In 1983, Patrick and Phoebe Celestin opened Celestin's Restaurant on J Street. You may remember the steam on the windows, as we served bowl after bowl of Celestin's Gumbo. It has always been a family affair. We were able after 18 years in our first home to build and relocate the restaurant to 1815 K Street, where the restaurant became Celestin's Restaurant and Voudoo Lounge.
We stayed at our home there for eleven years and now we are at it again. Our third restaurant location is in the heart of lovely, Mckinley Park. It's our smallest venue yet. We are excited to offer our all time local favorites and stretch ourselves to offer some new and appetizing options for your dining pleasure.
We stayed at our home there for eleven years and now we are at it again. Our third restaurant location is in the heart of lovely, Mckinley Park. It's our smallest venue yet. We are excited to offer our all time local favorites and stretch ourselves to offer some new and appetizing options for your dining pleasure.
Reviews (30)
Wonder M.
Jan 29, 2022
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Husband and I visited this place on a Wednesday night and was able to get a seat right away as there are only one other couple dining that night. We ordered our food and drinks and then waited. About 15 mins after we had ordered out food, two other parties came in, they were seated, and ordered their food. Another 10 minutes had passed by, the waiter brought food out to one of the parties that had came in after us. We then got our food 5 mins later. We waited about 30 mins to get our food, while the parties that came in after us waited significantly less and got their food before us. As we&apos
Rachel K.
Jan 20, 2022
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Our friend recommended Celestin's to us and after months of it being on our "gotta try it" list we finally made it in and it IMMEDIATELY became a regular spot.
Celestin's makes amazing Gumbo and Jambalaya, the dishes and ingredients always taste absolutely amazing and the portions are big enough to share.
My favorite dishes are the Celestin's Gumbo (it has chicken, sausage, shrimp, scallop and Pacific snapper), the Grio (marinated pork in orange & lime juice, garlic, habanero) and the Jambalaya. All of it is delicious and if you like spicy like we do, you can request
Celestin's makes amazing Gumbo and Jambalaya, the dishes and ingredients always taste absolutely amazing and the portions are big enough to share.
My favorite dishes are the Celestin's Gumbo (it has chicken, sausage, shrimp, scallop and Pacific snapper), the Grio (marinated pork in orange & lime juice, garlic, habanero) and the Jambalaya. All of it is delicious and if you like spicy like we do, you can request
J. Erickson
Jan 13, 2022
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First of all I was unable to get through on either of the numbers listed. One waitress was not enough to handle 20 seated patrons, the cash register, and to-go orders, so service was poor. We had to wait like 20 mins for more water. Two out of six orders was wrong, my meal was served before my salad, the limeaid glass was only 2/3 full, and it is very uncomfortable seating, there just isnt enough room they need to remove the table in the middle so people can get to the other seats. My rice was cold and flavorless. I've never had Grio before maybe its supposed to be served hard and cold. I think
Stan Rucker
Jan 04, 2022
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I like the vibe here. It is a very small and quaint restaurant. Tonight was particularly busy so it took a minute to get our order.
The grio platter for the starter was pretty delicious!
We ordered these Celestin's gumbo and the the Chicken, sausage and shrimp gumbo. The broth is decent overall. My favorite parts are the sausage and the big scallops.
The grio platter for the starter was pretty delicious!
We ordered these Celestin's gumbo and the the Chicken, sausage and shrimp gumbo. The broth is decent overall. My favorite parts are the sausage and the big scallops.
Marc B.
Dec 09, 2021
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This is not a food review. I am a DoorDash driver. I went to Celestine's to pick up an order. It wasn't ready, so I asked the very friendly cashier/employee her estimate of how long it would take. I understand most drivers can be rude. I am not those drivers. What I did, and what I usually do, is asked her her estimate of how long before the order was ready. I ask because if it's a short time I will gladly wait and NOT rush them. If it's longer I will gladly give it to another driver, canceling it on my end so I can go elsewhere for an order so I'm not a)rushing them and
Helen Hoang
Nov 25, 2021
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Chris L.
Nov 19, 2021
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Cute, local French Creole restaurant on the edge of East Sacramento that offers both dine-in and outdoor tents. We stumbled into Celestin's on a weekday night and was instantly charmed by the intimate and cozy Southern vibes.
