New Orleans, Louisiana · Founded 1893
A Garden District restaurant founded in 1893 and closely associated with generations of influential New Orleans chefs.
Commander’s Palace began in 1893 as Emile Commander’s Garden District saloon and restaurant. Since the Brennan family acquired it in 1969, it has become a blue-and-white New Orleans dining landmark, with Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse among the celebrated chefs who worked in its kitchen before national prominence.
Emile Commander established a small saloon and restaurant at the corner of Washington Avenue and Coliseum Street in the Garden District.
Source: NOLA.com/Gambit, "After 50 years of Commander's Palace"; interview feature with Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan
Frank and Elinor Moran became owners of Commander’s Palace.
Source: NOLA.com/Gambit, "After 50 years of Commander's Palace"
The Brennan family acquired Commander’s Palace from Frank and Elinor Moran. NOLA.com reports that the purchase was announced in May and formally closed on August 29.
Source: NOLA.com/Gambit, "After 50 years of Commander's Palace"
Ella Brennan hired chef Paul Prudhomme, and their collaboration helped define the restaurant's haute Creole approach.
Source: NOLA.com/Gambit, "After 50 years of Commander's Palace"
Emeril Lagasse succeeded Paul Prudhomme at Commander’s Palace after Prudhomme left to open K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen.
Source: NOLA.com/Gambit, "After 50 years of Commander's Palace"
Commander’s Palace continues operating at 1403 Washington Avenue under co-proprietors Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan.
Source: Commander’s Palace, "About"; Tock, "Commander's Palace Reservation"
Every claim gets rated. A business's own website can never earn "documented."
NOLA.com reports that Ella Brennan hired Paul Prudhomme and that Emeril Lagasse succeeded him after Prudhomme left to open K-Paul’s. Current Commander’s material also identifies both chefs among the restaurant’s influential alumni.
NOLA.com reports that the Brennan family bought Commander’s Palace from Frank and Elinor Moran in 1969, with the transaction closing August 29. The official restaurant page uses 1974 for when the family "took the reins," an unresolved difference that may reflect an operational transition rather than the purchase date.
NOLA.com and a feature involving the restaurant's current co-proprietors identify 1893 as the year Emile Commander opened a small saloon and restaurant at Washington Avenue and Coliseum Street.
The sources reviewed establish the restaurant's 1893 founding but do not independently establish the construction date, original form, or subsequent building history of 1403 Washington Avenue.
The Commander’s Palace building was built in 1893.
The 1893 date is well supported for the restaurant’s founding, but the sources reviewed do not establish that the present building itself was constructed in 1893.
Source: NOLA.com/Gambit, "After 50 years of Commander's Palace"
The Brennan family took over Commander’s Palace in 1974.
NOLA.com documents the Brennan family purchase in 1969, with a formal closing on August 29. Commander’s own current site says the family took the reins in 1974; the reason for this date difference requires further research.
Source: NOLA.com/Gambit, "After 50 years of Commander's Palace"; Commander’s Palace, "About"
Jackets are required for men at dinner.
Commander’s lists business attire. Jackets are preferred for gentlemen, while collared shirts and closed-toe shoes are required; shorts, flip-flops, T-shirts, and similar casual attire are prohibited.
Source: Commander’s Palace, "About"; Tock, "Commander's Palace Reservation"
Commander’s Palace combines a long-established Garden District location with sustained Brennan-family stewardship and an influential culinary legacy. Current co-proprietors Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan continue the restaurant’s public-facing tradition of formal service, regional cooking, and chef development.
Commander’s Palace traces its origin to 1893, when Emile Commander opened a small saloon and restaurant at Washington Avenue and Coliseum Street in the Garden District.
The current co-proprietors are Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan. The Brennan family acquired Commander’s Palace in 1969.
Yes. Ella Brennan hired Paul Prudhomme, who helped develop the restaurant’s haute Creole identity. Emeril Lagasse succeeded Prudhomme after he left to open K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen.
NOLA.com reports that the Brennan family bought Commander’s in 1969, closing the deal on August 29. The restaurant’s own site says the family took the reins in 1974, a discrepancy that may reflect a later operational transition and remains unresolved.
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 899-8221
Commander’s Palace is at Washington Avenue and Coliseum Street in the Garden District. The official site lists lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch service, and notes a business-attire dress code. Jackets are preferred for gentlemen; collared shirts and closed-toe shoes are required. Reserve ahead and confirm current service times before visiting.