The “Let Them Eat Cake” team is consistently asked for wedding recommendations across various categories. The most requested is restaurants for different wedding occasions. It’s in that spirit that we decided to begin highlighting restaurants and spaces throughout New Orleans offering options for bridal showers, engagement parties, bridal luncheons or dinner and anything else that pops up during wedding planning. We’ve categorized them according to neighborhood since logistics are such a huge part of the process.
Downtown/CBD
Chef Michael Gulotta’s second restaurant Maypop, following the success of Mid-City restaurant Mopho, helped spur Gulotta’s most recent James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist nomination. The menu consists of Southern/Asian cuisine in the heart of the CBD. The stylish restaurant is the ideal backdrop for a bachelorette dinner or small bridal party gathering.
611 O’Keefe Ave.
Uptown
Oak Wine Bar has something for everyone. The small, intimate space can be rented out for bridal showers or engagement parties or is perfect for dinner with the in-laws before the big day. The convenient location and romantic vibe suites a variety of wedding gatherings.
8118 Oak. St.
Garden District
The Columns is iconic. Not only can you get married in front of the gorgeous building, but you can also have your reception on the first floor and stay the night if necessary. Its St. Charles Avenue location gives easy access to downtown New Orleans and the passing streetcars make for a great photo. In December, Jacques and Claire Creppel, owners of the hotel for approximately 40 years, sold The Columns to boutique hotelier Jayson Seidman, known for Marigny-based The Frenchmen and the uber-hip The Drifter on Tulane Avenue. So far, changes include sprucing up the exterior, which bodes well for wedding and reception photos.
3811 St. Charles Ave.
French Quarter
Justine is a fairly new eatery in the French Quarter offering a creative spin on French dishes. There is plenty of space in the restaurant for a rehearsal dinner or engagement gathering, as well as a weekend brunch for a bridal luncheon or after wedding brunch celebration.
225 Chartres St.
Mid-City
More for a small gathering with friends, or a date night before the “I Do’s,” Toups is the brainchild of Chef Isaac Toups and his wife and business partner Amanda Toups. Described as “carnivore-friendly” this Cajun-style restaurant is relaxed and filled with delicious local dishes. Don’t sleep on the cracklins, no one does them better than Toups Meatery. Pro-Tip: Consider them for a late-night snack or take-away favor for your afterparty.
845 N. Carrollton Ave.
Esplanade
Esplanade Avenue is arguably one of the prettiest streets in New Orleans, full of gorgeous trees and homes older than anyone living today. The Degas House, named for artist Edgar Degas who resided on the property, can suite myriad wedding-related gatherings of varying sizes with its two buildings and gorgeous courtyard. Last year, Degas House received a designation as a French landmark when it was added to the French Ministry of Culture’s network of the Maisons des Illustres (Houses of the Illustrious). It is only the second house in the United States to be included in the network.
2306 Esplanade Ave.
Marigny/Bywater
The remodeled and reopened restaurant is known for its cocktails and light “New American” menu. Cozy, modern and a touch romantic, The Franklin is perfect for out of town guests or a small get-together with your bridal party.
2600 Dauphine St.
