Five of the Best Coeur d’Alene Restaurants for Rehearsal Dinner

Back in the summer of 2022, I wrote a blog about five of the best restaurants in Spokane for rehearsal dinner (click HERE if you want to go back to that blog post). I thought it was about time I wrote one outlining some of the best restaurants for rehearsal dinner in Coeur d’Alene since I so frequently work on both sides of the Idaho/Washington border. I am going to start this blog very similar to the one about Spokane because you are likely looking at either one or the other city (not both), so I feel it is important to reiterate and utilize the same sentiments.

When the topic of rehearsal dinner comes up some questions I often get asked are: Do you have to have one? Who is typically invited to this pre-wedding event? When do you host this event? It can sometimes feel like just one more thing to tack on to your ever-growing wedding to-do checklist. For starters, a rehearsal dinner is an event typically following your wedding ceremony rehearsal that usually takes place one or two days before the actual wedding and involves your immediate family, bridal party, and all their spouses/significant others. This dinner is traditionally hosted by the groom’s family. However, nothing is ever set in stone when it comes to these kinds of things, so you should do what makes the most sense for you and your future spouse. A rehearsal dinner is never mandatory but is absolutely another excuse to hang out with your favorite people and will give you a chance to do some more relaxed mingling before your big day and you are distracted with all the things. This is also an opportunity for special family and friends who don’t traditionally give toasts at the wedding reception to share words of encouragement, funny stories, and well wishes.

The best place to host a rehearsal dinner is usually at a restaurant or smaller event venue with onsite catering. This is because often there will not be enough people to completely fill a larger venue space, and a restaurant will likely allow for more variety and menu choices for your guests. Below are five of my favorite Coeur d’Alene restaurants to check out when planning your rehearsal dinner. In no particular order…

1. Vantage Point Brewery – This is a great rehearsal dinner venue if you are hosting your wedding at venues such as Elk Point, The Hagadone Event Center, or The Jewett House because it is literally right down the street. Those venues can also have a bit of a more upscale feel, so hosting your rehearsal dinner at a brewery will give you the opportunity for a more relaxed event as part of your wedding weekend. The upstairs space at Vantage Point can hold around 40 people, including a lounge area that they already have nicely arranged. Food, beverage and staff are all included (you can bring in outside dessert). There are even two TVs and an audio system up there for entertainment purposes. For more information and to request the event space head over to this LINK.

Trails End Brewery – This brewery is another great, more relaxed option for a rehearsal dinner spot. More north in CdA, off the main drag, this restaurant is great for those who are getting married in the middle of summer and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main downtown area. Not only is Trails End a brewery, but they are a wood fired pizza restaurant as well. Their upstairs space can hold up to 50 people and comes complete with shuffleboard, darts and 2 TVs for all your entertainment purposes. Similar to Vantage Point, all your food, beverage and staffing is in-house, and you are welcome to bring in your own dessert. Both of these brewery options are kid friendly, so don’t be afraid to invite families – especially if you are hosting an adults only wedding. For more information about this space, use this LINK.

Honey Eatery – This option is right on the main part of Sherman Ave., so central to pretty much all of the CdA Wedding Venues! Upstairs, Honey is a fun restaurant featuring comfort food & craft cocktails. With a bit of a unique menu, it is sure to be different than your “typical” rehearsal dinner. Downstairs is the speak easy & social club that can hold up to 80 people for a private event. So if you have a larger wedding party, or have a lot of out of town guests you want to invite to the rehearsal dinner, this could be the perfect spot for you. You will pre-select all your food with their catering manager beforehand then they handle everything from set up to food to drinks. Just bring yourselves and have a good time. With a full bar available, this restaurant will definitely have something for all your guests to enjoy. Check out their website HERE for more information and to email their catering manager (listed at the very bottom of the site)

Seasons of Coeur d’Alene – Just one street up from Honey is Seasons, a fresh bar & grill with a separate, private dining area for around 50 people. If you want more of that full restaurant feel, but with a bit more of a “traditional” menu than what Honey has to offer, then this could be a great joint to host your rehearsal dinner at. Still within walking distance of the Cd’A Resort & central to all the main wedding venues, you can be sure your guests won’t have to go far. Pre-select your food to be either buffet style or plated, have a craft cocktail, sit back, and enjoy the company of your closest friends and family! Here is a LINK to send a request to their Banquet Manager.

Beverly’s – This stunning restaurant is on the 7^th floor of the Coeur d’Alene Resort and has 4 different private dining spaces range in size to fit 9 people all the way up to 56 people. If you are hosting your wedding at The Resort or Hagadone Event Center, this is an easy place to host your rehearsal dinner as likely most of your guests are already staying at the hotel. Or if you are looking to host a bit of a more formal, intimate rehearsal dinner this could be a great space for your event. With excellent service, wonderful food, and gorgeous views overlooking the lake – Beverly’s is sure to ‘wow’ all your guests!! Keep in mind, they do have a minimum of $75/person for food & beverage, and any party size over 12 people will be limited to their specific event dining menus. For more information, talk to your event contact if you are hosting your wedding at a Resort property or head to the website HERE is you need to get in touch with someone.

There you have it… now we have blog posts for both Spokane and Coeur d’Alene restaurants when considering where to host your rehearsal dinner. I hope you find this helpful in narrowing down your search! And if it truly seems like planning this event on top of your already long wedding to-do list is just one too many things then give me a call or fill out an inquiry form. Let’s chat!

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