Atmosphere This cozy little spot successfully channels the spirit of New Orleans with its green, gold, and purple Mardi Gras accents, Saints memorabilia, and overall festive yet laid-back vibe. The music hits the right notes--lively enough to enjoy while dining without overpowering conversation. It's clear the owners have a genuine affection for NOLA, and that passion shows. A recent perfect health inspection score (100% A grade) inspires confidence in the kitchen. That said, the front-of-house execution needs tightening. Multiple dirty tables upon arrival created an off-putting first impression. With only one waitress on duty, she was clearly stretched thin--rushing between tables and side work. Service was brisk and to-the-point, bordering on curt. As obvious first-timers, we received minimal menu guidance (unlike the couple seated beside us), though she did provide a clear, helpful explanation of the differences between the étouffée and Cajun cream sauce when asked. A menu with photos and more descriptive copy would go a long way toward helping guests navigate the offerings. Drinks The mimosa flight delivered a respectable pour with noticeable champagne character, but the mixers leaned heavily on bottled Arizona-style juices rather than fresh muddled fruit, squeezed orange juice, or quality nectar. A bit more care in the fruit and juice department would elevate the presentation and flavor significantly. Still, the serving size was generous for the price. The water, at least, arrived crisp and clean. Appetizers The fried mushrooms were solidly executed--crisp, hot, and properly cooked, if a touch basic. They lacked the nuance of a true handmade batter but satisfied with a classic ranch accompaniment (though we could have used far more than the meager portion provided). The hush puppies, however, were a standout: delicate orbs of sweet corn-studded dough with excellent flavor and a pleasingly light texture. Just a few extra seconds in the fryer would have banished the slight undercooked centers and pushed them into excellence. These are worth ordering again. Mains The boudin arrived atop a fluffy (if slightly al dente) bed of plainly cooked rice that could have benefited from stock or seasoning. Two generous links offered the classic creamy interior and satisfying snap of casing, with traditional seasoning and pleasing moisture. No bells, whistles, or cheese-stuffed excesses--just honest boudin. For the price, an extra link would have felt more generous. The shrimp po'boy, l served alongside Cajun fries, dressed with the house étouffée sauce and was the star of the meal. Those fries unfortunately arrived cold and soggy, but the étouffée itself shone--rich, deeply flavored, and packed with visible seafood essence. The shrimp were beautifully fried: light, crispy, perfectly seasoned, and undeniably the highlight. A touch more shrimp would have been welcome, but the quality and balance of flavors made this a memorable sandwich. Dessert The beignets--three to an order--arrived piping hot and freshly made, dusted generously with powdered sugar. The dough itself was dense yet well-executed, delivering that satisfying chew. While they capture the spirit of the French Quarter classic, they felt a bit pricey compared to the legendary originals at Café du Monde. Still, they closed the meal on a comforting, sugar-dusted high note. Verdict This restaurant offers an earnest and often successful taste of New Orleans in a welcoming neighborhood setting. There are clear areas for improvement--service consistency, menu clarity, and a few execution details--but the kitchen shows real promise, especially with the shrimp and étouffée. I'd happily return to explore more of their NOLA-inspired menu. A solid effort worth supporting. read more

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Wonderful food made by fantastic chef Bernardo with attentive lady Kelly and fantastic chef Bernardo read more

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My daughter and I visited on Sunday for brunch. There were three other table of guests present (7 people, 9 including my daughter and me, stay tuned for why this is being highlighted). I'm a huge fan of the okra which was ordered as an appetizer. As for the main dish, I would prefer a different type of grits. I didn't care for the consistency of the grits. It was, however, flavorful. The downside is that my daughter never received a refill on her drink which is why I'm not awarding 5 stars. read more

Cafe Le Rue - Shrimp, Sausage and Grits - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

I decided to stop in for brunch. Normally, I would get Shrimp & Grits, but since I almost always get that when it's an option, I ordered the Brunch Shrimp and Crawfish Étouffée. It had eggs, grits, shrimp and crawfish with a lovely sauce. With it, I had an Abita Mardi Gras Bock. I would absolutely get the Shrimp & Grits next time. The place is small but charming, nice ambiance. The server was very kind and kept my water glass filled. read more

