As the heart of Lafayette, Downtown is known for being a foodie paradise filled with a number of unique restaurants ranging from fine dining experiences to casual plate lunches. Our trendy restaurants cater to the joie de vivre that makes our downtown district one of a kind. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of Lafayette’s downtown favorites!
BREAKFAST
“It’s the most important meal of the day” they say! Make it a point to start your day off with one of our incredible breakfast or brunch options and we promise you won’t regret it.
Black Café
Black Cafe is where you find yourself when you need coffee and you need it prepared “just so.” It’s where you go for scotch eggs. It’s sweet potato biscuits and beignets. It’s your favorite, local, neighborhood coffee shop.
Dwyer’s Café
Dwyer’s Cafe is one of Lafayette’s most iconic diners and longest-running restaurants in the community. This downtown staple survived the Great Depression, an oil crisis, COVID-19, and is still thriving today!
Brown Skillet Downtown
Brown Skillet is a popular breakfast and lunch spot that focuses on all things comfort food. They specialize in serving a mix of classic Cajun and Creole dishes such as shrimp and grits, southern fried catfish, and bananas foster french toast.
The French Press
Located across from Parc Sans Souci, The French Press serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch in a casual, New Orleans-style atmosphere. Packed with bold flavors, they offer a superb selection of French and Cajun inspired dishes.
LUNCH
There is no shortage of places to grab lunch in Downtown Lafayette! The majority of our more casual restaurants offer patio seating for visitors to enjoy the downtown atmosphere surrounded by cypress trees and public art that make you feel fully immersed in our local community.
Pop’s Poboys
Pop’s Poboys is known for their classic interpretations and exciting twists on Louisiana’s favorite sandwich – the poboy – in addition to starters, sides, and delicious drinks! This restaurant brings an eclectic flare to the Downtown food scene and they have a rotating specialty poboy announced every Tuesday.
Hideaway on Lee
There’s a warm, familiar feeling when you walk into the Hideaway on Lee. This old house was converted into a restaurant with its decor inspired by hotel bars around the world and the Louisiana house dance known as the “Fais Do Do.” Their kitchen is dedicated to serving American classics from burgers to BBQ and brunch on Saturdays.
Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina
Agave Cantina & Grill is the perfect place to enjoy live music, chips, salsa, and margaritas on the patio. Agave offers lunch and dinner, with live entertainment featured in the evening. It is the quintessential spot for relaxing and delightful unregimented fun. Agave is also conveniently located across from Parc Sans Souci where you can take the kids to play in the splash pad while the grownups visit and enjoy one of the many green spaces that downtown has to offer.
Johnson’s Boucanière
Johnson’s Boucanière uses recipes and techniques developed by Johnson’s Grocery established in 1937. They have mastered the art of boudin, smoking meats, and preparing real, down home, southern BBQ. Without a doubt, this is THE place to go for all things smokey!
The Flats Burger & Backyard
The Flats Burger & Backyard is one of Downtown Lafayette’s newest restaurants. Offering signature smashburgers, specialty dip bowls, and premium cocktails “on draft”, this burger joint completely enhances the downtown food scene with decor that tells a story of local Lafayette nostalgia. Have a seat on their one-of-a-kind patio that sits tucked away and offers the experience of a true urban oasis.
Cedar Deli
After 42 years at the same location on Jefferson Street, there’s still a crowd each weekday lining up to grab a gyro sandwich, tabouli salad, meat pie, or other international delicacies at none other than Cedar Deli. This local favorite not only offers some of the best Mediterranean food in town, it also acts as a grocery that carries specialty items like Mediterranean herbs, spices, olive oils, candy coated almonds, and so much more.
Amis Grocery
Amis Grocery is locally owned and has a deli that provides healthy options such as salads, sandwiches, wraps, parfaits, smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, as well as a wide variety of locally sourced snacks and pantry items.
Pat’s Downtown
Most out-of-towners believe that South Louisianans only eat crawfish, gumbo, and jambalaya, but when we’re hungry, the locals like to feed themselves in the form of a plate lunch. Check out Pat’s Downtown for daily plate lunch specials or a selected menu of southern creole classics.
La Carreta
Located in the heart of downtown, La Carreta Lafayette is the perfect place to grab lunch before spending a day exploring the Lafayette Science Museum, Acadiana Center for the Arts, or the Children’s Museum. They serve a variety of fresh Mexican cuisine and margaritas that will keep you coming back!
Acadian Superette
Located in the historic Freetown neighborhood — adjacent to downtown — the Acadian Superette has been a local favorite for more than four decades. Known for plate lunches that are served with a smile, this grocery store turned restaurant has incredible comfort food and smoked meats that are made in house with lots of love!
