Grabbed a beer and a dozen oysters by the oyster bar during happy hour. Didn't actually realize it was happy hour so when the bill came through it was a pleasant surprise! If you sit by the bar the guy will shuck the oysters right in front of you - as fresh as they come. There's a fridge behind him that also contains stacks of plates of pre-prepped oysters that I'm pretty sure are for those with a table. The oysters themselves were juicy and plump, they definitely have a good supplier - better than most of the other oysters joints in the French Quarter area. tldr; get oysters here during happy hour
Collin S.
Went on recommendation from a friend and LOVED it!!!! Oysters were amazing - got 6 chargrilled and 6 raw. Sweet potato fries were delicious and cooked just right. Collard greens were EXCELLENT, just like my cajun grandmother makes them. Bloody Mary was the best I've had in New Orleans.....very simple but thick with horseradish and a heavy taste (not watered down and "mixy") with great toppings. The blackberry spritz cocktail was excellent and so was the hurricane! My very favorite part of the meal was the bread pudding - simple but phenomenal!!! 10/10 and will definitely be back! *Also our waitress was sweet and great!
Mitch S.
Exceeded expectations, was busy during Mardi Gras, we sat at the bar. I ordered alligator bites which hit the spot, my girlfriend got chicken and waffles which were really good also. The surprise of the evening was how good the chat broiled oysters are. I would definitely go back again.
Callie R.
If you're searching for a slice of genuine Southern hospitality in the heart of New Orleans, look no further than Ms. Ruthie at the Desire Oyster Bar. From the moment you step foot into this Bourbon Street institution, you're enveloped in warmth, charm, and the unmistakable spirit of the city. Ms. Ruthie isn't just a server; she's a beacon of joy, a true gem who brightens each morning with her infectious smile and heartfelt greetings. As soon as you walk through the door, you're greeted with her trademark "Good Morning Ya'll," a simple phrase that feels like a warm embrace in a bustling world. It's a reminder of the power of kindness and the beauty of human connection. But Ms. Ruthie's magic doesn't stop at her warm welcomes; her service is unparalleled. With a grace and attentiveness that's reminiscent of family, she tends to your every need, ensuring that your breakfast experience is nothing short of delightful. Whether it's a steaming cup of coffee or a hearty plate of Southern classics, Ms. Ruthie goes above and beyond to make sure you start your day on the right foot. And oh, the breakfast! Each morning, Ms. Ruthie treats you to a feast fit for a king, ensuring that you're fueled up and ready to explore the wonders of New Orleans. From fluffy pancakes to perfectly scrambled eggs, every bite is a testament to her dedication to excellence. In a world where hustle and bustle often overshadow the simple joys of life, Ms. Ruthie is a refreshing reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the little things. So if you find yourself in need of a pick-me-up in the Crescent City, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Ms. Ruthie at the Desire Oyster Bar. Trust me, you'll leave with a full belly, a lighter heart, and a newfound appreciation for the magic of New Orleans hospitality.
Danielle P.
Food was good, server was super nice! Great place to eat and watch the parade that came by before we walked up and down Bourbon 02/02/2024
Jason P.
Mid - it was alright. Synopsis below: Crab Cake - super bready and fried but it was decent Crawfish Elouffee - it was ok, but wouldn't order again Cajun Alfredo Pasta - Star of the show! The service was mid at best, and the inside looks way nicer in photos. Overall, average experience and average food.
Virginia K.
Welcome to paradise, oyster lovers who are fortunate enough to enter the Desire Oyster Bar. The oysters are incredible and the service is fabulous. Even though we had just 3 days in New Orleans, we had such a wonderful experience with the oysters (we ended up ordering them every way they are offered), the cold bubbly, and our warm and friendly server, Robert, that we had to come back for the Happy Hour oyster and champagne special the next day. I can't speak to the other selections, but if you know and love oysters, you will be thrilled with your experience at Desire. Ask for Robert! He will take great care of you.
Tymeia T.
Seafood gumbo was delicious. There is a little spice to it but delicious. The chargrilled oysters were also delicious. The service was quick and the servers were friendly. My friend had the catfish poboy was also delicious. The jambalaya was tasty as well.
Carl H.
Brunch! Beautiful restaurant on Bourbon Street. Quick service, great coffee. Had the standard Eggs Benedict- prepared perfectly. Sausage links in the side were crispy and delicious. For those looking for a more traditional Cajun breakfast, Desire has a menu stacked with options and many of the other patrons appeared very pleased with their choices. I will be back!
Sam P.
