OpenTable Reviews Reveal Lafayette’s Top Dining Choices

It's a common question that comes up a lot in Louisiana conversations. I don't care whether you're in New Orleans or Shreveport or Lecompte or Livonia at some point at some time in your day someone is going to ask you if you want to get something to eat. Other cultures eat to live, in Louisiana we live to eat. That's why you're never more than a few footsteps away from a really good meal no matter where you happen to be in the state.

The website OpenTable is a reservation service that allows diners to find restaurants and make reservations. The website uses guest reviews to "rank" the different eateries. The restaurants are ranked based on their overall service, their food, and the overall experience that a diner should expect.

In my travels across the country, I have found OpenTable to be a great resource for finding and booking a place to eat in an area that I am not familiar with. In the Lafayette area, diners can find even more information about local restaurants by visiting EatLafayette.com. That website offers a comprehensive listing of food services in the Acadiana region. It's all broken down very nicely by cuisine, price, location, and best time to visit.

The Eat Lafayette site doesn't break down its roster of restaurants by guest reviews, OpenTable does. Sometimes I find "guest input" to be valuable in choosing a dining option. And since OpenTable goes out of their way to review the reviews and reviewers I have developed a certain level of confidence in what they report.

What is Lafayette's Best Overall Dining Experience According to OpenTable?

The OpenTable Diner's Choice Awards as of October 5th, 2024 have selected three establishments to be included in this category. The overall selection is a Lafayette favorite known for "grilling aged beef" and "fresh Louisiana seafood". The distinction goes to Charley G's Seafood Grill.

The second choice in the overall category was Marcello's of Lafayette. To be honest, I thought they only sold wine, but upon further review from OpenTable we find out they offer a great selection of Italian favorites. The third choice in the "overall" category was Park Bistro. That restaurant is located in the Saints Streets part of town.

What Is Lafayette's Best Choice for Food According to OpenTable?

In Louisiana, we have a word for a restaurant that serves bad food. That word is "closed". The following three choices in Lafayette, according to OpenTable reviewers, are the best places to find "really good food". Topping the list was Social Southern Table and Bar. The locals just call it Social. I don't know anyone that calls it by the entire name. Most people don't even talk about the place because their mouths are too full of delicious food. I have never had a bad meal at "Social". Evidently, the OpenTable reviewers agree.

The second choice for "food" in Lafayette was Ruth's Chris Steak House, that's a no-brainer. They do a great steak with excellent sides but it is a "chain" restaurant so you might not get a "full-on" Louisiana experience. The third choice for food was Vestal Restaurant. Vestal bills itself as a "live fire restaurant concept in the heart of downtown".

What's Lafayette's Best Choice for Service According to OpenTable?

Good service will elevate great food, however, bad service will kill even the best of recipes. Service is important and when it comes to the best restaurant service in Lafayette, OpenTable reviewers like Ruffino's on the River. I don't disagree. The servers are well-informed, cordial, professional, and prompt. The fact that the food is really good helps the cause a lot but if you like a tight ship when it comes to food service you won't find many better than Ruffino's on the River.

The second service choice on the OpenTable Diner's Choice Awards went to Don's Seafood. Many of the servers at Don's are generational. They have been working in and around the restaurant for many years and that familiarity shows in the knowledge of the menu, the options, and the promptness in which your meal is served.  The third choice for service went to Cafe Josephine. Cafe Josephine is a bit of a drive from downtown Lafayette as it is located in the town of Sunset. It's well worth the short ride and I think you'll see very quickly why they were honored for their service.

What Restaurants Would You Rate Higher in These Categories?

I am sure you found a lot to agree with and a lot to disagree with, we'd love to know your thoughts and get your reviews and revelations about dining in South Louisiana. Don't forget to leave us a comment or a review too.