Covington Restaurants: Your Guide to Must-Try Eats

Covington’s culinary excellence should come as no surprise, given it boasts powerhouse players like Abita Brewery, the grandfather of Louisiana craft beers. This city’s proximity to New Orleans means that fresh talent and diverse flavors are always in tow, and its relationship to the Gulf makes for ultra-fresh, local seafood. Aside from the traditional Louisiana cuisine you’ll find near the Gulf, explore everything from Italian pizzerias to French fare — like crispy arancini appetizers to scratch baguettes topped in garlicky compound butter. Ready to dive into Covington’s restaurants? This guide will show you how.

Explore Covington's Cuisine

• Fine Dining
• Casual Dining
• Coffee and Dessert
• Can't Miss Culinary Experiences in Covington

Fine Dining

Whether you’re looking for a soft place to land on a Friday night or a cozy table for two, these fine dining restaurants in Covington deliver.

Gallaghers Grill

Find tender Gulf oysters baked in layers of Romano cheese or crab drizzled in citrus beurre blanc at Gallaghers Grill. This Covington staple is the result of more than 40 years of family excellence shared through generations. 

Menu | 509 S. Tyler St, Covington

The Gloriette

Upscale eatery The Gloriette boasts Renaissance-style decor, lending a certain softness to an already sophisticated interior. Sample dishes like gumbo with blue crab, mascarpone-swirled cheese grits and coffee-rubbed venison.

Menu | 428 E. Boston St., Covington

Del Porto Ristorante 

At Del Porto Ristorante, savor dishes like lemon-mascarpone risotto dotted with gulf shrimp and sweet corn or osso bucco layered onto garlic roasted mashed potatoes. Don’t overlook the wine pairings, either: This restaurant is known for its choice selection. 

Menu | 501 E. Boston St., Covington

Casual Dining 

In the spirit of all things communal and laissez faire, Louisianans love to share a meal together. These casual Covington restaurants balance the talent of fine dining with the low-stakes promise of a quick bite.

The Chimes

After a day tubing on the Bogue Falaya river, sip a local pale ale or grab a crispy catfish platter from The Chimes. Find classic Louisiana fare like etouffee, chicken and sausage gumbo and charbroiled oysters here, too.

Menu | 19130 W. Front St, Covington

Meribo Pizza

If wood-fired broccoli lemon pizza layered in fresh mozzarella piques your interest, consider Meribo Pizza, whose selection of decadent pastas draw a crowd, too. Try the Casarecci: Scents of sweet pepper ragout rise from a wild-boar-studded pasta.

Menu | 326 Lee Lane, Covington

Valencia 

While Valencia curates goodies like whipped goat cheese infused with orange and honey, be sure to order paella. The Paella Valenciana highlights superstars like shrimp, chicken, chorizo, fresh vegetables, saffron and sofrito.

Menu | 315 N. Vermont St., Covington

Coffee and Dessert

Few things are as essential as a morning coffee — except, perhaps, a scratch-made sweet treat. With these picks, you’ll have no problem sipping local coffee or savoring a warm, flaky croissant.

St. John’s Coffeehouse

As the self-proclaimed most historic coffeehouse on the Northshore, St. John’s has a lot to live up to. Luckily, the shop’s velvety, nutty espresso pairs deliciously with its creamy cappuccinos. For dessert, savor an affogato — an Italian treat of vanilla gelato topped with piping-hot espresso.

Menu | 535 E. Boston St., Covington

Haven Coffee + Cocktails 

Haven Coffee + Cocktails enlivens downtown Covington with its day-to-night concept. Start with gouda-infused grits topped with lemon-glazed shrimp for brunch (paired with a Honey Lavender Nitro Latte or premium Northshore Specialty Coffee pour over). For dinner, enjoy artisanal small bites, like a Potsticker Salad — which features kimchi-stuffed chicken dumplings — and a craft cocktail, like a Banana Bread Old-Fashioned.

Menu | 534 N. New Hampshire St., Covington

Don’t Miss:

• Hoodoo Ice Cream, which uses cream from one of the last remaining dairy farms in Mississippi.
• Sourdough-based desserts, like a black forest roll, from Tournesol Cafe and Bakery.
• A famous strawberry lager from Abita Brewery, one of the state’s oldest craft beer joints.

Find More Ways to Feed Your Soul

• Toast to these breweries, wineries and distilleries. 

• Learn more about Louisiana’s food trails.

• Find more things to do in Hammond.