Dining at The Orleans: on-site restaurants and bars explained
The Orleans Hotel & Casino has a mix of on-site dining from a polished steakhouse (Alder & Birch) to casual seafood (Big Al’s Oyster Bar), a Chinese/Japanese option (Ondori Asian Kitchen), a gastropub (Bailiwick), and an all-day café (Copper Whisk Café). Most restaurants publish set hours and some require or recommend reservations for dinner; the resort fee does not include meals or drinks.
In this guide
- Overview: what to expect from dining at The Orleans
- Alder & Birch — the steakhouse
- Big Al’s Oyster Bar and the seafood lineup
- Ondori Asian Kitchen, Copper Whisk Café and quick bites
- Bars, lounges and late-night options
- Buffet, food court and group dining
- Practical tips: reservations, dress, hours and family notes
Overview: what to expect from dining at The Orleans
The Orleans Hotel & Casino offers a variety of on-site restaurants and bars covering steakhouse dinner, Creole/Cajun seafood, Asian cuisine and casual all-day café fare, plus a buffet and a food court with national quick-serve brands. Dining options range from casual family-friendly spots to Alder & Birch, which recommends reservations and smart casual attire for dinner.
The resort fee does not include meals or drinks; restaurants and bars charge separately. Hours can vary by day and season, so check a venue’s posted hours or call ahead if you have timing constraints.
- On-site options include Alder & Birch, Big Al’s Oyster Bar, Ondori Asian Kitchen, Bailiwick, Copper Whisk Café, Prime Rib Loft, Melody/Medley Buffet, and a food court.
- Family-friendly choices: Copper Whisk Café, Big Al’s, food court and buffet.
- Some venues recommend reservations for dinner (Alder & Birch is specifically noted).
| Type | Typical atmosphere | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Steakhouse | Polished, dinner-focused | Special-occasion dinners |
| Seafood/Oyster Bar | Casual, Creole/Cajun | Seafood lovers, relaxed meals |
| All-day café/food court | Casual/family | Breakfast, quick meals |
Alder & Birch — the steakhouse
Alder & Birch is The Orleans’ dinner-focused steakhouse serving prime steaks, classic American entrees, shared plates and hand-crafted cocktails. The restaurant suggests smart casual attire and recommends reservations for dinner.
Official hours list dinner and bar service Wednesday–Sunday, 4:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (some sources extend Friday/Saturday later). If you need a late dinner or seating on a busy night, call ahead to confirm availability.
- Cuisine: steakhouse / American classics
- Hours: Dinner Wed–Sun, 4:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (check for Fri/Sat extensions)
- Reservation: recommended; dress: smart casual
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Reserve for dinner | Helps secure table on busy nights |
| Smart casual suggested | Avoid surprises at arrival |
| Call to confirm hours | Weekend hours sometimes extend |
Big Al’s Oyster Bar and the seafood lineup
Big Al’s Oyster Bar serves Creole/Cajun seafood with freshly shucked oysters, clams, pan roasts, bouillabaisse and pasta. It’s a casual, family-friendly spot suitable for lunch and dinner service on most days.
Official hours posted by the property are Mon–Thu 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sat 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m., and Sun 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Take-out is available for cooked items (raw shellfish may not be taken out).
- Cuisine: Creole/Cajun seafood
- Hours: Mon–Thu 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Take-out: cooked items only
| When to go | Why |
|---|---|
| Lunch/early dinner Fri–Sun | Extended weekend hours |
| Weeknight dinner Mon–Thu | Quieter service |
| Call for take-out rules | Raw oysters/clams restrictions |
Ondori Asian Kitchen, Copper Whisk Café and quick bites
Ondori Asian Kitchen offers Chinese and Japanese dishes including a large sushi selection; its published hours are daily 11:30 a.m.–12:00 a.m. (midnight), making it one of the later full-service options. Ondori suits relaxed dinners and late-night meals.
