1. When Crawfish Are In, It’s On At Chimes
The Chimes Restaurant
3357 Highland Rd
(225) 383-1754
Yelp: 4 stars, 255 reviews
You get a line, I’ll get a pole, we’ll go to Chimes and have a crawfish boil…
On paper, Chimes is you’re a-typical college joint nestled close to the LSU campus, but on further inspection you find that great food is the real draw and the energetic atmosphere merely adds to the creole classics.
The shrimp po-boy is fit for a king, piled high with fried shrimp. You can get it bar-be-que style, but the boil, when in season, is the way to go. We are talking a huge pot of steaming hot crawfish, corn and potatoes all spiced to perfection. You’re gonna get messy, but that’s what Wet Naps are for.
2. Maison Lacour Is As Legit As It Gets
Maison Lacour
11025 N Harrells Ferry Rd
(225) 275-3755
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 15 reviews
A meal at Maison Lacour is like eating at your rich family summer retreat… if your aunt and uncle happen to be amazing French chefs and the whole house is made up of dining rooms. The atmosphere is simplicity refined, paired perfectly with classic French fare.
First, get a reservation. Make it for a romantic date night or some important event because this food screams celebration. It’s “last meal” good and the limited seats fill up fast. Second, don’t fill up on bread. It’s going to be hard when they slap a loaf of fresh-baked French bread in front of you, but now is not the time to carbo-load. Lastly, always save room for the soufflé.
3. Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar Has The Best Beef Short Ribs Around
Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar
7731 Jefferson Hwy
(225) 926-1172
Yelp: 4 stars, 29 reviews
“Beausoleil” may be difficult for some to say, but you are going to want a mouthful of the decadent dishes they crank out daily. The atmosphere is casual and cozy and the cuisine is contemporary Louisiana at its finest.
The beef short ribs combine tasty and tender meat encased in a crispy crust and are perched atop a smoky orzo mac and cheese. But, if that all sounds a little heavy the seafood—especially the scallops—are the light and exciting morsels you are looking for.
4. Louie’s Café Out Classes Any Dive
Loui’s Café
209 W State St
(225) 346-8221
Yelp: 4 stars, 109 reviews
Anytime is the right time at Louie’s Café because they’re slinging their BR renowned hash browns 24 hours a day. Louie’s proximity to campus makes it an LSU staple, and the insane sandwiches and amazing breakfast combos have kept the doors open for over seventy years.
The BEST po-boy features bacon, egg, sprouts and tomato, and it’s the way to get yourself moving at any time of the day, but if you had a long night and need something to leave you slack-jawed and laid up, the off-menu Eggs Cletus is your bet. Hiding somewhere beneath a monumental dose of white gravy there lies a biscuit, sausage patty and an over medium egg… and that’s just a half order. Louie’s is not Liable for food induced comas.
5. The Only Squares At Fleur de Lis Are The Pizzas
Fleur de Lis Pizza
5655 Government St
(225) 924-2904
Yelp: 4 stars, 75 reviews
Fleur De Lis is as old-school as they come. They have been serving pizza their way since the ‘40s. That means square pies that are large on flavor and hold the gimmicks. Find a spot in this quaint little space, breathe in the history and get ready for a trip “‘Round The World”: anchovy, Italian sausage, mushrooms, pepperoni, salami and onions. The edges are crispy, the dough is the right kind of chewy and the toppings are the perfect bouquet of flavors.
This is hands down the best pizza in Baton Rogue, possibly Louisiana. No substitutions.
6. Mason’s Grill Has The Best Bloody Breakfast
Mason’s Grill
13556 Jefferson Hwy
(225) 756-8815
Yelp: 4 stars, 59 reviews
If you take your breakfast in a glass, the Bloody Mason will fill you up and then some. But, let’s put aside the “Build Your Own Bloody Mason” menu for a moment and take a gander at their brunch items.
Mason’s take on the most important meal of the day includes a breakfast burger (featuring one patty each of beef and sausage) and the Cajun Breakfast, which is basically a creole fantasy in your mouth. Oh, and chicken and waffles. Mason’s is how to turn a morning out into summer vacation.
7. Zorba’s Will Make Even The Most Modest Diner Say “Opa!”
Zorba’s Greek Bistro
5713 Essen Ln
(225) 444-5074
Yelp: 4 stars, 19 reviews
Zorba’s is a blend of the classic Greek cuisine infused with a twist of modern flare. All the standards are here and done right. Whether you’re getting the Lamb Souvlaki, Chicken Shawarma or a gyro, always start with the Cheese Saganaki. Flambéed right at your table, it is the warm, gooey start to any proper Greek meal.
