New Orleans: ‘Court of Two Sisters’ Jazz Brunch Buffet

The best part of this New Orleans brunch is the setting: you eat beneath the open sky in the city’s large courtyard while a jazz band plays nearby. At $51 per person, the meal also includes a mimosa, gratuity, and guaranteed seating, which takes some of the guesswork out of a popular French Quarter stop.

I like the chance to sample many Louisiana dishes in one sitting, from gumbo and red beans and rice to grillades and grits. I also like the leisurely pace and the attentive service, with servers such as Ernest, Nate, and Louis singled out for helpful care. The main consideration is that the band may take breaks, and the courtyard is weather dependent.

Key points to know

• A courtyard meal on Royal Street: The outdoor setting includes a fountain, greenery, large fans, and plenty of atmosphere.
• Louisiana classics beside breakfast staples: Gumbo, shrimp étouffée, turtle soup, and corn macque choux share the buffet with eggs, bacon, biscuits, and hash browns.
• The meal changes after 11:30 am: Early diners find breakfast dishes, while later service adds carved ribeye, shrimp pasta, duck à l’orange, and other lunch plates.
• One price covers quite a lot: The $51 cost includes unlimited food, a mimosa, jazz, gratuity, and reserved seating.
• Dessert is part of the fun: Bananas Foster, bread pudding with whiskey sauce, pecan pie, brownies, cake, and ice cream finish the meal.
• Music is a bonus, not a nonstop concert: The jazz is a fine part of the atmosphere, but the band may pause during service.

A jazz brunch in the heart of the French Quarter

Court of Two Sisters sits on Royal Street, close to shops, Bourbon Street, and other French Quarter sights. That location makes the brunch easy to pair with a morning walk or an afternoon of sightseeing. You do not need to arrange transportation, and the experience begins at the restaurant itself.

The meal is built around an expansive buffet rather than a plated brunch. That matters in New Orleans, where one small dish of a local specialty can leave you wishing for another taste. Here, you can try a spoonful of gumbo, a little red beans and rice, some grillades, and a serving of shrimp étouffée without committing to one entrée.

The restaurant’s courtyard is the reason to request this experience in the first place. It gives the meal a slower, more relaxed rhythm than a quick breakfast counter. The fountain, outdoor tables, live music, and surrounding architecture create the sort of setting that turns brunch into a main event.

There is a practical catch. New Orleans heat and rain can change the mood quickly. Large fans help in warm weather, but the courtyard is not guaranteed in poor conditions. One couple had to eat inside during rain, though the courtyard was still available to walk through. If outdoor seating matters greatly to you, keep the forecast in mind.

What happens when you arrive

Your reservation is already made. At the restaurant, check in with the hostess and show the GetYourGuide voucher. There is no need to arrange a second reservation at the door, which is useful when you are planning around a packed French Quarter schedule.

The host or greeter speaks English. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and the booking includes guaranteed seating. Transportation is not included, so you make your own way to Royal Street.

The exact starting time depends on availability. The listed brunch service begins at 9 am, with breakfast selections available until 11:30 am. Later service shifts toward lunch dishes. Give yourself time to sit, listen to the band, and make more than one trip to the buffet. This is not a meal to rush through before the next attraction.

The early buffet: eggs, grits, and grillades

If you arrive during the breakfast portion, you will find familiar morning food alongside Southern staples. Scrambled eggs, hash browns, andouille sausage, bacon, glazed ham, biscuits, and a make-your-own omelet station cover the classic breakfast needs.

The more local choice is grillades and grits. Grillades are a slow-cooked meat dish served with creamy grits, and they give the buffet a distinctly Louisiana feel. If you have not tried the combination before, start with a modest serving, then return for more if it suits you.

The breakfast selection is useful for mixed groups. One person can build a standard plate while another works through regional dishes. A review of the menu also notes eggs Benedict, which has been a particular favorite. The food is served buffet style, so freshness can vary slightly depending on how long a tray has been out, but the strongest feedback consistently centers on the variety and the hot dishes.

The omelet station gives you another way to order something made to your preference. It is a nice counterpoint to the prepared buffet, especially if you prefer a simple breakfast before sampling heavier Creole food.

