The owners of acclaimed restaurant La Petite Grocery, Justin and Mia Devillier, have purchased the former Upperline restaurant space on 1413 Upperline St. from former owner JoAnn Clevenger, first reported by Nola.com.
Upperline closed during the initial wave of restaurant shutdowns at the start of the pandemic. Clevenger retired in 2021, making the initially temporary closure permanent, and the space has remained shuttered since. The restaurant had served its renowned Cajun and Creole food since its opening in 1983, leaving a large hole in New Orleans’ dining scene and the hearts of its regulars.
The space is now in the hands of the Devilliers, renowned restaurateurs in their own right. Justin and Mia Devillier opened La Petite Grocery in 2004 in an old butcher shop and garnered acclaim for their New Orleans cuisine, like their turtle bolognese and gulf shrimp and grits. Justin Devillier received the James Beard award for Best Chef: South in 2016 after being a nominee each year from 2012 to 2015. More recently, La Petite Grocery was recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2025.
The Devilliers have disclosed little about the upcoming restaurant, now headed into the construction phase following the space’s purchase. The restaurant doesn’t even have a name yet, let alone any details about the concept. However, the co-owners told Nola.com that they’re not simply reopening Upperline. “We’re so excited to be carrying on the legacy and start something new,” Mia Devillier told the publication.
The Devilliers’ new restaurant is slated for a late 2026 opening, potentially in the fall.