Copper Whisk Café provides all-day breakfast favorites (including the Copper Whisk Cinnamon Roll), omelets, lunch and dinner classics and is listed as open daily 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. For faster or budget-friendly choices, the on-site food court includes national quick-serve brands and a bowling snack bar.
- Ondori Asian Kitchen: daily 11:30 a.m.–12:00 a.m.
- Copper Whisk Café: all-day breakfast and café fare, open daily early morning to evening
- Food court: multiple quick-serve counters (Fuddruckers, Sbarro, Chick-fil-A, coffee and dessert outlets)
| Venue | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Ondori Asian Kitchen | 11:30 a.m.–12:00 a.m. (daily) |
| Copper Whisk Café | 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (daily) |
| Food court | Varies by vendor; daytime–evening service |
Bars, lounges and late-night options
The Orleans has several casino-floor bars and lounges for drinks and light fare — examples include the Alligator Bar (full-service, in the casino), Mardi Gras Bar and Bailiwick gastropub. Bailiwick offers live music, a large draft beer selection and a listed happy hour with bar discounts on weekdays.
Bar hours vary by venue; some casino bars operate well into the night while others have earlier closing times. If a particular bar’s opening or live-music schedule matters to you, call the venue or consult the hotel's daily listings.
- Bailiwick: gastropub with live bands, 40 beers on draft; hours Mon–Thu 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Fri–Sun noon–10:00 p.m.; weekday happy hour Mon–Thu 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Alligator Bar and Mardi Gras Bar: casino-floor bars with varying late hours; Alligator Bar listed as opening around 5:00 p.m.
- Live entertainment schedules change—check Orleans Showroom or venue notices for nightly listings.
| Venue | Feature |
|---|---|
| Bailiwick | Gastropub, live bands, happy hour |
| Alligator Bar | Full-service casino bar, alligator display |
| Mardi Gras Bar | Casino bar with slot/video poker seating |
Buffet, food court and group dining
The Melody/Medley Buffet (formerly the French Market Buffet) offers multiple cuisine stations (Italian, BBQ, Asian, Mexican, deli and desserts) and is suitable when guests want a broad choice in one place. The property also has private and larger event spaces for catered functions, including the Stardust Suite and Mardi Gras Ballroom; on-site catering is available for meetings and weddings.
If you’re attending a large group event at the hotel (wedding, conference, arena show), check whether catering or a set menu will be provided and whether that affects regular restaurant availability during your visit.
- Melody/Medley Buffet: multiple stations across cuisines
- Catering/banquet spaces: on-site catering available for events; Mardi Gras Ballroom and Stardust Suite are named venues
- Food court useful for quick groups or families seeking variety without long waits
| When to use | Tip |
|---|---|
| Buffet for variety or groups | Check hours and seating for event nights |
| Food court for fast meals | Good when restaurants are busy |
| Catered events/weddings | Confirm with catering if attending a hotel event |
Practical tips: reservations, dress, hours and family notes
Make reservations for Alder & Birch and consider calling ahead for weekend seating at other dinner venues; Copper Whisk and the food court generally take walk-ins. Dress varies by venue—Alder & Birch recommends smart casual while most casino restaurants accept casual attire.
The resort fee does not include food or beverages; it covers in-room internet, parking, pool access and fitness center access. The Orleans is positioned as family-friendly overall (children’s pool and family dining options), but Spa Orleans and the Fitness Center have age restrictions (spa: 18+; fitness often 18+ as well).
- Confirm restaurant hours the day you dine—hours listed here can vary by source and season.
- If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, call the restaurant to confirm options before arriving.
- Room names to note: Deluxe Room, Strip View Room, Suite, Premium Room — in case you want in-room dining or special amenity requests tied to your reservation.
| Common question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Are meals included in the resort fee? | No — meals and drinks are charged separately. |
| Should I reserve ahead? | Yes for Alder & Birch and busy weekend dinners; optional for other spots. |
| Are venues child-friendly? | Many casual venues are; Spa Orleans and some fitness areas are 18+ only. |
