Mississippi’s dining scene is packed with flavor, history, and charm, offering food experiences as unique as the state itself. Known for its soul food, legendary barbecue, and fresh Gulf Coast seafood, this is a place where every meal tells a story.
Picture digging into ribs while listening to live blues at The Shed in Ocean Springs, or savoring fresh catfish with stunning bayou views at Cock of the Walk in Ridgeland. Craving something quirky? How about dining in an old gas station turned restaurant at Ajax Diner in Oxford?
From small-town gems to waterfront classics, Mississippi’s restaurants are more than just places to eat—they’re an adventure for your taste buds. In this guide, we’re exploring 17 unforgettable spots where food and culture collide in the heart of the South.
👉 Pro Tip: The Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Biloxi is the perfect mix of food, fun, and suspense! You’ll enjoy a delicious meal while solving a thrilling whodunit, complete with plot twists and hidden clues. Pay close attention to everything happening around you—the smallest detail could crack the case.
Unusual places to eat in MS
Ready to explore Mississippi’s best restaurants? We’ve got an incredible lineup of eateries, from historic homes serving Southern delicacies to quirky dive bars with live blues music. Join me as we uncover the most unique places to eat in Mississippi.
Ever thought about dining in a 200-year-old house or enjoying live music by the bayou? Or how about savoring mouth-watering barbecue in a spot filled with eclectic memorabilia? Mississippi’s dining scene is as vibrant and diverse as its landscapes and cultural heritage. Here’s your ultimate guide to the most unique restaurants in MS.
1. Mary Mahoney’s Old French House
- 📍 Location: Biloxi
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $70+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Creole / Seafood / Fine Dining
- 🔥 Standout Features: Historic French Colonial house (circa 1737), stunning courtyard with ancient oak, and classic upscale Creole cuisine.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic special occasions, lovers of historic charm and fine dining, and experiencing Gulf Coast elegance.
Step into a bygone era of Southern grace at Mary Mahoney’s Old French House in Biloxi. This legendary restaurant is housed in one of the oldest French Colonial homes in America (circa 1737!), and dining here feels like being invited to a grand, historic soiree. The centuries-old live oak tree in the courtyard is simply breathtaking.
For a truly memorable meal, indulge in their classic shrimp remoulade or the rich and flavorful seafood gumbo a la creole. The ambiance, steeped in history and Spanish moss, is as captivating as the cuisine. It’s a true Mississippi Gulf Coast treasure.
2. Walker’s Drive In
Located in the Fondren District of Jackson, Walker’s Drive In is a retro-style diner with major Fine Dining feels. The neon-lit facade leads you into a space filled with vintage charm, white tablecloths, and bustling energy. The must-try here is their Redfish Anna – a local legend for good reason – and the crab cakes are no slouch either. Go for a date night or anniversary, and don’t miss out on their house cocktails. Fondren has a ton of walkable galleries and cool indie shops, so you can wander after dinner. My last visit, the chef swung by tables joking with locals. It feels like the beating heart of Jackson’s restaurant scene.
3. Weidmann’s
- 📍 Location: Meridian
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern / American / Historic
- 🔥 Standout Features: Mississippi’s oldest restaurant (est. 1870), famous peanut butter crocks on every table, and classic Southern comfort food.
- 🎯 Perfect For: A taste of Mississippi culinary history, lovers of Southern classics, and anyone who enjoys peanut butter with their crackers!
Pull up a chair and experience a delicious piece of Mississippi history at Weidmann’s, the state’s oldest restaurant, serving folks in Meridian since 1870! This beloved institution is famous for its classic Southern fare and the iconic peanut butter crocks placed on every table (a tradition since the 1940s). The air is filled with the comforting aroma of home-style cooking.
You’ll definitely want to try their famous black bottom pie for dessert after enjoying hearty dishes like shrimp and grits or their classic fried green tomatoes. It’s a charming, unpretentious spot that’s packed with local flavor and heritage.
4. Big Bad Breakfast
Breakfast heroes, assemble: Big Bad Breakfast is a Mississippi-born institution that nails next-level morning classics. This Mid Town Shopping Center outpost has retro ‘50s diner energy, bright tiles, and cheeky menu names. You have to try the “Cathead” biscuits with gravy and their juicy sausage patties – don’t skip the spicy breakfast potatoes on the side. It gets lively on weekend mornings, so bring your crew or a book if you have to wait. The coffee refills never stopped coming. I honestly lost track of time in the best way.
5. Huck’s Cove on the Bayou
- 📍 Location: Gautier
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seafood / American / Cajun
- 🔥 Standout Features: Funky, super casual bayou shack vibe, waterfront dining with boat access, and fresh Gulf seafood.
- 🎯 Perfect For: A laid-back seafood feast, boaters looking for a bite, and enjoying a true taste of the Mississippi bayou.
Get ready for a down-on-the-bayou good time at Huck’s Cove on the Bayou in Gautier! This place is a gloriously funky, super casual seafood shack right on the water, where you can arrive by boat and kick back with some cold drinks and fresh catches. The salty air and the sound of lapping water create the perfect backdrop.
