The Best Culinary Experiences in Lafayette
Lafayette’s culinary scene will feed your belly and your soul.
Lafayette’s culinary scene will feed your belly and your soul.
Lafayette is nestled in the heart of Acadiana, the densely populated region between Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, an area considered the heartland of Cajun cuisine. The city is also home to more restaurants per capita than New Orleans and New York City!
Along with endless dining options, here are more ways to experience Lafayette's vibrant Cajun culinary scene.
Cajun Food Tours
One of the best ways to experience the flavor of Louisiana is on-board a cozy, customized tour bus! With Cajun Food Tours you’ll make stops to sample Cajun delights at numerous Lafayette eateries, including off-the-beaten-path gems and local favorites, while also learning about the history of the area. Expect to taste many Cajun originals like boudin, king cake, étouffée, gumbo, fried seafood, cracklin’ and more!
EatLafayette
EatLafayette is a celebration of the restaurants that make Lafayette’s culture so appetizing. The campaign gives locally owned restaurants the opportunity to showcase their cuisine. With a wide variety of restaurants offering mouthwatering specials, EatLafayette is sure to make dining out easier on your pocketbook. So join us as we manger (Cajun-French for “eat”) in support of Lafayette's one-of-a-kind restaurants.
Coconut Shrimp from Charley G's.
Poor Boys from Olde Tyme Grocery.
Homemade boudin.
Cajun Boudin Trail
The Cajun Boudin Trail puts you in the driver’s seat to discovering Louisiana’s best boudin and other regional specialty items, be it a pork chop sandwich, beef jerky, cheesy boudin balls, specialty sausages, cracklins, smoked meats, plate lunches, stuffed chickens or chili dogs. The area in and around Lafayette is the indisputable center of all things boudin. Lafayette even holds the annual Boudin Cookoff in October, where the top boudiniers come together to show off their skills. The city of Scott in Lafayette Parish is the Boudin Capital of the World and hosts the annual Boudin Festival in April.
Plate Lunch Trail
Looking for comforting soul food? Look no further than the Plate Lunch Trail. Consisting of protein, a gravy-covered starch, a pair of vegetable sides, and a simple piece of bread—and often all served on a single plate—the plate lunch is rooted in the marriage of rustic, home-style cooking. Discover the people and stories behind some of Lafayette's oldest plate lunch houses.
Farmers Markets
One of the best ways to get in tune with the Acadiana community is by visiting a Farmers Market. There are an abundance of these markets in Lafayette and the surrounding areas, with local vendors featuring an abundance of produce, homemade treats, artisan trinkets and more local products. Pick up a tasty treat—with options such as a sweet or savory pies, tamales and baked goods—or load up your bounty of fresh produce and cook up a delicious meal using one of our recipes.
T-Coon's Plate Lunch.
Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville.
Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market.
Acadiana Breweries
There are some great breweries in the Lafayette area – perfect for washing down all the local delicacies.
Adopted Dog Brewing
Opened in 2023, Adopted Dog Brewing is the only crafty brewery in the city of Lafayette. Here, they serve a wide range of tried and true beer styles (with their brewmaster's touch) along with small batches. The brewery is family-friendly and dog-friendly, too! Order a meal to compliment your beer with their delectable menu, including flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches and more.
Bayou Tech Brewing
Another favoriteis Bayou Teche Brewing. Their flagship beer is Bière Pâle—a Louisiana Pale Ale designed to be paired with Louisiana cuisine. Other beers include Swamp Thing IPA, Cinco De Bayou Mexican Style Lager, DDH Cocodrie IPA, Acadie French Farmhouse Ale and Ragin' Cajuns Lager & Ale. Located on-site is The Cajun Saucer, which offers authentic wood-fired pizzas to pair with your brew. You'll also find events or cookouts at the happening at brewery throughout the year.
Parish Brewing
Since 2008, Parish Brewing has been making a name for itself. The company’s flagship brew is Canebrake, a refreshing wheat ale brewed with Steen’s Cane Syrup from nearby Abbeville. In 2013, Parish released a double IPA called Ghost in the Machine. Today, Ghost is a widely renowned beer that has gained praise from enthusiasts around the world, even earning a Best of 2019 award from Craft Beer & Brewing magazine.
