Lafayette has many new happenings these days, which means plenty more ways to have fun! Check out what’s new in Lafayette.
Topgolf
Louisiana’s second Topgolf venue opened in December at 301 Meadow Farm Road off Ambassador Caffery Parkway. There are 60 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays that can accommodate up to six people each and include lounge furnishings, a 22-foot video wall, more than 100 HDTVs, and a bar and restaurant featuring pizza, burgers, and vegetarian and gluten-free options. In addition to enjoying the giant outfield targets and high-tech balls that score themselves, Topgolf offers lessons.
Moncus Park Additions
In the heart of Lafayette lies our expansive city park that features hiking trails, playgrounds, an amphitheater, and a weekly farmer’s market, to name only a few of its attractions. It’s truly the place to be if you love the outdoors. Moncus Park opened the Miles for Miles Trail, dedicated to those fighting cancer, in August. The new trail wanders through the back 50 acres of the property, increases the park’s ADA-accessible pathways by over 2,000 linear feet, and completes a one-mile loop.
Shop Local
A new downtown event called Super Saturday Downtown Shopping, co-sponsored by the New Iberia Main Street Program, will occur from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every third Saturday of the month in New Iberia. The event along East and West Main Street encourages visitors to support downtown business owners. The 2024 scheduled dates are Feb. 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 21.
New Lafayette Restaurants
Boscoyo Baking Company
An artisan baguette always complements Cajun and Creole cuisine, and now Lafayette has a handcrafted, artisan sourdough bread company. Called Boscoyo Baking Company, boscoyo being a Cajun French term for the cypress tree knee, stop by for artisan breads or a takeout pizza made with organic Spelt flour on Wednesdays.
Njoy Curry Masala
Brand new to the downtown scene is Njoy Curry Masala, serving up the flavors of India and natural dishes such as tikki masala and curry. Located on the corner of Jefferson Street and Johnson, the restaurant owned by Joy Singh & Navvi Kaur named the restaurant after their young son Njoy Singh, a combination of the husband and wife’s names.
Gather Lafayette
Another newcomer to downtown, veteran Chef Paul Gibson, serves up brunch and lunch entrees, sandwiches, tacos, and dessert Tuesdays through Saturdays. Gibson has been around the globe, so different world flavors may show up. Just don’t miss the tasty Gather Burger.
Black Cat Coffee House
Specialty coffees are served here, naturally, but Black Cat Coffee House offers an oasis from the hurried life. And young entrepreneur Gethsemany Aguirre donates a portion of her profits to local animal shelters.
Soda Pop Shop
Do you love to drink soda? This new establishment takes it to a whole new level. Choose your favorites, such as Coke, Dr. Pepper, or Pepsi, and enhance it by adding syrups, purees, fruits, and creams. The menu also includes energy drinks, lemonade, tea, and infused waters. Add an oversized warm chocolate chip cookie, and you’ll be in heaven.
Best Stop Cajun Market
Best Stop has been serving up boudin, cracklins, and specialty in Scott for years. It has a location in Carencro, conveniently right off Interstate 49. Grab a bite at The Kitchen, which serves breakfast, burgers, poboys, and other local favorites such as red beans and rice.
Coming Up for Sports Fans
Plans are underway to expand the University of Louisiana at Lafayette football stadium we now call Cajun Field. Following a $65 million revitalization set to conclude in 2025, the future Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium will add new suites, log boxes, club seats, an indoor club, and more on the west side. The enhanced amenities enlarge the total capacity to more than 30,000 fans.
A new 12,000-square-foot indoor sports facility is in the works at the existing Comeaux Recreation Center at 411 W Bluebird St. behind Lourdes Medical Center. The sports complex will include eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, and space for indoor sports such as pickleball and wrestling. The new sports facility will allow Lafayette to host future major sporting events.
July 2023
Let’s Eat
Whiskey & Vine’s a one-stop shop for those who love an evening of smooth live music, a classic cocktail, or a glass of boutique wine with their fine dining. The jazz and blues club and restaurant is located in a historic building on Pinhook Road, opened in November, and serves classic New Orleans and Southern dishes. Look for cocktails such as the Ramos gin fizz, Sazerac, and Pimm’s cup, or sample one of the more than 100 whiskeys and wines. Dine on classics such as turtle soup, muffuletta flatbread, and bananas Foster. There’s live music nightly except Sundays and a jazz brunch on weekends.
Ton’s Drive-in in nearby Broussard has been serving old-school hamburgers, breakfast items, and plate lunches since 1963. Now, the granddaughter of owners Alton “Ton” Girouard and his wife, Rosemary, will open a second Ton’s location in downtown Lafayette. Although a smaller version than the Broussard landmark, owner Hollie Girouard’s Ton’s Downtown in the Old Guaranty Bank building will feature breakfast and lunch items, grab-and-go items, frozen coffee drinks, and plate lunch specials.
Joining the eateries, boutique shops, and museums along downtown Lafayette’s Jefferson Street is The Flats, a fun place to indulge in old-school burgers, patty melts, and innovative sandwiches. Or sample their creative fries or chips served with “dippers,” a variety of sauces. They serve spirited drinks, too, such as frozen concoctions, beer, wine, and craft cocktails.
Our foodie town not only offers some of the country’s finest restaurants, but our food trucks also deliver. And now there’s a shaded place to enjoy what they cook up. Parc de Oaks at 3302 Moss St. allows up to eight-foot trucks to gather in a space that also offers a collection of seating areas beneath centuries-old live oak trees. Plans are in the works for onsite restrooms, a bar, and occasional live music and family fun games.
Ryan Pécot and his wife, Traci, adopted two dogs, so it seemed natural to name their newest venture Adopted Dog Brewing, especially since the establishment welcomes visitors of the four-legged variety. (The couple also owns Tchoup's MidCity Restaurant + Bar.) The craft brewery and restaurant at 329 Dulles Drive is open Wednesday through Sunday and serves up a variety of bar foods — think pretzels with beer cheese, sizzling burgers, and unique flatbreads such as the Brussels Bacon Balsamic. The 12 house brews on tap reflect Acadiana culture with titles such as 337 Blueberry Blonde, Fleur de Lis golden lager, and the Zydekolsch German-style beer. Others, such as Doberman Dark, offer a nod to the canine theme. Don’t miss the fried pretzel bites with Steen’s syrup and powdered sugar.
Let's Play
Those who play the fastest-growing sport in America will soon be able to play in a state-of-the-art 16,000-square-foot pickleball facility at 500 Verot School Road. Lafayette Pickleball Club will include six indoor courts open to members and non-members, which means visitors to our fair city may also enjoy the courts. The facility should open by December 2023.
Surrounding Areas
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort opened this spring in Henderson, just off Interstate 10 and about 30 miles east of Lafayette. The resort features more than 450 RV sites and 91 cabins that sleep 4-6, plus there’s the Jimmy Buffett Suite sleeps up to 12 and offers a barbecue and in-room Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker. Amenities include pools open April through October, fishing ponds, a dog park, and several food and beverage options, including a swim-up bar.
Loreauville, a town to the east of Lafayette, recently installed the Acadian Odyssey Monument, one of only 17 worldwide dedicated to Acadians deported from the Maritimes of Canada by the British beginning in 1755, many of which made their way to Louisiana to become Cajuns. The monument at 121 Bridge St. was created by the city’s mayor’s office and the Canada-based Acadian Odyssey Commission, whose goal is to commemorate the Acadian people's expulsion and odyssey and promote awareness of Acadian history and culture. The monument at 121 Bridge St. in Loreauville honors those Acadians who arrived along this stretch of Bayou Teche in 1765.
