In rural Mississippi, great restaurants are as abundant as southern hospitality. Just to prove it, we scoured the state for amazing restaurants with rural locales, and we did not come up shorthanded! All of the restaurants listed below are off the beaten path AND all serve up food so good that you won’t mind the drive.

1. Donanelle's Bar and Grill (Hattiesburg)

Donanelle’s has got all the hallmarks of a hole-in-the-wall. Out-of-the-way locale, check. Unassuming building, check. Quirky décor, check. Great food, CHECK! The restaurant is revered for its steaks, which are flavorful, tender, and huge. For more information, click here.

2. Marshall Steakhouse (Holly Springs)

Holly Springs is a small town known for its abundance of charm, history, and, since the opening of Marshall Steakhouse, great steaks! A must-visit for carnivores, the eatery has been voted the #1 steakhouse in Mississippi by the Food Network. For more information, click here.

3. Taylor Grocery (Taylor)

A small town spot with a big reputation, Taylor Grocery has been doling out "the south’s best catfish" since the 1970s! The perfectly-fried fish is just part of the eatery’s allure, though. There’s also the setting; it’s housed in a historic grocery from the 1880s. For more information, click here.

4. H.D. Gibbes and Sons (Learned)

Serving up one of the state’s most unique dining experiences, H.D. Gibbes and Sons is housed in a general store, which has been in business since the 1800s. The menu includes a tasty variety, including some of the best steaks and lamb chops in Mississippi. For more information, click here.

5. Proffitt’s Porch (Columbus)

Hidden off the beaten path, Proffitt’s Porch is a local secret you’ll want to be in on! The rustic restaurant has an elevated back porch that offers great views of the nearby Officer’s Lake. The fare is just as impressive and includes everything from award-winning sandwiches to local favorites, like red beans and rice. For more information, click here.

6. Country Diner (Foxworth)

A roadside restaurant worth pulling over for, Country Diner is known for its home-cooked buffet. The tasty spread features all sorts of southern favorites, including what many refer to as the "best fried chicken" in the state. For more information, call the diner at (601) 736-5717.

7. Gitano Grill (Taylorsville)

At this service station turned restaurant, you’ll find some of the best and biggest burgers in Mississippi. The menu also boasts a slew of home-cooked favorites as well as homemade desserts. For more information, click here.

So, did you know about these rural restaurants? Ever dined at any of them? If so, which ones and what’d you think? Know of another rural restaurant that's worth the drive? Tell us!

Mississippi is full of remote restaurants worth traveling for. Click here to read about one that’s hidden in a historic general store.