Start your morning at Big Bad Breakfast, where Southern classics are all the rage. Inside, you’ll find checkerboard floors, leather barstools, and a steady weekend crowd. The Cathead Chicken Biscuit with sausage gravy is a favorite, along with the Creole omelet loaded with andouille and peppers. It’s a popular spot and they don’t take reservations, so getting there early makes things easier.

Head to the always-buzzing Ajax Diner for a classic Oxford lunch. It’s a local favorite for Southern comfort food. The country-fried steak sandwich and fried catfish are what most people come for, with hash brown casserole or cornbread on the side. Portions are big, and the lunch rush is real, so timing your visit matters.

Prefer something a bit more elevated? Book a table at Bouré, where Creole flavors meet Mississippi ingredients. The menu leans into Louisiana classics, think gumbo, crawfish egg rolls, jambalaya, and fire-roasted seafood cakes. If the weather’s on your side, ask for a seat on the upstairs balcony overlooking the Square.

Book a table at City Grocery, one of Oxford’s most popular restaurants. The menu leans refined Southern with a creative edge, backed by one of the strongest wine lists in North Mississippi. Standouts include the shrimp and grits, duck confit, and green curry catfish stew. Reservations help, especially on weekends.

For a cozier, more laid-back dinner, head to Snackbar just off the Square. It’s a neighborhood spot with a strong seafood focus and some of the best oysters around. The fried oysters with blackened aioli are hard to pass up, and the raw bar is just as solid. If you can, grab a seat at the bar and watch the shucking. The Gulf shrimp and Cajun catfish and chips are both worth your attention.

Have lunch at McEwen’s, where white tablecloths and refined Southern dishes give midday a slightly dressed-up feel. Right on the Square, it’s a longtime Oxford staple with consistently friendly service. The fried catfish po’ boy is a favorite, along with the grilled pork tenderloin or the farmer’s plate built around whatever’s fresh that week.

For something more casual, head to Volta Taverna, a Greek-inspired spot in a converted gas station. Start with the Hotty Toddy Balls, fried garlic mashed potatoes with bacon and mozzarella, then go for a beef and lamb gyro or a Mediterranean farro bowl. Grab a margarita or frozen mojito to kick things up a notch.

Settle in for dinner at Saint Leo, a modern Italian spot known for wood-fired pizzas and fresh pasta. The space leans warm and polished, with wood details, a marble bar, and soft lighting. Go for the roasted mushroom pizza, the burrata and soppressata, or the bolognese pappardelle.