Blue Bayou Restaurant & Oyster Bar

The food was phenomenal! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Curtis was the best server! Super friendly and attentive. There was also a live jazz player tonight. We will be back!

Visited this place while in New Orleans for Essence weekend. It was pretty late when we arrived. There was a bit of a wait but they were moving pretty fast. They played music and had a saxophonist which made us forget about the wait. I ordered an Old Fashion which was 10/10! Along with Shrimp and Grits which was well seasoned and delicious. Our server was rushing us but overall decent. When I'm back in the city I'll definitely try this place again.

First time visitor and this was a bust. The music was the best part. Our waiter Albert was not attentive and he appeared to wear many hats. He was all over the place except with his customers. The Blue Bayou oyster were ok, nothing to write home about. The oyster Rockefeller were horrible. No spinach and was filled with cream cheese. The alligator bites were good. The old-fashioned was trash. We had to send it back and ask to take it all the bill. Last but not least, they are cashless but charge a 3% fee to use a credit card, which maybe illegal. Stay away from here. Its better places to eat in NOLA.

Miss Jennifer is the best server!! Her recommendations and the food were all on point. How did I walk by this place fifty times and never stopped in? Definitely a stop for all future visits for sure! Say hi to Louie as well!!!

Live saxophone jazz, Incredible service From Debra, Delicious food, And open late! What more could you ask for? Did I Forget to mention the souvenir alligator cup that comes with a delicious fresh fruit daiquiris? Will for sure be back again

Took the Short General (my Mother) here on a date night. She enjoyed her oysters but says she's had better & although I asked for my catfish to be fried hard. It sadly was not, but did taste decent. Drinks were a saving grace as well as the servers. It was nice but simply not for locals. I'll slide by the bar though if I do another staycation.

Overall it was a nice time. Sat at the bar. Service was slow but it was busy. Staff was friendly though. Nice atmosphere. Musician played a variety of music and was very entertaining. Was looking forward to getting to the dessert menu but didn't get that far which is cause to visit again!

We went for oysters and even though I wasn’t expecting much, they were just ok. The raw oysters were small and didn’t feel or tasted as fresh as other I have had in the area. The charbroiled needed a bit more seasoning, and the creole ones were too saucy. The tomato sauce was very strong tasting. The toasted bread on the oysters plate tasted like the liquid used to keep the grill burning. The service was great, they were very attentive.

Cajun Stuffed Redfish: "Fresh caught redfish fillet stuffed with Louisiana crabmeat dressing, baked and topped with crawfish cream sauce and Jambalaya" Boy ol' boy... Flavor and taste was on point. Came her while on a business trip and this was our first stop on a rainy NOLA evening, and thank God because the food here was pretty good. 2 of my coworkers at the Stuffed Redfish and 2 others tried the Taste of The Bayou. Everyone ate all there food and damn near licked the sauce. Didn't take enough pictures (work dinner), but all the food we had was very good.

I really hate having to write this review because the food here is excellent especially considering the location. Being in the Quarter and on Canal, it's easy to end up at a tourist trap with mediocre food, but this is not one of those places. I've been here twice now, and the food has been consistently outstanding. Unfortunately, the service during our most recent visit fell far short. I brought my family here after a show at The Saenger Theater, and we waited about 10 minutes before seeing a server. When we finally asked who our server was, a staff member told us it wasn't her table but said she would take care of us anyway. After placing my drink order, I eventually had to go to the bar and pick it up myself after seeing it sit there for several minutes. When it came time to pay, our server asked us to meet her in the back by the register because she was overwhelmed. She was very kind and clearly doing her best, but the restaurant appeared severely understaffed especially for a packed Saturday night. We also overheard another table expressing the same frustrations. As for the food, everything was seasoned to perfection: jambalaya, salad, chargrilled oysters, fried fish and shrimp, and brownie à la mode. Food wise, this place is easily a 10/10. Service, unfortunately, was a 0/10 on this visit. This was my second time dining here, and service during my first visit was nowhere near this bad. I truly hope this was an off night, because the food deserves better execution on the service side.