For our entrees, we ordered the grio and gumbo. The grio/Griot was a new dish I've never tried before, a Haitian dish that was made from pork marinated in citrus before being fried. The pork is also served with this intriguing pickled condiment called Pikliz that added a spicy, sour kick to the citrusy pork. The platter also consisted of 2 tostones (fried plantains
For our entrees, we ordered the grio and gumbo. The grio/Griot was a new dish I've never tried before, a Haitian dish that was made from pork marinated in citrus before being fried. The pork is also served with this intriguing pickled condiment called Pikliz that added a spicy, sour kick to the citrusy pork. The platter also consisted of 2 tostones (fried plantains
Loyal C.
Nov 07, 2021
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Steve H.
Nov 06, 2021
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Kelye Lotz
Oct 31, 2021
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Aileen M.
Oct 01, 2021
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Celestin's is a quaint neighborhood restaurant near McKinley Park that serves up really delicious food. I've dined at Celestin's several times for dinner and they're consistently great.
They specialize in French Creole Cuisine. You can't go wrong with their signature Gumbo: chicken, sausage, shrimp, scallop, Pacific snapper, served with French baguette slices and white rice. The flavors meld together in a satisfying bowl of deliciousness. Their Jambalaya is an equally delicious choice: shrimp, chicken, sausage sautéed in a tasty Creole rice.
And, I loved several
They specialize in French Creole Cuisine. You can't go wrong with their signature Gumbo: chicken, sausage, shrimp, scallop, Pacific snapper, served with French baguette slices and white rice. The flavors meld together in a satisfying bowl of deliciousness. Their Jambalaya is an equally delicious choice: shrimp, chicken, sausage sautéed in a tasty Creole rice.
And, I loved several
Natasha Bontemps
Sep 27, 2021
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Myna Nacare
Sep 18, 2021
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This small but mighty restaurant has equal seating in and out featuring soulful cajun fare.
We had dinner inside on a Friday night without reservations and were lucky to get seated immediately! They were full within ten minutes of arrival. Several take out customers came and went. Nice atmosphere, clean and carefully spaced seating. Casual. The staff was friendly and attentive. Service was good.
Now about the food...
I've had zero experience with cajun food. (Popeye's doesn't count.) My date helped me order. Not overpriced but not cheap. He had Jambalaya (+ a side of black beans) and I had scallops
We had dinner inside on a Friday night without reservations and were lucky to get seated immediately! They were full within ten minutes of arrival. Several take out customers came and went. Nice atmosphere, clean and carefully spaced seating. Casual. The staff was friendly and attentive. Service was good.
Now about the food...
I've had zero experience with cajun food. (Popeye's doesn't count.) My date helped me order. Not overpriced but not cheap. He had Jambalaya (+ a side of black beans) and I had scallops
Lars Hellum
Aug 31, 2021
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Romel Jean Pierre
Aug 17, 2021
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Célestin’s restaurant have a nice and beautiful atmosphere!! I came across it while looking for Carribean and Haitian restaurant near me while walking in “J street, Sacramento” . To be fair their food is good but as a Haitian food aficionado the only thing that tasted more or less like Haitian food was there “Griot” most of the 3 different dishes that me and my friend ordered had their own taste, but again it was delicious!!! Service was relatively fast !!! I would go again for their food but not thinking that it’s Haitian food
Mike K.
Aug 16, 2021
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This place is so great. Neighborhood restaurant. This is why you live in East Sac, but if you are not so fortunate, you should try this place. I have had in the past their Cuban sando. It is so flavorful. And, it comes with these perfectly seasoned skinny fries. Last time there, I had Seafood Gumbo. Oh my Gosh. If you have been to the Tadich Grille in SF and had their Cioppino, this is very similar. Other dishes I had: Grio, corn cakes and black beans, Jambalaya, tomato and avocado salad, sangria.
Dan Barrera
Aug 14, 2021
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Tony B.
Aug 06, 2021
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I just returned from New Orleans, and was jones-ing for some bbq shrimp, or anything Cajun. Although, they did not have bbq shrimp, they had jambalaya... the flavor was unremarkable, and it was dry... I was expecting some creole spicy sauce. The sausage was tasty though. The marga-jito was tasty. The key lime pie custard was great (and the crust), the cream topping was flavorless. Service was friendly although slow. Will try other places for Cajun style cuisine. $46 incl tax/tip :(
Tina Bell
Jul 31, 2021
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Yvan Trymil
Jun 20, 2021
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Anytime I’m in Sacramento, CA this is my to go place for the best food in town. It’s unbelievable how friendly the staff are, and the owner is beyond admiration for his kindness, and his love for his roots.… Haitian power all the way, proud to be !!!. Give this place a try and you will come back for more. Thanks for holding our Haitian cultural values, great taste of creole food, and Haitian music 🎶 .
