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What should visitors try while exploring the bayou?
- While cruising through the bayou and some of the area’s historic buildings and villages, be sure to stop off for some authentic Cajun cooking.
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Where can you find the best Cajun food?
- Though Cajun food can be found across the country, nobody can quite hit the mark like the original Cajun state.
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What type of cuisine is available in Lafayette?
- Whether you want Southern classics, fresh seafood, or Italian, Lafayette has several restaurant options to choose from.
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What kind of experience can visitors expect in Lafayette?
- Grab your sweetie, and head down for a foot-stomping good time.
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Antoni’s Italian Cafe
This eatery is locally-owned but has become a popular destination for those visiting Lafayette. Antoni’s Italian Cafe serves up Italian comfort food for people on any budget. Along with some fine wines, consider trying out one of the freshly made Italian coffees or cocktails at the bar. If you’re feeling more like some appetizers, try out the white bean hummus. If you’re craving pizza, check out the eight specialty pizzas or a calzone. Best of all, many pasta dishes are available or you can create your own pasta by selecting the pasta, the sauce, and the toppings.
Antoni’s Italian Cafe, 1118-A Coolidge Street, Lafayette, LA 70503, Phone: 337-232-8384
Social Southern Table & Bar
Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday (with Sunday Brunch), Social Southern Table & Bar is the place to be for good food, excellent drinks, and socializing. Over the last five years, Social has been named one of the best Bourbon bars in America. Social is the place in Lafayette to get your whiskey fix. Whether you’re looking for Scotch, Irish Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, or any of the other kinds, you’ll likely find in their 5-page whiskey menu. Of course, several other cocktails are offered besides the whiskey, and the kitchen cooks up great Southern classics, like shrimp & grits, fried green tomatoes, and the wild boar & shitake mushroom burger.
Social Southern Table & Bar , 3901 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503, Phone: 337-456-3274
Cafe Bella
Another popular Italian restaurant in Lafayette is Cafe Bella. After traveling through Italy, the owners of Café Bella created a menu with some of their favorites. Along with a lunch and dinner menu, there is a wine list, a happy hour menu, and a catering menu for larger events. Since there was so much traveling around the Italian provinces, diners will notice a grand variety of food, from Middle Eastern-inspired Mediterranean, roasted eggplant dip to Roman favorites, like Bolognese. Be sure to pair your dish with an appetizer and a drink to round out the experience. Many wines are used in the dishes, such as the dark herb cherry port in the Duck all Griglia.
Cafe Bella, 301 Heymann Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70503, Phone: 337-265-2515
Charley G’s Seafood Grill
When you’re feeling like a warm evening out, consider checking out Charley G’s Seafood Grill . For an extra special, romantic experience, consider splurging on the Burgundy Wine Dinner. This 6-course dinner and wine pairing are only offered certain times, so be sure to plan ahead if this is your desire. For those stopping in on a whim, your taste buds will be delighted with several course options, including roasted garlic & brie for an appetizer, smoked duck & andouille gumbo for a second course, and a delicious steak or seasonal seafood entrée. Maybe try the house special, which boasts the Charley G’s name: Charley G’s Bechamel Crag Cakes.
Charley G’s Seafood Grill , 3809 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70503, Phone: 337-981-0108
Marcello’s Wine Market Cafe, Lafayette
While New Orleans is known for its French-inspired cuisine, Lafayette has plenty of Italian-inspired restaurants, just like Marcello’s Wine Market Cafe . Here, diners are treated to authentic Sicilian style dishes that are touched with Northern Italian influences. While fresh Mussels and Calamari fritti remind you of the Mediterranean, you’ll feel like you just stepped into Sicily when you try Marcello’s Bresaola, house-marinated olives and focaccia, or the long-stemmed artichokes in a lemon basil aioli. Of course, no Italian meal would be complete without diving into some of the area’s and Italy’s best wines. This location is also open for lunch.
Marcello’s Wine Market Cafe , 340 Kaliste Saloom, Suite C., Lafauette, LA 70508, Phone: 337-235-1002
Masala Indian Kitchen
If you’re just stopping by for lunch, dine-in or carry-out is available at Masala Indian Kitchen . However, when taking a special someone out for dinner, be sure to reserve a table to avoid the busy hours. Along with a full-service bar, Masala was founded on the principle of sharing Northern Indian cuisine with the Lafayette area. As an Indian restaurant, the menu is heavy in vegetarian and vegan dishes, with many meat and seafood recipes also available. Consider trying the vegetable pakoras, veggie fritters served with mint and tamarind chutneys, to start and end with Gulab Jamun, a delicious Indian donut in warm syrup.
Masala Indian Kitchen , 2208 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, LA 70508, Phone: 337-981-6373
Restaurants in Lafayette: Mazen Grill
When you’re craving authentic Louisiana food, you should check out Mazen Grill . Here, you’ll find plenty of seafood dishes and surf and turf dishes on the menu. Influences of Mediterranian food can also be found, like with the kibbie, the falafel, or the fish Aladdin. Check out the avocado crawfish salad or oyster Bienville as an appetizer and work your way through a full entrée like the grilled quail, the roasted duck breast, the rack of lamb, or the filet with crab meat. The lunch menu offers lighter and faster dishes, like the seafood crepes, fried asparagus, or the oyster po'boy.
Mazen Grill , 5818 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, Phone: 337-769-4440
Pamplona Tapas Bar & Grill
When you feel like some bistro-style Spanish food, considering swinging by Pamplona Tapas Bar & Grill . Their Spanish wines are serves through the Tixa system, which guarantees the perfect glass of wine each time. Pulling inspiration from Hemingway, diners can imbibe with the Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon or one of the other many cocktails the bar creates. Move over to the food menu when you're ready to try Spanish dishes like paella or cochinillo asado. For the truly adventurous, consider a flight of absinthe, either American-made or French-made. If a flight isn’t your fancy, try the absinthe cocktail, Ether.
Pamplona Tapas Bar & Grill , 631 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, LA 70501, Phone: 337-232-0070
Romacelli Bistro e Vino
Romacelli Bistro e Vino has several locations around Louisiana. This Mediterranian restaurant serves up unique flatbreads and starters to get your date night kicked off just right. Start the night with the feta cheese rolls (rolled in filo dough) and fried or the stuffed Italian meatballs (which need no further description to make these sound delicious). When you're ready for dinner, check out a full entrée (like Cajun seafood pasta or Cajun redfish) or one of the ten pizza flavors. Be sure to check out the Premium Carne, which includes Louisiana shrimp, crawfish, sausage, salami, and prosciutto.
Romacelli Bistro e Vino, 115 Stonemont Road, Lafayette, LA 70508, Phone: 337-988-9790
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