We were in town attending the Mississippi Book Festival, as were most of the people in the restaurant that night. Very pleasant atmosphere--love the coat hooks--and dining experience, from the guy who helped us park outside, to the staff inside. We had crawfish/mushroom appetizer and I wanted to lick the plate. I had the fried snapper and the rest of the table had catfish, and ate the catfish that my wife couldn't finish. Lemon iced box pie for me, coconut pie for my wife. Couldn't have been happier. Did I mention perfect sweet tea--not too sweet, just right. Be ready for a little bit of sticker shock maybe, but the price matches the value of the experience. Mayflower Cafe is definitely on my return list for Jackson, especially when entertaining others. read more

We wanted to love this but our party of 5 were left disappointed. The staff is great! The service was great! The restaurant is so cute! The food was overpriced and underwhelming. We ordered the Akropolis Platter. It contained 2 shrimp, 2 oysters, an overcooked and badly seasoned piece of redfish with sour crabmeat on top. The rolls were cold. The oysters were delicious but tiny and 22.00 for 6. The gumbo wasn't anything to write home about. We also ordered the Captains Platter and were disappointed in that as well. The soft shell crab was inedible. The only thing food related that I can say was perfect were the onion rings. read more

I was so excited to finally try lunch at Mayflower Cafe. Everyone's reviews always looked mouthwatering, so I decided that yesterday would be the day to give them a go. I was surprised at how tight it was in there. The photos I've seen always made it look like a bigger space than what it was. Despite the closeness of the tables to the booths, service was very good. My server (forgot to get her name) was attentive and checked on me numerous of times. I didn't like the Thursday blue plate specials so I ordered catfish. Went with fried okra and sweet potatoes as the sides. The star of my plate was the bowl of sweet potatoes. They appeared to be fresh cut and had the right amount of sweet to them. The fried okra had sprinkles of salt and were hot. I would mark them as being ok. Now the catfish. Well that was another missed opportunity. The fish breading was seasoned slightly but pulled away from the fish too easily. It literally broke off in whole pieces. My piece was fried a little too hard but I could have forgiven that if the fish meat had been seasoned. The salt that was sprinkled on the okra should have been sprinkled on the fish instead. I just did not care for the fish at all. The roll was good. I should have asked for some butter but it was fine without it. Reminds me of the old yeast rolls you would get back in the day. I love to support local spots but to say I was disappointed in my first visit is an understatement. Someone told me that dinner was better than lunch, so I'm going to try them for dinner before making my final verdict. read more

Mayflower Cafe - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Jackson, Mississippi

See all

Some positives and negatives to experience. Classic diner vibe. Food was acceptable but prices were excessive for quality. Service was friendly but disjointed, we got app after main course. I would not go out of my way but acceptable choice in area. read more

The manager is an absolute delight. Of course LG is always the highlight of our visit. Can't wait to come back! read more

See all

So this is a cafe which offers some upscale food. By day they are more of a diner with some more basic eats like burgers, sandwiches, plate lunches etc. and also offering more upscale items like seafood while at night they focus more on the fine dining items like steak and seafood. They only start offering their raw oysters during happy hour and at night. I found it extremely strange to not be able to get raw oysters during lunch while being able to get fried oysters as that made no sense to me. My perspective is coming from New Orleans where we can get raw oysters anytime we want them and also my expectations are also based on New Orleans which isn't really a fair comparison to Mayflower Cafe but it is the measure I'm used to. So the gumbo and seafood items I ate here simply wouldn't cut it in New Orleans and this place would go out of business if they opened in NOLA. The diner food I sampled with the feta burger also wasn't all that good and I've had better burgers in Jackson. I still haven't tried the steak here so maybe that is the star of the show that might redeem my opinion of this place. Overall I really enjoy the ambiance here and the service is hospitable although they are really slow about getting your iced tea refilled. For the prices they charge here I could have far better meals in New Orleans and at least somewhat better food in several Jackson restaurants. I could see coming here with a group could be a lot of fun while I would have low expectations for the food at this point. I still haven't had a chance to try their raw oysters but I'm pretty sure I've sampled some oysters that came from the same place or a place very near. Overall I really wish I found the food to be better at Mayflower Cafe but to my taste it just wasn't up to my flavor expectations. I don't feel very motivated to make a return visit but maybe I will give it another shot and try the steak and raw oysters in the future at some point. read more

