Some restaurants you remember for the food. Others for the view. The French Market Restaurant, sitting right on the corner of Decatur and St. Philip in the heart of the French Quarter, gives you both, and honestly, that combination is hard to beat.
Get the balcony table
Before we even get to the food, let’s talk strategy. This place has seating on the second floor balcony overlooking Decatur Street, and it is worth every extra minute of waiting for. You get a breeze, a bit of distance from the crowd noise below, and a front row seat to the constant parade of street performers, horse drawn carriages, and French Quarter foot traffic. Ask for it when you arrive, and if there is a short wait, take it. Ground floor seating is fine, but the balcony is the move.
The garlic and herb char-grilled oysters
These are the reason people come back. Fresh Louisiana oysters, char-grilled right on the half shell, topped with a garlic and herb butter that pools into the shell and practically demands to be sopped up with bread. They come out sizzling, blistered at the edges, and the garlic hits first followed by a wave of herb and butter that makes you understand immediately why this dish has a reputation. I ordered a round without hesitation on a second visit. That says enough.
The seafood platter
If you are trying to get a real sense of Louisiana seafood in one sitting, the seafood platter is the move. Mine came loaded, a proper mix that let me taste my way through several classics without having to commit to just one dish. Fresh, generous, and clearly not an afterthought kitchen item. Between the platter and the oysters, I left completely full and completely satisfied, which does not always happen at tourist heavy spots in the Quarter.
A few practical tips
- Request the second floor balcony when you check in, especially if you want the Decatur Street view.
- Go with a bit of an appetite. Portions here are generous, not delicate small plates.
- This is a well known spot in the Quarter, so expect a wait during peak lunch and dinner hours.
- Pair the oysters with one of their classic New Orleans cocktails while you watch the street below.
The French Market Restaurant is one of those places where the setting elevates food that is already good on its own. Char-grilled oysters, a loaded seafood platter, and a balcony overlooking one of the most iconic streets in the country. That is a hard combination to walk away disappointed from.
