Best New Restaurant
Pizza Art Wine 24.23%
The brainchild of international model Yilena Hernández, Pizza Art Wine is a hip wellspring outfitted in local artwork, jewel-tone pops and boho-chic design. Wood-fired pizza curated with lavish toppings is the star, but don’t dismiss well-executed modern pasta dishes and shareable apps. Fine wines on tap served in elegant glassware scream to be posted, so freshen that mani and strike a pose. pizzartwine.com
RUNNERS UP
Cork’s Cajun Fried Fish & Shrimp 17.73%
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Library Wine & Provisions 16.50%
Chai Thai-Lao 13.39%
Sweet Rice Thai Cuisine 11.04%
Best Overall Restaurant
Elsie’s Plate & Pie 12.36%
Before opening Elsie’s in 2017, Paul Dupre managed The Chimes—so he’s no stranger to formulas that work. Elsie’s keeps packing ’em in, with its friendly charm and uber-flaky sweet and savory pies. The parking lot stays slammed, but hey, this is Mid City, so hop on your bike. elsiespies.com
RUNNERS UP
Louisiana Lagniappe 11.48%
The Chimes 10.41%
Mansurs on the Boulevard 7.79%
Ruth’s Chris Steak House 7.70%
Best Local Fine Dining
Ruth’s Chris Steak House 10.97%
Blow the bank on dinner in the days of inflation, and you don’t want to risk the meal not meeting expectations. This New Orleans-born concept continues to shine with never-fail, last-meal dishes like the porterhouse for two, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and chocolate sin cake. ruthschris.com
RUNNERS UP
Louisiana Lagniappe 10.32%
The Little Village 9.19%
Supper Club 8.63%
Mansurs on the Boulevard 8.57%
Best Restaurant – St. Francisville
The Francis Southern Tables & Bar 44.8%
One of America’s prettiest small towns is on the ascent, aided by a blossoming retail scene and convivial restaurants like The Francis. Lose yourself in live music on the patio, shaded by rapturous live oak boughs. It’s a scene-setting backdrop for its lively, accessible menu of salads, po-boys, sandwiches, pasta, steaks and seafood. francissouthertable.com
RUNNERS UP
Restaurant 1796 16.29%
Magnolia Cafe 15.28%
The Saint Restaurant 12.11%
Sonny’s Pizza 4.18%
Best Restaurant – Ascension Parish
Mike Anderson’s – Gonzales
The seafood restaurant founded by former Tiger linebacker Mike Anderson has two locations in Ascension Parish. The stalwart menu of deftly fried seafood and detailed Cajun specialties spans from belt-loosening po-boys and gumbo to shrimp-and crab-bedecked fresh Gulf fish. mikeandersons.com
RUNNERS UP
Franks Restaurant – Prairieville 15.51%
Sno’s Seafood & Steak 13.35%
Hot Tails – Prairieville 9.89%
On The Half Shell 9.17%
Best Restaurant – Livingston Parish
Duke’s Seafood & Steakhouse 26. 37%
Denham Springs’ and Watson’s beloved seafood and steakhouse is known for platters of fried catfish, butterflied shrimp and oysters, as well as juicy steaks, etouffee, bisque and other Cajun faves. Homemade bread pudding with rum sauce is the cherry on top. dukesseafoodandsteakhouse.com
RUNNERS UP
Geisha, Sushi With a Flair 10.19%
Randazzo’s Italian Market 9.77%
Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill 7.94%
Don’s Seafood – Denham Springs 7.56%
Best Craft Cocktail Menu
Hayride Scandal 15.34%
Hayride Scandal’s moody interior delivers Hollywood noir vibes—rather impressive given its strip-mall locale. This immersive spot has long been known for expertise in brown liquors, but that’s just part of a spectacular exhibition of cocktail alchemy. The house menu’s Violet Cowgirl, with tequila, crème de violette, génépi, lime and soda, is a surefire way to combat summer (while also looking cool). hayridescandal.com
RUNNERS UP
Olive or Twist 14.54%
Mid City Beer Garden 9.59%
SoLou 9.52%
Elsie’s Plate & Pie 6.62%
Best Local Bar*
Mid City Beer Garden 19.87%
There’s much to love about this popular spot on Government Street, flush with craft beers on draft, natural wines, and classic and original cocktails served in a building that feels more like a patio (because it is). Elevated pub grub makes it a place to linger beyond your pregame. midcitybeergarden.com
RUNNERS UP
Bin 77 Bistro & Sidebar 14.67%
Hayride Scandal 10.54%
Brickyard South Bar + Patio 7.72%
Mother’s Lounge 7.17%
*Nominees in this category were limited to businesses with a Class A – General license.
