NEW ORLEANS – For a quarter-century, Restaurant August has strived to stand as a benchmark for fine dining in New Orleans. Founded in 2001 by local business titan August “Duke” Robin and shaped by the culinary vision of Chef John Besh, the restaurant was developed as a tribute to Louisiana’s Creole culture. Today, under Executive Chef Corey Thomas, Restaurant August continues to celebrate the people, flavors and traditions of the region through an intentional and memorable dining experience.
“For 25 years, August has been proud to carry forward the rich, evolving story of Louisiana’s Creole cuisine,” said Corey Thomas, executive chef of Restaurant August. “From the menu to the dining room, each detail honors the traditions of the place we call home and the people who built them. As we enter our next chapter, our team is eager to keep growing, keep pushing boundaries and keep celebrating the culture and flavors that make South Louisiana unlike anywhere else and that have defined August for 25 years.”
To mark its 25th anniversary in 2026, the BRG Hospitality flagship will host a yearlong series of culinary and cultural activities on the 25th of every month. After kicking off in January with a surprise champagne sabrage for guests, upcoming highlights include limited-time menu offerings that pay tribute to the restaurant’s early days, commemorative Mignot Faget drinkware, curated tasting events and more.
On Feb. 25, Chef Thomas and his team will revisit Black Pepper-Seared Oysters with Country Ham and Truffled Spoon Bread, spotlighting an ingredient central to New Orleans’ culinary identity and Restaurant August’s story.
In the days following Hurricane Katrina, BRG Hospitality co-founders and co-owners Octavio Mantilla and Chef John Besh served red beans and rice to anyone in need, first from flatboats and later from mobile kitchens. As word spread and locals and first responders insisted on paying for meals again, Chef Besh and Mantilla sourced some of the first oysters served in the city after the storm for August’s guests – reaffirming the restaurant’s place in New Orleans’ culinary landscape.
“Reaching 25 years in a city with rich and storied culinary traditions like New Orleans is no easy feat and is a direct result of our dedication to sustaining our community through heartfelt hospitality,” said Octavio Mantilla, co-founder and co-owner of BRG Hospitality. “Hurricane Katrina showed us the power of remaining true to that mission. We wouldn’t be in business today if it weren’t for those oysters or the city’s shared commitment to uplift one another. That experience set the standard for how we approach every meal and every guest – always cooking and serving from the heart.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to the community, the Restaurant August team will prioritize its new partnership with Hotel Hope, which provides housing and support services to women and children experiencing homelessness. Through this initiative, BRG Hospitality team members prepare, deliver and share monthly meals with residents, reinforcing the belief that hospitality extends far beyond the dining room.
“August has never been about standing still,” said Executive Chef Corey Thomas. “This anniversary year reflects a recognition of the past and a commitment to the work ahead, whether we’re in the kitchen or beyond.”
Since its founding, Restaurant August has received national and international recognition, including inclusion in the Michelin 2025 American South Guide, the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, and a World of Fine Wine award. Besh and Mantilla were also named the 2026 Restaurateurs of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Association.
Set within a restored 19th-century building at 301 Tchoupitoulas St. in Downtown New Orleans, Restaurant August is open for dinner service daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. August hosts Friday lunch service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For reservations and information on 25th anniversary specials and events, visit restaurantaugust.com.