Written By: Mari Lucco & Amy Gaskin

Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana! Known for its historic French Quarter, vibrant live music, and rich Creole cuisine, there’s no shortage of reasons to host your next event in New Orleans. After supporting a variety of programs in this iconic city, the LOMA team is thrilled to share our recommendations and don’t miss spots to visit or consider for your next vibrant venue. 

Restaurants

Arnaud’s

This fine dining restaurant is located in the French Quarter and is all about the history of New Orleans. The tale around the city is that Arnaud’s is haunted, the story claims that the ghost is Count Arnaud, a previous owner, who likes to stop by the main dining room when it is busiest—don’t fret, he’s always smiling. In addition to the ghost stories, Arnaud’s keeps their history alive with prohibition themed and classic New Orleans cocktails. To enhance the already festive restaurant, Arnaud’s also has a Mardi Gras Museum filled with more than a dozen Mardi Gras gowns from the 1930s up until more recent years. 

Why we love it: Arnaud’s captures the heart of New Orleans—history, culture, and cuisine. From the moment you walk into Arnaud’s you are transcended back decades. As event planners, there are endless opportunities for hosting a dinner here. With various room sizes, the entire restaurant can accommodate 500 guests while the main ballroom can accommodate 230 dinner guests. After dinner, this neighborhood is active with live street music and entertainment. 

Brennan’s

Also located in the French Quarter, Brennan’s restaurant is rooted in Southern tradition with a contemporary modern flare. Between the fun décor and the impeccable dishes rich in Creole roots and flavors, Brennan’s offers a great New Orlean dining experience. Upon first impression, this restaurant is enchanting- from the bright pink exterior to the bold and unique décor. We recommend you stop in for a cocktail at Roost Bar and don’t forget to order their famous banana foster.  

Why we love it: Brennan’s mixes the history of New Orleans and the present perfectly. The restaurant is full of vibrant colors and décor, just like the city of New Orleans. The restaurant offers flexible partial buyouts including their courtyard patio and bright Roost Bar or an entire first floor buyout of the restaurant which also includes the main dining room. Stop in for a cocktail at Roost Bar and don’t forget to order their famous bananas foster.  

Muriel’s

Although the list for restaurants in New Orleans could be endless, keeping with the theme of New Orleans Supper Club, our final recommendation is Muriel’s located in Jackson Square. Muriel’s serves New Orleans classics like Turtle Soup, Creole Blackened Redfish and of course, Bread Pudding. Similar to many other restaurants in New Orleans, there is a resident ghost, Jourdan. Ghost Jourdan is welcomed as the restaurant sets the same table each day with bread and wine. Muriel’s has the quintessential New Orlean wrap-around balcony where tables are set up and diners can watch the street festivities below.  

Why we love it: Muriel’s is located right on Jackson Square which is full of New Orleans street performers only enhancing the experience at Muriel’s. The staff at Muriel’s ensures each diner is met with the classic Southern hospitality. The restaurant offers a variety of buyout options from smaller rooms for more private dinners to a full restaurant buyout accommodating up to 1,000 guests. 

Hotels

LARGE GROUPS

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

A AAA Four Diamond hotel situated on the riverfront, the Hilton New Orleans Riverside is located only a short walk from the French Quarter and attractions such as the Creole Queen and Riverwalk Outlets. The property offers a generous and flexible canvas for groups of all sizes, but especially large groups as a partner of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Why we love it: From personal experience, the event team at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside absolutely hits it out of the park; through pre-planning, to execution, we had a strong partnership and communication with the hotel team that contributed to the success of our event for a group of 1,600 guests. The meeting space flows from the built-in registration desk on the ground floor with easy access to two large ballrooms, to the intimate meeting rooms on level 3. Conference levels are well connected by escalator and elevator, allowing for a (relatively) seamless transition between spaces, even during high traffic periods. 

New Orleans Marriott

With over 80,000 square feet of meeting space, the New Orleans Marriott is a go-to for large groups. Primely located on the Mississippi River, many of the meeting spaces boast views of the water, and close proximity to the French Quarter allows for a seamless shift from business to leisure. The venue itself offers both modern finishes, while maintaining that classic NOLA spirit–a little something for everyone!

