Lafayette, Louisiana, is home to a number of great restaurants that can satisfy any food craving you might have. Whether you’re looking for the freshest seafood around or some authentic Cajun flavors, you know you’ll savor a great meal when you check out these must-try restaurants in Lafayette.
1. Bon Temps Grill
Bon Temps Grill offers a delicious selection of hearty Cajun and Creole cuisine in a relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere. When you stop by to eat, consider starting your meal with the signature creamy béchamel crab cake. For the main course, one of the most popular menu items is the crawfish pot pie, which is a homemade pie crust stuffed with the restaurant’s famous crawfish etouffee. Another great option is the mesquite-grilled meatloaf that’s served over a bed of red hot potatoes.
2. Blue Dog Cafe
When you take a seat at Blue Dog Cafe, you’ll enjoy your delicious Cajun food surrounded by some of the famous Blue Dog paintings by artist George Rodrigue. For an appetizer, consider going with the seafood wontons, cast-iron heirloom cornbread, or cornmeal-crusted fried oysters. Popular main dishes include the smothered chicken, which is served over Louisiana popcorn rice with a creamed corn maque choux, and the crawfish enchiladas, which include cumin Mornay, chili braised purple hulls, creme fraiche, and cilantro.
3. The French Press
The French Press is a stylish restaurant that serves up a unique blend of American and Cajun cuisine. It offers brunch during the day and fine dining at night. If you decide to stop by for brunch, go with the Cajun Benedict, which is Hebert’s boudin, toasted French bread, and two poached eggs topped with scallions and chicken and andouille gumbo. For dinner, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to try the smoked duck breast, which comes with sweet potato spaetzle, roasted Brussels sprouts, and a dried cranberry glaze.
4. Social Southern Table & Bar
When you choose Social Southern Table & Bar for your next meal, you’ll enjoy farm-to-table cuisine in a contemporary yet rustic setting. Customers rave about the brick oven flatbreads, with popular options that include the achiote spiced shrimp, grilled chicken, and vegetarian. Another great option is the smoke fried chicken-n-biscuits that include sweet potato biscuits and local primo pepper honey. If you need something to satisfy that sweet tooth at the end of your meal, consider going with the Italian chocolate pudding, carrot cake, or fruit and cream.
5. Johnson’s Boucaniere
Johnson’s Boucaniere is a casual spot that serves up some of the best smoked meat sandwiches in Lafayette. The restaurant is known for its boudin, which is a French style of blood sausage. Other popular items on the menu include the chicken and sausage gumbo, smoked meat po’boy, slow-smoked barbecue ribs, and the smoked brisket sandwich. For a sweet treat, don’t miss out on the bread pudding with praline sauce.
Whether you’re in the mood for smoked meats or authentic Cajun cuisine, you know you’ll enjoy a memorable meal when you dine at one of these top restaurants in Lafayette.