After more than three decades in downtown New Orleans, Palace Café has officially closed its Canal Street location. Palace Café announced the news through a social media post. The restaurant also suggested it may return if the right opportunity arises.
Highlights
- Palace Café stopped its food operations at 605 Canal Street on July 7.
- The flagship Creole restaurant served for almost 34 years at its New Orleans location.
- The food establishment cited a court ruling regarding its 35-year lease as the reason for its sudden closure.
Palace Café Bids Farewell to New Orleans
Food items at the Creole cuisine restaurant (Source: Facebook @ Palace Café)
The Canal Street mainstay wrapped up nearly 34 years of service yesterday, July 7, 2025. In an Instagram post, Palace Café shared that July 7 would mark its last day in New Orleans.
In its emotional note, the long-running restaurant reflected on its past 30+ years at the foot of the French Quarter. Over the years, the café played host to everything from birthday celebrations to presidential visits. However, a recent court ruling tied to its 35-year lease forced it to close abruptly.
Palace Café said the closure wasn’t by choice, but by circumstance. The team is appealing the ruling, but operations at the French Quarter location will remain suspended indefinitely.
The Creole Restaurant Might Return in the Future
In the same post, Palace Café shared, “We’re not ready to say Palace Café is gone forever. Should the right opportunity arise, we will welcome it with open arms.”
While the timing remains uncertain, the New Orleans restaurant invited patrons to visit its sister outlets in the city.
About Palace Café
The New Orleans-based food establishment offered Creole delicacies at 605 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 for almost 34 years. Owned by Dickie Brennan, Lauren Brennan Brower, and Steve Pettus, it is the flagship restaurant for the Dickie Brennan & Co. restaurant group.
Palace Café earned multiple national and local awards, including the Ivy Award from Restaurants and Institutions Magazine. It also won the Best New Restaurant from Esquire Magazine and USA Today.
As New Orleans says goodbye to Palace Café, the local community can remember its legacy by visiting the sister outlets.