Yum! The food was excellent! Ambiance a 10/10... we sat outside in front of the restaurant and a gentleman began playing the sax alongside some jazz. My friend ordered the Shrimp & Grits Napoleon and it was really good. The grits were creamy and the shrimp was fantastic! I ordered the Catfish platter substituted the FF for Red Beans and Rice which was also excellent! So why only 3 stars... definitely the service is lacking here. No silverware when our food arrived. We ordered crab cakes appetizers and it came out with our meal. When we mentioned it to the server her exact words were "oh, we don't do that here. If you want it as an app we have to run back there and tell them." Sooo that's what she should have done since she knew we were ordering as an app. Instead, immediately after taking our order her and a coworker leaned against the wall next to the restaurant during the time she could have been letting the kitchen know. During our meal we saw 3 tables go to the hostess stand, be seated outside and never have a server greet them so they each got up and left. This was on a Tuesday night. How often is this happening? In the same vein we could have easily gotten up and left without paying our tab. Lucky for this establishment we are not those people. I hope they can get the service take care of.

Fun spot live music fun crowed the alligator bites was good crunchy and spicy oyster u really can't mess those ups red beans and rice was ok music was great love the band an love the staff dancing so much fun

I actually prefer their oysters over Acme's. I showed up around 10pm and grabbed a seat at the bar to try Nola's famous chargrilled oysters. The whole staff was incredibly friendly and easy to chat with. The chef even checked on me before heading out for his break, and the server shucking oysters kept me company and made sure I felt safe being out alone on a Friday night. It turned the whole visit into something really memorable. I'm rooting for him to make it to Japan someday! The oysters were fantastic, the swamp juice was delicious and definitely sneaks up on you, and the interior had a great vibe with soft lighting and lots of greenery.

Blue Bayou was tasty! The chargrilled and creole oysters were amazing! The sampler was flavorful as well, but I thought I broke a tooth on the white rice. I know "things" happen, but if you're famous for something you shouldn't allow such a big mistake. The ambiance was tops. The service was decent. Cost was kinda on the higher side.

The décor is nice and welcoming with a strong New Orleans vibe, our server was polite and attentive. The New Orleans flavor was presented in every bite. Unfortunately, the food fell short. The rice in the gumbo, étouffée, and red beans was too hard. The dirty rice/jambalaya was extremely dry, and the fried crawfish tails were overly salty. Overall, good service and ambiance, but the food quality needs improvement.

I really enjoyed Blue Bayou Oyster House! The atmosphere is really cool. There was a saxophone player that walked around the restaurant which was a really nice touch. The food was phenomenal! The food came out quickly and fresh. They have a great drink and dessert menu too! The service was excellent too! This is an easy location to get to and I will definitely be going back.

The ambiance at this establishment was EVERYTHING!!! The decor was meticulously placed and looked phenomenal. The service was great. I ordered the combo platter that came with Fried catfish, fried shrimp, hush puppies and French fries. Let me tell you how FLAVORFUL my food was. The catfish was large in size, especially compared to many restaurants in the French quarter, fried perfectly and was still temperature hot when I received it. The shrimp was delicious and cooked perfectly. I'm not a hush puppy fan, so I gave those to a friend. My friend ordered the blue bayoo po boy and wasn't too impressed. I ordered the Mardi Gras Margarita for my cocktail and it was delicious. I would definitely recommend Blue Bayou to anyone looking for some delicious food.

It felt very elegant coming into here with also being fun and party centric. I don't know if I like the decor or the ambiance better, but they were both top notch. Shrimp and grits was incredible here. I would recommend getting that dish over and over again. We were recommended to get the oysters, and it was a bit disappointing. They were really small.

I really wanted to love Blue Bayou, but overall it just didn't live up to expectations. The chargrilled oysters were definitely the highlight - fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The staff was also very friendly and welcoming, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the rest of the food felt overpriced for what it was and lacked the bold, flavorful punch you'd expect in New Orleans. For the price point, I was hoping for more memorable dishes. While the atmosphere was nice, I probably wouldn't rush back with so many other amazing options in the city. Definitely a tourist trap for sure .

The red beans and rice was easily my favorite meal during my weekend trip. It was so simple, yet so perfectly made! The restaurant's vibe was very nice as they featured a live drummer who played to hits of yesterday and today. The server/bartender Jennifer was so amazing. Overall the staff was very sweet, the bathrooms were clean, and the food was yummy and fast! I'd definitely return for some oysters! I was able to sit and watch them being cooked as I ate.

Excellent place, great service, great food, and amazing girl placing the sax. I recommend this restaurant!!

This was the first place I ate once I touched down in NOLA. The chargrilled oysters were EVERYTHING and the sampler hit! We sat at the bar and the service was great, the young lady was very friendly and helpful on what to pick off the menu. The place is very spacious and very inviting. When you see the alligator that standing outside, you know you have arrived.