Best Bar at a Local Restaurant*
Superior Grill – 21.47%
Eight different margs, including a build-your-own option, supply a wee glimpse of the many refreshments at this high-energy cantina. Numerous top-shelf tequilas, mezcals and a lineup of other spirits make for
a veritable playground of cocktail-y adventures. batonrouge.superiorgrill.com or highland.superiorgrill.com
RUNNERS UP
Elsie’s Plate & Pie 12.79%
Olive or Twist 10.19%
Stab’s Prime Steak and Seafood 8.38%
SoLou 8.04%
*Nominees in this category were limited to businesses with a Class A – Restaurant license.
Best Black-owned Restaurant
Zeeland Street 28.91%
The friendly and hardworking Stephanie Phares first opened Zeeland Street in 1989, a come-as-you-are spot known for scratch-made breakfast and Southern plate lunches. The mashed potatoes start with real spuds, and the burger patties are freshly ground. Top sellers like pot roast, smoked brisket, Southern vegetable plates and breakfast combos have drawn devotees for decades. zeelandstreet.com
RUNNERS UP
Chicken Shack 14.42%
Empire Wingz 12.66%
Boil & Roux 10.94%
Dorothy’s Soul Food Kitchen 8.01%
Best Mexican
Superior Grill 21.87%
Mix a lively, see-and-be-seen vibe with mega margs and straightforward Tex-Mex, and you have the makings of a winner—literally. Once again, Red Stick residents consider Superior, well, superior. batonrouge.superiorgrill.com or highland.superiorgrill.com
RUNNERS UP
Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine 14.72%
Casa Maria 12.92%
La Carreta 10.79%
Tio Javi’s Mexican Grill 9.59%
Best Italian
Gino’s Restaurant 21.89%
Staying power among restaurants is no small feat, but 58-year-old Gino’s still draws loyalists and newbies with old-school dishes made with Marino family recipes. Don’t look for foliage walls or neon proverbs—the vibe here is defiantly bygone. Anything else would be wrong, and the arancini is so right. ginosrestaurant.com
RUNNERS UP
The Little Village 15.22%
DiGiulio Brothers Italian Cafe 14.16%
Monjunis 11.72%
Randazzo’s Italian Market 9.83%
Best Mediterranean
Albasha Greek & Lebanese 42.85%
Put money on whether a random Baton Rougean has ever dined at Albasha, and you could make a quick buck. The full-service, nine-location restaurant wins hearts and minds with garlicky shawarma, gyros, moussaka and other assertive Greek and Lebanese dishes. albashabr.com
RUNNERS UP
Serop’s Café 13.80%
Cafe Phoenicia 13.67%
Zorba’s Greek Bistro 13.13%
Roman’s Cafe 8.61%
Best Indian
Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine 25.21%
Experience tandoor oven dishes from northern India, vegetarian dosa crepes from its southern region, and everything in between. Study the weighty menu before you go, or conduct firsthand research at the lunch buffet. Warm, earthy flavors and homey textures abound. bayleafindiancuisinela.com
RUNNERS UP
Swagat Indian Cuisine 24.73%
Tap 65 17.99%
India’s Restaurant 16.85%
Curry N Kabab 9.21%
Best Thai
Thai Kitchen 40.55%
Just thinking about a bowl of red curry gives the jaw a little jingle, but curries are only part of a lineup that roams from pad thai to papaya salad. Can we just call this enduring spot Pan-Asian? Its Sears catalog of a menu also features a healthy roundup of sushi and dim sum. thaikitchenla.com
RUNNERS UP
Chai Thai-Lao 14.98%
Thai Pepper 14.10%
Sweet Rice Thai Cuisine 11.94%
Thai Chili Restaurant 10.46%
Best Vietnamese
Chow Yum 25.49%
Rebranded last year as Chow Yum, this street food hamlet follows a no-rules playbook that grooves on crossing culinary borders. Its Viet-style crawfish is a springtime wonder, but so are its many types of bao, ramen and Tuesday birria tacos. chowyumbr.com
RUNNERS UP
Bao Vietnamese Kitchen 17.04%
Ava Street Café 13.84%
Pho Cafe 11.79%
Drunken Fish 8.73%
Best Local Cookies
Caroline’s Cookies 34.69%
Born in Lafayette during the pandemic lockdown, Caroline Merryman’s cookie company debuted in Perkins Rowe in December. It’s been routinely selling out of its decorative, cake-like, preservative-free cookies ever since. Rotating flavors from this pastry imaginarium might include options like banana pudding, churro or blueberry lemon. eatcarolinescookies.com
