Side Trips from New Orleans Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Side Trips from New Orleans - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Café Vermilionville

    $$$$

    This 19th-century inn with crisp white linens and old brick fireplaces serves French and Cajun dishes to a well-dressed crowd. Among the specialties are Gulf fish Acadian and grilled duck breast. This is a favorite spot for special occasions among Lafayette residents—and with good reason.

    1304 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70503, USA
    337-237–0100

    Known For

    • Historic setting
    • Old-fashioned service
    • Fine dining

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., No lunch Sat.
  • 2. Johnson's Boucaniere

    $

    This outstanding boucaniere (Cajun French for smokehouse) is run by the next generation of the family that once operated the iconic Johnson's Grocery in Eunice, Louisiana. Music from young local bands plays over the sound system and is available for purchase; customers sit on the covered porch and dig into boudin sausages, sandwiches, and the heartily recommended barbecue—smoked in-house and rubbed with Cajun-style seasonings. It's a laid-back, friendly place with a refreshing blend of tradition and modern style.

    1111 St. John St., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501, USA
    337-269–8878

    Known For

    • Boudin sausages
    • Cajun-style barbecue
    • Laid-back vibe

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner.
  • 3. Magnolia Café

    $$

    This low-key and unassuming restaurant turns into a St. Francisville hot spot on Friday and Saturday nights. During the day, locals and tourists flock to "the Mag" for sandwiches, pizza, steaks, and Southern and Mexican dishes. At night, go for cocktails or dinner; on Friday evening there's a live band.

    5689 Commerce St., St. Francisville, Louisiana, 70775, USA
    225-635–6528

    Known For

    • Live music on weekend nights
    • Nice cocktails
    • Blend of local and Mexican flavors

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Wed.
  • 4. Mike Anderson's

    $$$

    Locals praise the seafood at this busy spot, and rightly so: the food is consistently good, fresh, and served in large portions. The fried seafood platter—shrimp, oysters, crawfish tails, catfish, and stuffed crab served with onion rings, hush puppies, and a choice of salad or various coleslaws—is your best bet.

    1031 W. Lee Dr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70820, USA
    225-766–7823

    Known For

    • Seafood platters
    • Mahi-mahi topped with Gulf shrimp and Louisiana crawfish
    • Several types of oysters
  • 5. Pamplona Tapas Bar

    $$$$

    An authentic interior (one wall is covered with bullfighting posters) creates just the right mood for chef Kris Allen's wide array of sophisticated small plates and one of the best wine lists in the area. The bacon-wrapped dates, the lamb sliders, and the foie gras are especially delicious.

    631 Jefferson St., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501, USA
    337-232–0070

    Known For

    • Traditional and inventive tapas
    • Energetic atmosphere
    • Great paella

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Pat's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant

    $$$

    Overlooking Bayou Amy, Pat's is the real deal, with heaping platters of seafood. On a cool night, get a table on the porch overlooking the bayou and go for the shrimp dinner, which presents the local favorite no fewer than eight different ways. The Atchafalaya Club, which is the area hot spot for Cajun dancing on Saturday and Sunday nights, is next door. Accommodations are also available at Pat's Edgewater Inn, located on the same stretch.

    1008 Henderson Levee Rd., Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, 70157, USA
    337-228–7512

    Known For

    • Great seafood platters
    • Crab dinners
    • Serene views
  • 7. Spuddy's Cajun Foods

    $ | Coffee

    Midway between Laura and Oak Alley plantations, downtown Vacherie is short on sights but long on flavor, thanks in no small part to this down-home lunchroom. Photos and murals on the walls tell tales of local history, while po'boys, jambalaya, and fried catfish fill the tables. You can also pick up some homemade sausages as an edible souvenir. Owner Spuddy is a wealth of knowledge; call up and ask about his "Cajun Cooking Experience."

    2644 Hwy. 20, Vacherie, Louisiana, 70090, USA
    225-265–4013

    Known For

    • Rotating lunch specials
    • Homemade sausages
    • Unforgettable owner

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No dinner, Reservations not accepted
  • 8. Abita Brew Pub

    $$

    This was the site of Abita's original brewery until 1994, when the company found a much needed larger space up the road. Today, the Abita Brew Pub is a lovely setting for indoor and outdoor meals chosen from a surprisingly lengthy menu of traditional comfort food and regional favorites including pasta, salads, burgers, and entrées like jambalaya, barbecue ribs, and pecan-crusted catfish. These dishes all go well with the beer—a full selection of Abita is on tap, including seasonal brews and a few guest additions.

    72011 Holly St., Abita Springs, Louisiana, 70420, USA
    985-892–5837

    Known For

    • Abita brews on tap
    • Hearty pub fare
    • Southern flavors

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 9. B&C Seafood

    $

    This small shop and restaurant serves some of the tastiest seafood gumbo around River Road (and there's plenty of competition). Try a dash of hot sauce and a sprinkle of filé, or sample the alligator burgers; finish with a scoop of rich, dense bread pudding. The shop carries fresh and frozen catfish, crawfish, alligator, and turtle meat harvested from the nearby swamps. You can buy seafood packed to travel.

    2155 Rte. 18, Vacherie, Louisiana, 70090, USA
    225-265–8356

    Known For

    • Exotic meats
    • Seafood to-go
    • Bread pudding

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No dinner
  • 10. Dupuy's

    $$

    This small and simply furnished restaurant has been serving oysters in the same location since 1869. Seafood platters feature seasonal catches. Steaks, pastas, and regional specialties like boudin balls and po'boys round out the menu.

