Restaurants in Natchez

On the lush grounds of Stanton Hall, the Carriage House Restaurant, 401 High St. (tel. 601/445-5151), open since 1926, serves lunch daily and dinner only during pilgrimage tours. Sip a mint julep in the dining room, where polished, pale-wood furnishings are illuminated by lots of natural light. The menu features burgers, salads, sandwiches, and Southern staples such as fried chicken. Main courses run about $12.

Check your political correctness at the door if you want a peek at Mammy's Cupboard, 555 Hwy. 61 S. (tel. 601/445-8957), an eye-popping, lunchtime-only landmark known as much for its food (try the chicken salad, or chocolate "mud" pie for dessert) as for the unusual shape of its building. It's essentially a statue several stories high depicting the stereotypical Old South black "Mammy" figure; her hoop skirt forms a dome that houses the restaurant. This is one of those quirky places that you have to see to believe. Entrees run $6 to $8. For a potent combination of tangy, "knock-you-naked" margaritas and spicy tamales, head to another maternalistic favorite, Fat Mama's Tamales, 500 S. Canal St. (tel. 601/442-4548). Look for the cactus-bedecked log cabin aglow with orange neon. Nachos, chili, homemade sweet pickles, and Snickers pie round out the short menu. Nothing here costs over $8. In the downtown area, there are several notable diners, including Pearl Street Pasta, 104 A. Pearl St. (tel. 601/442-9284), and even the unexpected, new Thai Planet, 112 N. Commerce St. (tel. 601/442-4220).

In the area along the river known as Natchez-Under-the-Hill, you'll find Bowie's Tavern, 100 Main St. (tel. 601/445-6627; www.bowiestavern.com). Spirits and pub grub are dished out at this convivial nightspot that's part sports bar and part Old English-style tavern. Televisions carry live sporting events, and there's also occasional live music. Main courses run $9 to $14.