Alabama
Food|Restaurants

10 Scrumptious Restaurants In Alabama You Never Even Knew Existed

Highlights 10 of Alabama’s best restaurants, ranging from BBQ joints to seafood spots.

Published Sep 21, 2017

Written by 

Jennifer Young

Here in Alabama, we're incredibly fortunate to have access to such a variety of places to eat. From BBQ joints and neighborhood delis, to steakhouses and seafood restaurants, you shouldn't have any problem finding somewhere to satisfy your food craving---whatever it may be. Listed below are 10 of Alabama's very best restaurants. You're probably familiar with a few of them, whereas others you never even knew existed. Check them out!

1. 50 Taters - Scottsboro

alt
yelp/Bonny C.
alt
yelp/Joseph G.

If you're passing through Scottsboro and craving barbecue, 50 Taters is the place to go. From the Loaded Taters and Triple By Pass Sandwich, to the Chicken Fingers and Hog Wings, there's something on the menu for everyone. (1497 County Park Rd)

advertisement

2. Scott Street Deli & Grocery - Montgomery

alt
yelp/Jim S.
alt
yelp/Ham J.

Scott Street Deli & Grocery is located in historic downtown Montgomery and has been a popular lunch spot since the 1800s. This casual eatery is famous for its sandwiches, which were a favorite among celebrities such as Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and more.

(412 Scott St)

3. Odette - Florence

alt
tripadvisor/Kathy F
alt
yelp/Amanda M.

Odette, which is located in historic downtown Florence, is a neighborhood restaurant that features a variety of American dishes. Each dish is creatively prepared and consists of locally and sustainable-sourced ingredients. Odette also has a full bar.

advertisement

(120 N Court St)

4. Masaman Thai Kitchen - Birmingham

alt
yelp/Masaman Thai Kitchen
alt
yelp/Paul C.

Masaman Thai Kitchen serves authentic Thai cuisine in a casual atmosphere. It's extensive menu includes Thai favorites such as Thai Egg Rolls, Pineapple Fried Rice and Pad Thai. If you're a fan of Thai cuisine, Masaman Thai Kitchen is definitely worth checking out. (790 Montgomery Hwy, Ste 104)

5. Dumbwaiter - Mobile

alt
yelp/Scott L.
alt
yelp/Thi D.

Dumbwaiter is an upscale restaurant that specializes in Southern classics with a twist. This wonderful restaurant, which is well known for its oysters, is a great dinner spot.

(167 Dauphin St)

6. City Cafe - Northport

advertisement
alt
tripadvisor/realst8ace
alt
yelp/Federico H.

City Cafe is a charming breakfast and lunch spot that's located in downtown Northport. This mom and pop restaurant serves a variety of comfort food favorites, including chicken and dumplings, turkey pot roast, fried chicken and mashed potatoes. (408 Main Ave)

7. Grumpy's Eats and Sweets - Foley

alt
yelp/Grumpy's eats and sweets
alt
yelp/Ashley H.

Grumpy's Eats and Sweets is a cozy sandwich shop that's definitely worth a stop the next time you're driving through Foley. In addition to sandwiches, Grumpy's also offers soups, salads and a full breakfast menu. (214 W Laurel Ave)

8. BBQ 65 - Greenville

alt
yelp/Garrett I.
alt
yelp/Tiff H.

BBQ 65 is one of those hole-in-the-wall restaurants that'll really surprise you. Located at a gas station, BBQ 65 serves a variety of barbecue favorites such as pulled pork, smoked chicken, ribs and all of the classic side dishes. It's a must stop for all barbecue lovers!

(2391 Pineapple Hwy)

advertisement

9. Big Mike's Steakhouse - Thomasville

alt
tripadvisor/n2666s
alt
yelp/Brandon C.

