Mississippi’s Kitchen Culture

Travelers come to Mississippi to take part in all the Magnolia State has to offer, from historic civil rights and blues trails, to sampling innovative southern cuisine. Mostly, though, they come to eat. From the Tennessee border to the Gulf Coast’s edge, authentic examples of all the Southern classics abound, though often in unexpected settings. Steak dinners begin with hot tamales inside a tumbledown grocery store. Kibbe, the national dish of Lebanon, appears on lunch plates alongside black-eyed peas and turnip greens in a small-town cafe. The blue plate lunch, also known as a meat and three, is a staple of any Southern menu. Mississippi a slate of signature recipes, such as fried dill pickles, fried okra, or (you guessed it) fried catfish filets and hushpuppies.

Continuing our list of culinary claims to fame, Original creations such as the creamy, tangy comeback sauce, to childhood favorite desserts including Mississippi mud and mile-high meringue pie. More filling than fancy, with bold influences from Cajun Country and the diverse cultures that have entered by way of the Mighty Mississippi, the Magnolia State’s iconic dishes—like the people who make them—have some stories to tell. 

Jackson prides itself on the diversity of its residents, an attribute also reflected in the capital city’s varied dining scene. From mom and pop eateries that have stood the test of time to James Beard Award-winning chef-driven concepts—the restaurants in Jackson offer some of the most authentic cuisine. 

Barrelhouse is the modern Southern take on the classic gastropub. Here you’ll find dishes such as tuna poke nachos (order these, trust me), confit chicken wings that have been cooked in duck fat, sushi burritos, an entire meatball menu, and even blue plate lunches. 

1908 Provisions is not only one of the best from the Jackson restaurants, but it’s also housed inside one of the best hotels- the gorgeous and historic Fairview Inn. The restaurant menu is every bit as impressive as the hotel itself. 

Nine boutique restaurant and bar concepts can be found all under one roof inside Cultivation Food Hall, where the variety makes it easy to please any diner. Jackson’s culinary community offers excellent opportunities to discover a bite of Southern culture presented in vibrant restaurants springing up in some of the city’s burgeoning neighborhoods.

With nearly two-dozen restaurants, bars, bakeries and coffee shops in a four-block area, Jackson’s colorful Fondren District earns its reputation as the culinary jewel of Mississippi. In 2019, the fun and funky neighborhood hosted the inaugural Mississippi Food & Wine Festival, which drew culinary talent from around the South. Jackson also has a growing craft beer and spirits scene fueled by Lucky Town Brewery and Cathead Distillery. mississippitourguide.com.

Sponsored by Mississippi Development Authority