With a new year comes new experiences, and 2023 brought a flurry of restaurant openings. Baton Rouge is a foodie’s paradise, and these new openings are no exception. Offering breakfast, lunch or dinner, and everything from pizza to plant-based, these restaurants are sure to satisfy any craving!
NEW RESTAURANTS
1717
Located in The Queen Baton Rouge casino, 1717 specializes in rustic American cuisine with a twist. The restaurant also features an interior stage, 38 high-definition televisions in the bar space and a loft with an outdoor patio overlooking the Mississippi River.
3 Woks Noodle Bar
3 Woks Noodle Bar is a casual walk-up Asian cuisine restaurant. Also located in The Queen Baton Rouge casino, this spot offers a variety of appetizers, such as potstickers and miso soup, and wet and dry noodles made right before you.
Beloved
Zeeland Street Market has long been a Baton Rouge favorite for breakfast and lunch, and in 2023, they expanded their offerings to dinner service, as well, in a new elevated dinner concept named Beloved. Beloved offers contemporary takes on soul food favorites, co*cktails and mocktails, served in a moody, warm atmosphere.
Big Chicken
Big Chicken is another addition to The Queen Baton Rouge casino’s lineup of new eats. Infusing Shaquille O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites with today’s trending flavors, Big Chicken offers crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders, Cheez-It crusted mac and cheese and handcrafted ice cream shakes.
Brasas Peru Charcoal Chicken
Brases Peru fills the gap that was a Peruvian restaurant in the area, and it really doesn’t miss! This culinary journey is known for its pollo a la brasa – chicken that is meticulously cooked over an open flame and is infused with the flavors of Brazil. The carefully crafted menu infuses the diverse flavors of Peru, ranging from ceviche to lomo saltado.
Caroline’s Cookies
Baton Rouge locals have (im)patiently waited for the arrival of these cookies, and they have finally made their grand appearance! Located at Perkins Rowe, Caroline’s Cookies offer four staple flavors and two special flavors of their handmade, thick and gooey cookies that change from month to month.
Recently opened in Baton Rouge’s Mid City neighborhood, Cork’s is a fast casual restaurant offering all of your seafood favorites. Fresh Louisiana seafood is fried up for crispy shrimp baskets, fish bites, po’boys and more.
Empire Wingz – Sherwood
Empire Wingz ranks year after year on 225 Magazine’s Best of 225 list for best wings and for good reason! They have recently opened a new location on Sherwood Forest Boulevard, and now with four locations, you can taste the flavor from anywhere in the city!
Golden Vegan
Golden Vegan is Zachary’s newest vegan restaurant! Woman-owned and operated, this vegan café specializes in delicious comfort food such as vegan burgers, Southwest eggrolls and other savory bites!
The Hawt Chick
There’s nothing worse than a late-night craving that can’t be fulfilled, but The Hawt Chick is here to save the day! Located on Chimes close to LSU, The Hawt Chick is opened for late-night bites, with a simple menu of chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and wings, with sides of fries, mac and cheese and baked beans.
KOK Wings & Things is one of the newest additions to the Electric Depot on Governement Street. Originating in Lafayette, KOK (or Kitchen on Klinton)’s staples are fried chicken wings – boneless and traditional – and fully loaded fries, with a full bar, as well as fried shrimp and fish.
If you’re looking for the perfect cheese pull, then look no further than Light House Bar & Pizzeria. Offering craft co*cktails and deep-dish specialty pizzas such as Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Sweet Heat Pizza, this dining hotspot is located in Scotlandville close to Southern University.
If you can melt it, they can serve it! This new restaurant specializes in a variety of cheesesteaks, burgers and wings, as well as offering a selection of pastas, sides and appetizers.
Mulberry Market is not your average delicatessen! Offering a wide selection of bagels, smears, salads and sandwiches, this deli will bring you straight to New York. Located in Willow Grove, Mulberry Market also offers gourmet groceries for all your gourmet needs – baked goods, cheese, wine and more!
Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar is one of the newest Mexican restaurants to hit Baton Rouge. Offering authentic Mexican food in a fun, upscale atmosphere, this restaurant is serving up a good time and delicious food paired with equally delicious margaritas!
Pizza Art Wine
Pizza Art Wine blends three great loves – pizza, art and wine – all in one place! More than a pizzeria, this restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine perfectly paired with a curated selection of local and international wines. Set in a contemporary and elegant space, this is the perfect spot for foodies and art lovers alike.
The Plantry Café
The Plantry Café is Baton Rouge’s newest plant-based restaurant, with a health-conscious focus on clean eating without sacrificing flavor. All dishes are gluten-free, plant-based and organic, and the menu features a variety of co*cktails, appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and more!
Sazon Latin Grill
Sazon Latin Grill provides a selection of authentic Cuban-Colombian cuisine, all made with love. This family-owned business provides both excellent renditions of traditional meals and daring new explorations into new culinary areas.
South Plains Food Co.
Located a little further north in Zachary, South Plains Food Co. is the newest restaurant to the area. With a menu filled with sandwiches, seafood, pasta and steak, there’s definitely something for everyone in this spacious establishment.
Taylor Made Concessions
Newly opened in Zachary, Taylor Made Concessions specializes in delicious soul and comfort food. Offering breakfast, brunch and lunch specials, you’ll find favorites such as mac and cheese, lasagna and more!
Town Square Pizza
Town Square Pizza is downtown Baton Rouge’s newest pizza hotspot, and it’s taken the area by storm! Whether you choose to build your own pizza with a choice of sauce, cheese, protein and veggies or choose from one of their specialty pizzas, each one of these square shaped pies are something to be savored.
BARS THAT OPENED IN 2023:
- Dark 30
- Edge Lounge
- Firehaus
- Mother’s Lounge
- Pelican to Mars
- The Tunnel
- What If Distillery
COMING SOON:
- CounterspaceBR Mid City
- Habanero's
- Offset Smoker BBQ
- Pink Agave
- Tsunami Highland
