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How Many Restaurants Does Emeril Lagasse Have?

Discover how many restaurants Emeril Lagasse owns worldwide, including his iconic New Orleans venues and popular cruise ship locations.

how many restaurants does emeril lagasse have

Emeril Lagasse Restaurants: Key Takeaways

  • Emeril Lagasse currently owns 11 restaurants worldwide, primarily in the United States and aboard cruise ships.
  • His portfolio includes no Michelin-starred restaurants but covers a diverse range of upscale and casual dining concepts.
  • Signature brands include Emeril’s flagship in New Orleans, and multiple casual spots like Meril and 34 Restaurant & Bar.
  • Expansion from 2023 to 2025 features new openings like Emeril’s Brasserie and 34 Restaurant & Bar in New Orleans, highlighting continued growth in his home city.

Chef Emeril Lagasse is an iconic figure in American cuisine, especially known for his Creole and Louisiana-inspired cooking styles. He operates a thoughtfully curated set of restaurants, mostly based in New Orleans and Las Vegas, with several venues aboard Carnival cruise ships.

This article explores the scope of Lagasse’s restaurant ownership, ranging from fine dining to casual eateries, detailing his international footprint on land and at sea.

Emeril Lagasse Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Emeril Lagasse owns a total of 11 restaurants worldwide, with the bulk of them located in the United States, particularly New Orleans and Las Vegas, and three additional casual dining venues aboard Carnival cruise ships.

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His portfolio encompasses a blend of upscale fine dining establishments, casual dining spots, and seafood restaurants, reflecting the rich cuisine traditions of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Unlike many celebrity chefs, Emeril's holdings do not include franchised or licensed locations; all venues are fully owned.

RegionApprox. Number of RestaurantsNotable Examples
United States8Emeril's (New Orleans), Delmonico Steakhouse (Las Vegas), Emeril's New Orleans Fish House (Las Vegas), Meril (New Orleans), 34 Restaurant & Bar (New Orleans), Emeril's Coastal (Miramar Beach), Emeril's Brasserie (New Orleans)
At Sea3Emeril's Bistro 1396 (Carnival Mardi Gras), Emeril's Bistro 1397 (Carnival Celebration), Emeril's Bistro 717 (Carnival Jubilee)

Emeril’s restaurants at sea offer Creole cuisine in a casual dining format catering to cruise ship guests, while his U.S. establishments vary from high-end dining to approachable bars and seafood kitchens.

Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

Interestingly, none of Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants have received Michelin stars to date. While Michelin awards are a hallmark for many top chefs, Emeril’s focus has traditionally been on approachable cuisine with bold flavors rather than pursuing formal Michelin recognition.

His flagship restaurant, Emeril's in New Orleans, is widely celebrated for its contemporary Louisiana cuisine and has earned critical acclaim and numerous other awards, but it remains outside the Michelin guide’s scope, largely because Michelin has limited coverage in that region.

Though Michelin stars are absent from his portfolio, Lagasse’s culinary impact is evident through his popular appeal, television presence, and numerous loyal diners.

For those interested in the fine dining sector, understanding the restaurant Michelin stars statistics can shed light on the challenges and benchmarks in this high-caliber culinary world.

Notable Emeril Lagasse Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant empire includes distinctive concepts that span from fine dining to casual eateries both on land and at sea. Below are some of his key restaurant brands and their defining characteristics.

“Emeril's” Restaurants

The flagship Emeril’s restaurant, located in New Orleans, is Emeril Lagasse’s original fine dining venue showcasing contemporary Louisiana cuisine. Launched decades ago, it remains his most acclaimed establishment serving sophisticated dishes with strong Creole influences.

It has a price range of approximately $75–$120 per person, reflecting its upscale positioning and quality ingredients.

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Delmonico Steakhouse

Delmonico Steakhouse in Las Vegas is an upscale steakhouse blending classic steakhouse fare with Creole influences. Opened to cater to the Las Vegas hospitality market, it features premium cuts and a refined dining atmosphere.

With prices ranging from $100–$150 per person, it appeals to guests seeking luxury steak dining with a distinctive regional twist.

Emeril's New Orleans Fish House

Also in Las Vegas, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House offers a seafood-centric menu full of Creole-inspired dishes. It combines fresh Gulf seafood selections with contemporary culinary techniques.

The price range here is between $75–$120 per person, positioning it as an upscale seafood restaurant.

Meril

Meril in New Orleans is a casual dining concept featuring small plates and a diverse menu designed to encourage sharing. It has developed a lively atmosphere popular with locals and visitors alike.

