1. Southern Food Made Right At Wishbone Café
Southern cooking the way your mama used to make it is what you’ll get at the Wishbone Café. That is, if your mama is one of the best cooks in Alabama.
The Wishbone offers a menu of perfectly crafted comfort food, from the wings to the homemade Nana’s Pudding. Make sure you order the Louis Armstrong, a Southern gem of grilled shrimp and scallops with sautéed mushrooms and peppers, overtop of a bed of Cajun rice with feta cheese and a side of Texas toast for dipping.
Wishbone Café
7028 Atlanta Hwy
(334) 244-7270
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 30 reviews
2. Every Day Is Cinco De Mayo At El Rey Burrito
Don’t come here expecting a Taco Bell order. Located in the popular Old Cloverdale section of town, El Rey Burrito Lounge is the real Mexican deal.
Using only the freshest, most local ingredients, El Rey’s prides itself on being a sustainable restaurant filled with deliciously spicy food. Start with the fresh chips and salsa before moving onto the rice and beans with the quesadillas that you can fill with anything and everything, from veggies to grilled Gulf shrimp.
But whatever your order, make sure you pair it with a margarita from the massive tequila menu.
El Rey Burrito Lounge
1031 E Fairview Ave
(334) 832-9688
Yelp: 4 stars, 75 reviews
3. At D’Road Fusion Never Tasted So Delicious
Latin food with Southern flavor creates a delectable and well balanced fusion menu here at D’ Road Café. The owner, Miss Janet, not only knows how to cook up a storm, but also how to serve her customers.
No matter what your dietary needs require, Miss Janet will make sure to accommodate you in a way that even southern hospitality can’t do justice, even for vegetarian and vegan meals. There are so many great options at D’Road, you’ll be planning to come back before your plate even hits the table so that you can try it all.
But if you’re looking for a real Southern dish that can’t be topped, order the crawfish and a giant bib, because your manners will take a backseat to the experience you’re in for.
D’ Road Café
6250 Atlanta Hwy
(334) 356-1563
Yelp: 5 stars, 14 reviews
4. Finger-Lickin’ Smoky Goodness At Jim ‘N Nick’s
Barbecue isn’t just barbecue, especially when you’re in Alabama. The people down here are picky and it has to be done right. That’s why Jim ‘N Nicks is so popular, because they do it the way it’s supposed to be done.
Pulled pork piled atop a plate of home style grits, smoky ribs, and savory sandwiches are all on the menu here. But you can expect much more here than some barbecue pit. With a good atmosphere, Jim ‘N Nicks also offers up collard green dip, scrumptious cornbread, and delightful pies.
Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q
6415 Atlanta Hwy
(334) 213-0046
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 23 reviews
5. Casual Elegance Is More Than Worth It At La Jolla
A spring roll by any other name just won’t do after you try the ones served at La Jolla.
Their modern American menu is full of delightful surprises like Bacon Wrapped Boneless Quail, Fried Louisiana Frog Legs, and Grilled Elk Chops, to name a few. But don’t be intimidated by the fancy-sounding names—La Jolla is business casual fine dining, so you can leave the suit at home.
But they do only serve diners over 18, so you’ll have to leave the kids home, too. But once you have a taste of La Jolla you’ll know that the babysitter was well worth it.
La Jolla
6854 E Chase Pkwy
(334) 356-2600
Yelp: 4 stars, 29 reviews
6. Traditional With A Twist At TRUE
If you think grits are nothing more than sloppy diner food, you’ve obviously never been to TRUE. In fact, TRUE’s menu will have you rethinking the entire way you view Southern food.
You already know how delicious Southern cuisine can be, but you’ll be amazed at how creative it can get. From the Fried Catfish to the Crawfish Beignet, each plate is artfully crafted to bring you the food that you love with a modern flair and keep you coming back for more.
TRUE Restaurant
503 Cloverdale Rd
(334) 356-3814
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 24 reviews
7. Dinner At The City Grill Is The Best Kind Of Surprise
Don’t let its outer strip mall appearance cause you to drive by City Grill; the inside is casual fine dining at its best.
For a hearty mix of surf and turf, start with the scallops, which are pan seared and cooked to timely perfection, and the Gorgonzola Crusted Filet. But make sure that you try the shrimp and grits at least once, which are the perfect blend of cheesy and creamy.
Round off your meal with a palate cleansing pear tart over served over melted vanilla ice cream for a surprisingly fine meal.
City Grill
8147 Vaughn Rd
(334) 244-0960
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 11 reviews
8. Martin’s Is A Montgomery Institution Still Going Strong
Creamy mashed potatoes smothered in homestyle gravy, black-eyed peas, baked meatloaf, and quite possibly the most delicious fried chicken you’ve ever experienced – there’s no mistaking that Martin’s Restaurant knows how southern comfort food is done.
