April 2026’s new openings and spots to watch in the Capital Region: Southdowns Grille, Prima Apres and more

It may be the start of a new month, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take some time to look back at all that April brought to the Capital Region in terms of new openings.

From a national eyewear shop opening a location in Baton Rouge to new restaurants bursting onto the scene, there is a lot to recap. Here’s your refresher on all that opened in the 225 during the past month, plus some other concepts that have made their way on our radar.

Did we miss a business or restaurant that opened during April? Tell us by emailing [email protected].

Southdowns Grille

4205 Perkins Rd. 

Feast on elevated comfort food at the new Southdowns Grille, which opened earlier this month in the former Solera space. Patrons can sip on craft cocktails, listen to live music on the patio on select nights and enjoy a curated menu of lunch and dinner dishes.

Le Rêve

4321 Perkins Rd.

Get your fill of pastries, coffees and more at Le Rêve, a new French-inspired spot housed in the former Southfin Southern Poké. Le Rêve opened on April 20 in the Southdowns Village shopping center and hosted its grand opening on April 28. The cafe also features a “digital” drive-thru where customers can pick up items they pre-ordered online.

Prima Après

5720 Corporate Blvd., Ste. D

This pasta and pavlova brand is now open on Corporate Boulevard in the spot formerly occupied by Sucré. The new shop gives pasta lovers another spot to fill up on sauce-covered carbs, along with a bevy of sweets. Prima Après was founded by husband-and-wife duo James Vitrano and Abney Harper on the Northshore before it expanded into Baton Rouge.

Also on our radar

• Major eyewear store Warby Parker has found its latest home in Baton Rouge’s Perkins Rowe. Since 2010, Warby Parker has been designing and selling high-quality prescription glasses at a fraction of traditional retail prices. Find its new storefront between The Terraces’ leasing offices and the Kendra Scott jewelry store.
• There’s a new sandwich pop-up in Baton Rouge’s budding pop-up food concept scene. Hey Jon, a new sandwich-focused pop-up, has been making appearances around town at places like Pelican to Mars, Radio Bar and Cypress Coast, pleasing new fans with a menu of stacked sandwiches on St. Bruno Bread Co. bread.
• A new hibachi and sushi spot is now open in Denham Springs. Holy Express Sushi & Hibachi offers a menu packed with loaded bento boxes, sushi donuts, poke bowls, and, of course, sushi and hibachi.