Best Date Night Restaurants South of Lafayette
My husband and I enjoy discovering locally owned restaurants. The carefully crafted menus and unique ambiance provide our date nights with adventure both in cuisine and, sometimes history. It also gives us something to talk about besides the kiddos! I have gathered five of our favorite locally owned restaurants south of Lafayette. Plan on venturing outside the city on your next date night!
Tito’s La Casa :: Abbeville
Tito’s La Casa is a recent find! Situated in downtown Abbeville surrounded by exposed brick and murals of Italy, we found some of the best authentic Italian food around. The menu is extensive (always a plus as we are picker eaters). We ordered crab-stuffed mushrooms and enjoyed the homemade rolls before the main course. My husband ordered the pasta sampler (“lasagna, manicotti, and meat ravioli baked in a bed of marinara topped with béchamel and mozzarella cheese”). I ordered the chicken fettuccine Alfredo with gluten-free pasta as well as “The Carrie” cocktail. The authentic marinara sauce at Tito’s is one of my favorite red sauces south of Lafayette! The owner visited our table several times and was welcoming as well as attentive. We found Tito’s to be a true hidden gem in Acadiana!
Tidbit :: The bar at Tito’s La Casa is stunning with its dark, carved wood. The owner told us that the cocktail bar is original to the building … perhaps a hundred years or more!
Misfits Dine & Drink:: Broussard
Misfits Dine & Drink is a “family-friendly restaurant that serves up classic Italian food with a modern spin.” My husband and I prefer to dine without the kiddos so we can take time to indulge in all the wonderful creations on the menu. We usually start with the spinach dip (best around Acadiana my opinion). I love the chicken Florentine pizza on a cauliflower crust. Their Alfredo sauce is rich and creamy. I have to be careful not to overindulge in the main course because dessert is Misfits’ specialty! The bread pudding is a meal in itself. I would not be ashamed visiting for the bread pudding alone! My husband and I cannot decide if we favor the red velvet or white chocolate bread pudding the best. Lucky for us, Misfits offers a half red velvet, half white chocolate plate so we receive the both of best worlds!
Tidbit :: Misfits hosts live music on the atmospheric patio … bamboo and greenery lit by overhead string lighting.
Calabria Italian Restaurant :: New Iberia
If you want atmosphere, history and great food, Calabria in New Iberia is the spot! Our youngest joined us for an impromptu date night at Calabria’s. He inhaled the homemade rolls and said the pepperoni pizza was “bustin’!” My husband enjoyed steak over rice while I had eggplant parmesan. We ordered tiramisu and the three of us had to fight forks for the last bite! Downtown New Iberia has incredible ambiance and oozes with history. I’m looking forward to our next visit.
Tidbit :: The building was built in 1890. Provost’s Cafe & Bar held the location in the 1930s. The incredible tiger oak bar, also from the 1890s, was moved by a barge on the Bayou Teche to its current location inside Calabria.
St. John Restaurant :: St. Martinville
If I had to recommend just one eatery in Acadiana, St. John Restaurant would be my choice! Located on the banks of Bayou Teche in an old warehouse, St. John’s is the heart of Cajun cuisine and atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, the lively surroundings and charming decor remind you that THIS IS THE BAYOU! My husband has tried various menu options but I stick with my usual “Eggplant on the Teche”. This dish contains “eggplant medallions fried to a golden brown and topped with a crabmeat béchamel sauce”. St. John’s béchamel sauce is the best out there … so much so, I have never ventured beyond this entree! For dessert, the bread pudding rivals only that of Misfit’s Bar & Grill.
Tidbit :: The restaurant is housed in the original Talley Pecan Warehouse. The old ice house next door has been converted into a greenhouse that provides St. John’s with hydroponic, hyperlocal produce.
Ever on the hunt for good food and history, I’d love for you to share your favorite date night restaurant recommendations with us!
