
7 Amazing Local Restaurants in Lafayette You May Never Have Heard Of
LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - There are so many great places to grab a bite in Lafayette that it's hard to pick a favorite. Of course, there are all the ones we know about - big followings, social media presence, tons of word-of-mouth praise, you name it.
But, Lafayette has a lot of places for some really good restaurants to remain hidden, just waiting to be discovered.

We asked our followers on Facebook to tell us which "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants they liked most, and we got some pretty good answers.
One thing we saw right off the bat: Lafayette foodies love ethnic food, especially Asian. A lot of the restaurants on this list reflect that, especially the favoritism toward Thai food. Here's a full look at the top places folks shared with us.
Thai With Love
It's not our first time writing about this hidden gem of a restaurant, but several food-lovers groups on Facebook routinely feature a post or two from folks who swear by the garlic pad Thai and more.
"Thai With Love always has good food and FILLS up the plate," one person excitedly wrote, while another added, "My husband is in there at least once a week. He loves it and they are always so kind."
Morvant's Bar & Grill
Whether it's a great burger or the boiled crawfish that are already making an appearance, Morvant's Bar & Grill in Youngsville is one you may not be aware of if you're outside the Youngsville area, but a lot of folks swear by it.
"Go for the food - stay for the views," one Yelp reviewer noted. "Really good food, excellent chicken fried steak and Philly cheese steak. Definitely recommend."
Rascal's Cajun Restaurant
You have probably heard of this one - and if you haven't, you will soon. As it turns out, Rascal's is set to be featured on America's Best Restaurants with filming at their location being in mid-January.
If you haven't been there, you're apparently missing out on some of the best plate lunches and overall excellent Southern and Cajun cooking.
Mary’s Catering in Scott
It's hard to beat a description like this, so we'll just let the following review speak for itself:
You cross a few cattle grids and drive down an old road that winds along a pasture. A man on a tractor points you toward the restaurant, tucked behind a couple of quaint houses. You walk in and are greeted with a smile, and what can only be described as a home-cooked meal. It doesn’t feel like eating in a restaurant; it feels more like being invited over for dinner. This is a truly special place to eat, where the good old days still live on. The heart of the matter is the amazing service and food—this hidden gem should be treasured.
If that doesn't sell you, we don't know what will.
Mae Sone Noodle House
Remember what we said about Lafayette's love of Asian food? This is another example.
Mae Sone Noodle House is one of those restaurants you seem to stumble across but once you do, it's permanently in your rotation of places to go out.
"Food and service are always top-notch," one Yelp review said. "It's family-owned and operated. The decor is standard and a little dated but clean and well-maintained. The prices are reasonable and the portions are pretty large. We've never been disappointed here."
Bangkok Thai
A wide variety of flavors and dishes and a fantastic reputation among its fans make for a great experience whenever you find yourself looking for a good meal out.
"The food was great and service was fast," a reviewer said. "I needed take out and their phone stayed busy. So I finally just drove over and ordered at the register. I can't believe how fast they were and how good the Pai Thai with Shrimp was."
Delicious and quick? Count us in.
Magic Wok
The final item on our list is another Asian restaurant you've probably driven past a dozen times but never paid attention to. Still, it's a solid go-to if you're craving it.
"Everything I've had here is the best tasting and freshest you'll find anywhere in town," a fan said on Yelp. "The owner is very kind and welcoming and takes good care of the customers. I highly recommend this homey little restaurant!"
Location, Location, Location
Sometimes, what makes a restaurant amazing isn't that it's out there with big flashy signs and a ton of space. There are a number of great restaurants in the Lafayette area that are hidden away, out of your line of sight, but are simply fantastic. Try one of the restaurants on this list and let us know on social media what you think!
The Top Restaurants Lafayette Misses Most
Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham