Filled with museums, businesses and restaurants around every corner, downtown Baton Rouge is completely walkable and makes for an entertaining day or night out. With coffee shops, Main Street Market and upscale dining options, you’re sure to find a cuisine type for every taste, all located just steps away from museums and the River Center Performing Arts Theatre.
JUMP TO:
- But First, Coffee
- Lunchtime Favorites
- Seafood Specialties
- Downtown Date Night
- Grab a Drink
- Other Good Eats
BUT FIRST, COFFEE
Social Coffee got its start as a coffee cart but has since expanded into a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Baton Rouge. The cozy yet modern space is welcoming, and Social Coffee is known for offering high-quality small-batch coffee, as well as a variety of seasonal specials, light-bites, and pastries – especially its iconic breakfast burrito!
Southern Cofé at Main Street Market
In addition to its Scotlandville location, Southern Cofé also has a location at Main Street Market, located at Sixth and Main. Southern Cofé offers a selection of freshly prepared items, such as traditional coffee favorites, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, wraps and much more.
The Vintage Baton Rouge operates as both a coffee shop and a cocktail bar, so if you’re looking to pair your brew with bubbles, this is the place for you! Their craft coffee shop offers both hot and iced drinks ranging from traditional to more exclusive seasonal flavors, as well as serves beignets and other bites all day long.
LUNCHTIME FAVORITES
- Milford’s on Third
- Café Mimi
- Chef Celeste Bistro
- Chow Main
- Faye’s Subs & Salads
- Fresh Junkie
- Jambalaya Shoppe
- Paul Wong’s Chinese & Sushi
- Roly Poly
- Serop's Express
- SYI Express Café
SEAFOOD SPECIALTIES
Downtown Seafood & Grill is simplicity at its finest, but don’t let it fool you – it’s filled with food you’ll write home about. While the seafood plates (shrimp, catfish or a mix of both) are can’t-miss menu items, there’s also a lot to be said about the burger meal, known as being one of the best in Baton Rouge.
Jolie Pearl offers oysters any way you want them – raw, chargrilled, fried or baked – as well as a variety of seafood po’boys and platters. While this seafood joint may be known for their freshly shucked oysters, they also offer an extensive menu complete with your favorite seafood dishes and some of the freshest margaritas you’ll find.
Poor Boy Lloyd’s pays tribute to the origin of what is known now as a po’boy sandwich with their historically accurate menu. Their large selection of “poor boys” features the original fried shrimp and oyster sandwiches, along with some unique options like tuna, boiled shrimp and catfish. With such close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, you’re guaranteed fresh catches every day!
DOWNTOWN DATE NIGHT
Capital City Grill offers a laidback dining environment, with a menu that specialized in local Louisiana favorites. Enjoy a selection of fresh seafood, steaks, soups, as well as desserts, and if the weather’s nice, sit on the patio located just steps away from the Mississippi River.
Trust us when we say one doesn’t go to Cecelia’s without trying the skillet cornbread! With a food menu filled with Louisiana cuisine, such as boudin balls and crawfish etouffee, as well as a seasonal cocktail menu, Cecelia Creole Bistro is a must-stop for a lunch or dinner date.
Cocha is bringing some of the freshest items to the table with their locally sourced menu! This farm-to-table restaurant offers globally-inspired menu items that you quite literally cannot find anywhere else in the city and continues to experiment day-after-day using items from local farmers. With an extensive wine list and seasonal cocktails, Cocha makes for a delicious night out in downtown Baton Rouge.
Located in the historic Watermark Hotel, The Gregory is the perfect option for an upscale evening out! Offering Southern favorites with a twist, you can order anything from frog legs to filet mignon, with each dish being as delicious as the next!
Three words: Get. The. Bread. The Little Village is known for their freshly baked bread, and you have to believe us when we say it’s what dreams are made of. This Italian restaurant’s menu is filled with delicious pasta and other Italian options, but the steaks and seafood favorites are also rumored to be big hits.
Stroube’s Seafood & Steak is a favorite for a downtown date night, with starters such as lamb lollipops and a wide selection of steak cuts. If steak isn’t your thing, you can also choose from a selection of duck, redfish and salmon.
Located on the sixth floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts, it’s no surprise that Tsunami Sushi’s romantic views are popular for date nights in Baton Rouge. Offering a selection of traditional and specialty rolls, as well as small plates, we recommend making reservations if you’re planning to eat dinner at this hotspot.
GRAB A DRINK
- 13 Social
- The Basin Music Hall
- Bengal Tap Room
- Blend Wine Bar
- Brickyard South Bar + Patio
- City Bar
- George's Place
- Happy's Irish Pub
- The Main Lobby
- The River Room
- Squeaky Pete’s
OTHER GOOD EATS
Sometimes all you need is good Tex-Mex and a marg, and Aztecas will definitely have you covered on both ends. Known for having one of the best margaritas in Baton Rouge, you’ll find a simple cocktail menu, as well as delicious dining options, such as the seared tuna tacos.
Ole Mississippi Smokehouse’s food truck is a downtown Baton Rouge staple, and if you haven’t seen it parked on Fourth Street, we’re certain you’ve smelled the delicious smell of Chef Shawn’s cooking. You’ll find brisket, leg quarters, pulled pork, burgers and ribs, as well as homemade sides of baked beans, rice dressing, green beans and much more!
Pastime Restaurant and Lounge is one of the oldest restaurants in Baton Rouge, having been an institution since 1945, and is even a historical landmark! Their pizzas topped with boudin, shrimp, crabmeat and crawfish is a favorite among visitors and locals alike.
The rumors are true – Royal Taste of Jamaica has some of the best Jamaican food in Baton Rouge, and you can guarantee it’s authentic. Find a selection of cuisine ranging from oxtail to jerk chicken, as well as sides such as yams, fresh veggies, mac and cheese and more.
Schlittz and Giggles – Third Street
When it comes to pizza in Baton Rouge, Schlittz and Giggles is definitely a classic! If you’re looking for authentic, New York-style, thin crust pizza, then this is the place. The best part is, you can end an evening out on Third Street with a slice of their pizza, made possible by the late weekend hours and the convenient walk-up window.
