Your weekend in Natchez - Regina's guide
If you are coming to my Brunch class- do not have a big breakfast, remember you eat everything we cook, and it is always plenty! I wanted to share where else to go while you are here for the weekend. Love Regina
How to navigate downtown: Lots of one-way streets Canal is at the top of Main Street then one more block is Broadway which runs along the Bluff and the famous “Under the Hill” overlooking the Mississippi River Main Street is one from Martin Luther King to the River and Franklin is one way from the river to Martin Luther King Street. Great side streets between Main and Franklin with shops and art galleries are Union, Commerce, and Pearl. High Street takes you to a fun corner by the river with Natchez Brewery, Little Easy and Smoots Bar.
Where to stayThere are so many great hotels and Bed & Breakfasts in Natchez. It is hard to go wrong. I have two favorites of so many of my guests at my cooking school talk about. The Big Muddy Inn & Blues Room www.thebigmuddyinn.comThis is a unique experience, so elegant and totally hip at the same time. Each room at The Big Muddy is thoughtfully designed with style and comfort in mind, while paying homage to some of the Blues’ most cherished acts. When you experience is a concert with owner, singer songwriter Amy Allen, you will want to move in! The Burn www.theburnbnb.com One of the most beautiful historic homes in Natchez and they serve a great Southern Breakfast. Wonderful gardens and a pool. The tour given to the guests gets great reviews, as well as the entire stay.
Start your morning: The Little Easy As their website says- The cozy neighborhood digs where you can find a great breakfast all day with hometown ease. It is my favorite for a breakfast out because their menu is not what you find every day but is a genuine Southern breakfast experience at the same time.114 High St, Natchez, MS 601-653-0774
Steam punk coffee Owners Dub Rogers and Linda Shehan make me happy Thursday thru Sunday 9:am to 5:pm when they serve up their amazing coffee. This is a coffee shop you would expect to find in Brooklyn- Coffee, Chocolate and Cigars. Dub can educate you on all three! 706 Franklin Street @ Rankin601-334-5179
Natchez Coffee company Unlike many downtown businesses they are open 7 days a week. Coffee, fresh baked goods and light lunch menu of soups, sandwiches and salads. Sharon Brown the owner has been very generous to offer her second room at the shop as a local meeting place for downtown organization early morning meetings. You will find ladies playing bridge there in the afternoons!Franklin Street near Commerce
Butter Cakery Made With Love n' Butter Serving fresh ready to go Cakes, Cupcakes, Cookies, Tea and Coffee. Lexi is such a talent- and she has a cute little dog who is the mascot there- Bean. It is totally charming! 404 Main Street Natchez, MS (closed Mon-Tues) but open on Sunday!
WISHES BAKERY A nice new addition to Franklin Street. Wishes is a petite, woman-owned bakery in Downtown Natchez, Mississippi! All things sweet from cookies and cupcakes to coffee and ice cream as well as a small grab-and-go lunch menu including chicken salad and wraps. 506 Franklin Street Natchez MS(601) 653-0255 The Natchez Donut Shop Not only does everyone in Natchez LOVE the Donut Shop, but Alton Brown from Food Network also loved it! They have Tamales and an amazing burger for lunch to take out. 501 John R Junkin Dr, Natchez, MS (601) 442-2317
Biscuit & Brunch Class with Chef Regina Charboneau10:am on Saturdays reginaskitchen.com to reserve 621 Franklin Street @ N. Rankin 601-392-1756
Natchez Classics for lunch
Fat Mamas TamalesServing the best award-winning tamales, chili and “Knock-You-Naked” margaritas- I love the gringo pie! And the fire and ice pickles.303 S. Canal Street Natchez MS 39120601-442-4548
Pig Out InnGreat BBQ and all the fixings! Eat in or take out and walk one block to the view of the river. 116 S. Canal Street Natchez, MS 39120601.442.8050
Soul Food @ Rolling River Grill Offers a variety of simply southern classic dishes, with a creative twist, giving customers a true "Soulful Southern Experience" and a warm "Welcome to the South" 406 Main St, Natchez, MS (601) 653-0747
Slick Ricks Pick up some of the best sandwiches in town and go on a picnic at our beautiful old Memorial Park at Main & Rankin109 N. Pearl St., Natchez, MS601-445-9900
Pearl Street PastaA downtown institution, a Southern version of Italian cuisine, try the spaghetti and meat balls. They are known for their salad dressing. It is so popular you can purchase a bottle to go!105 South Pearl St. Natchez, MS601.442.9284
THE MALT SHOP – ON THE CORNER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING AND ORLEANSA CLASSIC! FOR GENERATIONS the burgers, curly Q’s and Milk Shakes have been a main stay in Natchez. My go to is the fried Catfish Sandwich
Fun Night out Downtown