RUNNERS UP
CounterspaceBR 18.06%
Paige’s Pantry 16.63%
Les Amis Bake Shoppe 9.05%
Eloise Market and Cakery 6.33%
Best Desserts at a Local Restaurant
Elsie’s Plate & Pie 38.24%
Seven regular-menu pie flavors are joined by rotating daily specials with infinite possibilities—Elsie’s has served around 200 different sweet pies since 2017. The case up front stashes whole pies that will make you a dinner party icon. Oh, and the crust is still made by hand. elsiespies.com
RUNNERS UP
Ruth’s Chris Steak House 8.73%
The Little Village 6.93%
Randazzo’s Italian Market 6.41%
Ruffino’s 6.27%
Best Local Breakfast Spot
Frank’s Restaurant 26.34%
Paneled walls, Coke signs and red-checkered plastic tablecloths give time-machine vibes at this diner and smokehouse, known by its biscuit-centric identity. Families and friends pour in on weekends, while regulars meet up on weekdays for unfussy interpretations of the most important meal of the day. franksrestaurantla.com
RUNNERS UP
Simple Joe Cafe 13.12%
Louie’s Cafe 12.97%
Another Broken Egg Cafe 12.47%
Ruby Slipper Cafe 9.11%
Best Local Brunch
Elsie’s Plate & Pie 17.06%
Served on Saturdays and Sundays, Elsie’s knocks brunch out of the park with goodies like Bayou Fry Bread with peach maple butter, and poached eggs over crawfish cakes with satsuma hollandaise. Wash it down with a cold brew zhuzhed with prosecco and St. Germain. elsiespies.com
RUNNERS UP
Mason’s Grill 16.59%
Another Broken Egg Cafe 7.37%
Leola’s Cafe & Coffee House 7.01%
SoLou 6.93%
Best Local Coffee Shops
CC’s Coffee 16.81%
Multiple regional locations, most with drive-thrus, make this Baton Rouge-born concept a must for a morning jolt or afternoon bracer. Lavender white chocolate Mochasippi, perhaps? How ‘bout a crème brulee cold brew with sugar-free caramel? ccscoffee.com
RUNNERS UP
Coffee Call 12.74%
French Truck Coffee 11.37%
Brew Ha-Ha! 7.93%
Rêve Coffee Lab BTR 7.65%
Best Food Truck
Cou-Yon’s 30.40%
Cou-Yon’s permanent truck at Perkins and Acadian is a satellite location for its Port Allen HQ, which smokes all manner of meats using a house dry rub and Pointe Coupee Parish pecan wood. Fun fact: The food truck sells 3,000 smoked stuffed potatoes each month, one of the restaurant’s signature items. cou-yons.com
RUNNERS UP
The Big Cheezy 18.51%
Soulshine Food Truck 15.66%
Elisa’s Cuban Coffee and Kitchen 9.72%
Aztecas 9.51%
Best Lunch Spot
Elsie’s Plate & Pie 15.44%
Situated in a historic Mid City post office, Elsie’s fuses comfort and cool with a lunch menu built on savory and dessert pies, Cajun specials, melts, salads, burgers and more. Take home a jar of the homemade pepper jelly present in several of the dishes. elsiespies.com
RUNNERS UP
BLDG 5 13.99%
Bistro Byronz 12.46%
Big Jake’s BBQ 11.35%
Superior Grill 9.42%
Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining
Mid City Beer Garden 16.97%
Mid City Beer Garden reshaped definitions of outdoor dining in Baton Rouge with its stylish, flexible, all-patio floor plan. It is ground zero for 20-somethings, but no matter your vintage, time spent here reminds us we’re lucky to live in the Gulf South, where cheese fries and pretzel twists taste better in fresh air. midcitybeergarden.com
RUNNERS UP
BLDG 5 15.25%
Barracuda Taco Stand 13.81%
SoLou 10.64%
The Chimes – Highland 10.64%
Best Local Tacos
Barracuda Taco Stand 24.18%
Those who questioned the wisdom of Barracuda’s outdoor-only seating have since been silenced by its success—mouths likely full of Sonoran-style street tacos. The stand’s small but excellent menu, along with its fresh fruit margs and plant-draped patio, have clinched it as a Mid City draw. Protein fillings are joined by broccoli or mushroom options, while chips with queso or guac topped with pepitas and pomegranate seeds show how the basic can become next level. eatbarracuda.com
RUNNERS UP
Superior Grill 13.84%
Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine 12.73%
Uno Dos Tacos 9.49%
La Carreta 8.43%
Best Local Barbecue
Hannah Q Smokehouse 18.11%
