EatLafayette, the long-standing initiative promoting locally owned restaurants in Lafayette, is evolving to better support the local dining scene year-round. Originally launched 21 years ago to drive restaurant traffic during the slower summer months, EatLafayette has grown into a well-recognized campaign fostering community engagement and culinary exploration.

As consumer dining habits and restaurant needs have shifted, EatLafayette is transitioning from its traditional membership model to a new, inclusive partnership approach. The revised model allows all locally owned restaurants to participate in EatLafayette at no cost, benefiting from year-round promotion on EatLafayette.com and LafayetteTravel.com, as well as ongoing social media features, newsletters, and blog content.

Key Updates to EatLafayette

  • No Membership Fees – Any locally owned restaurant can join EatLafayette for free by submitting an application at LafayetteTravel.com/EatLafayette/Registration/.
  • Year-Round Promotion – Restaurants will be featured in monthly newsletters, daily social media posts, and EatLafayette.com.
  • Annual Promotional Calendar – The campaign will focus on different restaurant categories each month, such as King Cake in January, Crawfish in April, and Gumbo in November.
  • Expanded Collaboration – EatLafayette will partner with community events and festivals to provide more exposure for local restaurants.
  • Tiered Promotional Opportunities – Restaurants can opt into enhanced marketing packages, which include featured listings, social media collaborations, and content creation services.

“Lafayette’s love for locally owned restaurants hasn’t diminished, but how we support them is evolving,” said Ben Berthelot, President and CEO of Lafayette Travel. “By transitioning to a more inclusive model, we can better serve our restaurants, highlight their unique offerings, and integrate them into the broader cultural and culinary events that define our region.”

Restaurants that previously participated in the membership-based model are encouraged to renew their partnership under the new system to ensure continued inclusion in promotional efforts. Additionally, businesses interested in enhanced exposure can explore tiered advertising packages that provide premium visibility across digital platforms and publications.

Want to learn more about EatLafayette and how your restaurant can get involved?

Check out this quick overview of Lafayette Travel and EatLafayette to see how we support local businesses year-round. Dive into the history of the EatLafayette campaign and discover how it’s evolved into one of the region’s most impactful initiatives for independently owned-restaurants. Ready to join the movement? Watch this short clip and sign your restaurant up today!