Baton Rouge Restaurants Land Michelin Guide Recognition

In a historic moment for Louisiana's capital city, two Baton Rouge-area restaurants have been recognized in the 2025 Michelin Guide's inaugural American South selection. Elsie's Plate & Pie in Baton Rouge and St. Francisville Inn & Restaurant in St. Francisville are now among the over 100 Southern restaurants earning Michelin recommendations.

What This Recognition Means

While not the coveted Michelin Star, being recommended in the Michelin Guide is a significant achievement. The Michelin Guide is one of the world's most respected restaurant authorities, and their expansion into the American South marks a major moment for the region's culinary scene.

According to Visit Baton Rouge, "This international recognition highlights the richness of our local culinary scene and validates what we've known for years: Baton Rouge is a true destination for food lovers."

Elsie's Plate & Pie

Located at 3145 Government Street in the heart of Mid City, Elsie's Plate & Pie has become a beloved destination for its handmade pies and Southern comfort food. The restaurant earned its Michelin recommendation for its mom-and-pop authenticity, scratch-made dishes, and the kind of food that reminds you why Louisiana's culinary traditions matter.

Elsie's specializes in both savory and sweet pies—from crawfish and chicken pot pies to coconut cream and chocolate cream desserts. But it's not just about the pies; their daily specials, plate lunches, and genuine Southern hospitality create an experience that clearly caught Michelin's attention.

St. Francisville Inn & Restaurant

Just outside Baton Rouge in historic St. Francisville, this restaurant earned praise from Michelin for "effortlessly blending old and new." Set in a building dating to the late 1800s, the St. Francisville Inn & Restaurant features freshly updated interiors while maintaining its historic charm.

The Michelin Guide highlighted their seafood—particularly the seared crabcakes with Creole sauce and grilled redfish crowned with jumbo lump crab. They also noted the warm bread pudding with blueberry compote, white chocolate, and bourbon sauce as a must-try dessert.

Baton Rouge's Growing Food Scene

This Michelin recognition comes at a time when Baton Rouge's restaurant scene is expanding and evolving. 2025 has already brought dozens of new restaurants to the area, from international cuisines to new takes on Louisiana classics.

Mid City, in particular, has become a dining destination. From Elsie's to Red Stick Reads (a bookstore-café combo), from Electric Depot's collection of eateries to new openings like Good Choices Co. and Trap Haüs, the neighborhood offers an impressive variety packed into a walkable area.

What It Means to Be a "Food Destination"

Cities build reputations over time. National recognition like the Michelin Guide doesn't just happen—it reflects years of chefs, restaurateurs, and food lovers building something special. Baton Rouge has long been known regionally for its food, but recognitions like this introduce the city to a much wider audience.

For people considering where to live, a vibrant food scene matters more than you might think. It's about more than just good meals—it signals creativity, entrepreneurship, cultural diversity, and quality of life. Discover our recommended restaurants and explore Baton Rouge's neighborhoods to see what makes this city special.

Supporting Local Restaurants

If this recognition has you hungry to explore Baton Rouge's culinary scene, now's a great time. Both Elsie's and St. Francisville Inn are locally-owned establishments that have earned their reputations through quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality. Supporting these restaurants supports the entrepreneurs and employees who make Baton Rouge special.

And while you're exploring the food scene, take time to walk around Mid City, downtown, and other Baton Rouge neighborhoods. You'll discover that great restaurants are just one piece of what makes this city worth calling home.

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