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    Home » New Orleans

    Antoine's New Orleans: Fine Dining in the French Quarter

    Updated May 17, 2022 by Dave Lee | 5 minute read | May contain affiliate links

    Opened in 1840, Antoine's New Orleans restaurant is the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States.

    Go to Antoine's Restaurant if you're looking for historic fine dining in the French Quarter.

    This French-Creole restaurant is named after its founder, Antoine Alciatore, an immigrant from France.

    Antoine's son, Jules Alciatore, invented Oysters Rockefeller, the restaurant's signature dish named after John D. Rockefeller.

    Antoine's Restaurant
    Antoine's Restaurant

    Today, Antoine's Restaurant is run by fifth-generation relatives of the founder.

    Given its history and reputation, having hosted everyone from Anthony Bourdain to Pope John Paul II, I was excited to go for lunch at Antoine's.

    Spoiler alert! The experience was so enjoyable I put Antoine's first on my list of the best restaurants in New Orleans.

    The front dining room at Antoine's
    The front room at Antoine's

    Lunch at Antoine's

    Entering the brightly lit front dining room at 11:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, I walked up to the host stand set amidst the tables and introduced myself.

    I found it interesting that the position of the host/hostess is in the center of the room, which allows guests to walk inside the space before being greeted.

    I hadn't asked for a specific table, so I was grateful to be seated by one of the front windows, allowing me to watch who was walking by during lunch.

    Seafood entrees
    Seafood entrees

    The Menu

    Overwhelming would be an excellent way to describe the menu at Antoine's in New Orleans.

    I already knew I wanted to try the Oysters Rockefeller, but that didn't mean the other appetizers like Antoine's Seafood Duo with shrimp remoulade and crabmeat ravigote didn't tempt me.

    Beyond the seafood, another house specialty is Pommes de Terre Soufflés (fried puffed potatoes).

    Gumbo and alligator bisque are listed among the soups; there are a few salads for those who prefer a light start.

    Entrees include a variety of meats, such as steak frittes, chateaubriand, bacon-wrapped medallions of lamb, and grilled pork porterhouse.

    Seafood options are no less luxurious and include fish almandine, a filet of fish, and crab cakes.

    I'll touch on the many fabulous desserts further down.

    See also: Galatoire's: The Best Restaurant on Bourbon Street

    Oysters Rockefeller at Antoine's New Orleans
    Oysters Rockefeller

    The signature Oysters Rockefeller are prepared on the half-shell and topped with a green sauce of fresh herbs and vegetables.

    They're then broiled and presented with a side of lemon wedges.

    My waiter said the topping doesn't include spinach, but beyond that, the recipe remains a family secret.

    Every order is numbered. Diners are given a souvenir postcard with the exact number of their order.

    I was number 4,085,292 to be served this dish, an experience I shared with former U.S. presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, who dined at Antoine's in 1937.

    It's not the prettiest dish, but the sauce and oysters both tasted fresh, and I enjoyed trying something new.

    Pompano Pontchartrain
    Pompano Pontchartrain with crabmeat

    I continued with seafood for my entree, ordering the Pompano Pontchartrain -- a grilled filet of fish topped with crabmeat and a white wine butter sauce.

    The fish filet may not have been all that big, but it was plenty filling when taken together with a generous portion of fresh crabmeat and butter sauce.

    It was so luscious and flavorful. I don't even want to think about how much butter was used.

    The dish comes from Lake Pontchartrain, the 630-square-mile estuary north of New Orleans.

    See also: Breakfast at Brennan's

    Flambeed cherries
    A slotted ladle is used to scoop out the cherries

    Antoine's has a killer dessert menu, so be sure to leave room for something sweet at the end of your meal.

    Three options are flambeed tableside: Baked Alaska, Cherries Jubilee, and Café Brulot Diabolique. That last option, a coffee cocktail, is another recipe credited to Jules.

    A key lime tart, crème brûlée, and flourless chocolate torte are a few more of the ten options making up the dessert menu.

    Cherries Jubilee dessert
    Cherries Jubilee dessert

    I ordered the Cherries Jubilee, which is flambeed in brandy and served over Angelo Brocato's vanilla ice cream.

    The tableside preparation was quite the show, even during the day.

    Upon presentation, steam was still rising from the cherries as they slowly melted the vanilla ice cream below.

    See also: Best Cocktail Bars in New Orleans

    The Large Annex at Antoine's Restaurant New Orleans
    The Large Annex can seat 220 diners

    Dining Rooms

    After lunch, I took a walk through the historic New Orleans restaurant, as it's much larger than it seems.

    Over the years, Antoine's has expanded to a dozen rooms on two floors, many used for private parties.

    Some are decorated in honor of local Mardi Gras parade krewes, making for a unique atmosphere.

    The red room pictured above is another public dining area. It doesn't face the street and lacks natural light; therefore, it's better suited for large group dining.

    My favorite room was the elegant Rex Room with green walls below. Keep scrolling down to see all the private dining rooms on the first floor.

    The Rex Room at Antoine's Restaurant
    The Rex Room at Antoine's
    The Proteus Room
    The Proteus Room
    The Escargot Room at Antoine's
    The Escargot Room
    1840 dining room at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans
    1840 dining room at Antoine's
    The "Mystery Room" at Antoine's New Orleans, the oldest restaurant in the city
    The Mystery Room

    Overall, I had a fantastic time at Antoine's New Orleans. For fine dining in the French Quarter, you'd be hard-pressed to find a restaurant with as much history and character.

    Plus, it offers an exceptional dining experience in a setting that still feels casual, comfortable, and friendly.

    Including tax, tip, and an unsweetened ice tea, my three-course lunch at Antoine's Restaurant cost me $98. It was one of my most memorable meals of the year.

    Plan Your Visit

    • Address: 713 St. Louis St., French Quarter, New Orleans
    • Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday; 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sunday
    • Dress: Business casual -- collared shirts for men, jackets preferred but not required, no flip-flops, t-shirts, or shorts
    • Reservations: Recommended — make a reservation (if you like natural light and people-watching, ask for a table in the front)
    • Website

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    Dave Lee

    Hi, I'm Dave, the Chief Eater at Feastio. I'm a travel blogger on a mission to find the world's best food. About Feastio.

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