Stella Maris Cafe & Grocery

Excellent food and service. Both people behind the counter were very nice! Been here a few times and have not been disappointed. I recently tried their cheese cake and omg they are to die for that I went back a day later to get another two slices. Pictured is their baklava cheesecake: yummy. Tried the lotus cheesecake too and it was my favorite thus far.

In 2024, it's difficult to find eateries (or any business, for that matter) which check most to all of the standard boxes. Ask yourself when you last went out to eat somewhere with good food, prepared and presented thoughtfully, served promptly, in a pleasant atmosphere, by caring and attentive waitstaff, for an amount of money that didn't sting when the check arrived. Stella Maris meets and exceeds each and every one of these criteria, which has been cause for me and mine to return there on a biweekly basis for the past several months, as we will continue to do for the foreseeable future.

Jamal and the rest of the Stella Maris crew have gone to noteworthy lengths to make each dining *and shopping* experience one which, lamentably, resembles fewer and fewer businesses in the US, and feels more like the hospitality one could expect abroad, in a far less atomized, sanitized, corporatized, price-gouging country than this one.

When after dinner one night, one of us accidentally knocked over our hookah, shattering the glass base, Jamal was emphatic that we not worry one bit about it, and didn't charge us a cent for the damage. When I later bought my own (beautiful and affordable) hookah from him as a surprise birthday present, and discovered in it a small design flaw, Jamal automatically and graciously offered an entire replacement hookah at no additional cost, along with a handful of other proposed remedies to ensure I was taken care of. Upon leaving the store that day, I had accidentally left a small piece of our hookah behind, and failed to see him flagging me down in the rear view mirror as I drove away. The next time I stopped in, at first sight of me entering the door, he immediately went to the back and retrieved the piece, perfectly and wordlessly anticipating the very reason for my visit.

These people are just plain kind, and that kindness shows up in every facet of their work and their business. You can taste it, hear it, see it, feel it. I feel as nourished by that kindness in my trips to Stella Maris as I do anything on its menu. Rare is the restaurant or store where you feel like helping the place out for free on your day off. This is one such place.

I love this place. The food is fresh and delicious. I’ve shopped here on the grocery side as well. This is definitely a place to try, as I’ve been a few times.

It’s now my favorite place to go. The service is great too. Very friendly and welcoming like visiting their home and dining in their kitchen.

a classic convenience store + kitchen-in-the-back combo. very reminiscent of the indian stores back in my hometown, so i loved the nostalgia !!

food was excellent and well priced, and the service was so good! she even gave us some free chocolate as we explored the shelves while we waited for our food. the staff were so friendly and chatted with us.

we tried chicken, beef, and lamb - recommend them all!!

Simply the best tasting, well cooked fish I have had in a while.
The baklava is the best anywhere. A really great dessert menu.

One of my favorite Lebanese/Middle Eastern restaurants and overall favorites in St. Bernard! My boyfriend had never tried Lebanese before and now he is hooked. We tried Olive in the CBD and this is still his favorite. The service is really good too.

I enjoy the changing daily specials ... The grilled shrimp and the stuffed cabbage leaves are two of my favorites

Also fun to shop the aisles for some interesting international foods while waiting for my meal to be ready ... Cookies cakes candies spices and more ... make sure you try the lotus cheesecake

The food was so delicious! I had the grape leave and chicken Tikka plate. The cucumber and tomato salad was so good, the chicken fell off the bone and the flavor was amazing. The rice was perfect! I loved all of it!

Excellent food ! We had the special of the day , lamb shank with rice and yogurt soup and lentil soup . The owner is also super friendly and very welcoming

The food quality and friendly service are really impressive. The mint lemonade is incredible. Wow. I highly recommend as a fair priced Middle Eastern option! The baba ganouj haunts me. lol

We are from the NY / CT area and vacationing in New Orleans. Tonight we decided to try Stella Maris as it was close to where we are staying. What an amazing treat! We were greeted by an incredibly gracious waitstaff. We followed her menu recommendations and we could not have been more pleased. The Stella Maris Special appetizer (baba ganuj, hummus, falafel, roasted eggplant, stuffed grape leaves, tabouleh), the lebanese spinach cheese roll, and the baklava were among the best that we have eaten … and we have tried middle eastern cuisine in many cities and states over many years. During our stay in New Orleans, we ate at several highly rated places in foodie articles … and Stella Maris ranks among the best meal that we had. Our only regret is our scarce opportunity to return to this place again. If you have an opportunity to dine here, do not let it pass by!

Good portion sizes, friendly service, and good food. If you are in New Orleans, it's worth the trip past all the other overpriced establishments.

Been coming here for a long time but just now reviewing it. Great food and cool snacks you can’t find anywhere else. Try their specials too. They always have something good

Excellent little shop and cafe for authentic Middle Eastern delicacies. My chicken shawarma was so good and hummus was amazing. I wish they would sell their homemade hummus in pints containers to take home. Service was prompt and super courteous. Menu is vast but not overwhelming. The side store had a decent selection of hard to find spices and great teas. Would definitely recommend for those who want to change their palate to something fresh and good. Will certainly stop by whenever in the area. 🙂🌻

Family owned. Very consistent quality....amazing food and service every time!!!

Such great food, prices and service!! Everyone here is so kind. Ordered a large take out order for my birthday party and they were so patient. 10/10 every time and I love the grocery market as well. Thanks for being a part of the community!

Just ate with my nephew Jas. Mint lemonade a must! Refreshing not too sweet. Chicken kabob excellent!

Y’all! Best place in the parish! I recently had the absolute pleasure of grabbing some take out at Stella Maris restaurant, and I must say, it’s nothing short of a culinary paradise. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the warmest and most hospitable staff you could ever hope to meet. It’s clear that the workers and owners take immense pride in their establishment, and it truly shines through in every aspect of the dining experience.

Now, let’s talk about the food. Oh, where do I even begin? The gyro sandwiches were a revelation, bursting with flavor and cooked to absolute perfection. The blend of tender, savory meat and fresh, crisp veggies was a taste sensation like no other. But what truly stole the show were the desserts. I swear, their desserts are sent straight from heaven.

This is the spot!!! 100 stars!

This place is incredible! Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you - this restaurant is the real deal. Amazing food, very friendly and informative service, and a charming vibe.

Just had an incredible and cozy dine in experience. I usually get take out or delivery but had time today to sit inside. The service was extraordinary and so is the stew on special today. Its called fassoulya beyda (white beans) and it was had the most tender flavorful pieces of beef in a luxurious broth with creamy beans. I actually started to cry at the table over how comforting and delicious it was on a chilly work day. I hope they make it a regular menu item because I feel like I had a religious experience at lunch today. My partner got the beef shawarma which was very flavorful as usual and their rice, hummus and baba gamouj are to die for.

Highly recommend. The prices in the attached grocery are also great.