Gary’s Breakfast, Burgers & Plate Lunches
Gary’s is where you go when you’re craving that home-cooked-meal feeling. They are a local favorite and known for serving some of the best burgers in town. They also have a vareity of breakfast sandwiches and daily plate lunch specials!
Pippi’s Purpose
Pippi’s Purpose acts as a downtown bodega offering a variety of convenient food options and grocery products to the downtown community. From chicken salad and ramen to chips and energy drinks, there’s lots of grab and go finds at Pippi’s Purpose.
DINNER
Who doesn’t love date night?! Downtown is the perfect place to grab an upscale meal before heading out on the town. If you’re stumped over which restaurant to try during your next downtown promenade then keep reading, we’ve got even MORE restaurants known for serving delicious dinners.
Spoonbill Watering Hole
What was once an old filling station has now turned into a modern diner of sorts and features the strikingly beautiful pink spoonbill as its logo, a local bird that can be seen flying throughout Acadiana. Spoonbill’s vibe is what they call “unfancy,” where first time guests and regulars can feel comfortable while experiencing excellent service. This is a great place to try bold flavors for lunch or dinner.
Tsunami
Tsunami is known for being the sometimes funky, sometimes fancy, always flavorful sushi joint. They have married fresh seafood, Asian inspiration, and southern roots to perfect the ultimate menu that people adore. All three of the Tsunami restaurant locations are found in downtown districts at the center of arts and culture.
Vestal
Centered around a 14-foot fireplace, Vestal offers a contemporary take on traditional southern cuisine. Guests can enjoy fresh oysters shucked to order or dishes cooked on an open flame in front of the wood burning hearth at the kitchen counter. Local seafood, incredible cocktails and a unique ambience make this the perfect destination for a night out.
Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant
Pamplona’s old European ambiance elicits flavors from traditional Spain fused with international tastes from France, Italy, and North America. Famous for their small plates and endless wine list, Pamplona is considered one of downtown’s best date night destinations. If you’re in town for Hallow’s Eve or the Holidays, make sure to reserve a table during one of their themed pop-up bars featuring specialty cocktails and a restaurant interior decked out from top to bottom in fabulously gaudy decorations!
Central Pizza & Bar
If you love woodfired pizzas and exceptional cocktails, Central Pizza & Bar is the place to go! They are the perfect stop for lunch out with the girls or dinner with the family. Start your meal off with one of their many delicious starters like the garlic knots or the Central Wings. Their traditional and specialty pizzas are like none other, and their Central Cocktails like the Freetown Smash or the Dante’s Sinferno are an experience in and of themselves!
DESSERTS
Looking for a sweet treat? Downtown Lafayette is home to not one but two of the sweetest places in the city that you and your family will adore! Make plans on stopping by these businesses and your sweet tooth will thank you later.
Sunday’s Soda Fountain
Sunday’s Soda Fountain features old fashioned soda creations, ice cream, boozy milkshakes, lunches, and more! While visiting Sunday’s you’ll get a chance to enjoy a modern twist on true nostalgic treats.
Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe
The ONLY Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe in the world and it’s right here in Downtown Lafayette! Borden’s pays homage to ice cream shops of the past by offering delicious treats you remember from childhood in a retro old-fashioned ice cream parlor setting. Enjoy hand-dipped cones, sundaes, malts, sherbet flips, floats and more all at Borden’s.
Keller’s Bakery Downtown
Keller’s Bakery Downtown is a Lafayette, Louisiana institution that has been serving up delcious pastries and baked goods for over 120 years. The bakery is located in the heart of downtown, and it’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. However, no product is more synonymous with Keller’s than the king cake!
BITES & SIPS
If coffee, cocktails, and croissants are more your speed, don’t fret – downtown didn’t forget about you. We’ve got the perfect places if you’re on the hunt for the best bites and sips.
Wild Child Wines
Wild Child Wines is your neighborhood wine shop and bar featuring a unique selection of natural wines and conservas from all around the world. Go in, have a seat and taste by the glass or purchase a bottle to go – your choice! It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, right?
The Whisper Room
For a more intimate setting, check out The Whisper Room. This speakeasy-style bar is attached to downtown’s independent bookstore, Beausoleil Books. The Whisper Room offers craft cocktails, a selection of high quality wine, grazing charcuterie boards, and more.
Rêve Coffee Roasters
Rêve Coffee Roasters is a bright and lively coffee shop that locals love. As you pass the arching Downtown Lafayette sign, the smell of coffee hits you. And that’s because unlike other shops – the coffee beans are roasted on site. Which means…the coffee really is THAT good.
Carpe Diem Café & Wine Bar
Where an Italian artisan gelateria meets coffee house meets wine bar. Whether you’re looking for quality espresso, an affogato or a nice glass of Merlot, Carpe Diem is the place to go. Serving fresh baked goods and a variety of gelato flavors that are made daily in house!
