One of the best parts about travelling to new places is the food. Sampling different cuisines from other parts of the world is always a tasty treat – and luckily, you don’t have to leave Mississippi to do it. There are plenty of ethnic eateries in the Magnolia State where you can get your fill of great food and culture; here are 11 of our favorites.
- Saint Leo (1101 Jackson Ave. East, Oxford)
Saint Leo Restaurant/Facebook
Saint Leo Restaurant/Facebook Among the impressive restaurants that fill the food centric city of Oxford, you’ll find Saint Leo. The entire restaurant is based around a wood burning oven imported straight from Italy, so you know the pizza’s good. But that’s not all the eatery has to offer. Aside from great pizza, the menu includes several other Italian dishes - all of which are made from locally sourced, quality ingredients.
- Lillo’s (2001 Highway 82 E., Leland)
Lillo’s Family Restaurant/Facebook
Lillo’s Family Restaurant/Facebook A long time favorite, Lillo’s first opened in 1948, introducing the area to authentic Italian cuisine. Since then, the menu has grown tremendously and now features steaks, seafood, and a variety of mouthwatering Italian dishes, including lots of pastas and salads topped with homemade sauces and dressings.
- Keifer’s (710 Poplar Blvd. Jackson)
Keifer’s Restaurant/Facebook
Outside/TripAdvisor Serving downtown Jackson since 1980, Keifer’s has kept customers satisfied with an array of Greek favorites, including hummus, gyros, and the restaurant’s famous feta dressing. The dressing is so popular that it has its own fan page with followers from all over the world. But the restaurant’s specialty doesn’t end with the dressing; the pita used at Keifer’s is made solely for the eatery by a bakery in Chicago and isn’t available anywhere else.
- Best Wok (28 Market Ct., Hattiesburg)
Jaded-Bird/TripAdvisor
Rick/Zomato According to customer reviews, this unassuming eatery serves some of the best Chinese food around. And with an authentically tasty fare, huge portions, and low prices, it’s easy to see why this place is a local favorite. It tends to get pretty crowded, so call and place your order ahead of time if you’re in a hurry.
- Mary Mahoney’s (110 Rue Magnolia, Biloxi)
marymahoneys.com
CATHYRT/TripAdvisor Known as the “Old French House,” the building that houses Mary Mahoney’s was built in 1737, when the area was still a part of French territory. Today, the restaurant pays homage to its roots by putting a French twist on New Orleans cuisine. Browse the menu and you’ll find French favorites, such as escargot and seafood au gratin.
- Cannella (1113 US-90, Bay St. Louis)
Notsyscofood/TripAdvisor
Cannella/Yelp The best of both worlds, Cannella features an Italian and German fare. You’re probably wondering, “How can a restaurant offer both and be taken seriously?” However, once you learn that the eatery is owned by a husband and wife team – one of whom is German, the other Italian – it all makes sense. And if you’re still not convinced, you definitely will be once you try the food. The menu is brimming with delicious options, including an array of German sausage, pastas, and more.
- Orchid Indian Restaurant (162 Tegarden Rd., Gulfport)
Orchid Indian Restaurant/Facebook
Regina L./TripAdvisor A favorite among Gulfport residents, Orchid Indian Restaurant features an authentic Indian fare that’s sure to please. The exotic dishes are packed with flavor, which most likely has something to do with the fact that the eatery imports its spices straight from India. In addition to an impressive menu, you’ll find a buffet filled with mouthwatering options.
- Phoenicia Gourmet (1223 Government St., Ocean Springs)
Mike W./Yelp
Phoenicia Gourmet/Facebook With rave customer reviews and numerous awards, including “Restaurant of the Year,” it should come as no surprise that Phoenicia attracts diners from as far away as New Orleans, Alabama, and Florida. The eatery focuses on Greek and Lebanese entrees – all of which are made using authentic recipes and the freshest ingredients available.
- El Lupillo (1909 E. Pass Rd., Gulfport)
Pykee C./Yelp
Kurt S./Yelp At El Lupillo, tacos are the specialty, which means the restaurant has had plenty of time to perfect them. Described as “authentic street tacos,” the tasty creations are served on your choice of a corn or flour tortilla and stuffed to the brim with the meat of your choice.
- Naru Japanese Restaurant (6585 Towne Center Xing, Southaven)
Naru Japanese Restaurant/Facebook
Annette P./Yelp Don’t let the fact that this eatery is located in a shopping mall fool you; Naru has garnered a reputation for its amazing Japanese fare. Always fresh, the sushi has consistently received rave reviews on websites such as Yelp and Trip Advisor. In addition to sushi, the menu includes hibachi and a variety of signature entrees.
