Hattiesburg punches well above its weight for food. The Southern and Cajun traditions mix well here, and the university keeps prices reasonable. Downtown has been the center of the scene for decades, and a few newer spots have joined the old standbys as the area revitalizes.
Coney Island Cafe on Main Street has been open since 1923 and serves lunch only — their steak sandwiches are the thing to order. For dinner, 206 Front is a newer, more polished option just down the street. Chesterfields, an old favorite, recently reopened after a fire and is said to be better than ever.
For Mexican food, locals skip the chains and go to La Fiesta Brava (a local chain) or La Cucina Mexicana, which has been around for thirty years. The Conestoga steakhouse has a devoted following for its filet.