Explore Top Lake Charles Restaurants - Unmissable Eats!
Nestled in the heart of Louisiana, Lake Charles boasts a vibrant culinary scene that mirrors its rich cultural tapestry. From fresh seafood caught in the Gulf to traditional Cajun and Creole dishes that sing with spice and flavor, Lake Charles restaurants offer an inviting array of choices for food lovers. Whether you're seeking a cozy bistro or a lively waterfront eatery, the city's dining landscape promises an unforgettable experience with every bite.
Olive garden italian restaurant
4.2
(2113)
Lively, family-friendly chain featuring Italian standards such as pastas & salads.
Reviews:
Thank you, Banae, for outstanding service. You made our birthday lunch something that will always be remembered. Thank you for the beautifully decorated cake and the Happy Birthday song. The lunch specials are wonderful. I love the soup and salad and chicken with spaghetti. Everything was perfect! I would like to commend Roderick for exceptional service Thanks Roderick !! So, we saw Roderick again today! He's the best. He makes his guests feel special. Love the unlimited soup and salad and the birthday treat! RODERICK is the Best server we have had in a long time. Our party of 7 all agree. See RODERICK at Olive Garden for the best service ever!!
Jayne Anderson
Honestly, I found the food very mediocre. It wasn’t bad at all, and the portions are very generous - I just feel it doesn’t offer something special from what you could have quickly made at home boiling some pasta and throwing some sauce. It was tasty but in the end I was expecting more of an ‘italian’ taste. Don’t order the sangría - literally instant strawberry juice with alcohol and fruit.
Javier Troncoso
Excellent atmosphere, server a little bit distracted, food great
Franklin Perozo
Our waiter was awesome. The food was great and we got our orflder really quick. I highly recommend this place.
Stephen Wood
The soft drink machine was actually a syrup dispenser. We were told they were having issues with the machine for several days. The restaurant has a sour smell as soon as you walk through the doors. Long story short I will not be back to visit the nasty garden anymore.
Jeshua Smith
1725 W Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
121 artisan bistro
4.4
(594)
Crafty takes on pizza, pasta & other Italian standards served in comfy bistro surroundings.
Reviews:
6-16-23 around 7:40 PM. We were seated quickly even with a FULL parking lot! On a Friday night, we didn't need reservations for just 2 people. The staff seems friendly. Our waiter was cordial. Okay...it is quite noisy here. This is not a place to bring a date to at all because it is TOO NOISY! I had to holler my order to my waiter (because it is just that noisy). Food: Appetizers of the house salad and the mushrooms were ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!! OVER A 10 RATING ON EACH OF THOSE! The salmon meal was tasty and very "fresh." 5/5 The Mona Lisa was a disappointment. The cook placed too much cheese atop of it. The pasta didn't taste good at all. My bf said it was overcooked. I wish the pasta was homemade or a better quality, is all.
University of Louisiana Alumnus
First of all, the service here was great but, unfortunately after ordering their Mushroom Flatbread I was sick with what felt like, food poisoning. My husband ordered the Parmesan Shrimp, did not get sick and it was very tasty.
Carrie Roberts
Arrived on a Wednesday evening and sat down right away. pleased with open kitchen look, the dinning area needs to have that same look but not terrible. Waitress was tentive, and the food was good. Looking for that extra memeborable feel though. I would recommend it. Complimentary bread could be better but overall satisfied with experience.
vonda
This was hands down THE best italian restaurant I've been to. A lovely little gem of a place. From location to atmosphere to food and service, they get a perfect score.
Becky
We were craving authentic pasta after watching a documentary on pasta making in Italy, and we weren’t in the least bit disappointed by the food we got at 121. We couldn’t get enough of the Aldovina, “tender pieces of braised boneless short rib, slowly cooked in a rich tomato ragu with spicy peccarino cheese over fettuccine”. We couldn’t imitate this dish even if we tried, and I’d suggest you don’t either - just go to 121. Their tiramisu is also a game changer, it lasted maybe 30 seconds after I took this picture. Do save room for it!
Connor Burruss
121 Dr Michael Debakey Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
Pitt grill - lake charles
3.9
(843)
Regional diner chain for breakfast, burgers, po' boys, traditional dinner plates & a kiddie menu.
Reviews:
Not too impressed to be honest. Ordered biscuits and gravy Basic bagged papper gravy premade pkg biscuits, ordered a very over med eggs cant stand the white snot & sausage links got a very runny egg and not warm links. Had to order Hashbrowns to be able to eat eggs. Now when you are in the mood for a cup of coffee you want a CUP OF COFFEE these cups are so small I wonder if its even a 4oz cp 3 good drinks and your out. Should have drove to Jennings or Sulphur.
william Elliott
We were looking to try a new spot for breakfast and stumbled upon Pitt Grill. The food was excellent, and the portions were big, for a small price! we couldn’t even finish it, but it was delicious! Our waitress was really friendly as well. We will be going back!
