Antoine's Restaurant is America's oldest continuously operated family-owned restaurant, established in 1840 at 713 Saint Louis Street in New Orleans' French Quarter, serving historic French-Creole cuisine at fine-dining prices of $31–$50 per person. While this is not a quick-recipe destination—it's a slow, multi-course experience meant for special occasions—it's worth understanding the basics: signature dishes like Oysters Rockefeller, how to reserve, what it costs, and whether it suits your budget for a milestone meal. Unlike everyday home cooking, Antoine's is a once-in-a-while splurge. This guide covers practical details to help you decide if it's right for your occasion.
Table of Contents
- The Menu and Signature Dishes
- Pricing and Wine Pairings
- How to Make a Reservation
- Dress Code and Atmosphere
- Who This Restaurant Suits Best
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Menu and Signature Dishes
Antoine's claims birthplace status for several French-Creole classics still served today. According to Food Network, the restaurant serves Oysters Rockefeller, Baked Alaska, Eggs Sardou, and Pommes de Terre Soufflés across its 14 individually themed dining rooms. The most famous is Oysters Rockefeller: Jules Alciatore invented it in 1899 using an 18-ingredient secret sauce that he deathbed-promised would never be revealed, and it remains the restaurant's signature dish.
Menu items and exact pricing are not published online; they shift seasonally. You'll need to call 504-581-4422 ext. 2 or visit antoines.com/reservations to confirm what's available and what current entrees cost before committing to dinner.
Pricing and Wine Pairings
According to OpenTable, expect to spend $31–$50 per person for dinner, with private dining packages at $64 per person. Menu prices aren't consistently published online, so exact costs depend on what you order and the season—another reason to call ahead.
The restaurant's 25,000-bottle wine cellar supports extensive pairing selections, which can add substantially to your bill. For a quick-recipe household treating this as a rare splurge, budget accordingly and decide in advance whether wine pairings fit your spending plan.
How to Make a Reservation
You have three ways to book: call 504-581-4422 ext. 2, reserve via OpenTable (though availability is limited), or book through antoines.com/reservations.
Walk-ins are welcome subject to table availability, though in a 186-year-old French Quarter landmark, walk-in tables during peak times (weekends, tourist seasons) are rare. Plan to reserve weeks in advance for special occasions and weekend dining. Weekday lunch may have more walk-in flexibility, but a phone call is still your best bet.
Dress Code and Atmosphere
Business casual is required in the dining rooms: men need collared shirts, and athletic wear, hats, and flip-flops are not permitted. Enforcement varies by manager discretion.
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If you're unsure, call ahead—or visit the Hermes Bar, which has no dress code and lets you enjoy the restaurant's atmosphere more casually. The 14 individually themed rooms mean each reservation lands in a different historic setting, from traditional to ornate, adding character that changes with each visit.
Who This Restaurant Suits Best
Antoine's excels for special occasions and fine-dining enthusiasts seeking historic French-Creole cuisine and culinary heritage. Recent diners describe it as "one of the oldest restaurants in town and it feels like it in the best way," emphasizing tradition over trends.
With a 4.6-star rating on OpenTable and 2026 Icon award status, it's reliable for milestone meals—anniversaries, business dinners, celebratory trips. If you're a home cook or meal-prep enthusiast curious about fine dining, this is a study in classical technique and culinary history, not a place to get cooking ideas. For a rare, special meal, it delivers on tradition and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should I set aside for dinner?
Fine dining at Antoine's is a multi-course experience typically lasting 1.5 to 2+ hours or more. It's not a quick meal; plan to linger.
What's the best way to reserve for a weekend?
Call 504-581-4422 ext. 2 or book at antoines.com/reservations. Reservations should be made weeks in advance for weekends; walk-ins risk being turned away.
Can I eat here casually, without business casual dress?
Yes—the Hermes Bar has no dress code, so you can dine more casually there, though you won't access the main dining rooms.
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