Louisiana

We’re pretty sure Louisiana cuisine is like nothing you’ve tried before. Did you know that Louisiana has eight Culinary Trails, which you can base a road trip around? Depending on which region of the state you are in, there are different cuisines and delicacies, each with its own story and set of locals that will insist that their way is the way! Check out and plan your trip around one of our eight culinary trails:
 

Red River Riches – Central & North-West Louisiana 

Featured cities: Shreveport Bossier | Natchitoches | Alexandria 

From soul food to meat pies, fried shrimp, and crawfish étouffée, the variety of cuisines featured along this North West Louisiana trail is endless. The signature culinary dish here is cochon de lait (pronounced ‘co shon de lay’), which literally translates to ‘suckling pig’ – a whole marinated young pig that is pit-roasted, sliced thin and served with gravy on a plate or po’boy. Our mouths are watering already! 

Natchitoches is the home to Laysone’s Meat Pie Kitchen, where their meat pies are the ideal road trip food accompaniment. In Alexandria, visit Lea’s Lunchroom to sample world-famous pies. Top restaurants in Shreveport Bossier include Creole and Cajun eatery Marilynn’s Place, fine dining at The Mabry House, and for dessert: pick up a famous icebox pie at Strawn’s Eat Shop.

Delta Delights – North-East Louisiana

Featured Cities: Monroe | West Monroe | Ruston 

In Northeast Louisiana, you’ll find various farmlands and scenic drives dotted with restaurants serving Southern staples. Cornbread and vegetables are served alongside Louisiana favourites such as catfish and crawfish. Restaurant Cotton is a favourite spot in Monroe. In West Monroe, tour the picturesque, family-owned Landry Vineyards in the hills outside town and enjoy their delightful wines. Pick up some sweet peaches, sauces, cobblers, preserves, or dessert mixes at Mitcham Farms in Ruston. 

Prairie Home Cooking – Central Louisiana

Featured Cities: Opelousas | Eunice | Arnaudville

Find southern hospitality and good, humble food in Louisiana’s Cajun Prairie region. Visit Opelousas and St. Landry Parish to discover home cooking featuring rich smoked meats and hearty lunches. Spice up your home cooking with Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. Pop into Herbert’s Boudin and Cracklins for delicious Cajun port cracklins made fresh. Wash the delicious food down with a nice craft beer – local brewery Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville offers samples and tours. 

Capital Cravings – South-East Louisiana 

Featured Cities: Baton Rouge| Gonzales | Prairieville 

Louisiana’s capital Baton Rouge offers incredible cuisine for every taste. Experience the capital city’s international influences at a variety of Asian and Mediterranean restaurants, or enjoy dining at a nearby plantation found down the way on River Road. The signature dish in this region is crab cakes, although here, little filler is used, so the crab’s original flavour shines through. 

In Baton Rouge, you must visit Tony’s Seafood – the largest seafood market in the Gulf’s South. Visit the MidCity Makers Market for a variety of local treats. Red Stick Spice Company offers everything you need to spice a home-cooked meal properly. Plus, you can take part in a hands-on cooking lesson with a Chef here!

Seafood Sensation – South-West Louisiana 

Featured Cities: Lake Charles | Abbeville | Sulphur

Southwest Louisiana’s coasts and wetlands make this the perfect road trip for seafood lovers! In Lake Charles, tuck into shrimp and cornbread casserole and turduckens at Big Easy Foods. Check out Acadian Coffee Roasters if you’re a coffee lover. Vermilion Parish offers a range of Louisiana-made products. And your trip wouldn’t be complete without picking up Steen’s Cane Syrup or Cajun Power Garlic Sauce. The cane fields around the Seafood Sensation Trail offer up a liquid libation: rum. Jeff Davis Parish is home to Bayou Rum, which is handmade.    

