Northshore Sampler

St. Tammany Parish, aka Louisiana’s Northshore, is rich in family-run restaurants where soulful food reflects tradition, heritage, hearty appetites and menus inspired by Louisiana’s bounty.

Eating is elegant at Dakota in Covington and at Lacombe’s La Provence, owned and operated by celebrity chef John Besh, acclaimed cookbook author, frequent guest on The Food Network and star of his own PBS show. Try home-style Louisiana flavors at Louie and the Redhead Lady in Mandeville or LA Pines in Slidell, both featured on TFN’s “Diners, Drive-­ins and Dives.”

Want a great meal and a great view? Try Rip’s on the Lake in Mandeville. Or, check out Friends Coastal on the banks of the Tchefuncte River in Madisonville. In Slidell, dine at Palmettos or Nathan’s, both overlooking Bayou Bonfouca.

Sample liquid Louisiana at the Abita Brewery in Abita Springs or Pontchartrain Vineyards in Bush.

Between meals, work up an appetite cycling the 31-­mile Tammany Trace, paddle a bayou, feed giraffes at Global Wildlife, touch a reptile at Insta-Gator Ranch or take a Honey Island Swamp tour.

Life’s a feast on the Northshore. Join us!