Released in 2000 and quickly becoming one of the year’s highest-grossing films, Meet The Parents brought major Hollywood star power to several Long Island communities during production. The beloved comedy, starring Ben Stiller as anxious future son-in-law Greg Focker and Robert De Niro as the famously intimidating Jack Byrnes, filmed key scenes across Nassau County. One of the most recognizable locations is Louie’s Oyster Bar & Grille in Port Washington, whose waterfront views provided the backdrop for memorable moments in the story. Louie’s, with its sweeping vistas of Manhasset Bay, offered the kind of upscale yet familiar atmosphere needed to amplify the movie’s blend of awkward humor and family tension.
Beyond Port Washington, the production also reportedly made extensive use of Long Island suburban settings to represent the Byrnes family’s stately environment. Filming took place in Old Brookville, Oyster Bay, and Greenvale, areas chosen for their picturesque neighborhoods, large homes, and classic North Shore character. These locations allowed the film to portray a sense of upper-middle-class comfort, contrasting sharply with Greg Focker’s more modest background and heightening the comedic clash of personalities that drives the narrative. Although the film is set in “Oyster Bay, Long Island,” the use of multiple communities gave the production flexibility while keeping it authentically tied to the region.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on November 14, 2025.