Oyster Sidewalk

Along St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, you’re sure to run into a few things that will stop you in your tracks. Amongst those hidden gems is a charming mosaic of oysters at the former site of The Pearl Restaurant and Oyster Bar.

Installed in the 1940s, this sidewalk harkens back to glamorous days past. In fact, the sidewalk style of terrazzo has been famously used to create the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The sidewalk style reached its popularity peaks between the 1920s and 1940s. Around New Orleans, business owners used the mosaics to attract attention of passersby. This sidewalk, though neglected, is one of the few remaining and certainly one of the most unique.

Take a moment on your way to Bourbon street to appreciate what remains of the inlaid oyster plate and shucked shells. But watch your step: unlike oysters, which prefer being in water, terrazzo sidewalks are best enjoyed dry. In fact, they are actually quite slippery and dangerous while wet and have been the subject of lawsuits in other cities.