With nearly 200 local eateries and over 500 restaurants total, Hattiesburg is your hub for culinary exploration. With so many restaurants, choosing a spot to eat is hard, so let us help you narrow down the selection. Here are the top 11 restaurants in Hattiesburg, according to Tripadvisor.
1.Jutamas Thai Restaurant
Experience authentic Thai cuisine and exceptional service at Jutamas Thai Restaurant. The eatery’s variety of professionally designed appetizers, entrees, or desserts are sure to delight even the most critical palate. From delicious spring rolls and toong tong to crowd favorites like phad Thai and drunken noodles, Jutamas welcomes all to its two locations in Hattiesburg, one near downtown and the other in west Hattiesburg.
2.Half Shell Oyster House
The award-winning Half Shell Oyster House is known for its locally-sourced Gulf oysters and variety of Gulf Coast seafood. Whether you’re ordering steak, chicken pasta, or seafood, each dish is served with New Orleans flare and flavor. The New Orleans influence extends into the atmosphere, too, through the French Quarter feel that surrounds you with light jazz music, decor, and fixtures. With 15 locations across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, Hattiesburg’s Half Shell Oyster House is one of the top-rated for service and quality within the company, exceeding the standard that travelers have come to expect from the brand.
3.Crescent City Grill
Only an hour and a half from New Orleans, it’s no surprise that Hattiesburg has multiple cajun-inspired restaurants. A Robert St. John concept, Crescent City Grill has a longstanding tradition of quality, making each dish from scratch daily. The family-friendly Creole eatery specializes in fresh seafood and offers an extensive beer and wine selection. Year-round speciality menus provide a reason to keep coming back, including their fan-favorite crawfish menu and Mardi Gras bread pudding and their weekly brunch. For those who are looking for a more adult atmosphere can enjoy the Crescent City Grill menu next door at Mahogany Bar, which has all Mississippi breweries on tap and an impressive whisky selection.
4.Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn
Teeeeeechnically, Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn is in our sister city of Petal, only a few minutes from downtown Hattiesburg. Leatha’s became a bbq legend in its Hattiesburg location, and the “Queen of BBQ’s” tradition continues now. Arguably the best bar-b-que in Mississippi, it is tender and fall-off-the-bone good, especially their ribs, and, of course, a plate of bbq wouldn’t be complete without plenty of home-cooked sides.
5.Mugshots
Mugshots Grill and Bar took off in Hattiesburg and can now be found across the Southeast. Mugshots offer huge and creative burgers, pasta, and salads in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're looking to catch the game on TV, try their peanut butter burger, or celebrate with friends and family, Mugshots is a choice everyone will be happy with. They also have rooms for private events.
6.Keg and Barrel
With multiple locations in Mississippi, Keg & Barrel is quickly becoming one of the top restaurants in the state for a laid back atmosphere paired with good food. Hattiesburg is home to two Keg & Barrels, including the original location, which is located in downtown in a 19th-century home with a wraparound porch. A local favorite for craft beer drinkers, food lovers, brunch-goers and friends, “the Keg” offers a pub-grub style menu, more than 100 craft beers, outdoor dining, live music and entertainment, and is pet-friendly.
7.Tabella
Tabella serves made-from-scratch Italian food in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. This spacious restaurant in midtown offers staple dishes for lunch and dinner, as well as daily specials. Some say their soft, yet perfectly crisp, Focaccia bread is the best in the state (it’s us… we said that, but it’s true). Tabella is a Robert St. John concept and was opened in 2011.
Thanks to its history as the Hub City, Hattiesburg is home to many different styles of cuisine, including Greek! It’s no surprise that two of our Greek eateries made the Tripadvisor top 11 list!
8.Glory Bound Gyro Co.
First up is Glory Bound Gyro Co. Located just across Hwy 49 from The University of Southern Mississippi, Glory Bound is a family and college-student favorite. Outdoor dining, live music, weekly specials, and refreshing co*cktails make Glory Bound an ideal eatery for those looking for Greek food with a funky, fun-filled atmosphere. Wondering what’s on the menu? The owners call it a “new age american concept with mediterranean influences.” So, of course, you’ll find gyros and hummus, but there’s also salads and pizza. We also highly recommend the GB Favorite for dessert.
9.Petra Cafe
Another top Mediterranean restaurant in Hattiesburg is Petra Cafe. Opened in 2007 by owner Ayman Al-Bataineh, who had a passion for showing Mississippi how Middle Eastern cuisine should be done, Petra Cafe offers expertly authentic Greek, Mediterranean, and Lebanese cuisine. Located only minutes from Southern Miss in midtown Hattiesburg, diners can find gyros, kabobs, and shawarma, to hummus, falafel, and Arabian coffee. Petra also hosts belly dancers and other entertainment each month.
10.Sully’s Tavern
Find live music and “legendary” steaks at Sully’s Tavern every night of the week, now with two locations near Hattiesburg! The original eatery, in south Hattiesburg, is located at the site of the last bare-knuckle heavyweight fight in 1889, which is where Sully’s got its name. After 75 rounds, John Sullivan was named world champion, and the rest, as they say, is history. Whether you visit the restaurant to dine where history was made or the second location in Petal, you’ll find a lively dining experience paired with knock-out food.
11.Patio 44
For upscale, year-round outdoor dining, look no further than Patio 44. Its large, covered patio is the majority of the restaurant’s seating and includes heaters, fans, and everything else needed to make an outdoor dining experience juuuuuust right in Mississippi. Patio 44 offers an extensive chef-driven menu that includes seafood, steak, pasta, and a broad selection of bourbon and craft co*cktails. Now with three locations in south Mississippi, Hattiesburg’s Patio 44 is the original. This local eatery offers weekly brunch, too!
