13 Restaurants Perfect for a Rehearsal Dinner in New Orleans, Louisiana

Check out our favorite rehearsal dinner venues in New Orleans, all of which are tasty restaurants you'll adore.
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by
Jenna Clark
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Jenna Clark
The Knot Contributor
  • Jenna is a freelance writer for The Knot Worldwide, specializing in wedding traditions and planning.
  • In addition to The Knot Worldwide, Jenna contributes to other online publications including Insider, People, BuzzFeed and The Daily Beast.
  • Jenna graduated from Hofstra University with a major in public relations and a minor in creative writing.
Updated Jan 13, 2023

Are you trying to find a rehearsal dinner venue in New Orleans that will impress your wedding party and relax them before it's showtime? We're here for you. New Orleans is known for its epic food scene so it's no surprise that when we compiled all our favorite New Orleans rehearsal dinner ideas, they were tasty restaurants. When choosing a restaurant for hosting a rehearsal dinner in New Orleans, we love the idea of having seafood make its way into the meal in one way or another. However, if seafood isn't quite your speed, we've got plenty of picks with land-based menus.

Food shouldn't be the only consideration when picking from the list below. Weather is a key decision factor as well. New Orleans weather tends to be rainy and humid throughout the year so hybrid options, of which there are plenty, tend to be a good way to go.

We've compiled a list of the best rehearsal dinner venues in New Orleans where you can both dine on delicious food and enjoy New Orleans' beautiful and lively ambiance. You can check out The Knot Marketplace for a complete list of great rehearsal dinner locations in New Orleans. From museum cafes to seafood hot spots, we've got you covered. In the meantime, continue reading to learn about some of our favorite restaurant venues for hosting a rehearsal dinner in New Orleans.

House of Blues New Orleans

If you're looking to wow your wedding party, House of Blues New Orleans is the perfect spot to host your rehearsal dinner. This restaurant located in the heart of the French Quarter will provide guests with a truly authentic New Orleans experience filled with Southern-inspired cuisine, breathtaking artwork and decor. This space can accommodate anywhere between 25 to 1,800 guests in various indoor and outdoor areas throughout the venue including the Voodoo Garden and the Foundation Room. This is great if you're wanting to keep your dinner intimate or invite most ,or potentially even all, of your guests so they can get to know each other ahead of the big day.

Neyow's Creole Café

If you're looking to provide up to 250 guests with an unforgettable dining experience filled with authentic Creole cuisine, look no further than Neyow's Creole Café. Plus, if you choose to have your New Orleans wedding rehearsal dinner at Neyow's Creole Café, you'll also be supporting a Black-owned business and the community which we love to see.

Neyow's Creole Café is the perfect option for a rehearsal dinner in New Orleans that will leave guests remembering Louisiana forever with a menu filled with crab claws, stuffed crab and Philly Cheesesteak po-boys to name a few. Whether or not you want to work with Neyow's team to customize the menu of your dreams, choose a prix fixe option or allow guests to order menu items a la carte, Neyow's can work with you to host a memorable dinner.

Cafe Sbisa

Impress up to 180 guests with dinner on a historic property that is the third-oldest fine-dining establishment in the French Quarter also known as Cafe Sbisa. With classic French-Creole dishes including barbecue shrimp and turtle soup, their menu will leave everyone in awe.

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This restaurant makes for a great hybrid venue as it contains a plethora of indoor and outdoor event spaces to choose from, including the outdoor courtyard, main dining room and second floor which provides a beautiful view of the city. The restaurant's vintage charm and historic architecture will make guests feel at home, relaxed and ready for the big day.

Deanie's Seafood Restaurant in the French Quarter

If you're a seafood superfan, Deanie's Seafood Restaurant in the French Quarter is a wonderful option located near Canal and Bourbon Street. The restaurant is home to the Madden Room and the Iberville Room which are two private dining rooms available for hosting rehearsal dinners, wedding showers, luncheons and other private parties. This eatery is better suited for more intimate dinners with a capacity of 100 guests. The restaurant also contains a courtyard with beautiful tropical plants and fountains which can serve as a wonderful area for photo taking both for you and your guests so they can remember the evening.

Napoleon's House

If you're looking for a rehearsal dinner venue with an elegant touch, Napoleon's House may be just what you're looking for. The property on which the venue sits is one of the most historic in New Orleans and is part of the National Register of historic buildings. The venue is equipped with several rooms for hosting private seated dinners including the Rosa Room (30 seated), Pietro Room (70 seated) and the Emperor Room (45 seated). However, the patio and entire restaurant can be brought out to accommodate larger groups of up to 300 for a reception-style dinner. The venue's stunning chandeliers and detail will leave guests in awe.

New Orleans Steamboat Co.

