Irma Kasher

Baton Rouge gets a bad rap for not having much of an identity—at least not one as boldly defined as its neighbor, New Orleans. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The food scene here is diverse, intriguing and and full of surprises, with restaurants serving everything from ramen and tacos to Greek platters and fine French dishes. You’ll find the very best of them below, proving that exploring the restaurants of Baton Rouge is one of the most worthwhile things to do in town.

As the state’s capital and home to Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge draws in new residents and a whole lot of tourists year after year. Thankfully, no one ever gets bored: its green spaces, top-notch restaurants, musical talent and super-fun things to do can easily compete with nearby New Orleans. Unfortunately, the town has had to deal with some tough times in recent years, with natural disasters and racial tensions casting a pall. But Baton Rouge’s quest for a good time bridges the divide more often than not—as exemplified by our list below. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.