The Oldest Restaurant In Louisiana Has A Truly Incredible History

Antoine’s is not only the oldest restaurant in Louisiana—it is actually known as the oldest family run restaurants in the entire country. This New Orleans institution has been serving customers since before the Civil War and it is truly one of the most interesting places in the entire state. Learning about it is really fun.

It all started in the spring of 1840 for this French Quarter gem when Antoine Alciatore, a young 18-year-old opened the restaurant for fine dining.

By 1868, it occupied the same building that it occupies today on St. Louis Street.

By 1874, Antoine was having health concerns and his wife took over managing the restaurant.

Soon after, Antoine passed, and his son Jules took over running the restaurant.

It was Jules who was credited with inventing Oysters Rockefeller, named because the sauce was so rich and thick.

It's still a proprietary recipe of the restaurant and is a secret of Antoine's.

This is what the kitchen looked like in 1951.

They were still using coal burning stoves then.

Antoine's continued to be family run through the decades, including many difficult moments in American history.

The Civil War, two World Wars, Prohibition, and the Great Depression all passed while the restaurant was open.

There is also deep history around each of Antoine's dining rooms.

There are private rooms for Carnival Krewes, the Mystery Room, which was known during the prohibition for offering liquor.

The Tabasco Room is the most recently named room.

It's a very intimate space of only one table that is said to be the favorite spot for engagements.

Of course the food is what has brought this iconic restaurant through the years.

Not only are the known for their Oysters Rockefeller but also for their innovative baked Alaska.

So consider visiting this restaurant that has been going for more than 175 years.

We know that you are going to be swept away by the amazing history here.

If you have ever been to Antoine's, what was it like for you? Let us know about your memories of this restaurant that has more history than almost any other in the country.