The Best Pies, Mahjong and More Louisiana News
Michelin Guide released “The Ultimate Guide to the Best Pies in the U.S.” and three Louisiana spots made the cut. Michelin selected Elsie’s Plate & Pie in Baton Rouge for best apple pie. Emeril’s famous banana cream pie made the list. Dooky Chase was also praised for their excellent pecan pie.
Natchitoches | Festival of Lights Turns 100
Generations of former Miss Merry Christmas queens are reuniting as grand marshals for the elaborate 2026 Festival of Lights parade (December 5) as Natchitoches celebrates its 100th Christmas Festival of Lights (November 21-January 6), with a new interactive Kids Christmas Village. The kickoff activates 300,000 twinkling lights with live music, culminating in elaborate fireworks and a synchronized drone show over Cane River. “A Century of Christmas in Natchitoches” exhibit runs through January 6 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Lafayette | Mahjong Mania
Lafayette has the highest concentration of mahjong players per resident of any U.S. city, according to a recent analysis of nearly 1.8 million U.S. players from Mahjong 4 Friends. Louisiana’s Mahjong clubs and tournaments prevail in homes, coffee shops, camps and yacht clubs. Cajun-themed tiles and Mardi Gras-colored sets typify the latest boom in mahjong merchandise.
Shreveport-Bossier | Newcomers of Distinction
Sierra Leone-born Chef Niema DiGrazia recently opened Niema’s West African & Caribbean Cuisine (previously Abby Singer’s Bistro), featuring an Afro-fusion/Caribbean menu and balcony dining in downtown Shreveport. In Bossier City, Chef Gabriel Balderas (Zuzul Coastal Cuisine, El Cabo Verde) opened Brine in October, reviving the Louisiana Boardwalk with contemporary Southern cuisine and sweeping river views. Diners can watch players in the adjoining pickleball court or ride crawfish on the returning carousel.
New Orleans | Best Restaurants in America
The New York Times included Dakar Nola and Dolfy’s in its 2026 list of the 50 best restaurants in the U.S. Chef Serigne Mbaye recently moved his restaurant to a larger Uptown Riverbend location. Chef Adolfo Garcia Jr. reimagines wood-fired Basque cuisine at Dolfy’s on Freret. Mason Hereford has launched, And the Wolf, a fast-casual haven sharing space with Chris Hannah’s The Cocktail Hour in the restored Margaritaville.
