New Orleans Spotlight: Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a historic and beloved New Orleans institution, especially famous for its oyster bar experience and authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine.¹

What Makes it Unique

• The Classic Oyster Bar Experience: Felix’s is credited with putting the New Orleans oyster bar “on the map” in the 1940s.² It offers a classic atmosphere where patrons can “belly up to the bar” and watch the shuckers open the freshest Gulf Coast oysters right in front of them.³

   

• Signature Char-Grilled Oysters: While they serve raw oysters, Felix’s is particularly renowned for its Char-Grilled Oysters, which are typically cooked over an open flame and topped with a savory sauce, often a housemade char butter and Parmesan breadcrumbs.⁴

   

• Authentic Creole and Cajun Menu: Beyond oysters, the restaurant is known for its wide selection of traditional New Orleans dishes.⁵

   

History

The Felix’s story is closely tied to the history of the New Orleans oyster bar.⁶

• The restaurant’s current identity and success as an oyster institution date back to the 1940s, when it established itself as the go-to place for fresh, shucked oysters.⁷

   

• The original French Quarter location has been a favorite of locals and visitors for over 70 years.⁸

   

• The French Quarter location has expanded over time, including a renovation that connected it with a Bourbon Street space, giving it a large L-shaped restaurant with entrances on both Iberville Street and Bourbon Street.⁹

   

• The brand has since expanded to other locations, including a Lakefront New Orleans restaurant and locations outside of Louisiana.¹⁰

   

Highlight Menu Items

While the full menu is extensive, key items that draw the most attention include:

• Oysters on the Half-Shell: Fresh Gulf Coast oysters served with cocktail sauce.¹¹

   

• Char-Grilled Oysters: Sizzling oysters with Parmesan breadcrumbs and housemade char butter.¹²

   

• Oysters Rockefeller: A classic dish, typically prepared with a creamy spinach, Anisette liquor, bacon, and Parmesan cheese.¹³

   

• Oysters Bienville: Oysters topped with shrimp and mushrooms in a rich cream sauce.¹⁴

   

• Classic Seafood Gumbo: A rich, dark roux gumbo featuring shrimp and lump crabmeat.¹⁵

   

• New Orleans Bread Pudding: Served with a decadent whiskey sauce.¹⁶

   

• Po-Boy Sandwiches: Especially the Felix Special Po-Boy (half oyster, half shrimp).¹⁷

   

Customer Feedback

Customers frequently praise Felix’s for:

• Freshness: Highlighting the daily delivery and on-site shucking of oysters.¹⁸

   

• The Char-Grilled Oysters: Often cited as a standout, must-try item.
• Atmosphere: Described as a classic, no-frills New Orleans spot with a lively bar environment.
• Location: The French Quarter spot is particularly popular for its central, accessible location.¹⁹

   

Significant Events

While the restaurant’s history is colorful and part of the fabric of the French Quarter, the most significant events often revolve around its operational history and community involvement:

• Expansion of the French Quarter Location: The merging and renovation of the French Quarter space to include the Bourbon Street frontage was a significant expansion, making room for more seating, including a popular Bourbon Street Balcony Room for private events and Mardi Gras viewing.²⁰

   

• Community Involvement: The restaurant has engaged in local community support, such as donating an ATV to the 8th District police to help improve safety in the French Quarter.²¹

   

• Mardi Gras Festivities: The French Quarter location, with its balcony room, hosts significant private events during the Carnival season, offering guests an authentic New Orleans parade viewing experience.²²

   

Location and Contact Information (French Quarter Location)