Covington’s Dining Scene Inspires a Culinary-Curious Vacation!

Most of Covington’s historic downtown restaurants are locally owned with a sweet spot around the Covington Courthouse and Square.

Click Dine on the Discover Covington website and browse dozens of listings for taverns, cafés, delis, specialty coffee and tea shops, bakeries, chef-driven cuisine, barbecue and burger establishments, sports bars and grills, Japanese hibachi, sushi and steaks, Italian, Mediterranean, and of course, delicious, homegrown Southern classics. Please note, menu items may change daily and weekly – that’s a fresh thing!

Let’s dig in …

Mystic Grill

Mystic Grill ups the game, providing classic Southern food with a twist – sourcing local ingredients in a mission of sustainability. The Vampire Diaries television series (filmed here) inspired the owners to bring the onscreen Mystic Grill restaurant to life. The upstairs patio has open-sky views of downtown!

Bradley’s BBQ

is loved by locals, owned by locals, and folks return because the menu is classic ‘cue and more. High-quality meats from the pit and the grill are slow cooked with fresh ingredients.

City Pharmacy

In the 1920s, City Pharmacy drug store was a spot to meet with friends at the soda fountain on the square and to get prescriptions filled. More than a century later, City Pharmacy is an esteemed restaurant "Where Friends Meet." Southern classics are reimagined here in all forms of food and drink. The restaurant emphasizes the collaborations of its chefs, mixologists, farmers and artisans who come together to expand Covington’s culinary horizon. Have a seat at the bar or table!

Town House Café

has been serving Covington’s appetites since 1964. The three-generation run restaurant is a cozy place where names are known and often welcomed with, “You’re uptown now, baby!” Pull up a seat for down home cooking – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – as food is love with homestyle burgers, collards, fried okra, and sweet potato pie – just to tempt you for starters.

Good food, cold drinks, and warm greetings are served at

Billy’s Bites & Brews

. Select stacked sandwiches, soup of the day, and refreshing brews from lunchtime to happy hour and sit down suppers. Try the new Bloody Mary Flight with four options, like cucumber jalapeno and spicy lemon peppers!

Amici Italian Café

Amici is about award-winning pizzas and wings with friends. Try the new Rites of Spring Pizza with an olive oil base accentuated with garlic, spinach, crushed tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese, topped with a pesto zig zag. The other side of the table may enjoy The Works, with pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground chuck, green pepper, mushrooms, red onion, black olives, diced tomatoes, and pepperoncini.

Bar Oscar

is a cozy neighborhood Italian joint that is open evenings from Tuesday to Saturday. Perhaps you desire the crispy Polenta with celery puntarella with compressed apple, and Manchego. The 2020 Barolo wine pairs well with the Chestnut and Lamb Tagliatelle. Buon Appetito!

Savor the brick-oven pizza at

Your Pie Pizza

where hand-tossed dough and fresh ingredients come together for an exceptional dining experience. Your dietary needs and preferences are respected which includes vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and keto-friendly options alongside classic pizzas, savory wings, and indulgent pasta.

Bread and Butter Bakery

Freshly baked pastries, sandwiches and coffee are available for pickup and delivery. Imagine starting the day with a chocolate croissant or filling quiche. When lunchtime bells ring, one of our favorite hand-helds is the Pistachio Chicken Salad Sandwich, while the Green Thumb toasted asiago bagel is filled with hummus, carrots and spinach. Just dessert? We love the delicate crunch and sweet cream of cannoli!

Sweet dreams are made of

Scoops!

Come in and pile the cone with delicious flavors of ice cream in all colors and swirls – plus chocolates, candies and gifts.

FRIO Rolled Ice Cream

is a Thai-inspired style ice cream. It’s a handcrafted dessert where the ice cream is stir-fried into creamy, customizable spirals. On the drinks side, you’ll love coffees, lattes, milkshakes and smoothies.

Town Square Olive Oil

Explore and experiment with 65+ varieties of olive oil and balsamic vinegars, and globally sourced gourmet treats and spices, including flavors from Greece, Italy, Spain, Chile and other destinations. Custom gifts and inspiration for the best oils, vinegars and spices energize the foodie in all of us.

Social Goat Tavern

Meet friends for cocktails after movie tours at the Social Goat Tavern. If you’re sharing, a favorite with groups is the Taco Trio platter – nine tacos of three varieties – with nearly a dozen options including gyro, fried fish and ribeye tacos. Check out live music, music bingo, and karaoke weekly in the upstairs lounge.

These establishments provide just the tip of the fork in Covington. Lucky you, because every shop and entertainment venue you visit will energize your appetite as you explore the Hollywood of the South®. Cheers to your choice of cutting board classics in Covington!