Cafe Le Rue - Brunch Shrimp & Crawfish Étouffée - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

I have always liked coming to Cafe LeRue. However, this evening we went there and the waitress took out drink order and proceeded to have a FaceTime or some video call with someone while making the drinks. She also started coughing, without covering her mouth, over the waters she was preparing. All this while on her video call. We decided to leave. This was very poor customer service and health and safety standards. We were very disappointed!!! read more

Selected 'Cafe Le Rue' for my group of 10's 'Fat Tuesday'/Mardi Gras evening. We could not have been more pleased. While I only nibbled on hush puppies and beignets (saving room for drinks) everyone who enjoyed a full meal raved...as did I. The staff took into consideration my fluid 'guest number' and was ready for the last minute additions. If you can't be in New Orleans...be at Cafe Le Rue! read more

Food is on point. You won't be disappointed....... Customer service is great! If I was to recommend something it would be EVERYTHING ON THE MENU. Absolute best! read more

Cafe Le Rue - Gumbo extra spicy..... YUMMY - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

Came back to Columbus and this was my first stop!!! Met my girlfriend and her husband. I got the fried green tomatoes and the rice and beans. My girlfriend got the shrimp and grits and her husband got the French toast cheeseburger. I tried the cheeseburger and it was good. The French toast got a little soggy but the burger was tasty and the fries were the best. The red beans and rice was still pretty tasty. The fried green tomatoes were crispy and good. The service was good. We had to ask for small plates more than once but they were very friendly. read more

Cafe Le Rue - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

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This was my first time here and I'm not sure I'll come back. I did not have a bad experience but the establishment & food just wasn't appeasing enough for me to return. We had a party of three and was greeted immediately. We chose to sit inside. There are a lot of Mardi Gras & NOLA related decor which was nice. It is a fairly small restaurant but I feel it fits the aesthetic. I ordered the Mardi Gras pasta which was seasoned pretty well and had a spicy kick that I really enjoyed. My sister got the Monica Pasta and it wasn't really seasoned, she had to add her own. And my mom ordered the Shrimp & Grits - she really enjoyed it but did have to add a little seasoning. The mango mimosas were good and made just right. The food didn't really meet Cajun/creole standards, in my opinion. Price range of the items were extremely reasonable and worth the amount of food you got. Service was decent. There were only two waitress so at times they got really busy. Regardless they were friendly and tried to be as attentive as possible. Overall my experience was subpar. Nothing really wowed me to make me want to come back. read more

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3rd time to visit Columbus and this is our nth time in this restaurant. Always good food and our server Kelly was excellent and very friendly. We went back another day and another server I didn't get her name was very pleasant and gave us a wonderful experience even though we came almost at closing. Our family favorites are the seafood gumbo, chicken jambalaya, seafood mardi gras and of course the begnet!!!Thank you read more

Not a bad experience. Went when they opened and some options weren't available yet so it was nice to know things were fresh. The decor is nice and we were able to have a comfortable conversation. They could have been a little more attentive there were moments where we had empty cups and gave up asking for condiments. For the prices, I don't believe that I would go back anytime soon but if you do like Cajun food not a bad spot to try. read more

Sad to be updating this review as the first time we went I would highly recommend this place but we have gone 2 times recently and service was upsetting. Food was over cooked and the menu has changed. read more

Extremely friendly service and amazing food, probably some of the best catfish I've had in a while. Everything on their menu is worth trying, stop by if you're visiting you won't regret it. read more

Café Le Rue is amazing! My friends and I love their Low Country Boil. It is the best around! It's not on their menu (I wish it were) but if you give them a day notice, they will have it ready for you!!! Great food and service!!! We will be getting it again very soon!! read more

I've​ been wanting to try this restaurant​​ for a while now and I​ finally got a chance​. The inside was a bit outdated but who cares... (I don't) We decided to sit out on the terrace and catch a breeze. Our waitress was really friendly​ and nice, that's always a plus. Our food was delicious​, (I had a Shrimp Po Boy) and the mimosa​'s were good as well. (The mimosa's were life!) Did Cafe Le Rue exceed my expectations​? No, but they were pretty damn close. I would definitely​ recommend this spot if you love seafood. read more

Been coming here for a couple of years now and we always enjoy it. Nice cozy spot, great food, and beautiful decor. Kelly is also a great addition to the restaurant. Will continue visit. read more

Amazing food and even better service. Outdoor seating available. I recommend the fried okra and any of the signature dishes. This is one of the restaurants you keep coming back for more. A+++ read more

Cafe Le Rue - Shrimp sausage gumbo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

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We ordered the Corn Hush Puppies for Appetizer, which was good but not amazing 6/10. Shrimp & Grits 6/10: the grits were bland and the shrimp was bland. I love Shrimp & Grits but this was just okay and not worth it. Jambalaya 6.5/10: They said there wasn't any other flavor than pepper. The sausage wasn't cooked with the jambalaya so the flavor wasn't the same throughout. It's one of the places to try in Columbus, but after trying, it's just okay. I do like how we have at least a local Cajun restaurant but not even remotely close to authentic Cajun food. read more

I have a natural suspicion of any place that cooks extremely regional food but has more vague name/branding. There's fleur de lis all over the walls to make you think of New Orleans, but not of any specific lineage of cooking or traditions -- even the name is just "street cafe." There's no promise of a specific authenticity made by the restaurant's presentation, which I think is why many southerners more acquainted with Cajun cooking may have a lot of different ideas about the dishes being served. I think that's why the rating for this place is more divisive than its food actually suggests, which is genuinely pretty good. Had the crawfish etouffee as an appetizer, and the red beans + rice and shrimp + grits for the entrees. Crawfish etouffee was good -- big tomato presence, and along with the herb useage almost tasted like a peppery minestrone thickened with a dark roux. Not a big crawfish presence, but the taste was good. The bread basket that is served, whenever explicitly mentioned or requested by diners, is basically a single large breadstick that is cut into quarters. They can and should be less stingy with bread, especially considering how well many of their dishes pair with some bread for dipping. Red beans and rice -- the sausage is served on top of the beans, not cooked in the same pot, which means that the big flavor stars of the dish are the Holy Trinity (onion/celery/bell pepper), not the sausage. I actually prefer this, but other diners have noted that they prefer when the beans soak up the sausage flavor. Shrimp and grits -- decent flavor, nice big shrimp. Overall, I get why almost any cajun restaurant that doesn't reference a specific lineage of their cooking can be divisive, but I enjoyed it and I'm glad to have this restaurant around. read more

Yes!!! Good Good Food and superb service!!! While visiting columbus, we tried out a few different place! This was one of our favorite! Shrimp Po Boy and etouffee at this place was delish!!! We were here for lunch and had to come back for dinner later that evening. The lunch time crew was extremely polite!!! Making sure we had all we needed. This place is a bit small and intimate..... They seem to have a few regulars. Lunch menu maybe a bit pricey, but worth every penny! If you are ever in the area... You should definitely give this place a shot! Tell them Karo sent you. LOL read more

Cafe Le Rue - Etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

My husband and I had dinner here and will not be back. Not greeted as we walked in, a woman from behind the bar told us to sit anywhere. Took a while to get drinks, only one other family there. I asked about a menu item and she said I don't know.... As we were eating our appetizers another family came in, about 10 minutes later I get my dinner, she says nothing about his meal. She comes out and takes one entree to just the lady at the next table. We find out that was my husbands meal!! She didn't even apologize. Very poor service and the food was not "the best Cajun cuisine in town" as on their website. read more

This place was right around the corner from my hotel. I love seafood, so I figured I'd give it a try. I ordered the Mardi Gras pasta and whew! I really enjoyed it! I initially ordered my food to-go but changed my mind and sat in the outside portion of the restaurant and enjoyed the music and breeze. The menu has a great variety of dishes. I really wish I could stay longer and try some of the other things on the menu read more

Cafe Le Rue - Mardi Gras Pasta togo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

Best Cajun food in Columbus GA. Sampler lunch platter will fill you up and the quality is great. I consider it a treat every time I eat there. People who show up for the first time start smiling after the first bite. A real gem read more