See all

My only issue with this spot is the price.i guess being out of towners, we looked green.the male server upsold us on a specials that was more expensive than the daily special. We had a crawfish sandwich with tomato bisque soup.it was good but overpriced.nice experience overall. read more

we had a much anticipated dinner here this weekend. sadly, it disappointed, in food, service and setup. we had made a reservation and were promptly seated where we waited several minutes to be recognized as servers walked by. once greeted our server was friendly and knowledgeable. we ordered , three specials and i had the stuffed broiled flounder. each was served with a salad and the most delicious part of the meal, the comeback and rolls. my entree was mediocre at best with a firm cold loaded potato. others enjoyed their fish but agreed the food didn't live up to the hype. the ambience is nice retaining the feel of the original establishment with updated bathrooms but tables and booths are positioned so that it is difficult for both servers and patrons to move about without bumping in to other diners. glad i've been, probably won't be back. read more

See all

The only plus for the renovated Mayflower is the room. They did a great job of modernizing the dining room while maintaining "the look" that's so important to long time diners. The service was OK, but there were only 10 people in the room at 6:45 on a Saturday evening. The server forgot to tell us, after being asked, that they had pompano as the catch of the day. In her defense, she looked like she was brand new at the job. I still left her a very generous tip. The food was awful. Crab claws fried with a batter made with corn meal, not corn flour. They were overcooked and not good. The house salad was OK. Nothing special. The fish was the same old, same old, Mayflower fish indistinguishable by species because they're all soaked in "Mayflower fish sauce", which is pretty bad. I couldn't eat my pompano. It was a very thinly filet WAY overcooked, and tasteless other than the "fish sauce". My baked potato was OK, but the "Mayflower traditional" aluminum foil wrap is a turnoff for me. That's a tradition they need to drop. The Mayflower is extraordinarily expensive for such average to below average food. That probably explains why there were only 10 people in the dining room at 6:45 on a Saturday night. We won't be back. read more

Mayflower Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Jackson, Mississippi

Wow. What a place for a traveler to happen upon. Clearly an institution and well worth the drive!! Everyone at the staff was so friendly and the security guard was so kind in helping my husband and me find parking out front. The fish was delicious and the dinner rolls mouthwatering. Such a charming eatery. read more

I've eaten here several times over the years, and always had a good meal. On this trip, I enjoyed a salad with their comeback sauce, a cool glass of iced tea, and a Captain's platter. Delicious ! I'm very happy that the place is under new management, and they saved this landmark restaurant in Jackson. I'm also very happy that there are first floor bathrooms now. In the past you used to have to walk outside and go to a door that opened to a long flight of steep stairs to go to the second floor These old bathrooms were near the kitchen. read more

See all

I've eaten at this landmark restaurant many times growing up. I took my Sin there for the first time. They have done a remodel and updated the menu. Everything was good. Definitely going back read more

Great service. Great food. Great desserts. The reason for only 4 stars is their Caesar salad doesn't use Caesar dressing. One in our party was really looking forward to a traditional grilled chicken Caesar salad and the Mayflower uses their peppercorn dressing. It isn't a good substitute for Caesar. Be aware, the Caesar salad on the menu really isn't Caesar. read more

Mayflower Cafe - Catfish Jane entree. - Seafood Near Me - Jackson, Mississippi

Ate there last night and it was like going down memory lane. Everyone from the security guard to the wait staff were friendly and helpful. The food was superb. The onion rings are a must try!! Will definitely try again!! read more

The Mayflower experience began when we parked our car. The kind doorman assisted by helping us cross the busy street as he welcomed us to the Mayflower. I love how they have preserved Jackson history with the decor. The food was amazing! Food pricing is more than fair considering the quality of the product and the skills to prepare it. We had an amazing Father's Day dinner and we will be back with friends and family! Thank you to the hostess amazing bartender and server ! read more

