Meet Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie: Downtown’s Newest Destination with Historic Roots and Coastal Vibes
Grand Opening of Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie
Join us Thursday, May 1st from 3–5 PM for an official ribbon cutting and weekend-long celebration to welcome Lighthouse coastal brassserie to the Downtown Hammond family. Hosted in partnership with Lighthouse, the Downtown Development District, and the Tangipahoa Chamber, this event will feature food, drinks, live music, and the company of our downtown community.
If you’ve been downtown lately, you’ve probably noticed something new — and breathtaking — rising from the site once home to the Strawberry Patch and Blackened Brew. After years of dreaming and months of meticulous restoration, Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie is finally open — and it’s already the talk of the town.
A project of local restaurateur Saul Rubio, Lighthouse is the latest addition to the ever-expanding Rubio Hospitality Group, which includes community favorites like La Carreta, One Thirteen, and Salty Joe’s. With 16 businesses under his belt and decades of passion poured into downtown Hammond, Rubio’s vision has always been clear: build places that feel like home — but taste like a vacation.
With a heart for hospitality and a love for old buildings, Saul Rubio has breathed new life into a once-forgotten stretch of Hammond’s Main Street. What was crumbling is now a buzzing block of community and cuisine. After decades of wear and tear, Rubio and his team worked with the Hammond Historic District Commission to carefully bring the buildings back to life, preserving their original charm. Their hard work even caught the attention of the state, earning a $10,000 Louisiana Main Street Redevelopment Incentive Grant — a win not just for this project, but signaling a new wave of development for downtown Hammond.
History gave it character. Design gave it heart. Together, they created something unforgettable.
When you step inside Lighthouse, your shoulders instantly drop. The windows and pergola-style roof open to let in sunlight and fresh air. The decor — a bright, coastal blend of color, pattern, plants, and texture — transports you straight to a European seaside escape. At the heart of the restaurant sits a towering lighthouse replica, ready for its close-up (yes, it’s selfie approved).
In the adjacent room, Eclipse offers a moody, yet lively contrast — with private nooks, thoughtful design, and a feeling of retreat. It’s the kind of place you could lose track of time in — on purpose.
From the first sip to the final bite, everything on the menu tells a story. Rotisserie chicken with golden skin, skinny-cut fries with just the right crisp, oysters in every style imaginable, tuna tartare, house-made hummus, and bright coastal cocktails — all made from scratch, right down to the sauces.
In the back, what co-owner Alison Rubio calls the Coastal Bar is where the fresh seafood magic happens: oysters shucked, ceviche prepared, tuna sliced, just to name a few.
Even dessert is locally loved. Summer Veatch of Candlestick Bakery, a local Farmers Market favorite, is behind the sweet creations at Lighthouse. If you know, you know.
This isn’t just another new restaurant. It’s a love letter to Hammond.
When Rubio bought the building six years ago, he wasn’t just thinking about real estate. He was thinking about the future. He brought in his niece, Alison, and together, they created a space rooted in family, food, and community. They chose the name Brasserie — a nod to French restaurants that are casual, comfortable, and full of flavor — and paired it with Coastal, to reflect the fresh, citrusy, salt-forward menu that stretches beyond seafood.
And the name? Lighthouse and its bar room, Eclipse were thoughtfully chosen as a nod to nearby businesses, Mariner’s Inn and Crescent Bar — a quiet tribute that ties the block together with intention and respect.
Ask anyone who’s worked with Saul Rubio — including his team of all-stars like Alison Rubio (Co-Owner), Kayli Payne (Marketing Director), Alexis Maltese (Marketing Coordinator), and Aldair Lugo (General Manager) — and you’ll hear a common theme: leadership that feels like family. Aldair puts it best: “He’s the kind of boss who’s in the trenches with you. He teaches you. He believes in you.”
That kind of heart isn’t new. Rubio’s first big leap was opening La Carreta in downtown Hammond back in the 90s — a time when people questioned whether downtown could be revived. But Rubio saw a future here. He imagined a family. A community. A reason to stay.
Today, that vision feels complete. Southeastern students still get their first jobs in his restaurants. Locals still gather at his tables. And through every venture, Rubio proves that when you invest in people, the returns are endless.
Even the plates at Lighthouse are marked with “Downtown Hammond” — a small detail that speaks volumes about their pride in place and commitment to community.
Whether you're there for oysters and cocktails or simply to soak in the atmosphere, Lighthouse offer something special. Everything is indoors, but it doesn't feel that way. At Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie, the fully retractable roof and floor-to-ceiling windows invite in sunlight and fresh air, creating the feeling of an open-air escape. The Eclipse area transports you with moody lighting, coastal-inspired murals, and private alcoves that make you feel like you're lounging seaside — no passport required.
We’ll see you there.