Nola Shark
YALLL OMG !!! I came from Lafayette and heard about this place, let me tell you the foood is AMAZING 12/10 for sure !!!! From the service to the food I highly recommend !!! MY GOODNESS
Brianna rose
The four of us just left, and it was really great! The atmosphere was fun and casual. Service was really great. Our waitress was fast, kind, helpful, and willing to give us a recommendation when we asked. The food was amazing. Fresh and plentiful. We got exactly what we asked for, and it was so good. The prices are good as well. DEFINITELY going back again, and you should as well!
Jenifer Woloson
Price for food avg. Food quality / taste below average. Reminds me of breakfast i had in a truck stop in Southern Colorado. Bland but edible. A little Tony's / slap your mama would do them great . The young man who was the one who seated us a lot of potential. Handled customers like a pro can't be older than 13 . It's not a bad place. I just would like a little flavor.
william Hatchett
606 W Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
Luna bar & grill downtown
4.5
(1660)
Easygoing bar & eatery furnishes California-accented Louisiana eats & hosts frequent live music.
Reviews:
Took my teenage son for Sunday brunch: the dining was fantastic and the music by the Street Side Jazz Band was amazing! (Music starts an hour after they open.) Special thanks to Skylar our waitress who provided EXCELLENT service! 5/5 stars for service, food, ambience and the live music. We will definitely be back! Parking on the street out front and within easy walking distance. PRO TIP: Make sure to get there before 10:30 am on Sunday morning if you want a good seat without the wait. 😉
Jeff Gonzales
Absolutely fell in love with this restaurant. I am from out of town and the atmosphere was great and our server, Will , was kind, courteous, and helpful. I had The Chicken Sandwich with Monterey and BBQ. My sister had Fried Porkchop Sandwich. We also got Spinach and Artichoke dip. Everything was delicious and bursting with flavor. Highly Recommend and will be going back in the future.
James Wilson
Atmosphere was fantastic... appetizers and food and drinks great. Malia?? our waitress was great very nice. The Pearl Jam drink was great. Had a few hiccups...took a bit to get our drinks got halfway thru out appetizers before water brought. My tuna was great, but my side was forgotten but brought later. I wanted to try the Pink Floyd cocktail..but found out late that it was a seasonal drink but didn't know. All in all we will be back and high raves.
Liane Buckley
Had a nice experience at Luna. Live music on Friday night, band had a jazz vibe. Sat at the bar and had some local draughts while we waited for our table. Got the Apollo and the Dragon Tuna, both were exceptional. Skylar was our server and she was very attentive.
Weston Teague
Luna has great food. Obviously a real chef. Unique dishes, great plating, well trained staff; Polite and helpful. Prices are reasonable. I love all the music themed wall hangings. We had Corn and Shrimp bisque for our "Pre-launch", very good. She had Hangar Steak with "Patricia" toppings. Bree cheese, crab meat and grilled shrimp. With a side of the best spinach we've ever tasted. I had "Salmon Cassidy" atlantic salmon with grilled shrimp, artichoke hearts, sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, seafood citrus sauce. It wss delish!
Robert Geoffrion
719 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
Mazen's
4.5
(486)
Elegant dining space serving elevated meat & seafood entrees with French and Middle Eastern accents.
Reviews:
I’ve heard a lot about this place and decided to try it. I brought my girlfriend, daughter, and her best friend. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. We were advised that the restaurant ran out of crab meat which was on just about every meal served. The atmosphere was kinda dead. It was on a Monday night but it was still dead. I ordered the filet with lobster. The food arrived within a decent time and looked delicious. Well after taking the first bite it was terrible. Absolutely no seasoning at all. It was bland as can be. My girlfriend had the Christine and it was bland as can be too. The fish tasted like cod. This is Louisiana put some seasoning on the food yeah. My daughter and her friend both had the seafood gumbo and they both stated it was lacking seasoning and tasted like straight roux. The only thing we enjoyed was the Mediterranean shrimp and the shrimp cocktail. The water they had on the table had a horrible taste as well. For over $230 dollars I figured it would have been an excellent meal that I could have recommended to all my friends but I was let down.
DUSTINTODD84
Chef knows food very well. Service was great. We went early (as we usually always do). Ambience and noise level was nice. Nicely decorated. We will be going back because there are some items on the menu we would love to have tried.
