Here in Louisiana, there’s simply no shortage of delicious restaurants to uncover. However, it’s also true that many of our state’s best restaurants are known the world over. That’s why we’d like to present you with a list of the 12 most mouthwatering Louisiana restaurants that are hidden gems. In fact, these restaurants serve food so delicious you’d swear it should be illegal. See if you recognize any of the following delicious places to eat in Louisiana:

1. Pizza Artista (Lafayette)
Management/TripAdvisor
Pizza Artista/Facebook
Build your own pizza, and choose from countless fresh toppings. Their dough is made fresh daily and your pizza is fired over an open flame so you get that perfect crispy crust. This is hands down one of the best places to get a pizza in Lafayette. Pizza Artista is located at 5409 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA, 70503.
2. Real BBQ and More (Shreveport)
Anthony Solomon/Google Local
Real BBQ and More / Facebook
A family-owned BBQ restaurant that serves mouth watering, slow-cooked BBQ the way it should be done. Everything here is prepared with love, and you can taste the difference. Real BBQ and More can be found at 7828 Line Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71106.
3. Simple Joe (Baton Rouge)
Simple Joe/Facebook
Simple Joe Cafe
4. Rice and Roux (Baton Rouge)
Rice and Roux/Facebook
No list of the most mouthwatering Louisiana restaurants that are hidden gems is complete without a mention of Rice and Roux. This place is a local favorite for Baton Rouge residents. Try the gumbo, and thank us later. The address is 2158 O'Neal Lane, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70816.
5. Pita De' Novo (Shreveport)
Pita De' Novo/Google Local
If you want some excellent Mediterranean cuisine, this is the place to go. Pita De' Novo's offers a variety of Greek and Mediterranean specialties all at affordable prices. It's located at 8510 Youree Drive Shreveport, LA 71115.
6. Parkway Bakery and Tavern (New Orleans)
Parkway Bakery and Tavern/Facebook
Parkway Bakery and Tavern/Facebook
Parkway has been serving up delicious po' boy sandwiches for over a hundred years, and they are absolutely amazing. Parkway has been a New Orleans staple for years, and if you try their shrimp po' boy, you'll understand why. Look at how delicious it is! Parkway is located at 538 Hagan Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70119. For more information on this must-visit Louisiana restaurant, visit Parkway Bakery and Tavern online.
7. MAMA Reta's Kitchen (Lake Charles)
MAMA Reta's Kitchen LLC/Facebook

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MAMA Reta's Kitchen LLC/Facebook
MAMA Reta's kitchen is a family-owned restaurant serving up amazing home cooking, just like ya mama used to make. Just wait until you sample some of the fried chicken; it's legendary! This is Louisiana cuisine at its finest. MAMA Reta's Kitchen is located at 345 Broad Street, Lake Charles, LA, 70601.
8. Dat Dog (New Orleans)
JaneyL121 / TripAdvisor
Dat Dog / Facebook
This colorful little joint does one thing and does it well: hot dogs. Adventurous eaters will enjoy trying the alligator sausage hot dog, or a crawfish sausage dog. With 10 different types of sausages and over 30 'dog toppings, there's hundreds of combinations, so you can always come back and try something new. Dat Dog has multiple locations in New Orleans: 5030 Freret Street, 601 Frenchman Street, 3336 Magazine Street, and also inside the Lakeside Mall.
9. Cotten's Famous Hamburgers (Lake Charles)
Checktwice2309 / TripAdvisor
Melanie S / TripAdvisor
If you're looking for an old-fashioned burger, this is the place. Cotten's Famous Hamburgers has been serving the Lake Charles area for over 30 years ,and these burgers are so good they should be illegal. This beloved burger joint is located at 2001 Oak Park Boulevard, Lake Charles, LA, 70601.
10. Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant (Monroe)
Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant/Faceook
Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant/Faceook
Located in historic downtown Monroe, Warehouse No. 1 has amazing views and delicious steaks and seafood. Overlooking the Ouachita River, it's the perfect place to enjoy a romantic evening in Louisiana. The restaurant is located at 1 Olive Street, Monroe, LA, 71201.
11. Rita Mae's Kitchen (Morgan City)
Brandy DeLoach / Google
GE_Q/TripAdvisor
Rita Mae's Kitchen has been in business for over 20 years, serving up delicious Southern home cooking at its finest. No matter what you get, it'll be just as good as your grandma used to make. The Crawfish Etoufee (pictured here) is as authentic as it gets, and Rita Mae's po' boy sandwiches are legendary. This hidden gem of a restaurant in Louisiana is located at 711 Federal Avenue, Morgan City, LA, 70380
12. Coffee Rani (Covington)
Coffee Rani- Covington / Facebook
Coffee Rani Covington/Facebook
Louisiana is known for a lot of hearty, home-style cooking, so we thought we'd end things on a lighter note. Coffee Rani in Covington is the perfect spot when you're craving a light sandwich or a crisp salad. This place has amazing flavored teas as well! Be sure to grab an iced cold drink for the road. Located at 234 Lee Lane, Covington, LA, 70433.

Have you been to any of these restaurants? Do you agree that they’re some of the most mouthwatering Louisiana restaurants that are hidden gems? If any of your favorite spots missed the list, be sure to share them with us below.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Where can I find the best barbecue in Louisiana?

Whether you're planning a trip to Louisiana or you're lucky enough to be a resident of this beautiful state, you've likely got a place in your heart for delicious home-cooking. And no trip to Louisiana is complete without stopping at one of the many famous barbecue joints. If you're looking for the best barbecue in Louisiana, you'll want to start with any of the following establishments: BBQ West, Blue Oak BBQ, Brister's Smokehouse BBQ, Cou-yon's, Eddie's Smokehouse & Seafood, the Francis Smokehouse & Specialty Meats, Johnson's Boucaniere, Outlaw's Barbecue, Pimanyoli's, Smoke BBQ, and Hickory Stick. Learn more about these delicious barbecue restaurants in Louisiana.

Where can I go in Louisiana that only the locals know about?

There's no doubt about it; Louisiana is chock-full of tourists wanting to discover the best that the state has to offer. With so many beautiful landscapes, mouthwatering restaurants, and kind people to meet, who could blame them? Of course, you might be seeking out some places that aren't as likely to be crowded. Fortunately, we've scouted out some destinations in Louisiana that only the locals know about. Try any of the following places: Briarwood, Fairview Riverside State Park, Holly Beach, Landry Vineyards, Rock Chapel, Tunk's Cypress Inn, and Chauvin Sculpture Gardens. Learn more about these off-the-beaten-path destinations throughout Louisiana.

What's are the most famous restaurants in Louisiana?

As we mentioned in the above article, some of Louisiana's restaurants are so famous, they're known throughout the world. The following is a list of wildly famous restaurants that, in our opinion, are totally worth all the hype: Commander's Palace, Herby-K's, Juban's, Antlers, Middendorf's, Antoine's, Galatoire's, Prejean's, Steamboat Bill's, Jacques-Imo's, and Louie's Cafe. How many of these iconic Louisiana restaurants have you visited?

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Featured Addresses
Pizza Artista, 5409 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
5863 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71106, USA
3057 Government St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, USA
LAS VICTORIAS #1 INC., 1004 Broad St, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
Rice and Roux, 2158 O'Neal Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, USA
8510 Youree Dr, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
Parkway Bakery & Tavern, 538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA
6699 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Dat Dog, 3336 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA
Cotten's Famous Hamburgers, 2001 Oak Park Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
The Camellia Grill, 626 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
1 Olive St, Monroe, LA 71201, USA