Culinary Trails in Gretna Louisiana

The abundance of fantastic food to be found throughout Louisiana can be a little overwhelming for some visitors, particularly if they haven’t sampled our fabulous indigenous cuisine before. How will you decide where to go and what to eat? To help you manage the choices, we suggest using Louisiana's Culinary Trails as guideposts. The Louisiana Office of Tourism and the makers of TABASCO® hot pepper sauce have laid out seven regional “trails” that traverse byways, prairies, marshlands and waterways that are great sources of some of the finest food you’ll ever enjoy. Discover some of the chefs and restaurants who are keeping the tradition of great food alive and thriving in Louisiana.

Much of Gretna’s historic architecture reflects the shotgun homes and Creole cottages of New Orleans, its neighbor just across the Mississippi River. A more laid back, small-town feel has always set Gretna apart. Beginning in the 19th century, an agreeable marrying judge made the area a destination for couples seeking quickie weddings. A legacy celebrated each Valentine’s Day when the local justice of the peace conducts ceremonies and renewals of vows over the anvil inside the historic Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop. A free pedestrian ferry ride delivers visitors from New Orleans to the heart of Gretna’s historic downtown. It is home to many restaurants and museums that honor the city’s original settlers. On Saturday mornings, a lively farmers market convenes by the site of a historic train depot with local artists displaying their work on the second Saturday of each month for the Gretna Art Walk.