You walk into a restaurant and there’s a massive steel bank vault door staring at you. Not a replica. Not a prop. The real thing — complete with concrete walls and the exact setup from when this building was Algiers Trust and Savings Bank.
Welcome to The Vault NOLA.
The restaurant sits in a renovated 1921 bank building on Verret Street in Algiers Point. The Wright family owns it now, and one of them used to work at Whitney Bank back when it occupied this exact space. She started there at 17. That personal connection shows in how they’ve restored everything — the old bank equipment from the 1970s scattered throughout the dining room, the high ceilings, the tasteful artwork, the soft lighting that makes the historic bones feel elegant instead of stuffy.
And yes, you can walk inside the actual vault. The massive door is still there. The concrete walls too. It’s the kind of detail that makes you stop and stare.
Chef Gason Nelson and Executive Chef Kevin Smith run the kitchen. Chef Gason is a two-time James Beard Scholar whose work has taken him around the world. Executive Chef Kevin started cooking at 15 alongside his grandmother. They serve upscale New Orleans cuisine that blends traditional Creole with contemporary techniques.
The big draw is Sunday brunch — a buffet that runs from 11am to 4pm with a two-hour seating limit. People keep talking about the gumbo, fried catfish, and mac and cheese. One reviewer called it the best mac and cheese they’ve ever had. The dessert spread includes bread pudding and an array of sweets.
Fair warning — Sunday brunch comes with a DJ and loud music. Some people love the wedding reception energy. Others find it overwhelming. Multiple reviews mention the volume. The food gets consistent praise regardless.
The restaurant also operates Friday evenings from 6pm to 10pm. They book weddings and private events too. If you want to see the vault up close, ask the staff for a behind-the-scenes tour. They’ll walk you through the building’s history.
The whole thing sits in Algiers Point — the second-oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, founded in 1719. The building survived when much of the area burned in the 1800s. It served as Algiers Trust and Savings Bank starting in 1921. Whitney Bank acquired it in 1930. Now it’s serving plates instead of holding deposits.
Getting there is easy — just minutes from the ferry that connects Algiers Point to the rest of New Orleans. You’re eating dinner in a neighborhood that predates most of the city.
Sunday brunch runs $50 per person according to recent reports. Call ahead for reservations, especially for groups of 11 or more.
The Vault NOLA 501 Verret Street, New Orleans (504) 453-2720 Friday 6pm-10pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
