Mississippi wears its heart on its plates. Big Southern flavors and authentic hospitality reign from the blues-soaked juke joints along the Mississippi River to the breezy seafood shacks of the coast. The best way to get a bite is to hop in the car and follow this culinary road map.
Begin in Clarksdale at a Delta legend: Abe’s Bar-B-Q, where you can sup on colossal pulled-pork plates. Then, journey a few blocks farther to Ground Zero Blues Club to hear some of the best blues greats in the biz.
Fueled by pork-driven perfection, head east to Oxford and make a worthy detour at Snackbar, the globally inspired Southern gem with fare from James Beard Award winner Vishwesh Bhatt. Here, tradition meets invention reimagined with Southern soul in dishes like tomato puri chaat—a savory Bangalore street food topped with chutney and yogurt—and redfish en papillote, in a fragrant coconut masala.
As you venture deeper into Mississippi, pause in Starkville’s lively Cotton District for a casual bite at Bin 612—whether you have a shrimp po’boy or a decadent patty melt panini, it’s a satisfying stop before calling it a day. Double back toward the Delta, and you’ll find that every pocket of Mississippi holds its own among the culinary standouts. Case in point: Greenville’s endearingly named Doe’s Eat Place. Housed in a former 1900s grocery store, this unassuming institution has earned cult status for its
hearty Delta tamales and legendary steaks.
Mississippi’s capital city, Jackson, also commands culinary attention. It has a dining scene as rich as its history. You’ll want to make time for Hal and Mal’s, a cornerstone of the city’s live music scene for decades. Housed in a former GM&O freight depot, the restaurant and music venue dishes up gumbo and fried catfish as an eclectic blend of artists take the stage.
Heading west to Vicksburg, where Civil War history runs deep, visitors can find modern-day delights at 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill. It pairs sweeping views with elevated Southern favorites, making it beloved by locals and history buffs alike. But this road trip isn’t over.
Continue to Meridian, located near the Alabama border, and you’ll be rewarded with the discovery of the oldest operating restaurant in the state: Weidmann’s Restaurant. Since 1870, it has set visitors right with classic takes on fried green tomatoes and boudin-stuffed pork chops. Such a feast requires a place to rest, so continue toward the coast, stopping in Hattiesburg for a pick-me-up at Ed’s Burger Joint, where a Magic Mushroom burger ought to be enough to power you to the Gulf. In Biloxi, White Pillars, chef Austin Sumrall’s refined restaurant, located in a historic mansion, will remind you what fine dining is all about with wood-grilled Gulf fish and Biloxi Hot French Hermit oysters. Then close out the drive in Ocean Springs at Vestige with a seasonally inspired, locally sourced multicourse tasting to cap off your journey.
Make a reservation for Mississippi’s best flavors at VisitMississippi.org