See all

So a few nights ago, my husband and I went to The Mayflower, in downtown Jxn. The experience was amazing! We were greeted by their gracious host/Manager, Roberta, and seated right away with the Phenomenal, Colombia. Every staff member, including LG (the security guard) welcomed us. Colombia greated our table with water and took our drink and app orders. We started with their Half Dzn Oysters-Broiled. They were breaded and broiled in their Mayflower fish sauce. I ended up dipping mine their house made comeback ::chefs kiss:: For dinner, we shared their Captian's Platter. It came with a redfish filet, shrimp, oysters, stuffed crab, soft shell crab, a side and a salad. We added some extra shrimp and oysters, along with an extra side salad and paid an up charge for cream spinach (in lieu of fries or baked potato.) Colo made sure to course our meal out by brining our side salads out first. We ended our meal with their house made Lemon Ice Box Pie. I seriously been dreaming about this pie. EVERYTHING was done right at The Mayflower and we are looking forward to going back soon. read more

See all

Classic diner with modern menu. Everything was fantastic. Soft shell crab was outstanding. read more

See all

Awesome little historic cafe with amazing food! We came for dinner, catfish, seafood pasta, and oysters. NOTHING was bad! Service was ON POINT. Dish no longer being used? They were quick to remove it from the table. Refills were frequent. Octavian was our waiter and was great! His recommendations were perfect for us! read more

Definitely go for breakfast if you are in the area! Little unassuming place (kinda rundown) with fantastic food!

Went last Friday first time since they have renovated. They did a great job preserving the character and history of the place while also giving it a slightly more "upscale" feel. I appreciate that they now have a good cocktail selection. We started with the fried onion rings and they were delicious with the comeback sauce. The redfish was just as good as it's always been and a slice of lemon ice box to top it off! read more

Everything is good, service is good, it's Alsome the bread pudding is phenomenal. The restaurant is nice and I have eaten there lot and it was good. read more

10/10!! Amazing ambiance, drinks and food. The stuffed mushroom crawfish and blackened red fish with cream spinach was one of the best meals I've ever had! Excellent service as well, LG is an icon! read more

The food is delicious, fresh, appetizing. No wonder they just got one of the 50 best restaurants in the US. For me, the cocktails prepared by Sydney are a standout feature of this restaurant. Absolutely delicious and well thought out. read more

So good. Great atmosphere and good eats!! Great service too!! We were there with a rehearsal dinner. They took very good care of us!!

New owners, still delicious. Portions are enough to be filling but not so large that you waste half of it and still feel like that girl the Oompa-Loompas rolled out of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory. read more

Forever a Jackson favorite w fresh fish. 37 years of being a customer should say it all.

I've been going to this place for my entire 47 years and the food is incredible. I know it's under new ownership. I just wish they would have the original comeback mayflower dressing. Nobody is going to convince me it's the same. It's not even the same color. Please pay what it takes for the recipe. read more

A favorite for most of my 60+years in Jackson... the new ownership saved it from demise, with 'new money' new interior decor & a totally new( needed) kitchen, fine restrooms on this main level... the new Chef, partner (a James Beard nominee) has saved this landmark 1936? downtown diner from extinction... The Greek salad surprised me as it used only spinach instead of mixed greens, then I had to ask for Greek salad dressing. Oysters (3) were $2 each... next time I'll just get the wedge salad which comes with six or seven oysters. Janettes 's chicken sandwich needed salt and pepper or other seasonings as it was quite plain. The vegetable plate was very limited (4) owing to the size of the kitchen, I presume. read more

The location is charming, the food was delicious and the staff were amazing. This place was named one of the best restaurants in the U.S. by the New York Times and I agree. Everything from the lemonade to my salad, to the shrimp was wonderful. And I fell in love with the comeback sauce for which they are famous. read more

Fantastic vibe. Just Ike I remembered but better! Clean and fresh but the retro decor still with us. Great bar made from the original counter. Nice dining in the booths and tables. Food was excellent. Highly recommend the fried oysters. And the comeback sauce on the salad of course! A Jackson landmark for sure. read more

See all

I'm not sure why this place doesn't have a higher rating... I realize that the ambiance isn't what most people are looking for now days, but it has so much character! What they lack in decor, they make up for in food quality and staff personality. Tricia was an excellent waitress with good recommendations. My broiled fish lunch special was SO good!! Jackson, please support these older businesses!!!! I want it to be in business so I can come again when I'm in town! They had a newspaper article that said 66 years of service was printed in 2001, so now it's 86 years!!! How awesome is that? read more

