- Dining Out
Where to eat in Title Town, including meat-and-three combos amidst Bama memorabilia, Southern comfort food, and more
Updated Aug 13, 2026, 4:00 PM UTC
Tuscaloosa is known for the University of Alabama and Crimson Tide football, but the growing city — over 100,000 residents and 43,000 students each fall — also has a growing art scene, music and festivals, and excellent restaurants. Of course many of the best places to eat are built around the football season, but there’s plenty to love in Tuscaloosa year-round. This is by no means a complete list, but it will give you a good sample of the highlights of the dining scene in Tuscaloosa near the University of Alabama. No matter if you’re rolling with the Tide or just passing through, Tuscaloosa has an award-winning dining experience, a family-owned generational favorite, or a trendy hangout worth checking out.
- Dining Out
Nick’s Original Filet House (Nick’s in the Sticks)
Since 1953, Nick’s has been serving filets and deep-fried classics (onion rings, chicken livers) in a faded crimson building on Route 43 past West Tuscaloosa, earning it the nickname Nick’s in the Sticks. The restaurant’s tagline, “Made for the locals,” just about sums it up. The wooden walls are lined with beer signs, dollar bills are stapled to the ceiling, and the seating of choice is a cushy black plastic chair. Between the decor and the prices, Nick’s seems frozen in time — especially when you’re waiting for your food. Don’t worry; signature drinks like the Nicodemus (a blend of fruit punch, vodka, rum, tequila, and Bacardi 151, accented with a cherry) will keep you busy as you wait.
- 4018 Culver Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 758-9316
City Cafe
Over the bridge in Northport might be the cheapest meal you’ll get while in Tuscaloosa. Since the 1940s, City Cafe has been serving low-cost, hearty meals to working-class locals and college kids. The usually packed restaurant serves around 1,000 meals during lunchtime. Each day of the week corresponds to a different section on the menu, allowing regulars to switch it up constantly. With old UA sports posters covering the wooden walls and a large mural by the counter, City Cafe’s decor has stood the test of time alongside the prices. Don’t forget to order the fruit cobbler as one of your “vegetables” to finish off your meal.
- 408 Main Ave, Northport, AL, 35476, US
- (205) 758-9171
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Five Bar
Nestled in downtown Tuscaloosa, this shabby-chic restaurant is a classic, known for serving only five entrees each at brunch and dinner. There’s a coffee shop on one side and a restaurant with a full bar on the other, and the exposed-brick interior is decorated with local art. Despite the concise menu, there are a range of activities to keep customers interested: daily happy hours, ladies’ nights, wine Wednesdays, and $5 burger specials. Can’t get enough of the fried Gulf shrimp or baked avocado? Weekend jazz brunch allows you to indulge in more of Five’s signature Southern tastes with live music and a bloody Mary bar where you can customize your concoction.
- 2324 6th St, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 345-6089
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Forte Cuts and Cocktails
Located in the Alamite hotel, co-owned by head football coach Nick Saban, Forte gives Tuscaloosa a taste of France. Executive chef Jacob Stull’s menu combines flavors from a brasserie and a steakhouse with high-end cocktails and a curated wine list. The menu includes seasonal must-haves, like beignets with pumpkin spice sauce, as well as carefully selected mains, like octopus a la Creole. Combined with a sleek interior, Forte is worthy of any national champion. If you can’t stop by for dinner, the restaurant offers a brunch menu that’s just as fancy.
Waysider
Sticking out like a sore thumb between Druid City and West Tuscaloosa’s neutral homes and small businesses, a small, bright crimson-and-white house is home to the Historic Waysider Restaurant. Upon walking into the cozy breakfast spot, you’ll be greeted by a cardboard cutout of coach Nick Saban, and everywhere you look are more reminders that you’re in Crimson Tide territory. The Alabama-centric restaurant was a favorite spot for a former Alabama football legend, coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who’s represented by a bust with his signature houndstooth fedora at his usual table in the corner. Although the interior draws customers in, they stick around for Waysider’s signature soft, buttery biscuits and the meat-and-three combos. The Waysider is a must-try for anyone who calls themself a Crimson Tide fan.
- 1512 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 345-8239
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Rama Jama’s
When he opened Rama Jama’s in fall 1996, owner Gary Lewis quickly realized that owning a greasy spoon literally in the shadow of Bryant-Denny Stadium was a lot different from running any other food business. Drawing its name from the football chant “Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer,” the restaurant is covered in Alabama memorabilia, including artifacts from Bryant-Denny Stadium, such as a seat from the upper bowl, an orange flag removed from a construction site near the stadium (there can’t be any orange near BDS), and autographs from Alabama legends. The menu also takes inspiration from UA, including the 18-National Champ Burger, named after the football program’s 18 national titles, and the SEC Champ breakfast. A red neon sign outside lights up when the burgers start flipping.
