Whether you’ve indulged in Zachary’s legendary barbecue until you can’t take another bite, or you’re simply craving something beyond the usual Southern fare, this town surprises with culinary gems. From cozy Creole cafes to modern bistros redefining Louisiana classics, here are 14 spots where every meal feels like a celebration.
Sidelines Grill
$ | (225) 654-3354 | WEBSITE
The food at Sidelines Grill is great—after all, comfort is their love language. They usually have three fried options (and occasionally a po’boy) and they’re all excellent. And by excellent, we mean that we talked about the fried catfish so much that our friends changed our contact name to FC in their phones.
You can expect the burgers to be juicy, for them to be topped with balanced, classic condiments like crisp lettuce and ripe tomato, and to join the staff’s sports-watching agenda after one bite.
Zachary Sno Biz Shaved Ice
$ | (225) 241-3890 | WEBSITE
We can’t describe the sheer joy that comes from cooling off with a perfect snoball on a hot Louisiana day, but we’ll try. At Zachary Sno Biz Shaved Ice they have shaved ice that’s as refreshing as a splash in a community pool. The texture—soft as fresh snow and packed with flavor—is an absolute must-try. And that’s because they’re not serving up ice in a measly, bland syrup drizzle.
It’s a flavor party of sweet syrups and crunch from the optional toppings that works as well for a family outing as an afternoon when you want kid-friendly fun without paying theme-park prices for it.
Hot Tails
$ | (225) 399-2729 | WEBSITE
Going to Zachary’s Hot Tails and not getting the Shotgun Shrimp would be like going to Louisiana and skipping the crawfish: joyless, regrettable, and frankly, stupid. At the cozy, comfortable spot, you’ll likely hear friendly chatter coming from the tables and see endless plates of Blackenzola burgers, Crabcake sandwiches, and that amazing special sauce whizzing by.
The generous portions stay about as consistent as a Louisiana summer, so one visit you might have wonderfully flavorful dishes and the next enjoy them with just a hint of peppery kick. No matter how it’s prepared, it’s about as satisfying as that drive when you finally pull into the back parking lot.
Coffee Time
$ | (225) 535-0301 | WEBSITE
The Blackberry Lavender White Mocha at Zachary’s Coffee Time has become a part of our morning ritual. We’ve started making excuses to visit the coffee spot—like we can only start our day properly with their brew. Inside the cozy, retro-styled Airstream trailer you’ll see a compact counter and a few stools topped with frothy cups of caramel frappe, cold brew, and that signature mocha.
Each drink has rich flavor, some version of sweetness (caramel, lavender, or blackberry), offers a refreshing sip, and has just the right amount of caffeine.
Agave Blue Tequila and Taco Bar
$ | (225) 306-4301 | WEBSITE
The name says it all: a visit to this welcoming Zachary spot is all about tacos and tequila. There are always a few unmissable items on the consistent menu, and one of them is the baja fish taco. Most recently, the baja fish taco looked more like a vibrant platter than a simple taco—a generous topping of crisp cabbage, fresh pico de gallo, and creamy sauce all covers perfectly battered fish in a warm corn tortilla.
It’s an unexpected combination of crispy, tangy and savory elements that’ll pair perfectly with whatever margarita you order.
Blue Bubble
$ | (225) 326-8097 | WEBSITE
Our excitement for Blue Bubble isn’t just about the shrimp po-boy and milk teas. Nor is it about the cozy feeling we get sitting at a clean table on a sunny afternoon. It’s a combination of both, plus the fried catfish, which is a delight. Full of crispy cornmeal breading and fresh, well-seasoned fish, you’ll forget thinking about errands once you dive into plates of perfectly fried shrimp and refreshing boba drinks.
While chili dogs and chicken are on the menu, you could build a feast off of the po-boy and catfish alone and still leave just as satisfied. Maybe even more, depending on how many strawberry or horchata milk teas you pair it all with.
China Wok
$ | (225) 658-8898 | WEBSITE
Getting a filling meal is nice, but when it comes with generous portions of Chinese mixed vegetables, broccoli with sauce, and egg noodles, it’s even better. Enter Zachary’s China Wok. Their vegetarian options blend flavors like savory sauces and fresh vegetables to create satisfying dishes. The portions are always large and perfectly priced, and have an ideal balance of value and taste.
