As wedding photographers based in the heart of New Orleans, Maghon and I have had the pleasure of working with some of the top caterers in the city over the years. We know how important the food and overall dining experience is to setting the tone for an unforgettable wedding celebration. In this blog post, we’ll share some of our top picks for wedding caterers in New Orleans that specialize in both authentic Cajun/Creole cuisine and more traditional catering offerings.
Why Having a Great Caterer Matters
The food at your wedding is about so much more than just keeping your guests fed. It’s an opportunity to introduce your out-of-town guests to the incredible flavors and culture of New Orleans through delicious local fare. The presentation, taste, and overall vibe of the catering also contributes significantly to the ambiance and energy of your event.
For couples looking to incorporate elements of New Orleans’ rich culinary heritage, there’s no better way than through authentic Cajun and Creole catering. And for those desiring a more traditional spread, you’ll find some wonderful local options that can deliver an elegant, memorable dining experience.
Top Cajun/Creole Caterers in New Orleans
Cochon Butcher
If you want to treat your wedding guests to the real deal when it comes to Cajun and Creole cuisine, look no further than Cochon Butcher. As an offshoot of the acclaimed Cochon restaurant, this boutique butcher shop and sandwich counter offers incredible catering packages overflowing with Louisiana specialties like boudin, andouille sausage, debris po-boys, smoked meats, and so much more. Their food is rustic, deeply flavorful, and about as authentically New Orleans as it gets.
Alternatively, Cochon can provide a more upscale, family-style catering experience featuring wood-fired meats and southern specialties. We’ve seen couples incorporate dishes like their famous fried alligator with chili gastrique sauce or the mouthwatering Louisiana cochon with cracklin’s for truly unforgettable locally-inspired wedding menus.
Hobnobbers Catering
This family-owned Cajun catering company knows how to throw a real Louisiana-style party. Based out of Baton Rouge, their services extend to the Greater New Orleans area and they excel at large events. If you’re looking to treat your guests to a rousing crawfish boil, pig roast, Cajun brunch, or authentic Cajun BBQ, Hobnobbers will make your taste buds sing!
One of our favorite offerings is their Cajun Food Stations concept, where different stations offer regional specialities like boudin balls, gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya, and more. And of course, no Cajun caterer would be complete without plenty of ice-cold Abita beer to go around. Their vibrant, welcoming atmosphere perfectly captures the laidback fun of a classic Louisiana celebration.
Top Traditional Wedding Caterers in New Orleans
Joel Catering & Special Events
For a wedding catering experience that beautifully balances New Orleans flavor with incredible service and elegance, Joel Catering is second to none. This highly acclaimed full-service catering company offers multiple tiers of catering packages for weddings of all budget levels and sizes.
Their Gold and Platinum wedding packages are where they truly shine, with custom menus, gorgeous presentation, white-glove service, and the ability to incorporate fun local touches like a house-made bacon and Steen’s cane syrup bar. They even offer different styles of service like food trucks, chef attended stations, cocktail party format, and more.
Some stand-out menu items we’ve seen are the Natchitoches meat pies, Oysters Rockefeller bouchees, andouille frites, and satsuma baked ham with Louisiana sugarcane glaze – perfection! For an upscale yet personalized wedding catering experience with unmatched service, Joel is the cream of the crop.
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Palmettos on the Bayou
For a more relaxed yet still beautifully executed catering experience, Palmettos on the Bayou is a wonderful local option to consider. Specializing in classic New Orleans fare like blackened redfish, barbecue shrimp, catfish Orleans, and bananas foster bread pudding, their cuisine is steeped in regional flavor and tradition.
One of the big draws is their gorgeous open-air venue directly on the Bayou Barataria south of New Orleans. It offers stunning natural scenery and historic Louisiana charm that couples love incorporating into their wedding atmosphere and menu. Whether you opt for stations, family style, or plated service, Palmettos delivers a truly authentic taste of New Orleans in an incredible setting. Check out out favorite venues in New Orleans!
Those are just a few of our many favorite caterers in the New Orleans area to consider for your wedding! The most important thing is partnering with a company that can capture the specific ambiance and dining experience you envision. From laidback Cajun flair to upscale elegance with local flair, New Orleans delivers some of the very best catering options around.
Be sure to schedule plenty of consultations and tasting appointments to get a true feel for what different caterers can offer. And as always, don’t hesitate to pick our brains. We’ve got the inside scoop on the top caterers, venues, wedding vendors and everything else to make your big day absolutely unforgettable.