Why we love it: Featuring multiple ballrooms, each with flexible airwall configurations, the space can be diversely allocated to meet a variety of planner needs. The event team is experienced and well-versed in large scale events, not to mention the world-class catering team (and we know how important that F&B impression is!). The New Orleans Marriott delivers a well-rounded experience for planners and attendees alike. 

SMALL to MIDSIZE GROUPS

Royal Sonesta

Stay in the heart of the French Quarter at the Royal Sonesta, located right on Bourbon Street. Hosting your event here means immersing attendees in the essence of New Orleans, with easy access to iconic landmarks like Jackson Square and the unique soul of the Quarter’s historic architecture.

Why we love it: A favorite for mid-sized groups, the Royal Sonesta offers the ideal balance of scale and intimacy. With 20 flexible meeting rooms and a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 550 guests, it’s perfectly suited for programs on the rise – especially those navigating the transition into larger event formats while still valuing a close-knit feel. The mix of elegant indoor and outdoor spaces creates a true destination atmosphere, giving planners a beautiful and authentic canvas to showcase New Orleans at its finest.

Omni Royal Orleans

The Omni Royal Orleans is a timeless and elegant venue tucked into the French Quarter. Its historic charm and central location make it an ideal choice for hosting more intimate meetings, executive retreats, or boutique incentive programs, all within walking distance to Jackson Square, Royal Street galleries, and some of our favourite New Orleans restaurants!

Why we love it: Intimate meeting rooms feature natural light, wrought-iron balconies, and views of the Quarter’s vibrant streetscape. Versatility is key here—with 17 flexible spaces and thoughtful service, the property makes it easy to strike a balance on feeling both grand and welcoming, without compromising on the personal touch that smaller programs often value. Beyond the property itself, the central location may help you save budget on shuttles, especially when transportation in the French Quarter can be limited. 

Off-Sites

Creole Queen

This historic paddlewheeler brings New Orleans’ riverfront culture to life, offering scenic cruises along the Mississippi River paired with storytelling, cuisine, and music. The Creole Queen offers attendees a chance to step beyond the walls of a traditional event space and experience the city from the water, all while being centrally located for easy access from some of the big hotels.

Why we love it: An immersive way to connect guests with the history and natural beauty of the region, you can stay docked to allow attendees to come and go as they please or head out sightseeing. The Creole Queen provides a unique way to engage attendees outside of a typical event space and offers flexibility to incorporate activities like a casino night, live music, or cultural storytelling, all while enjoying the Mississippi River.

Community Support with Culture Aid NOLA

In planning any program, it’s great to look for opportunities to give back to the community you’re hosting in. Culture Aid NOLA is a grassroots nonprofit organization based in New Orleans, dedicated to providing free, stigma-free food assistance to underserved members of the city’s cultural and hospitality communities. The organization was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic to address food insecurity among individuals who were disproportionately affected by the crisis, including musicians, artists, hospitality workers, and others integral to New Orleans’ cultural fabric.

Why we love it: By supporting Culture Aid NOLA, event organizers and community members can contribute to a vital resource that sustains the cultural heartbeat of New Orleans, ensuring that those who make the city vibrant have access to the support they deserve.

Live Music Experience

There is no shortage of live music in New Orleans! From historic venues showcasing traditional jazz, such as Preservation Hall; large, state-of-the-art venues like The Filmore; and funky, local options the likes of Cafe Negril, there’s something for every group size and budget.

Why we love it: integrating performances by local musicians into your event or organizing offsite experiences at live music venues, exposes attendees to the city’s deep musical heritage, a vibrant part of NOLA’s culture! With so many neighbourhoods to explore and the opportunity to support local venues, you can create authentic, memorable experiences that connect guests to the soul of the city while uplifting the artists and businesses that keep the New Orleans spirit alive.

New Orleans is more than a destination, it’s an experience! Whether you’re planning an intimate meeting or a citywide conference, its rich culture, warm hospitality, and unforgettable atmosphere make it the perfect place to gather. Let your attendees not just visit, but truly feel New Orleans.