since this was a between buses snack more than a real lunch I followed my soup with an antipasto and pesto flatbread that was surely worth its happy hour price. The bread portion was the key, crunchy with a bit of chewy while very thin. The arugula top layer drizzled with vinegarette and sprinkled with pepper made my moustache happy. Finally, the bartendress did well to entertain with a subtle sarcasm missed by the couple of apparant regulars a few drinks in but enjoyed by me during my first beer of the afternoon. Overall though, well done NOLA (get the Abita!) on the square.
Nola no Granola...great dining!. What a great experience at Nola on the Square! Our server, Kathryn, was impeccable! Her suggestions for food wand wine were spot on especially since she carefully listened to our food preferences...my wife being more of a bland foodie and I a spicy buff.
The crawfish & sherry soup was testy, more of a bisque with chunks of crawfish. I had the fried gator tail. Panko breaded chunks of tail with a beautiful creamy, but spicy sauce - the meat was fresh and sweet.
For our entrees we had the Scallops Mac Daddy - Beautifully prepared and the sca;llops were huge and perfectly done. I had teh wood roasted quail. Two complete quail that were again perfectly done although my wife thought just a tad over salted.
Sabrina Parker-Harris
+4.5
A must go PLACE!!! the art works amazing. The staff is amazing. The drinks are FN AMAZING!!! But the food awwwww hot damn!!! Thank you for bringing new flavor to boring ass Pittsburgh!!!
Amazing. This is the first time I have had creole cooking that tasted anything like Louisiana. If you're in Pittsburgh and want a taste of Louisiana, NOLA on the Square is the place to go.
Great addition to Market Square. Nola exceeded our expectations even though they were set high due to the positive reviews. Our reservation was honored promptly with attentive and friendly service. Our waiter was genuinely personable and competent. Food arrived at a leisurely pace and was superb. My wood fired casserole with scallops were some of the finest quality I've ever had. All of our party were extremely pleased with our dinners. Cool New Orleans atmosphere with jazz in the background and murals on the walls. Will definitely return!
Awesome food!!! Service was a bit slow but it was packed. I'll definitely be back!
Best new spot in the Burgh. I had the opportunity to dine at NOLA twice. The food is the best and atmosphere is the best in the city.
Great place for happy hour or date night
Can't wait to go back
Great Food & Good Service. Our group found the food was really good, the service was friendly and there is a large variety of beers on tap to make the evening more enjoyable. Be sure to try the barbecued lamb ribs.
Highly recommended. I've been to Nola with a group of friends and we had a fantastic evening. The drinks are good, they have a big selection of beer, and the food is amazing. It was the first time I ever tried frog legs and I did not regret trying it. I loved the BBQ shrimp and the lamb ribs! To finish things I had the home made sorbet for dessert and that was delicious. The atmosphere was great and the live band was really good. I will be back!!!
Nola on the Square = A+. The food was delicious! The atmosphere was very friendly. The wait staff was attentive. Everyone at my table gave the food and music a thumbs up!!!!! We will return and bring more friends.
Take it from a born & bred Cajun, this is the real deal!!! It's not fries on a sandwich or salad, noooo way, it's amazing!!! Spiced just right for the weaklings, spice it more if you can take it! The ouster stew, ahhhh!!! Oyster and shrimp po-boys, real deal down to the crispy bread!! Shrimp & grits...you better all ya' mommaanddem, dat's good cher!! The Muffaletta, now the cheese isn't cut the same as an authentic Central Grocery original, but it's good hon!!! And the Abita..,ahhhh, the Abita!! Yuengling can't touch dat right dere!! All that's missing issome Mardi Gras beads hanging from the ceiling!! Thanks for bringing my home to my new stompin' grounds!!! All my displaced Cajuns up here in Yinz country have been told, you're gonna have some regulars!!!
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Pretty solid. We went to the restaurant this past Friday night and had a great time. Live music, good food and decent service. We tried the frog legs and the lamb ribs for an appetizer. It was my first time with frog legs and they were ok - not much meat, but I guess that's expected. The lamb ribs were tasty, but a little too fatty for me. Next we split the Seafood Jumbalaya and it was delicious! 3 huge prawns, 4 mussels, 2 huge scallops, big pieces of andouille sausage, plus rice. It was a huge portion and definitely something great to share. We also shared a wood fired pizza with friends - the Antipasti and Pesto one was so good - great flavor and lots of topping. Our friends had a salad (nothing special) and the Pasta Pontchartrain - he said it was ok, but I didn't taste it.
Finally, our friends also ordered desserts, which aren't on the menu online - they looked amazing and our friends gobbled them up.
I LOVED the atmosphere and what they did with this space... really great decor! There was live music, which I love and the service was pretty good. Maybe wait a few weeks until they get all the kinks out, but overall a good time and I will be back!
