Mandeville Lakefront · Since the 1880s
Rest awhile.
Fresh seafood, hand-shucked oysters and cold drinks inside one of Louisiana's oldest resort buildings.
As seen inGambitThe AdvocateCountry Roads MagazineLouisiana NorthshoreSophisticated Woman MagazineTom Fitzmorris"New Orleans's 7 Hottest"Louisiana Restaurateur of the Year
Welcome
A landmark, restored
The Rest Awhile property has welcomed lakefront guests since the 1880s. After Katrina, it was raised, restored and paired with a Northshore restaurant legend.
Just as Rest Awhile is an iconic historic property, Pat Gallagher is an icon in the restaurant industry — and the marriage of the property and the proprietor has made for a great place to eat, drink and relax.
Read our story ↗Six spaces, one property
Find your spot
A dining room in an 1880s hotel, a raw bar by the water, a sunset deck, a cocktail cottage, a private-event hideaway and a dog-friendly courtyard.
The 1880s hotel
Frapart Dining Room
Casual, family-friendly dining inside the last surviving hotel from Mandeville’s resort era — original floors, vintage postcards on the walls.
Shucked to order
The Oyster Bar
Raw or grilled, always fresh and shucked by hand. Belly up to the bar for frozen daiquiris and a lake view.
Front row to the lake
The Deck
A second-story deck tying the whole property together — breeze, sunset, and direct access to the oyster bar.
The 1916 cottage
Sophie Tavern
Wine and craft cocktails in a restored cottage — Sazeracs, Old Fashioneds, and festival posters on beadboard walls. 21+.
Private events, circa 1850s
Hadden Cottage
Our oldest building hosts your most private gatherings — seating up to 35 with the lake all to yourselves.
Ground level, dog friendly
The Courtyard
Brick patio under the buildings with a pet watering station, native landscaping, and full food and drink service.
From the kitchen & bar
What we're known for
Gulf seafood, hand-shucked oysters, steaks on the grill and a proper cocktail at sunset.
Fresh Seafood
Gulf fish, shrimp and oysters — simply prepared, straight from the water.
Oysters
Raw or grilled, always shucked by hand a few feet from the lake.
Steaks & Chops
Ribeye, hanger steak and a pecan-bourbon glazed pork chop.
Wine & Spirits
Sazeracs, Old Fashioneds and affordable bottles at Sophie Tavern.
Come as you are
Good to know before you pull up
We are
- Extremely casual — come as you are, straight off the lake
- Service-oriented — a casual place with upscale service
- Affordable — quality food without lakefront pricing
- A little loud — the tradeoff for 140-year-old wood floors
- Fun — the table next to you may become your new best friends
- Family friendly & local — walking in feels like a reunion
- Dog friendly — on the downstairs patio, with a watering station
We are not
- A quiet, intimate dinner — but we know the perfect place:527,Gallagher's Grill orFront Street
- White-tablecloth dining — our sister restaurants do that beautifully; we're the sandy-feet sibling
Hours
Dinner on the lake tonight?
Lunch Friday through Sunday, dinner Wednesday through Saturday — and the bars stay open straight through on weekends.
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- Wednesday5:00 – 9:00
- Thursday5:00 – 9:00
- Friday11:00 – 2:30 & 5:00 – 9:30Bars open straight through
- Saturday11:00 – 2:30 & 4:30 – 9:30Bars open straight through
- Sunday11:00 – 5:30
Pat Gallagher's Restaurant Group
The family of restaurants
Rest Awhile is your neighborhood spot on the lake — and part of a Northshore family that's been feeding Louisiana since 1978.
Gallagher's Grill
Covington
The original neighborhood steakhouse, a Covington tradition since 2007
Visit Gallagher's Grill ↗Pat Gallagher's 527
Mandeville
Steaks and seafood at the foot of the Causeway
Visit Pat Gallagher's 527 ↗Gallagher's on Front Street
Slidell
A quieter white-tablecloth room on Front Street
Visit Gallagher's on Front Street ↗