The food here is very okay. We didn't get oysters but we got the gumbo jambalaya and red beans trio and they were all pretty good but I've had better. The catfish Po Boy was honestly just bad. The fish wasn't crispy at all and the bread was too dense and just all around a miss. Bland and boring. Our server Robert was great though! He was very helpful and on top of things. It wasn't very busy when we went but it was a cool atmosphere. Quiet and cool inside. Is this a must see? No not at all. There are so many better options on and around bourbon. It's pricey for the quality.
out and about on the day before Christmas Eve, we're wandering the Quarter. It's mid-day, why not a snack. We both love oysters and what better place to go than Desire. The oysters are always cold and if you sit at the bar the shucker is always talkative and really nice. With a cold beer, what could be better. We'll be back.
Jay C.
Second day in New Orleans and we continue our mission to have oysters everyday. Cute little corner restaurant connected to a hotel I believe. Service was nice. We ordered a few items off the menu and to be honest it was okay. I've had better at other places which weren't in New Orleans. We ordered the fried alligator, trio sampler, char broiled oyster and a whole lot of raw oysters. The alligator was a bit too salty and the trio were good, but could be better. Char broiled oyster were also on the saltier side. The raw oyster were just okay. They were smaller than the other oyster bars oysters we had. What I don't like is that they did not clean the oyster shells so there were lots of dirt. You could see the dirt in the picture. I had to make sure I didn't touch the shell and just use a fork. So anyone looking to pick up their oyster to slurp, this is not the bar to be doing it at.
Stephenie B.
Oh man I loved the food here. The server was nice and attentive. I ordered the crab cakes and half dozen of raw oysters. My friend got the burger. Burger didn't look special but was cooked well and seasoned deliciously. The sweet potato fries had a cinnamon taste to them that actually worked very well. Crab cakes were yummy but OMG the freshness of the oysters... If I'm ever in town I'll go back just for the delicious and well priced raw oysters!
Camille P.
Portion sizes are small and service was pretty slow... forgot to bring out our oysters and taste of our entrees were only okay.
Isaac E.
A SOLID place to eat attached to the Royal Sonesta Hotel right on Bourbon St. I ended up having the best breakfast on the trip with one of their grits dishes! The theming was great and quality was worth everything I paid for. Definitely would eat here again! Only drawback was the service. I came at the end of the Breakfast rush and was waiting to grab my bill even though more than half of the patrons had already left. Only a small blemish on my visit. Definitely worth it though!
Grabbed a beer and a dozen oysters by the oyster bar during happy hour. Didn't actually realize it was happy hour so when the bill came through it was a pleasant surprise! If you sit by the bar the guy will shuck the oysters right in front of you - as fresh as they come. There's a fridge behind him that also contains stacks of plates of pre-prepped oysters that I'm pretty sure are for those with a table. The oysters themselves were juicy and plump, they definitely have a good supplier - better than most of the other oysters joints in the French Quarter area. tldr; get oysters here during happy hour
Went on recommendation from a friend and LOVED it!!!! Oysters were amazing - got 6 chargrilled and 6 raw. Sweet potato fries were delicious and cooked just right. Collard greens were EXCELLENT, just like my cajun grandmother makes them. Bloody Mary was the best I've had in New Orleans.....very simple but thick with horseradish and a heavy taste (not watered down and "mixy") with great toppings. The blackberry spritz cocktail was excellent and so was the hurricane! My very favorite part of the meal was the bread pudding - simple but phenomenal!!! 10/10 and will definitely be back! *Also our waitress was sweet and great!
Exceeded expectations, was busy during Mardi Gras, we sat at the bar. I ordered alligator bites which hit the spot, my girlfriend got chicken and waffles which were really good also. The surprise of the evening was how good the chat broiled oysters are. I would definitely go back again.
If you're searching for a slice of genuine Southern hospitality in the heart of New Orleans, look no further than Ms. Ruthie at the Desire Oyster Bar. From the moment you step foot into this Bourbon Street institution, you're enveloped in warmth, charm, and the unmistakable spirit of the city. Ms. Ruthie isn't just a server; she's a beacon of joy, a true gem who brightens each morning with her infectious smile and heartfelt greetings. As soon as you walk through the door, you're greeted with her trademark "Good Morning Ya'll," a simple phrase that feels like a warm embrace in a bustling world. It's a reminder of the power of kindness and the beauty of human connection. But Ms. Ruthie's magic doesn't stop at her warm welcomes; her service is unparalleled. With a grace and attentiveness that's reminiscent of family, she tends to your every need, ensuring that your breakfast experience is nothing short of delightful. Whether it's a steaming cup of coffee or a hearty plate of Southern classics, Ms. Ruthie goes above and beyond to make sure you start your day on the right foot. And oh, the breakfast! Each morning, Ms. Ruthie treats you to a feast fit for a king, ensuring that you're fueled up and ready to explore the wonders of New Orleans. From fluffy pancakes to perfectly scrambled eggs, every bite is a testament to her dedication to excellence. In a world where hustle and bustle often overshadow the simple joys of life, Ms. Ruthie is a refreshing reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the little things. So if you find yourself in need of a pick-me-up in the Crescent City, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Ms. Ruthie at the Desire Oyster Bar. Trust me, you'll leave with a full belly, a lighter heart, and a newfound appreciation for the magic of New Orleans hospitality.
