Unearth The Voyage
Louisiana’s culinary scene tells the story of two incredible food traditions that have shaped American cuisine for centuries. Cajun cooking brings rustic, country-style dishes from the bayous, while Creole cuisine offers more refined, city-influenced flavors from New Orleans. Both traditions create amazing dishes like rich gumbo, spicy jambalaya, and countless other specialties that make your taste buds dance with joy.
1. Commander’s Palace – New Orleans
Step into a piece of living history at this legendary turquoise Victorian mansion that has welcomed guests since 1893. The restaurant sits majestically in New Orleans’ Garden District, where Spanish moss drapes over oak trees and streetcars still rumble past.
Their world-famous turtle soup and seafood gumbo represent the finest Creole cooking traditions. Weekend jazz brunches feature live music while you enjoy bread pudding soufflé with whiskey sauce.
Commander’s Palace trained many celebrity chefs, including Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme, making it a true culinary landmark.
2. Cochon – New Orleans
Award-winning chef Donald Link transformed traditional Cajun country cooking into something spectacular at this modern warehouse-style restaurant. Exposed brick walls and industrial touches create a hip atmosphere that perfectly matches the innovative menu.
Wood-fired oysters arrive bubbling hot with garlic butter, while house-made boudin showcases authentic Cajun sausage-making skills. Their fried alligator appetizer might sound scary, but it tastes like tender chicken with a unique twist.
Every dish connects to Louisiana’s rural heritage, from rabbit and dumplings to cochon de lait (slow-roasted pork) that melts in your mouth.
3. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant – New Orleans
The late Leah Chase, known as the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” created more than just a restaurant—she built a cultural institution. During the 1960s civil rights movement, this became a safe meeting place where Black and white activists could gather and plan.
Their Thursday gumbo draws crowds from across the city, served alongside perfectly seasoned jambalaya and creamy red beans and rice. The walls display African American art, creating a museum-like dining experience.
Mrs. Chase cooked for presidents and celebrities, but she treated every customer like family, continuing a tradition that lives on today.
4. Prejean’s – Lafayette
Located in the heart of Cajun country, this lively restaurant brings authentic bayou culture to life with live Zydeco music and dancing almost every night. The accordion melodies and washboard rhythms create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Their crawfish étouffee represents the gold standard—a rich, brown roux loaded with tender crawfish tails and served over fluffy white rice. The seafood gumbo combines shrimp, crab, and oysters in a dark, flavorful broth.
Local families have celebrated special occasions here since 1980, making it a true community gathering place where strangers become friends over shared plates.
5. Herby-K’s – Shreveport
Since 1936, this unassuming family-owned gem has served some of Louisiana’s most beloved comfort food without any fancy decorations or pretentious atmosphere. The dining room feels like eating at your grandmother’s house, complete with checkered tablecloths.
Their famous shrimp buster sandwich piles golden fried shrimp high on French bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and special sauce. The seafood gumbo follows old family recipes passed down through generations.
Three generations of the same family have run this place, creating consistent flavors that keep customers coming back for decades of delicious memories.
6. Bon Ton Café – New Orleans
This historic restaurant made culinary history by bringing authentic Cajun cooking from the rural bayous into New Orleans during the 1950s. Before Bon Ton Café, city folks rarely experienced true Cajun flavors in restaurants.
Their crawfish bisque features whole stuffed crawfish heads floating in rich, creamy broth—a presentation that looks as impressive as it tastes. The bread pudding with whiskey sauce provides the perfect sweet ending to any meal.
Old-school waiters in bow ties serve generous portions on white tablecloths, maintaining traditions from a bygone era when dining out meant dressing up.
7. Olde Tyme Grocery – Lafayette
Don’t let the humble storefront fool you—this tiny neighborhood grocery store creates some of Louisiana’s most legendary po’boy sandwiches. The cramped space barely fits a few tables, but the flavors are enormous.
Their fried shrimp po’boys overflow with crispy Gulf shrimp piled so high you need both hands to hold the sandwich. Fresh French bread gets “dressed” with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayo for the complete Louisiana experience.
Local workers line up during lunch breaks, knowing that authentic taste doesn’t require fancy dining rooms or expensive prices—just fresh ingredients and time-tested recipes.
