Dining and Nightlife
Lafayette is enriched with the Cajun and Creole cultures encompassing great food, great music, great cultural institutions and events, and a joie de vivre or joy of life second to none. The campus is in close proximity to larger metropolitan areas such as Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and New Orleans.
Often referred to as Cajun Country, Lafayette is the home of several greatly anticipated festivals and renowned cuisine. Serving up genuine Cajun and Creole dishes, Lafayette restaurants thrive on traditional, down-home cooking as well as upscale versions of time-honored favorites. Many dining locations resemble or are themed around the bayou tradition that is rooted in Louisiana.
There are a number of dining facilities just minutes away from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Visitors as well as residents enjoy Blue Dog Café, which displays the world’s largest collection from artist George Rodrigue. At the Oil Center, only a few blocks from campus, nearly a dozen eateries provide a variety of cuisines, from breakfast to upscale dinners.
Many Lafayette restaurants carry historic pedigrees including Original Don’s Seafood & Steakhouse, established in 1934, and Café Vermilionville in the city’s earliest inn. If you are looking for a typical Cajun meal, Prejean’s Restaurant is the place to be.
There are a number of cafés, fast food chains and restaurants within two miles of the campus. Gallagher’s and Old Tyme Grocery specialize in plate lunches and po-boys and have become Lafayette favorites. For specialty coffees, soups and sandwiches, Mello Joy shops are scattered around town, and Piccadilly Cafeteria has a 50-foot counter of home-style cooking. Within recent years, Community Coffee House has increased its business within the area. And we cannot forget about the chain foodservice locations: Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Burger King, Sonic, Domino’s, Papa John’s Pizza, Jason’s Deli and Ground Pat’i.
Downtown Lafayette is the home of many businesses, art galleries, nightclubs and a variety of excellent restaurants. The downtown area is gradually turning into an international market. Beyond Cajun and Creole, students may try other cuisines, ranging from Italian to Mexican to Sushi. Popular eateries include Tsunami, The Pub, Guamas and Pat’s Downtown.
Lafayette caters to the health conscious too! We have Fresh Pickens, which is a market that sells fresh fruit and vegetables. Zoe’s Kitchen opened in Spring 2008 and offers healthy soups, salads, pastas and sandwiches. For those looking to stock up for the week or longer with healthy selections, The Fresh Market located in River Ranch is the perfect source!
And after a great meal, head out for a night on the town filled with Cajun dancing, jazz and zydeco music, and, of course, tasty beverages. So come and enjoy the region’s delicious foods and spirited nighttime culture with some great friends and family.
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