Our 10 Favorite Tasting Menus Across the South

Tasting menus across the South offer the pleasure of indulging in several mouthwatering dishes without the pressure of choosing that one main dish. Spanning from Austin to Louisville, Kentucky, and through Staunton, Virginia, these perfectly portioned dishes feature local “farm-to-table” ingredients pulling inspiration from what is currently in season.

Try these 10 Southern tasting menus that showcase each individual chef’s creativity through delicate and colorful dishes, seasonal ingredients, and crafted culinary experience.

Vestige

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

This “chef’s choice” tasting menu is located inside a historic and cozy restaurant in the heart of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Chefs Alex Perry and his wife Kumi Omori draw inspiration from the seasons and lean into whatever feels tastiest for guests that day when crafting their five-course menu. Their dishes combine local and Japanese influences for an unforgettable experience. 

Lazy Betty

Atlanta

Get the full experience at this MICHELIN-starred Atlanta restaurant that is heavily praised for its delicious tasting menu. And, while we love savory dishes, Lazy Betty takes things a step further with their dessert tasting menu which is filled to the brim with four sweet options. Their open-concept kitchen takes the dining experience full circle allowing guests to watch dishes being prepped before they reach the table.

Rêve

Birmingham, Alabama

Classic French fare meets Southern culture in this first-of-its-kind tasting menu. Nestled in Birmingham, Rêve offers a six-course and ten-course tasting menu specially curated by owner and executive chef Jacob Stull that includes delicious appetizers, entrees, and dessert dishes to immerse guests in the full effect of their “field to flame to table” ingredients.

Maude & the Bear

Staunton, Virginia

Chef Ian Boden draws inspiration from his wife’s Appalachian upbringing, his Ashkenazi roots, and their many memories traveling for an ever-changing four or seven-course tasting menu. Maud & the Bear is joined by a three-suite boutique inn, packing 100 years of life within its walls. Their tasting menu is available Thursday through Saturday.

610 Magnolia

Louisville, Kentucky

Experience this modern approach to your classic Southern spread. 610 Magnolia prides itself on uniquely celebrating all Louisville has to offer. They source their produce from their greenhouse and focus on keeping true to the season in each dish prepared. While prices and dishes change, their sample menu features beautifully plated bluefin tuna tataki, carrot cavatelli, BBQ hamachi, and countless other dishes. Enjoy their five-course tasting menu paired with an equally exquisite five-course wine pairing. 

1856 – Culinary Residence

Auburn, Alabama

Said to be the first tasting restaurant in Auburn, 1856 offers both guests and students a culinary experience. The restaurant operates as a teaching restaurant alongside Auburn University’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, giving students firsthand experience in either back or front of house as part of their coursework. Dishes feature vegetables, produce, and herbs from a rooftop garden handcrafted and managed by Auburn University’s Horticultural Program. This “roof to table” approach curates a seasonally-inspired tasting menu that rotates with what is readily available. Indulge in the peekytoe crab, lobster risotto, and wagyu short rib before a mouthwatering dessert.

Image courtesy of 1856

Georgia Boy

Atlanta

Georgia Boy’s James Beard-nominated chef Joey Ward takes a creative, colorful approach to his tasting menu experience. Described as both intentionally dynamic and exceptionally interactive, you’ll be seated front and center while your dishes are prepared. The most fun part? Georgia Boy is a completely blind tasting experience, and the menu is not released in advance.

Honeysuckle Rose

Charleston

Honeysuckle Rose offers a three-hour dining experience you just have to try for yourself. This eight-course tasting menu includes hand-selected wines from all over the world, as well as mocktails for the alcohol-free guests. From seasonal stuffed small pumpkins to Maine lobster bao buns, this ever-evolving menu blends delicious flavors with an intimate dining experience. 

Restaurant 1796

St. Francisville, Louisiana

This hidden gem sits behind The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville. They not only offer delicious Southern-inspired dishes, but also host a tasting menu specially curated by chef Daniel Dreher. Consisting of seven courses, this menu features completely off menu dishes, allowing guests a truly one of a kind experience when dining that changes seasonally. 

Hestia

Austin

Grab your friends for this one because this tasting menu requires full-table participation. Mouthwatering oysters with pickled apples, eggplant with beef tallow, and blackened persimmon with caviar are just a few dishes on the acclaimed Austin tasting menu at Hestia. This cozy, intimate restaurant offers an additional wine-pairing menu to bring your tasting experience full circle. 

Note: The hyper-seasonal nature of these tasting menus results in frequent changes to dishes and ingredients. Those listed here may no longer be served at the time of visit.