    108 S. Main St., Abbeville, Louisiana, 70510, USA
    337-893–2336

    Known For

    • Fresh Gulf oysters
    • Po'boys
    • Seafood platters

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.
  • 11. Dwyer's Café

    $

    People jam into this diner as early as 6 am for hot biscuits and grits. Dwyer's also serves red beans and rice, jambalaya, pot roast, burgers, and omelets. If you're famished by midday, try the hearty plate lunch specials, which include an entrée and three sides.

    323 Jefferson St., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501, USA
    337-235–9364

    Known For

    • Rotating plate lunch specials
    • Great gumbo
    • Classic Southern breakfast

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 12. Hebert's Specialty Meats

    $

    A visit to Cajun country is not complete without a stop at Hebert's. This butcher shop is one of several contenders claiming credit for inventing turducken—a turkey stuffed with a duck that's stuffed with a chicken. You can grab a link of hot boudin to eat on the spot, or fill a cooler with andouille, deboned stuffed chicken, and other regional delicacies for later.

    8212 Maurice Ave. (Rte. 167), Maurice, Louisiana, 70555, USA
    337-893–5062

    Known For

    • Original turducken
    • Andouille sausage
    • Great boudin

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun., No dinner Sun.
  • 13. Juban's

    $$$$

    This upscale bistro with a lush courtyard and walls adorned with art is about three miles from the Louisiana State University campus. Tempting main courses, including seafood, beef, and pork dishes, as well as roasted duck and quail, highlight the menu. The Hallelujah Crab (soft-shell stuffed with seafood and topped with "creolaise" sauce) is a specialty, and Juban's own mango tea is delicious. The warm bread pudding makes a memorable end to meals here.

    3739 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70808, USA
    225-346–8422

    Known For

    • Softshell "Halleluhah" crab stuffed with seafood and topped with "creoloaise" sauce
    • Beautiful skylit atrium bar
    • Elevated Creole cuisine
  • 14. Louisiana Crawfish Time

    $$

    From roughly December through June, when Louisiana crawfish are in season, local families pack in to partake in the outrageous abundance. Order from the menu—including crawfish, oysters, and a few sides like sausage links and boiled potatoes, plus cold beer—in the simple, stripped-down dining room filled with big tables. Or roll up to the drive-through window and pick up supplies for your own crawfish picnic.

    2019 Verot School Rd., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70508, USA
    337-988–2645

    Known For

    • Classic Louisiana crawfish
    • Boiled shrimp
    • Drive-thru window for take-away seafood

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed June–Nov. No lunch
  • 15. Poche's

    $

    Order your authentic Cajun cooking at the counter of this butcher shop and lunchroom, then eat in or take away. The daily specials will always stick to your ribs. Boudin, sausage, cracklings, and stuffed chicken are just a few of the items available for takeout.

    3015 Main Hwy., Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, 70517, USA
    337-332–2108

    Known For

    • Cracklings
    • Cajun sweet dough pies
    • Stuffed chicken
  • 16. Prejean's

    $$

    In this cypress house decorated with swamp trees and a large stuffed alligator at the entrance, people gather over red-and-white-check tablecloths to chow down on some local classics: crawfish and alligator sausage cheesecake, Cajun duckling, or any of the kitchen's four distinctive gumbos. Grilled seafood provides some lighter options. At breakfast, try the house rendition of eggs Benedict, made here with boudin patties, poached eggs, and crawfish étouffée over a biscuit. There's live Cajun music (and usually dancing) nightly.

    3480 N.E. Evangeline Throughway, Lafayette, Louisiana, 70507, USA
    337-896–3247

    Known For

    • Crawfish étouffée
    • Boudin sausage
    • Live music
  • 17. Richard's Seafood Patio

    $$

    Cross the Vermilion River on a vintage drawbridge and continue down a winding country road to find this classic Cajun "seafood patio," a no-frills dining room serving immense quantities of boiled crawfish, shrimp, and crabs. There's a full menu of fried and grilled items—and cold beer. Richard's opens at 5 pm and fills up almost immediately, so expect a wait.

    1516 S. Henry St., Abbeville, Louisiana, 70510, USA
    337-893–1693

    Known For

    • Low-key setting
    • Fresh shellfish
    • Long waits

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
  • 18. Ruffino's

    $$$

    A broad, clubby dining room invites lingering over some of the best Italian cuisine in town. Local ingredients find their way into hearty Italian dishes, such as eggplant Parmesan and cedar plank redfish. There's also a romantic bar section just off the main dining areas. The restaurant is a few minutes east from downtown along Interstate 10.

    18811 Highland Rd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809, USA
    225-753–3458

    Known For

    • Local seafood
    • Romantic ambience
    • Savory crab meat cheesecake

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs. and Sat.
  • 19. T-Bob's Seafood

    $$

    If you want a truly authentic Cajun experience, eat at T-Bob's. It's like dining in someone's home—one that's filled with Cajun memorabilia. Boiled seafood is served year-round. Fresh crawfish is cooked to order, and homemade sauce is provided for dipping.

    109 E. Lastie St., Erath, Louisiana, 70533, USA
    337-937–4573

    Known For

    • Crawfish cooked to order
    • Local vibe
    • Boiled shrimp year-round

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch, Daily4–8 pm
  • 20. T-Coon's Café

    $

    This often-busy diner serves a hearty Cajun breakfast and lunch, which feature daily specials such as smothered rabbit, catfish court boulion, or crawfish omelets. The Southern fare also includes fried chicken and seafood dishes.

    1900 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, Louisiana, 70508, USA
    337-233–0422

    Known For

    • Cajun flavors
    • Comfort food
    • Country breakfast

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner

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