Candace C.
Apr 23, 2021
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Over ten tears in the making and we finally dine at Celestin's! I am so embarrassed to admit that but I gotta be honest! Being part of a family that lives and breathes gumbo, I had my legitimate reservations; everybody can't make gumbo sorry to say. But since we are here, let's go all in! Ordered Celestin's gumbo and the seafood gumbo. I couldn't not identify the warm, earthy seasonings in this Haitian variety of gumbo, as I have only been accustomed to the Cajun variety but man it was UHmazing! I was really out there in risky town because I'd otherwise never order
Liberty G.
Apr 09, 2021
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One of the best meals I've had in a long while. I remember when Célestin's was on J--it was one of our early date restaurants back in the 90s. I was so happy to read that they reopened. The menu seems just a little different from back then.
We ordered three gumbos: their Celestin's signature, the seafood and the vegetarian gumbo. All were fresh, perfectly spiced and clean tasting. I don't think they used any flavor enhancers to disguise or trick the tastebuds. It was fantastic!
I'm a fan of fried green plantains (tostones.) It's something I can even make but it
We ordered three gumbos: their Celestin's signature, the seafood and the vegetarian gumbo. All were fresh, perfectly spiced and clean tasting. I don't think they used any flavor enhancers to disguise or trick the tastebuds. It was fantastic!
I'm a fan of fried green plantains (tostones.) It's something I can even make but it
Ginger W.
Jan 23, 2021
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How did I never know about this spot?!! Creole food in East Sac Whhaattttt! As soon as I found out about it, said I need to try this place!
First off, the ambiance is so warm and welcoming. Great vibes all around from the beautiful decor and staff!
I'm gonna be honest, I did have higher expectations for the gumbo but it wasn't bad either. I still enjoyed it.
The sangria tasted pretty watery but I enjoyed the fresh fruits in it.
My favorite was the baguette that came on the side and that was delicious!
I look forward to returning and trying other items off of the menu.
Thanks for
First off, the ambiance is so warm and welcoming. Great vibes all around from the beautiful decor and staff!
I'm gonna be honest, I did have higher expectations for the gumbo but it wasn't bad either. I still enjoyed it.
The sangria tasted pretty watery but I enjoyed the fresh fruits in it.
My favorite was the baguette that came on the side and that was delicious!
I look forward to returning and trying other items off of the menu.
Thanks for
Lauren R.
Dec 13, 2020
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With restaurants now having to shut indoor and outdoor operations, I was happy to find that celestins was on doordash. I recently ordered the jambalaya which game with a side of cucumber tomato salad and tostones. Sometimes to go portions can be less than what you would normally get during a dine in experience, but that was not the case here. Jambalaya was a littler more tomato-y than I like, but had pieces of sausage and shrimp in every bite which is a huge plus. Excited to try the gumbo again next time!
Cindy L.
Sep 29, 2020
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Celestin's bowl of gumbo here will make your soul happy. Perfect amount of spices and seasoning that will literally have you come back for more. I personally like the chicken, sausage and shrimp gumbo and I like to add more heat. It can get spicy when requested. When ordering, make sure to state whether you prefer with rice or bread or both. I have assumed it came with rice due to dining in and ordering to go previously. But when I ordered a few times to go recently, they were inconsistent. Sometimes I get it with rice and sometimes I get it with bread only. So don't get yourself in a
MeMe Wood
Jul 30, 2020
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Adolfo Quesada Beer
Jan 11, 2020
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Emilio Castellanos
Dec 28, 2019
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Jim Relles
Dec 22, 2019
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Tc Anderson
Jun 29, 2018
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Glad they are back! We went the first weekend they were open. It was a bit hectic, new servers and very tight space. Celestine's Gumbo was missing something, still VERY fresh and good!! Corn cakes and black bean appetizer was tasty and worth the try! Grio was great, enjoyed all including the avacado/tomato salad, rice and beans a bit dry.
We will definitely return in a couple months once all the kinks get worked out.
Thank you for coming back!
We will definitely return in a couple months once all the kinks get worked out.
Thank you for coming back!
