The following 15 New Orleans restaurants are all great examples of one particular genre or another. Whether you are searching for an elegant venue that serves up examples of regional cuisine, a simple down-home dive where you can connect with local life or a trending modern take on fusion, there's one for you on this list.

Legendary. Iconic. Insanely delicious. Take your pick, they all apply to Commander's Palace. The list of former chefs here boasts both Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse and current captain Troy McPhail just keeps cranking out classics like Pecan Crusted Gulf Fish and Creole Bread Pudding Souffl¨¦.

Like many restaurants in town, Peche looks to the sea for inspiration. It sets its sights beyond the Gulf of Mexico though, with classic New Orleans flavors served alongside those from Spain and South America. Start with the steak tartare with oyster aioli before moving on to jumbo shrimp with satsuma and sticky rice.

Brennan's has been a staple in New Orleans since 1946. During recent years, the appointment of Slade Rushing as executive chef and a building refurbishment has breathed new life into the venerable venue. Enjoy classic and re-imagined Creole dishes before finishing things off with a decadent Bananas Foster-a dessert invented here in the 1950s.

Vietnamese food is beloved in the Big Easy and Duong Phuong is one of the most revered vendors. This humble bakeshop is famous for their Bahn mi sandwiches, which have picked up the nickname "Vietnamese po' boys". You'll enjoy every bite of the fresh-baked bread slathered in homemade aioli and an assortment of Eastern-inspired garnishes and toppings.

Shaya seamlessly mixes together flavors from the American South with those from Israel-the latter being heavily influenced by both the Balkans and the Middle East. The restaurant is home to a wood-fired oven whose flames flavor its dishes in divine ways.

Annually competing for the crown of "Best Po' Boy in New Orleans", Parkway offers a proud slice of authentic NOLA life. They've been serving up their signature version here for nearly a century and they come stuffed with everything from fried oysters, catfish and shrimp to roast beef and sausage.

Brigtsen's looks like a quaint family residence from the outside, and once inside you are through the threshold, you are treated like family. The much-awarded owners are a husband-and-wife team and they offer a culinary tour of New Orleans culture to all diners.

You won't find many frills on the menu at Willie Mae's, but you will find some of the finest fried chicken in America. Pair up a plate of their signature crispy-fried bird with Southern sides like fried okra, cornbread muffins and macaroni & cheese.

Located in the Royal Sonesta, Restaurant R'evolution is the tag-team creation of two esteemed chefs. At their stunning restaurant, they fuse the flavors of New Orleans with those of the seven countries that helped contribute to the city's unique history. Delicious examples include Rotisserie Pheasant and Red Fish Orleans.

Another humble joint that offers slices of authentic New Orleans; Domilise's doles out mouthwatering po' boys from a humble yellow building in Uptown. You'll find a simple hand-painted sign out front that says "Domilise's Po-Boy and Bar" and inside that's pretty much what you'll find-served alongside a welcoming smile.

This little former grocery comes up big when it comes to modern gastronomic delights. Run by another accolade-collecting husband-and-wife team, you will enjoy intriguing twists on New Orleans fare like Blue Crab Beignets, Turtle Bolognese, and Gulf Shrimp & Grits served with roasted shiitake mushrooms, bacon and thyme.

It's not all about seafood in New Orleans. Toups' Meatery has mastered the art of meat-alongside a few outstanding seafood selections. Some of the standouts here are the BBQ Georgia Quail (with ginger & mint coleslaw and cornbread), the Seared Duck Breast and the Fried Rabbit Livers served with brown butter & thyme spatzle, caramelized onions and mushrooms.

Brunch has always been cool in New Orleans. At Stanley, diners get to dig into an approachable and fun version of this mid-morning meal. Eggs Stanley (cornmeal-crusted Oysters, poached eggs, Canadian bacon and hollandaise) is the standard-bearer for savory breakfasts while the Bananas Foster French Toast is a sweet dream come true.

No one did more to bring Cajun cooking to the world than Paul Prudhomme and his legacy is honored at K-Paul's, the restaurant he founded. Classic blackened fish and pork dishes are still on the menu but you'll also discover fun new favorites like fried Buffalo-style frog legs.

Sure it's touristy, and sure there will likely be a line outside when you arrive, but feasting on oysters at Acme is a guilty pleasure worth waiting for. Knock back an Oyster Shooter (a shucked oyster served in a shot glass with cocktail sauce and vodka) before going for their Chargrilled Oysters-served with a layer of baked cheese on top.