Central Region

Home to winding rivers, expansive prairies and historic landmarks galore, Central Louisiana is known for classic dishes with Southern soul food flair.

Dig into dishes like buttery biscuits topped with crawfish, melt-in-your-mouth meat pies and spiced alligator sausage.

Taste of Central Louisiana

Jambalaya

A savory rice dish simmered with meat, vegetables and spices.

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Shrimp Po’boy

Crispy-fried shrimp sandwich on fluffy French bread.

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Hands break apart a perfectly fried meat pie.

Meat Pies

You can't miss your chance at savory, flaky Natchitoches meat pies.

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King Cake

Cinnamon-spiced dough sprinkled with green, gold and purple sugar.

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Creole vs. Cajun

Creole and Cajun cuisine are two sides of the same coin, but they reflect the culinary traditions of two distinct ethnic groups.

Creole cuisine reflects the urban atmosphere of a port city. From Gulf-fresh seafood in rich sauces to ripe tomatoes, Creole cuisine blends flavors and ingredients from its multi-ethnic population to create something new, cosmopolitan and uniquely New Orleans.

Meanwhile, the rural Cajun cuisine of Acadiana reflects the hunting traditions of early Canadian-French settlers, featuring robust, hearty flavors. Think of smoked meats, spicy sausage, dark roux and one-pot dishes like jambalaya.

Creole vs. Cajun