Must-see restaurants in Mississippi

  • Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen

    Mississippi

    As unexpected as food finds get, the kitchen here changes its menu to reflect whatever produce, livestock and game it's receiving from local farmers…

  • Big Bad Breakfast

    Mississippi

    Any place with an Elvis tapestry is gonna be good. This busy spot is no exception, serving hearty gourmet Southern breakfasts to appreciative hordes. From…

  • Bully's

    Mississippi

    With its golden crispiness and tender meat, Bully's fried chicken is a culinary home run and worth a detour from downtown. Or pick up some chicken to go…

  • Half Shell Oyster House

    Mississippi

    if you like your seafood spicy, order the Oysters Orleans. Charbroiled over an open flame with a smoky Cajun sauce, these kicky bivalves will set your…

  • City Grocery

    Mississippi

    Chef John Currence won a James Beard award and quickly set about dominating the Oxford culinary scene. City Grocery is one of his finest restaurants,…

  • Iron Horse Grill

    Mississippi

    During Friday lunch, you'd swear that all of downtown Jackson is happily digging into the delicious burgers, po'boys, tacos and seafood dishes served here…

  • Saltine

    Mississippi

    This playful spot takes on the delicious task of bringing oysters to the Jackson culinary world. The bivalves are served in several iterations: raw,…

  • Eat Drink Love

    Mississippi

    The menu on the chalkboard may be short, but you'll still have a hard time making up your mind between the gourmet sandwiches and fresh salads on offer at…

  • Mockingbird Cafe

    Mississippi

    With its front porch, wooden floors, and inviting couches and nooks, this coffeehouse and cafe is just the spot to relax and dig into a good book. The …

  • Pig & Pint

    Mississippi

    The Southern siren call of smoked meat and cold beer always lures us in, but we're particularly happy when those elements can be found in a cool,…

  • St Leo

    Mississippi

    Wood-fired pizzas are the specialty at this intimate but easy-going spot that works equally well for a date night or a chatty happy hour with a friend…

  • Greenhouse on Porter

    Mississippi

    Everything's coming up biscuits at this quirky breakfast joint where you can dig into a jam-slathered biscuit in an art-filled greenhouse. If you're lucky…

  • Ravine

    Mississippi

    About three miles outside Oxford, this unpretentious, cozily elegant restaurant nuzzles up to the forest. Chef Joel Miller picks and pulls much of the…

  • Taylor Grocery

    Mississippi

    Be prepared to wait – and to tailgate in the parking lot – at this splendidly rusticated catfish haunt. Order fried or grilled (either way, it's amazing)…

  • Big Apple Inn

    Mississippi

    The Big Apple basically has two items on its menu: a hot sausage sandwich and a pig's ear sandwich. Both are small, served on soft rolls, and delicious…

  • Sal & Mookie's

    Mississippi

    A beloved pizza place, and our preferred place to take the family – because it's got burgers and pizza for the kids and beer for the parents – Sal &…

  • Bottletree Bakery

    Mississippi

    Rumors of slow service and grouchy staff seem overstated – on our visit both were good – but we can confirm that the blueberry brioches are some kind of…

  • King's Tavern

    Mississippi

    Probably built before 1789, this cozy brick-and-wood tavern is believed to be the oldest building in Natchez, once serving as a tavern and stage stop at…

  • Parlor Market

    Mississippi

    It felt like Jackson came a little late to the contemporary Southern farm-to-table train, but once they got on, they boarded with a vengeance, and Parlor…

  • Johnnie's Drive-In

    Mississippi

    Locals might stare at you for a second in this tiny burger joint, which has been open since 1945, but they'll be back to their burgers after that first…

  • Starfish Cafe

    Mississippi

    This adorable little eatery, a pay-what-you-want nonprofit, provides job training for local youth, engages in sustainable sourcing of its ingredients and…

  • Walker's Drive-In

    Mississippi

    This retro masterpiece has been restored with love and infused with New Southern foodie ethos. Lunch is diner 2.0 fare with grilled redfish sandwiches,…

  • Camp Restaurant

    Mississippi

    For a fun atmosphere and good pub grub (burgers, sandwiches, tacos and seafood platters), grab a seat in this new addition to the Under-the-Hill District …

  • Mayflower Cafe

    Mississippi

    It looks like just another downtown dive, but it's a damn fine seafood house. Locals swear by the broiled redfish and the Greek salad, which becomes a…

  • Magnolia Grill

    Mississippi

    Down by the riverside, this attractive wooden storefront grill with exposed rafters and outdoor patio is a good place for a pork tenderloin po'boy or a…

  • French Kiss Pastries

    Mississippi

    Regroup with tasty croissants, cookies, scones, tarts and mini-cakes at this beloved coffee shop and bakery in the heart of downtown.

  • Cotton Alley

    Mississippi

    This cute whitewashed dining room is chockablock with knickknacks and artistic touches. The menu borrows from local tastes – think grilled chicken…

  • Government Street Grocery

    Mississippi

    This popular spot serves an array of burgers, fried shrimp baskets and po'boys, gyro and falafel. It gets a nice bar crowd at night, especially on…