Northshore Al Fresco Dining

A platter of oysters, armchair dining on the porch of a historic house, and your best friends to boot. With an unparalleled variety of open-air dining options, and views as varied as the dishes on offer, springtime on the Northshore literally puts the “outside” into dining out. So, gather some good friends, pack a sunhat, and start planning a delicious culinary tour for your next girls’ getaway within easy driving distance of home.

In Old Mandeville, along and around Girod Street, browse through an eclectic collection of galleries and boutiques selling wares ranging from stained glass and jewelry to antiques. In Historic Covington, the Lee Lane and Columbia Street corridors host a wide variety of shops, restaurants, galleries, and bars. The Southern Hotel and its lovely Cypress Bar have served as a luxurious hub from which to base sophisticated weekend escapes since this historic, 1905 property reopened in 2014 following an extensive renovation. Stop in for a drink, dinner, or stay for a night (or two) in “history that accommodates.” You won’t be disappointed.

If you fancy a local sampling of top-quality Louisiana seafood, farm-fresh local produce, and elevated contemporary takes on Louisiana’s diverse culinary heritage, put your trust in the husband-and-wife team crowned 2013’s King and Queen of Louisiana Seafood, Nealy and Keith Frentz of Lola in Covington. Casual by day, Lola’s lunch menu focuses on daily specials, velvety soups, and creative salads and sandwiches. On Friday and Saturday nights, though, chefs Keith and Nealy lean a little more heavily into their fine-dining backgrounds, offering cosmopolitan interpretations of Louisiana dishes that are as sophisticated as they are comforting.

Another great destination for a breezy brunch or dinner awaits at Pat’s Rest Awhile, which occupies the 19th century Frapart Hotel on Lakeshore Drive in Old Mandeville. After the original structure was badly damaged during Hurricane Katrina, owners Jill and Barrett McGuire restored the building and cottage, partnering with renowned chef Pat Gallagher, a third-generation St. Tammany local, to open the multi-room restaurant. Meander between the Oyster Bar, Sophie’s Tavern and the main dining room, or settle in to a couple of porch rocking chairs to marvel as the sun sinks into Lake Pontchartrain.

They say every great journey begins with a first step, and in nearby Slidell, you’ll have to step across a wooden walkway to reach Palmettos on the Bayou, which is situated right on Bayou Bonfouca like a scene out of a Louisiana fairy tale. Here, no Sunday brunch would be complete without a live jazz band playing, dining rooms showcasing art by renowned New Orleanian artist George Dunbar, as well as swamp murals by Phil Galatas. While the house-made takes on Acadian and New Orleans classics like Gulf Fish Amandine, duck and Tasso gumbo, and abundant oysters are sure to delight, the ease of a bayou night warmly lit by string-lights will keep you lingering.

To explore more distinctive Louisiana flavors, visit louisiananorthshore.com/restaurants/