Explore the Northshore Spring/Summer 2023
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1. Waterside Dining
The Northshore’s culture is steeped in maritime history, so it’s no surprise you can dine overlooking St. Tammany’s bayous, rivers, and Lake Pontchartrain. Watch the boats cruise down the Tchefuncte River from Morton’s, Waterstreet Bistro, or Abita Roasting Company. The elegant Tchefuncte's and it's sister restaurant, the more casual The Anchor are welcome new additions to the Tchefuncte Riverfront in Madisonville. Rips on the Lake, The Barley Oak and Pat's Rest Awhile all offer outstanding views of Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville. Cruise over to Slidell and moor up to Palmettos on the Bayou, Nathan’s, or Phil’s Marina Cafe. Stroll the boardwalks at the Chimes leading down to the Bogue Falaya River. The Blind Tiger has waterside dining locations in Slidell and Covington.
2. Get Your Beer Here
Taste liquid Louisiana and tour the largest craft brewery in the Southeast, Abita Brewing Company. Or, check out packed-with-personality Chafunkta Brewing Company in Mandeville, or Old Rail Brewing Co.’s microbrewery and restaurant across from the Mandeville Trailhead, just blocks from the lakefront. Wine aficionados will appreciate tastings at two vineyards, Wild Bush Farm + Vineyard and LA Serendipity, both in Bush. Call for tour and tasting schedules.
3. Cooking Classes
Take Louisiana recipes and cooking know-how home with you. Passionate Platter in Slidell explores cooking with herbs. Not just for kids, families and adults love the special programming at Culinary Kids in Mandeville, where professional chefs offer tips and practical advice for cooking at home. La Cornue Bella Cucina offers cooking classes on Lee Lane in Covington. Call to schedule classes and check availability.
4. Al Fresco Dining
Plenty of restaurants on the Northshore offer plenty of fresh food and fresh air, with casual outdoor dining for every type of fare. LOLA in Covington has a beautiful deck area adjacent to a vintage dining car. The Abita Brew Pub in Abita Springs, Mattina Bella in Covington or Old Rail Brewing Co. and Pyre BBQ in Mandeville all offer outdoor dining near the Tammany Trace hike and bike trail. Middendorf's in Slidell and The Shack in Covington both have plenty of play space for the kiddos.
5. Rise and Shine
Start your day off right with breakfast and a smile from one of these sunny spots. Locals line up for Liz’s Where Y’at Diner, and lovely LaLou is right down the street in Old Mandeville. Coffee Rani has two locations, in Mandeville and on Lee Lane (a shopper’s dream) in Covington. Big Easy Diner and Creole Bagelry serve up a great breakfast in Slidell.
6. Try a Beignet
Enjoy this Louisiana specialty (it’s like a donut or a fritter fried to perfection and drenched in powdered sugar), at Café Du Monde in Covington or Mandeville, Abita Roasting Company in Covington and Abita Spring Cafe in Abita Springs, or Beignet Au Lait in Slidell. The treat is traditionally enjoyed with strong café au lait.
7. Farmers Markets
Local growers, culinary artisans, foodies and chefs congregate year-round throughout the Northshore for Farmers Markets. Arrive hungry and sample as you shop for true local flavor at the Covington Farmers Market, Mandeville Community Market, Madisonville Market, Slidell Camellia City Market, Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market, and the Folsom Community Farmers Market. Depending on the season, pick up plump blueberries, sweet satsumas, juicy strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, and prepared foods like stuffed artichokes, Italian fig cookies, Korean pancakes, Mississippi Delta tamales, fresh-baked breads, raw honey, prepared jelly and gourmet pastries. Many of the markets offer demonstrations, live music and arts and crafts.
8. Culinary Powerhouse Couples
Head to historic downtown Covington, where two culinary stand-out husband and wife teams cook and serve in restaurants within blocks of each other. Sample house-made everything from chefs David and Torre Solazzo, including cured meats and pasta at airy Del Porto Ristorante and The Greyhound. LOLA chefs Keith and Nealy Frentz make magic out of simple Southern food, and they do it at the old railroad depot in a caboose converted into a kitchen. Also in Covington, find Thomas "Lo-lo" Lo Presti and Christine Clouatre's Latin-influenced funky family restaurant, The Shack. In Mandeville, visit Bulent and Ozgur Duman's Duman Pizza Artisan Kitchen for wood-fired pizza in a super-cool setting, or local's favorite for French-Creole cuisine, Joey and Brandi Najolia's Cafe Lynn.
9. Go International
We do international on the Northshore, too, even if it’s Louisiana-style. Crawfish in a Spicy Lobster Sauce or Szechuan Spicy Alligator’s on the menu seasonally at Trey Yuen Cuisine of China in Mandeville. You haven’t crossed the pond, you’ve stepped inside the English Tea Room in Covington. Care for Trafalgar Tuna or Coronation Chicken Salad with your Earl Grey? Chef Sal Impastato (originally from Sicily) of Sal & Judy’s in Lacombe offers a menu of homemade Italian recipes mixed with Creole influences. Habanero's has three locations on the Northshore serving urban Mexican cuisine, with flavorful "artistic" tacos and esquites, and more.
10. Savory Souvenirs
You’re sure to want some take-home treats made with love in St. Tammany. Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket carries Covington-made SOS Oystershells (stainless steel oyster shells perfect for chargrilling) and Cousins’ Creole Tomato Salad Dressing. Find Sal and Judy's sauces at local groceries including Rouses. Lots of local products can be found at the Northshore Farmers Markets.
