Office demand in New Orleans splits between downtown and Jefferson Parish. The CBD still has about 10.3 million square feet of office space in roughly 23 buildings and holds virtually all of the region's major law firms and financial institutions. But CBD occupancy dipped below 80 percent in 2024, and some tenants moved to Metairie to get away from downtown access and parking problems. Ochsner, with more than 40,000 team members, is another big lunch customer base. The caterers on this list lean toward the parish line too. Messina's and Pigeon both run out of Jefferson, and Copeland's online catering orders go through its Jefferson, Kenner, Harvey, Covington and Slidell restaurants. Messina's also names the French Quarter, Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City and Warehouse District as service areas.
Almost nobody here publishes prices. The Ruby Slipper is the exception, listing a $15 Brunch Box and quoting everything else after you send its catering inquiry form. Messina's, Ralph Brennan Catering and Pigeon's event team build custom proposals, so expect a quote. If you want to order without a phone call, Pigeon sends pickup and delivery orders through ezCater, Copeland's runs online catering ordering by location, and Langenstein's site now redirects to Robert Fresh Catering, which takes online tray orders. Published lead times are short. Pigeon wants 24 hours before pickup, and Robert Fresh Catering wants orders by 8pm two days ahead. Messina's usually sets the final guest count deadline one to two weeks out. Copeland's has a $500 food and beverage minimum for weekday lunch private events.
A few New Orleans specifics. Since January 1, 2025, Louisiana taxes a seller's delivery charge on taxable goods even when it is itemized, and the combined sales tax rate in Orleans Parish is 10 percent, so the delivery line on your invoice gets taxed too. Pigeon charges a small delivery fee it does not publish. Copeland's takes a $100 deposit, refunded if you cancel 10 or more days out, and adds tax, gratuity and a banquet service charge. Messina's typically asks for a retainer. Watch the calendar too. The convention center has 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space, and Jazz Fest drew 475,000 people from April 23 to May 3, 2026. Voodoo Catering's and Eat Fit NOLA's sites would not load when we checked, so call before you count on them.