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Nestled on the north shore of Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain, Slidell boasts small town charm and a vibrant dining scene. Read on for our round-up of the very best of Slidell’s locally owned restaurants, and discover everything from classic Cajun and Creole fare to authentic Italian and Cuban cuisine.

Palmettos on the bayou

Palmettos on the Bayou is known for its southern hospitality and contemporary Louisianan cuisine. Elegant dining rooms decorated with works by local artists George Dunbar and Phil Galatas make up Palmetto’s interior, while outside a charming covered deck overlooks the neighboring bayou. Expect dishes like crawfish beignets with Sriracha sesame mayo, andouille-stuffed mushrooms and catfish with jalapeño hushpuppies and fennel slaw.

Blue Bayou Cafe

Found at the back of the Bayou Country General Store, the Blue Bayou Cafe is a quirky little spot where both the food and ambiance pay tribute to the Cajun style. Guests can choose from a large variety of Po’ boys like the popular Cajun Club (with turkey, ham, jack cheese, bacon and pineapple coleslaw) or Gator Dawg (with alligator sausage, Cap’naise and pineapple slaw). Other tasty options include seafood and sausage gumbo or creamy-sweet corn and crab bisque.

Restaurant Cote

Restaurant Cote offers an upscale but homey ambiance in which to try its fine contemporary Cajun and Creole cuisine. Dine on sophisticated fare like the alligator sausage and blueberry BBQ sauce appetizer, or the Creole scampi main (sautéed andouille and Gulf shrimp with pasta in a white wine sauce). Otherwise, head next door to The Maple Room – Restaurant Cote’s adjoining cocktail bar – for casual Creole and American bar eats, live music or a post-dinner drink or two.

Southside Cafe

Southside Café serves plenty New Orleans‘ staple dishes: think gumbo, muffalettas and po’boys. Try signature dishes like its Pontchartrain pig – thinly sliced pork loin smothered in smoky BBQ sauce, topped with melted Swiss cheese and homemade coleslaw, and served on grilled Texan toast. Alternatively, opt for a ‘build your own’ burger or a seafood dish.

KY’s Old Towne Bicycle Shop

A long-standing Slidell eatery, KY’s Old Towne Bicycle Shop is located in a turn-of-the-century building that, as the restaurant’s name might suggest, formerly housed a bicycle store. KY’s interior features vintage bicycles suspended from the ceiling – a quirky, sentimental homage to the venue’s past. Food-wise, guests can expect local classics like fried catfish, oyster bordelaise and plenty of po’boys. The must-try item on their menu is KY’s legendary burger; hand-pressed on site and served in a sesame seed bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, mustard and a side of French fries, guests can personalize their burgers with their own choice of cheese and extra toppings.

Peck’s Seafood

Serving some of the most raved-about seafood in Slidell, Peck’s Seafood serves dishes like boiled crawfish, oyster po’boys and fried crab claws. There are also plenty of burgers and wraps alongside lunch specials like homemade lasagna and chicken and sausage jambalaya. The tempting dessert menu features bread pudding with praline sauce and pecan pie à la mode.

Phil’s Marina Cafe

Phil’s Marina Cafe boasts a picturesque patio with lakeside views. Enjoy appetizers like fried eggplant sticks or crabmeat au gratin. Follow with their signature seafood entrees, such as the seafood platter of shrimp, oyster, catfish, stuffed crab and hushpuppies, or the Soft-shell Patrick (fried soft-shell crab topped with sautéed crawfish tails and mushrooms).

Assunta’s Italian Restaurant

Southern cuisine may be king in Slidell, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only fare on offer. Guests with a hankering for traditional, authentic Italian food should try Assunta’s Italian Restaurant. The restaurant is nestled in a cozy, charming property, and serves appetizers like homemade gnocchi baked with three cheeses and served in marinara sauce. Plenty of Italian wines and classic desserts like tiramisu and amaretto spumoni cheesecake complete the authentic dining experience at Assunta’s.

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About the author

Helen Armitage lives near Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England where she recently graduated with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. She enjoys writing about culture, pop culture, feminism and film and her favourite destinations are New York City and Dublin. She is about to embark on a three-month placement in Seville, Spain and in the future would love to visit Reykjavik, Vancouver and New York (again).

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