Louisiana dishes worth making room for

The best reason to arrive hungry is the selection of local food. Chicken and sausage gumbo brings the familiar dark, savory profile associated with New Orleans cooking. Red beans and rice offer a hearty, filling plate, while corn macque choux adds a Cajun side with sweet corn and seasoning.

Turtle soup au sherry is another local specialty. It may be unfamiliar to many diners, so try a small portion first. The buffet format works well for this kind of tasting. You can sample without ordering an entire bowl.

The menu also includes glazed ham, garlic mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, and creamed spinach. These sides are not specifically New Orleans dishes, but they provide familiar choices and make the buffet easier for children or cautious eaters.

Cold selections help balance the heavier plates. You might choose boiled shrimp, pasta salads, potato salad, mixed greens with toppings, chicken salad, tuna salad, fresh fruit, and assorted cheeses. The salad section is especially useful in hot weather, when a plate of gumbo and potatoes can feel like too much.

I would approach the buffet in stages. Start with small portions of the local dishes, then return for the items you want more of. That strategy leaves room for the lunch dishes and dessert, which are a major part of the value.

After 11:30 am, the buffet becomes lunch

The later selection adds carved ribeye, pasta primavera, shrimp pasta, shrimp étouffée, and duck à l’orange. This gives the experience a useful flexibility. A late-morning reservation can function as brunch, while a later seating feels more like an early lunch.

The carved ribeye is a substantial choice if you want a full meal. Shrimp étouffée is the more distinctly Louisiana option, with shrimp served in a seasoned stew. Duck à l’orange gives you another rich dish, and one diner especially enjoyed its tender texture.

The buffet is not a precision tasting menu. You are paying for range, quantity, setting, and entertainment rather than a single chef-driven plate. One diner found the food very good but not extraordinary, which is a fair way to frame the experience. The strongest value comes when you sample several dishes, enjoy the courtyard, and stay long enough to appreciate the music.

Bananas Foster and the dessert round

Dessert gives the meal a proper New Orleans finish. Bananas Foster combines ice cream with stewed bananas, and it is the item I would try first. Bread pudding with whiskey sauce is another local-style choice, while pecan pie, brownies, assorted cakes, and ice cream cover the familiar bases.

Dessert quality appears to be less consistent than the main buffet. Most of the enthusiasm is directed toward the savory food, while one diner felt the desserts were only average. That should not stop you from trying them, especially since they are included, but I would save room for bananas Foster rather than building the meal around cake or pie.

The dessert section also helps families and groups with different tastes. Someone who has had enough Creole seasoning can finish with ice cream, while someone else can try bread pudding or pecan pie.

Live jazz and the pace of the meal

The jazz band plays during the meal, adding a strong sense of place without requiring a separate music-club visit. The sound has been described as pleasant rather than too loud, which allows conversation at the table. That is important if you are dining with family or want to talk with your companion.

The musicians are a central part of the experience, but do not assume the band plays continuously. Some sessions include noticeable breaks, and one diner expected more jazz than the schedule delivered. The listing describes daily performances, yet the music can be brief on a particular day or end before the restaurant closes.

Think of the band as live accompaniment to brunch, not as a full concert. If you want an uninterrupted jazz performance, book a dedicated music venue instead. If you like having a trio or small band in the background while you eat, this arrangement works well.

Service and the feel of the courtyard

Service is one of the most praised parts of the meal. Ernest is described as especially attentive, and Nate is noted for friendly recommendations. Louis also received praise for his care, while another server took a guest’s picture and helped make the meal feel personal.

That level of service matters at a buffet. You still need a server for drinks, plates, table clearing, and questions, and good attention keeps the meal from feeling like cafeteria dining. The staff also helps the restaurant manage a busy room, which can be important at popular seating times.

The courtyard itself has a calm, old-fashioned feel. A fountain, outdoor tables, birds, and large fans were all noted as part of the setting. It is not a quiet garden in the sense of being isolated from the French Quarter, but it gives you a welcome break from the street.

The courtyard can also be busy. The restaurant is large and popular, and a full dining area may feel less intimate than a small neighborhood café. You gain space and atmosphere, but not necessarily privacy.