The place is small without feeling uncomfortable and the atmosphere is lively and energetic without being intrusive. You can’t help but love your time at Zorba’s
8. Ninfas Is Not Your Nacho Average Nacho
Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurant
4738 Constitution Ave
(225) 924-0377
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 62 reviews
Ninfas is a nacho ninja if there ever was one. They start with the best homemade corn chips on this side of the border and layer them with creamy refried beans, cheese, sour cream and guacamole and kick the temperature up with pico de gallo and a heap of jalapeños. Add fajita beef and you’ve effectively made a mountain out of a mole hill. It’s definitely enough to share, but this isn’t kindergarten.
9. You Won’t Go Home Hungry At Parrain’s
Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant
3225 Perkins Rd
(225) 381-9922
Yelp: 4 stars, 261 reviews
Fresh, high quality seafood is the norm in Baton Rouge and Parrain’s is a cut above the rest. Their portions are huge and the flavors they serve up are even bigger.
The grilled Mahi-Mahi is dense and flaky to begin with and then it’s topped with two fried oysters that add the perfect combination of crispy creole crunch and oceanic yumminess. Sides of garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus take this dish from special to epic in just a few fork fulls.
10. Even The Londoner Can Do Yankee Traditions Right
The Londoner
4215 S Sherwood Forest Blvd
(225) 292-9291
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 44 reviews
The Londoner is about as authentic of an English pub as you can expect in Baton Rouge—think Fish and Chips served on newspaper that would make your own mum tear up—but they sure know how to take some American classics over the top.
Enter the Big Ben, a behemoth of burger weighing in at four pounds, half a pig’s worth of bacon, four eggs and all the other fixings plus a plate full of fries. Make room for the Slow Cooked Pulled Pork and ‘Slaw Sandwich that will have any southern gent chomping at the bit… whatever you order, wash it down with one of BR’s best beer selections.
11. Aw Shucks, The Oysters At Don’s Seafood Will Make You Blush
Don’s Seafood
6823 Airline Hwy
(225) 357-0601
Yelp: 3.5 stars 19 reviews
You can get oysters on the half shell all over Baton Rouge, but if you want to get a taste of old-time BR then Don’s is your place. Don’s offers simple dishes using their original recipes that have been favorites for decades.
The Gumbo is bold and spicy, they feature an all you can eat shrimp boil that would have Homer Simpson spinning on the floor in delight and their oysters are fresh, clean and as authentic as the atmosphere. To eat at Don’s is to experience the creole dream one bite at a time.
12. Magpie Cafe Is One Of The Perks Of Getting Up Early
Magpie Café
3205 Perkins Rd
(225) 366-6885
Yelp: 4.5 stars 41 reviews
Local, seasonal, organic, espresso bar… these are all trending topics on the major social sites, but they are also all the things that Magpie Café is doing right and why they have garnered a cult-like following.
Their coffee and espresso is out of this world. Bold and bright without a hint of bitterness. The quality is more eye-opening that the actual caffeine. And did we mention the blueberry scones? Dense and decadent with the perfect hints of summer per each sweet blueberry? You’ll want to run back home and go back to bed just so you can wake up and do it all over again.
13. Don’t Tell Your Grandma You Like Anthony’s Italian Deli Better
Anthony's Italian Deli
10248 Florida Blvd
(225) 272-6817
Yelp: 4.5 stars 24 reviews
You say your Grandma makes lasagna? You can keep her because Baton Rouge has Anthony’s. We’re talking over 34 years of the best Italian delicacies this side of the big boot. They took the po-boy and made it better with meatballs, their Muffaletta is old world heaven (crispy outside, melt-in-your-mouth inside) and their aforementioned lasagna sells by the tray and is gone before lunch. You want a better meal or tailgate getdown? … fugettaboutit.
14. You’ll Be Begging For More At Olive Or Twist
Olive Or Twist
7248 Perkins Rd
(225) 456-2188
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 39 reviews
Nothing gets the BR salivating on a hot day like an ice cold cocktail served by a knowledgeable, professional barkeep. At Olive or Twist you can get a classic cocktail done right or be adventurous and try a cleverly crafted twist on your favorite adult beverage and sip it knowing there is no finer drink in the entire town.
Order their take on an Old Fashioned and you’ll swear you’re sipping spirits made by a Bourbon County bartender circa 1890 and not in a modern mixologist in the heart of BR.
15. These Burgers From A Truck Are The Only Way To Curb A BR-Sized Appetite
Curbside
(504) 905-5326
Yelp: 5 stars 15 reviews
Some foods are better served outdoors—that way Curbside doesn’t have to worry about hosing down a brick-and-mortar after savages tear into the gastronomic monstrosities this restaurant offers.
Take for example their Double KGB. Sweet meets savory when two types of beef collide and get smothered in cheddar cheese, topped with a fried egg and finished off with Praline Bacon. You’ll spend more time keeping tabs on where this mobile food unit will park next than you will housing one of their awesome concoctions.
Featured Image Source: Zorba’s Greek Bistro via Facebook
What’s your go-to for great grub in Baton Rouge? Tell us in the comments below!