I just wanted to share some thoughts after a vacation in New Orleans. I was very curious to see how the food would compare to Cafe Le Rue. I found the food in New Orleans tasted very much like Cafe Le Rue so Cafe Le Rue is indeed authentic cajun food. Furthermore, I had beignets twice at Cafe du monde and found them to just be a basic puff pastry with too much powdered sugar like a fair food. I suspect Cafe du monde is for tourists and locals go somewhere else. The beignets at Cafe Le Rue are way better. They are a lighter pastry and served with chocolate or strawberry dipping sauce. I order them every time I visit Cafe Le Rue. read more

The food was good but the sever was absolutely the worst. I like going there but dread the server. The lady on the weekend was very polite but the one during the week not so good. read more

I absolutely love their crab dip! By far my favorite dish there. It's usually made as an appetizer but I order it as my meal since the portion size is just enough to get full off of. I am OBSESSED! Cute, cozy restaurant. Service was a little slow but still 5 stars because the server was friendly and the food is ALWAYS amazing for us! read more

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Excellent cuisine!!! This spot is going to become a regular for me customer service good food overall experience read more

Cafe Le Rue - Chicken and Crab Cheese Dip w/homemade potato chips! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

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Enjoyed lunch here with my best friend and her twins. A nice little spot in a shopping plaza. The menu had a short but reasonable selection. I ordered the pick 3 sample but substituted my 3rd selection for a salad . The waitress was AMAZING and engaging ! Will definitely return. read more

Cafe Le Rue - Shrimp and Grits , shrimp and crawfish Étouffée - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

Went out with a friend for lunch to Cafe Le Rue as we both enjoy Cajun food. The menu has more classic New Orleans style cuisine, but it is incredibly tasty. Service was also really fast and our host and server were nice and approachable. I ordered the Le Rue Special Fried Shrimp Po Boy while my friend had the Seafood Gumbo with Shrimp & Sausage. The Po Boy was toasted well with the perfect amount of remoulade sauce. I got it all the way which includes chopped lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles. The shrimp was fried to be crispy, but still tender and not dry. Perfectly well seasoned and really delicious. I devoured it within minutes. Came with a side of hand cut fries. Afterwards, we both tried the beignets with strawberry sauce. They were fluffy yet thick and tasted like a well cooked beignet should. The location makes it look like a bustling, fast paced restaurant from the outside, however, upon walking in, you find yourself in a really calm and quaint atmosphere. The inside was decorated with lots of historical pictures and newspaper clippings from New Orleans as well as stylish masquerade masks pinned to the wall. There was also a healthy helping of Saints support. The music suited the atmosphere with a mix of New Orleans jazz and rhythm & blues. Overall, had a nice "hole-in-the-wall" feel while being located in a busy shopping center. The atmosphere really suited the food being served. I will definitely be coming back. read more

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Well. I'm writing this mid meal so I don't lose track. I was missing home (Louisiana) it was a wet, chilly night when I stumbled upon Cafe le Rue. I was excited as one would expect discovering their native cuisine, so I started with an Abita beer. It kinda spiraled from there, but before I get to that, the setting wasn't bad. Small place and they have a patio. First, I wanted a cup of gumbo, a cup. They don't sell cups, only bowls. I feel that you're missing out on some extra change. You should always be able to have a soup as an appetizer. I recovered. Then I ordered gator bites for my second choice, waited about 10 minutes and ordered a side ceasar salad and the etoufee as to not rush my app. Logistically one would think, appetizer, salad then main course. Nope. Received the ceasar salad which had ZERO romaine, almost literally after I ordered it. Did I mention there was no romaine lettuce?? I recovered. Getting excited because the gator bites are coming next. They arrived. They were ok, tasted burnt. They were also served with fries. Huh?? I recovered. No joke, my etoufee showed up just as my gator got there. Gave it a chance to cool off. That, well, it was tomatoey and had maybe 3 crawfish tails. And no bread or crackers (with the gumbo as well) .... I feel like this place is cutting the wrong corners. In summary if this place reads reviews, offer cups of the soups, gumbo, etoufee, even the jambalaya. Maybe even make that a side. It's all cheap to serve. No fries with gator bites, and maybe some bread (no charge) so I can sop up any of the liquid. Service wasn't the best either. Bless her heart she tried, even steered my from the gumbo to etoufee cause her moms gumbo is better.... I now doubt her judgement; prolly puts corn in the gumbo. Price is fair and give military discount. read more

Cafe Le Rue - Shrimp & Crawfish Etouffee over Buttery Rice - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

