Russell's Marina Grill — Restaurant in New Orleans

Located in the heart of Lakeview, Russell’s Marina Diner stands as a cherished beacon of New Orleans’ rich culinary tradition.

Since its inception in 1985, this diner has carved out a niche for itself as the go-to destination for exceptional breakfasts, weaving itself into the fabric of the city’s dining scene.

With a menu that spans the gamut from indulgent fried chicken and waffles to a diverse array of egg specialties, Russell’s caters to a broad spectrum of tastes.

Not forgetting the health-conscious, the diner also offers lighter fare such as eggwhite omelets and sweet potato pancakes, ensuring that every patron leaves satisfied.

The dining experience is further enhanced by the option to enjoy your meal either inside the diner’s cozy interior, at the counter where the local vibe thrives, in their inviting dining room, or outside on the pet-friendly patio, making it perfect for every occasion.

During my visit, I decided to try the legendary Egg Saints #33—a daring concoction that perfectly embodies New Orleans’ flair for culinary innovation.

This dish features a grilled biscuit topped with alligator sausage, grilled tomatoes, poached eggs, and smothered in homemade country gravy.

Each component of the dish harmonizes to create a breakfast experience that is both unique and profoundly satisfying.

From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with the diner’s unmistakable local charm, enhanced by the friendly service that made me feel right at home.

The ambiance, a blend of the cozy and the communal, set the perfect stage for what was to be an unforgettable meal.

The Premier League playing softly in the background added a touch of camaraderie, reminiscent of a neighborhood café where everyone is welcome.

The highlight of my visit was, without a doubt, the food.

The Egg Saints #33 was a revelation, transforming the classic eggs Benedict into a dish that captivated my palate and left me pondering the culinary prowess behind it.

Every bite was a testament to Russell’s commitment to quality and innovation, making it clear why this diner holds a special place in the hearts of New Orleans’ residents and visitors alike.

In a city lauded for its vibrant food scene, claiming the title of "best breakfast" is no small feat.

Yet, as I left Russell’s Marina Diner, I was already yearning to return and dive deeper into their menu.

This hidden gem is an absolute must-visit for anyone looking to experience the soul of New Orleans through its food, served with a side of unmatched...

Well, I finally made it, to the infamous Russell’s…and not a moment too late.

Due to coronavirus and social distancing ordinances, we opted to sit outside on the patio area. Initially, the area was empty, as it was pretty early in the morning when we visited; this was our post workout breakfast.

I was also drawn in because of the ability to have an adult beverage with my breakfast, I mean who doesn’t like a bloody Mary with her pancakes… Well this girl does!!!

At any rate, I ordered the waffles with fruit and egg whites along with the bloody Mary with an extra shot… My dining companion ordered eggs sausage and toast. Oooohhh and the FRESH SQUEEZED FULL OF PULP OJ, my goodness... delicioussssssssss. All of the food was brought out in a timely fashion. It was tasty and downright filling, I felt like I might need a nap after breakfast; I was full as a tick. The portion sizes are definitely enough and could be shared.

The service was impeccable, our server was on time with everything, often times she brought things we were thinking of but didn’t ask for, talk about intuitive. And service with a smile, she gave a glowing smile every time she came to the table. This was greatly appreciated.

Pricing was in line with the average for the area, please recall this is a lakefront restaurant and as a result the pricing was reflective, but still fair nonetheless.

Parking is limited as a result of the compact spacing however, Russells has designated parking in front of the restaurant, so get there and get there early.

The women’s restroom is a single toilet restroom, so be careful and remember to lock the door when you get in.

I love the decor as you first enter the door there’s a wall of famous New Orleanians & some other famous people that are non-New Orleanians. Talk about bring a lookey-lou.

I can check this off my list of places to visit as I have been there and done that... hey where’s...

My daughter and her boyfriend went here for brunch today, April 26,2024 They were kind enough to think about me and bought me shrimp and grits, They were good. However, the plate that the food was made in was so flimsy that it broke in several places, and as I was trying to sit it down on top of a sturdier plate, it just broke and food went everywhere! they were they ordered a batch of sweet potato beignets, which were more like sweet potato, cornbread or sweet potato hush puppies. They were not anything like beets at all they were very dense and more like cornbread they might’ve tasted good. I’m not sure because they were so burned that they were dark dark brown what happened was while they were dining. My daughters told the waitress that after they were done, they wanted to take my shrimp and grits, as well as some beignets, so when they bought the girl bought the beignets out too soon my daughter sent them back what we think they did refried them to warm them up. That’s why they were so bad and that guest said that they enjoyed their food that they had and the restaurant they didn’t even think to open up the beignets to see how they were figuring everything was fine so these might be too they were burned. I’m not giving up on this restaurant and I usually don’t write bad reviews. I prefer to write good ones, but this was a total disappointment. I was unhappy that I spilled my food. Not totally my fault. Not totally the restaurants fault but the plates are very, very subpar. I do want to try the red beans and rice on a Monday because I love red beans and rice and I also love alligator sausage so that would be something I would go in and have personally myself. Hopefully the food and the service...