It’s no secret that great food can be found all over Mississippi. It’s just too bad there isn’t a trail that showcases the state’s best restaurants and regional delicacies. Oh, wait, there is – the Mississippi Culinary Trail. Created in 2010 by the Mississippi Development Authority’s Division of Tourism, the trail highlights Mississippi’s cultural and culinary history. The tasty trail includes dozens of stops in each region of the state, allowing everyone from locals who are looking to discover something new to culinary enthusiasts to eat their way through Mississippi.
Here’s a small taste of the amazing restaurants you’ll find along the way.
- Hills Region – Taylor Grocery, Taylor
Brian M./Yelp
Candace B./Yelp
MarkTravel616/TripAdvisor Located just miles from the food-centric city of Oxford, you’ll find the small town of Taylor, which has garnered a reputation all its own when it comes to great food. In business for decades, Taylor Grocery has quickly become a local favorite, and is now so well-known, it’s often referred to simply as “that catfish place.” But it’s not only locals that love the restaurant; Taylor Grocery has been featured in several publications and has been hailed the “south’s best catfish house” by Southern Foodways Alliance.
- Delta Region – Airport Grocery, Cleveland
Donna H./Yelp
Airport Grocery Eat Place/Facebook
Airport Grocery Eat Place/Facebook If it’s authentic local cuisine you’re after, you can’t go wrong with a stop at this iconic Delta eatery. The one-time grocery store has been operating as a restaurant since 1992, serving up smoky barbecue, perfectly fried catfish and mouthwatering hot tamales that are made using a decades’ old recipe.
- Pines Region – Oby’s, Starkville
Richard L./Yelp
Oby’s Cajun Restaurant/Facebook
Liz R./TripAdvisor Opened since 1976, Oby’s is a must when in northern Mississippi. The Cajun-inspired menu features everything from jambalaya and red beans and rice to an authentic Muffaletta and a variety of po’ boys, including the restaurant’s famous alligator po’boy.
- Capital/River Region – Brent’s Drugs, Jackson
Johnny G./FourSquare
Shana S./Yelp
Brent’s Drugs/Facebook If this Jackson diner looks familiar that’s because it’s where several scenes from the movie “The Help” were filmed. And it’s not only Hollywood that’s noticed the allure of the nostalgic eatery. Brent’s Drugs has been included in “Travel and Leisure’s” list of best diners. If you do stop by, be sure to try the diner’s signature pimento cheese, egg, and olive sandwich.
- Coastal Region – Mary Mahoney’s, Biloxi
Amy Shepherd Allmand
30EATS/FourSquare
Mary Mahoney’s/Facebook Housed in one of the country’s oldest homes, Mary Mahoney’s is practically a state landmark. Over the years, this stop along the Mississippi Culinary Trail has garnered a reputation for its amazing fare of seafood, steaks, and French cuisine - all of which can be enjoyed in one of the many dining rooms or beautiful courtyard.
Ready to go on this delicious journey? Click here for a map of the Mississippi Culinary Trail. Ever dined at any restaurant’s on the trail? We want to hear about your experience. Tell us about it in the comments section.
Brian M./Yelp
Candace B./Yelp
MarkTravel616/TripAdvisor
Located just miles from the food-centric city of Oxford, you’ll find the small town of Taylor, which has garnered a reputation all its own when it comes to great food. In business for decades, Taylor Grocery has quickly become a local favorite, and is now so well-known, it’s often referred to simply as “that catfish place.” But it’s not only locals that love the restaurant; Taylor Grocery has been featured in several publications and has been hailed the “south’s best catfish house” by Southern Foodways Alliance.
Donna H./Yelp
Airport Grocery Eat Place/Facebook
If it’s authentic local cuisine you’re after, you can’t go wrong with a stop at this iconic Delta eatery. The one-time grocery store has been operating as a restaurant since 1992, serving up smoky barbecue, perfectly fried catfish and mouthwatering hot tamales that are made using a decades’ old recipe.
Richard L./Yelp
Oby’s Cajun Restaurant/Facebook
Liz R./TripAdvisor
Opened since 1976, Oby’s is a must when in northern Mississippi. The Cajun-inspired menu features everything from jambalaya and red beans and rice to an authentic Muffaletta and a variety of po’ boys, including the restaurant’s famous alligator po’boy.
Johnny G./FourSquare
Shana S./Yelp
Brent’s Drugs/Facebook
If this Jackson diner looks familiar that’s because it’s where several scenes from the movie “The Help” were filmed. And it’s not only Hollywood that’s noticed the allure of the nostalgic eatery. Brent’s Drugs has been included in “Travel and Leisure’s” list of best diners. If you do stop by, be sure to try the diner’s signature pimento cheese, egg, and olive sandwich.
Amy Shepherd Allmand
30EATS/FourSquare
Mary Mahoney’s/Facebook
Housed in one of the country’s oldest homes, Mary Mahoney’s is practically a state landmark. Over the years, this stop along the Mississippi Culinary Trail has garnered a reputation for its amazing fare of seafood, steaks, and French cuisine - all of which can be enjoyed in one of the many dining rooms or beautiful courtyard.
Looking for another tasty trail? We covered the state’s Hot Tamale Trail in “These 10 Restaurants Serve The Best Hot Tamales In Mississippi.“
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