Mississippi’s capital, Jackson, is the largest and arguably the most delicious city in the state. Known as The City With Soul, Jackson is steeped in Civil Rights history and home to music and art legends, and at the heart of the soulful city are the foodways that feed the community. A blend of African American, Indigenous, Latinx, and European cuisines forms an eclectic mix of new Southern food, and restaurants and bars dot the city alongside local shops, mon- uments, museums, and neighborhoods. Gas station gizzards, meat and threes, breweries, barbecue, crabcakes, Delta tamales, and handmade pastas are just a few of the community’s favorite bites. Home of the famous comeback sauce, Jackson has always had profound flavor whether it comes to food, music, history, art, or culture.
Best Places to Eat, Drink, and Explore
Best Live Music: Hal and Mal’s
Brothers Hal and Malcolm White opened Hal and Mal’s in 1984, and it’s been a downtown Jackson favorite since. They serve classic Southern comfort food in a lively, historic warehouse set- ting. It’s a great place for food, drinks, and live music. Get the Comeback and Crackers—a Jackson original—and the tamale nachos.
Best Place to Grab a Drink: Rowan’s
Chef Chaz Lindsay’s relaxed neighbor- hood bar offers an eclectic menu ideal for brunch, dinner, or drinks. Get the bologna sandwich, and try their play on a pickle- back with a shot of Jameson chased by boiled peanut juice.
Best Place to Hang With Friends: The Walk-In
This cozy downtown cocktail bar serves creative drinks and shareable plates. A blend of Southern comfort and global flavors makes it perfect for a night out, board games included. They’re known for the caesar salad and the pupu platter.
Best Date-Night Spot: Elvie’s
This all-day French café led by cele- brated chef Hunter Evans was recently awarded MICHELIN Bib Gourmand sta- tus. During the day, Elvie’s serves simple but delicious biscuits, omelets, and duck fat hash browns; at night, it transforms into a lovely French bistro with chicken liver pâte, poulette Wellington, and red- fish almondine.
Best Bang for Your Buck: The Mayflower Café
This recently revitalized restaurant has been a Jackson staple since 1935, known for its seafood and signature comeback sauce in a location steeped in history. Take advantage of the daily blue plate special for only $15.
Best Pasta and Pizza: Pulito Osteria
Chaz Lindsay’s cozy Italian restaurant in Jackson’s Belhaven neighborhood achieved a MICHELIN recommendation for its handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and seasonal Italian dishes. A standout is their caesar salad—crisp romaine tossed in anchovy dressing, topped with breadcrumbs and parmesan.
Coziest Dessert Spot: Urban Foxes
Urban Foxes is a family-owned pie shop located in a restored 1940s craftsman- style house. They offer a rotating menu of small-batch baked goods, coffee, and beer. Diners can enjoy a slice of pie or a cup of coffee in a relaxed, homey atmosphere.
Best Retro Vibes: Brent’s Drugs
This retro soda fountain and diner in Jackson’s Fondren neighborhood, serving breakfast, lunch, and brunch, is a nostalgic spot where locals gather for good food and sweet treats. The biscuits are incredible— they taste like someone’s grandma is in the kitchen making them.
Best Happy Hour: Iron Horse Grill
Located in a historic 1906 building, Iron Horse Grill blends great food with a sense of Mississippi’s rich heritage. The Soul Train hot wings and the fried chicken cobb salad are must-haves, and most dishes are perfect for sharing while enjoying the live music. Don’t miss the happy hour deals.
Most Fun for the Family: Walker’s Drive-In
This classic Jackson eatery serves up delicious bites in a no-frills, old-school drive-in setting. It’s a local favorite for a quick, tasty bite. For lunch, they have a rotating blue plate special for $15, fantastic Delta tamales, and a tasty assortment of sandwiches. The dinner menu elevates a bit, with lobster skewers, everything-crusted tuna, and more.
Claim to Fame
The Big Apple Inn was originally opened in 1939 by Mexican immigrant Juan Mora. Selling tamales in the African American neighborhood on Farish Street led him to create a third space where organizers and activists of all backgrounds would come together over a meal. Now led by fourth-generation owner Geno Lee, The Big Apple Inn has remained the premiere place to go for real good food you can only find in Jackson. Two standout dishes are the pig ear sliders and “smokes,” ground Red Rose sausage patties served on a sweet bun and slathered with hot sauce, mustard, and slaw. Chef Enrika Williams suggests getting your sandwiches with a peach Ne-Hi or Faygo soda.
