Pat’s of Henderson
A longtime local favorite for seafood and Cajun cooking.
Plan a visitFROM YOUR HOSTS
Our Lake Charles
visitor guide.
A good meal, a favorite coffee shop, a little time outside. These are some of the places we enjoy, plus a few ideas for your family’s visit.
Check destination websites for current hours, admission and seasonal availability. Restaurant and coffee recommendations below come from your hosts; family outings are labeled separately.
Seafood, Cajun & crawfish
A few places we turn to for a taste of Louisiana.
BeauxDines’
One of our favorite spots for boiled crawfish when they’re in season.
Plan a visitTaD’s Louisiana Cooking
Another good local seafood option.
Plan a visitMr. Bill’s Seafood Express
A casual seafood stop we enjoy.
Plan a visitDowntown favorites
Places we like when we’re spending time downtown.
Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
One of our favorites downtown.
Plan a visitPujo Street Café
A solid local choice for a meal downtown.
Plan a visitMacFarlane’s Celtic Pub
Another fun downtown spot to try.
Plan a visitMexican restaurants
For a meal outside or an evening out.
Laguna’s
Our favorite for sitting outside. We like the upper deck overlooking the lake, especially around sunset.
Plan a visitBlue Iguana
Another Mexican restaurant we like.
Plan a visitQue Pasa
One of the places we return to for Mexican food.
Plan a visitPedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
Another option for tacos and a meal out during your stay.
Plan a visitTake a seat outside
A little fresh air with your food.
Rikenjaks
A casual spot we like for families during the day, with outdoor seating.
Plan a visitPaul’s Rib Shack
Another good choice when you want to eat outside.
Plan a visitCrying Eagle Brewing
We enjoy the lakefront setting at 911 N. Lakeshore Drive. The University location is a separate stop at 1165 E. McNeese Street.
Lakefront location ↗University / McNeese location ↗Pizza night
Two local favorites for an easy meal.
Tony’s Pizza
One of our local favorites for pizza.
Plan a visitCrust Pizza
Another favorite when pizza sounds like the plan.
Plan a visitBreakfast & coffee
Start the day with something good.
Southern Spice
A local breakfast option we enjoy.
Plan a visitThe Bekery
A favorite for coffee, breakfast and bakery items. We love the atmosphere.
Plan a visitGreat Harvest Bread
Another great stop for breakfast or something from the bakery.
Plan a visitEggs Up Grill
A breakfast spot to try during your visit.
Plan a visitCoffee:30 Café
Coffee, beignets, breakfast, lunch or dinner—there’s more than one reason to stop in.
Plan a visitThe Buzz Coffee & More
Another locally owned coffee spot we like.
Plan a visitThings to do with kids
Some ideas for a family day, from the lakefront to a wildlife day trip.
Port Wonder & the Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana is within Port Wonder, alongside a separate wildlife attraction. Check each attraction’s admission and schedule when planning your visit.
Port Wonder ↗Children’s Museum ↗Millennium Park
A fun outdoor option for letting the kids run and play.
Plan a visit
The lakefront
Go for a walk, relax and spend a little time out of the house.
Plan a visitPutt-Putt
A family outing for a round of mini golf.
Plan a visitPetro Bowl
An easy family option with bowling and arcade games.
Plan a visit
Creole Nature Trail
If you have time for a day trip, explore coastal wildlife and nature. Plan a route rather than treating it as a neighborhood stop.
Plan a visitPhoto credits: Lakefront (2019), David Wilson, CC BY 2.0; resized and cropped for display. Creole Nature Trail archival photo, U.S. National Archives, NAID 7717857, public domain.