Discover the history of Réveillon, a centuries-old Creole dining tradition that remains a cherished part of the New Orleans holiday season.
Réveillon Dinners & Cocktails
The Tradition and How You Can Experience it Today
Réveillon is a festive, multi-course dinner rooted in Creole tradition and served at various restaurants throughout the month of December. Dating back to the 1800s, Creole residents celebrated the start of Christmas with a big family meal when they returned home from midnight mass. Think: chicken and oyster gumbo, game pies, soups, souffles, lavish desserts, brandy, and coffee to kick off Christmas Day.
Réveillon today looks a little bit different than it did back then. Among those modifications, the emphasis on the Réveillon tradition shifted from family dinners at home to the tables of top-tier restaurants. Meals are offered at more conventional dining times during the day, instead of in the wee hours of the morning. Today, dozens of New Orleans restaurants offer Réveillon dinners with menus inspired by those enjoyed by the Creole families who began the tradition. As might be expected, the participating restaurants have added their own little twists to their menus, featuring house specialties and other delectable examples of their culinary creativity.
Food and drink are at the heart of the holiday season in New Orleans, where festive flavors reflect the city’s rich culinary traditions. From classic Réveillon dinners and seasonal cocktails to favorite local dishes and sweet treats, discover how you can get a taste of the tradition that makes celebrating the holidays in New Orleans so delicious.
Réveillon, a Creole Christmas tradition dating back to early 1800s New Orleans, celebrates the holidays with festive meals inspired by historic cuisine. Experience this beloved New Orleans tradition at…
Raise a glass to the holidays with Reveillon’s craft-cocktail spin-off. Bars and restaurants have concocted holiday-inspired spirits and libations to pair alongside your meal.