Where to Shop
Marshall’s Music and Bookstore
As the nation’s oldest Black-owned bookstore, Marshall’s has been a constant in the historic Farish Street neighborhood for more than 60 years. The store honors the legacy of distinguished Mississippians from all backgrounds, spotlighting the achievements of Black leaders in sports, the arts, literature, and social activism. It also stocks a wide selection of sheet music and church essentials.
Phillip Rollins, also known as DJ Young Venom, wanted to create a space in Jackson that was unique, fun, and soulful, showcasing that even in a small city like Jackson, you can find new experiences. Part comic/manga shop, part record store, part clothing and sneaker spot, OffBeat is one of a kind.
Where to Stay
The Orchid Bed and Breakfast opened in 2023 with husband- and-wife duo Jason and Katrice Thompson leading the way. First built in 1888 as the Millsaps Buie House (for Webster Millsaps, the founder of Millsaps College and confederate army major), it is now Mississippi’s first Black-owned bed-and-breakfast. With 11 rooms, four on-property event spaces, private chef and spa services, and more, The Orchid is where history meets luxury. Its convenient downtown location is great for exploring Jackson.
Meet a Local
Enrika Williams, Chef and Owner of Fauna Foodworks
Chef Enrika Williams was born in West Point, Mississippi, but was raised and has lived in Jackson, for most of her life. She is the creator and chef-owner of Fauna Foodworks, which has given her the opportunity to work with some of her biggest inspirations like chefs Carla Hall and Emeril Lagasse. She was featured on FOX’s Hotel Hell with Gordon Ramsay and most recently went head-to-head with Bobby Flay on Beat Bobby Flay. Williams has also cooked at the prestigious James Beard House and led culinary experiences that explore food, culture, and storytelling. At Fauna Foodworks, she’s reimagined her kitchen as a creative, ingredient- driven food lab, producing “bohemian- chic” cuisine that’s thoughtful, socially aware, and expressive. Through catering, pop-ups, dinners, and curated menus, Fauna Foodworks continues to push conversations and expand the culinary landscape.
What is unique about what you do?
I get to tell stories with my food. I get to express how I feel and I put my feelings into everything that I create. Also, just being able to expand on what it is to be
a chef—it’s honoring traditions and it’s sharing food. It is creating warm, inviting spaces [that are] inclusive. It’s also unique because being from the South, I’m able to give a different perspective about food traditions through a different lens.
How are you involved in giving back to your community?
I love having the opportunity to talk to students about my experiences in fine-dining kitchens, my career path. I’m always very intentional about who I hire and who I offer internships, stages, or trials to. I love working with local people, especially younger wom- en, just to give them an idea that chefs who look like me exist, that chefs can look like them, and that the things they want to do, they can actually do. I especially love working with Black women and people in marginalized communities so they can see what’s possible and expand on it.
Walk us through the perfect day in your city.
A perfect day in Jackson is a Saturday. I’m going to get up and go to the High Street Farmers Market. I’m going to get Delta tamales from the food truck out front, and then buy something from High Heel Hippie and a couple of other vendors, and Miss T’s Sweets and Treats, which are very local. After that, I am going to Conkrete Kicks. They are a boutique sneaker salon, and Keith, the owner, is an amazing person. He does a lot in the community, he’s a great neighbor, and he has amazing shoes. I love to go in and spend too much money on sneakers.
Across the street, I’m going to go over to Aladdin’s and get some delicious hummus, lamb chops, and the “shata” hot sauce. And then I’m going to OffBeat, a record store in downtown Jackson. I’ll probably harass the owner, Venom, for a while. By then, it’s time for dinner, and I’ll go to Mayflower [Café] and get a crabcake.
What’s a hidden gem in your city that visitors shouldn’t miss?
The Mississippi Museum of Art—they have permanent collections, but they also have amazing rotating exhibits. It’s a beautiful space, with a nice garden out front where you can just sit and lounge.
Cathead Distillery is also right around the corner. They have a great bar, they do tours, and they’re really big supporters of live music and local culture and the arts. I’ve had dinner there and done events with them— they’ve been incredibly supportive. And their product is just excellent.