George Hauk
We had a client lunch here for a group of 7 and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their food. Friendly and fast service. Their standard pita bread starter is really good. Fried asparagus and crab claws are tasty. The redfish Aladdin is a wonderful fish entree. Everyone that got the tuna said it was awesome.
Jonathan Peyton
I would give this restaurant 5/5 because the food was delicious!! But I’m here to talk about our server I believe her name is Angelica, idk if she was having a bad day but she WAS TERRIBLE! She ruined my first experience there! Not only that, it was MY BIRTHDAY! I was so excited to celebrate my birthday and probably even get a small little birthday dessert but she never once bothered asking what we were celebrating, she never filled our waters, a different server brought our food, it’s like she didn’t want to serve us at all. Probably one of the worst servers I’ve had in a very long time. I probably won’t go back but like I said food was good, I do know the owner but no point in complaining to him. Like I said it’s one server it seemed like everyone else was getting superb service . I couldn’t even tip her the 20% because she didn’t do anything. Thanks for a great birthday experience Angelica!!
Darlene Mejia
Mazen’s is always solid. Fresh seafood, great steaks, and even better sauces.
Craig Crawford
217 W College St, Lake Charles, LA 70605, USA
Steamboat bill's on the lake
4.5
(6949)
Big, bustling fish house providing Cajun seafood in casual quarters with a nautical theme.
Reviews:
Absolutely great..the food was amazing..got the gator bites and so tender. The butterfly shrimp and the small platter wonderful. Stuffed crab was perfectly seasoned. Lot of people but got in pretty quick food out in good time. Our waiter..never knew his name..was great very attentive.
Liane Buckley
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo: too salty for our taste; definitely wouldn't recommend it Shrimp Etouffee: this was good; nothing too special Their breads were AMAZING! It was the best thing we ate! They accept cash and credit card (I think it was a 4% service fee)
Linda A. Pham
Food was great. Could not finish all my food. Love the way they get things moving, makes it quick to get in and get a table. Trey our server was awesome and very attentive!
Debra Torres
After reading so many great reviews I was really looking forward to trying this place. I ordered the sampler platter with red beans and rice, gumbo (chicken and sausage) and etouffee. And I was really disappointed. The food was ok but lacked flavor. It was bland and flavorless. The best thing we had was the etouffee and the pistolet (which was stuffed with the etouffee). We had crawfish as well, those had a nice flavor. Ok if you are hungry and passing through but just know it's just "ok"
Natalie Chavez
Awesome, friendly place with great atmosphere and amazing food. It works the way that you place the order at the counter and then they bring it to your table. We tried alligator bites which were amazing and went on and tried craw fish and shrimp gumbo which both were amazing. Special props and thank you to the gentleman who've seen us struggle eating craw fish and provided us guidelines and went even more and shared his half portion with us. Truly an amazing place!
Marko Karanikic
1004 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
Steamboat bill's seafood
4.4
(2156)
Bustling fish house providing fried platters & other Cajun seafood in bright, casual quarters.
Reviews:
Super cute Cajun restaurant! Food was so good and came out quickly. It’s not a full service being you have to walk up to order and make your own drinks. But great food and atmosphere.
Starlyn Bearb
The amount of food you get is pretty decent for the price! Ordering was super easy and they're very helpful as well. Very good service and the food was nice and hot.
AnnMarie Schlobohm
Came here because we really wanted to eat some cajun food. Saw there were two locations, and though the other location seemed more popular, we chose this one because it was closer to where we were staying. Vibe was casual and relaxed, definitely a local feel, and service was quick and helpful. Got the Atchafalaya platter (shrimp etouffe and fried fish) and a Combination Dinner with Medium Shrimp and Oysters. All the seafood was excellent. Had not had cajun food for some time so the taste felt just a bit strong (salty), and with generous portions it may have felt like a lot, but it was still quite satisfying. We often like to have gumbo when we have cajun food; the etouffe was on the spicier side so the creaminess of it balanced out the spice, and it probably was the right choice, since I guess maybe their gumbo is spicier too. Maybe try gumbo next time. Would recommend their fresh seafood to anyone. Glad to have come here.
Derek Gantt
My friend had Shrimp and fries and I had the Gumbo with shrimp and crawfish no disappointments. Only thing I didn't like was the restrooms definitely can use some good cleaning other than that the food is awesome
Ke Ke
Wow! First, staff is very friendly, atmosphere is good, but the food, now we're talking! We visited the location in the city not the one by the highway. Food was fresh from the kitchen. For starters, we ordered a shrimp pistolette etuffee and a crawfish pistolette etuffee, which were fresh hot and delicious. Then a shrimp poorboy and shrimp atchafalaya. Yes we will come back!
David Flores
732 S Martin Luther King Hwy, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA