The Louisiana outdoors is well known for its lush swampland and legendary bayou waterways. So much of the local food culture comes from the water, be it catfish from rivers and bayous, seafood from the coast, or crawfish from flooded rice fields. St. Landry Parish has a national waterway, the Bayou Teche, that runs directly through several communities. While the Teche may be the most famous of our bayous, the Bayou Courtableau has a history that put a 300-year-old steamboat town, on the map.

Along our waterways, you can find eateries ranging from fine dining to hole-in-the-wall local markets. Take to the water with your kayak or boat and ease up to these bayou side waterfront dining experiences.

The Little Big Cup, located along the Bayou Fuselier in Arnaudville, is the best place to get a waterfront dining experience if you’re looking for something upscale right on the water. Their outdoor patio goes right down to the bayou. Colorful vegetation surrounds the outdoor area and you get a beautiful view of Bayou Fuselier before it connects to its more famous sister waterway, the Bayou Teche. There’s more food than you can handle at their weekend brunch buffet. You can only get this menu on Sundays. It has delicious praline fried chicken and waffles and a crème brûlée French toast that you must try. Match them with one of their flavored mimosas that come in blueberry, mango, grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple, cranberry, and blood orange.

During the week, there’s nothing stopping foodies and locals from ordering their famous Cajun Kevin Poboy. This house specialty is toasted French bread that has been hollowed out and stuffed with sauteed Gulf shrimp, lump blue point crab meat, Louisiana crawfish tails, and andouille sausage that is simmered in mixed pepper, parmesan, butter, and cream reduction. You might pair this with one of their signature cocktails like the Bees Knees containing a blackstrap rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime, and simple syrup. You could also try their Arnaudville Cosmo, vodka, pineapple, lime, and cranberry juice with triple sec.

The Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant lies along the Bayou Courtableau which contributed to the town of Washington‘s reputation as a steamboat town. There are 300 years of history in Washington and the twists and turns of the ages can be felt in the walls of the historic building. This 1820s era warehouse was transformed into a restaurant in the 1970s. The restaurant is now owned by chef Jason Huguet who has won several awards for his dishes.

One fan favorite at the Steamboat Warehouse includes their Sidesaddle Angels, which has won gold medals in the past. This appetizer includes four jumbo shrimp stuffed with oysters, wrapped in applewood smoked bacon & fried crispy golden, and served with their homemade New Orleans style remoulade sauce. While you may not be able to dine as you watch the bayou at the Steamboat, its outdoor patio that overlooks the historic waterway is the perfect post-dinner or lunch stroll.

Based in Arnaudville, Myran’s Maison de Manger‘s menu includes Louisiana culinary favorites, like poboys and crawfish, but there’s more to Myran’s than these classic Cajun foods. This family-owned establishment has been around for over 40 years, serving up its own seasoning with a blend of salt, red pepper, black pepper, and garlic. They are also famous locally for their breakfast special, the Egg-O-Myran. This sandwich has scrambled egg and chopped ham, all topped with cheese and served on a bun with mayo, lettuce, and tomato.

The Bayou Teche is right outside with an outdoor eating area that juts out over the waterway. A floating dock is located nearby, making the restaurant easily accessible for those traveling the bayou.

This local Leonville market has been around since 1926 and is well-known locally for its delicious king cakes, a traditional oval-shaped cake that is eaten during Mardi Gras season. Some flavors that you can expect include amaretto pecan, Bavarian cream, and chocolate. The store has plenty more foods for you to try including daily plate lunches.

This market is located right across from the Leonville Bayou Teche Kiosk where a floating dock and boat launch are readily available for anyone to start their trek down the Bayou Teche.

For over 70 years, Bourque’s Supermarket has brought specialty meats to Port Barre at the birthplace of the Bayou Teche. The dish that brings people back for more is their famous Jalapeno Sausage and Cheese Bread. This loaded bread is the perfect picnic food packed with cheese and their homemade sausage. Tear yourself a piece and eat it on the go.

Bourque’s is conveniently located right near the floating dock and boat ramp that marks where the Bayou Courtableau turns into the Bayou Teche. The stretch of bayou from Port Barre to Leonville is known for its leisurely pace and prime birdwatching opportunities. Catch wood ducks, large wading birds, Mississippi kites, and neotropical songbirds during migration season.

If you’d like to make a weekend of trying all the flavors of the bayou, check out these accommodations from nearby hotels to intimate bed & breakfasts and primitive campgrounds, and RV Parks.

Mary Hawkins is the communications manager for the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission. Contact her at hawkins@cajuntravel.com.