NOMA | New Orleans Museum of Art

Named one of the “12 Best American Museum Restaurants” by Travel + Leisure magazine!

Café NOMA by Ralph Brennan is Modern Design at its Most Delicious

The recently expanded Café NOMA by Ralph Brennan is a fresh interpretation of mid-century modern. Café NOMA’s atmosphere is calm and cool, striking and chic, bright and energetic and fresh and simple are the key ingredients to the menu.

“We focus on local, seasonal and fresh ingredients that involve small farmers, using as much product as we can that is from the region and is in peak season,” says Chef Chris Montero.

Ralph and Susan Brennan are long-time supporters of NOMA and the New Orleans arts community. Brennan put his head together with NOMA Director, Susan M. Taylor, Chef Montero of café b and designer Brian Bockman to conceptualize a menu and a look that would please every palate.

Open during NOMA hours, the crisp white Café NOMA interior is a cheerful and welcoming space. Patrons can dine al fresco in the courtyard or enjoy cuisine and libations in the bright dining area with views that look out onto City Park.

Floor-to-ceiling windows link Café NOMA interior to the lovely historic park. Bright shots of color make Café NOMA lively and playful. A bright, comfy raspberry banquet, casual bar seats, high and low marble tables give diners a variety of seating options.

Sit, sip or read on our turquoise sofa that looks out over City Park. Watch ducks waddle by while flipping through art magazines on Café NOMA’s perky grass-green upholstered bench.

“Our new cafe emphasizes that this is an inviting, engaging space,” Director Taylor says. “The museum and Café NOMA are giving people new reasons to visit, and visit often.”

For additional information and full menu, visit www.cafenoma.com

Upcoming Events

“Art You Can Eat” Summer Cooking Demonstrations
June 7 – August 2, 2013

Café NOMA’s 2013 “Art You Can Eat” summer cooking series celebrates international fare in honor of NOMA’s exhibition Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, which showcases the pinnacle of ceramic, metal, glass, and furniture production during the golden age of world’s fairs.

Every Friday night at 6 p.m. from June 7 to August 2, chefs from Café NOMA, Ralph’s on the Park, Red Fish Grill, café b, Heritage Grill and Ralph Brennan Catering and Events are joined by special guests in demonstrating distinctive culinary favorites from around the world—each week, highlighting a different aspect of the exhibition. From delicate Japanese sweets to hearty Irish dishes, the chefs will embrace their own heritage or culinary passion with each presentation.

“Art You Can Eat” is free of charge and open on a first come, first served basis. Come early for an evening of delicious, and instructive fun for all – on an international scale!

June 7 – Coast to Coast: In Celebration of Chilean Seafood
Chef Austin Kirzner, Red Fish Grill
In tribute to the 1875 world’s fair in Santiago, Chile

June 14 – Irish New Orleans Family Cooking Traditions
Chef Chip Flanagan, Ralph’s on the Park
In tribute to the 1853 world’s fair in Dublin, Ireland, the first to exhibit fine art paintings

June 21 – Island Inspired Cocktails & Cuisine
Chef Haley Bittermann, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
In tribute to the 1891 world’s fair in Kingston, Jamaica, the only fair held in the Caribbean Islands

June 28 – Evolution of Jambalaya, Spanish Paella’s direct descendant
Chef Chris Montero, café b and Café NOMA
Joined by Poppy Tooker, WWNO 89.9 Louisiana Eats and WYES Steppin’ Out
In tribute to the 1888 world’s fair in Barcelona, Spain, which unveiled the Columbus Monument

July 5 – Classic NYC Apps Influence Big Easy Restaurant Menus
Chef Steven Marsella, Heritage Grill and Ralph Brennan Catering and Events
In tribute to the 1924 1st Radio World’s Fair in New York City

July 12 – French Culinary Trends and Their Impact on Nouvelle Orleans
Chef Chip Flanagan, Ralph’s on the Park – special guest TBD
In tribute to the 1889 world’s fair in Paris, which premiered the Eiffel Tower as the entrance arch to the fair

July 19 – East Meets West: Mochi Ice Cream Dessert Trio
Pastry Chef Brett Gautier, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
In tribute to the 1937 world’s fair in Nagoya, Japan, which drew nearly 4x its population

July 26 – Red Gravy vs Red Sauce: What, When and Why
Chef Steven Marsella, Heritage Grill and Ralph Brennan Catering and Events
In tribute to the 1902 world’s fair in Turin, Italy, which introduced Art Nouveau design

August 2 – Southern Spin on English Pasties aka “Meat Pies”
Chef Haley Bittermann, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group and her mother, Marjorie Gabel
In tribute to the 1857 world’s fair in Manchester, England, with the largest art exhibition including 16,000 works