Frankie’s on Main (IT WORKS EITHER DRESSED UP OR CASUAL)This restaurant is a great experience from atmosphere to service to food. In a converted bank, they have kept all the charm and added to it. The owners are very personable, and their efforts have paid off. The family team Cathy and husband Marty along with son, Frankie are always there to greet you. I love the Shrimp Bao, Wedge Salad and Lamb Chops. It is open more often than any other downtown restaurant. Great bar scene with Alvin Shelby on the piano on weekends. 422 Main St, Natchez, MS (601) 861-6713 Biscuits and Blues (CASUAL)Biscuits and Blues serves up hot biscuits and cool music to diners and live music enthusiasts. The performances generally take place during the evening on the weekends but occasionally continue a little beyond for patrons wanting a little something extra. Biscuits and Blues also offers your favorite Southern dishes including gumbo, fully dressed po-boys, grits and grillades, BBQ, and fried oysters. (I started Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco 30 years ago, my brother Peter opened this on 25 years ago and the new owners are from Slick Ricks and Planet Thai, I feel it is in good hands. 315 Main Street Natchez MS (601) 446-9922
Planet Thai (CASUAL)Chef Ann Kharasin has made Planet Thai a local favorite with her food and warm personality. I love her curries and innovative sushi rolls. 116 N. Commerce Street Natchez, MS 601-442-4220
MUSIC Smoots for Live Music (the saloon, Biscuits & Blues and Frankies also have music)On the bluff – great place! Patti runs a great club; we call her the Mayor of the Bluff. A real Blues Club. Smoot’s Grocery Lounge is located on the corner of Broadway Street and High Street, just beside The Little Easy Cafe. A restored Juke Joint, we’re in the historical heart of downtown Natchez, overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, facing the riverwalk along the bluff.319 North Broadway Street Natchez (601) 870-6882
More Food & Fun (not far from Downtown but not walking distance)The Pub at the Castle (Upstairs is Date night dining) CASUAL AT THE PUB, MORE COUNTRY CLUB CHIC UPSTAIRS AT THE CASTLE.A favorite local gathering place, The Pub offers all the great food served upstairs and a great casual menu as well. Opens at 4:pm. 84 Homochitto St, Natchez, MS (601) 897-6300
Not to be missed while you are in Natchez visit “Under the Hill” Turn down Silver Street at the Food of Main Street. Natchez “Under the Hill” is where the river boats have docked for centuries, gamblers, and unsavory characters made it home for years. It is now respectable and the River Boats with passengers traveling from Memphis to New Orleans still dock here a few days a week on their way to and from. We do not have any day tours on boats
The Saloon – It is a must stop while in Natchez. A true Dive Bar where local characters rule during the day and will be happy to tell you about Natchez. It is lively but safe at night and live music quite often. Fun for a Sunday afternoon if they have a band.
The Camp -great burgers and good beer selection. They are the most consistent with making everything from scratch. They make their own buns and grind their own meat.
Magnolia Bar & Grill – Melan and John Parks have kept this as a Natchez favorite (also own Pearl Street). Try the fried Crawfish Salad, Shrimp and Grits or even a burger. A diverse menu that has something for everyone.
Touring THE HOMES & Outdoor adventures & moreThere is Kayaking on Old River. Call Outside IN MS call Robin 662-515-0490Office 617 Franklin St. Natchez, MSrsperson@bellsouth.net
Another fun adventure is to take the Natchez Trace Parkway to the exit for Emerald Mound it is only about 11 miles. To Emerald Mound you turn left onto Hwy553. When you leave turn right back onto 553 for 6.7 mile and it will take you to Church Hill Variety 13411 River Road. Directly across from the Historic 1858 Christ Church. Church Hill Variety is worth the drive. Great Burger, Pulled Pork, Chili every day they are open but Saturdays you can enjoy great fried Catfish and Sundays is Fried Chicken with all the trimmings. The General Store attached is where I did all my Christmas Shopping last year. It is well worth the drive. You can go further up the Natchez Trace Parkway.
NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY SITES CLOSE TO NATCHEZEmerald Mound, Milepost 10.3
A large grass covered flat top American Indian MoundLocated about 10 miles northeast of Natchez, Mississippi, Emerald Mound is the second-largest Mississippian Period ceremonial mound in the United States, surpassed only by Monk’s Mound near Cahokia, Illinois. Built and used between the years 1200 C.E. (current era) and 1600 C.E., this 35-foot-high mound covers eight acres and measures 770 feet by 435 feet at its base.Mount Locust Historic House, Milepost 15.5Side perspective of a wooden home with a covered porch and a white front exterior and blue shudders Mount Locust is a location that has been settled on by many different people and under many different flags during its long history of human occupation that dates back as far back as 600 C.E., long before Europeans first step foot in the area Centuries later in the 1780's the historic house, one of the oldest structures still standing in an area, was built by the Fergusons who made it into a growing farm and occupied the site for five generations.
For more infoGo to: www.Vistnatchez.org
House Tours go to: www.natchezpilgrimage.com