
Restaurants
Supper clubs, catfish houses, steakhouses, and chef-led tables worth the reservation.
Jefferson rewards walkers who love a long supper: white-tablecloth dining, bayou classics, and family recipes served with sweet tea. This section is your map to sit-down dining before ghost tours or after museum mornings.
Reservations fill quickly on holiday weekends and during festivals. Book lodging and dinner in the same breath when you can—your innkeeper often knows who still has a table.
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Where to eat in Jefferson, Texas
Looking for places to eat in Jefferson, Texas? Start with Austin and Polk streets: 1852 on Austin serves steaks and seafood in a historic downtown dinner club, while Joseph's Riverport BBQ brings smoked meats to North Polk Street. Port Jefferson Outpost offers breakfast, lunch, and espresso on the same street. For a different kind of lunch, Kitt's Kornbread Sandwich and Pie Bar serves sandwiches on housemade cornbread. Downtown choices also include Southern cooking, Italian food, and casual American fare.
Plan around small-town hours before choosing your table. Several lunch spots close in the afternoon, and some restaurants skip days between Monday and Wednesday. Austin Street Bistro lists Sunday through Tuesday closures; The Carriage House serves its four-course dinner only on Friday and Saturday, with advance reservations required. At 1852 on Austin, seating is limited and reservations are by phone. Use the picks below to match your meal, then call ahead to confirm hours and availability before heading out.
Best for… your kind of meal
Choose by occasion or craving, then open a listing for its address and hours.
1852 on Austin
Hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and premium wines in a historic downtown dinner club with live music.
View restaurant Best for a four-course dinnerThe Carriage House
Intimate fine dining in a historic setting, with four-course dinners on Friday and Saturday.
View restaurant Best for East Texas BBQJoseph's Riverport BBQ
Smoked meats and East Texas BBQ tradition in the heart of downtown Jefferson.
View restaurant Best for casual pizza & pastaBulldog Pizza
A straightforward, casual pizza and pasta option just east of downtown.
View restaurant Best for Mexican with the familyDon Juan's Mexican Restaurant
Family-friendly Mexican dining with fajitas, enchiladas, and seafood in a casual atmosphere.
View restaurant Best for breakfast & espressoPort Jefferson Outpost
An easy-going breakfast and lunch stop with espresso.
View restaurant Best for sweetsRed Bus Cupcakes & Ice Cream
Housemade cupcakes and ice cream served from an English double-decker bus.
View restaurant Best for weekend live musicAuntie Skinner's Riverboat Club
Casual American food and drinks with live music on weekends.
View restaurantPlanning your meals: common questions
Which restaurants in Jefferson are open on Sunday?
Listed Sunday options include Port Jefferson Outpost (7AM–5PM), 1852 on Austin (10AM–2PM), Taste of Caddo (9AM–3PM), Kitt's Kornbread and Joseph's Riverport BBQ (both 11AM–3PM), Don Juan's (10:30AM–9PM), Tony's Italian Restaurant (11AM–9PM), Auntie Skinner's (noon–10PM), Red Dirt BBQ (11AM–6PM), and Haywood House (5–10PM). For coffee and breakfast, Star Donuts (5AM–1PM) and Kahn Saloon Coffee Shop (8AM–2PM) are open too. Austin Street Bistro and Bulldog Pizza list Sunday closures. Call ahead: hours can change.
Which restaurants in Jefferson are open on Monday?
The listed Monday hours are 5AM–1PM at Star Donuts, 8AM–2PM at Kahn Saloon Coffee Shop, 7AM–2PM at The Hive, 7AM–5PM at Port Jefferson Outpost, 11AM–3PM at Kitt's Kornbread, 10:30AM–9PM at Don Juan's, 11AM–8:30PM at Bulldog Pizza, 11AM–9PM at Tony's Italian Restaurant, 11AM–10PM at Auntie Skinner's, 5–9PM at The KnightLight Theater & Wine Tavern, and 5–10PM at Haywood House. Joseph's Riverport BBQ, Taste of Caddo, and Austin Street Bistro list Monday closures. Call ahead to confirm before making plans.
Where can I eat late or after 9PM in Jefferson?
Auntie Skinner's lists closing times of 10PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 1AM on Friday, and 2AM on Saturday. Haywood House lists 10PM on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday and 11PM on Friday and Saturday. Tony's Italian Restaurant lists 10PM on Friday and Saturday; Serenity Ranch Table lists 10PM Thursday through Saturday with reservations required. These are venue hours, so they do not confirm food service after 9PM. Call ahead to ask when the kitchen closes and whether food will be available.
Which Jefferson restaurants have kid-friendly options?
Don Juan's Mexican Restaurant and Taste of Caddo are tagged family-friendly in our listings. Don Juan's serves Mexican food, including fajitas and enchiladas; Taste of Caddo offers Southern cooking with Cajun influences. For casual pizza and pasta, consider Bulldog Pizza. Red Bus Cupcakes & Ice Cream is a dessert stop with housemade cupcakes and ice cream. Call ahead to confirm hours and ask about any specific dietary or seating needs.
Do I need restaurant reservations in Jefferson?
The Carriage House requires advance reservations for its Friday and Saturday four-course dinners at 7PM. Serenity Ranch Table also lists reservations as required for Thursday through Saturday dinner. At 1852 on Austin, the listing specifies phone reservations and limited seating. Call ahead to reserve and confirm the current schedule; for other restaurants, ask directly about availability for your party.
What are the best restaurants near the historic district and Jefferson B&Bs?
For downtown dining, consider 1852 on Austin at 124 E. Austin Street, Austin Street Bistro at 117 E. Austin Street, or Taste of Caddo at 201 W. Austin Street. On North Polk Street, Joseph's Riverport BBQ is at 201, Port Jefferson Outpost at 220, and Kitt's Kornbread at 125. The Carriage House offers fine dining in a historic setting at 401 N. Polk Street. Choose by cuisine and compare the address with your B&B's location; call ahead to confirm hours and any reservation requirements.
Curator's Favorites
1852 on Austin
FeaturedHand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and premium wines in a historic downtown dinner club setting with live music.
- Fine dining
- Steakhouse
- Seafood
Austin Street Bistro
FeaturedA beloved downtown bistro known for refined American fare and consistent quality — one of Jefferson's most-reviewed restaurants.
- Fine dining
- American
The Carriage House
FeaturedIntimate fine dining in a historic setting — four-course dinners Friday and Saturday only. Widely regarded as one of Jefferson's most special tables.
- Fine dining
- American
- Southwestern