Big dinners have their place, but sometimes a full-blown meal seems like too much. Enter small, passable nibbles, perfect for large groups, hot days, and light appetites. From Asian fusion to Spanish tapas, of course, Lafayette has everything in between. 

Palmyre

Palmyre is an upscale hang that is all about excess. From the patterned decor to complex drinks, Palmyre is where to go to see and be seen. Their food menu is also over the top. Indulge in luxe items like Royal Osciètre caviar with Zapps chips and vodka, plus raw preparations such as beef tartare and carpaccio, and voodoo tuna tartar.

Or if you are more into cheese-focused dishes, try the charcuterie slate, which features an assortment of cheese and honey-drizzled baked brie in phyllo. Palmyre also offers simple yet elevated comfort foods like truffled deviled eggs and pesto hummus, alongside fresh options such as burrata with heirloom tomatoes and smoked salmon spread.

The menu balances indulgent, sophisticated flavors with approachable presentations. Think Brie and Zapp’s. Many of the menu items are designed for sharing and pair well with cocktails or wine.

Blu Basil Asian Fusion

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Blu Basil - Bulgogi Beef Lettuce Wraps

While Blu Basil offers a full menu including entrees, their small plates and appetizers are really where this Asian fusion restaurant shines. The concept combines authentic Asian ingredients and flavors with Western preparations (think nachos, fries, lettuce wraps). 

Their menu features traditional Asian appetizers, including three variations of fresh Vietnamese spring rolls (Spring, Summer with grilled pork/shrimp, and Winter with tofu), plus classics like fried egg rolls, calamari, Korean BBQ short ribs, pork potstickers, and chicken satay. 

The small plates are where things get rowdy. They offer fusion dishes that blend Asian flavors with American concepts. Highlights include banh mi bites (one of my personal favorites), sriracha kimchi fries topped with bulgogi beef and a fried egg, bang bang shrimp, and bulgogi nachos with crab and kimchi. Don’t sleep on the bulgogi beef lettuce wraps - they are the perfect balance of sweet and savory but also light. A great dish when it’s too hot to eat anything else. 

Whiskey & Vine

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Whiskey & Vine

Whiskey & Vine is a whole vibe, and all that live music and vibing can stir up an appetite. This jazz club's small plates menu combines Louisiana regional specialties with upscale bar fare, perfect for pairing with drinks and cozy corner booth conversations.

What’s more shareable than a flatbread? Whiskey & Vine offers a few options: fig, garlic, brie, and tasso, or pepper jack with pepper jelly and bacon. Seafood-focused dishes showcase local ingredients, such as lump crabcakes with spicy aioli, butter-sautéed colossal crab claws with French bread, and fresh ahi tuna crudo with citrus ponzu and cucumber.

No jazz club would be complete without a charcuterie board. Whiskey & Vine's features the chef's daily selection of cured meats and cheeses, with southern touches like candied jalapeños and sweet pecans.

Dumpling Hour

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Dumpling Hour

Dumpling Hour is the latest addition to the Lafayette Asian food scene, and locals are loving it. Most of their menu features shareable and small plates. If you like food wrapped in other food - go to Dumpling Hour right now. A fan favorite is the green onion pancakes and pancake rolls filled with spicy beef or chashu pork. 

However, Dumpling Hour’s claim to fame is the Xiao Long Bao or soup dumplings. Imagine a little cloud filled with delicious soup, and when you pop it in your mouth, the little cloud bursts with flavor. They come in three options: chicken, pork, or pork with crab. 

Other don’t miss items include the spicy beef buns or sticky buns, pan-fried dumplings (potstickers), and the spicy Asian Chicken Cracklin. 

Pamplona Tapas Bar

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Pamplona Tapas Bar

Pamplona Tapas is precisely what it sounds like, a tapas bar, located in downtown Lafayette. The entire menu is small bites! A standout is the bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Valdeón blue cheese. The crowd favorite is the duck-fat fries. For something hearty, the house-made longoniza sausage with peppers is rich and smoky, while croquetas (potato or crab) are crisp little bites perfect with wine or sangria. Seafood lovers will want the garlic shrimp or the fried calamari. Save room for the smoked Gouda mac & cheese, but be ready to share, it’s small but rich. 

Tsunami Sushi

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Tsunami Sushi Food Spread

Tsunami is a downtown staple for sushi, but don’t skip over their appetizer and small plate section. Of course, they have sushi staples like Gyoza, while “Dumpling But Trouble” is their local take loaded with extra toppings. Seafood fans can snack on ika fries (crispy calamari strips) or shrimp paired with charred shishito peppers. For something a little different, try the eggplant miso, tempura eggplant tossed with shrimp in a sweet miso glaze, which offers a balance of salty, crunchy, and sweet. Tsunami also offers heartier small plates like a blackened salmon served with brown rice or grilled teriyaki chicken thighs. 

For a complete list of places serving small plates to satisfy your craving in Lafayette Parish, see below.

