Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Lake Charles by diners
Fine dining in the U.S. isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; instead, it's about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller at the French Laundry unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals—a French style of serving with a set menu—became the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chef's tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America to choose from, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Lake Charles using data from Yelp. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#14. Rikenjaks Brewing Company
- Rating: 3.2/5 (185 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3716 Ryan St. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Salad, Cajun/Creole, Breweries
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Saltgrass Steak House
- Rating: 3.2/5 (140 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, American
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse
- Rating: 3.7/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Steakhouses, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Pat's of Henderson
- Rating: 3.8/5 (225 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1500 Siebarth Drive Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Cajun/Creole, Seafood, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#10. 121 Artisan Bistro
- Rating: 3.9/5 (133 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 121 Drive Michael Debakey Drive Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#9. 1910
- Rating: 4.0/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 949 Ryan St. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: French, New American, Cajun/Creole
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Luna Bar & Grill
- Rating: 4.1/5 (499 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 719 Ryan St. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Bars, American
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mazen's & Mazen Grill
- Rating: 4.1/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 217 West College St. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Seafood, Mediterranean, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Steamboat Bill's on the Lake
- Rating: 4.1/5 (1223 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1004 North Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Seafood, Cajun/Creole, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Tia Juanitas Fish Camp
- Rating: 4.2/5 (212 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 723 Ryan St. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Mexican, Cajun/Creole, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Calla
- Rating: 4.3/5 (152 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1400 Market St. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: New American, Gastropubs
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Ember Grille & Wine Bar
- Rating: 4.3/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 777 Ave. L'auberge Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Steakhouses, New American, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#2. The Villa Harlequin
- Rating: 4.5/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 324 Pujo St. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#1. La Truffe Sauvage
- Rating: 4.7/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 815 West Bayou Pines Drive Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Categories: French, Desserts, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros.
