Willa Jean

611 O'Keefe Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113, United States
+1 504-509-7334
$$$ Southern restaurant (US)
(4004 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Nestled in the heart of New Orleans, Willa Jean is a vibrant Southern restaurant that promises a brunch experience unlike any other. Located at 611 O'Keefe Ave, this charming eatery is a blend of cozy industrial decor and a warm, welcoming vibe, making it a perfect spot to start your day or unwind with friends. With an abundance of natural light streaming through its large windows, the atmosphere here invites you to relax and savor every moment.

The menu at Willa Jean showcases a mouthwatering selection of Southern-inspired dishes that are as comforting as they are delectable. One standout is the Chicken & Waffles, featuring golden waffles topped with perfectly seasoned fried chicken, drizzled with a maple chili glaze and served with a side of rich maple butter. Another local favorite is the Hangover Bowl, a hearty mix of short rib, cheesy grits, and crispy potatoes that will have you feeling nourished and satisfied. Don't miss the delightful WJ Breakfast, which offers two eggs served with a flaky biscuit, cheesy grits, and your choice of Benton’s bacon or sausage—a classic, hearty way to fuel up for the day ahead.

If you crave something lighter, consider the refreshing Summer Salad, with juicy watermelon, pickled beets, and creamy goat cheese always hits the spot on a warm New Orleans day. Or, for a real treat, indulge in their artichoke dip, which has garnered rave reviews for its creamy texture and rich flavor.

Willa Jean is not only about exceptional food but also about delightful beverages. Sip on their Iced Jasmine Peach Tea or a refreshing Iced Matcha Latte as you soak in the bustling atmosphere. For those who love sweets, their counter brims with homemade pastries that are just too tempting to resist, especially the cookies that have left many guests wanting to take some home.

Customers rave about the experience at Willa Jean—Falyn Elicee describes it as a great brunch spot with a cozy ambiance, while Dalila Garcia highlights the expertly made biscuits and gravy that are not to be missed. Yvonne A praises the friendly service, making every visit feel like a homecoming. People often leave with smiles and a few pastries in hand, a testament to the irresistible offerings at this fantastic establishment.

Whether you're a local or just visiting New Orleans, Willa Jean is a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates Southern cuisine done right. The impeccable food, inviting atmosphere, and exceptional service come together to create a dining experience that you won't soon forget. Plan your visit, and prepare to indulge in the flavors of the South.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Openings Hours
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Monday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

4004 Reviews
Falyn Elicee

24 Sep 2025

I think this is a great brunch spot in the city! The overall vibe is great; very like cozy industrial with a lot of natural light. There is a coffee bar that you're able to walk up to which is nice, and you can order drinks to the table. I've previously had the monkey bread, artichoke dip, and chicken & waffles. Everything was good but especially so the artichoke dip! The most recent time I visited I ordered it as my "meal" because it is so good and is paired perfectly with the crostini. Like most brunch places, I think its a little over priced but not crazily so. Sometimes getting a table can be a little hard, so plan ahead for that.

Dalila Garcia

14 Sep 2025

We stopped by Willa Jean for brunch and it did not disappoint! We started with the sausage biscuits and gravy, so, so good. The cornbread was also a standout especially those crispy edges and paired perfectly with the whipped butter. The chicken and waffles hit the spot too, the chicken was seasoned just right and cooked perfectly. I had the hangover bowl (short rib, cheesy grits, potatoes, and a fried egg on top) and wow, it was everything.

Yvonne A

13 Sep 2025

Absolutely loved Willa Jean! The place is beautiful, cozy, and has such a welcoming vibe. Our server was super friendly, which made the experience even better. The food was amazing, we truly loved everything we ordered. The matcha latte and café au lait were both delicious, and we couldn’t resist taking some pastries and cookies to go. They were just perfect, flavorful and not overly sweet. Can’t wait to come back next time!

Kala

17 Aug 2025

Order anything on the menu and you will fall in love. This is one of the best brunches I’ve ever had. A friend of mine regularly visits and recommended it during our trip. I got the hangover bowl with chicken and the cookies. My husband got the regular hangover bowl and a beer. The food was so flavorful I could cry. Wish they had food like this where I live.

Mark Mascar

19 Jul 2025

What an amazing place. Can’t believe I have never tried it before. As you walk in, you see a counter which is full of home made pastries. Amazing. The place was busy due to a large party but our server, Michelle, who it turned out is one of our neighbors in Mid City, looked after us so well. We stared with the brown sugar ice lattes. Delicious. I had chicken and waffles with a side of fruit. The chicken and waffles were drizzled with a maple chili glaze and maple butter. Melt in the mouth. Thank you Michelle for looking after us so well. Will be back for sure

Chris Morrison

15 Jul 2025

I knew once I came down to New Orleans, I’d enjoy the cuisine. The food at this spot impressed me so much. The level of flavor in the chicken biscuit is positively PHENOMENAL. They seasoned the batter AND the chicken, AND it was a thigh. The biscuit was baked perfectly; great texture and the butter was delicious. My girl had the shrimp and grits, she thoroughly enjoyed it. I got the peach jasmine tea; only gripe I had was that the menu didn’t let me know if it was sweetened or not. It wasn’t… at all. But once some liquid sugar was added, it was perfect. My girl had the iced matcha latte and it was quite lovely. Service was ok; left a bit to be desired. But it didn’t take away from an otherwise delicious meal. Whatever you guys are doing … keep doing it. UPDATE 9/1/25: We came back, and this time we tried the crab omelette and chicken and waffles… blown away. Whoever the owner is… thank you. Please keep doing what you’re doing. The food is absolutely amazing. Please don’t change your formula. Our server today, Jaden, was also a whole vibe. UPDATE 9/2/25: yes, we’re back. Blown away again. Chicken biscuit, crispy potatoes, WJ breakfast, all amazing. This time our server was John, and he was dope as well. Super attentive and speedy. We love this place and sincerely hope we see one in NYC one day. Don’t ever change! We love you, WJ.

Jevaughn Henry

12 Jul 2025

The biscuit was perfectly flaky and moist. The chicken and waffles were also good. The prices were also very affordable. Definitely one of the best biscuits in New Orleans.

jason leal

09 Jun 2025

Wow, just wow. I had heard fantastic things about Willa Jean, but everything exceeded my expectations. I am from Los Angeles but spent every summer growing up in Texas/the South, visiting family. My dad is a connoisseur of fried chicken by default, and so am I. And wow. Willa Jean has some of the best fried chicken I have ever had. One bite of that biscuit transported me to my grandma's kitchen, and it made me tear up. But don't stop there. The pimento breakfast sandwich is simply extraordinary. Along with delightful drinks, pastries, and exceptional service, it truly inspires returning for more. I will 1000% be back.

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