Located in downtown Lafayette, Spoonbill Watering Hole and Restaurant offers a perfect mix of laid-back charm and Southern-inspired flavors. The atmosphere feels both relaxed and modern, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, a craft cocktail or just a fun, vibrant place to eat, Spoonbill delivers a unique dining experience.
Opened in 2018, Spoonbill was created by a group of passionate entrepreneurs and chefs who wanted to bring a new kind of dining experience to Lafayette—one that combined fresh, high-quality seafood with the warm hospitality and laid-back atmosphere this region is known for. Before Spoonbill, it was a place called The Filling Station.
The name “Spoonbill” is a tribute to the distinctive spoonbill storks that are native to the Gulf Coast. It’s also a nod to the restaurant’s focus on using fresh, local ingredients from the Gulf waters— reflecting both the natural beauty of the region and its rich culinary traditions.
Spoonbill’s menu is a true celebration of Louisiana’s flavors, blending Southern classics with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Whether you’re craving seafood, a hearty dish or something a little lighter, there’s something for everyone, and everything is crafted with care.
You can find classic dishes such as oysters, burgers, poke bowls, shrimp, gulf fish and tuna. They also offer a variety of classic southern desserts such as crème brûlée, cheesecake and a pecan cookie skillet.
My colleague and I had the pleasure of visiting this seafood establishment on Thursday, Nov. 7.
The restaurant has a fantastic open-air patio, perfect for enjoying the mild Louisiana evenings. The open kitchen lets you watch the chefs in action, adding a bit of excitement to the meal.
The space feels bright and comfortable, with exposed beams, warm wood accents and subtle coastal touches that tie back to the restaurant’s name.
As we walked in, we were greeted by the hostess and seated at our table. Our waitress soon arrived with complimentary water as a start. We ordered our drinks and began looking at the menu.
Everything on the menu looked delicious. It was definitely hard to choose my entrée. I ended up ordering the Caprese Panini while my colleague ordered the Pressed Birria Sandwich.
The Caprese Panini had a deliciously crisp crust, with the mozzarella still hot and melty, while the Birria Sandwich oozed with rich, savory juices that promised a flavorful bite. Both dishes looked as good as they smelled, and I couldn’t wait to dig in.
My meal also came with a delicious tomato soup that was the best I have ever tasted. It had hints of garlic and onion along with the tomato. My colleague’s dish came with crispy steak fries.
As we finished our meals, I decided to interview our waitress, Massie, “I am a manager and server and have been working here for two and a half years. I would say that the work environment here is very relaxed…everyone gets along very well, and I think that really helps with morale like the servers are happy to be here.”
When asked if she recommended this place as a job for college students she said, “Oh absolutely! The majority of servers that we have now are college students…they are very flexible with your schedule.”
I also had the pleasure of speaking with another server who is a senior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Bailey Bourgeois. “I love it here. I have been here for a year and a couple of months and I can say that this is the longest time I’ve had a job. I feel like we are all super close and we all get along really well.”
After finishing our interviews, we decided to order a dessert to wrap up the evening. We chose the crème brûlée. When it arrived, the top was beautifully caramelized with a vanilla-filled custard that was just right—creamy but not too heavy—and the subtle vanilla flavor made each bite.
Overall, I had an enjoyable experience at Spoonbill Watering Hole and Restaurant.
The food was amazing and the service was attentive.
If you would like to visit this restaurant, they are closed on Mondays but are open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.