Came in on Tuesday October 28, 2025. First time in New Orleans and this restaurant is AMAZING! Walked in to a live saxophone player and got seated immediately. The food was absolutely out of the world! The red fish was the perfect filling amount and the flavors were beautiful. The voodoo doll cocktail was light and refreshing. Absolutely would come back to NOLA for the food alone, and ESPECIALLY this place!

Walking past the outside invites you in. The food was filling and mouth watering. The service was 10/10. No complaints!! The decor within was wonderful. I can't say enough about this place.

The food, service and ambiance were just as I was told. I wish I was in NOLA longer so I could have returned to get more!

This place was a great vibe!!! The staff were super friendly and having a good time dancing. The location was on the touristy side, but the food came out quickly and was delicious.

Blue Bayou Restaurant came highly recommended by TikTokers--and they did not disappoint! We made 8 PM reservations and were pleasantly seated ahead of schedule with no wait at all. The ambiance was stunning, giving off a true bayou vibe. A large, beautifully lit tree stretched across the ceiling with hanging sea moss that created an enchanting atmosphere. Every detail felt like a love letter to New Orleans. Our server, Remy, was amazing--attentive, personable, and treated us like family. The drinks were fantastic, and while the food took about 20 minutes to come out, it was understandable given the crowd--and totally worth the wait. One of the best parts of the night was the live saxophone player, which added a smooth and soulful soundtrack to an already unforgettable experience. It's also worth noting this is a cashless establishment. I didn't mind it at all--they had signs clearly posted, so you knew what to expect. Another gem in NOLA. I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal and vibe in the heart of the city!

We went in for a breakfast before we left NOLA staying very close. We came in around 9:30 am the restaurant was empty, service was fine. Food was pretty delicious, the biggest problem was we could not find out waitress to pay for what seemed like forever.

The food and service was okay and the ambience was fine, but overall it felt overpriced for what was offered. The entertainment was nice and definitely the highlight of the experience. Not bad, but not something I'd go out of my way for again.

My friends and I were walking down canal street and wanted to try something without looking it up before and we stumbled upon this place. It looked really nice inside as the whole front was open and they even had a live jazz band. We were seated and the first things we thought of ordering were def the oysters. We got a dozen of them and they were so good! They tasted so fresh, the cocktail sauce had good flavor and the horse radish wasn't too strong. We shared the sampler plate which consisted of Jambalaya, Gumbo, Red beans and rice, & crawfish étouffée. We initially didn't want the red beans and rice but our server recommended it to us and we were pleasantly surprised on how good it was! My favorite was definitely the crawfish étouffée as it was packed with different levels of flavor. I will say, the gumbo was a bit too salty for my liking. We also ordered drinks; I got the lemon drop and my friends ordered the daiquiri's. Mine was perfect for my tasting as it wasn't too sweet. Theirs was also good but it was very thick and sweet which isn't my preference for drinking. All in all, this place was really good and I'm glad it was our first eats in the NOLA area!

Awful food! Dry rice. Mushy beans. Good service. Good beer. Maybe it is a tourist place. Very disappointing on my first night in New Orleans. There must be better places to eat.

An immersive dining experience near the French Quarter of NOLA. My group pivoted here after needing to find a spot open later into the night and Blue Bayou did not disappoint. The vibes felt like you were entering a NOLA inspired restaurant. Live music greeted you and friendly workers helped lead the way. The food was also great! A little on the pricy end but packed with flavor. We ordered the individual cups of NOLA classic dishes. Surprisingly, the Crawfish etouffe was the star of the show as the creamy flavor packed a punch as well. The individual cups let you try the dishes while still being substantial enough to fulfill a full meal. Overall, a great introduction to classic NOLA cuisine and a great experience as well.

I saw this place in several IG posts along with being recommended by a few locals. The open storefront was a nice touch for ambiance and people watching. Our waitress Ms Debra was very nice. The food was delicious. However, the performer for the evening was not the best. He did have a nice voice but he wasn't singing on beat for the songs he was covering and it wasn't pleasant while trying to enjoy a delicious meal. The meals are a bit pricey but being on Canal St, you get what you pay for!

Food was so good, Curtis took such good care of us! Even amidst the drama of the smoke detectors going off we had a great meal. Highly recommend!

