Location: Monroe
Top Restaurants in Monroe
Top Things to do in Monroe
Countries
Monroe Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Monroe
Monroe (historically French: Poste-du-Ouachita) is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. In the official 2010 census, Monroe had a population of 48,815. The municipal population declined by 8.1 percent over the past decade; it was 53,107 in the 2000 census. After a recheck in 2012, the Census Bureau changed the 2010 population from 48,815 to 49,147. Mayor Jamie Mayo, however, maintains that the Monroe population is more than 50,000 and indicated that he will pursue a continued challenge to the count.
Things to do in Monroe
1. Not Just Pie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Mary M - Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Not just pie is a family favorite every time I come to Monroe. Delicious food, kind people and you can't leave without trying the banana caramel pie. I just wish they had more vegetarian options, and that they would serve drinks in regular cups. Styrofoam is awful :(
2. Warehouse No 1 Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 328 reviews
Reviewed By French S - Louisiana
We celebrated our anniversary at the Warehouse No 1. We brought our own wine and they charged a modest $10 corkage fee. The food was delicious. I had a steak and my wife ordered the grilled salmon. Our server was friendly and very attentive to our needs. Warehouse No. 1 is one of the nicer restaurants in Monroe to spend the evening.
3. Latin Food Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By BENJAMIN B - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
We stopped for lunch while on business in Monroe. It was a little out of the way in an unassuming building, but was worth checking out. The staff was friendly and we worked through our language barrier successfully. Our food and after meal coffees were great. I will definitely be back.
4. Miss Kay's Sweets & Eats
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By A R - Monroe, Louisiana
Unlike most places, kids will love playing, yes playing, at Miss Kay's! Everything you put in your mouth will be delicious! Grilled cheese sandwich is s treat here! Fun area (Antique Alley) & when you're thru eating take your picture on outside wall "Greetings from West Monroe" mural !!!
5. Eskamoe's Frozen Custard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Julesfromlc - Lake Charles, Louisiana
Our family loves Eskamoe's. We can't visit the Monroe area without stopping by. My personal favorite is the banana pudding dessert, which is a combination of banana pudding and ice cream. You really can't go wrong with anything that you order there.
6. Cotton
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 347 reviews
Located in the heart of downtown Monroe in one of the oldest buildings in the city, Restaurant Cotton has the atmosphere of a simpler, more honest time. Executive chef, Cory Bahr, prides himself in being an innovator of unique and delicious food that exhibits his Louisiana Delta roots and allows his personality to influence every dish. Accompanied by chef de cuisine, Spencer Serrette, and sous chef, Seth Blankenship, Chef Bahr has mastered the art of creative southern cuisine. With nightly food and drink specials, it is guaranteed that there will be something new to try with every trip to Restaurant Cotton. Chef Bahr shows his appreciation and passion for authentic Louisiana cuisine by always using the freshest and most local ingredients in every dish that he prepares. Restaurant Cotton is proud to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Monroe and we invite you to join us as we support our beautiful city and the seasoned talent of our very own Chef Cory Bahr.
Reviewed By HalnTel
We were in Monroe on a Sunday evening so not much was open. The restaurant downstairs was closed, but we found an open door and followed the noise upstairs. After passing another closed and empty dining room we found a nice bar open at the back. We had a nice bottle of wine whilst watching the sun set
7. Trapp's Cajun & Seafood Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
The year was 1898 when the Trappey name would elevate its presence in Louisiana history. Bernard Trappey created a hot sauce recipe that he knew would be a hot commodity, he along with 11 sons embarked on this exciting new business venture together. In 1913 Bernard - somewhat reluctantly - agreed to let a cigar salesman peddle the sacred Trappey's hot sauce. It was that key decision which propelled their business to a whole new level. The company grew over the years and is now distributed nationwide as well as abroad in Europe, Japan, South America, and Mexico. So, before you leave our restaurant, take a look at our family photos on the wall and take a walk down memory lane with us capturing several generations of Trappey's Hot Sauce!
Reviewed By Michael C - Carrollton
This is a typical Louisiana 'on the water' place with a great atmosphere. Lots of families and groups all having a good time. The blackened catfish filet was the best I have ever had (including several great places in New Orleans!). Nice deck overlooking the river (OK, it's only the Ouachita) available for private groups.
8. Catfish Charlies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By TimG1754
What a great place for either lunch or dinner!! The catfish is beyond awesome and the shrimp dishes are very delicious!! The ambiance is very simple and unpretentious, so don’t have any expectations in that regard; but the service is wonderful.
You cannot go wrong with this choice.
9. Roma Italian Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By nola1961 - Baton Rouge, LA
We stayed one night in Monroe. I'm gluten free, I have a gluten intolerance, and Roma was suggested to us as an alternative to a chain restaurant that we usually visit.
The restaurant is in an older building and is very nice on the inside. The dining room is large and when full, does tend to get a bit loud.
The wait staff is knowledgeable on the menu. I asked for gluten free penne and was given the choice of sauces. I went with the meat sauce. It was excellent; one of the best gluten free pastas I've ever had. I could not tell the difference. I didn't ask the wait staff about their gluten free pasta but they must have done a lot of research to have found this one b/c it was excellent.
Others in our party enjoyed their dinners as well. One had cannelloni and it was very good.
The only one issue we had; our server wasn't the friendliest. We had an issue with one meal, something very minor, and she made a snarky comment about our 11 year old son being picky. No, not picky. He ordered his pasta plain, with butter only, and the dish that was brought to him wasn't plain pasta with butter only as he asked. A new one was brought out and all was fine.
I would highly recommend if you are gluten free or if you want good italian.
10. Waterfront Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By ARoberts111 - Monroe, Louisiana
This place serves your average southern cuisine.
the service is relatively quick compared to other sit-down restaurants around the area.
the food is mostly fried and fatty, but thats the usual down here in LA, every thing is pretty good.
beer is cold.
nothing sticks out as the BEST FOOD there, everything is ok, and usually its a safe go-to for lunch or dinner, especially if you have a group, they are VERY accommodating.
generally, if i dont feel like dealing with smart-@$$ wait staff or long food waits, .. i go here. its no BS. just order food.. eat food.. pay. leave. you get what you expect!