Big Mike's Steakhouse specializes in steak and seafood. Their steaks are cooked to perfection on a wood-fired grill, and their delicious seafood comes directly from the Gulf. Big Mike's Steakhouse is one of Alabama's best steakhouses, and it's definitely worth the drive. (33215 Hwy 43)

10. Fish River Grill - Gulf Shores

alt
tripadvisor/BeachLoverA1A
alt
yelp/Crystal S.

Fish River Grill is located within a strip mall and specializes in Southern-style seafood from Alabama's Gulf Coast. From fish and shrimp, to burgers and sandwiches, this local favorite serves a little bit of everything.

(1545 Gulf Shores Pkwy)

Have you eaten at any of the restaurants listed above? If so, share your thoughts with us! Also, if you have a favorite restaurant to add to the list, share that with us as well.

For a list of more wonderful restaurants to try, be sure to check out our previous article: Here Are 13 Restaurants In Alabama You Absolutely MUST Visit Before You Die.

Save

advertisement

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

advertisement

Save

Save

Save

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Food|Restaurants

The Must-Visit Panoramic-View Restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama

CoastAL became the first beachfront restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama, in 2023, rolling out like a luxurious beach blanket before the most spectacular views.

Published Sep 18, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Battles

As the first beachfront restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama, CoastAL rolled out in 2023 like a luxurious beach towel before spectacular Gulf views. The restaurant and bar's fresh local seafood, colorful cocktails, live music, and an upscale, modern vibe now greet beachgoers almost immediately in what was already one of the best coastal beach towns in the country.

advertisement
alt
Coastal Orange Beach/Facebook

A happy twist? Had it not been for a private/public partnership between the city and business founders, people would be seeing a 600-unit condo tower there instead. During the COVID pandemic, Flora-Bama part-owners John McInnis and Cameron Price worked with the city of Orange Beach to split the purchase of 800 acres. Situated at the major intersection of Beach Road and Highway 161, it's less than a mile west of the state-owned Cotton Bayou Public Beach Access.

The deal meant Orange Beach residents got their first city-owned beach, including a designated parking area and access for city residents only. (Don't worry if you're not a resident! There's plenty of space for non-residents to park and enjoy the restaurant, bar, and retail store.) Meanwhile, visitors and locals alike have been loving the entertainment, food, and other amenities of CoastAL.

alt
Coastal Orange Beach/Facebook

The restaurant and bar combine indoor and outdoor seating and regularly hosts local artists to perform live music. Enjoy the beach breezes, tunes, and a refreshing drink as you peruse a menu full of the Gulf's bounty – fresh grouper, mahi-mahi, red snapper, shrimp, and blue crab dishes galore.

Oyster lovers will be especially happy here. CoastAL sources them from Island Time Oyster Farm in nearby Dauphin Island. Preparations include raw on the half shell; traditional baked with garlic, butter, and parm; baked with pimento cheese, jalapeno relish, and bacon crumbles; or topped with roasted red pepper cream and smoked gouda.

alt
Coastal Orange Beach/Facebook

If you're craving something other than seafood, you can count on fresh and Southern-sourced ingredients in these dishes, too. Turkey is brined and smoked in-house before it's layered into a scrumptious club sandwich with cherrywood smoked bacon, aged white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and avocado mayo. The restaurant's beef comes from Texas and shows up in signature burgers as well as dinner entree options of filet or bone-in ribeye.

Open daily from 8 a.m. to close (which varies), CoastAL Restaurant serves breakfast and brunch until dinner service begins at 4 p.m. CoastAL Beach Bar opens at 11 a.m. No reservations taken or needed. If there's a wait, you can always hang out and admire the views from the boardwalk or go for retail therapy in the huge beach lifestyle apparel and merch shop, CoastAL Clothing Company.

alt
Coastal Orange Beach/Facebook

You can view the full menus and live music calendar on the CoastAL Orange Beach website stay tuned for news on the Coastal Orange Beach Facebook page.

