Desire Oyster Bar
New Orleans
Visit during weekday Happy Hours for good deals on raw oysters and drinks.
Desire Oyster Bar offers guests the quintessential taste of New Orleans with its focus on authentic Louisiana-style cuisine. Situated on the iconic Bourbon Street within the historic Royal Sonesta hotel, the restaurant invites both locals and visitors to savor regional delicacies in a setting that marries vintage charm with modern design. The interior is thoughtfully decorated, reflecting the architectural elegance of the surrounding French Quarter while bringing in contemporary elements.
Famed for its fresh Gulf oysters, diners can enjoy them either chargrilled or on the half shell at the chic raw bar. The menu also includes other local favorites such as hearty gumbo and a selection of classic Po'boys, ensuring a rich culinary experience that celebrates the area's culinary traditions. With its spacious layout, visitors can choose between the bustling vibe at the bar or opting for a more intimate table setting.
Desire Oyster Bar's accessibility to the heartbeat of New Orleans makes it an alluring choice for those eager to immerse themselves in the local culture. Whether stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, patrons can expect a diverse menu that accommodates various dietary needs, all served in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant prominently features a Broadway-style marquis, inviting passersby to indulge in an authentic dining journey available seven days a week.
Reviews
I’m not usually a huge fan of Bourbon Street, but while walking down there on a relatively quiet midweek afternoon, we stumbled across Desire and noticed they had a $5 wine happy hour offer. They also had $1.50 oysters, so obviously we had to investigate! The wine was amazing, but the oysters were absolutely mind-blowingly good. Add to that the superb bar service and the friendliest barman, and we had a fantastic afternoon. If you’re in New Orleans, head here Monday to Thursday between 2pm and 5pm. Quite possibly the best wine and oyster happy hour deal in the city, and definitely worth seeking out. 10/10..... just go!
We had an excellent experience at Desire Oyster Bar. The oysters were incredibly fresh, flavorful, and served perfectly. The seafood was delicious, and every dish we ordered was prepared with great quality and care. If you're looking for fresh oysters, great seafood, and exceptional service while in New Orleans, Desire Oyster Bar is definitely worth a visit. We'll be back!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you're visiting New Orleans and love oysters, make Desire Oyster Bar your first stop. Tucked off Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, this place delivers on both the raw bar and the chargrilled oysters — and does it at a high level. The raw oysters were fresh, clean, and briny in exactly the right way. But the chargrilled oysters are the real showstopper — buttery, perfectly seasoned, and cooked with the kind of confidence that only comes from doing it right every single day. This is New Orleans oyster culture at its best. The setting inside the Hotel Monteleone area adds a classic French Quarter vibe without feeling touristy. Service was attentive and knowledgeable. Whether you're a raw oyster purist or a chargrilled convert (or both), Desire delivers. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a quintessential New Orleans oyster experience.
A convenient place to eat since it's in our hotel. The shrimp and grits were delish, the chicken & sausage gumbo was not too dark it was perfect for the rainy weather. The oysters were good but I kept biting into pieces of shells which made it difficult to enjoy since I have to carefully eat it. Overall service, food and the atmosphere with old history photos is a 10 and highly recommended.
Surprisingly good. We stumbled upon this restaurant on a busy Friday evening but got seated right away. The service was excellent. The grilled oysters were amazing! The fried green tomatoes too. The batter was light. The chicken and sausage gumbo was good and not too salty though I didn't see any sausage in my cup. The green collards were too salty. The alligator was good.
