The 10 Best Restaurants In Lafayette, Louisiana

Located just a short walk away from the Blue Dog Café, Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro is dedicated to cooking with the freshest of local ingredients, and demonstrates this commitment through its seasonable menu, which changes weekly. Classics like Jolie’s famous New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp or the mouth-watering soft beignets with a coffee dipping sauce remain on the menu whatever the season, making for a perfect combination of tradition and dynamic innovation. The paintings of local artist George Rodriguez, which adorn the walls with their depictions of early Cajun life, are an artistic bonus, and add a decidedly local vibe to Jolie’s, and enhance the restaurant’s simple yet charming décor.

When they opened their restaurant, the eponymous Taco Sisters , Molly and Katy Richard, decided to reinvent the simple taco, giving it a shape and flavour beyond its typically fast food character. Their delicious tacos, served in a tiny, colourful hut on Johnston Street, can be eaten at one of the outdoor tables, or simply taken out. They are as simple as can get without compromising on quality, the fresh Gulf fish and locally caught seafood that goes into the tacos is all smoked in-house with a soy and ginger glaze, while the succulent meats are all carefully marinated. Those craving a classic should try the beef brisket taco, while the more adventurous foodies shouldn’t miss the smoked shrimp filling with diced apples and spicy churri sauce.

Best known for its ‘world-famous hot boudin’, Johnsons Boucaniere is an old-school classic in Lafayette, the kind of place you go to for an authentic taste of the city. And in line with this spirit, this no-frills restaurant is housed in an inconspicuous shack with practically no embellishment, the interior décor functional, rather than aesthetic. On the menu, the main protagonists are the Parrain Special, which is a boudin ball enveloped by American cheese, and, of course, the smoked meat sandwiches, order either the brisket or pulled pork option, where the meat is rubbed with an in-house marinade and slow-smoked for up to 13 hours. A couple of blocks away from the local university, this is a great spot for a hearty, well-priced lunch.

Dim lighting, wood-panelled walls and simple yet chic furniture define the somewhat understated atmosphere at Social, a restaurant that fuses Southern culinary charm with a decidedly contemporary vibe. Although this venue draws customers with its impeccable service and ambient décor, the food remains the centre of attention. Carefully selected morsels of locally sourced meats travel straight from farm to table, and bring out unique flavours in dishes such as smoked shrimp and grits, the succulent tenderloin medallions with a goat gouda mash or Social’s famous flatbreads, the choice is more than satisfying, with toppings such as the classic boudin and Carolina mustard combined with caramelised onions and apple coulis, or the simple farmers’ market veggie, which relies on the chef’s daily selection of fresh ingredients.

For a fun atmosphere and typical Cajun cooking, head to the Blue Dog Café, a place synonymous with Lafayette’s culinary tradition and culture. Set up by Steve Santillo, originally an attorney, the venue has always focused on combining solid food with eye-catching art, and this is more than visible in its décor, with numerous (often blue-themed) paintings filling the Blue Dog’s walls. For a signature dish, try the Treasures of the Bayou, which is a rich and sumptuous affair combining crab, shrimp and oysters together with a seafood wonton, all served in a herb-sprinkled, white wine and cream-based bisque. Every Sunday, Blue Dog Café hosts a musical brunch featuring a selection of favourite dishes, and local bands playing great music between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Café Vermilionville’s distinguishing feature is its historic location in a 19th century villa, complete with elegant, antique interiors that exude the atmosphere of pre-Civil War Louisiana. The cuisine is equally refined in its presentation, with textures and colours intermingling to create feasts for the eye as well as the stomach. Although local, old-school recipes dominate the menu, they’re all executed with a contemporary flair worthy of the local foodscape. Opt for the macadamia-crusted scallops with a celeriac puree, Brussels sprout chips and white truffle oil for something quite special, or try the seared breast of duck from Maple Leaf Farm, accompanied by a foie gras and chickpea fritter, black olive caramel and a garden salad.

As its name suggests, Artmosphere is committed to the belief that an arty atmosphere is an essential element of any satisfying dining experience. And indeed, their music and art events define the restaurant, with local bands filling Artmosphere’s cultural calendar from Wednesday until Sunday. On days when there isn’t music, diners can enjoy their meal during a songwriters’ night (every Tuesday) or a karaoke session (Mondays). The food here is simple but invariably tasty, and the menu offers solid pizzas with a crispy crust, classic salads as well as healthy wraps and hand-made, juicy burgers that can be customised with a number of different toppings.