American$$Mon-Fri 11:00-14:00; Wed-Sat 17:30-21:30; Sat-Sun 11:00-14:00
Crazy Cat Eat Up is a BYOB neighbourhood kitchen in Midtown, with a celebrated short rib sandwich and weekend brunch plates for devoted regulars.
Order: Short rib sandwich at lunch, or the bread pudding for dessert at any meal
Tip: Bring a bottle from Briarwood Wine around the corner; it is a BYOB establishment.
Italian$$$Mon-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 10:30-21:00
Amerigo Italian in Fondren's Duling School building has served pasta, pizza, and seafood to Jackson families since 1987, earning a loyal reputation.
Order: Daily pasta special, or the wood-roasted salmon with seasonal vegetables
Tip: No reservations; the lunch menu from 11:00-14:00 has the shortest wait times.
Italian$$$Tue-Thu 11:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00; closed Mon
BRAVO! Italian at Highland Village serves familiar pastas, pizza, fresh seafood, and a relaxed Italian-American atmosphere that Jackson families love.
Order: Pasta of the day, or the wood-roasted chicken with Italian herbs
Tip: Weekday lunch specials from 11:00-14:00 are the best value offering in the room.
Steakhouse$$$Mon-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 10:00-21:00
CHAR Restaurant at Highland Village is Jackson's steakhouse, with USDA Prime beef, Southern sides, and a Sunday jazz brunch worth the detour.
Order: Prime bone-in ribeye with double-baked potato, or the blue plate lunch specials
Tip: Blue plate lunch specials Tuesday through Friday are the best deal at this address.
Greek$$Mon 11:00-14:00; Tue-Fri 11:00-14:00; Tue-Sat 16:30-21:00; closed Sun
Mayflower Cafe, open since 1935, is Jackson's oldest restaurant. The Greek-owned counter invented comeback sauce and serves fried shrimp and broiled trout.
Order: Fried shrimp with comeback sauce and coleslaw, or the broiled red snapper
Tip: The lunch trade peaks between 11:30 and 13:00; arrive early or late to avoid the counter queue.
Modern Southern$$$Mon-Fri 06:30-14:00; Mon-Sun 16:00-22:00; Sat-Sun 07:00-14:00
Estelle Southern Table at the Westin Jackson serves Southern cuisine across breakfast, brunch, and dinner seven days a week in a hotel dining room.
Order: Communal Southern feast for the table, or the seasonal catfish preparation
Tip: Daily dinner from 16:00 is the most accessible time to try this kitchen without a long wait.