Purple Parrot Café

Purple Parrot Café is Hattiesburg's most acclaimed restaurant and a consistent presence on national lists of the South's finest dining destinations. Located on Hardy Street, the restaurant has been the flagship of chef Robert St. John's Hattiesburg dining group since the early 1990s and has earned multiple James Beard Award semifinalist nominations for its creative approach to Southern cuisine. The kitchen draws on Gulf Coast ingredients and deep Southern culinary traditions while incorporating contemporary technique and global influences into dishes that feel distinctly rooted in Mississippi. Crab cakes constructed from Gulf blue crab, Gulf shrimp and stone-ground grits from a regional mill, and a seasonal menu of Southern vegetables elevated through careful preparation are among the kitchen's consistent strengths. The restaurant also maintains an ambitious dessert program; bread pudding made with house-baked bread and served with warm whiskey sauce is considered the definitive version in Hattiesburg. The dining room is comfortable and polished without being stiff — warm colors, soft lighting, and a noise level that allows conversation. The beverage program includes a well-selected wine list and craft cocktails. Purple Parrot offers both lunch and dinner service on weekdays, with dinner only on Saturdays. Reservations are recommended for dinner, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings when the Hattiesburg restaurant community fills with university and medical center staff, local families, and visitors.