For a true taste of the Gulf, be sure to order a platter of their fresh boiled shrimp or some crispy fried oysters. It’s the kind of unpretentious, fun-loving spot where you can let your hair down and enjoy the simple pleasures of bayou life.
6. Yazoo Pass
In the heart of Clarksdale, Yazoo Pass is equal parts bakery, cafe, and locals’ hangout. Come for a decadent Southern brunch or flaky pastries – the lemon bars and cinnamon rolls just fly off the counter. Their avocado BLT is unexpectedly addictive, and you won’t find fresher sandwiches anywhere downtown. It feels like a cozy, sunlit library inside with mismatched chairs and big windows looking out on Delta blues murals. Step outside, and you’ll hit Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art (a must-see). I ended up chatting with two musicians at the next table over coffee. Everyone’s friendly – this place radiates community.
- Explore more Mississippi Delta blues heritage and attractions: Visit Mississippi
7. Darwell’s Cafe
- 📍 Location: Long Beach
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern / Soul Food / Eclectic
- 🔥 Standout Features: Quirky, art-filled diner with a laid-back vibe, amazing po’boys and seafood, and live blues music (often).
- 🎯 Perfect For: A casual and soulful meal, lovers of authentic po’boys and blues music, and experiencing true Gulf Coast character.
Step into a world of flavor, art, and soul at Darwell’s Cafe in Long Beach! This isn’t just a diner; it’s a vibrant, quirky institution packed with colorful local art, a super laid-back vibe, and some of the best Southern and seafood dishes on the coast. The aroma of simmering gumbo and frying seafood is irresistible.
You absolutely must experience their legendary shrimp creole po’boy or the rich and flavorful seafood gumbo. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch some live blues music that’ll feed your soul as much as the food feeds your belly.
8. Neon Pig Tupelo
If burger worship had a temple, it would be Neon Pig. This Tupelo staple uses their own butcher shop meats to create the legendary Smash Burger (“The Smash” is decadent – topped with Benton’s bacon, pickled onions, and comeback sauce). It’s a little industrial, with gleaming metal tables and walls graffitied by regulars. You can actually watch butchers prepping cuts or chat beef with the staff. Neon Pig is located a short drive from Elvis Presley’s Birthplace, so load up before sightseeing. I swear, every local I met insisted it’s the best burger in Mississippi, and now I get it.
9. The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint
- 📍 Location: Ocean Springs
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Barbecue / Blues Joint
- 🔥 Standout Features: Ramshackle, divey, and award-winning BBQ joint, live blues music, and a uniquely Mississippi atmosphere.
- 🎯 Perfect For: BBQ fanatics who love a good story, blues music aficionados, and an unpretentious, finger-lickin’ good time.
Get ready to get messy and musically moved at The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint in Ocean Springs! This legendary spot is a glorious, ramshackle collection of corrugated tin and “found” decor, serving up award-winning barbecue with a side of soulful live blues. The air is thick with the intoxicating aroma of slow-smoked meat and the sound of wailing guitars.
A trip here isn’t complete without devouring a rack of their fall-off-the-bone ribs or a heaping plate of pulled pork. It’s loud, it’s a little bit gritty, and it’s an absolute blast – pure, unadulterated Mississippi magic.
- You may also like: 12 Scenic Destinations in Mississippi You Need to See
10. La Brioche LLC
La Brioche is a sweet slice of Europe right in the heart of Jackson. The airy, elegant bakery smells like butter and sugar magic from the moment you walk in. They make real-deal French pastries – their almond croissants and macarons are Instagram stars, and the gelato counter pulls in crowds year-round. The pastel walls and marble counters feel straight out of a Paris café, and it’s the perfect chill spot for a solo treat or low-key catchup. Belhaven is nearby – take your pastries for a walk through tree-lined streets. I was blown away by their seasonal fruit tarts, which legit tasted like something flown in from France that morning.
11. Flamingo Landing
- 📍 Location: Gulfport
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern / American / Catfish
- 🔥 Standout Features: Extremely remote and rustic riverside fish camp, famous for its whole fried catfish, and a true, off-the-grid Delta experience.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters seeking an authentic Delta fish fry, lovers of rustic charm, and a truly memorable, off-the-beaten-path meal.
If you’re looking for a true taste of the Mississippi Delta, way off the beaten path, then set your GPS for Flamingo Landing. This incredibly remote and rustic riverside fish camp is legendary for one thing: its amazing whole fried catfish, crispy on the outside, flaky and sweet on the inside. The setting is as simple as it gets – think screened-in porches and the sounds of the river.
- Discover additional Gulf Coast dining and waterfront attractions: Mississippi Tourism
12. The Pig & Pint
If barbecue and craft beer are your love languages, put The Pig & Pint in Jackson’s Midtown on your radar. Epic smoked brisket tacos with house slaw seriously steal the show, and their pork belly corndogs are as fun as they sound. The vibe is easy going, with reclaimed wood, picnic tables on the patio, and murals splashed across the walls. The beer menu reads like a road trip through the South. It’s the kind of place where you roll up your sleeves and get messy. You can stroll to a couple of cool vintage shops after feasting. The smoky aroma follows you even after you leave – in a good way!
