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Desire Oyster Bar

300 Bourbon Street, at the corner of Bienville & Bourbon Streets, New Orleans, LA 70130-2213
(504) 586-0300
Website
Oysters with Desire Hot Sauces
Yum!
NOLA trio!
delicious shrimp creole!!!
41 visitor photos
Ranked #73 of 959 restaurants in New Orleans
4.0 of 5 stars 226 Reviews
Price range: 11 AUD - 26 AUD
Cuisines: Cajun & Creole, Seafood, Bistro, Oyster Bar
Good for: Child-friendly, Local cuisine
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout, After-hours, Dessert
Restaurant details
Good for: Child-friendly, Local cuisine
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout, After-hours, Dessert
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226 reviews from our community

81% Recommend
    105
    80
    25
    11
    5
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
california
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Our first night and this place delivered (figuratively)”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW

We had the crawfish etouffee and catfish poboy, both were scrumptious and very affordable. The cocktails we're a little skimpy, though. More

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See 8 more reviews by brewsterstravels for New Orleans
McMinnville, Tennessee
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
“Great food”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 May 2012 NEW

Great food, prob our favorite from everywhere we ate. Service was great they didn't make you feel like you were'nt welcome which was our experience from the locals, they either love the tourist or hate them. This was a place that seemed to appreciate tourist. More

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See 10 more reviews by MariAnn C for New Orleans
Vancouver, Washington
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
“We got big hugs from our server at the end of our meal!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012 NEW

I just love this place. We walked down Bourbon Street until we found a restaurant that looked fun and authentic, and this place was perfect. Had the Desire Oysters - delicious! And a lemonade vodka drink and wedge salad. Too much food, really...but that's what you do here. My client had turtle soup and she loved it. Great local NOLA... More

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See 2 more reviews by drohecker for New Orleans
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“Great BBQ Shrimp”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2012

Went and had a wonderful lunch, everyone was standing line at ACME Oyster House and we had a great waiter and wonderful BBQ Shrimp and Etouffee. Also, the Sazerac was a great drink to have in the middle of the day! More

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See 3 more reviews by Stingray93 for New Orleans
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
“Good po boys”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

We had a large group and they accommodated us well. I had a po boy. My husband had a gator burger. We enjoyed our time! More

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See 2 more reviews by Wursty1 for New Orleans
Colleen McCourtney, Manager at Desire Oyster Bar, responded to this review
23 May 2012

Thank you for dining with us at Desire Bistro & Oyster Bar! We’re so glad to know how much your group enjoyed the service, and your poboy and gator burger. Thanks for your feedback, and stop in to see us next time you’re in New Orleans! More

Ocean City, Maryland
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Best fried oysters since my mother's”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2012

After spending all day at Jazz Fest, we were hot, tired, hungry and without reservations anywhere. Most restaurants had waits up to two hours. That would not do. But the Desire Oyster Bar door stood open on its Bourbon Street corner, showing a sparkling black and white tile floor and happy people. We got a table immediately. Almost as soon... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 6 more reviews by nsmith2 for New Orleans
Colleen McCourtney, Manager at Desire Oyster Bar, responded to this review
23 May 2012

We’re so glad you stopped in at Desire Bistro & Oyster Bar too cool off and fill up after an exciting day at Jazz Fest! Thanks for taking the time to share the details of your experience. We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the hospitality, French bread, your fried oysters, and your husband’s fried catfish poboy. We do apologize that the... More

Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Nice place to grab a quick bite or a drink”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2012

While traveling up/down Burbon Street, take a quick seat in this restaurant located in the lower lobby of the Royal Sonesta. Yummy po' boys and good drinks as well. More

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See 8 more reviews by adlaver for New Orleans
Colleen McCourtney, Manager at Desire Oyster Bar, responded to this review
23 May 2012

Thanks for your recommendation. Glad you like Desire’s “yummy poboys and good drinks!” We hope you visit us soon! More

South Dakota
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Wonderful Turtle Soup”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2012

This was a stop on our Cuisine Tour. The turtle soup was excellent. Enjoyed our visit. More

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See 13 more reviews by brpl for New Orleans
Colleen McCourtney, Manager at Desire Oyster Bar, responded to this review
23 May 2012

We’re so glad you had the opportunity to try Desire’s Turtle Soup, a New Orleans classic dish. Thanks for your feedback, and please remember us next time you find yourself in New Orleans! More

Houston, Texas
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Fantastic and fun staff!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2012

From the minute we walked in- everyone (yes, everyone) was nice, helpful and friendly. The food was AMAZING. My raw oysters were FAT and cold... the cocktail sauce was spiceeey! The jambalaya was to die for. The olive sauce on my mufallata was superb... Our server was the friendliest and most fun we encountered the entire weekend.... Do yourself a... More

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See 4 more reviews by 3gatos for New Orleans
Colleen McCourtney, Manager at Desire Oyster Bar, responded to this review
23 May 2012

Thank you for dining with us at Desire Bistro & Oyster Bar. It’s our pleasure knowing that our team managed to meet your expectations of amazing raw oysters, jambalaya, muffeletta, and friendly servers. You’d be pleased to know that as often as the restaurant is packed, Desire rarely has a long line or requires reservations so feel free to stop... More

Meridian, Mississippi
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
“Ate Breakfast Here”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2012

We had breakfast at the Desire Oyster Bar before heading out to Jazz Fest. We all ordered omelets, and found the food to be delicious! More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by reinventedmimi for New Orleans
Colleen McCourtney, Manager at Desire Oyster Bar, responded to this review
23 May 2012

With all the delicious food at Jazz Fest, we’re very glad you decided to start your day at Desire! Thanks for sharing your experience and we hope to see you this time next year, if not before! More

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Desire Oyster Bar
300 Bourbon Street at the corner of Bienville & Bourbon Streets
New Orleans, LA 70130-2213
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