Vue is one of Natchez’ finest dining establishments, and gets it’s name from the extraordinary “view” of the mighty Mississippi River as it stretches North from the Grand Soleil Resort’s perch, that guests can enjoy while dining. Chef Andrew Haile and his staff offer quality, unique cuisine, and it’s a culinary experience you won’t soon forget.

The restaurant has a lounge where you can enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, also called Vue, and reservations for the restaurant are encouraged if you want to assure a prime table with a view (there are quite a few of those so don’t panic).  Vue is open Monday through Saturday at 6 p.m. and the lounge opens at 4p.m.  On Sundays, the restaurant puts on a pretty impressive brunch from 11:00-2:30 each week.  Be sure to put this one on your “to do” list while your visiting Natchez…you’ll be delighted that you did.

• 130 John R. Junkin Drive
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 442-9976

If you want to really get some local flavor, then you’ll have to beat the locals to the door when it comes to Uptown Grocery.  Lunch is the big thing at Uptown, and the locals flock there starting when the doors open at 11 in the morning, to get a fresh slice of pizza, or a delicious chicken salad (they make three kinds) sandwich on toasted wheatberry bread, or perhaps a chef or spinach salad for those watching the waistline while they travel.

Uptown Grocery also carries take out items like twice baked potatoes that you can pop into the microwave if your hotel room or B&B has one available. And they offer a wide array of frozen casseroles if you’re in a B&B with a full kitchen and don’t feel like eating out.  You can dine in at Uptown, or the staff will fix you up to take your order on the go.

• 531 S. Canal Street
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 445-9111

South China Restaurant offers daily lunch and dinner buffets in addition to an impressive menu. They have many delicious authentic Chinese dishes to choose from. South China Restaurant, a local staple, is also in a very convenient location on Hwy 84!

• 495 John R. Junkin Drive
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 442-8548

Soda Pops is located at the Natchez Mall on the outer strip, and their menu includes a great mix of ethnic dishes. Chicken Alfredo and Chicken Pamesean highlight the Italian side, Chicken Cordon Bleu adds a little French flair, and a great selection of Cajun dishes round it all out.  The menu is extensive so you won’t have a problem trying to satisfy any palate.  It’s a family restaurant with a fun atmosphere, remeniscent of family dining in the 60’s.  Be sure to come hungry because you won’t leave that way.

If somehow you are still hungry when you’ve finished your meal, try the Chocolate Lover’s Sundae or a huge banana spilt.  Soda Pops also makes its very own ice cream that will take you back to summer days on a family outing.

• 352 John R. Junkin Drive
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 304-0000

Slick Rick’s is more than just a restaurant, and you’ll find yourself walking away with some of the dry goods Rick offers for sale. Rick is a master spice mixer and you’ll be treated to some of his mastery when you order practically any item on the menu. Nearly everything he serves up contains a taste of one of Rick’s signature spices, and you’ll even get some ideas on what to cook at home using on of his spice recipes. There is a little room to dine in, but your meal will still be just as delicious should you prefer to take it back to your hotel or bed and breakfast accommodations.

• 109 N. Pearl St.
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 445-9900

The Karahsin family moved to the U.S. in the late 1990’s and opened Planet Thailand in a small Louisiana town about 40 miles from Natchez, but Natchezians loved it so much they would travel the forty plus miles just to eat sushi.  After a few years of driving the distance, several Natchez regulars convinced the family to bring the restaurant to Natchez, promising to frequent the establishment often.  Well they did, and we do.  Locals can always be found indulging in the succulent spicy dishes the family creates at Planet Thailand, so be sure to add it to your dining itinerary during your stay.

• 116 N. Commerce Street
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 442-4220
• Visit Website

If you’re walking around downtown Natchez and smell a wonderful hickory based aroma coming from somewhere, just follow your senses to The Pig Out Inn.  Tender ribs, chicken, and pork all smoked on a grill just outside the back door await your tastebuds, and side dishes like black bean and corn salsa, potato salad, and baked beans with mustard seeds are there to compliment whichever dish you choose.

When the weather is just too delightful to dine indoors, grab your lunch to go and follow the alley to the bluff, grab a picnic table and enjoy your meal while viewing the mighty Mississippi River.

• 116 S. Canal Street
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 442-805

Another downtown local favorite, Pearl Street Pasta, named for it’s location, serves up a wonderful variety of pasta dishes, as well as a beautiful, delicious filet of beef with a rich wine sauce and sauteed mushrooms.  Sure, you’ll get your standard Italian dishes like spaghetti and meatsauce, lasagna, and fettucini alfredo,  but Pearl Street takes their pasta dishes to a little higher level, especially when they add a Cajun kick to them.  Be sure to try the cajun shrimp or crawfish and shrimp pasta dishes.