13. Vung Tau Vietnamese Cuisines
- 📍 Location: Biloxi
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Vietnamese
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic and flavorful Vietnamese dishes, beloved by locals (especially the shrimping community), and fresh, aromatic pho and noodle dishes.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Lovers of authentic Vietnamese food, seeking fresh and healthy options, and a taste of Southeast Asia on the Gulf Coast.
Get ready for a flavor explosion that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of Vietnam at Vung Tau Vietnamese Cuisines in Biloxi. This spot is a local favorite, cherished for its authentic, fresh, and incredibly flavorful Vietnamese dishes. The air is fragrant with star anise, cilantro, and simmering broths.
You’ll definitely want to try their amazing pho bo (beef noodle soup) or a vibrant bun thit nuong (grilled pork with vermicelli noodles). Their crispy cha gio (egg rolls) are also a must. It’s a true taste of Southeast Asia, right on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
14. Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach
If the phrase “vacation state of mind” had an address, it would be Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach. Bright colors, surf vibes, and a giant outdoor deck looking over the Gulf – you feel like you hopped to the islands for lunch. Order the Beach Nachos (loaded to the sky) or the Royal Reds, which are sweet Gulf shrimp only caught seasonally. The live music and super chill staff set a party tone. It’s literally steps from Biloxi Beach, so you can take a sunset stroll with a belly full of seafood. My tip: snag a table right by the railing for unbeatable views – I swear, even the cocktails taste better with a salty breeze.
15. Bozo’s Seafood Market and Deli
- 📍 Location: Pascagoula
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seafood / Po’Boys / Deli
- 🔥 Standout Features: Long-standing seafood market and deli (since 1956), legendary po’boys (especially shrimp and oyster), and a true local institution.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Po’boy purists, lovers of fresh Gulf seafood, and experiencing an iconic Mississippi culinary landmark.
If you’re on a quest for the ultimate Mississippi po’boy, look no further than Bozo’s Seafood Market and Deli in Pascagoula, a beloved institution since 1956! This place is legendary, part seafood market, part deli, and all delicious. The aroma of frying seafood and fresh bread is simply irresistible.
A visit here requires you to experience their incredible shrimp po’boy or the oyster po’boy, piled high on crusty bread and dressed to perfection. It’s a no-frills, utterly satisfying taste of Gulf Coast tradition.
16. The Historic Klondyke Trading Post
- 📍 Location: Vicksburg
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern / Soul Food / BBQ
- 🔥 Standout Features: Historic Delta general store and eatery (reportedly where W.C. Handy wrote some blues tunes), down-home Southern cooking, and a rich, bluesy history.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Blues history buffs, lovers of authentic Delta soul food, and a truly unique, off-the-beaten-path experience.
Step into a piece of Delta blues history at The Historic Klondyke Trading Post in Vicksburg. This legendary spot, a former general store and eatery, is steeped in local lore – it’s even said that W.C. Handy penned some of his famous blues tunes right here! The vibe is pure, unadulterated Delta soul.
Expect hearty, down-home Southern cooking like fried catfish, savory greens, and maybe even some barbecue. It’s a place where the food is as rich as the history, offering a true taste of the Mississippi Delta’s heart and soul.
- Learn more about Mississippi’s blues history: Mississippi Blues Trail
17. T-Bones Records & Cafe
- 📍 Location: Hattiesburg
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cafe / American / Eclectic
- 🔥 Standout Features: Combination independent record store and cafe, cool and laid-back atmosphere, and tasty, casual cafe fare.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Music lovers and vinyl collectors, a unique and casual lunch spot, and browsing records with a good cup of coffee.
Get your groove on (and your grub on!) at T-Bones Records & Cafe in Hattiesburg! This super cool spot is a brilliant fusion of an independent record store and a cozy cafe, making it a haven for music lovers and foodies alike. Browse the stacks of vinyl while sipping on a good cup of coffee and enjoying tasty, casual cafe fare.
Consider trying one of their creative sandwiches or a fresh salad. It’s the perfect place to discover some new tunes, enjoy a relaxed bite, and soak in a cool, indie vibe.
- For more restaurants just across state lines: 22 Unique Restaurants in Arkansas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Mississippi
Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Mississippi? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Mississippi’s most unique restaurants.
What food is Mississippi famous for?
Mississippi is famous for its soul food and Southern cuisine. You’ve got to try dishes like fried catfish, hushpuppies, Mississippi mud pie, and of course, its barbecue.
Is Mississippi a good place to live?
Yes, Mississippi is a great place to live. It offers a low cost of living, warm hospitality, and a rich cultural heritage, making it one of the top places to live and visit in the US. I recommend it to those who value community, history, and a slower pace of life.
What is the number one attraction in Mississippi?
The number one attraction in Mississippi is the Vicksburg National Military Park. It commemorates the Civil War’s Battle of Vicksburg and offers visitors a deep dive into America’s history.
What is one fun fact about Mississippi?
One fun fact about Mississippi is that it is the birthplace of the blues music genre. The state has given rise to legendary musicians like B.B. King and Muddy Waters.
