Mississippi Restaurant and Dining Guide

Warm welcomes, an extra helping of southern charm, and food that feels like a big ole bear hug – that's Mississippi for you! The Magnolia State sits proudly on America's culinary map, where gumbo simmers on the stove, crawfish boils in the backyard, and every catfish comes with a tale. We’ve savored our way from Jackson to Biloxi, unearthing local gems, mouth-watering eats, and delightful sights. So prepare yourself, buttercup, because we're about to begin an epic road trip, with pit stops at the juiciest joints and the most enchanting tourist attractions. Warning: this is not a journey for the faint-hearted or small-stomached. Ready to "sip the sipp" in true foodie style? Let's hit the road!!

Jackson: Savoring the Soul of the City with Soul

As the capital city, Jackson sets a high bar for Mississippi's culinary scene. With rich history dating back to the early 1800s, and serving as a central stage for the Civil Rights movement, Jackson is a city steeped in stories - and nothing tells a story better than food.

Start with The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen, where Mediterranean meets Southern cuisine. Their Po' boys are a revelation, stuffed with smoky Andouille sausage, tangy sauce, and crispy lettuce. The Fisherman-Style Redfish, straight from the flaming wood-fired grill, is a seafood lover's dream, while their Chicken & Sausage Gumbo brims with the kind of warmth only home-cooking can deliver. Step back in time at The Iron Horse Grill, a twice-burned, twice-reborn local legend. The Stuffed Delta Catfish is a must-try, its tender flesh singing with zesty lime and Cajun spices. But don't skimp on the Fried Chicken Cobb – it's like a Southern picnic on a plate.

For a funky, laid-back vibe, Lou's Full-Serv has your back. Dive into their Crawfish Fondue - a melty, spicy concoction that screams comfort food. Or go for the Mushroom Burger, a quirky veggie alternative that packs a punch of flavor. Round off your Jackson food trail at Aladdin Mediterranean Grill. It's a magic carpet ride of Middle Eastern flavors with the Beef Shawarma Salad, succulent grilled Chicken Tecka, and tender Lamb Shank, slow-cooked to perfection.

After feasting, burn off some calories with a stroll around the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, a family-friendly delight, or immerse yourself in art at the Mississippi Museum of Art. For the little ones, the Mississippi Children's Museum is a wonderland of fun and learning.

Bellyful of the Hattiesburg: A Fusion of Flavors

Hattiesburg is as diverse in its food scene as its rich railroad history that dates back to the 1880s. Known as the "Hub City," Hattiesburg is a junction of flavors, blending tradition with a dash of innovation.

Stop by Crescent City Grill, where the Chargrilled Oyster is a marine masterpiece, glistening with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese. Their New Orleans Sloppy Roast Beef Po Boy is so good it'll make you wanna slap yo' mama! It's twelve-hour-braised roast beef smothered in gravy and swiss cheese, making every bite a heart-warming adventure.

Indian Delight offers an entirely different flavor palette. Try their Chicken Achaari for a smoky, pickle-flavored chicken curry that tingles your taste buds, and the Paneer Tikka Masala, a creamy tomato and onion sauce delight, is a vegetarian's dream. Now, for the pièce de résistance, Mugshots Grill and Bar awaits. The Blackened Mahi is a masterstroke, and the Buffalo Bleu salad is like a disco party in your mouth.

After all this indulgence, take a pleasant stroll along the Hattiesburg Public Art Trail or let your curiosity loose at the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum.

Tupelo: Rock ‘n Roll Bites in the Birthplace of Elvis

Next stop: Tupelo, a city synonymous with Elvis Presley, who swapped his guitar for a King-sized appetite whenever he could. Tupelo's dining scene is as legendary as the King of Rock 'n Roll himself.

Start your culinary escapade at Kermit's Soul Kitchen with the Kermit's Sampler, a platter of pork belly burnt ends, wings tossed in wangsauce, sausage, and cheese. It's a symphony of flavors that will have you all shook up! Sweet Tea & Biscuits, true to its name, serves comfort on a plate. Their Fried Green Tomato BLT is a rockstar - toasted sourdough bread slathered with homemade pimento & cheese, thick slices of smoked bacon, and fried green tomatoes. Don't forget their Homemade Pimento and Cheese Sandwich; it's as comforting as a southern lullaby. Neon Pig Tupelo, home to the award-winning Famous Smash Burger, is a meat lover's paradise. The Trash Hamburger Steak will leave you hankering for more.

