The Ultimate Louisiana Foodies Guide
Louisiana is a dream destination for food lovers, offering a rich and flavorful culinary experience influenced by Creole, Cajun, French, and Southern traditions. From spicy gumbo and crawfish étouffée to savory jambalaya and beignets, each dish tells a story of cultural fusion. Exploring local favorites like po’ boys, boudin, and the ever-popular muffuletta will leave your taste buds craving more. Whether you're visiting bustling New Orleans or the heart of Cajun country, there’s a delicious bite waiting around every corner. Be sure to dive into both iconic restaurants and hidden gems to fully appreciate the state’s diverse food scene.
Hot Tails in New Roads is a popular joint serving up what they call “Hardcore South Louisiana Cuisine.” Owned by stars of Food Network’s “Cajun Aces” and 2013 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off winners Sam and Cody Carroll, Hot Tails serves up Louisiana delicacies like boudin balls, crawfish bread, po’boys and fried seafood, plus classic dishes a local twist – see the Cajun Crawfish Burger, Oyster Rockefeller Burger, and the Soft Shell Crab BLT.
Located along the northern side of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana's Northshore is home to a number of fantastic restaurants, many of which are positioned right on the water’s edge, serving delectable meals and gorgeous lakefront views the whole family can enjoy. Rip’s on the Lake and Pat’s Rest Awhile are popular Mandeville eateries.
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Utility Brewing Company is a small craft brewery and pizza shop in Ruston, Louisiana, along the state's famed Libations Trail. This cozy establishment is well-loved for their warm interiors, wood-fired brick-oven pizza, and hand-crafted draft beers. A must-try is their American Dream pizza, which is loaded with a locally-produced brisket.
The Little Big Cup is a charming waterfront restaurant and bar located in Arnaudville, Louisiana, on the shores of Bayou Teche. Their menu invites you to explore and enjoy classic Cajun and French cuisines. For an outstanding dining experience, many recommend their outdoor seating where you can sip and dine amid a beautiful garden in full bloom.
The McIlhenny family put Louisiana on the culinary map with the introduction of TABASCO® pepper sauce in 1868. TABASCO® is one of Louisiana’s great exports, and that local pride is on full display at the company’s headquarters on Avery Island. Take a tour of TABASCO®’s operations that begins at the company’s museum. From there, you’ll see a greenhouse where peppers are grown, the barrel warehouse where peppers are aged, a recreated salt mine and the Country Store – offering a variety of sauces, clothing, TABASCO®-infused condiments and more. Finish with a meal at the TABASCO® Restaurant 1868.
Seafood Palace in Lake Charles is a laid-back restaurant with a family-friendly atmosphere that the locals love. True to its name, this spot is known for serving up an array of fresh seafood options, such as crawfish, crab and shrimp. However, you can also get local delicacies such as gumbo, po'boys, boudin balls, frog legs and fried okra.
A po’boy is an iconic Louisiana dish. With the variety of classic and new inventive fillings stuffed into a perfectly fluffy and warm loaf of French bread, there’s a po’boy for everyone’s taste. Since 1982, Olde Tyme Grocery in Lafayette has been serving the sandwiches, which they call by its original name “poor boys.” Staples include roast beef, fried shrimp and fried oyster poor boys, but they also offer seasonal and daily specials - including the boudin-stuffed hamburger poor boy, the “Stuff-A-Cluck” poor boy (with spinach and cream cheese stuffed chicken) and the Pulled Pork poor boy.
The New Orleans School of Cooking is the perfect place to try your hand at cooking a traditional Louisiana meal. Hands-on classes allow guests to get interactive and actually cut, season and prepare a complete dinner with an expert chef. In open demonstration classes, guests simply sit back and watch the skilled, entertaining chefs prepare an authentic Cajun or Creole meal while learning about the vibrant history of New Orleans cuisine. After each class, guests will enjoy the delicious meal, of course. End with a visit to the general store to grab some local products to take home with you.
If you're looking for some good ole fashioned Southern cookin', then Louisiana is the state for you! Tantalize your taste buds as you explore the state’s many unique and wholesome culinary trails - such as the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail, Louisiana Oyster Trail, Andouille Trail, the Shrimply Delicious Food Trail, and Bayou Country Crawfish Trail - and discover the state’s regional culinary delicacies along the way.
