It’s no secret that the food and bar scene of Downtown has exploded into an exciting array of tastes and flavors, which makes it the perfect foundation to build your own tour. Make it all restaurants, all bars, or a mixture of both – however you choose to spend your day or night Downtown, it’ll be an adventure the ultimate foodie and cocktail enthusiast will enjoy.
Spoonbill Watering Hole and Restaurant
900 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 0585
Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 10pm; Sunday 10am – 2pm
Spoonbill is all about seafood and southern comfort in an open kitchen restaurant. With neon lights outside the restaurant has the vibe of a modern diner, which is fitting, given their most ordered entrée is the 44 Farms Cheeseburger. With many cocktails, beer, and wine options to pair your entrée with, they also offer mocktails for those that want the taste but not the alcohol.
Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant
631 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 232 – 0070
Lunch: Friday 11am – 2pm
Dinner: Tuesday – Thursday 5pm – 10pm; Friday – Saturday 5pm – 11pm
Flavors of traditional Spain fused with international tastes are the magic of Pamplona. This restaurant features tapas-style plates, while also offering lunch and dinner entrees. Styled to be reminiscent of Hemingway’s favorite haunts, you’ll be captivated once you step into the restaurant and calling it your favorite as soon as you get your hands on their leather-bound cocktail booklet.
Vestal Restaurant
555 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 0682
Oyster & Cocktail Bar: Tuesday – Thursday 4pm – 11pm; Friday – Saturday 4pm – 12pm
Kitchen: Tuesday – Thursday 5pm – 9pm; Friday – Saturday 5pm – 10:30pm
Vestal is a modern and elegant restaurant that features live-fire cooking, a raw oyster bar, and unique craft cocktails. Their menu items are fresh and sustainably sourced Gulf seafood and non-seafood dishes, while their cocktails have elements of the wood-burning hearth. Named after “Vesta,” the Roman goddess of the hearth, home, and family, Vestal has a warming and comforting atmosphere that welcomes everyone.
Carpe Diem!
812 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 4144
Monday – Thursday 8am – 9pm; Friday 8am – 11pm; Saturday 9am – 11pm; Sunday 9am – 9pm
Carpe Diem lives up to their name by seizing Downtown Lafayette as the one-stop-shop for all your dining needs. What began as a gelato and espresso bar has grown into a full-fledged dining spot with house-made gelato, crepes, gluten-free pastries, wine, and craft cocktails - all tucked into a quaint and cozy corner spot.
Pop’s Poboys
740 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 0621
Monday – Wednesday 10:30am – 2pm; Thursday – Saturday 10:30am – 9pm
Pop's always knows how to please a crowd with their exciting poboy twists, taking our local favorite to new heights. They deliver genuine food and great drinks in a low-key setting, making their craft the main attraction. It doesn't stop there, though; if poboys aren't your thing, they also offer big appetizer and salad portions that are enough to fill anyone up. Wash it all down with one of their cocktails to get the ultimate Pop's experience.
Hideaway on Lee
407 Lee Ave. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 484 – 1141
Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 2pm; Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday 5pm – 10pm; Friday – Saturday 5pm – 11pm
Cool and classic, Hideaway on Lee is a bar/restaurant/music venue inspired by old hotel bars and the intimate vibe of a Louisiana dance house. Their kitchen stays true to Americana by serving classic and regional takes on the burger, as well as throwing in their recipes. No meal would be complete without pairing it with one of their seasonal cocktails. If you're leaning towards a nostalgic feel, substitute the cocktail for an ice cream float.
Wild Child Wines
210 E. Vermilion St. Lafayette, LA 70501
Tuesday – Thursday 1pm – 7pm; Friday – Saturday 1pm – 8pm
Lafayette's very own friendly neighborhood wine shop, Wild Child Wines, is dedicated to small production, organic, and biodynamic, natural wines, meaning goodness is in every bottle. If that didn't sell you, they even host a pizza pop-up called Only Child Pizza as well as the occasional event. Stop in for a glass, and you'll be sure to leave with a bag of bottles and new friends.
CENTRAL Pizza & Bar
423 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 0887
Monday – Saturday 11am – 11pm
Wood-fired pizzas are the soul of this modern rustic Italian restaurant. Not only do they cater to both red and non-red sauce lovers, but they also cater to all sorts of drinkers. From house wines to specialty cocktails to draft and bottled beer, they ensure everyone has something to sip on in-between bites. To complete your meal, check out their dessert drinks. Espresso martini, anyone?
Wurst Biergarten
537 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 4612
Tuesday – Thursday 4pm – 12am; Friday – Saturday 4pm – 2am; Sunday 12pm – 12am
If you're looking for an outdoor family and dog-friendly place to grab a drink and a bite, look no further than the Wurst Biergarten. With over 20 draft beer options and over 40 imports, domestics, ciders, wines, seltzers, kombucha, and seasonal rotating options, the Wurst is the best. They're also in a prime location if you're looking for a place to hang out or drink before and after dinner.
Tsunami
412 Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 234 – 3474
Tuesday – Thursday 11am – 10pm; Friday 11am – 11pm; Saturday 12pm – 11pm
Tsunami is your unconventionally cool sushi restaurant, exemplified by their Dorito nacho cheese-crusted sushi roll. They keep the traditional Japanese offerings, but with a touch of southern Louisiana flair, like incorporating crawfish, alligator, and soft-shell crab to their menu items. Their cocktails are smartly mixed with flavors that complement their unique menu.
Whisper Room
302 A Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 8233
Tuesday – Thursday 11am – 6pm & 6:05pm – 10pm; Friday – Saturday 11am – 6pm & 6:05pm -11pm; Sunday 11am – 5pm
Tucked inside of Beausoleil Books, the Whisper Room is a comfy speakeasy-style bar that caters to everyone by offering craft cocktails, classic cocktails, mocktails, wine, and nonalcoholic drinks. Order one (or all 5) of their specialty crepes or a charcuterie board and grab a book. When you're here, time slows to a peaceful crawl.
Rêve Coffee Roasters
200 A Jefferson St. Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534 – 8336
Monday – Wednesday 7am – 7pm; Thursday -Friday 7am – 9pm; Saturday 8am – 9pm
This contemporary coffee shop is a locally owned micro-coffee roaster that creates signature and specialty drinks for all seasons and occasions. They also offer house-baked pastries alongside their breakfast and lunch items. Rêve's atmosphere is open and airy, making it a perfect place to meet with friends or get work done.