Smoked low and slow over hickory, Hannah Q’s ribs, brisket, pulled pork and other proteins are known for their impossibly tender texture. The Mid City eatery’s sprawling menu includes sides like corn pudding, smoked gouda mac and cheese, and pork-studded baked beans, as well as four homemade sauces. hannahqsmokehouse.com
RUNNERS UP
BRQ Seafood and Barbeque 15.94%
City Pork 15.89%
Cou-Yon’s 15.19%
Big Jake’s BBQ 11.36%
Best Steak
Ruth’s Chris Steak House 33.61%
In the bucket of “things that never go out of style,” there are Chanel suits, Broadway plays, Christmas stockings—and steaks from Ruth’s Chris. Even snooty home grillers enjoy being served a prime cut here, expertly cooked to order. ruthschris.com
RUNNERS UP
Doe’s Eat Place 16.75%
Stab’s Prime Steak and Seafood 14.39%
Texas Roadhouse 10.98%
Sullivan’s Steakhouse 6.82%
Best Pizza
Lit Pizza 20.55% + Red Zeppelin Pizza 20.55%
Baton Rouge is possessed of a great love for—and strong opinions about—pizza, proven by this year’s perfect tie between homegrown concepts Lit Pizza and Red Zeppelin. Lit is a leader in the DIY space, allowing diners to self-style pies, while Red Zeppelin lures crowds with a thin crust that’s firm enough to support a pantry of toppings. Rocca—the gourmet wood-fired pizzeria in Mid City that took the crown last year—placed a close second in this squeaker.
lit.pizza and redzeppelinpizza.com
RUNNERS UP
Rocca Pizzeria 20.38%
Schlittz & Giggles 13.02%
Pastime Restaurant 12.35%
Best Burger
Burgersmith 17.34%
Well-organized toppings, succulent patties and buns that stand up mean it’s bad burger o’clock at Burgersmith. The Lafayette-born concept features ground brisket, filet or beef and accoutrements like smoked gouda, chipotle lime mayo, roasted red peppers and cage-free organic eggs. burgersmith.com
RUNNERS UP
Dearman’s Diner 16.80%
Curbside 14.72%
Our Mom’s Restaurant & Bar 11.96%
Roul’s Deli 11.35%
Best Fries at a Local Restaurant
Burgersmith 22.14%
Burgersmith understood the assignment with a tableau of fried potatoes like the Cajun-dusted “Smith-style,” butter and garlic, sweet potato tots and cheese fries blanketed in shredded cheddar, bacon and fresh jalepeño. Or, go for straightforward regular. Choices, choices. burgersmith.com
RUNNERS UP
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers 18.26%
Smalls Sliders 11.33%
Overpass Merchant 11.26%
Curbside 9.54%
Best Oysters
Phil’s Oyster Bar 14.97%
Gulf oysters come in many forms here, including raw on the half-shell, chargrilled with a variety of sauces and deep fried. The fried oyster po-boy and oyster platter both showcase serious frying skills, walking the line between crisp exterior and jiggly middle. philsoysterbar.com
RUNNERS UP
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant 14.27%
Mike Anderson’s 11.62%
Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant 10.47%
Acme Oyster House 9.49%
Best Crawfish
Tony’s Seafood 24.73%
The megamart of boiled and fresh seafood in north Baton Rouge serves thousands of pounds of steaming, fragrant mudbugs every spring, along with live ones that draw lines of DIY-ers. Exiting Tony’s with a plastic bag of hot boiled crawfish, nubs of corn and spice-gripping potatoes means happy times cometh. tonyseafood.com
RUNNERS UP
Sammy’s Grill 12.76%
Hole ‘N Da Wall Seafood 11.82%
Willie’s Restaurant 11.57%
Crawfish on the Geaux 7.70%
Best Seafood Dishes
Louisiana Lagniappe 22.75%
Bliss out on seafood-centric fine dining at this 40-year-old institution, first founded in Destin, Florida, by local restaurateur Kevin Ortego before relocating to Baton Rouge in the late ‘90s. All those decades in the business ensure a deep bench of suppliers, resulting in ultra-fresh crab, fish, shrimp and oysters. louisianalagniapperestaurant.com
RUNNERS UP
Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant 18.92%
Mike Anderson’s 16.38%
Duke’s Seafood & Steakhouse 10.27%
Mansurs on the Boulevard 8.45%
Best Gumbo
Dempsey’s 15.19%
If year-round gumbo is gospel in Baton Rouge, then Dempsey’s is one of its high altars. Serving both chicken and sausage, as well as seafood, the gumbo here starts with scratch-made roux. Find it on Facebook