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Great food and service! From the gumbo to shrimp,sausage and grits, to the Cajun chicken pasta, we all loved our dishes. Our server was fabulous, especially considering the was the only server working at the time we went. This is not somewhere to go if you are in a hurry, but the food is worth the wait! read more

Quirky little bit of N'awlins in Columbus, Georgia...very relaxed and casual atmosphere, and having just spent a week in the real NOLA this past Christmas, the food was passable for the real deal...I had their take on jambalaya and the portion size was just right, the spice level was spot on, and despite the lack of shrimp was a nice surprise to find so far from the Delta...waitress was super friendly and I would definitely visit there again when I'm in the area... read more

Cafe Le Rue - Bar area - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

Had a few errands to run in Columbus. It was wet and rainy day and I was wanting something to fill me up and warm me up. Heard about this little spot. Never went. I went and got take out. Service was fast and food was good. By the look of that plate I gots another round to go! read more

Cafe Le Rue - Seafood Gumbo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

The food was a bit bland. We ordered shrimp etoufee, spicy Cajun shrimp, red beans and rice, Cajun pasta Alfredo, chicken and sausage jambalaya. I wouldn't consider this place traditional southern Cajun food. It's not finger licking good. I expected the food to be buttered with a lot of Cajun spice. Not even close. My 3 year old was able to eat the spicy Cajun shrimp appetizer with no complaints and that says a lot. The shrimp was watered down. Staff was really friendly. I wouldn't come back here again though. There was only one waiter so expect a bit of a wait. He is very shy but super friendly. read more

Cafe Le Rue is a Cajun restaurant located in The Landings area. I'd say it's pretty authentic cajun food. It's one of my favorite places in Columbus. As far as appetizers, I've had the Fried Gator Sausage. It was decent and worth trying once, but not something I'd go for again due to the price. For entrees, the po-boys, seafood gumbo, and the jambalaya are all great. The portions are excellent. For dessert, I do believe that adding toppings to the beignets are worth it. I do find some of the items on the menu a bit pricier than they are worth, which is why I knock it down a star. Service is always excellent. You are immediately greeted and checked on throughout your time in the restaurant. Atmosphere is great. The restaurant is aligned with memorabilia that reminds you of New Orleans (Go Saints!). read more

Cafe Le Rue - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

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The small place has a weird kind of vibe. The dining area is really small but they have an outdoor dining area on the side. My friend and I sat inside and our server-who seemed to be the only one there. She was friendly and let us take our time. I ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and which was all right. They were hot and fresh, but the tomatoes were a little underflavored but the remoulade sauce brought it up spice/flavor wise. I tried the trio sampler of their specialties: the crawfish etouffee, and the boudin served on white rice. The boudin was a nice surprise it was a really well done white boudin, with a nice, subtle savory flavor that the rice soaked up too. The jambalaya was really good with a nice heat to it and they didn't skimp on the sausage and chicken. The crawfish etoufee was similar, less heat but I think that's because the rice kind of took away from it. They both felt a little off slightly, like it was reheated. The boudin though didn't-maybe because I got a sampler plate because my friend got the full size portion of the jambalaya and he liked it a lot-and was even a bit too spicy for him. Dessert was offered and I couldn't turn down a pineapple upside down cake-even though beignets were on the menu. The ice cream was delicious and had a home churned feel to it. A bit on the pricier side, but still pretty good. read more

Good sauce great haven't eaten inside but is very clean. I'm eating Greek salad & veggie pizza.

I ordered fried green tomatoes and someone that spent 2 years in Louisiana they were ok but nothing like the one I used to have when I lived there. read more

Very surprising quality of food. Amazing flavor handcrafted dishes with a variant of spice. I lived in Louisiana for 4 years and this food is just like it. The Boudin quality is just like Louisiana if not New Orleans itself. Absolutely the best shrimp and grits I have had a in all of Columbus maybe even Georgia. Very pleasant place to sit and have a meal the hostess was very friendly and prompt on informing me about the menu. Job well done definitely will be returning. read more

Was out of town on a business trip and stopped in for a late lunch with my coworker and the food was amazing. Really did remind me of NOLA. read more

Cafe Le Rue - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Columbus, Georgia