The big poppa of New Orleans breweries has an excellent brewery tour and tasting room on the North Shore. The 30 minute tours include tastings and are offered every half hour on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm – 3 pm, Fridays from 1 pm – 3 pm, Saturdays from 10:30am – 3pm, and on Sundays from 2 – 3pm. If you really just want to drink Abita and eat some burgers, look up the Abita Brewhouse and Pub.

Celebrating its tenth year of business in Covington, Lola restaurant comes from Nealy Frentz and her husband Keith Frentz, both chefs. The Southern-centered spot is located in the historic Covington depot and serves a casual lunch Monday-Friday and and upscale dinner Thursday-Saturday. Think: chargrilled Spanish octopus, crawfish cakes, and shrimp and grits (pork belly, Tin Roof shrimp broth, grilled bread). Plus, these two were once crowned the King and Queen of Louisiana Seafood. If you are doing the Tammany Trace bike option, this is a restaurant that is right on the Trace.

This brewery, formerly Heiner Brau Brewery, is located in a former hardware store. The space also had past lives as a gymnasium and cotton processing warehouse. Brewery tours happen every Saturday at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. Easily accessible from the Trace.

Even though the North Shore isn't that far away, the trip over Lake Pontchartrain can make it seem like a road trip to another world. If you decide to go ahead and spend the night after a day of eating and drinking on the North Shore, you’re staying at the elegant Southern Hotel. And if you are staying at the elegant Southern Hotel (And even if you’re not), you’re eating at Oxlot 9. With a simple yet sophisticated approach to food, them menu changes often, but sometimes includes Royal Red shrimp ceviche, pork belly “yakamein,” and soft shell crawfish caprese. Also, check out the Sunday brunch, which features a “knife and fork” chicken biscuit, grillades and grits, and other items to get your a.m. fun started. It’s easily accessible from the Trace and ultra-close to Lola and Covington Brewhouse.

The menu changes often at this intimate, high hospitality North Shore gem from chefs and husband and wife team David and Torre Solazzo. The menu is creative and elegant. Great happy hour too. Easily accessible to the Trace. Also right by the Southern Hotel.

An elegant charmer that has set the bar for North Shore restaurants since its opening in 1990 by Kenny LaCour and Kim Kringlie. The lump crabmeat and brie soup is a perennial favorite, but be sure to try the New Orleans barbecue shrimp and mussels, the lump crabmeat sandwich, and the liver and onions.

Arguably some of the best local beer along St. Tammany Trace, it’s about five miles from both Old Rail Brewing and the Abita Brewery. The brewery is small and tours feel intimate. The owners, Josh and Jamie Erickson, keep the brewery open Thursday and Friday from 5 -- 9 pm, Saturday 11am - 9 pm, and Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm. It’s a great stop if you’re doing a cycling route along the St. Tammany Trace. Be sure to try the Old 504 vanilla and coffee-infused porter. Accessible from the Trace.

It’s not a manufacturing brewery but a brewpub, or restaurant that brews its own beer for on-site consumption only. The food is great and there’s a viewing window into the brewing operation. Plus it’s located just across from the Mandeville Trailhead, making it a perfect spot on a bicycle tour of the St. Tammany Trace.

Accessible from the Tammany Trace, this spot is a ride. It’s about 19 miles past Old Rail Brewing, count on a bike ride (partly through Fountainbleu State Park) that will last about an hour and a half. That said, it’s a picturesque restaurant that covers the basics on its menu: crab cakes, trout amandine, and steaks.