While this new gathering space for locals and visitors evolved from a property originally slated for condos; there are plenty of great ones ready for you nearby. Check out this guest-favorite beachfront Orange Beach condo rental that's practically next door to CoastAL and the Cotton Bayou Public Beach Access.

Have you had a chance to visit this new beachfront restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama? We'd love to hear about your time there and tips about your favorite drinks and dishes.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Food|Restaurants

Dine For Less Than $10 a Person at This Iconic Hot Dog Stand in Alabama

Get cheap, iconic, hall-of-fame level food at Dew Drop Inn, a timeless hot dog stand in Mobile, Alabama.

Published Sep 9, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Battles

While sticking to a small town isn't always the most exciting option, it only makes it better when you find affordable places that pack a lot of value. It's even more satisfying when it's a restaurant serving "hall of fame" level, iconic food. You get both with the Dew Drop Inn, a hot dog stand in Mobile, Alabama, the city's oldest restaurant. At this classic spot that celebrated its 100th birthday in 2024, many things on the menu are below $10 ... with plenty of options even less than $5.

advertisement
alt
Dew Drop Inn/Facebook

Dew Drop Inn is a great place for lunch before or after visiting the popular Mobile Carnival Museum about 2.5 miles east toward the Mobile River. It's such a great place for lunch that readers of the local weekly newspaper, Lagniappe, named it the best lunch spot for 2024. People love the food almost as much as the camaraderie of the staff led by owner Powell Hamlin, named the "Quintessential Mobilian" in the same 2024 Nappie Awards. Hamlin has been at the helm since 1991, and as a longtime employee described him, he's a tireless advocate for the community, from other small businesses to youth sports groups, charity events, and city celebrations.

alt
Dew Drop Inn/Facebook

While musician Jimmy Buffett said his well-documented love for cheeseburgers started here while growing up in Mobile, hot dogs hands-down are the signature item at Dew Drop Inn. The OG version comes with chili, sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, and a pickle slice. Options for how you want them served include regular, with the weiner on the bottom; upside-down, with the weiner on the top; shaved, which is without sauerkraut; and female, with all but the weiner. Each hot dog is $4.30, and you could pair it with a large order of steak fries or small onion rings ($5.35 for either) and come in under $10 for your meal.

A cup of the soup of the day is only $4.75, and a whole bowl is only a dollar more. Many customers crave the Dew Drop Inn homemade gumbo as much as anything else, and you can grab a bowl of it for $9.85 or a cup for $8.45. If you're wondering about those Buffett-beloved burgers, a single with chili, mustard, and ketchup is $4.60; add cheese for 35 cents. A corn dog is only $3.98, and a grilled cheese is even less, at $3.55.

alt
Dew Drop Inn/Facebook

While the many different sandwich plates will set you back a little more than $10 each (some by only 98 cents) you get your money's worth, plus they all come with fries. You can see the full, most current menu on the Dew Drop Inn Facebook page. The cheap eats free up a little cash, so why not check out the restaurant's merch and take home a souvenir to remember your visit? Or perhaps you're already part of the loyal following for this legendary hot dog stand in Mobile, Alabama. If so, tell us all about your regular order!

If you're planning a trip to Port City, check out this guest-favorite Mobile Airbnb, a downtown condo decorated with vibrant Mardi Gras motifs and flair.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Trip Ideas
Day Trips

If You Only Have One Day To Visit This Small Town In Missouri, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

by Alana Fravell
on Oct 29
alt
Nature
Mountains

You Won’t Believe Your Eyes When You See This Hawaii State Monument

by Trent Jonas
on Oct 29
alt
Experiences

I Enjoyed a Quintessential Kentucky Getaway in Charming Lexington

by Andrea Limke
on Oct 29
alt
Trip Ideas
Small Towns

The Tiniest Town in Michigan We Simply Can’t Get Enough Of

by Tori Jane
on Oct 29
alt
Experiences

The Story of This Abandoned Place in Dearborn, Michigan Is Truly Fascinating

by Jacki Mick
on Oct 29
alt