Chef Cory Bahr is an award-winning chef based in North Louisiana, known for his ingredients-first approach to cooking and currently oversees three restaurants.
Insights
ItalianBakerySeafoodLocal ModernSeafoodUpscaleDinnerFine DiningCocktail Bar
Last updated: 7/7/2026, 5:48:35 AM
Key Information
Parish Restaurant is a Louisiana restaurant in Monroe, focusing on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. Led by Chef Cory Bahr, it offers a modern and moody ambiance, providing a refined yet soulful dining experience.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise the exceptional service, friendly staff (with specific mentions of Mr. Greg and Mr. Luke), and inviting atmosphere. The food is often described as fantastic, delicious, thoughtful, and incredibly well-executed, with elevated Cajun flavors. While many consider the dishes Michelin-star worthy, some reviewers felt the food and drinks, particularly the bread, were underwhelming for the price. There's also a comparison to KOKO, another restaurant by the same chef, with one reviewer preferring KOKO.
Additional Details
Chef Cory Bahr also owns KOKO, another restaurant located across the street from Parish in Monroe.
What an amazing experience! We loved how all the staff worked together to ensure the customers never had to wait for anything and they were all so friendly and helpful. The food was absolutely fantastic/delicious. We are still talking about the appetizers, main course and dessert. We will be back soon and we will bring our friends.
Always second to none service, food, drinks, selection and we love the atmosphere!
We especially love Mr. Greg and make it a point to ask for him! Not only is he awesome at what he does, he makes you feel welcome and like family! Always kind and smiling and an awesome personality!
They also have a new waiter, Mr. Luke and we were so excited when we learned we were his first table! He did an exceptional job! Everyone there is ready to make your dining experience the best!
You can’t go wrong dining with Parish! ✨💛
5
First time here while on visit. You can t go wrong with whatever you choose. Our table enjoyed every bite of the tuna, rigatoni, and lobster spaghetti. Appetizers were spot on, the deviled eggs, blue crab hush puppies especially. Finished lemon pie & sorbet and pannecota !! Our server, Hayden, was friendly a delightful attentive.
3
We are here for a friends birthday, and we haven’t been here in quite a while. It was okay. Service was great as expected, but the food and drinks definitely left you wanting more for the price you pay.
I had an old fashioned and it was mediocre. Expected something way better for the price. Wife had the house Pinot and it wasn’t the best either.
Everyone raved about the bread and we had to try it……reminded me of the rolls we got in the cafeteria as kids. Quite bland. Nothing to rave about.
Grilled Ceasar and deviled eggs were good.
Charred romaine was a new taste for me that I liked.
I had the 60 layer lasagna which was good, but I thought the sauce would have had more depth.
Wife had the bolognese pasta. Pasta was good, but the bolognese was just very underwhelming.
Overall a great experience. Just expected more out of the food for the price.
If you’re debating between here and KOKO across the street just go to Koko. Same chef that owns both places but KOKO is far better in my opinion.
5
We celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary at Parish Restaurant & Bar, and it was truly a night we will never forget. From the moment we arrived, everything felt intentional and elevated — but still warm and welcoming. To make the evening even more special, they surprised us with complimentary champagne to celebrate our one year marriage anniversary. That thoughtful touch meant so much to us and immediately set the tone for an unforgettable night. I ordered the Rigatoni alla Bolognese, and it was absolutely phenomenal. The sauce was rich, perfectly seasoned, and tasted like it had been slow-simmered with love. It was comforting yet refined — easily one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had. My husband had the Broken Arrow Ranch Elk Loin, and he hasn’t stopped talking about it since. Perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor — truly next level.We started with the duck wraps (AMAZING) — flavorful, perfectly balanced, and the ideal appetizer.
Our cocktails were just as impressive. The Old Fashioned was smooth and expertly crafted, and the Mississippi Flyer (bourbon-based) was bold and beautifully balanced. And the bread pudding… wow. Warm, decadent, and the perfect ending to an already flawless meal. This wasn’t just dinner — it was an experience. The food, the drinks, the atmosphere, and the thoughtful hospitality made our anniversary feel incredibly special. 5/5 recommend without hesitation. Parish has earned a forever spot on our celebration list. We’ll absolutely be back. 🥂✨