Ask a Mississippian and they’ll undoubtedly have a suggestion about a great local restaurant. Boasting charm, history, and some of the best, most underrated food in the state, small town joints have got it all. So, the next time you’re searching for a new favorite spot, check out one of these 11 scrumptious restaurants in Mississippi that you (probably) never even knew existed.
- TriBecca Allie Café (216 S Main St., Sardis)
Kim T./Yelp
Kim T./Yelp Housed in a quaint historic building, this small town café serves mouthwatering pizza, which has been named the second best in the entire country. Aside from a variety of specialty pies, the menu also includes calzones, sandwiches, and daily specials.
- Bill’s Creole and Steak Depot (471 Railroad Ave., Flora)
Bill’s Creole and Steak Depot/Facebook
Shane T./Yelp A small town, Flora is home to the Petrified Forest, about 2,000 residents, and this amazing eatery. In business for years, Bill’s serves up a mouthwatering fare, which includes everything from steaks and seafood to Creole-inspired dishes, such as crawfish etouffee, gumbo, and red beans and rice.
- The Crown (112 Front Ave., Indianola)
Jaded-Bird/TripAdvisor
The Crown/Facebook In business for over 40 years, this Indianola staple offers a “new southern” fare, which includes a variety of soups, sandwiches, and main dish specialties. Much more than a restaurant, The Crown also includes an expansive shop that’s filled with original Delta art, toys, gifts, food, and books.
- Binke’s Restaurant (414 39th Ave., Meridian)
Binke’s Restaurant/Yelp
Binke’s Restaurant/Yelp Referred to as “Soul Food Heaven,” this Meridian favorite has been in business for years, serving up a buffet of southern favorites, like fried chicken and smothered pork chops. All made from scratch, the savory soul food is as authentic as you can get.
- The Bakery and Café (118 W Franklin St., Carthage)
Scuba600/TripAdvisor
The Bakery and Café Carthage MS/Facebook Whether you’re craving a hearty meal or fresh baked goods, The Bakery and Café can deliver. In business for more than two decades, the charming eatery has quickly become a local favorite, known for its home cooked meals and delicious cakes, cookies, and candies.
- Main Street Café (119 E Main St., Collins)
Quinton/Zomato
Conner B./Yelp Eat to your heart’s content at this café, where you’ll find a delicious buffet overflowing with home cooked southern classics as well as a menu full of sandwiches, hamburgers, and salads.
- Shady Acres (624 Highway 49 in Seminary)
shadyacresvillage.com
Tammy M./Yelp As charming as the name sounds, this Seminary landmark includes a bakery, gift shop, general store, and restaurant. The family-style eatery offers a mouthwatering fare that includes everything from fried seafood and po’ boys to old-fashioned burgers and barbecue.
- Cravin’ Catfish (242 1st Ave., Sherman)
Chris L./TripAdvisor
Chris L./TripAdvisor Be sure to bring your appetite when visiting this Sherman fish house, which features a huge buffet filled with perfectly seasoned catfish along with plenty of tasty sides, such as fried green tomatoes, vegetables, Cole slaw, onion rings, French fries, and macaroni and cheese.
- Larry’s Fish House (4238 MS-7, Itta Bena)
google.com
MichaelFussell/TripAdvisor Opened since 1996, this family-run restaurant features an all-you-can-eat buffet overflowing with catfish, which is served fried, baked, and grilled, along with fried chicken, ribs, and a variety of vegetables.
- Cottage Tea Room (9 Front St., Coffeeville)
Cottage Tea Room/Yelp
Cottage Tea Room/Yelp Despite being in business for less than 10 years, Cottage Tea Room is already a local favorite, and after just one bite of the amazing food, you’ll see why. Visit for lunch, and you’ll be treated to soups, sandwiches, and home cooked specials. At dinner time, you’ll find a variety of mouthwatering steaks and seafood.
- Mama’s Kitchen (934 North Church Street, Florence)
Quinton/Zomato
Neal/Zomato Mama’s Kitchen may not look like much on the outside but inside you’ll find a buffet loaded with southern favorites, like pork chops, fried chicken, vegetables, and more. Keep in mind, Mama’s Kitchen is a popular “after church” spot, so it tends to get pretty crowded on Sundays.
Have you dined at any of the restaurants listed above? Have another to add to the list? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Kim T./Yelp
Housed in a quaint historic building, this small town café serves mouthwatering pizza, which has been named the second best in the entire country. Aside from a variety of specialty pies, the menu also includes calzones, sandwiches, and daily specials.
Bill’s Creole and Steak Depot/Facebook
Shane T./Yelp
A small town, Flora is home to the Petrified Forest, about 2,000 residents, and this amazing eatery. In business for years, Bill’s serves up a mouthwatering fare, which includes everything from steaks and seafood to Creole-inspired dishes, such as crawfish etouffee, gumbo, and red beans and rice.
Jaded-Bird/TripAdvisor
The Crown/Facebook
In business for over 40 years, this Indianola staple offers a “new southern” fare, which includes a variety of soups, sandwiches, and main dish specialties. Much more than a restaurant, The Crown also includes an expansive shop that’s filled with original Delta art, toys, gifts, food, and books.
Binke’s Restaurant/Yelp
Referred to as “Soul Food Heaven,” this Meridian favorite has been in business for years, serving up a buffet of southern favorites, like fried chicken and smothered pork chops. All made from scratch, the savory soul food is as authentic as you can get.
Scuba600/TripAdvisor
The Bakery and Café Carthage MS/Facebook
Whether you’re craving a hearty meal or fresh baked goods, The Bakery and Café can deliver. In business for more than two decades, the charming eatery has quickly become a local favorite, known for its home cooked meals and delicious cakes, cookies, and candies.
Quinton/Zomato
Conner B./Yelp
Eat to your heart’s content at this café, where you’ll find a delicious buffet overflowing with home cooked southern classics as well as a menu full of sandwiches, hamburgers, and salads.
shadyacresvillage.com
Tammy M./Yelp
As charming as the name sounds, this Seminary landmark includes a bakery, gift shop, general store, and restaurant. The family-style eatery offers a mouthwatering fare that includes everything from fried seafood and po’ boys to old-fashioned burgers and barbecue.
Chris L./TripAdvisor
Be sure to bring your appetite when visiting this Sherman fish house, which features a huge buffet filled with perfectly seasoned catfish along with plenty of tasty sides, such as fried green tomatoes, vegetables, Cole slaw, onion rings, French fries, and macaroni and cheese.
google.com
MichaelFussell/TripAdvisor
Opened since 1996, this family-run restaurant features an all-you-can-eat buffet overflowing with catfish, which is served fried, baked, and grilled, along with fried chicken, ribs, and a variety of vegetables.
Cottage Tea Room/Yelp
Despite being in business for less than 10 years, Cottage Tea Room is already a local favorite, and after just one bite of the amazing food, you’ll see why. Visit for lunch, and you’ll be treated to soups, sandwiches, and home cooked specials. At dinner time, you’ll find a variety of mouthwatering steaks and seafood.
Quinton/Zomato
Neal/Zomato
Mama’s Kitchen may not look like much on the outside but inside you’ll find a buffet loaded with southern favorites, like pork chops, fried chicken, vegetables, and more. Keep in mind, Mama’s Kitchen is a popular “after church” spot, so it tends to get pretty crowded on Sundays.
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out “These 8 Little Known Restaurants In Mississippi Are Hard To Find But Worth The Search.“
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