After filling your belly, swing by the Elvis Presley Birthplace, where the King's humble beginnings and rise to stardom unfold. The Elvis Presley Center provides a deeper dive into his life, and at Relics Antique Marketplace, who knows? You might find a treasure from Elvis's era!

Coastal Comfort: Gulfport's Gastronomic Goodies

Nestled along Mississippi's coast, Gulfport, established in the late 19th century as a lumber port, dishes out the freshest catch cooked with creativity.

Start your culinary cruise at The Chimneys Restaurant, where the Sweet Chili Shrimp will send your taste buds on a tropical vacation, and their Oysters Chimneys is a creamy masterpiece full of shrimp, mushrooms, and onions. Blow Fly Bar and Grill, an off-beat gem with picturesque views, serves a Pressed Shrimp Po Boy that will have you buzzing with delight. Also, the Mississippi Chicken Salad Wrap is a cool, crisp respite from the coastal heat. Catfish Charlie’s brings you back to the basics of Southern cooking with a flavorful country Catfish fillet and the delectable Aunt Hazel’s homemade dessert.

Post indulgence, navigate your way to Ship Island or relax at Jones Park. Unleash your inner child at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and have a day filled with laughter and learning.

Biloxi's Bounty: A Seafood Spectacular

Further along the coast lies Biloxi, established by French colonists in 1699, is a seafood lover's dream. Here, local catches turn into culinary treasures.

Begin your gastronomic gamble at Taranto's Crawfish, where their Roast Beef & Gravy Po boy and Crab Po boy are winning hands every time. Mary Mahoney's Old French House excels at seafood with dishes like the Shrimp & Trout Imperial, a medley of trout, capers, onions, shrimp, and crab meat. Don’t miss out on their Fried Soft Shell Crabs! Shaggy's Biloxi Beach offers Crab Cakes overstuffed with jumbo lump crabmeat and the Shaggy’s Snapper, a dish that will surely hook you. The Fillin' Station's Oysters Rockefeller is a half shell heaven of spinach, ham, garlic, herbs, and parmesan bread crumbs.

Take a break at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art or stroll along the Biloxi West Beach Boardwalk for picturesque views.

Vintage Vicksburg: Southern Savory Satisfaction

Heading northward, we arrive in Vicksburg, a city steeped in history due to its key role in the Civil War. Its cuisine is a heartwarming medley of Southern staples with creative flairs.

Your first stop should be the Gumbo Pot, where the Shrimp Alfredo Pasta, Charbroiled Oysters, and Cajun Oysters are served with love and Louisiana-inspired flavor. Next, the Beechwood Restaurant & Lounge delivers a delightful Crawfish Julie Over Angel Hair Pasta with a Creole Crawfish Cream Sauce that will have you saying "Y'all, this is delicious!" Also, don't miss out on their perfectly Grilled Catfish Fillets. 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill, a scenic spot with panoramic views, delivers a hearty 10 South Original Burger and a Blackened Catfish that'll keep you coming back. Be sure to end your meal with their sweet and scrumptious Maple Cheesecake.

Spend the afternoon exploring the Vicksburg National Military Park, the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, or the Lower Mississippi River Museum for an enriching historical journey.

Mississippi Melange: Savor the Southern Spirit

Our culinary sojourn through Mississippi reveals a diverse tapestry of flavors, from Jackson's multicultural medleys, Hattiesburg's Indian delights, Tupelo's hearty soul food, Gulfport's coastal charms, Biloxi's seafood spectaculars, to Vicksburg's comforting southern classics. It's a gastronomic journey that'll have you riding high on the hog! When you venture out to explore Mississippi's cuisine, you're not just satiating your hunger - you're immersing yourself in a food culture deeply rooted in Southern tradition, local produce, and innovative culinary expressions.

So, it's time to launch your Mississippi culinary exploration. Savor the Po’ boys in Jackson, relish the Chargrilled Oysters in Hattiesburg, indulge in a Famous Smash Burger in Tupelo, enjoy the coastal comfort of Gulfport, bet on the seafood in Biloxi, and soak in the Southern vibes in Vicksburg. And remember, as they say in Mississippi, "It's so good, it'll make you slap yo' mama!" Happy eating, y'all!

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Biloxi

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Jackson

Meridian

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Oxford

Ridgeland

Southaven

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