Bayou Bounty – South-Central Louisiana 

Featured Cities: Lafayette | Morgan City | Houma | New Iberia 

Acadiana offers a tasty trip: crawfish, boudin, hot sauce… This trail lies in the heart of the Cajun Country, where the Cajun way of life is evident in the food.  In Lafayette, experience some of Louisiana’s best boudin and other regional specialities. Learn about the Cajun Boudin Trail and plan some tastings. For a delicious meal paired with live entertainment, see Prejean’s or Randol’s.

Tammany Taste – South-East Louisiana 

Featured Cities: Covington | Mandeville | Hammond | Abita Springs 

St. Tammany Parish, aka Louisiana’s Northshore, indulges in many rich culinary traditions. Check out the Mandeville Trailhead Community Market in Mandeville on a Saturday morning, and in Covington, visit Pat’s Seafood Cajun Deli, which offers unique Louisiana food and gifts. Try the Abita Springs Café for a casual spot or fine dining; check out Del Porto in Covington. 

Creole Crescent – South-East Louisiana

Featured Cities: New Orleans | Metairie | Gretna 

From high-end eateries by famous chefs to smaller hidden gems, NOLA has something for everyone. Pick up a famous beignet from Cafe du Monde. Head to The French Market, which is a hip and historic culinary landmark. Attend a boozy brunch at The Court of Two Sisters, for lunch pick up a Po-Boy at Mahony’s Po-Boy Shop and for dinner, enjoy fine dining at Arnaud’s Restaurant while listening to some dulcet jazz tunes at their Jazz Bistro. 

Louisiana is a beautiful state made up of bustling cities and towns, prairies of Acadiana, swamps, and old trees dripping stunning Spanish moss. There is a rich mix of country and city, and the streets of Louisiana are filled with a vibrant melting pot of locals bound by tradition and a multicultural history that is diverse in cuisine, art, and culture. 

Here are our top five things you can’t miss during a visit to Louisiana:  

Learn How to Cook Creole and Cajun Food

Make sure you try both Creole and Cajun cuisines in Louisiana. Many of the ingredients in Cajun and Creole dishes are similar. However, the difference between the two styles is the people behind these delicious cuisines. Book a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. You’ll learn how to make New Orleans specialities such as Gumbo and Jambalaya, all served with a huge dose of fun! Stop at the Louisiana General Store next door, and pick up some Cajun seasoning to take home.

Swamp Tours and State Parks 

Swamp tours are offered throughout South Louisiana. In St. Mary Parish, swamp tours provide a quick and convenient way to get close to the area’s natural beauty. Part Cajun history, part eco-adventure, you’ll learn about fur trappers, crabbers, crawfish fishermen and farmers who carved out a living in the nation’s largest river swamp. 

Across Louisiana, there are 36 State Parks and Historic Sites, which offer an abundance of natural beauty and heritage. The parks feature first-class facilities, including cabins and a host of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, biking, canoe trails, and more. Be sure to check opening and access details before you go. 

Visit the Breath-Taking St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, New Orleans

USA’s oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use – St. Louis Cathedral – overlooks Jackson Square. Tours of the Cathedral are self-guided. Afterwards, follow up with a stop at the Catholic Cultural Heritage Centre and at the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, or explore Jackson Square in the iconic French Quarter.  

Explore the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches explores the history of Louisiana sports. The museum features household name inductees, such as Archie Manning and Shaquille O’Neal, plus other famous athletes, including Audrey ‘Mickey’ Patterson, the first African-American woman ever to win an Olympic Medal. 

Stroll Along the Historic Front Street in Natchitoches

Natchitoches is a National Historic District that takes visitors on a relaxed walk back in time. At its heart lies Front Street, a brick thoroughfare lined with restaurants, shops, art galleries, and stunning French architecture facing the beautiful Cane River Lake. Take a guided tour through the National Landmark Historic District. More widely in Natchitoches, you’ll also find it lives up to its name as the Bed & Breakfast Capital of Louisiana, with over 35 inns, many within walking distance of the historic district. There’s also nine nationally recognised motel chains with 800+ rooms, plus two locally owned inns.