The city of Natchitoches, Louisiana, is famous for its meat pies, fried and filled with mouthwatering beef or pork marinated with local seasonings. The delicious pastry is one of Louisiana's official state foods, and Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant serves some of the best in town. This family-owned and operated establishment first opened in 1967, and continues to serve authentic soulful Creole Cuisine. When in Natchitoches, be sure to drop by Lasyone's for their signature meat-filled hand pies made from a secret family recipe.
While Louisiana is widely known for its iconic Cajun and Creole fare, the state is truly a melting pot of cultures from around the globe – resulting in a variety of unique cuisines. Blu Basil Wine & Grill offers a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine, cooking up traditional favorites and specialty items inspired by flavors and ingredients of the country. Enjoy the savory aromas and delicious flavors of the masterfully curated menu filled with an abundance of options, paired with a tasty libation. Choose from dozens of domestic and import brews, a vast selection of wines and perfectly-poured mixed drinks.
The Lake Charles Crawfish Festival is a unique Louisiana celebration of delicious food, lively music, and good times. This annual festival showcases the famous Cajun crawfish boil, along with other local dishes, drinks, and crafts. Visitors can enjoy a variety of live music performances, carnival rides, and games. The festival also offers a petting zoo, face painting, and other family-friendly activities. With its vibrant atmosphere and mouth-watering cuisine, the Lake Charles Crawfish Festival is a must-see event for anyone looking to experience the best of Louisiana culture.
Also known as Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast, Crawfish Haven is the only bed and breakfast in Louisiana's Cajun Country to offer Crawfish Excursions. To make the most of your stay, you can also sign up for their Cajun Cooking Classes and Cajun Dinner Specials run by the owner, award-winning chef Barry Toups.
Commander's Palace, established in 1893, is arguably the best spot for Creole fine dining – and it has multiple James Beard Foundation awards to prove it. Many famed chefs have trained at Commanders, which was made famous by the prominent Brennan restaurant family, including Emeril Lagasse who had an eight-year stint at the eatery. Today you can try some of the same classic dishes that Lagasse first learned to cook. Step in to the iconic turquoise building and enjoy an elegant jazz brunch or romantic dinner with impeccable service. The Creole turtle soup and bread pudding soufflé are to-die-for.
Cajun food rules in Lafayette, with mom-and-pop joints, high-end dining and just about everything in-between. With so many choices, you may have a tough time deciding where and what to eat — and that’s where Cajun Food Tours comes in. The company takes visitors on approximately three-hour tours of locally owned Cajun restaurants. Hear stories about the history and culture of Acadiana while eating gumbo, étouffée, cracklin’, boudin and other Louisiana specialties. Cajun Food Tours works with nearly 30 different eateries, so tours, routes, and items sampled vary depending on the day and season – it’s always a new experience!
The typical beignet (pronounced ben-YAY) is a fried, fluffy piece of dough served hot and doused with powdered sugar. They’re most often enjoyed with café au lait – a strong dark roast coffee and chicory with equal part hot milk. Beignets became popular at the New Orleans French Market in the 1920s, where they were initially called doughnuts. In 1958, they were rebranded as beignets, and in 1986, beignets became the Louisiana State Doughnut. While you can find some variation of beignets all over Louisiana, Café du Monde - established 1862 in the French Quarter - is the most popular spot.
The Louisiana Legislature in 1959 declared Breaux Bridge the “Crawfish Capital of the World.” The following year, the city held its first major crawfish festival. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival has become one of the largest gatherings of world-famous Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop musicians. Close to three dozen bands typically perform on multiple stages during the three-day festival the first week of May. The festival features Cajun cuisine, crawfish served in every possible way, crawfish races, Cajun and zydeco dance contests, a carnival midway, a crawfish étouffée cook-off and a parade to honor the Crawfish Queen.
Experience the vibrant soul of New Orleans at Bobby Herbert's Cajun Cannon. Nestled in the heart of the Crescent City, this culinary gem promises an unforgettable Cajun dining journey. Indulge in rich, authentic flavors like gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée, crafted with a masterful touch. The lively atmosphere, adorned with jazz melodies, transports you to the heart of the French Quarter. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and savor delectable beignets. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Bobby Herbert's Cajun Cannon offers a mouthwatering taste of NOLA's culinary heritage that's impossible to resist. Come hungry, leave delighted.