Greek$$Sun-Thu 10:30-22:00; Fri-Sat 10:30-23:00
Keifer's Restaurant has served gyros, hummus, and Greek salads to a Jackson dining room beloved by students, families, and late-night crowds since 1980.
Order: Gyro plate with extra feta dressing, or the Greek salad
Tip: Keifer's stays open until 23:00 on weekends, making it one of Jackson's best late-night options.
Soul food$$Mon-Fri 08:00-14:00; Sun 10:00-15:00; closed Sat
Hen and Egg is chef Nick Wallace's downtown Southern cafe, serving Gulf shrimp grits, chicken and egg sandwiches, and a Sunday brunch buffet.
Order: Gulf Shrimp and Delta Rice Grits at lunch, or the Sunday brunch buffet
Tip: The Sunday buffet upstairs is one of downtown's best weekly rituals; arrive before 11:00 for a table.
Cajun & Creole$$$Mon-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-20:00
Drago's is the Mississippi outpost of the New Orleans chain, with charbroiled oysters, Gulf fried shellfish, crawfish in season, and Southern-spiced sides.
Order: Charbroiled oysters with garlic-butter and parmesan as a first course
Tip: Crawfish season runs February to May; call ahead to confirm live product is available.
Mediterranean$$Mon-Thu 07:30-21:30; Fri-Sat 07:30-22:30; Sun 11:00-21:30
Aladdin Mediterranean Grill opens at 07:30, serving shakshuka, falafel, lamb kebabs, and shawarma in a Jackson staple with all-day Mediterranean dining.
Order: Morning shakshuka with pita, or the falafel and hummus plate at lunch
Tip: One of the city's rare all-day Mediterranean restaurants; the breakfast menu alone is worth a visit.
Soul food$$Tue-Fri 11:00-23:00; Sat-Sun 14:00-00:00; closed Mon
Johnny T's on Farish Street is Jackson's live blues and Southern food destination, sitting in the historic heart of the city's entertainment district.
Order: Fried catfish plate, or the blackened Gulf shrimp with rice
Tip: Saturday late-night crowds make this Farish Street's most energetic venue; the kitchen runs until midnight.
Mexican$Mon 11:00-21:00; Tue 11:00-23:00; Wed 11:00-21:00; Thu-Sat 11:00-23:00; Sun 11:00-23:00
Green Ghost Tacos serves Mexican street tacos on corn tortillas without MSG, with a full vegan menu alongside carnitas and seafood options in Fondren.
Order: Steak tacos on corn tortillas with house salsa verde
Tip: One of the city's only late-night taco spots open until midnight; a post-bar essential.