city of chefs
Lafayette: Your Table is Waiting
C
a fait chaud (it’s hot)…Lagniappe (a little something
extra)…C’est bon (that ’s
good). No matter how you say it, the
culture in South Louisiana, like our
dialect, is seasoned with a taste of
Cajun French and Creole. Lafayette
is a flavorful combination of spirited
festivals, savory cuisine, outdoor activities, breath-taking scenery and a
rich history.
Lafayette was named Best Food
City in the Rand McNally Best of the
Road® Rally , Southern Living’s Tastiest Town of the South and a Top 10
Foodie City by Livability.com, making
it the best place to eat, except maybe
your mama’s kitchen. Add in a dash of
music, a sprinkling of history, topped
with festivals and a heaping serving of
fun, and Lafayette is calling your name.
66 FOOD TRAVELER | WINTER 2013
Lafayette’s distinct culinary identity as the capital of Cajun country,
steeped in tradition, merges with a
new generation of locals making it
an incredibly satisfying place to eat.
Southern Living touts Lafayette as
a city that is shaping the South’s incredibly rich, diverse and delicious
culinary landscape.
Besides the food, why do people
go to Lafayette? Festivals, music and
dancing for starters. Many people
across the United States love Cajun and Zydeco music and this has
spawned an interest in the cultures
of South Louisiana. For some, it has
become an addiction that brings them
here where they can immerse themselves in all that makes Lafayette and
Cajun Country special – the plate
lunch places, the unique live music
DENNY CULBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
Lafayette, LA
venues, the wonderful food that can
be found everywhere from gas stations to fine dining establishments,
and the year-round festivals and
events that showcase local musicians,
artists and cuisine.
Lafayette is the epicenter of all
things Cajun and Creole. Any day of
the week, visitors can dine on the best
Cajun food in the world and dance to
authentic Cajun and Zydeco music.
Every weekend, they can choos e from
festivals, Cajun music jam sessions,
Cajun and Zydeco dancehalls, outdoor
activities and more. Most of all, Lafayette is a community with many
artists and musicians making the environment here incredibly creative
and vibrant. The people are friendly