Evviva — Restaurant in New Orleans

At Evviva, nothing is ordinary, except the guarantee you’ll come back!

In a world of tradition and age-old expectations, Evviva dares to deliver the deliciously unexpected. Tonight wasn’t my first visit to this fairly new and unassuming Bywater eatery, but you can bet your bottom dollar it won’t be my last (perhaps not even this month).

My two visits to Evviva have been exquisite expeditions into extraordinary flavor, fresh and relevant ingredients, and unparalleled service. If you’re just here for a general recommendation, feel free to stop reading and book that reservation. I promise, it’s worth it.

For those who crave more detail, allow me to explain.

When you walk into this street-corner restaurant, you’re greeted by at least one warm and welcoming staff member, and a modern, elevated-casual interior that strikes the perfect balance between inviting and sophisticated. You might even encounter a fellow diner eagerly trying to convince you how incredible the food is. In my experience, it’s satisfying to smile and reply, “Oh, I’m aware.”

From the very start, the service stands out. Our main server was attentive and perfectly timed, always present without ever hovering. Other team members floated in with drinks, food, or warm conversation. Even the owner checked in with genuine care. The staff works with such cohesion that it feels less like dining out and more like being hosted by people who love what they do.

Once seated, you’ll receive a menu that feels almost precious because it won’t be around long. Evviva does not believe in stasis. Like us, the menu evolves, challenges, and invites you to experience something new every time.

You might start with the Juliet and Romeo cocktail, and yes, Juliet gets top billing, as she should. It’s gently sweet, tangy, and strong. If that’s not your style, you’ll be just as happy with a brilliantly made martini, gin or vodka, dirty of course.

Every appetizer sounds tempting, but a few may stand out. Perhaps something like the Pickled Gulf Fish Crostini and Velma Gene’s Anchovy Bread. After all, fish and bread make a perfect theme for the table’s first course. The crostini delivers creamy, tangy richness on a buttery crunch. The anchovy focaccia sings with salty, acidic depth. Both leave you wanting more, wishing you could spend the night cycling through cocktails and starters alone.

But then your eyes and your stomach wander to the entrées. Perhaps you choose the Grilled Wagyu Bavette Steak and the Grilled Mississippi Rabbit. The steak arrives atop fresh tomato slices and is crowned with crumbled blue cheese. The acidity of the tomato cuts beautifully through the meat’s richness, while the cheese adds unexpected depth. Each bite is a study in simple complexity. You’ll use half the provided bread loaf to savor every remaining drop.

And then, the rabbit. This dish is nothing short of a revelation. The meat is succulent, crisp on the outside, and perfectly tender within. It is easily the most memorable dish you’ve had in over a decade of dining in New Orleans. Thanks to the gracious staff (and the owner herself), you enjoy it paired with not one but two thoughtful wines. Your partner favors the Lamoresca Frappato Nerocapitano, which brings out the dish’s earthy richness. You prefer the chilled red by the glass, an unfiltered Vino Rosso from Angelo Negro, imported from Italy which coaxes out the sweet, sultry notes of the meat. This is a dish you’ll remember for years.

Dessert? Always a difficult choice. The Chocolate Budino does indeed stand out, however. What arrives is silk in chocolate form, topped with whipped cream and toasted hazelnuts.

You’ll reluctantly leave Evviva feeling indulged and gratified. You may long for those duck wings you had on your first visit (truly, the best gosh dang thing you’ve ever tasted) or wish you had seen your favorite dish on the somewhat limited menu. But you will return, without a doubt, and knowing each visit promises something vibrant, thoughtful, and worth...

If you're thinking about going, JUST GO.

Very well and affordably priced menu of approachable and extremely delicious yet interesting choices. The chefs here know how to create a menu that keeps guests engaged with every bite and ordering more.

Marcus Jacobs from Marjie's is in the kitchen and you can experience the same sort of playfulness and experimentation in the dishes at Evviva. My friend and I were big fans of Marjie's, and since it closed, we've been trying to chase that high unsuccessfully. That changed on Friday night when we ordered pretty much every small plate available.

Everything was great, but if I had to choose favorites, I'd say the pork jowls, oyster mushrooms, and the olives and orange peels. The menu has changes daily as the chefs lean in to seasonality and personal interest. Trust the waitstaff and bartenders here to make recommendations as they get to sample the goods before guests do. 😀

Speaking of the bartenders, we sat at the bar on a Friday night and had amazing service the perfect amount of friendly, professional, and engaging. My friend enjoyed a very delightful Slovenian wine and I had a shiner bock, so no cocktails for us.

The drink menu expertly compliments then food menu as it continues in the vein of focused variety of options without being disjunct or overwhelming.

Since Friday I've told pretty much anyone I've seen about Evviva which was awkward to do at hardware store. I have plans to go back soon.

Thank you all for the excellent service and...

A friend recommended this place and we were not disappointed. Evvia's atmosphere was so lovely, though loud because it was so popular, esp on a Friday night ofc! We had the roasted turnips which were so flavorful and tender, the roasted endive which went well oh so well with the blue cheese topping and the barrata was coated in a very tasty olive oil. I'm not even the biggest fan of barrata! As a main, I had the lamb lasagnetta which was crispy and rich and flavorful. The chocolate hazelnut dessert was the stuff of dreams and I might swing by just for that and some decaf again sometime soon. Our wait staff was friendly, attentive despite the busyness...