WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar
One of the first chefs in town to stress local, farm-sourced ingredients, Nathan Gresham helms this Mid City bistro dedicated to changing the way Baton Rouge eats. beausoleilrestaurantandbar.com
Blend
Baton Rouge’s young and beautiful congregate at this downtown wine bar to consume cocktails, wine flights, and cheese and charcuterie plates. blendbr.com
The Cove
According to proprietor Tom Ange, “two ingredients and ice do not make a cocktail.” With one of the nation’s largest liquor libraries and a beer selection to rival anything in Louisiana, he would know. portroyalcove.com
Dolce Vita
Bogdan Mocanu wood-fires traditional and Southern-inspired pizzas from his mobile brick oven. facebook.com/WoodFiredPizzaBR
Juban’s
Chef Jaime Hernandez gives this culinary landmark a gentle update—focusing on farm-fresh ingredients. jubans.com
Latte e Miele
Made daily using traditional Italian techniques, Latte e Miele’s artisan gelati and sorbets make it impossible to stop at one scoop. latteemiele.com.sg
Photo: Amy Dickerson
Magpie Cafe’s “biscones.”
Magpie Café
West Coast–style pour-over coffees and sandwiches built from farmers’ market finds dot the menu at this Perkins Road standout. facebook.com/magpiecafe.brla
Port Royal
With a more-than-admirable beer selection, this hometown favorite adjoins the local Waffle House, making midnight breakfast a snap. portroyalcove.com
The Radio Bar
Sip classic and seasonal cocktails in the heart of the emerging Mid City neighborhood, and use your smartphone to have the “radio” play your favorite songs. theradiobar.com
Restaurant IPO
Chef Chris Wadsworth is transforming the long-neglected downtown dining scene with South Louisiana–stamped offerings such as Bon Temp Shrimp over crispy Asian noodles. restaurantipo.com
Tin Roof Brewing Co.
Stop by for free tours (and samples!) every Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Try the Voodoo Bengal Pale Ale; it pairs well with anything spicy. tinroofbeer.com
WHERE TO SLEEP
Photo: Amy Dickerson
Taste Makers
Bartender Ken Milo at Hotel Indigo.
Hotel Indigo
At the center of the newly rejuvenated and very walkable downtown, this dog-friendly boutique prop-erty has its own canine mascot: Huey, a spry Jack Russell terrier mix. ichotelsgroup.com
WHAT TO SEE & DO
The Baton Rouge Gallery
Located in the historic City Park Pavilion, this nonprofit contemporary art center is one of the oldest professional co-op galleries in the country. batonrougegallery.org
Mid City Shopping District
Browse this string of art, design, and antiques shops scattered in the warehouses along oak-shaded Government Street. midcitymerchants.org
Red Dragon Listening Room
On the Austin-to-Nashville circuit, this nonprofit live-music venue draws artists the likes of Rosanne Cash. Give a small donation and grab a couch. And don’t forget your cooler—Red Dragon is BYOB. greenfrogmusic.com/venues/red-dragon-listening-room
Red Stick Farmers Market
Rivaling New Orleans’ Crescent City Farmers Market as Louisiana’s most full-scale hub for local produce, Red Stick now has three locations and times to accommodate rising demand. redstickfarmersmarket.org
