Dining Inspiration

If you're a foodie, we invite you to take a taste of Southwest Louisiana. From boudin to barbecue and Cajun to Creole cuisine, not only can you find delicious food, but we have food trails dedicated to the exploration of Southwest Louisiana.

Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail:

Considered a staple snack in the southern regions of the Bayou State, boudin is made of varying amounts of pork meat, liver, rice, onions, parsley and dry seasonings like salt, red pepper, black pepper and garlic powder. Bought by the pound, boudin is Southwest Louisiana's favorite finger food. It's perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime in between. Check out the best places to get boudin at VisitLakeCharles.org/BoudinTrail.

Southwest Louisiana Brews & Spirits Trail:

Beer:Crying Eagle Brewing Company in Lake Charles featuresa 15,000-squarefoot facility to produce craft beer. With an outdoor stage, a private event space and a landscaped outdoor beer garden, you'll definitely want to visit. Crying Eagle serves seasonal hand-crafted beers andfeatures a two-story tap room. The brewery has live band performances, and the dishes at The Bistro pair perfectly with Crying Eagle classics.

Rum: With no shortage of quality sugar cane in Louisiana, craft spirits (specifically rum), has had a renaissance of its own. The Louisiana rum tradition is brought to life by theLouisiana Spirits Distillery. See firsthand how the company’s popular Bayou Rum is produced during free tours offered Tuesday-Saturday throughout the day.

Vodka:Every drop ofYellowfin Vodkais carefully crafted from locally sourced crystallized sugarcane and is fermented, distilled, filtered and bottled at a single location in Sulphur, LA.

Coffee: As nativeLouisianians, we were raised with the introduction of coffee at an early age - we call it "coffee milk." It’s a part of our culture and everyday life. It’s not just a beverage, people come together over coffee.Acadian Coffee Roasterswas created for the love of coffee. They brew 100% organic and fair trade beans. You'll see their coffee and collaborations throughout the Lake Area. For example, they have teamed up with Crying Eagle to create "Pistol Bridge Porter" beer, and you can order Acadian Coffee Roaster's brews at local restaurants such as The Bekery!

Shrimp & Grits Croissant from The Bekery in Lake Charles

Also, check out brunches and more unique dining selections at VisitLakeCharles.org.

For a complete list of places to eat, go to www.visitlakecharles.org.