Best Chef in Mississippi: Hunter Evans
Elvie’s, The Mayflower Cafe, Goodbar, and Levure in Jackson
Hunter Evans’ culinary journey reflects a deep-rooted passion for honoring foodways in Mississippi while pushing the boundaries of what defines Southern cuisine. A Jackson native, Evans honed his craft under luminaries like John Currence at City Grocery in Oxford and Danny Meyer in New York City. At Elvie’s—a James Beard finalist restaurant Evans opened in 2020 and named after his grandmother—classic New Orleans elegance fuses with modern Southern sensibilities in a cozy historic home. The open-kitchen design fosters connection, with every table offering a view of the front door. His ethos centers on community and seasonality, with a commitment to mentoring his team and sourcing locally. Beyond Elvie’s, he oversees four Jackson concepts: the storied Mayflower Café, Good Bar, and Levure, a natural wine shop.
Hunter Evans’ Mississippi Recommendations
It was my favorite in college, and I’ve gotten to know [chef] Vish [Bhatt].
The pig ear sandwich: It’s one of those things, if you crave it, you can’t do anything except go to the place and get it.
White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge, Biloxi
Huge restaurant in an old house on the coast. It’s an old restaurant that they took over.
I love to go to Bar Muse and have a drink with Joe [Stinchcomb, owner].
Ramon’s, Clarksdale
One of those old-school Delta restaurants where it feels like a supper club—like in a small town, you walk in and know everybody, (662) 624-9230.
Best Mixologist in Mississippi: Joe Stinchcomb
Joe Stinchcomb is redefining mixology in Mississippi. A former debt collector-turned-bartender at Proud Larry’s, Stinchcomb fell in love with the fast-paced rhythm of restaurant life, seeing it as comparable to theater. After honing his craft at Saint Leo—where he led the bar program to a 2019 James Beard nomination—Stinchcomb opened Bar Muse in 2021 inside The Lyric theater. His cocktails, like the peanut orgeat-infused Bobby Boucher, balance innovation with classic technique, drawing inspiration from local ingredients, everyday life, and global travels. Deeply connected to his community, Stinchcomb welcomes every guest at his bar like an old friend. Pull up a stool, and let the show begin.
Joe Stinchcomb’s Mississippi Recommendations
Mama Jo’s Country Cookin, Oxford
Formerly connected to a gas station, this is the best soul food and meat-n-three, (662) 513-0235.
The fact that they do breakfast, lunch, and dinner blows my mind—three services is unheard of nowadays. And they’re all fantastic.
Giardina’s Restaurant, Greenwood
It’s like a time capsule because every table is a private booth with curtains—it goes back to the Prohibition era.
You literally walk through the kitchen to get sat; it’s an old-school thing they’ve done since they opened. Steaks are fantastic.
Really cool craft cocktail bar.
The Best of Mississippi
Best New Restaurant: Leña Pizza + Bagels, Cleveland
Nestled on Cotton Row in the Mississippi Delta, this fusion eatery merges New York-style bagels and Neapolitan pizza. Chef-owner Marisol Doyle, inspired by her studies in Naples, the birthplace of pizza, hand-tosses 00-flour dough, crafting woodfired pies with perfectly blistered crusts.
Best Tried & True Restaurant: Doe’s Eat Place, Greenville
A trip through the Delta isn’t complete without a stop at Doe’s, a 2009 James Beard America’s Classics winner. Opened in 1941 by Dominick “Doe” Signa and his wife, Mamie, the restaurant is housed in the same building where Doe’s father ran a grocery store. Mamie’s legendary hot tamales steal the show, alongside the iconic steaks, Delta wet salad, and garlic shrimp.
Best Fried Catfish: Taylor Grocery, Taylor
Set in a converted dry goods store, this Mississippi institution boasts more than 40 years of service and walls overgrown in kudzu-like layers of memorabilia. Renowned for the best fried catfish around, its no-frills charm lets the simplicity of the dish speak for itself.
Best Tasting Menu: Vestige, Ocean Springs
Tucked away in a quaint historic home, Vestige offers an intimate tasting menu, fusing Southern flavors with Japanese techniques. Chef Alex Perry, a five-time James Beard nominee, crafts artful dishes like smoky jasmine-scented crawfish tails, blending local ingredients with global influence. Reservations are limited—but this gem is worth the wait.
Outstanding Oyster Bar: Snackbar, Oxford
Snackbar redefines Southern cuisine through the lens of James Beard Award-winning chef Vishwesh Bhatt. Known for his “Bubba brasserie” approach, Bhatt blends Indian spices with Mississippi flavors, offering standout dishes like harissa-spiced roast chicken. Inventive cocktails and a vibrant raw bar complete this multicultural culinary beacon.
Five-Star Dive Bar: Blue Canoe, Tupelo
Don’t miss Connie’s blueberry donut bread pudding at this live music venue, eatery, and five-star dive bar. With Tyler Childers, Leon Bridges, and Alabama Shakes on its guest roster, plus 48 rotating beers from North Mississippi’s largest tap list, it’s noteworthy to say the least.
Best Juke Joint: Blue Front Café, Bentonia
Established in 1948, the Blue Front Café stands as the oldest continuously operating juke joint in the state. Legendary bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes preserves its legacy, serving soulful blues, buffalo fish, and moonshine. A hub for the famed Bentonia School style, it’s a living piece of music history.
Most Iconic Restaurant: City Grocery, Oxford
James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence cemented Oxford’s place on the culinary map, steering three acclaimed restaurants in town. City Grocery blends fine dining with soulful Southern flavors, earning a reputation for standout dishes like shrimp and grits and catfish meunière.
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