catering

3 Unique Catering Event Venues & Halls in New Orleans

When you think of Catering Events, most of us about a convention center, a hotel ballroom, or maybe a private dining room at a local restaurant.  But those are expected!  Think beyond the typical banquet hall to create a more memorable event for your guests.  Whether you are hosting a wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate event, gala, baby shower, bridal shower, birthday, anniversary, product launches, conference, holiday party, or corporate function, we have some great options to consider!

Lakefront Airport

Recently named THE most beautiful place to get married in New Orleans by Curbed New Orleans, the beautiful Art Deco Lakefront Airport provides a unique and storied backdrop to catering events.  Not only is it still a working airport, with more than 160 flights per day, its extensive restoration was the subject of a TV documentary, and it served as the headquarters of the fictional company Ferris Aircraft in the 2011 action film The Green Lantern.  The restored terminal features four unique events paces, each with it’s own part of in New Orleans History.

a group of people sitting in chairs

 

The Atrium at the Terminal is a two-story open atrium encased in marble and granite.  The terrazzo floor features a beautiful inlaid center compass as well as airport designs.  The room’s upper terrace level is trimmed in spectacular railings with ceiling reliefs and a decorative painted ceiling.

The Huey P. Long Room is named for the former Governor of Louisiana in the early 1930’s, who was instrumental in having the airport built.  The room is prime meeting space overlooking Lake Pontchartrain.  The room is equipped with AV as well as an open observation deck.

The Terrace offers beautiful open-air views of Lake Pontchartrain and the runway.  String lights, and beautiful sunsets make the perfect backdrop for weddings and corporate events.

The Walnut Room is outfitted in rich woodwork, giving it a warm hue.  The standout is the breathtaking large art décor bar that overlooks the runway.

Check out the space during breakfast or lunch on weekdays as well as brunch on the weekends by visiting Messina’s Runway Café at the Lakefront Airport terminal!

The Rooftop on Basin

Picture this: You invite guests to the historic Basin St. Station and greet them in the first floor New Orleans Museum with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.  Your guests take their time, and enjoy being surrounded by interesting exhibits and history.  Then you whisk them up the elevator to the luxurious fourth floor where they enter the glass-enclosed Salon and will get their first taste of the stunning view.  They take note of the lavish, yet modern décor as they pass a large mahogany bar, gaze up at antique chandeliers, and ponder in front of commissioned New Orleans architectural and cultural artwork before the glass doors urge them outside onto the large furnished exterior terrace. (Texasflange.com)

That’s when their jaws drop at the stunning view of the New Orleans city skyline and French Quarter.  Then the smartphones come out for photos and selfies!  Once they’ve found the perfect photo to post to social media, they begin to inspect their new surroundings to find gas burning lanterns, beautiful stone tile flooring, outdoor seating and award-winning cuisine.  This is the experience guests have at the Rooftop on Basin.  This venue can easily accommodate parties of 50-200 guests. (jordan-anwar)

Messina’s of Kenner

The Maria Isabel room at Messina’s of Kenner features a large ballroom-style space with beautiful hardwood floors throughout, equipped with a hardwood stage, and state-of-the-art sound system.  The elegant design and open floor plan can accommodate up to 175 guests reception style.  It is conveniently located just off I-10 in Kenner, a suburb outside of New Orleans.  Kenner is a short 20-25-minute drive from all the action on Bourbon street.

Local Cuisine

New Orleans is one of the culinary capitals of the US.  From blackened redfish and muffuletta, to beignets and café au lait, New Orleans is unified by its love affair with it’s unique, and traditional fare.  The cuisine of New Orleans is heavily influenced by Creole cuisine, Cajun cuisine and soul food.  Seafood plays a prominent role in many recipes.  These dishes can be incorporated into any catering menu, which will delight your guests with a true and traditional taste of NOLA.  These traditional dishes are great additions to any catering menu for a special event or party.  Read more about our favorite local dishes to serve at catering events!

 

catering menu

Closing

Messina’s Catering and Events is the exclusive caterer at the venues listed in this article.  We are a local-third-generation, family-owned and operated business that has grown from a neighborhood restaurant into a regional full-service catering and events company.  We are a 58 year old event catering company and are proud to have been named Best of Weddings for Catering by the Knot in 2019, named one of the Best Caterers for the 3rd Year in a row by CityBusiness Readers, be rated 5 stars by Wedding Wire, 4.9 stars by The Knot, 4.6 stars on Facebook and 4.5 stars on Google.

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