Mississippi restaurants have everything from gourmet lunches in a historic plantation house to down-home country at a local diner. Pull up a chair and get ready for a culinary experience.
Group planners building a Mississippi itinerary will find there’s no limit to quality dining options. From Jackson and Vicksburg to Natchez and Biloxi, here are a few Mississippi restaurants to get you started.
Jackson
Mayflower Cafe, Jackson
An option for smaller groups, the Mayflower is within walking distance of the Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown. Opened in 1935, the Mayflower has continuously served good food and is well known for its highly-acclaimed salad dressing Comeback Sauce. The restaurant was featured in the films Ghosts of Mississippi and The Help.
Bully’s Restaurant, Jackson
This local favorite has served the community for more than 30 years with unassuming, traditional soul food, including beef ribs, catfish, fried chicken and ham hocks. Bully’s is small, including the parking lot, and services hungry folks on their way home from work.
Parlor Market, Jackson
Groups are welcome for lunch and dinner at this Capitol Street landmark. The restaurant is housed in a building that once served as a grocery store called Parlor Market. Fresh produce and cured meats were the store’s specialties, and that tradition continues today using locally grown product. There’s group seating from 20-100.
Vicksburg
10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill, Vicksburg
The setting is casual and the view is outstanding as you gaze over the city. Putting a new spin on traditional Southern cooking, both the lunch and dinner menus offer a wide variety of small plates, salads and entrees. When it comes to views among Mississippi restaurants, it’s hard to beat those from 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill.
Walnut Hills Restaurant, Vicksburg
It’s good old-fashioned cooks and servers in a homey setting that continue to make Walnut Hills a Vicksburg and Southern favorite for lunch and dinner. Specialties include Herdcine’s fried chicken, homemade biscuits and salad dressings, and cornbread from scratch. Save room for the famous cakes and pies. The Nogales House at Walnut Hills is perfect for fine dining in a Victorian venue.
Natchez
Restaurant 1818 at Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens, Natchez
A National Historic Landmark, this 19th century antebellum mansion is the only one featuring a restaurant inside. Group lunch menus including appetizer, salad, entree and dessert can be prepared and are a culinary delight. Meals are served in what used to be the men’s and women’s parlors. Small groups of 8-12 are invited to dine in the main dining room. Tours of the home and grounds, along with lunch, should be a part of every Natchez itinerary.
Rolling River Reloaded, Natchez
For any group planning an evening of downtown Natchez entertainment, this is the place to begin. The menu includes Southern specialties like shrimp & grits and thick-cut pork chop. The venue can accommodate up to 150 guests when booking as a group, and special catering menus are available. Stroll Main Street at your own pace and check out other venues for local musical offerings. It’s only a 5-minute walk for groups staying at the Natchez Grand Hotel.
The Castle Restaurant and Pub at Dunleith Historic Inn, Natchez
Built in the 1790s as Dunleith’s stable and carriage house, the structure resembles a castle. For lunch there are daily specials or a variety of choices to develop a group menu. The dinner menu is equally as flexible, and the Buttermilk Fried Lobster Tail and Shrimp and Grits are well worth a taste.
Biloxi
Mary Mahoney’s Old French House, Biloxi
For more than 50 years Mary Mahoney’s has been welcoming guests to a home built in 1737. The charm and character of the building are the perfect setting for a tasteful dining experience. Upscale lunch and dinner group menus can be arranged. Wherever your tastes take you, be certain to include Mary Mahoney’s Famous Gumbo. Parties of 10 or more should call to reserve space and discuss menu options.
With so many delicious flavors and regional specialties to enjoy, Mississippi restaurants are a delight to the senses, offering something for everyone. Bon appétit!
By Dave Bodle – Header image: Bully’s Restaurant
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