And well they should, since they’ve been serving their loyal diners for over seventy years. But the real gem at Martin’s is their famous homemade Lemon Meringue Pie which is the perfect blend of flaky and tart.
They even bake pies to order for anyone looking to stock up their fridge with a little slice of Martin’s after they leave.
Martin’s Restaurant
1796 Carter Hill Rd
(334) 265-1767
Yelp: 4 stars, 20 reviews
9. An Italian Getaway in The Deep South At Midtown
The pizza is popular, but the pasta dishes at Midtown Pizza are well worth the drive it takes to get here.
Frequently changing specials grace the menu at Midtown along with the standard pizzeria favorites like pies, calzones, and Stromboli’s. Always with flavor in mind, each meal is packed with a punch that goes beyond your standard pizza joint.
Order the Sautéed garlic, pancetta, & arugula over spaghetti or clams over white wine with linguine when they’re on special.
Midtown Pizza Kitchen
2940 Zelda Rd
(334) 395-0080
Yelp: 4 stars, 29 reviews
10. Find Thai Heaven At The Green Papaya
Green Papaya Thai restaurant fills a big hole in the Asian market in
Montgomery, with perfect Pad Thai dishes of traditionally crisp vegetables stir fried in flavorful peanut and Thai sauces.
When you’re not sure what to try don’t hesitate to ask the staff, who are always happy to offer suggestions. And if you’re looking to branch out from your standard meal of Pad Thai, order the Lad Nah, with wild rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, beef, shrimp and crab meat layered with a delicious sauce, always sure to please.
Green Papaya Lao & Thai Cuisine
409 Coliseum Blvd
(334) 395-7654
Yelp: 4 stars, 33 reviews
11. So Much More Than Dinner And Drinks At Michael’s
It’s hard to say if you’ll be happier with the drink selection or the food, but it will probably be a tie because at Michael’s.
From Sunday brunch to Friday night dinner, Michael’s has something to satisfy even the pickiest eater. Start with the crunchy Lobster Tostado and then dive right into the Rabbit Stew with a side of Poutine.
Reservations are highly recommended at Michaels—tables fill up fast.
Michael’s Table
2960-A Zelda Pl
(334) 272-2500
Yelp: 4 stars, 33 reviews
12. Go Beyond The Half Shell At Wintzell’s
When an oyster craving hits, no other seafood quite seems to satisfy. That’s when you head to Wintzell’s in Montgomery.
Whether you like them fried, Rockefeller, Monterey or raw, Wintzell’s has got ‘em all. Order the Oyster Sampler to taste a little bit of everything, because you’re really not going to want to miss any of it. Wintzell’s also has a delectable fried oyster salad along with a wide variety of menu options from crab cakes to burgers to ribeyes.
Wintzell’s Oyster House
105 Commerce St
(334) 262-4257
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 37 reviews
13. The Perfect Ambiance With The Perfect Menu At Bonefish Grill
Crab wontons with a perfectly salted margarita – does it get any better than that? At Bonefish Grill, it actually does. Once you start to order, it just keeps getting better.
For your entrees, order the American Kobe Beef hamburger for a rustic dish made with modern flare. The Bloody Marys and seafood are all to die for, too. You can enjoy your meal while surrounded by the modern but inviting ambiance, making the Bonefish Grill one of the hottest spots in town.
Bonefish Grill
7020 Eastchase Pkwy
(334) 396-1770
Yelp: 4 stars, 23 reviews
14. Oppa Gangnam Style—For Dinner
Set your phasers to Korean and head to Gangnam Bar & Grill with as many friends as you can, since everyone knows that the best part of dining Asian is sampling as many dishes as possible. And you’ll have more than enough options.
Try the super popular Korean dish Bi Bam Bap or the Beef Bulgolgi – or both at the same time. And of course, make sure to get as much kimchi on the table as possible. It’ll go faster than you realize as you’re all stuffing your faces with this spicy goodness.
Gangnam Bar & Grill
2701 Eastern Blvd
(334) 647-1901
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 10 reviews
15. Healthy Equals Delicious At Zoe’s
It’s easy to overload on fried comfort food, especially in the South. (There are all those awesome restaurants on this list, after all!)
That’s why it’s so nice to have Zoe’s nearby, offering many lighter options that are both delicious and healthful.
The Mediterranean menu is chock full of mouth-watering selections from quinoa salad to perfectly seasoned and lean kabobs. Zoe’s also offers their menu on a larger scale for catering to keep your parties to impress everyone with the light food packed with flavor.
Zoe’s Kitchen
7218 Eastchase Pkwy
(334) 270-9115
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 19 reviews
Feature Image Source: Bonefish Grill Facebook
