BOCAGE
Between Jefferson Highway and Corporate Boulevard
Vibe: Country club cushness in the middle of the city
Neighbors: Families, retired couples
Photo by Collin Richie
A field guide for some of Baton Rouge’s most popular neighborhoods
Between Jefferson Highway and Corporate Boulevard
Vibe: Country club cushness in the middle of the city
Neighbors: Families, retired couples
To eat: Elevated Cajun fare at Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar, fresh meats and produce at Maxwell’s Market and Whole Foods Market, pasta at Portobello’s Grill
To do: Play tennis at Bocage Racquet Club, shop in Towne Center, hop over to Citiplace to catch a flick at Movie Tavern
Between Airline Highway, Florida Boulevard, I-12 and Amite River
Vibe: Older single-family homes established in the 1950s for a variety of incomes
Neighbors: Families of all ages, international residents, singles with dogs
To eat: Tons of International food along Florida Boulevard like Little Saigon and Viet Garden, freshly baked loaves at Our Daily Bread, classy French fare at Maison LaCour
To do: Take the kids to play at Parkview Park, join a church, catch the annual Christmas parade
North of South Boulevard between I-110 and the Mississippi River
Vibe: Business and politics rolled up with arts and hospitality
Neighbors: Young professionals, multigenerational families, transplants who want big city feel and walkability
To eat: Filet mignon at Stroube’s Seafood & Steaks, small plates at The Gregory, local groceries from Matherne’s Market and Spanish Town Market, food truck round-ups at Tin Roof Brewing
To do: Visit political and historical landmarks, check out an exhibit at the LSU Museum of Art or Louisiana Art & Science Museum, catch the annual parades during holidays, festivals and live music every weekend in spring and fall
Between Government Street, Broussard Street & Eugene Street
Vibe: Historic properties and bungalows under lush oak trees
Neighbors: Doctors, lawyers, families, the occasional house full of college students who don’t own a lawnmower
To eat: Hot breakfast and soul food at Zeeland Street, coffee and locally baked goodies at Garden District Coffee
To do: Golfing and picnicking in City Park, playing at the Raising Cane’s Dog Park, catching the Wearin’ of the Green parade on St. Patrick’s Day, antiquing and vintage shopping at the Circa 1857 complex
Along Broussard Street and Hundred Oaks Avenue
Vibe: Luxury homes and native trees on big lots
Neighbors: Established families, HOA board members
To eat: Head to Acadian Thruway for barbecue at TJ Ribs or seafood enchiladas at Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine
To do: Tee off at Webb Memorial Golf Course, tour the varieties of architecture in your neighborhood from midcentury modern to Mediterranean
Louisiana State University campus and the LSU/City Park lakes
Vibe: University spirit, deep roots and great views
Neighbors: Wealthy families with lakefront property, college students renting apartments or rooms
To eat: Fried seafood and po-boys at The Chimes, high-concept dishes at Umami Japanese Bistro, build-your-own pies at Lit Pizza, fries and NFL replays at Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar
To do: Paddle in the LSU and City Park lakes, catch some LSU sports, score tickets to a performance in the LSU Shaver Theater, take in a concert at The Varsity
Along Government Street between 19th Street and Lobdell Avenue
Vibe: Trendsetting on a foundation of history
Neighbors: Artists, makers, hipsters, small business owners, families
To eat: Crawfish pies and chocolate cream pies at Elsie’s Plate & Pie, famous slices at Fleur de Lis Pizza, loaded burgers and tots at Curbside Burgers
To do: Drinks with tunes at The Radio Bar or Phil Brady’s, local music at hidden gem venues Mid City Ballroom and Bee Nice Music, recurrent art hops like White Light Night and Ogden Park Prowl, visit the city’s five historic cemeteries
Between Jefferson Highway and Airline Highway
Vibe: Mid City-adjacent with more elbow room
Neighbors: Young professionals, older families, investors looking for high resale value
To eat: Bacon cheeseburgers at Goodwood Grill, doberge cake at Gambino’s Bakery
To do: Swipe your card at the Main Library on Goodwood, smell the flowers at the newly expanded BREC’s Botanic Garden, visit BREC’s Independence Park Theatre and Cultural Center
Between Perkins Road and Airline Highway along Manchac Bayou
Vibe: A neighborhood big enough to be its own community
Neighbors: Families, executives, pastors, people who can afford their own golf carts
To eat: Louisiana-Italian fusion at Ruffino’s, gourmet cupcakes and ice cream at SmallCakes Cupcakery and Creamery, signature rolls at Hello Sushi, oysters at French Market Bistro
To do: Get a season pass to Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin’, bask in the neighborhood’s water features and parks
Between Perkins Road, Whitehaven Street, Perkins Overpass and Glasgow Avenue
Vibe: A family-friendly neighborhood surrounded by some of the most popular food and drink in Baton Rouge
Neighbors: Families, young professionals, five college students sharing a three-bedroom house
To eat: Old school Italian at DiGiulio Brothers or Pinetta’s, late-night burritos at Zippy’s Burritos, Tacos & More, a thin-crust slice at Red Zeppelin or Schlittz & Giggles, fancy dinner at Galatoire’s Bistro, brunch at The Overpass Merchant
To do: Shopping at Acadian Village (hello, Trader Joe’s), pint night at The Bulldog
Between Siegen Lane, Highland Road, Pecue Lane and Ward Creek
Vibe: Plantation-style homes mixed with smaller lots
Neighbors: Families
To eat: Iconic fresh strawberry cake at Ambrosia Bakery, all-you-can-eat Mexican food at El Magey’s buffet, chain restaurants along Siegen Lane like Olive Garden and Chick-fil-A, local eateries like Bistro Byronz and Flambée Cafe down Perkins Road
To do: Adventuring in Highland Road Park and its observatory, admiring the greenery at nearby Hilltop Arboretum, getting lost in Target
This article was originally published in the 225 Extra: 2018 Spaces & Places issue. Click here to read more articles from this issue.
