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The most exciting restaurant and bar openings in Baton Rouge in 2019

This year was a big one for the Baton Rouge food scene. Within 12 quickly passing months, the Capital City became the home to multiple mixed-used entertainment venues, tons of fast-casual restaurants, a handful of breweries and even our own beer garden. Here are the 20+ restaurant and bar openings in Baton Rouge that caught our eye this year.

Did we forget any openings? Tell us in the comments.


Full-service restaurants

BLDG 5’s comfy interior. Photo by Collin Richie

BLDG 5 Market

What: A lush marketplace, eatery and patio under the Perkins Road overpass that serves elevated cuisine, boards and cocktails

Where: 2805 Kalurah St.

When: November 2019

Southern Pearl Oyster House

What: A quintessential New Orleans-style seafood restaurant for fresh and charbroiled oysters

Where: 9460 Perkins Road

When: September 2019

Solera

What: A new go-to romantic spot in Southdowns Shopping Center for authentic Spanish tapas and wine

Where: 4205 Perkins Road

When: August 2019

Rouj Creole

What: A modern take on Creole cuisine with a stylish interior on the edge of Perkins Rowe

Where: 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite 100

When: June 2019

Restaurant 1796

What: A rustic, wood-fired dining experience at The Myrtles in St. Francisville

Where: 7747 Highway 61, St. Francisville

When: February 2019


Fast-casual spots 

MJ’s Cafe’s new spot on Government Street. Photo by Taylor Moran

MJ’s Cafe

What: The popular vegan-friendly restaurant gets a stylish new brick-and-mortar spot in Mid City

Where: 5162 Government St.

When: November 2019

Too Saucy Pasta Bar

What: This new restaurant offers build-your-own pasta dishes

Where: 17002 Jefferson Highway, Suite E

When: October 2019

Smalls Sliders

What: A simple drive-thru concept that serves sliders, fries and milkshakes in a space made of repurposed shipping containers

Where: 4343 Nicholson Drive

When: September 2019

Playa Bowls

What: Acai bowls, poke and smoothies all in a colorful spot in Arlington Creek Center

Where: 660B Arlington Creek Center Court

When: September 2019

Hannah Q’s Smokehouse

What: A Prairieville-based barbecue joint opens a Mid City location to serve up finger-licking-good ribs, burgers and other smoked meats

Where: 4808 Government St.

When: June 2019

Atomic Burger

What: The much-anticipated New Orleans burger joint serves burgers, fries and liquid nitrogen shakes off Burbank Drive

Where: 5909 Creek Centre Drive

When: April 2019

Bumsteers

What: A fresh and sporty American restaurant with a rooftop bar and seating in the midst of the Perkins Road overpass area

Where: 3109 Perkins Road

When: April 2019

Tchew’s

What: Spot-on barbecue and sides at a refurbished former Sonic in Prairieville

Where: 17334 Airline Highway

When: April 2019

New York Pizza and Pasta

What: A new place to get straightforward New York-style pizza and homemade pasta

Where: 5380 Jones Creek Road

When: February 2019

The Garden Café at the Main Library at Goodwood

What: A quiet place to grab a snack, sandwich or salad after all that research at the Main Library next door

Where: 7751 Goodwood Blvd.

When: February 2019

Good Eats Kitchen

What: Grab-and-go meals with an eye toward healthy options

Where: 7673 Perkins Road

When: January 2019


Additional locations 

Chow Yum Phat. Photo by Gabrielle Feld

Chow Yum Phat

What: A hip brick-and-mortar restaurant for the White Star Market favorite, serving Asian street food under the overpass

Where: 2363 Hollydale Ave.

When: September 2019

Main Squeeze Juice Co.

What: The juice shop for natural 7-day cleanses, detoxes and energy boosts opened another location off Airline Highway

Where: 9659 Antioch Road, Suite 100

When: June 2019


Bars & Breweries

Rally Cap’s interior. Photo by Kristin Selle

Rally Cap

What: A baseball-themed tap room and brewery off Siegen Lane

Where: 11212 Pennywood Ave.

When: December 2019

Gilla Brewing Company

What: A no-frills micro brewery and bar in Gonzales

Where: 13025 Highway 44, Suites 108 &109

When: October 2019

The Chimes’ rooftop bar

What: The go-to sports bar near campus now features a massive rooftop deck and bar

Where: 3357 Highland Road

When: August 2019

Mid City Beer Garden

What: An open-air bar and restaurant in the heart of Mid City decorated with lively plants and string lights

Where: 3808 Government St.

When: August 2019

Squeaky Pete’s

What: A downtown bar for country music and line dancing

Where: 326 Third St.

When: July 2019

The Lost Cove

What: A rustic hidden gem from the former The Cove crew with a book of cocktail options and a lengthy beer menu

Where: 5625 Essen Lane

When: May 2019

MID Tap

What: A self-serve tap room off Burbank with games, music and an outdoor patio

Where: 660 Arlington Creek Centre Blvd., Suite D

When: April 2019

Dead Poet

What: A stylish bar near LSU with vibrant murals and a groovy vibe

Where: 623 E. Boyd Drive

When: January 2019


Mixed use venues serving food

Main Event. Photo by Gabrielle Feld

Main Event

What: A new place for arcade games, laser tag and fried foods just outside the Mall of Louisiana

Where: 6401 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite #660

When: August 2019

Red Stick Social

What: The new spot to bowl, eat and drink cocktails on the rooftop patio just off Government Street

Where: 1503 Government St.

When: April 2019

Topgolf

What: Where to practice your swing, drink and eat American fare

Where: 10955 N. Mall Drive

When: January 2019


Coffee, tea and desserts 

City Roots. Photo by Kristin Selle

City Roots Coffee Bar at Electric Depot

What: A well-lit coffee shop with an industrial interior is the newest tenant at Electric Depot

Where: 1509 Government St., Suite A

When: October 2019

Cynthea Corfah
Cynthea Corfah is a multimedia journalist, community builder and passionate eczema advocate. As a true arts lover and "Essence" contributor, she has interviewed music stars like Coi Leray, captured the energy of epic Boiler Room DJ sets and profiled influential fashion designers. Through partnerships with brands like Pfizer and WebMD, she sparks honest and impactful conversations about life with eczema and promotes inclusive skin representation.