Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Lafayette

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Lafayette? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Charley G's Seafood Grill

5.0

5 (1216)

$30 and under

American

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Charley G's is a Lafayette favorite known for grilling aged beef & fresh Louisiana seafood over southern hardwoods. The food at Charley G's is driven by Southern inspiration and the menu changes seasonally with local seafood & produce. The casual yet upscale atmosphere has a bar area with live piano music 7 days a week. Charley G's also offers a wide assortment of specialty liquors, liqueurs & wines. Once a month Charley G's hosts a wine dinner that features wines from various regions and uniquely paired cuisine.

Top review

HeatherM

Dined on Sep 30, 2024

Went to Charley G’s for our anniversary. A wonderful experience as always. Josh was our server and he was knowledgeable and sociable. He’a knowledgeable about the menu and food in general and we will request him for future visits. They made our special day so wonderful. Live piano music created great ambiance without being intrusive. Highly recommend for a date night.

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Marcello's of Lafayette

4.9

4.9 (1102)

$30 and under

Italian

Lafayette

About the restaurant

At Marcello's Wine Market Cafe we specialize in true Italian cooking. We use the freshest ingredients that reflect authentic Sicilian cuisine with a touch of Northern Italy. Shop our retail section to pair the perfect wine with your meal. You are certain to have the most unique dining experience in Lafayette.

Top review

steve

Dined 3 days ago

The veal molli is very good. Our server was Joey, excellent service and knowledgeable.

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Popular dish

Shrimp Pepate

Cafe Sydnie Mae

4.9

4.9 (829)

$30 and under

Steak

Breaux Bridge

About the restaurant

Cafe Sydnie Mae is your destination for great food, drinks and entertainment with LIVE. local music. Follow us on Facebook for events as well as food and drink specials. Cafe Sydnie Mae, proudly supporting our beautiful community in the heart of Acadiana. Just a few minutes from Interstate 10!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Such a wonderful place to spend an evening .. wonderful music service was excellent and the food was out of this world good.. Teche Wellington I recommend

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Ruffino’s on the River

4.8

4.8 (1933)

$31 to $50

Steak

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Ruffino's on the River is a -Steak-Seafood-Italian restaurant and an experience in Food and Atmosphere like no others. Located in Lafayette, La. From the time you walk in and see the wood burning stove aflame, to the beautiful smiles on every Ruffino's team member's faces, you will have goose bumps on the back of your neck for the dining journey that awaits you. The scenes of the gorgeous Vermilion River where our outdoor patio looks over is breath taking. From our wonderful signature Crabmeat Cheesecake appetizer to our mind blowing Cedar Plank baked Redfish or our mouth watering Prime cut Steaks, the menu is diversive for everyone. The relaxed but swinging music along with perfect lighting and energy make this this ultimate restaurant in Louisiana. I where Louisiana Comes to Celebrate!

Top review

Steven

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

Steve and Lana took care of us with efficiency and courtesy.

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Don's Seafood - Lafayette

4.8

4.8 (339)

$30 and under

Seafood

Lafayette

About the restaurant

The truth is, you don't become a Louisiana favorite just by putting the word "authentic" on your sign. When you've served Cajun meals as long as we have, you learn the difference between real food and a bland imitation, and our guests know it too. Grilled, fried or on ice-there's time cooked into every dish and time spent on every home cooked recipe, so that every aroma, every bite, every sip and every gathering is memorable. We've spent more than 80 years creating a recipe for something much greater than a place for a lunch break or night out. It's a place to share (or keep the whole plate to yourself), a place where you always have a seat ready at the table and a place where you're always part of the family.

Top review

Shawn

Dined on Sep 29, 2024

We absolutely Loved everything we had!! We will be back!

Vestal Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (681)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Vestal, a live fire restaurant concept in the heart of downtown Lafayette. We provide a dining experience with a focus in providing excellent customer service, while creating a welcoming upbeat environment for people to gather and enjoy thoughtful, delicious food and beverage. At Vestal, we honor both tradition and innovation. We believe that food taste better when sourced from local vendors and artisans, is prepared by hand in house, and cooked over hot hard wood coals. We better serve our community by sourcing responsibly and implementing sustainable practices. Our bar program is built around flavor with little regard paid to name and branding of the spirit used. Please visit our website at www.vestalrestaurant.com for more details and to further explore our offerings and policies.

Top review

Paulvip

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent. Will return in future. Has been this good every visit

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4.8

4.8 (220)

$30 and under

American

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Park Bistro is in the Saint Streets area of Lafayette Louisiana and was founded by Chef Peter Cooke. Coming from New York City, Peter is excited to bring his elevated cuisine to the area. Park Bistro has indoor, outdoor and bar seating with a full beer, wine and cocktail program for you and your friends to enjoy.

Top review

Leah

Dined 5 days ago

Our first time there, but definitely not the last. We got the risotto balls to start and they were absolute perfection. The entrees were creative and tasty and our server and everyone who waited on us were super nice and helpful. Great date night spot

Cafe Josephine

4.7

4.7 (601)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Chef Troy Bijeaux wants to welcome everyone to Cafe Josephine. We have many spectacular dishes, but our signature dishes are both our steaks and oysters. They can be seen getting prepared and cooked at our oyster bar. Its a great time to speak with Chef and others around you.

Top review

Jared

Dined 5 days ago

Service was excellent!! Shaun neverrrr disappoints!!

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4.6

4.6 (221)

$30 and under

Cajun

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Prejean's Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Conveniently located on I49 North, just 2 miles north of I-10 in Lafayette, LA awaits Big Al, our 14-foot stuffed gator to welcome you to our warm, friendly, and casual atmosphere. Mouth watering Char-Grilled Oysters served up with a bowl of one of our Signature Gumbos or maybe a perfectly cooked juicy Steak are just some of our menu offerings that are sure to delight.

After 40 years of ownership under the Guilbeau Family, Prejean’s started a new chapter in November 2020! New owners Tim Metcalf, Greg Metcalf, & Ken Boudreaux bring a combined 75+ years of restaurant experience & a new attitude to the iconic Prejean’s Restaurant.

Our Mission is simple …
Buy the best food we can & cook it as Cajuns do.
Simply Cajun!

Top review

Eve

Dined on Aug 14, 2024

It was a very enjoyable moment, both for the music, the service and the food. A must do!

Midcity Restaurant + Bar

4.3

4.3 (17)

$30 and under

American

Lafayette

About the restaurant

We are 75+ year old home converted to an elevated restaurant + bar featuring smoked meats, steaks, seafood, killer salads, and a variety of sides. Our food is paired with a robust specialty cocktail menu, twelve craft beers on tap, 30+ whiskeys, and a full wine list.

Our bar & lounge area is very unique, while seating in what used to be the living room is quaint. Our deck behind the house under the oak trees & string lights is comfortable and our new gazebo outfitted with lounging furniture and a fire place is cozy.

We are proudly locally owned and have a great staff culture - we'd love for you to dine with us!

[We always leave tables available for walk-ins, so please call or just come in if reservations are shown as full.]

Top review

Alexis

Dined on Sep 26, 2024

I’ve had a long day as a mom who works full time and has chauffeured kids to and from after work, when my real job begins. We had dinner as a family on the patio. The new menu is amazing. My kids loved the kids menu and I was able to have a proper adult drink (old fashion) while enjoying exquisitely prepared food I would not have the time or skill to make at home. So it’s a win win. Wonderful ambience and all of the little touches do not go unnoticed. The food is amazing and the drinks are on point. The breeze was cool and they even have a magical way of warding off all mosquitoes. It was great!! I appreciate the experience and the comfort of the food!!

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