And since they offer some of the better deals in town, you can grab a $9 vegetable platter, pair it with a $4 side of noodles, and forget about your tight budget for less than fifteen dollars.
Papa Johns Pizza
$ | (225) 658-7972 | WEBSITE
At Papa Johns Pizza, you know the drill: a marathon of pepperoni and cheese is essential. But the delivery service and friendly staff—that are just as reliable as the hot pizzas arriving at your door—also deserve your attention. There’s a co-owner and drivers like Jazmine on the team, and you can choose large orders or quick deliveries with both. We love the efficient service from the drivers just as much as the personal touch and smooth experience from the co-owner.
This means there are no wrong choices here when it comes to getting your pizza fix.
Le Blanc’s Drive Inn
$ | (225) 654-3058 | WEBSITE
The shrimp po’boy from Le Blanc’s Drive Inn is well worth taking a regular detour to Zachary for. We’d trade in a week’s worth of fancy dinners just to have that crispy seafood sandwich and community hangout vibe of our dreams. Go for the classic shrimp po’boy with its perfectly fried crustaceans, or the juicy burger that’s simultaneously satisfying and messy.
They’re among the tastiest fast-food dishes in town, and somehow taste even better when enjoyed in the casual, friendly atmosphere where locals gather.
Teddy’s Juke Joint
$$ | (225) 658-8029 | WEBSITE
At Teddy’s Juke Joint, the authentic blues and soul music always includes at least one live performance. You’ll find classic sounds from local musicians or Teddy spinning blues records, soulful rhythms, and flourishes of nostalgic memorabilia. And it’s always welcoming.
It’s a laidback, iconic spot—perfect for casual drinks as well as low-key music nights—and the atmosphere has just as much authentic charm like Teddy’s knowledgeable presence and cool memorabilia if you’re looking for something beyond the trendiest places.
Cajun Catch
$ | (225) 654-6844 | WEBSITE
We enjoy several dishes at Cajun Catch in Zachary (and the drive-through option certainly doesn’t hurt). But we can’t stop ordering their black pot poboy. Our favorite of the many here is the classic Cajun Catch, which has fried shrimp, catfish, lettuce, and tomato, all stacked together and dressed with a super creamy, spicy remoulade. It’s simultaneously hearty and satisfying. Each messy bite is piled into a toasted French roll, making it the most indulgent poboy in town.
Ceces Cajun Cuisine
$$ | (225) 654-6844 | WEBSITE
The satisfying combination of generous portions, seafood specialties, and convenient take-home options comes together seamlessly at Ceces Cajun Cuisine in Zachary. The expanded location-turned-local favorite is a place where you could easily get caught up trying to decide between all the frozen meal choices. But then you’d miss out on the delicious catfish and fresh salads making their way through the drive-through.
On both the main menu and in their prepackaged frozen section, you’ll likely find dishes like perfectly fried catfish paired with crisp greens and zesty dressings, as well as hearty seafood platters bathing in Cajun spices, all served in generous portions. Whichever dining experience you go for, these Louisiana-inspired dishes will not disappoint.
Cafe Phoenicia
$ | (225) 658-9158 | WEBSITE
This Zachary restaurant has a Mediterranean menu, so you know they mean flavorful-meals-business. And no matter when you visit in the relaxing, cozy atmosphere, you’ll have a great view of chicken shawarma being prepared and fried cheese being served fresh. Our favorite here is the crab cakes—they’re a beautiful blend of seafood with a crispy exterior. You’ll get the unmistakable scent of marinara from the fried eggplant along with a great crunch from the perfectly fried cheese.
We could happily eat this delicious dish every day.
Golden Vegan
$ | (225) 306-4457 | WEBSITE
Golden Vegan is a small black-owned restaurant in Zachary that doesn’t shy away from their love of chili sauce and veggie wraps. They have a few on the menu, all have tons of flavor, and drench vegetables in a generous amount of sauce. Their Garden Veggie Wrap is one of our favorites. It’s bursting with freshness from the high-quality ingredients, there are large, tender chunks of vegetables, and the wrap gets finished with chili sauce.
The combination is perfectly balanced (and won’t leave you internally panicking or externally sweating from the heat of the sauce). Grab a few for your group, then do the same with the mushroom burgers.