Food was good, server was super nice! Great place to eat and watch the parade that came by before we walked up and down Bourbon 02/02/2024
Mid - it was alright. Synopsis below: Crab Cake - super bready and fried but it was decent Crawfish Elouffee - it was ok, but wouldn't order again Cajun Alfredo Pasta - Star of the show! The service was mid at best, and the inside looks way nicer in photos. Overall, average experience and average food.
Welcome to paradise, oyster lovers who are fortunate enough to enter the Desire Oyster Bar. The oysters are incredible and the service is fabulous. Even though we had just 3 days in New Orleans, we had such a wonderful experience with the oysters (we ended up ordering them every way they are offered), the cold bubbly, and our warm and friendly server, Robert, that we had to come back for the Happy Hour oyster and champagne special the next day. I can't speak to the other selections, but if you know and love oysters, you will be thrilled with your experience at Desire. Ask for Robert! He will take great care of you.
Seafood gumbo was delicious. There is a little spice to it but delicious. The chargrilled oysters were also delicious. The service was quick and the servers were friendly. My friend had the catfish poboy was also delicious. The jambalaya was tasty as well.
Brunch! Beautiful restaurant on Bourbon Street. Quick service, great coffee. Had the standard Eggs Benedict- prepared perfectly. Sausage links in the side were crispy and delicious. For those looking for a more traditional Cajun breakfast, Desire has a menu stacked with options and many of the other patrons appeared very pleased with their choices. I will be back!
The food here is very okay. We didn't get oysters but we got the gumbo jambalaya and red beans trio and they were all pretty good but I've had better. The catfish Po Boy was honestly just bad. The fish wasn't crispy at all and the bread was too dense and just all around a miss. Bland and boring. Our server Robert was great though! He was very helpful and on top of things. It wasn't very busy when we went but it was a cool atmosphere. Quiet and cool inside. Is this a must see? No not at all. There are so many better options on and around bourbon. It's pricey for the quality.
Restaurantji Recommends
out and about on the day before Christmas Eve, we're wandering the Quarter. It's mid-day, why not a snack. We both love oysters and what better place to go than Desire. The oysters are always cold and if you sit at the bar the shucker is always talkative and really nice. With a cold beer, what could be better. We'll be back.
Second day in New Orleans and we continue our mission to have oysters everyday. Cute little corner restaurant connected to a hotel I believe. Service was nice. We ordered a few items off the menu and to be honest it was okay. I've had better at other places which weren't in New Orleans. We ordered the fried alligator, trio sampler, char broiled oyster and a whole lot of raw oysters. The alligator was a bit too salty and the trio were good, but could be better. Char broiled oyster were also on the saltier side. The raw oyster were just okay. They were smaller than the other oyster bars oysters we had. What I don't like is that they did not clean the oyster shells so there were lots of dirt. You could see the dirt in the picture. I had to make sure I didn't touch the shell and just use a fork. So anyone looking to pick up their oyster to slurp, this is not the bar to be doing it at.
Oh man I loved the food here. The server was nice and attentive. I ordered the crab cakes and half dozen of raw oysters. My friend got the burger. Burger didn't look special but was cooked well and seasoned deliciously. The sweet potato fries had a cinnamon taste to them that actually worked very well. Crab cakes were yummy but OMG the freshness of the oysters... If I'm ever in town I'll go back just for the delicious and well priced raw oysters!
Portion sizes are small and service was pretty slow... forgot to bring out our oysters and taste of our entrees were only okay.
A SOLID place to eat attached to the Royal Sonesta Hotel right on Bourbon St. I ended up having the best breakfast on the trip with one of their grits dishes! The theming was great and quality was worth everything I paid for. Definitely would eat here again! Only drawback was the service. I came at the end of the Breakfast rush and was waiting to grab my bill even though more than half of the patrons had already left. Only a small blemish on my visit. Definitely worth it though!