The cool thing about Jackson is that it has a lot of great local restaurants. The trendy Fondren neighborhood is packed with outdoor dining options.

Aladdin Mediterranean Grill

(730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033)

Menu: Sandwiches and subs, lamb chops, meat plates, hummus dip, baby ganuj, musabaha, tudsia, lebna, fried kibby, vegetarian dolmas, falafel and more

BOJ categories: Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern, Best Place for Healthy Food, Best Vegetarian Options

Babalu Tacos & Tapas

(622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757)

Menu: Tableside guacamole, black-eyed pea hummus, yellowfin tuna "BLC," grilled lamb sliders, tacos, tapas and cocktails

BOJ categories: Best Caterer, Best Happy Hour, Best Local Burger, Best Margaritas, Best Mexican/Latin, Best Outdoor Dining, Best Place for a First Date, Best Place for Cocktails, Best Restaurant, Most Innovative Menu

CAET Wine Bar

(3100 N. State St., 601-321-9169)

Menu: Wines, tapas, and sweet and savory small plates that complement the particular wine chosen

BOJ categories: Best New Bar, Best New Restaurant, Best Place for Cocktails, Best Wine List/Selection

Fondren Public

(2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589)

Menu: 24 taps and more than 40 bottle and can options, including local and regional brews such as Crooked Letter Brewing Co., Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company and Lucky Town Brewing Co., along with a premium wine selection, variety of sliders and a Cajun corndog with jalapeno beer batter.

BOJ categories: Best Bar, Best College Student Hangout, Best Local Beer Selection, Best Place to Watch the Game

The Pig & Pint

(3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070)

Menu: Pork-belly corn dogs, barbecue pulled pork, brisket or smoked chicken nachos, smokehouse beans, pickled onions, a Lucky Town Brewing Co. pico de gallo, Pepsi-glazed baby-back ribs, smoked tomato cole slaw, potato salad, house pork rinds and a wide assortment of craft beers

BOJ categories: Best Barbecue, Best Local Beer Selection, Best New Restaurant, Best Outdoor Dining, Best Place for Ribs, Best Pub Quiz/Trivia Night

Que Sera Sera

(2801 N. State St., 601-981-2520)

Menu: Red beans and rice, gumbo, po'boys, crawfish, fried green tomatoes, nachos, catfish fingers and more

BOJ categories: Best Gumbo

Roosters

(2906 N State St., 601-982-2001)

Menu: Homemade burgers, country-fried steaks, fried chicken, red beans and rice, curly fries and comeback sauce

BOJ categories: Best Local French Fries, Best Local Fried Chicken

Sal & Mookies New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint

(565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919)

Menu: Handmade New York-style pizza, gourmet pasta, fresh salads, assorted sandwiches, 20 flavors of ice cream and a large selection of craft beer

BOJ categories: Best Kid's Menu, Best Local Pizza, Best Meal Under $10, Best Place for Dessert, Best Takeout

Walker's Drive In

(3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633)

Menu: Fried green tomato BLT, pan-roasted Gulf grouper, redfish Anna with lump crabmeat and more

BOJ categories: Best Outdoor Dining, Best Place for a First Date, Best Plate Lunch, Best Restaurant, Best Seafood

Find more Best of the Best at bestofjackson.com.