RUNNERS UP
The Chimes 14.01%
Mike Anderson’s 10.73%
Duke’s Seafood & Steakhouse 10.32%
The Jambalaya Shoppe 7.88%
Best Po-boys
Po-Boy Express 20.84%
Six locations of this 32-year-old institution have helped establish a life-changing local advancement: the drive-thru po-boy. Choose from 16 options, including fried Gulf shrimp and oyster, farm-raised catfish and gravy-drenched roast beef. poboyexpress.com
RUNNERS UP
Rocco’s New Orleans Po-Boys and Cafe 16.07%
Poor Boy Lloyd’s 12.04%
Dempsey’s 10.67%
George’s Restaurants 9.81%
Best King Cakes
Oak Point Fresh Market 40.53%
The annual phenomenon that is Oak Point king cake season starts with its bakers turning out sweet rings at dawn, then blinging them with indulgent fillings like orange dreamsicle and creme brulee to satisfy greater Baton Rouge’s incorrigible sweet tooth. Late in the day, tables are depleted by rabid fans. But that’s OK, because the process starts anew tomorrow. Find locations in Central and Watson. oakpointmarket.com
RUNNERS UP
The Ambrosia Bakery 11.84%
Calandro’s Supermarket 9.94%
Rouses Markets 7.97%
Joe Gambino’s Bakery 7.42%
Best Martinis
Duvic’s 22.49%
Behind Duvic’s nondescript exterior is a haunt that’s equal parts stylish speakeasy and grizzled dive, which, of course, makes it a must try. Opt for classic or modern interpretations of the mother-of-all-cocktails as you channel your favorite martini poster child. James Bond? Let’s go with Lucille Bluth. duvicsbar.com
RUNNERS UP
Stab’s Prime Steak and Seafood 18.27%
Hayride Scandal 14.58%
Jubans Restaurant and Bar 13.17%
Mansurs on the Boulevard 13.17%
Best Local Happy Hour
Superior Grill 37.23%
Superior’s happy hour deals on margs, beer and wine take the sting out of inflation-era dining. A $4 wine pour? Yes, please, along with biggie margs and draft beer for the price of smalls. batonrouge.superiorgrill.com or highland.superiorgrill.com
RUNNERS UP
Rocca Pizzeria 10.66%
La Carreta 9.40%
SoLou 8.10%
Rouj Creole 8.00%
Best Local Brewery
Tin Roof Brewing Co. 31.04%
The local brewery scene has changed considerably in recent years, but Tin Roof is a favorite among enthusiasts, thanks to regular happy hours, weekly yoga on the lawn and live music. In the taproom, sample tried-and-true varieties on draft along with small-batch runs you won’t find anywhere else. tinroofbeer.com
RUNNERS UP
Istrouma Eatery + Brewery 21.94%
Le Chien Brewing Company 21.63%
Rally Cap Brewing Company 6.64%
Agile Brewing 6.60%
Best Restaurant for Vegetarian or Vegan Options
BLDG 5 26.66%
BLDG 5’s menu is perfectly flexitarian, featuring mix-and-match options and lots of plant-based ingredients. Many dishes start off vegetarian with the option of adding proteins. Dive into veggies as main courses, in salads or on sharable boards paired with lively global sauces. To the delight of pescatarians, salmon, tuna and shrimp are standard add-ons. bldg5.com
RUNNERS UP
MJ’s Cafe 22.15%
Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine 15.67%
Magpie Cafe 13.21%
Cocha 10.99%
Best Salads
J. Alexander’s 20.27%
The promise of a big ol’ bowl full of greens topped with fun stuff continues to satisfy salad cravings. Protein additions like ahi tuna and grilled chicken round out crisp veggies and punchy dressings. jalexanders.com
RUNNERS UP
Salad Station 17.59%
BLDG 5 13.77%
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux 10.09%
Bistro Byronz 9.38%
Best Sushi
Ichiban Sushi Bar & Grill 16.51%
Expertly carved fresh fish are served nigiri- or sashimi-style, or wound with other ingredients in myriad sushi rolls, like The Bayou with softshell crab and avocado. Watch the action at the expansive sushi bar, or settle in at a table. The large and lively space also includes hibachi seating. ichibanbr.com
RUNNERS UP
Geisha, Sushi With a Flair 15.24%
Tsunami 13.85%
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Sushi Yama 13.49%
Sushi Masa 9.39%
This article was originally published in the July 2024 issue of 225 Magazine.