Muffaletta. I'm comparing it to what I remember from NO. The insides of the sandwich were very close. I would have liked some more olive salad. The bread was delicious, but it was far too greasy. Overall great sandwich.
...throughout the dining experience, the following words were used: "Oh my goodness!" "Incredible!" "Excellent!" "Amazing!" "This is so authentic." "Sublime!" "This is the golden ticket!"
NOLA gets my vote of confidence. They’re doing something that Pittsburgh needed desperately: providing good, authentic, N’Orleans cuisine.
We ended up in Market Square to grab a bit to eat at NOLA on the Square for lunch. We wanted to sit outside but it was packed, so we got a table outside. I ended up getting their Brasserie Steak Salad, which was made up of Seasonal Greens, Hanger Steak, tomato, Hard Boiled Egg, Fresh Mozzarella, VooDoo Fries and Vinaigrette. Very good and the fries were really good
NOLA's decor is colorful and beautiful, and the atmosphere is quite pleasant with soft jazz music playing in the background.
Being we were there for lunch, we each ordered a Soup and Half a Sandwich with Voodoo Fries for only $12. TasteBudA had the "best French Onion Soup [he's] ever tasted" with half of a Croque Monsieur.
Nola is described as “a New Orleans Jazz Brasserie located on beautifully renovated Market Square. A breathtaking transformation of the storied 1902 Landmark Tavern, a Nouveau Creole menu by Executive Chef Andrew Hebson, Bourbon Street cocktails, live jazz and blues music Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings all contribute to that Big Easy vibe. You'll love our Patio seating on Market Square and the convenience of Market Square Valet parking.”
Pittsburgh may be the last place you would expect to find Cajun and Creole food but French-born Yves Carreau had a vision for a Market Square landmark that would ultimately become NOLA on the Square. If you are looking for the different flavors or New Orleans combined with a classic jazz atmosphere, NOLA on the Square is definitely for you. Carreau and his partner, corporate executive chef Andrew Hebson, took one look at the old 1902 Landmark Tavern in Market Square and instantly felt that the location screamed New Orleans. If you have ever eaten at Sonoma Grille or Seviche, then you are familiar with what Carreau and Hebson can bring in regards to culinary experiences. The interior of the restaurant was done by a team of chefs and local interior designer Charles Stern to design the restaurant. The interior has a remarkably restored tin ceiling as well as a bar with rich woodwork and some creatively tiled floors. The interior makes you feel like yo
We started our trip at this New Orleans-themed restaurant, located in the busy Market Square with the whole blogging crew as well as some representatives from Visit Pittsburgh. In doing some research for our trip, I had not come across NOLA so we weren’t sure what to expect. Fortunately for Alli and myself, Visit Pittsburgh had picked a winner. Our food and cocktails were great. Their versions of classic New Orleans cocktails (specifically their Hurricane and Sazerac) were fantastic. The fried Alligator tasted like the best popcorn chicken you’ve ever had and their BBQ Shrimp and Grits (sourced from Anson Mills) was delicious. Alli ordered some beignets for dessert and could not stop gushing over how amazing they were. If we had more time, we would have gone back later for more.
The food was so delicious. It made me miss living in New Orleans. As others have mentioned, don't go here when you're in a hurry because service is slow, the food is well worth the weight.
They have a great happy hour. My friend and I went together, split the bill equally. We ended up with too much food because the portion sizes are bigger.
It was definitely worth the money.
You will add so much more enjoyment and patience if you’re able to go during the dinner meal when there is a love band to keep your toe tapping from the music instead your finger tapping because of the wait to get your food.
Went there after a theater show. Since it was early, there was almost no one in the place except for the staff. Our waiter was able to make recommendations and we followed them ... somewhat.
Apoetizers, entrees, dessert, and wine were all consumed and enjoyed. Interestingly, while the seafood was cooked to perfection, the chicken in the jambalaya was way overcooked: charred and leathery. The voodoo noodles reminded us of a spaghetti arrabiata (and those noodles were NOT buccatini!!). However the appetizers and beignets made up for them.
At $70 per person for three courses and wine, this was not an overly expensive meal.
Honestly, it was perfect in every way! Went there for lunch with my husband. He has never been there, and I hadn't been there in years. We live only blocks away, but have never gone there because I told him it was always so crowded and cramped, terribly so. To my surprise, it's been remodeled, and wow what a difference. The interior was incredible compared to previously, and much more spacious. The food was way above par, the service from the wait staff and even the chef who brought us our food was impeccable and friendly. If you live here or are from out of town, it's a must visit for a pleasant dining experience with all the trimmings!
Very nice food and a good selection of beers. Expect to pay 20 to 30 dollars for a main course. Location is very nice. If you have a table outside you overlook the market square.
Great happy hour spot! Great outdoor seating and atmosphere. Drinks were good. Flatbreads were good. Gumbo Ya-Ya was EXCELLENT!!! Try it! Awesome service as well.
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