Couples, duos and multi-generational owners bring their unique character to the menus
NORTHSHORE, LOUISIANA–MARCH 2025–The Northshore has a flavor all its own, from the character of its downtowns to the variety of ways to enjoy its waters. Most of all, that flavor can be found on the menus of its impressive list of restaurants. Louisiana favorites—the heart of the culinary scene—are joined by fresh takes and new flavor combinations as couples, duos and multi-generational owners bring their unique character to the menus.
The Northshore is just 40 minutes north of New Orleans and an hour east of Baton Rouge, and an hour west of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with easy access off Interstate 12. Once here, visitors can enjoy one of Louisiana’s most famous and loved assets: its food. When it comes to Louisiana cuisine, the expectations are high. Chefs on the Northshore meet the challenge daily, bringing big flavor and creative concepts to the table for all to enjoy. And if location is everything, The Northshore it all: historic elegance, hip downtown vibes and relaxing waterfront views are all options here.
There is no sweeter way to experience the Northshore food scene than to enjoy a Randazzo’s Camellia City Bakery (3501 Pontchartrain Drive, Slidell, Louisiana 70458; 800-684-2253) king cake. The family business was established in 1965 and is now in its third generation in charge, with Tricia and Lou Zornes working with their son Zach at the helm. A fourth-generation son is considered the “Chief Tasting Officer.” The bakery continues the family tradition of crafting handmade, braided king cakes from scratch. Felix and Joel Randazzo Forjet are also keeping the tradition alive at Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery and Café (2033 North Highway 190, Suite F, Covington, Louisiana 70433; 985-893-1488), a full-service Italian bakery featuring fresh-baked breads, pastries, and desserts. The café menu includes specialty coffees, antipasti, panini and insalatas, as well as king cakes during Mardi Gras season.
At Odelia (3529 Highway 190, Mandeville, Louisiana 70471; 985-778-0034), mother-and-son duo Caroline and Blake du Brock have created a bistro with an atmosphere that is refined but never stuffy. This favorite spot offers specialty coffees and a carefully curated wine list. The drink menu ranges from flavored lattes to bottomless mimosas, champagne and caviar pairings. The food menu highlights seasonal ingredients with breakfast specialties, as well as lunch and dinner offerings. Popular dishes include French Onion Soup, Curry Chicken Salad, Parmesan Truffle Fries and a Salmon BLT with house-made caper dill sauce. Dinner standouts include Steak Au Poivre with white truffles and shaved Brussels sprouts, as well as salmon.
Lola (517 North New Hampshire Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433; 985-892-4992) is home to award-winning fare from husband-and-wife chefs Keith and Nealy Frentz. The couple has been serving their Louisiana-inspired specialties since 2006, using ingredients from local farmers and suppliers. The upscale menu includes soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch, and dinner entrees featuring delectable seafood and the finest of meats. Lola is also known for its distinctive desserts, made in-house daily.
Downtown Covington is home to another husband-and-wife chef duo, David and Torre Solazzo, three-time James Beard Award nominees. Since 2002, their upscale Del Porto Ristorante (501 East Boston Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433; 985-875-1006) has been a go-to for date nights and special occasions, offering a seasonal, farm-inspired menu. After expanding in 2014, the restaurant added an elegant private dining space in its newly renovated Wine Room. In 2022, the Solazzos opened The Greyhound (705 East Boston Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433; 985-400-5828), named for the former bus terminal that once occupied the Boston Street location. The European gastropub features wood-fired pizzas, shareable plates, sandwiches, entrées and desserts influenced by Italian and German cuisine, along with an impressive selection of craft beers, wines, signature cocktails and unique beverages.
Jason and Danielle Martin named Pearl’s Seafood Market and Restaurant (502 Gause Boulevard, Slidell, Louisiana 70461; 985-214-9014) in honor of their daughter, Aubry Pearl. Crab claws, boudin balls and piled-high seafood platters are joined by hamburgers, wraps and one-of-a-kind debris fries on the menu. Danielle worked for years with her mom in a landmark family market in New Orleans and today, many of the seasonings perfected there are in use in Pearl’s recipes. Some of those recipes were created by Jason, who was formerly a Captain in the New Orleans Fire Department, where he originally prepared, improved and perfected them while cooking in the engine house.
At Sal and Judy’s (27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, Louisiana 70445; 985-882-9443), Chef Sal Impastato’s culinary roots trace back to Sicily in the 1950s. He brought generations-old family recipes to America, where his passion for authentic Sicilian cuisine led him to work in top restaurants before settling on the Northshore. Today, in his 80s, he still takes orders, greets guests, and manages daily operations.
Dakota Restaurant (310 East Boston Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433; 985-892-3712) was originally opened in 1990 by business partners Kenny LaCour and Executive Chef Kim Kringlie. In 2023, the upscale restaurant relocated to downtown Covington, where it continues to serve contemporary Louisiana cuisine featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Signature dishes include Lump Crabmeat and Brie Soup, Redfish Pontchartrain and Pan-Seared Duck Breast. LaCour’s award-winning wine collection is displayed in an impressive wall of bottles near the restaurant’s entrance.
A surprisingly diverse number of upscale dining spots can be found on The Northshore, with other notables being Tchefuncte’s (407 St. Tammany Street, Madisonville, Louisiana 70447; 985-323-4800), The Gloriette (428 East Boston Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433; 985-202-8090) and Palmettos on the Bayou (1901 Bayou Lane, Slidell, Louisiana 70458; 985-643-0050).
The Northshore has its own “chain” with chef Pat Gallagher’s restaurants across the parish, including Gallagher’s Grill & Courtyard (509 South Tyler Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433; 985-892-9992), Gallagher’s on Front Street (2306 Front Street, Slidell, Louisiana 70458; 985-326-8350), Pat Gallagher’s 527 Restaurant & Bar (527 North Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, Louisiana 70448; 985-778-2820) and his lakefront destination, Pat’s Rest Awhile (2129 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville, Louisiana 70448; 985-951-2173).
Sometimes family isn’t all about blood. It’s about feeling loved. No place is better at sharing the love–and spreading the flavor of The Northshore–than Liz’s Where Y’at Diner (2500 Florida Steet, Mandeville, Louisiana 70448; 985-626-8477). Here, Liz and her staff make everybody feel like family. Liz makes sure of that. “Come in, get some love and then take it out and share it,” she says. Before going out to pass the love along, patrons enjoy breakfast and lunch favorites with a local flair, like Where Y’at Bennies, Momma’s Grillades & Grits, Who Dat Scrambler, Crabmeat Grilled Cheese and the Y’at Burger.