Open since last fall, Canefield Tavern fuses Southern blue-plate specials with coffeehouse charm. The Nicholson Drive eatery is part of a seven-restaurant group that includes Between the Bread in the New Orleans Central Business District and EAT in the French Quarter. “We had been eager to get into Baton Rouge,” says partner David Abner Smith, “and we like this location, because we felt like a lot of families in the Riverbend area were underserved.” A favorite among all age groups is Canefield’s buttermilk fried chicken, a lightly battered version made to order. “Don’t be in a hurry,” says Smith. Canefield entrées are paired with changing chalkboard sides like these creamy skin-on smashed potatoes and local collard, turnip and mustard greens. Buttermilk biscuits or cornbread complete the experience, and don’t leave without a jar of homemade pickled vegetables.

Canefield Tavern
5251 Nicholson Drive
367-6150
canefieldtavern.com
Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.