The Pelican Club is a contemporary Creole restaurant at 312 Exchange Pl, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, United States of America, in the French Quarter. Chef-owner Richard Hughes opened it in 1990 inside a renovated 19th-century Creole townhouse, building a dinner destination around south Louisiana ingredients and French, Italian, and Asian influences. Travelers come for polished seafood-focused Creole cooking, a composed multi-room setting, an accomplished wine program, and weekend piano music close to Royal Street and Jackson Square.
What to Expect at The Pelican Club
The restaurant’s most distinctive feature is its setting: a restored 19th-century Creole townhouse on narrow Exchange Place, rather than a large, open modern dining room. Three separate dining rooms create a more intimate rhythm for dinner, while the bar and bar tables offer a useful option for walk-ins. The design and service suit a date night, a business dinner, or a relaxed, unhurried meal after exploring the Quarter.
Richard Hughes’s menu is rooted in the seafood culture of New Orleans and south Louisiana, with a broader contemporary approach than a strictly traditional Creole menu. Expect a changing dinner selection shaped by regional seafood and seasonal ingredients, alongside French, Italian, and Asian accents. The Pelican Club has held an Award of Excellence for more than 20 years, and its wine list is a meaningful part of the experience. Weekend piano adds a live-music note without turning dinner into a nightclub.
- Historic townhouse setting: Dinner unfolds in a renovated 19th-century Creole building on Exchange Place.
- Contemporary Creole menu: South Louisiana traditions meet French, Italian, and Asian influences.
- Seafood focus: The kitchen gives particular attention to the seafood New Orleans is known for.
- Three dining rooms and bar seating: Choose a formal table or inquire about the bar and bar tables for walk-in dining.
- Weekend piano: Live piano music lends selected weekend services an elegant New Orleans atmosphere.
The Pelican Club at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 312 Exchange Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130 |
| Neighborhood / Area | French Quarter, one block from Royal Street and near Jackson Square |
| Operating Hours | Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 5–9 PM; Friday and Saturday 5–9:30 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission or tickets; this is a paid dinner restaurant. See the current menu and reservation availability online. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours for dinner |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Canal Streetcar stops at Canal Street are about a 10-minute walk; partial validation is offered at the Hotel Monteleone garage valet. |
| Official Website / Phone | pelicanclub.com / 504-523-1504 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead for Friday and Saturday, especially for prime dinner times and weekends with piano. OpenTable reservations are available through the restaurant’s website; if the time you want is unavailable, call the restaurant directly. Arriving near the start of service is the best choice for a quieter meal and more time to enjoy the townhouse rooms. Walk-ins are accepted when space permits, and the menu is served at the bar and bar tables, which are generally not reserved.
For drivers, tell the attendant at the Hotel Monteleone garage that you are dining at The Pelican Club; the hotel provides valet parking and the restaurant offers partial validation. Street surfaces and sidewalks in this part of the French Quarter can be uneven, so allow extra travel time for wheels and strollers. The historic townhouse setting may involve level changes; guests needing step-free entry, a wheelchair-friendly table, or assistance with access should call before booking. Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the galleries and antiques shops along Royal Street are all within roughly a 5- to 10-minute walk; the riverfront at Woldenberg Park is about 15 minutes on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are The Pelican Club’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
Dinner is served Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5–9 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 5–9:30 PM. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. Book an early seating for a calmer pace, or reserve Friday or Saturday if weekend piano is part of your plan.
Does The Pelican Club charge admission or require reservations?
There is no admission charge because The Pelican Club is a restaurant; guests pay for food and drinks. Reservations are strongly recommended for popular dinner periods and can be made through the official website’s OpenTable link. Walk-ins depend on availability.
How much time should I budget for dinner?
Plan for about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Allow the longer end for cocktails, wine, multiple courses, a weekend piano evening, or a special-occasion meal before or after a French Quarter walk.
Is The Pelican Club suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families are welcome for dinner, though the atmosphere is refined and evening-focused. Its historic townhouse layout and the uneven surrounding Quarter sidewalks warrant advance planning for wheelchairs and strollers. Call 504-523-1504 before arrival to confirm the most suitable entrance and table.
When planning your New Orleans travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in New Orleans, pair this stop with standout local spots including Landry's Seafood House, The Singing Oak, Audubon Aquarium, and The Governor Seafood & Oyster Bar (nearby).
