{"id":21893,"date":"2023-11-10T11:32:48","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T17:32:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/?post_type=landing&p=21893"},"modified":"2024-11-14T15:14:30","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T21:14:30","slug":"holidaydining","status":"publish","type":"landing","link":"https:\/\/visitmississippi.org\/go\/holidaydining\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday Flavors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Season’s Feastings<\/h1>\n

Mississippi’s independent restaurants are ready to provide a dining experience that will make your holidays a little merrier and, certainly, very well-seasoned. Learn more, below, about a few of our favorite establishments for dining and also enjoying (and gifting) holiday spirits.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Big Apple Inn, Jackson <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Historic Tamales<\/h2>\n

For many in Mississippi, it’s just not the holidays without tamales. In Jackson, the Big Apple Inn, traces its roots back to Mexican immigrant Juan Mora, who first sold tamales out of a cart in 1939. This tradition continues today with Juan’s great-grandson Geno Lee. During the Civil Rights era, the Big Apple’s Farish Street location was frequented by historic figures including Medgar Evers, who had an office above the restaurant, and Fannie Lou Hamer.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Fan & Johnny’s, Greenwood <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Fare with Flare<\/h2>\n

Taylor Bowen Ricketts’ artistic flair can be seen in both the artworks lining the walls of her restaurant and the artisanal approach she brings to her cooking. At her Greenwood restaurant, Fan & Johnny’s, the James Beard “Best Chef South” semifinalist offers food lovers an ever-changing menu of southern favorites with a contemporary twist. Specialties range from duck confit to deep-fried alligator tail with comeback sauce.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Wonderbird Spirits, Taylor <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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A Spirit of Wonder<\/h2>\n

Wonderbird Spirits, located near Oxford in the town of Taylor, distills three gins including traditional gins and an “experimental gin” that features the subtle essence of Mississippi magnolia blossoms. All of their gins are fermented using Delta grown jasmine rice. The distillery offers cocktail service, tours and tastings, Monday through Saturday by appointment.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Two Brothers Smoked Meats, Starkville <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Elite Meats<\/h2>\n

As the name suggests, Two Brothers Smoked Meats specializes in serving a variety of meats cooked low and slow over the restaurant’s pecan-fueled outdoor smoker. Barton Dinkins, the restaurant’s managing partner and chef, serves up street tacos, sandwiches, and burgers guaranteed to satisfy the most ravenous carnivore. It’s not hard to find them in Starkville’s Cotton District. Just look for the building with the two-story bright blue and purple mural.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Vestige, Ocean Springs <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Crafted Cuisine<\/h2>\n

Vestige is, without question, one of Mississippi’s most unique culinary finds. The cozy Ocean Springs restaurant offers guests a blend of contemporary American flavors fused with Japanese food traditions. Vestige is owned by Ocean Springs native Alex Perry, a James Beard “Best Chef South” semifinalist, and his wife Kumi Omori, who together refresh their multicourse tasting menu constantly to emphasize seasonality, sustainability, and locally sourced ingredients.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Queen’s Reward Meadery, Tupelo <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The Need for Mead<\/h2>\n

Opened in 2016, Queen\u2019s Reward is Mississippi\u2019s first and only meadery. The Tupelo-based business makes their mead in small batches with 100% Mississippi honey. Samples are available in their tasting room and meads can be purchased by the bottle, as well. Frozen mead slushies, which blend their meads with fruits and other seasonal flavors, are also available. The meadery is open five days per week and hosts special events throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n The Midtowner, Hattiesburg <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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A Finer Diner<\/h2>\n

The Midtowner, located in midtown Hattiesburg, is one of the latests offerings from celebrated Mississippi restaurateur Robert St. John. The restaurant evokes the feeling of a midcentury American diner, with classic breakfast options and hearty lunch plates including fried chicken and other traditional diner fare served up with a variety of vegetable sides. The Midtowner serves breakfast and lunch only, so be sure to arrive before it closes at 2 p.m. daily.<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Cathead Distillery, Jackson <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Mississippi, Distilled<\/h2>\n

Cathead Distillery, located in downtown Jackson, has the distinction of being the first legal distillery to open in Mississippi, following the state’s repeal of prohibition in 1966. The distillery launched in 2010 with its namesake Cathead Vodka, which was followed by Old Soul Bourbon, Bristow Gin, and their newest concoction, Hoodoo Chickory Liquor. The distillery’s Bottle Shop is open weekdays for those looking for a unique gift or the perfect complement to a holiday meal.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Le\u00f1a Pizza + Bagels, Cleveland <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Delta Dough<\/h2>\n

One of the Delta’s newest and most unique restaurants, Le\u00f1a Pizza + Bagels focuses on two things (which you should be able to guess from their name). Though the restaurant has only been open since 2023, they’ve quickly earned a reputation for their flavorful wood-fired pizzas and bagel menu. Bagels are currently available on Saturday mornings only, and pizzas are served Thursday through Saturday nights. Their hours are subject to change, so it’s best to make a call before you venture out.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Plan Your Holiday Feast<\/p>\n Get Started<\/a>\n<\/div>