Is $51 a fair price?

The answer depends on how much of the meal you use. The price includes unlimited buffet access, a mimosa, live jazz, guaranteed seating, and tip. In a city where a meal, drink, music, and service charge can quickly add up, that bundled price is reasonable for a special occasion or a first visit.

It is less attractive if you only want coffee, a pastry, and a quick plate. You are paying for a long meal with many choices and a setting worth lingering in. Anyone who eats lightly may not get the same value as someone who samples breakfast, Louisiana specialties, lunch dishes, salad, and dessert.

The included gratuity is convenient, but one diner chose to tip extra because the service felt especially deserving. That is a personal choice, not a requirement of the booking. The important point is that the listed price already covers the standard tip.

A mimosa is included, but other drinks may cost extra. The supplied details do not specify a full drinks menu or additional drink prices, so check with your server before ordering beyond the included mimosa.

Who will enjoy this brunch most?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a broad introduction to New Orleans food without planning several restaurant stops. It works especially well for first-time visitors, couples, families, and groups with different appetites.

It is also a good pick for people who value atmosphere as much as food. The courtyard and jazz turn breakfast into a planned outing, and the Royal Street address makes it easy to continue exploring afterward.

You may want a different meal if you prefer a small, quiet café, a carefully plated menu, or nonstop music. The buffet is extensive rather than delicate, and the restaurant can be busy. Weather can also affect the courtyard experience.

The menu appears to offer useful choices for different diets, including gluten-free and dairy-free options noted by one diner. Still, the provided information does not identify every ingredient or cross-contact policy. Ask the staff directly about any allergy or dietary restriction before filling your plate.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Book ahead if guaranteed seating matters to you. Your reservation is already made when you arrive, and you simply show the voucher to the hostess. The experience is valid for one day and available times vary.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is available, which can help if your French Quarter plans are still shifting.

No transportation is included. Plan to reach Court of Two Sisters on your own, and allow enough time for check-in. Since the meal can run long, avoid scheduling a tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

Should you book Court of Two Sisters jazz brunch?

Book it if you want one generous meal that combines Louisiana cooking, courtyard atmosphere, live jazz, and simple logistics. The food range is the main draw, with the music and setting turning it into more than an ordinary buffet.

I would choose an early seating if you want eggs, biscuits, grits, and breakfast meats. Choose a later time if carved ribeye, shrimp étouffée, pasta, and duck à l’orange sound better. Arrive hungry, pace yourself, and save room for bananas Foster.

Skip it if you want a small, inexpensive breakfast or a guaranteed full jazz concert. For most visitors who want an easy introduction to New Orleans flavors in a memorable setting, the $51 price is a fair buy.

FAQ

Where is the Court of Two Sisters jazz brunch?

The restaurant is on Royal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the French Quarter area.

What does the $51 price include?

The price includes the all-you-can-eat buffet, a mimosa, the jazz band, gratuity, and guaranteed seating.

Do I need to make a separate reservation?

No. The reservation is already made. Arrive at your scheduled time, check in with the hostess, and show your voucher.

What time is the breakfast selection available?

The breakfast dishes are available from 9 am until 11:30 am.

What food is available after 11:30 am?

Later dishes include carved ribeye, pasta primavera, shrimp pasta, shrimp étouffée, and duck à l’orange.

What Louisiana specialties can I try?

The buffet includes chicken and sausage gumbo, red beans and rice, turtle soup au sherry, corn macque choux, grillades and grits, and shrimp étouffée.

Is dessert included?

Yes. Dessert options include bananas Foster with ice cream, bread pudding with whiskey sauce, brownies, pecan pie, assorted cakes, and ice cream.

Is the jazz band guaranteed to play continuously?

No. The restaurant offers live jazz, but the band may take breaks, and the amount of music can vary.

Is outdoor courtyard seating guaranteed?

The reservation guarantees seating, but the supplied information does not guarantee that every table will be outdoors. Rain or other conditions may require indoor dining.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible.

Is transportation included?

No. You must make your own way to the restaurant.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance qualifies for a full refund.