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Six oysters on the half shell, baked with a brilliant green sauce of butter, parsley, green herbs and absinthe, finished with breadcrumbs and salt. Named for the wealth of John D Rockefeller.
Oysters Rockefeller was invented at Antoine's in 1899 by Jules Alciatore, son of founder Antoine Alciatore. The dish was an Antoine's response to a French escargot shortage; Jules wanted a baked-oyster dish as rich and as expensive-tasting as escargots. The sauce was named for the wealth of John D Rockefeller. The exact original recipe has been kept secret by the Alciatore family for over a century, but it is widely known to NOT contain spinach (a common modern substitution). The canonical version uses butter, parsley, watercress, fennel, scallions and Herbsaint (the New Orleans anise liqueur). Antoine's at 713 St Louis still plates Oysters Rockefeller every night.
4 editor picks for Oysters Rockefeller in New Orleans, ranked by editorial score. All New Orleans signature dishes · Oysters Rockefeller across every city.
Galatoire's in New Orleans is the 1905 white-tile French Creole room on Bourbon Street, where regulars hold the same Friday lunch tables and tip the captain.
OrderThe shrimp remoulade to start, then trout amandine. Order souffle potatoes alongside.
TipThe downstairs room is walk-in only and no reservations; Friday lunch starts at 11:30 and runs into the evening.
Acme Oyster House in New Orleans is the 1910 Iberville Street oyster bar between Bourbon and Royal, with char-grilled oysters and a shucker counter rebuilt.
OrderA dozen char-grilled oysters with garlic butter and Parmesan.
TipWalk-in only and a queue is the norm; aim for 11:00 open or after 21:00 for shortest waits.
Antoine's in New Orleans is the 1840 St Louis Street dining room, the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States and the birthplace of Oysters.
OrderOysters Rockefeller, invented here in 1899. Then the souffleed potatoes.
TipSkip the main dining room for the Hermes Bar on Bienville, the kitchen runs the same menu and the room is unstuffy.
Arnaud's in New Orleans is the 1918 French Creole room on Bienville Street from Arnaud Cazenave, with mosaic-tile floors, the French 75 Bar next door.
OrderShrimp Arnaud, the house remoulade. Then redfish with Hollandaise.
TipThe French 75 Bar serves the canonical version of its namesake drink and seats walk-ups; no jacket required there.
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