1. Southern Cookin’ At Its Best
Café Amelie
912 Royal St
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 412-8965
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 715 Reviews.
At this day and age, you can find Southern cooking around the entire country, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a place that tops Café Amelie when it comes to this style of cuisine.
With a menu that’s packed full of all the classics, each with its own special twist, dishes like their shrimp and grits just can’t be beat. For an extra treat, come for Sunday brunch.
2. Po’ Boys At Their Best
Bear’s Po Boy’s at Gennaro’s
3206 Metairie Rd
Metairie, LA 70001
(504) 833-9226
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 38 Reviews.
Simple and to the point, the PO boy is a Southern staple that always hits the spot, especially when it’s from Bear’s. With a good list of varieties and delicious sides like their highly recommended onion rings, a stop here is sure to have you coming back for more.
3. Meat On Par With Greatness
City Pork Deli & Charcuterie
2363 Hollydale Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 300-4550
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 67 Reviews.
If you consider yourself a carnivore, then City Pork is the place for you. With tender cuts and plentiful servings, this new-age restaurant has a big menu with something for any hankering.
If you need a recommendation to get you started, try to the cheek pastrami sandwich… it won’t let you down.
4. Seafood As Fresh As It Gets
Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar
3203 Williams Blvd
Kenner, LA 70065
(504) 443-6454
Yelp: 4 Stars; 261 Reviews.
Featuring plenty of fresh fish and seafood options, Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar is a Kenner staple that’s sure to stick around for quite some time.
For a real taste of Louisiana, go for the “swamp platter,” which includes fried gator, frog legs, and turtle soup. They’ve also got some of the best “bang for your buck” crawfish in town.
5. This Butcher Knows Best
Cochon Butcher
930 Tchoupitoulas St
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 588-7675
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 1312 Reviews.
Between choices like the duck pastrami sliders and the pork belly, Cochon Butcher is one place you’re sure to make a returning visit to, if for no other reason than to try everything you missed on your first trip.
It’s not your average deli and it’s a little more expensive than many of its competitors, but it’s so worth it. Just make sure you save room for a side of their pancetta mac and cheese. It’s life-changing.
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6. Add A Little Spice To Your Life
Parrain’s Seafood
3225 Perkins Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 381-9922
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 388 Reviews.
With a menu stacked full of Cajun and creole favorites, Parrain’s will never let you down. A few of the local favorites include their oysters on the half shell, their unique take on gumbo, and a variety of PO boy sandwiches.
Everything goes great with a side of their delicious dirty rice and there’s no better way to wash it all down than by finishing your meal with some of their white chocolate bread pudding.
7. Get Your Groove On
Three Muses
536 Frenchmen St
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 252-4801
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 506 Reviews.
The great live jazz and blues music isn’t the only reason to make a stop by this gastropub. Home to kitchen full of innovation, feasting on some of their lamb sliders or feta fries is sure to have you recommending this place to everyone you know.
8. Italian Food Never Gets Old
Cascio’s Market Bistro
2750 Shed Rd.
Suite G
Bossier City, LA 71111
(318) 742-3205
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 21 Reviews.
Always busy, but for a good reason, Cascio’s Market Bistro truly has a dish on their menu for everyone. Blending aspects of both Southern and Italian cuisines into many of their plates, everything comes out of this kitchen in perfect harmony.
It’s easy to see how unique this place is by taking a quick look at a few of their most popular items, which include an eggplant Panini, the turkey melt on jalapeno bread, and of course spaghetti and meatballs.
9. Much Cheaper Than A Trip To Greece
Zoroona Mediterranean Grill
6900 Siegen Ln Ste D
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 421-8233
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 62 Reviews.
Focused on bringing authentic Mediterranean cuisine to the food scene of Baton Rouge, Zoroona is home to some of this city’s most delicious dishes.
Not only does your experience here start with a complimentary loaf of their signature rosemary bread, interestingly awesome dishes like the fried goat cheese appetizer and the gyro pizza are sure to make any visit memorable.
10. It’s Hard To Beat A Good Dog
Botsky’s
104 W Pujo St
Ste 100
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 491-1155
Yelp: 5 Stars; 20 Reviews.
Specializing in gourmet hot dogs, Botsky’s has no problem improving on an already great American classic. For starters, they’ve got tons of unique tubed meats to choose from, including Kobe beef, alligator, and even a veggie dog that’ll please any carnivore.
Next there’s the toppings, which are plentiful and always fresh. When it comes to hot dogs, if you can think it up, there’s a good chance Botsky’s will have it.
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11. Food That’s Good For Your Soul
EAT New Orleans
900 Dumaine St
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 522-7222
Yelp: 4 Stars; 517 Reviews.
Another restaurant that focuses on bringing new life to classic Southern dishes, EAT New Orleans will quickly become one of your favorites.
Not only is this restaurant BYOB, dishes like the crawfish pie and the Eggs Dauphine (poaches eggs topped with country ham, a fried tomato, and hollandaise) will convince you this is one of the top places in town. But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself.
12. It’s Hard To Beat A Great Slice Of ‘Za
Red Zeppelin Pizza
4395 Perkins Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 302-7153
Yelp: 4 Stars; 54 Reviews.
With good beer, outdoor seating, and some of the most addictively tasty pizza around, Red Zeppelin is one place that can’t be skipped over when it comes to the Louisiana food scene.
With tons of unique topping combinations sure to impress, one favorite is the “Great Balls of Fire” pizza, topped with sliced meatballs, jalapenos, red onions, feta, cheddar, mozzarella cheeses, and barbecue sauce.
13. This Place Has It All
Luna Bar & Grill
719 Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 494-5862
Yelp: 4 Stars; 86 Reviews.
A Lake Charles staple when it comes to live music, Luna Bar & Grill never disappoints. Offering up plenty of seafood and sandwiches, among other full-size entrees, options like the “Red Fish Ian” will have your taste buds smiling.
The “Ian” consists of fresh redfish, topped with sautéed spinach, lump crab meat, and the perfect blend of spices, a real stand-out amongst seafood dishes in this state.
14. You Can’t Forget Chicken And Waffles
Brown Butter Restaurant
231 N Carollton Ave
Ste C
New Orleans, LA 70019
(504) 609-3871
Yelp: 4.5 Stars; 12 Reviews.
It’s impossible to mention Southern cooking without bringing up one of the most spectacular regional favorites, the chicken and waffle sandwich. If you’re craving this dish, Brown Butter Restaurant will help you get your fix.
With some of the best fried chicken in the Bayou State, any option on the menu that features this protein is sure to be a winner.
15. You’d Have To Be A Bonehead To Skip This Place
Boneheads
4456 Youree Dr
Shreveport, LA 71105
(318) 861-3770
Yelp: 4 Stars; 17 Reviews.
Quick, easy, and cheap, few places in Louisiana will get you a better meal faster than Boneheads. With a menu heavy on chicken and fish options, dishes like the piri-piri chicken and the mahi-mahi plate will have you wishing you started going to this place sooner.
Their emphasis seems to be on serving food that’s fresh and healthy, making this one food joint that can’t be missed.
What’s your go-to for great grub in Louisiana? Tell us in the comments below!
