Lucie Monk Carter
Natchez’s culinary offerings dovetail between classic Southern cuisine and modern worldly flavors, making it a top tier culinary destination for any self-proclaimed foodie. True gourmands know that Natchez is an underrated food town, rich with restaurants that feature dishes running the gamut from traditional soul food to authentic ethnic delicacies.
The romance of days gone by is aptly felt within the splendor of Monmouth Historic Inn’s Restaurant 1818, where guests can experience an especially sophisticated fine dining atmosphere. For special occasions, patrons can even arrange private candlelit dining in the Main House’s original parlors. For a more casual setting, diners can opt for a table in the courtyard or enjoy cocktail hour in the Quitman Lounge, which also serves hors d'oeuvres in the wing of the house.
A visit to the neon-lit digs at Biscuits & Blues means fresh Southern eats and live music are in order in the tavern’s low-lit, old school interior. You can contribute to the eatery’s mission of preserving “hot biscuits and cool blues” by ordering up a heaping portion of your favorite Southern standards, including crawfish and mushroom beignets, gumbo, fully dressed poboys, grits and grillades, BBQ, fried oysters, and of course, piping hot biscuits.
On Main Street, Regina’s Kitchen offers daily cooking classes for the novice chef, but that’s not all. At Chef Regina Charboneau’s highly lauded wine bar and épicerie, Rind & Vine, visitors can pop in for a homemade biscuit class, sample one of nine wine flights, or try the weekly dinner special. Students can also grab a bag of Regina’s flaky biscuit mix (the recipe of which has also notably appeared in the pages of The New York Times Cooking) to bake at home, or pick up one of her cookbooks on Mississippi cuisine.
For fresh farm-to-table produce, stop by the downtown Natchez Farmer’s Market, held weekly on Saturdays at the 100th Block of Commerce Street. From the amateur food critic to the young picky eater, there’s something for everyone in this gastronomic capital. While you’re out and about town wearing your mask, post a photo on your social media platforms, and use the hashtags, #MaskUpNatchez or #VisitNatchezResponsibly, and your image may be shared on the Visit Natchez website. To plan your Natchez food tour or see all of the dining options around town, head to visitnatchez.org.
