The Best Places to Eat Near Sacred Ground Barbecue, by the Record

A Texas-style barbecue spot on an empty stretch of highway past the train tracks in Pocahontas, where the meats come by the half pound and the brisket arrives with the kind of charred bark that makes a strong argument for skipping the burger menu. The pork butt takes on a Carolina mustard sauce without complaint. Sides carry their weight. A big patio makes it easy for families. Michelin Bib Gourmand.

1. Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand

A marble bar, duck fat fries, and oysters on the half shell make a strong case for showing up before dinner even starts. Elvie's is a French-leaning bistro that moves easily from morning pastries through a cheery lunch to a more polished evening service. The Michelin Guide gave it a Bib Gourmand, the New York Times put it on their Restaurant List, and a James Beard nomination followed. Jackson, Mississippi, apparently has thoughts about French food.

1. James Beard Awards 2024 · Nominee · Best Chef: South · Hunter Evans
2. Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
3. The New York Times The Restaurant List

The comeback sauce and stuffed shrimp survived the ownership change, which is what regulars needed to know. This old-school downtown seafood house has been a Jackson institution forever, and the new chef preserved the classics, the longtime staff, and the general soul of the place while quietly upgrading the wines and adding a feta-brined fried chicken special that nods to the Greek immigrant roots. It landed on the New York Times Restaurant List in 2025.

1. USA Today Restaurants of the Year
2. The New York Times 2025 · The Restaurant List

1. USA Today Restaurants of the Year

White tile, long booths, and a spacious patio set the tone at this neighborhood osteria from a Jackson native who also runs the bar across the street. The Italian-American menu leans house-made pasta and shareable plates, with pork and ricotta meatballs in tomato gravy as a regular fixture. The kind of place where the menu is long enough that nobody at the table agrees on what to order, which is generally a good sign.

1. Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant

1. James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Best New Restaurant