Even compared to other NOLA dining, this deserves 4 or 5 stars for the food. The sampler ($35) is fantastic and, with a side or two, will feed 2 or 3. Red beans and rice deliciously rich and earthy. Ditto for crawfish etoufee. Excellent Jambalaya and Gumbo. The room is unfortunately too small to accommodate live music but tables in the back are relatively quiet. Casual, fun, good service and a good choice for a first meal for a visitor to New Orleans.

Crab cake Benedict was amazing. Service was amazing. Really no complaints. Worth venturing from the French quarter for!!

I guess this place is supposedly a tourist trap but I had an overall fine experience. We were seated immediately. Took some time for our server to come by. Had been meaning to try alligator so got the fried alligator. Honestly just tastes like chicken. Server was friendly. Got our food fast. Drinks are STRONG.

Jenna is our server. She was amazing and took care of us like a Rockstar. The ambiance was classic NOLA style restaurant and it brought me back to Disney's Princess and the Frog. Got some live entertainment in the corner. Decor was nice. And let's not forget our server with her cute New Orleans accent. She was totally honest and on point with her recommendations. Thanks Blue Bayou for wonderful food, service, and vibe.

Food is amazing! Service from Albert was Excellent and the ambiance is just a party vibe! It's on Canal Street and it has plenty of shops. There was also LIVE music going on. Just get here and enjoy yourself!

Walking around Canal St with friends/family and ran into this place. Had to wait 15-20 min to get in on a Saturday nite. It was loud inside because they had live music playing. The menu is pretty basic as far as selection goes....clearly for tourists. I ordered the Seafood Platter with Catfish, Hushpuppies & Fries. The rest of the time at Blue Bayou was bad. The server had an attitude because she was tired doing her job and covering for someone else. Took 20 minutes for people in with to get their drinks. Catfish and other peoples food tastes smokey like the grease hasn't been change in awhile. I call the manager over and ask a few questions and one of the people I'm with starts to get into it with the manager. To the managers credit she kept her cool and figured things out. Others things happened but I'll leave it right there. Not a good experience and a bad night.

We loved this place. First we didn't eat oysters, we are not oyster people! The food we had was amazing. The shrimp and grits and Mardi Gras pasta was yummy. My fave and I do recommend was the bread pudding here. It was one of the best I had in the city! Our waitress was amazing and we loved the atmosphere. It reminds you of the Princess and the frog. There was live music and it's super close to Bourbon Street! It was not crowded when we went but you can make reservations if you would like. I highly suggest this place!

The redfish was the saltiest, burnt piece of fish I've ever tasted. I think the chef was mad that day. Luckily the waitress was informed and we were not charged. The situation was handled appropriately. Would not try any restaurants on canal

Tourist trap!!! BEWARE. First don't bother making a reservation they don't go by those. lol depending on time and day you will be met with a long line. Luckily they were working hard on getting the line down. I really only came to try the oyster and they were average. I've had better. The alligator was good tho. The sauce was good and tangy. I would definitely recommend those. The live music was a nice touch. Our server was nice too. Would I go again. No but something you should try at least once .

We visited for dinner as a group, and while the food was fine once it arrived, the service left a lot to be desired. I'm not sure what was going on with our server, Jamalah, but it felt like we bore the brunt of a bad day. Half of our table received their meals promptly, but the other two dishes didn't arrive until about 15 minutes later. When the server finally returned, she was curt and unapproachable, even setting down a plate of oysters with noticeable attitude. Throughout the meal, no one offered refills on our cocktails. Maybe it was just an off night--but unfortunately, we won't be returning. Additionally, I should have known we were in for a treat when they have an offer for free dessert in exchange for five star review on the table.

Jamala, you are great! Food: delicious! We had shrimp and grits, jambalaya, chargrilled oysters and the Mardi Gras pasta! Everything was spot on and soooo tasty!! Jambalaya was attentive, without being intrusive, she was quick, and at the ready if we needed anything! We did not have a reservation, mid July, but they were able to accommodate us! We were so appreciative! Delicious!!!

I might scream at how good this food was. The jambalaya was perfectly seasoned and had a good amount of meat. I want to scream this was my first meal in Nola and it was perfect. The oysters were HOT and flavorful. We were sat immediately and the staff treated us so well. I love the vibe it's cozy and spacious. I really will be back before I leave.

Chefs kiss. This placed is always packed and full of life. Right on Canal Street. I sat at the bar since I was by myself. Started myself off with a nice drink. The bartender so was nice and funny. I loved her accent! I watched as they grilled the oysters...and the food smell filled the air. I tried a few different things. They were all very tasty. I'm not sure what happened to my photos and videos I had but somehow I was able to salvage a photo. Definitely I great food spot to visit. The best oysters I had out there.

