Nothing says “summertime” quite like the irresistible appeal of good food enjoyed in a great atmosphere. In historic Tupelo, Mississippi, that means smoky barbecue aromas drifting on warm breezes, ice-cold sweet tea in the hand, and the simple pleasure of tucking into Southern classics made with farm-fresh ingredients and bursting with flavor. With more than two hundred restaurants to choose between, the city boasts creative dishes by some of the state’s best chefs, modern classics dished up in unforgettable surroundings, and unique culinary discoveries around every corner. Today, Tupelo ranks among Mississippi’s prime dining destinations for serious foodies, and belongs at the top of the list for your next great culinary adventure. Ready for a taste? Here’s what’s on the menu.
Park Heights serves modern American cuisine with a generous helping of panoramic views over Downtown Tupelo from its rooftop in the Fairpark District. Chef Dan Shroeder’s pan-seared mahi mahi and springer mountain brick chicken are local favorites. Visit Downunder, Tupelo’s home for international pub grub, where the butter chicken is the thing to try. The weekend specials here are nothing short of culinary masterpieces.
Finding your next great meal in an unassuming location is about as southern as it gets, and Tupelo’s unique locales offer endless options. You can sample some of the city’s best barbecue at Clay’s House of Pig, which is housed in a bustling bait and tackle shop. Sample crispy fried chicken with all the fixin’s at King Chicken Fillin’ Station, housed in what was once Lee County’s oldest gas station. Romie’s Grocery serves a southern “meat-and-three” daily special, with live music on the weekends, in a former neighborhood grocery store in Jackson West. Grab a handcrafted coffee and a sweet treat at Strangebrew Coffeehouse inside another former service station in the heart of Tupelo.
Clay's House of Pig
A slow-smoked BBQ sandwich at Clay's House of Pig
There’s modern coastal cuisine to enjoy at Jobos. Or sample flavors from around the world at Cantina Del Sol, Levant Mediterranean Grill, or Nautical Whimsey Italian Bistro. Settle into the Elvis booth at Johnnie’s Drive-In and you’ll eat like the king in Tupelo’s oldest restaurant. Grab a slice of house-made pizza at Vanelli’s Bistro in Downtown Tupelo.
Johnnys
The Elvis booth at Tupelo's oldest restaurant, Johnnie's Drive-In
Those in search of a truly unique culinary experience shouldn’t miss Mississippi’s first and only meadery. Queen’s Reward Meadery crafts small-batch meads made with 100% Mississippi honey. Enjoy a tasting at their West Tupelo location, then take home a bottle (or two) of your favorite variety. Or settle back on the sweeping lawn to enjoy one of the famous mead slushies beneath the café lights. Regular special events invite patrons to pair a charcuterie board or food truck fare with Queen’s Reward’s various meads.
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Queen's Reward Meadery offers charcuterie boards to pair with their variety of meads.
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Tupelo Cocktail Trailblazers can pick "The Daisy" at Jobos.
Sunshine and warmer temperatures beckon visitors to get outside, and Tupelo’s Cocktail Trail offers a picture-perfect way to enjoy the beautiful weather and a range of sophisticated craft cocktails. Visit tupelo.net/cocktail trail/ to download your digital passport, or pick up a passport at one of the seven Downtown Tupelo participating locations. There’ll be local artisan cocktails to enjoy at each participating restaurant, and once you've visited all seven Cocktail Trail stops, stop by the Tupelo Visitors Center to collect your free #MyTupelo cocktail shaker. You can also dine al fresco in several alleys throughout Downtown Tupelo.
Tupelo’s restaurants have something to offer that’ll satisfy every appetite. Visit tupelo.net/food-drink to explore all the city’s exceptional eateries and to find more culinary inspiration. Tupelo has over 2,200 hotel rooms, three distinct shopping districts, and an abundance of unique attractions to fill the time between meals. With so many foodie experiences waiting to be explored, start planning your culinary journey to Tupelo today and imagine what you can eat here!
