Downtown Laurel's Field Guide to Eating Like a Local
“People who love to eat are always the best people.” — Julia Child
If this quote describes you, you’re in good company. Our small town prides itself on supplying a wide selection of breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert options. The best part is that most of them are within walking distance of one another, so you can have a dish at one restaurant and hop over to another for a dessert. We’ve created a list to help you narrow down your search (or make it harder to decide.)
As seen on Home Town, the Bird Dog Café is run by the Bell Brothers, Elliot and Connor. Be sure to follow them on Instagram here!
Grits & Some and Havana Ice Cream!
Monday-Saturday 8 am-1 pm
Sunday 8 am-2 pm
Sunday 8 am-2 pm
Laurel's newest breakfast spot in town - pop in to start your day off right!
Monday -Thursday | 7:00am – 8:00pm
Friday – Saturday | 7:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday | 9:00am — 6:00pm
Friday – Saturday | 7:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday | 9:00am — 6:00pm
As seen on Home Town, Lee’s is Downtown Laurel’s original specialty coffee, tea and eating spot. For the coffee lovers, Lee’s offers batch coffee, pour overs, espressos, lattes, tea, all cold drinks, and much more! They serve breakfast food, soup, salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, loaded potatoes, and low carb options. They offer a kids menu as well. Order online and pick-up or eat inside one of the most gorgeous spaces in Laurel!
Monday - Saturday | 11:00am - 2:00pm
As seen on Home Town, Pearl’s is a classic blue plate lunch diner. Miss Pearl provides classic options like fried chicken, baked chicken, hamburger steak, porkchops, mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas, lima beans, fried okra, rice and gravy, spicy or regular cornbread, banana pudding, and cheesecake. Her menu changes each day so be sure to follow her on Instagram here!
Monday – Thursday:
Breakfast from 7:00am — 10:00am & Lunch from 11:00 — 2:00pm
Friday – Saturday | 5:00pm - Until
Breakfast from 7:00am — 10:00am & Lunch from 11:00 — 2:00pm
Friday – Saturday | 5:00pm - Until
As seen on Home Town, Café La Fleur offers the perfect Cajun, French dish. They serve crawfish po'boys & other Southern-inspired eats in a quaint bistro with a New Orleans vibe.
As seen on Home Town, this little food truck makes take out food a flavor-packed and delightful experience. Their menu is as creative as their owners as they offer specials each week. Expect surprises like red beans and rice, pulled pork and macaroni wraps, shrimp po’ boys, pepperoni grilled cheeses, chicken cordon bleu sandwiches, grilled chicken club burgers. They offer various low-carb options and fit everyone’s taste. Be sure to follow along on their Instagram to see their hours and specials each week!
A small family-owned business where authentic Italian food is homemade and served fresh. Located on the beautiful Central Avenue, Mimmo’s is open daily and offers take-out and dine-in options.
Tuesday - Saturday | 5pm — Until
The Loft on Central Avenue offers a casual dining experience with indoor and outdoor seating. They serve fresh seafood and delicious steak dishes with southern-style sides and a variety of drink options.
Monday | 11:00am - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00am – 2:00pm & 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Sunday | Closed
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00am – 2:00pm & 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Sunday | Closed
A family-friendly restaurant that serves fresh seafood, scrumptious steaks and much more!
What once began as a Dairy Queen in 1948 has now become a Laurel staple and favorite for American classic foodies. Try their hand-spun milkshakes, fresh hamburgers, fries, chili cheese tots and much more! Voted Best Hamburger in the Laurel Leader Call’s Readers’ Choice 2021.
Wilson's Commissary
A classic, southern blue plate cuisine complete with fried chicken, baked chicken, lima beans, mac n cheese, rice and gravy, green beans, black eyed peas and much more.
Betys's Ice Cream
Grab a gourmet cone of homemade ice cream that you can customize with all of their fun toppings!
Monday – Wednesday | 10:00am — 6:00pm
Thursday – Saturday | 10:00am — 8:00pm
Thursday – Saturday | 10:00am — 8:00pm
Some of the best, finger-lickin’ barbeque in the Pine Belt. Serving various barbeque options, such as ribeye plates, sandwiches, sausage, chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, fries, okra, and corn on the cob.
Gecko's offers a super FRESH mexi-fusion grill menu with a tropical flair. Customers create their own dish in four easy steps. Step one is to pick your Meal selecting from tacos, fresh bowls, fresh wraps, quesadillas, gyros, salads, nachos, and daily specials and sandwiches.
The Laurel Creamery
A local favorite after school snack or after dinner dessert! Homemade ice cream with endless topping options!
Monday – Saturday | 6:00am — 6:00pm
A small town, mom ‘n’ pop donut shop that has been serving Laurel for over fifty years. Garcia’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to try their burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, bowls, and salads!
Monday | 10:30am — 2:00pm
Tuesday | 10:30am — 9:00pm
Wednesday – Saturday | 10:30am — 11:00pm
Sunday | 10:30am — 2:00pm
Tuesday | 10:30am — 9:00pm
Wednesday – Saturday | 10:30am — 11:00pm
Sunday | 10:30am — 2:00pm
Texas style BBQ with slow-smoked brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, ½ chicken with all your favorite southern sides.
Monday – Saturday | 10:00am — 6:00pm
Sunday | 1:00pm — 5:00pm
Sunday | 1:00pm — 5:00pm
The Disneyland for candy, cookie and milkshake lovers. Stop by here after dinner for a sweet treat!
Monday - Tuesday | Closed
Wednesday – Saturday : 11:00am — 11:00pm
Sunday | 11:00am — 3:00pm
Wednesday – Saturday : 11:00am — 11:00pm
Sunday | 11:00am — 3:00pm
320 Fifth Street serves an wide array of platters for all tastes and types — Pork nachos, frito chili pie, special hot dogs, griddle sandwiches to soups and salads. You come for their food and stay for the live music and open mic nights.
Sunday - Monday | Closed
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00am — 6:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00am — 6:00pm
Laurel, Mississippi’s only full service Butcher shop. Family owned and operated by Chad and Terri Knight. The Knight Butcher serves fresh burgers, ribeye, brisket, and roast beef in a variety of ways.
Their homemade beef jerky is a must-try!
Sunday – Saturday | 10:00am — 5:00pm
Sullivan & Sons is a family-owned general store on Oak Street. It’s quaint, nostalgic and full of goodies to choose from. Stop by to find gourmet foods, home remedies and the perfect gift!
Monday - Friday | 8:00am — 5:00pm
Saturday | 8:00am — 4:00pm
Sunday | Closed
Saturday | 8:00am — 4:00pm
Sunday | Closed
Sweet Somethings Bakery is a locally owned and operated family bakery that specializes in serving locally famous and delicious sweets.
