A two-story building with a restaurant called Ralph's on the Park on the ground floor, lit warmly with yellow lights, and a balcony decorated with flower boxes, illuminated by outdoor lamps, at dusk.

Modern Louisiana

For over 160 years, the corner of City Park Avenue and Dumaine has been a place where New Orleanians have come to gather — first as a coffeehouse and concession stand for City Park, then as a tavern, and today as Ralph’s on the Park.

People dining in a restaurant with artwork on the walls, natural light, and a waiter serving drinks.

Anchored by history and led by the vision of Ralph Brennan, our menu honors the past while serving a distinctly modern table. Our ingredients are local, our roots are deep, and our doors are always open to those who know the value of a good meal shared in good company.

Line drawing of a fried fish with a side of lemon.

THE HEART BEHIND EVERY DISH

Executive Chef Christopher Vazquez brings over two decades of experience to Ralph’s on the Park. From running elite kitchens in Los Angeles to cooking for international tastemakers, as a New Orleans native, he returned home to lead with intention: sourcing 90% of ingredients locally, grinding spices in-house, and reimagining Louisiana classics with bold, modern technique.

A man dressed in a white chef's coat standing on a balcony, looking off to the side with a slight smile, with a street in the background.
A plate of colorful salad with diced tomatoes, sliced radishes, yellow and orange bell peppers, green cucumber, avocado, topped with a poached egg and chopped basil, surrounded by a drizzled green sauce.
Chef placing fried oysters on a plate in a professional kitchen.

Our History

  • Black and white photo of Ralph's on the Park in 1860 when it was a coffeeshop, a two-story wooden building with a porch on each level, a person standing on the sidewalk, and a horse-drawn carriage parked in front.

    1860

    Jean Marie Saux first constructs a coffeehouse and carriage stop at 900 City Park Avenue.

  • A black-and-white photograph of Ralph's on the Park in 1893, when it was "A La Renaissance des Chenes Verts" or "Rebirth of the Green Oaks"..

    1893

    Saux sells his coffeehouse business to Fernand Alciatore, 3rd son of Antoine Alciatore, founder of Antoine's Restaurant. Alicatore turns the coffeehouse into one of New Orleans' finest restaurants "A La Renaissance des Chenes Verts" or "Rebirth of the Green Oaks."

    Alciatore hosts the "Tenth Grand Festival and Fete Champetre" under the oaks at City Park. New Orleans' most prominent residents including Jean Galatoire of Galatoire's Restaurant attend the feast.

  • Advertisement for Lamothe's City Park Restaurant at the corner of Alexander and Dumaine Streets, opposite City Park, offering banquet hall, accommodations for families, private dining rooms for auto parties, with contact phone Galvez 1012.

    1901

    Alciatore sells his business to famous restaurateur Justin Tujague, of the Tujague's Restaurant family. Manager Irene Dours first courts the fancy ladies of Storyville as well as young families as patrons.

  • A black and white photo of Ralph's on the Park in 1912 when it was the City Park Tavern (AKA Old Reliable)..

    1912

    Frank Lamothe, longtime proprietor of the building Jean Marie Saux helped construct, open's City Park Tavern (AKA "Old Reliable").

    Lamothe hosts the annual "Ball of the Two Well-Known Gentlemen" a masquerade ball where fancy ladies and society ladies mixed and mingled. The Tavern is shuttered at the end of the Storyville era (1917).

  • Historical black and white photo of Ralph's on the Park in 1985 when it opened as Tavern on the Park with a wooden balcony, a pharmacy on the ground floor, and vintage cars parked outside.

    1985

    After seventy years of darkness as a dining facility (the building was used in the late 70's / early 80's as a bar), Jack and Martha Sands reopen the building as "Tavern on the Park."

  • Ralph Brennan purchases the historic two-story building and reopens Ralph's on the Park in 2003, located at an intersection on a sunny day. There is a street sign that reads 'City Park' and a bright blue sky with some clouds.

    2003

    The historic building is purchased by Ralph Brennan and undergoes extensive renovation and reopens as Ralph's on the Park in December 2003.

Our main dining room is anchored by large picture windows and two wall-sized oil murals by local artist Tony Green depicting festive, documented events held at the location. “The Tenth Grand Festival and Fete Champetre” (1890’s) and “The Ball of the Two Well-Known Gentlemen” (1910-1917).

Our Murals