  • 1811 N. University Ave., Ste. 103
  • (985) 859-6577

Pies made from scratch! Whole and hand pies available for pick-up and delivery. Send a message or e-mail for more info!

  • 2484 W. Congress St.
  • (337) 534-4234

BJ’s Pizza, a Lafayette institution, opened in 1981. The name is based on card games, blackjack specifically. There are several items on the menu that have poker-inspired names, the Full House Pizza, Royal Flush, two of a kind and the gambler poboy. It started as a franchise, and…

  • 5451 Johnston St.
  • (337) 456-1120

Casual bar/eatery with a chill vibe & Asian/Vietnamese food, plus creative cocktails & live music.

  • 423 Jefferson St.
  • (337) 534-0887

Wood-fired pizzas & exceptional cocktails in the heart of downtown Lafayette, LA.

  • 113 Arnould Blvd.
  • (337) 366-1507

Graze, A household name is Acadiana's original cheese & charcuterie market. Known for their beautiful lavish platters, the store has expanded to provide the community with its first olive oil-tasting bar. The Graze Oil® bar features some of the finest ultra-premium extra virgin…

  • 215 Bertrand St.
  • (337) 237-8765

Your favorite bar in Acadiana for over a decade! We started off in 2003, with a single location. Now, almost a decade and a half later, we’re up to 9 unique locations and we have you, our amazing customers, to thank for that! Great atmosphere, amazing food, awesome people!

  • 110 Polk St.
  • (337) 504-3252

Legends is a fun, social, friendly environment that has a little something for everyone to enjoy. It's the home of our legendary burgers, wraps, quesadillas and it's built to last, thanks to our legendary staff! Proudly serving Lafayette since 2003 and looking forward to serving…

  • 201 Settlers Trace Blvd #3011
  • (337) 345-1466

A chic and cozy sanctuary for vin, apertifs and libations.

  • 631 Jefferson St.
  • (337) 232-0070

Hemingway, bullfighting, and flamenco married with superior Spanish wines and luscious small bites fashion a sophisticated culinary oasis in Downtown Lafayette. Cocktail hour all day Wednesday and Tu-F 2-7 p.m. We cater!

  • 114 A Derek Plaza Dr.
  • (337) 896-4757

One thing about Pizzaville is that you will be treated as a friend, and not just another customer. You know when you go there you will always be met with the same quality and hospitality as your previous visits. "Consistency is what it is all about"

  • 1 Degaulle Square
  • (337) 981-8085

Sometimes a restaurant opens to immediate, runaway success. The timing was right. The niche was carved. The vibe strikes a chord with the community and magic happens. This isn’t always the case. In fact it’s very rare. Some flop. Some flounder. Others endure a long developing…

  • 3901 Johnston St.
  • (337) 456-3274

There are great restaurants in Lafayette and fabulous bars as well, but Social Southern Table & Bar combines the two, offering a hip, innovative place to enjoy locally sourced cuisine, hand-crafted specialty cocktails and real Southern hospitality. “It's all about being true to…

  • 412 Jefferson St.
  • (337) 234-3474

Fine dining Japanese grill and sushi bar.

  • 555 Jefferson St.
  • (337) 534-0682

Vestal is the latest culinary venture located at 555 Jefferson, is housed in what was formerly Antlers, the oldest bar in the city of Lafayette, and is an elegant, modern space where diners can enjoy sustainably sourced fare alongside fresh Gulf seafood and a craft cocktail…

  • 507 W Pinhook Rd.
  • (337) 534-0662

Whiskey & Vine offers the perfect blend of New Orleans-inspired spirits, cuisine and music in one elegant venue — open daily in Lafayette, LA.

  • 226 St Nazaire Rd.
  • (337) 330-2504

YABBOS unique twist on convenience stores has made them even more convenient. Simply drive thru, order & pay, all without leaving your vehicle.

  • 730 I-10 S. Frontage Rd.
  • (337) 234-2528

New 2nd location now in Scott, off of I-10. Voted best boudin, best cracklins, best specialty meats. Specialty meats include stuffed chickens, pork chops, fresh smoked sausage, turkey rolls, etc. Daily grill and weekend BBQ a must-try.

  • 1911 Chemin Metairie Pkwy
  • 3375734169

Authentic Chinese and Asian‑inspired restaurant in Lafayette, Louisiana specializing in handmade dumplings and flavorful dishes in a cozy, casual setting. A perfect stop for dine‑in, takeout, or delivery when you’re craving fresh dumplings and tasty Asian comfort food.

  • 607 Kaliste Saloom Rd. A
  • (337) 534-4025

From-scratch bakery specializing in croissants, bomboloni, and other Viennese-style pastries.

  • 1919 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Ste. 303
  • (337) 769-3321

Indulge in the decadent small plates. Savor the handcrafted cocktails and unique spirits. Enjoy the best in live music and captivating ambiance.

  • 9611 Maurice Ave Suite 11
  • (337) 205-2337

Micro-bakery specializing in artisanal sourdough bread and French pastries including croissants, pain au chocolat, and brioche.