The food was great but the service was not. It wasn't even busy and it took our server forever to greet us and she was not attentive. Also apparently they don't have mustard or mayo just honey mustard and spicy mayo. I will say the cheeseburger was flavorful and the stuffed redfish was great. The jambalaya on the side was also good.

If you are looking for a nice ambience with great food this is the place. Everything was delicious, we had the alligator bites, half dozen oysters (fresh and local) and taste of the bayou entree. And great service, our server Jeremiah was friendly and really nice.

When my friends and I visited NO for a bachelor party a couple months ago, we were starving by the time we got to our VRBO and luckily this beaut was right across the street. We walked in and waited a couple minutes to be noticed to be seated. After being sat, we all ordered our much needed adult beverages and food. I got the 'sampler' of the traditional foods and it was really good. Loved the red beans and rice. The drinks were good but not strong enough, mostly sugar juice, but they were still good. Since our VRBO was across the street, we viewed Blue Bayou from our window and it was always busy, which is a good sign. I'm surprised we didn't eat here twice. If I am in the area again, I am definitely going back.

We we t too early in the morning to have any food. However, the drink I did they was called the Royal Punch. It was wonderful. I don't taste the liquor which is how I love my drinks but it was definitely some in there.

Food - the red beans and rice was very flavorful and it came with 1 long piece of sausage cut in half. It was enough for 2 of us to eat. 10/10 The chargrilled oysters were delicious. We also had crab meat added to our oyster ($8 up charge) and the melted the cheese on the top of it. Amazing! 10/10 Service- the server was helpful and kind. He even help to make food suggestions 10/10. The bill for 12 oysters, 1 red beans and rice, and 1 drink was $100. 3/10 Ambiance- the place is well decorated and has an amazing astatic view. There was live entertainment with a guy singing and playing a trumpet to background music. 10/10

Food and service was top tier!! I came here with my parents for a birthday lunch! I ordered the blackened chicken Alfredo, and my parents ordered the sampler plate with étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans and rice, with the chargrilled oysters with garlic butter sauce and crab cakes for appetizers! All the flavors were enough to make me want to eat a second time no matter how full I was Everything was excellent! I'd definitely come visit NOLA again specially for this restaurant as for the restaurant it's self it was clean and the decor was adorable!! Definitely a 10/10 restaurant!

I came on a Saturday afternoon for an early dinner, and had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. I'd say that the interior of the restaurant is a bit dreary, it's pretty dimly lit. The servers were really nice! We had a good chat and they recommended things to do around the area. As for the food, I'd say there are better places in New Orleans to get jumbalaya and gumbo. I got the Taste of the Bayou Combo, and wasn't full after finishing my meal either. I'd say for the money, you can find better places to eat.

First place I stopped too and was not disappointed by no means the service was excellent and the food and drinks were on point. The fried catfish was super fresh and very tasty and the fries were very good as well. The oysters omg I think I caught feeling they were so dang on good. Wow like seriously can't stop raving about them. The Daiquiris they so good o had to recover in the parking garage and just listen to the music because I felt every sip sooooo delicious but be careful it will cause you to be still for a minute lol ( start to feel real nice ) Blue Bayou I'll be back 10 stars

Expensive so we already know that... we are in the tourist trap. It was Accross the street from our hotel so we gave it a try Ordered: Gator bites - crunchy and delicious Crab cake- mehhh I've had better, it was grainy 12 Oysters Cajun style was chefs kiss. Our server Emily was sweet and answered all our questions. Loved the theme and overall vibe. High end but worth a try. Honestly I would go there again for the alligator bites and that's it.

Had dine-in service. I will say that the food was fresh and hot. Chargrilled oysters were standard. No issues. The crab cakes were great. More crab than breading which is what I like. The Mardi Gras pasta, stuffed fish, & vegetables could've used more seasoning. Now...the vegetables were straight out of the frozen section of the store. We could tell that. But the star of the show was the desserts. The fried bread pudding was an amazing concept. I loved tasting the different textures. The cheesecake wasn't too sweet. They were delicious. Now as far as the ambiance, it was loud in there. We did find ourselves having to talk louder to hear eachother. But the entertainment was great. They had a singer and he played a few instruments as well. It was great for a dinner and yap session