Who said rehearsal dinners have to take place on land? Take your rehearsal tea to sea by celebrating on Steamboat NATCHEZ with New Orleans Steamboat Co. If you want to host a buffet dinner, there are 220 seats available in the main dining room and 36 seats in Captain's Salon. If you're wanting to entertain guests with a plated dinner, the capacity is 48 in Captain's Salon.

Buffet menu offerings may include Creole Jambalaya, crawfish bisque and crab ravioli to name a few depending on which menu you'd prefer. If you opt for a seated dinner, menu offerings include beef tenderloin and chicken entrées.

Ugly Dog Saloon

Rehearsal dinners don't have to be overly stuffy and fancy. Host an authentic and laid-back BBQ dinner in the center of the downtown Warehouse District at Ugly Dog Saloon. Your guests will definitely appreciate a relaxing night ahead of the big day in addition to the restaurant's menu featuring traditional barbecue classics with Cajun and Creole flavors.

The saloon offers both indoor and outdoor event spaces which can accommodate anywhere from 10 and 150 guests making this a wonderful hybrid venue option. The Dog House Banquet Room is an indoor private dining area with a retractable garage door that can open up to a patio providing guests with a backyard barbecue-like atmosphere and fun for the entire party.

Galatoire's

If you're wanting to wow guests ahead of the big day with an elegant experience and delicious food, Galatoire's may be the perfect rehearsal dinner venue for you. This French Quarter restaurant has been delighting diners since 1905 with its fancy atmosphere and delicious food. This restaurant offers eight luxurious spaces with varying capacities for seated dinners including the Bourbon Room (80), Iberville Room and Bienville Room (28), Balcony Room (170), Wine Room (30) and Galatoire's Main Dining Room (130). It is important to note that the Bourbon, Iberville & Bienville rooms can be combined to accommodate up to 136 guests.

Desi Vega's Steakhouse

Looking for a scenic venue to host a New Orleans rehearsal dinner? Desi Vega's Steakhouse has you covered. This restaurant is equipped with multiple unique dining rooms which will leave first-time guests in awe of the beauty of New Orleans. The main dining room provides views of the historic St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line, the three-story Tuckahoe marble pillars of Gallier Hall and majestic oaks in Lafayette Square. The capacity for a seated dinner in the main dining room is 110. The Lafayette Room is a smaller semi-private dining room inside of the main dining room which is a great option if your rehearsal dinner will be on the smaller side with 30 guests or fewer. Regardless of which room you choose, you will be sure to eat a delicious dinner with offerings that may include filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and pan-seared gulf fish to name a few.

The Troubadour Hotel

For excellent food in the heart of the Central Business District, look no further than The Troubadour Hotel. Although this hotel can make for a great wedding venue, you can find Jayne Bistro and Bar on the first floor which is a wonderful spot for hosting a rehearsal dinner with up to 100 guests. Guests will fall in love with this contemporary boutique hotel with its bold and vibrant colors that reflect New Orleans' lively atmosphere. Jayne's dinner menu is filled with a variety of offerings including Chef's Gumbo of the Day, NOLA Beer Brined Smoked Chicken and the Louisiana Citrus Salad to name a few.

Cafe Amelie

For more intimate rehearsal dinners, you should not overlook Cafe Amelie nestled in the historic 150-year-old Princess of Monaco Courtyard. The cafe's velvet chairs, red bricks and chandeliers make the space feel comfortable and cozy - the perfect way to relax ahead of the big day along with a prix fixe menu.

If you're wanting to host a rehearsal brunch instead of the traditional dinner, Cafe Amelie can accommodate that, too, for up to 40 guests indoors and 30 seated guests in the courtyard area. While dining at Cafe Amelie, guests will get a feel for what New Orleans is all about while enjoying some delicious cuisine.

Cafe NOMA by Ralph Brennan

A rehearsal dinner inside of a museum? Yes, you read that right. Cafe NOMA by Ralph Brennan can be found inside of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Guests will adore the floor-to-ceiling glass windows where they can revel in the beauty of the restaurant's courtyard and neighboring City Park.

You can work with the cafe's planners to customize the rehearsal dinner of your dreams. Whether you're wanting something more casual or elegant, they can help bring your ideas to life while staying within your budget. This art gallery meets cafe experience will definitely provide your guests with an evening in New Orleans they will never forget.

Red Fish Grill

Right on the heart of Bourbon Street sits Red Fish Grill. This Ralph Brennan-owned restaurant is equipped with several rooms: Chaos Room (maximum banquet: 25), River Room (maximum banquet: 45), Lake Room (maximum banquet: 33) and River & Lake Rooms (maximum banquet: 75).

If you're wanting to impress guests with amazing seafood, Red Fish Grill is the place to go. Although the restaurant's menu is plentiful, barbecue oysters and alligator sausage and seafood gumbo are its signature dishes. In addition to the seafood, the walls are filled with oceanic decor providing guests with an under-the-sea-themed experience that they will cherish forever.

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