The Best Southern Road Trip for Foodies

Austin, TX

Why go to Austin

Where to eat in Austin

Josephine House
($$$): Operated out of a beautiful cottage with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, Josephine House is simultaneously cozy and upscale. With local ingredients and delicious breakfast and brunch, this is a must-visit!

Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
($$): Stubb’s serves up slow-smoked barbecue to die for and doubles as a music venue, having hosted legends like Willie Nelson, James Brown, and Bob Dylan. If you’re looking to experience the best that Austin has to offer, this is the place to be.

Gourdough’s Big Fat Donuts
($): If you want to get a little crazy with dessert, stop at Gordough’s. Located in a vintage Airstream Trailer, Gordough’s serves up donuts with a twist—like the Mother Clucker, which is topped with fried chicken and honey butter. There’s nowhere else that does donuts like Gordoughs, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime pick in Austin.

Lafayette, LA

Why go to Lafayette

What to eat in Lafayette

Poupart’s Bakery
($$): You could just as easily go to Poupart’s for dessert, but their sweet potato biscuits and other breakfast pastries are not to be missed. Poupart’s is known informally as the best bakery in Lafayette, making it a must-stop for sure.

Bon Temps Grill
($$): There’s no way you can pass through Lafayette without getting some Cajun cuisine right from the source—and Bon Temps more than delivers. This is the local neighborhood grill, with traditional dishes executed flawlessly at a reasonable price point.

Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe
($): If you’ve been driving all day in the Louisiana heat, Borden’s is the perfect place to cool down and take a load off. An old-fashioned ice cream parlor, Borden’s serves delicious shakes, floats, and scoops that make for a perfectly sweet ending to the day!

New Orleans, LA

Why go to New Orleans

Where to eat in New Orleans

Nonno’s Cajun Cuisine and Pastries
($$): Truly experiencing the South means experiencing all the little eateries along the way. At Nonno’s, locals recommend French toast or the red snapper—though whatever you try, it’ll taste amazing and be served with a smile.

Barrow’s Catfish
($$): Barrow’s is exactly what it says on the tin—catfish, cooked perfectly, since 1943. But they’ve expanded their menu to include creole options and surf and turf. No matter your taste, you’ll find something to love at the 10th oldest restaurant in New Orleans!

Southern Candymakers
($$): You absolutely cannot leave New Orleans without trying a traditional praline—but Southern Candymakers also has so much more. You’ll find pralines aplenty, fine chocolates, toffees, and even ice cream.

Vicksburg, MS

Why go to Vicksburg

What to eat in Vicksburg

The Coffee House Cafe
($): A charming, locally-owned coffee shop, The Coffee House Cafe is a place to relax and enjoy your food! If you’re feeling up for some fun, try your hand at one of the board games available to play—or just sip your coffee and relax as the day begins.

The Tomato Place
($): This is where to go if you want to see a true mastery of tomatoes, Southern-style. Try the fried tomato BLT or the pork rinds—and take a look at the fresh local produce for sale!

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
($$): If you’ve been looking for all things chocolate, look no further: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has everything you could hope for and more! Whether you try one of their caramel apples or go straight for the chocolate, you won’t regret it.

Memphis, TN

Why go to Memphis

Where to eat in Memphis

The Arcade Restaurant
($$): The Arcade has been around since 1919 and is the oldest cafe in the city. It’s got a hip 1950s look that’s been preserved for almost 70 years! If you want your breakfast with a side of history, The Arcade is a must-visit.

Central BBQ
($$): No one does barbecue like
Tennessee
. Central BBQ proves it with ribs that practically fall off the bone and pulled pork sandwiches bursting with flavor. Heads up that there’s a line—so make sure you arrive before the dinner rush!

La Michoacana
($): This is the best ice cream in Memphis—and possibly in the whole state of Tennessee. You can go for the traditional flavors, why not try something unique like pine nut, guava, or cucumber chili? If you’re looking for a sweet ending to a long day, you can’t do better than La Michoacana.

Nashville, TN

Why go to Nashville

Where to eat in Nashville

Nashville Biscuit House
($$): If there’s one thing you absolutely have to try while you’re in Nashville, it’s the biscuits. A classic hole-in-the-wall, Nashville Biscuit House might not look like much. Inside, though, expect classic Southern food cooked perfectly, fantastic service, and the softest, fluffiest biscuits you’ve ever had.

Peg Leg Porker BBQ
($$): Not much can beat Tennessee barbecue, and Peg Leg Porker is one of the top! With plenty of patio seating, tender ribs, and the best coleslaw in the city, it’s a must-visit.

Mattheessen’s
($$): Cookies, cakes, and fudge, and it’s open late? You better believe it! A local institution since 1993, Mattheessen’s is the perfect place to go for delicious desserts—including cookies that are as big as your head.

Decatur, AL

Where to eat in Decatur

Whisk’D Cafe
($$): With local ingredients and seasonally inspired menus, Whisk’D takes Southern fare and elevates it to another level. The spot is decorated with local art and offers free coffee.

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que
($$): This is one of the holy grails of Gulf Coast barbecue! Started by railroad worker Bob Gibson in 1925, this restaurant is almost 100 years old and is still serving up some of the best ribs, brisket, and pulled pork around. If you’re in Decatur, you absolutely cannot miss Big Bob’s.

Morgan Price Candy Company
($$): Morgan Price started as a mail-order business in 1987 and has grown into a small-batch chocolatier with a Decatur storefront. If you’re looking for some of the best sweets around, this is the place to go!

Savannah, GA

Why go to Savannah

Where to eat in Savannah

22 Square Restaurant
($$$): Shrimp and grits is a classic food just about everywhere in the South, but 22 Square takes it to another level. Here, you’ll find fresh food, friendly staff, and some of the best shrimp and grits around.

The Grey
($$$): The Grey is pricey, but it’s more than worth it to taste the food! Not only will their elevated Southern fare be some of the best you’ve tasted, but they take Southern hospitality to a new level. Expect to feel right at home as you’re eating food worthy of a master chef.

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar
($$): If you’re looking for delicious desserts and some over-21 fun, check out Lulu’s Chocolate Bar! A bakery, bar, and restaurant all in one, Lulu’s offers delicious drinks and baked goods. If you’ve got a sweet tooth to satisfy, this is the place to do it.

Charleston, SC

Why go to Charleston

Where to eat in Charleston

Virginia’s on King
($$): If you’re in the mood for a delicious traditional breakfast elevated to new Charleston heights, you can’t miss Virginia’s on King. This is the place to be for a true down-home Southern breakfast that will leave you energized for the day ahead.

Hannibal’s Kitchen
($): For Charleston seafood and barbecue, you can’t beat Hannibal’s Kitchen. This spot is a little off the beaten path, but you’ll find delicious food (at a reasonable price!) and a beautiful interior with lots of art on the walls.

Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar
($$): An Italian dessert place in the middle of Charleston? You’d better believe it. Carmella’s is located in one of the most famous culinary districts of Charleston and serves pastries, cakes, and cookies.

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