- Sao Thai (725 N. Gloster St., Tupelo)
Sao Thai Tupelo/Facebook
Patti J./Yelp A true hidden gem, Sao Thai is the place to go for authentic Thai food in Tupelo. The unsuspecting eatery may not look like much on the outside but as soon as you step inside and the aroma of the flavorful fare hits you, you’ll know it’s the real deal. Look over the menu and you’ll find a variety of savory entrees, all of which are prepared with authentic spices and seasonings.
Have you visited the restaurants listed above? Know of another eatery that should’ve been included? Tell us in the comments section.
Saint Leo Restaurant/Facebook
Among the impressive restaurants that fill the food centric city of Oxford, you’ll find Saint Leo. The entire restaurant is based around a wood burning oven imported straight from Italy, so you know the pizza’s good. But that’s not all the eatery has to offer. Aside from great pizza, the menu includes several other Italian dishes - all of which are made from locally sourced, quality ingredients.
Lillo’s Family Restaurant/Facebook
A long time favorite, Lillo’s first opened in 1948, introducing the area to authentic Italian cuisine. Since then, the menu has grown tremendously and now features steaks, seafood, and a variety of mouthwatering Italian dishes, including lots of pastas and salads topped with homemade sauces and dressings.
Keifer’s Restaurant/Facebook
Outside/TripAdvisor
Serving downtown Jackson since 1980, Keifer’s has kept customers satisfied with an array of Greek favorites, including hummus, gyros, and the restaurant’s famous feta dressing. The dressing is so popular that it has its own fan page with followers from all over the world. But the restaurant’s specialty doesn’t end with the dressing; the pita used at Keifer’s is made solely for the eatery by a bakery in Chicago and isn’t available anywhere else.
Jaded-Bird/TripAdvisor
Rick/Zomato
According to customer reviews, this unassuming eatery serves some of the best Chinese food around. And with an authentically tasty fare, huge portions, and low prices, it’s easy to see why this place is a local favorite. It tends to get pretty crowded, so call and place your order ahead of time if you’re in a hurry.
marymahoneys.com
CATHYRT/TripAdvisor
Known as the “Old French House,” the building that houses Mary Mahoney’s was built in 1737, when the area was still a part of French territory. Today, the restaurant pays homage to its roots by putting a French twist on New Orleans cuisine. Browse the menu and you’ll find French favorites, such as escargot and seafood au gratin.
Notsyscofood/TripAdvisor
Cannella/Yelp
The best of both worlds, Cannella features an Italian and German fare. You’re probably wondering, “How can a restaurant offer both and be taken seriously?” However, once you learn that the eatery is owned by a husband and wife team – one of whom is German, the other Italian – it all makes sense. And if you’re still not convinced, you definitely will be once you try the food. The menu is brimming with delicious options, including an array of German sausage, pastas, and more.
Orchid Indian Restaurant/Facebook
Regina L./TripAdvisor
A favorite among Gulfport residents, Orchid Indian Restaurant features an authentic Indian fare that’s sure to please. The exotic dishes are packed with flavor, which most likely has something to do with the fact that the eatery imports its spices straight from India. In addition to an impressive menu, you’ll find a buffet filled with mouthwatering options.
Mike W./Yelp
Phoenicia Gourmet/Facebook
With rave customer reviews and numerous awards, including “Restaurant of the Year,” it should come as no surprise that Phoenicia attracts diners from as far away as New Orleans, Alabama, and Florida. The eatery focuses on Greek and Lebanese entrees – all of which are made using authentic recipes and the freshest ingredients available.
Pykee C./Yelp
Kurt S./Yelp
At El Lupillo, tacos are the specialty, which means the restaurant has had plenty of time to perfect them. Described as “authentic street tacos,” the tasty creations are served on your choice of a corn or flour tortilla and stuffed to the brim with the meat of your choice.
Naru Japanese Restaurant/Facebook
Annette P./Yelp
Don’t let the fact that this eatery is located in a shopping mall fool you; Naru has garnered a reputation for its amazing Japanese fare. Always fresh, the sushi has consistently received rave reviews on websites such as Yelp and Trip Advisor. In addition to sushi, the menu includes hibachi and a variety of signature entrees.
Sao Thai Tupelo/Facebook
Patti J./Yelp
A true hidden gem, Sao Thai is the place to go for authentic Thai food in Tupelo. The unsuspecting eatery may not look like much on the outside but as soon as you step inside and the aroma of the flavorful fare hits you, you’ll know it’s the real deal. Look over the menu and you’ll find a variety of savory entrees, all of which are prepared with authentic spices and seasonings.
Looking for more places to fill up on culture? Check out “These 12 Pizza Places In Mississippi Are So Good That Your Mouth May Explode.“
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