Vicksburg, North Mississippi Have Their Share of Above-Average Pasta
by Kara Kimbrough updated October 2026 by Michele Baker
Don’t make the mistake of thinking our state's northern region, comprised of Belzoni, the self-proclaimed “Catfish Capital of the World,” and the mammoth steaks at Greenville's original location of Doe’s Eat Place, are the sole culinary claims to fame. There are plenty of pasta dishes to sample in north Mississippi -- here is a small sample.
Before traveling up I-55 North, a stop in neighboring Vicksburg is in order. The River City is filled with wonderful restaurants offering an enviable array of cuisine. Italian is no exception. Standout dishes are the lasagna, PoBoys, pizza and calzones at Billy’s Italian Restaurant.
For seafood pasta (pictured right), try Rusty’s Riverfront Grill or the ravioli, manicotti or ziti at Bella Italia Bistro.
Once headed north, a detour into Grenada will yield satisfying results courtesy of a stop at Carmella’s Ristorante. Located a mile or so from the interstate, Grenada’s Italian eatery offers everything from pizza to calzones, but die-hard fans claim pasta is the star. A must-try dish among a variety of choices is shrimp Alfredo. Tangy seafood is combined with sauce, roasted peppers, mushrooms and spinach makes for an unforgettable "Popeye Shrimp" pizza.
A road trip to Tupelo should be everyone’s list in 2026 and not just to tour Elvis’ birthplace. The bustling city is filled with numerous restaurants ranging from historic and locally owned to fine dining.
If you think above-average pasta is in the mix, you’d be right! Two standouts are Nautical Whimsey (known for steaks and stuffed ravioli with meat or lobster) and Vanelli’s Bistro, known for wood fired pizza, homemade baked cheese pasta with rich Bolognese sauce. pasta. Both are located Main Street in historic downtown Tupelo.
Last, Oxford’s reputation as a city with a diversified restaurant scene is well-known. From college students on a budget to visiting dignitaries, there’s something please the palate. Tarasque Cucina manages to attract both demographics and those in between with its creative pastas and other Italian specialties. Billed as “Old World comfort food,” the menu surprisingly simple, sticking to salad, pasta, bread and dessert. It’s a hard choice, but rigatoni with sausage and peppers, a decadent dish of homemade sausage, sautéed vegetables, white wine and Pecorino Romano, is a Tarasque standout that shouldn’t be missed.