The menu is affordably priced, ranging from $50–$75 per person, balancing quality with informal dining.

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34 Restaurant & Bar

Located in New Orleans, 34 Restaurant & Bar serves Portuguese-inspired cuisine with tapas-style shared plates, blending unique flavors in a casual setting. Opened in 2024, it represents Lagasse’s continued expansion in his home city.

Like Meril, pricing is in the $50–$75 range.

Emeril's Coastal

Emeril’s Coastal, situated in Miramar Beach, Florida, celebrates fresh Gulf seafood and coastal-inspired dishes. This venue balances casual elegance with a menu emphasizing local ingredients.

Its moderate pricing falls between $50–$75 per person.

Emeril's Brasserie

One of the newest additions, Emeril’s Brasserie opened in New Orleans in 2023. This French brasserie-style restaurant melds French classic techniques with Creole flavors, offering a refined yet approachable dining experience.

The pricing here aligns with crowd favorites at approximately $75–$120 per person.

Emeril's Bistro Venues at Sea

Emeril Lagasse has extended his culinary brand aboard Carnival cruise ships, operating three casual dining venues known as Emeril’s Bistro 1396 (Carnival Mardi Gras), 1397 (Carnival Celebration), and 717 (Carnival Jubilee).

These bistros specialize in Creole cuisine served in a relaxed environment for cruise passengers, priced around $15–$45 per person, making them his most accessible dining options.

Given the nature of cruise ship hospitality, recruiting and interviewing staff efficiently is critical. Check out our guide on restaurant manager interview questions which can be adapted for managing cruise ship restaurants as well.

Emeril Lagasse Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In total, Emeril Lagasse owns 11 restaurants worldwide as of 2025, spanning primarily the United States and cruise ships at sea.

His empire ranges from the flagship fine dining restaurant Emeril’s in New Orleans to casual and seafood concepts like Meril and the cruise ship bistros, offering a wide variety of dining experiences centered on Louisiana and Creole flavors.

Though he does not hold Michelin stars, Lagasse’s influence is felt strongly through his distinctive culinary style, emphasis on quality, and prominent presence in well-known food destinations such as New Orleans and Las Vegas.

His ownership structure is unique in that all venues are fully owned and operated without franchising or licensing, ensuring a cohesive approach to quality and brand integrity. With recent expansions including Emeril’s Brasserie and 34 Restaurant & Bar, his New Orleans presence continues to grow.

While not as vast as some celebrity chef empires, Emeril Lagasse’s portfolio is carefully curated and respected, embodying a commitment to bold, southern-inspired cuisine and authentic hospitality.

For aspiring hospitality professionals, building a in-depth knowledge of the restaurant management styles seen in successful brands like Emeril's can make a significant difference in career success.

FAQs About Emeril Lagasse's Restaurants

Emeril Lagasse remains actively engaged in shaping the culinary vision and menu development across his restaurants, especially in flagship locations like Emeril's in New Orleans.

However, daily operations are managed by experienced executive chefs and restaurant managers at each venue, allowing Lagasse to focus on strategic growth, media appearances, and concept innovation.

Emeril’s restaurants vary in price, from upscale fine dining to casual venues. Fine dining establishments like Emeril's and Delmonico Steakhouse have price ranges between $75–$150 per person.

Casual dining options such as Meril, 34 Restaurant & Bar, and the cruise ship bistros offer more affordable pricing, generally from $15–$75 per person.

Best value is subjective, but casual venues provide a high-quality taste of Emeril’s cuisine at accessible prices.

Expansion decisions focus on markets with strong ties to hospitality, tourism, and cultural alignment with Lagasse’s culinary style.

New Orleans serves as a natural hub given its culinary heritage, while Las Vegas attracts fine dining and steakhouse clientele. The partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines allows a maritime extension of the brand to global cruise passengers.

Factors like brand fit, demographic appeal, and strategic hospitality partnerships drive Lagasse’s expansion choices.

Sustainability practices vary by location but many Emeril restaurants emphasize sourcing fresh, local Gulf Coast ingredients, especially seafood and produce.

While not all explicitly market themselves as sustainable, seasonal menus and fresh sourcing are important elements of Emeril’s culinary philosophy.

Most Emeril Lagasse restaurants accept online reservations through platforms like OpenTable or their official websites.

There is currently no centralized loyalty program for his restaurants, although individual venues may offer occasional promotions or partnerships with hotel properties.