See all

Wow, what a find! Stumbled across this joint on my way back to the hotel. Ordered stuffed shrimp with fries. Unexpected salad came out first with what appeared to be a home made thousand island dressing. Only complaint, I wish the salad I didn't know I was getting was bigger. It was delicious! The shrimp came out shortly thereafter. Came with a side of homemade tarter, but asked for cocktailsauce. Should have just stuck to the tarter. It was phenomenal! Cocktail sauce nothing special. Fries were very nicely done, though could have been a bit crisper. Did I mention the tarter sauce, crazy good. Finished with a bread pudding. Why? I think I was drunk. They don't sell wine, but have a nice selection of beers. Mr. Heineken forced me to have the bread pudding and I've since come to learn, they've had a long term relationship behind my back. The bread pudding was super tasty, as was the Heineken. Matterinfact, I would come back for the breadpudding alone, it was that good! read more

See all

I am staying at the Hilton Garden in a block or so away. I planned to go to the Downtown Snack Shop to grab a sandwich for lunch but they were inexplicably closed and the Mayflower was on the next block and looked cute so I decided to give it a try. Now, you have to understand, I am a Jersey diner girl, so it was definitely a less inclusive menu than I am used to but everything sounded good and the prices are reasonable. I think the best word to describe this place is charming. It has been around since the 1930's and had a really nice "old school" feel to it. The servers were super friendly and professional. I had a club sandwich. Until it occurred to me that I could remove the middle piece of bread, I felt like all I tasted was the toast (but that is what a club sandwich is, so I can't really complain about that!) The sandwich was otherwise delicious. The fries were hot and fresh. If I get to come back here for work again, I would definitely go back. read more

We are delighted with the prospect of the future as the reincarnation of Mayflower is coming! Chef Hunter Evans bringing the icon Jackson eatery back with touches of the classic Mayflower traditions- and a twist of modern culinary excellence. Much anticipated going forward! Kudos to the team working to create a unique dining experience, in this storied location 123 W.Capital St. read more

Great food, drinks and service. They kept the original booths and vibe. Their comeback dressing is the best in town! I went there with my father regularly when I was a kid and will be returning soon! read more

This little cafe is on the corner and has been rated one of the most charming cafes in Mississippi. We already had dinner so we ventured out for dessert. This was within walking distance of the Hilton garden Inn. T the place was pretty full, but I did hear one of the servers comment that it was still a on the slow side. The average age of the customers looked to be overwhelmingly 65+. It's also worth noting that we were the only POC dining there, so that could make you feel a little uncomfortable if you are a POC. Our server was wonderful. She did talk us into getting one of each dessert and that was probably the best decision we made all day. She assured us that all three were delicious and she was 100% correct. We had the icebox lemon pie, the coconut cream pie (this coconut cream pie was literally the best coconut cream pie I have ever had. Seriously, the best) and the bread pudding. Even the thoughI love coconut cream pie and there's was SO good, I had a really hard time picking the best. They were all good and my husband, so and I continued to rotate through the desserts as we ate read more

Food was delicious. Highly recommend Stuffed Crab and seafood pasta. Great happy hour prices 430-530, too!!!

Mayflower recently reopened under new ownership (the same team at Elvie's), and it is so nice! They renovated and revamped, but stuck with the classics on the original menu. Ignore the old negative reviews and go! read more

I had the Red Fish Jane and it was buttery and delicious. Mayflower is an old school fish restaurant and they don't skimp on the butter. I also had to try the softshell crab and those were plump, juicy and delicious as well. Definitely would order again. On other visits, I've tried the broiled oysters and they were definitely juicy and delicious also. The Mike's gumbo was filled with seafood and a delicious red gravy. I was too full for dessert, but next time I'll try their lemon icebox pie. The ambiance is definitely historical, old school diner and I really felt comfortable and enjoyed my time eating there. The waitstaff were friendly and efficient. If you're in downtown Jackson, it's well worth it to stop by and enjoy the Mayflower Cafe. I know I'll be back. read more

using frozen fish now instead of fresh fish from the gulf as previous owner used. Also, new Chef detouring from original recipe's. I will not return. New owners spent a lot on renovations and then changed the food I would assume to regain their investment. I give it a year before it closes as word will get out. read more