24 Hours of Eating and Drinking in Lafayette, Louisiana (2024)

Of the 39 U.S. cities and counties named for French and American statesman Marquis de La Fayette, Lafayette, Louisiana is the place that will show you the best time.

Located about 128 miles west of New Orleans on the Vermilion River, Lafayette is home to a blend of Cajun and Creole cultures, brought to life in the city’s artwork, music, and especially, food. With Lafayette as its hub, Cajun country sprawls through several South Louisiana parishes and includes a constellation of towns like Eunice, St. Martinville, New Iberia, and Breaux Bridge, all worth the drive.

The region’s cuisine is prized for specialties including crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and gumbo spiked with garlicky andouille sausage, but it’s most famous for boudin, links of spiced pork and rice that are reason enough for a road trip. Here’s how to work your way through the best of Lafayette dining in 24 hours.

Lucia Bakehouse

Breakfast at Edie’s Biscuits

1400 W Pinhook Road

For early birds, the sweet spot to be is Edie’s Biscuits, known for sunrise morning hours and oversized fluffy scratch biscuits. Edie’s divides its menu into sweet and meat, with options like blueberry and cinnamon roll and catfish egg and cheese. The fried chicken biscuit is earth-shattering. If you’ve slept in a bit, head to the newish Lucia Bakehouse, which opens doors at 8 a.m. Lucia specializes in Viennoiseries pastries — the love child of French bread and a classic pastry so popular in Paris. Go early, maybe get a black forest cruffin? They sell out quickly.

Late morning snack at Scratch Farm Kitchen

406 Garfield Street

When it’s time for a late morning snack, head to Scratch Farm Kitchen, a farm-to-table cafe downtown. Share a Pretty Plate, the kitchen’s fresh and natural version of the traditional plate lunch. Pick a protein, from smoked tofu to eggs and chicken, and enjoy whatever’s fresh — might be limas, broccoli salad, grilled zucchini, or oyster mushrooms. Or, just sit with a Vietnamese coffee and a muffin and soak up the artsy good vibes.

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Lunch at Dwyer’s or Five Mile Eatery, Market & Co-op

323 Jefferson Street; 317 Heymann Blvd.

The meat and three plate lunch special is so deeply ingrained in this area’s gastronomic vernacular that there’s an actual Lafayette plate lunch trail where roadway meets foodway. Places like Dwyer’s Café downtown, open since 1965, where a steam table in the back simmers with smothered chicken and pork chops. If it’s Tuesday, braised calf tongue in gravy is an especially popular dish.

Farm to plate is the deal at Five Mile Eatery, a proudly queer-owned sober space just south of downtown. Chef Kelsey Leger and her team offer thoughtfully crafted sandwiches, burgers, and salads. The java program impresses, same for non-alcoholic drinks like the raspberry “refreshmint” made with mint syrup, kombucha and lime Topo Chico.

Afternoon coffee at Reve Coffee Roasters

200-A Jefferson Street

Stave off a nap with a coffee from Reve Coffee Roasters, a locally owned cafe that roasts and distributes its own beans. Belly up to the coffee lab for a specialty drink like the Bourboneaux, a blend of barrel-aged cold brew, pecan syrup, orange peel, and orange bitters. Or try Golden Days, a turmeric-laced ginger tea spiked with coconut and chili and sweetened with honey, hot or cold. Pair with a homemade pastry of the day to complete a golden afternoon stop.

Turtle’s Bar/Official

Early evening drinks, fancy (Palmyre) or dive (Turtle’s Bar)

201 Settlers Trace Boulevard; 1377 Henderson Levee Road

When co*cktails come with flower petals, the bar is set high. Lafayette’s swankiest place to see and be seen is the Palmyre, a funky setting with peaco*ck prints and red velvet wing chairs. Take a deep dive into the composed co*cktails, powered by top-shelf booze and fresh juices and garnishes. Mezcal lovers will appreciate the smoky Last of the Oaxacans layered with Luxardo and Chartreuse. There’s an array of beer on draft, world wines, and bubbles, which pair beautifully with the Oscietra caviar service or the beef tartare.

For a very different experience head to Turtle’s Bar, a local watering hole extraordinaire. Situated in a rustic shack on the Henderson Levee overlooking the Atchafalaya Basin, Turtle’s is no frills all the way. This is the place for ice-cold beer, straightforward libations, and if it’s a special night, pudding shots. A super friendly crowd makes it even better. Oh, and good bar food too.

Vestal

Vestal

Vestal

Vestal

Dinner at Vestal or Park Bistro

555 Jefferson Street, 407 Brooke Avenue

There are plenty of great dinner spots in Lafayette, like Pamplona for tapas and Jane’s for contemporary French cuisine. Vestal offers a one-of-a-kind experience, where chef Ryan Trahan is playing with fire, literally. Much of the menu sizzles on a 14-foot fireplace central to the restaurant, from hearth-roasted oysters to swoon-worthy wagyu or a 16-ounce ribeye perfectly caramelized by fire. The crab spaghetti is terrific.

Park Bistro, opened by chef/owner Peter Cooke in 2022, brings his New York sensibilities to the Saint Streets part of town. The cafe is intimate and friendly, with interesting co*cktails and unfussy seasonal dishes. The ahi crudo with Calabrian chili oil and the eggplant parm lasagna are just two outstanding options.

Late Night at Blue Moon Saloon

215 E Convent Street

Dance off some of that food at the Blue Moon Saloon, where a range of live music is featured Wednesday through Saturday. Afterwards, whenever that is, head to Mel’s Diner, a classic open 24/7. Share an order of the wets with cheese — fries swimming in brown gravy topped with cheddar — devour a catfish po’ boy, or red beans and rice, available seven days a week, not just Mondays.

Bill Addison/Eater

Bill Addison/Eater

Barbecue and boudin at Johnson’s Boucaniere

1111 St. John Street

On your way out of town visit Johnson’s for one of the best meals you’ll have in Cajun Country. Open Wednesday through Sunday, this Lafayette institution serves incredible boudin and smoked meats. Go simple with a smoked meat plate or try the Parrain Special, a boudin-stuffed grilled cheese. No time to sit and eat? Stop at the Best Stop in nearby Scott and fill up a cooler with boudin to bring home.

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