Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar — Restaurant in New Orleans

I am upset to say that we did not have a good experience at Felix’s at all…

I made a reservation for 7:15pm. When I got there the hostess immediately directed us to stand in a line. While we were in line I decided to go to the front and check if we needed to stand there because we had a reservation and the people in front of us did not. When I went up to the closed door, the hostess stuck her arm out and pointed to the line through the glass door after I was holding up my phone through the window with my reservation. I was immediately thrown off by the impatient and annoyed attitude. After waiting 30 more minutes we were taken to another room. The hostess lead us to a table that was dirty— napkins, plates, and food on the table still. She seemed surprised by this and threw the menus and silverware on a chair to go get a rag. Another hostess came by and took us to a completely different table while the original hostess went to get the silverware that fell on the floor due to her rushing around. The language between staff was not professional and created an awkward environment because they were visibly upset with each other and cursing.

That being said, our server was nice but our food was horrible. We probably didn’t eat our entrees until 8:40 (AGAIN, we made an 7:15 reservation…) and when the food runner came to give us our food we excitedly said “yay food”. He sat the food down shaking his head like he was annoyed. Proceeding to shove my salad into my hands. When he set down my friend’s plate I actually said “ are you okay?” (Not with attitude but genuinely) And he said “oh there’s just a bug flying around” - yeah right. The staff must have some issues with each other. It blows my mind that almost every single individual we encountered at this restaurant— while in line, being seated, or even in passing on the way to the bathroom- seemed irritated, angry, or like working at Felix’s was the very last thing they wanted to do. It is not difficult to put on somewhat of a smile or friendly manner when interacting with customers. My friends and I have all worked in the food industry before and dealt with customers during holiday weekends. This was exceptionally bad.

For a 20$ meal the shrimp po boy had barely any lettuce and honestly looked absolutely pitiful! I forced my boyfriend to send the meal back (this is his biggest pet peeve and fear lol because he hates conflicts) The bread in the crab po boy was hard and old. The crab was alright, but the fries were obviously the bottom of the bin. They tasted like bad bar fries. I had a basic Caesar salad which was the only thing that was good besides the chargrilled oysters. We decided to ask for the manager just to get some peace of mind and let him know that we weren’t happy. After waiting 20 minutes, no manager came out. (Shocker! Maybe the employees are just modeling poor customer service behavior that they see in their management!) after waiting way too long, we just decided to leave and make the most out of our night!

Maybe you’ll read this and be like “oh well she’s overreacting” but to us the service was bad and the food was even worse which was the cherry on top. I was genuinely excited to eat at this place cause it had so many good reviews but I should’ve know better…. Save...

Buckle up, mes amis, because the bon temps did not rouler this evening.

Let's start at the beginning; The older gentleman who seated us asked if we wanted a high chair for our one-year-old but then got mad when we said yes. He complained about the space it would take up in the restaurant, despite this being a freezing cold weekday night in January when it was barely a quarter full. We had to argue with him to get the high chair that, lest you forget, he had moments ago offered to us. I would have been offended had it not been so utterly bizarre.

Our server seemed wonderful, though, so no worries. Bon temps back again. We ordered drinks (excellent house Sazerac here, by the way), appetizers, and mains. The oysters du jour came out first and were inexplicably deep fried. No indication on the menu that this would be the case, and the front area showcases staff shucking fresh oysters and plating them up over ice, so I assumed they'd be raw. Maybe it's just me, but the default for every oyster bar I've ever been to has been to serve them raw on the half shell. And yet the assistant manager (not our server) who brought them to the table treated me like a crazy person because I was surprised they were fried to hell and slathered in mayonnaise. After some convincing, he grudgingly took them back and brought the raw versions, which, to be fair, were pretty good. OK, excellent, rough start but things are working out.

The rest of the food comes out, though, and my jambalaya pasta is way, way, waaaaay overcooked. So badly overcooked that the noodles are falling apart (see pic), the chicken is the consistency of styrofoam, and the crawfish barely hold together. A crime against pasta. Visibly bad. But our server disappeared for nearly half an hour -- despite this being an extremely dead weekday dinner in mid-January -- and when she did return, she seemed angry at me when I pointed out the pasta was messed up. She didn't ask me if I wanted a fixed version or another entree, but just said "OK," took the plate, and ghosted us for another 10 minutes. She came back and said she'd have to ask her manager if she could remove it -- and mind you, she already took said dish away and offered no replacement, so I didn't even have the terrible pasta that I might still have to pay for. But they did, in fact, take it off the check, so points for that. And so we left about as fast as we could

Look, I get it. I was a server for many, many years, so I know restaurants can have off nights and that kitchens can mess up dishes and that customers can be difficult. But that many years in the industry also means that I know poor customer service when I see it, and boy was the service here poor, from multiple people and for no good reason. Maybe I'm the villain of this story (I'm mortified by sending back two different things in the same meal), but even if I am, it doesn't excuse the sore lack of professionalism on display.

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Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar – A True Taste of New Orleans

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, located at 739 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130, is a classic seafood spot in the heart of the French Quarter. With a long history of serving fresh oysters and Creole cuisine, it remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Ambience & Atmosphere The restaurant captures the lively and authentic spirit of New Orleans. Whether you sit at the bar, on the balcony overlooking Bourbon Street, or at a cozy indoor table, you’ll enjoy a vibrant and casual setting. The restaurant has a no-frills, old-school charm, perfect for experiencing the city's food culture.

Food & Drinks Felix’s is best known for its oysters, served raw, charbroiled, or Rockefeller-style. The chargrilled oysters are a must-try—expertly seasoned with butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs, creating a smoky, flavorful bite. The Rockefeller oysters offer a decadent, creamy spinach and cheese topping, reminiscent of a rich spinach artichoke dip.

If you’re looking for a variety of New Orleans flavors, the Bayou Sampler (red beans & rice, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée) is a great choice, though some diners have noted that the crawfish portion is a bit skimpy. The red beans and rice stand out for their deep, smoky flavor, and the jambalaya delivers a well-balanced spice.

Seafood lovers will enjoy the shrimp Po'boy, which is generously filled with crispy, fresh shrimp. The blackened alligator is another unique option—tender and well-seasoned, though some have found it a little salty. The Pecan Pie is a rich and indulgent dessert, though it could use more textural contrast.

For drinks, the Felix’s Bloody Mary is a highlight, garnished with an oyster, shrimp, and pickled green beans. However, some customers found it underwhelming compared to other New Orleans bars.

Service & Experience Service at Felix’s is generally friendly and welcoming, though it can be hit or miss, especially during peak hours. Some servers go above and beyond to create a fun, memorable experience, while others have been noted for being inattentive or rushed.

Value & Pricing Prices are on the higher side, which is expected for a popular spot in the French Quarter. While many dishes are worth the cost, some portions (like the scallops and jambalaya pasta) have been considered small for the price.

Final Verdict Felix’s is an excellent choice if you’re in New Orleans and craving fresh oysters or classic Creole dishes. While some menu items may not be perfect, the oysters and Po'boys make it a worthwhile stop. It’s a great spot for people-watching, enjoying New Orleans’ lively energy, and getting a true taste of the city's seafood tradition.

Must-Try Dishes: ✔️ Chargrilled Oysters ✔️ Rockefeller Oysters ✔️ Red Beans & Rice ✔️ Shrimp Po'boy ✔️...