New Orleans Dining in Film

Roux the Dailies

Two of the things we absolutely love about New Orleans are our wonderful restaurants and the many movies that were filmed here.

While we may not get as many productions beating the city's door down as we once enjoyed, we can always look back delightfully upon the films that have graced our collective doorstep.

While this list won't be exhaustive, it contains some important, memorable, and nostalgic uses of the dining establishments we love to support. So sit back, order some delectable take-out from one of these amazing culinary institutions, and enjoy learning a little about their history and the special movies that were filmed at those places.

Antoine's

Besides alphabetically kicking off the list, it's quite fitting that this world-famous restaurant begins this discussion as no fewer than three films have taken part in this historic establishment's lore. It began in 1840, just one block from the building it has continuously occupied since 1868. Kings, presidents, and motion picture royalty have all dined there, and you can see their famous faces in the décor of the main dining room. Everyone knows about oysters Rockefeller, created in 1889 by Chef Jules Alciatore, son of the restaurant's founder. While the recipe has often been imitated, this is the place to experience this delicacy as it was meant to be. And to think those abundant mollusks from the Gulf that we obsess over would not have even been considered had there not been a shortage of escargots.

As for the films that wanted to shine in one of the world's most storied restaurants, director Oliver Stone was ahead of the pack in 1991 when he scripted a scene for JFK inside its hallowed walls with star Kevin Costner and legendary funnyman John Candy, just two offerings of the amazing cast of this film. For those who are unaware of this epic production: The three-plus hours of this political thriller was based on fact and focused on our city's legendary district attorney Jim Garrison and his attempt to expose a widespread conspiracy involving the assassination of our 35th president.

Next came The Pelican Brief (1993), the first of two John Grisham adaptations to film inside Antoine's. The plot concerns a law student (played by Julia Roberts) and a journalist (Denzel Washington) who join forces to uncover a dastardly plot that ended the lives of two Supreme Court justices. Roberts and Sam Shepard filmed a critical scene inside the fabled restaurant, which was the turning point of the film.

The very next year brought another Grisham story to the big screen, as well as a return to New Orleans, with The Client. Here, we are introduced to a snooping boy (Brad Renfro) who learns the details of yet another "political murder." Susan Sarandon plays attorney Reggie Love, who becomes a protector, friend, and confidante for the child who now has an X on his back. Co-starring Tommy Lee Jones, the restaurant scene involves deranged mob hitman Barry "the Blade" Muldano (Anthony LaPaglia) trying to appease his bewildered boss. One thing is for certain, the delicious table fare at Antoine's had to make that difficult conversation a whole lot easier.

Café du Monde

This legendary coffee stand began in 1862 in the French Market, where they perfected the dynamite combination of café au lait and beignets. Here is another establishment where a who's who of celebrities and dignitaries have visited. Just admit that we are the luckiest people on Earth to enjoy access to this landmark for an unbelievable 364 days a year. It has been a favorite spot for filmmakers for 70 years, with New Orleans Uncensored (1955) being the first to take advantage of its Old World charm. A recent memorable scene takes place in Now You See Me (2013) with the character introduction of Woody Harrelson's master illusionist/con artist Merritt McKinney.

The Camellia Grill

Since 1946, this Uptown diner has delighted residents and visitors with its amazing food. A very early scene of 2004's A Love Song for Bobby Long was filmed inside the iconic dining room with stars John Travolta and Gabriel Macht. You may also remember Camellia entering the news in the last couple of years when their beloved house cat Queenie was stolen. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, do yourself a favor and see why it's such a big deal.

Ted's Frostop Diner

You know this once-abundant chain by its 14-foot root beer sign, which just as iconically made a statement when it was turned upside down by the battering of Hurricane Katrina. Operating at 3100 Calhoun St. since 1955, you haven't lived until you've enjoyed a Lot-O-Burger, fries, and a root beer for a classic NOLA lunch.

It made its mark in an international film—Sergio Sollima's Violent City (1970), starring legendary tough guys Charles Bronson and Telly Savalas. The scene inside Frostop with conversing mobsters is no match for what's going on outside the window, which is the iconic mug sign rotating in all its pre-disaster glory. Of course, this iconic establishment became part of the plot in Hit Man (2023), where Glen Powell's title character, the bad-ass UNO Professor Gary Johnson, liaisons with a sexy, maybe-murderess (Adria Arjona). Everybody loves them some Frostop, even if it ends up blowing away your alibi.

Special Mention: Runaway Jury (2003)

This last selection is a little different as John Grisham makes his third appearance on this list, and three iconic New Orleans restaurants were used in this particular film.

First off, there's the scene where activist juror Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) finagles a lunch for the entire jury where the judge is dining, inside Café Pontalba. Creole eats and seafood dishes abound at 546 St. Peter St. See for yourself right there on the screen.

A little later in the film, ruthless jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman) meets his briber, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), at the Palace Café, a member of the famous Brennan's family of restaurants that, sadly, "ain't dere no more" at 645 Canal St. as of last summer due to a disputed lease. However, the owners hope to reopen it one day and so do we all.

Last but certainly not least, Nicholas, Marlee, and Rankin meet each other for the final time (post-verdict) at the Napoleon House, the 200-year-old landmark restaurant at 500 Chartres St. If you think about it, this film, at the very least, should have won a special award from the Louisiana Restaurant Association for being quite the advertisement.