Pearl Street also has some very talented mixologists on staff, so if you want to amble up to the bar for a smooth martini before dining, ask the bartender to whip up one of their house specials.  Don’t be in a rush to get through your dining experience, not because the service is slow, but just because you’ll want to hang out there a while.

• 105 S. Pearl Street
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 442-9284

A great family owned downtown Italian cafe style restaurant that serves up authentic Italian treats.  Oven fired specialty pizza’s like the Fit for My Paisano with Chicken, Sausage, Mushrooms, Bell Pepper, Pepperoni, and Black Olives, or the Hawaiian Style with, you got it, freshly chopped pineapple baked right into the hand-tossed crust.  Sink your teeth into a succulent pasta dish like Spaghetti and Meat Sauce or Marinara, Beef  or Cheese Ravioli, Lasagna, or Rigatoni stuffed with Mostaciolli, meatballs, or sausage.  Maybe indulge in a house specialty dinner like Eggplant Parmigiana or Veal Scallopini.

Whatever entree you select, you’ll be pleased with the flavor and the portions.  The menu includes sandwiches and a few Antipasto dishes as well.  Reservations are not necessary, and Paisano’s is located within walking distance of most downtown hotels and b&b’s.  Oh, and you’ll surely want to top off your experience with a tempting dish of Tiramisu.

• 406 Franklin Street
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 442-7771

Many consider this unique restaurant a national treasure, and you won’t find another like it anywhere in the world. As you can see from the photo of the restaurant, it lies beneath the skirt of a forty foot tall mammy. They only serve lunch, but the food is wonderful and goes perfectly with the atmosphere.  They offer a daily hot plate special, like chicken & dumplings or beef pot pie, but they are famous for their great sandwiches, each of which is served with a side of homemade vegetable soup and a scoop of potato salad.  The best part is their desserts, so save room for a piece of lemon or chocolate pie with meringue piled as high as Mammy’s skirt.

• 555 Hwy. 61 South
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 445-8957

The Malt Shop is not a typical dining establishment for visitors, but if you asked a local where you can find the best burger in town, bar-b-que beef sandwich, or a catfish plate, they’ll be tempted to tell you “the Malt Shop”.  Anyone who’s grown up in Natchez in the last 60 years, has induldged in more than their fare share of Malt Shop food.  If you order the burger plate, you’d better be hungry because they put two deluxe burgers in the box with your fries or curly cues.  The next size burger on the menu is the Jumbo, burger, and if you have a real hearty appetite, see if you can handle their famous 1/2 pound “Big Daddy” burger.

You can’t dine in, but there is a large picnic table out front, and you’ll know a lot of the locals that have eaten there over the years because their names are most likely carved into the table’s top.  It’s what everyone did while they were waiting on their order.

• 4 Homochitto Street
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 445-4843

Overlooking the mighty Mississippi at Natchez Under-the-Hill, Magnolia Grill not only has one of the best views of the river, they offer a menu with a wide array of entrees to satisfy nearly every palate. From succulent steaks and seafood, to one of the best burgers you’ll ever have.  They serve lunch and dinner, and if you are lucky enough to get a corner table on the sun porch at dinner time, you may be treated to a spectacular sunset while you dine.  Reservations aren’t necessary, but for the best view of the river you’ll want to ask for a table on the porch.

• 49 Silver Street
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 446-7670

Lil’ Dagos owners come from a long line of cooking Italians, and don’t be offended by the name, it’s what their mother used to call them when it came time to round them up for dinner. It’s their fabulous sweet and tangy red sauce that keeps locals coming back often, and be careful when you order their spaghetti and meatball entree, one meatball will probably suffice as they are quite large. Although the menu consists of primarily Italian style foods, they do serve a tasty filet that can go toe to toe with any fine dining establishment. The atmosphere is casual and quite relaxing, and though it’s located a little off the beaten path, it’s worth the couple of minutes drive to get there.

• 29 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 304-2221
• Visit Website
• E-Mail

La Fiesta Grande was Natchez’ first full-service Mexican restaurant, and as it grew in popularity, always seemed to need more space. It landed at it’s current location on the by-pass, and just about any time of the day you’ll see a packed parking lot. The reason for that is the fantastic food they serve.  Enchiladas, Burritos, Quesadilla’s, Taco’s, Nachos, and all your south of the border favorites are available, and they offer burgers and chicken strip meals for those who don’t dare brave the spicy entrees.  The atmosphere is always lively, and on occassion a mariachi band will wind it’s way through the tables.

• 288 John R. Junkin Drive
• Natchez, MS 39120
• Phone: (601) 445-0720