- 1000 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 737-7524
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Evangeline’s
Since 1997, Evangeline’s has offered an elegant dining experience in the Tuscaloosa Galleria, across the river from campus. The eclectic eatery dazzles with food, presentation, cocktails, and decor. Under the leadership of owner Dayna Hickman, David Simpson, and Destiny Dene’, Evangeline’s has been the standard for celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, and retirement parties for decades. There is something for everyone on the menu, from crab cakes and flatbreads to the ever-popular shrimp and grits. The menu changes seasonally, including specialties like duck and quail in the fall and winter. Top your meal off with a cocktail or wonderful dessert such as cheesecake or crème brûlée.
Chuck’s Fish
Charles Morgan opened Chuck’s Fish in downtown Tuscaloosa in 2005. Morgan started his restaurant career in 1979 with Harbor Docks in Destin, which is still an Emerald Coast favorite. The Tuscaloosa restaurant is known as the place that former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban took recruits when they were in town for official visits. Menu highlights include tons of seafood, sushi from renowned sushi chef Yoshie Eddings, steak, and pizza. Don’t miss the gumbo, the hot honey pizza, or the excellent sushi — in particular the Roll Tide Roll with yellowtail, green onion, spicy sauce, and tuna on top.
- 508 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 248-9370
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River
River has been a Tuscaloosa mainstay since owners Tim Harris and David Hudson and managing partner Lauren Jones opened along the Black Warrior River in 2016. The interior is cozy, and there’s also a patio with a fireplace to allow patrons to enjoy the river. Chef Phillip Huver has crafted a menu with something for everyone, including fried green tomatoes, wild game meatballs, shrimp and grits, and steaks. The signature dessert is a homemade oatmeal creme pie — former Alabama football coach Nick Saban is known to enjoy two Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies for breakfast each morning, and I have personally seen coach and Miss Terry frequenting River.
Depalma’s Italian Cafe
DePalma’s opened in 1995 in a historic 1892 building downtown, jumpstarting a revitalization in the area. Today the popular restaurant has a hectic, eclectic, fun atmosphere and an extensive menu of appetizers, salads, pasta, calzones, and pizza. The antipasto is a go-to opening dish, and the hand-tossed New York-style pizzas are big sellers as well. Guests also come for Shells Florentine, giant shell-shaped pasta stuffed with spinach, oregano, ricotta, provolone, and marinara sauce. Exceptional desserts include tiramisu, cannoli, and white chocolate bread pudding — you can’t go wrong with any of them.
- 2300 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 759-1879
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Southern Ale House
Owner Justin Holt opened Southern Ale House in 2014, just across the river from campus, and in recent years he’s added a second location on Lake Tuscaloosa a little further out of town. SAH is known for Southern comfort food and craft beer on the popular patio, like prime rib rolls with onions, peppers, jalapeños, and blue cheese. The bacon-wrapped meatloaf with tomato jam glaze is the signature dish, and don’t miss Southern sides like biscuits, sweet potato tots, hash browns, and collard greens. The strawberry shortcake biscuit stands out for dessert.
- 1530 McFarland Blvd N, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35406, US
- (205) 248-7500
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Urban Bar & Kitchen
This relative newcomer to the downtown food scene comes from owners Gary McGee and Grover Ryans, who have extensive restaurant experience at the iconic Cypress Inn and at the Levee. Urban Bar and Kitchen took off running when it opened in 2021, and has won numerous awards over the years. The modern Southern menu is the reason to visit; check out the shrimp dip, buffalo dip, fried green tomatoes, and crab cakes to start. Then move on to honey garlic pork chops, pancakes, and wings, with sides including mac and cheese, collards, and gumbo. Peach cobbler a la mode and white chocolate bread pudding are two of the most popular dessert options.
- 2321 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 248-7162
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Avenue Pub
Avenue Pub opened downtown in 2014 in the Temerson Square development before moving a block up to University Boulevard, and eventually expanding to two more locations. The Pub always has a bustling lunch crowd and a very busy dinner service; lunch is heavy on salads and sandwiches, featuring the signature bacon burger, a fried chicken club, and the Strawberry Sriracha Burger. The dinner menu adds items like parmesan chicken, and shrimp and grits. Don’t miss the French toast bites and breakfast sandwiches for brunch. The bar area is a nice stop for a beer or a cocktail, and to catch the game on one of the TVs behind the bar.
- 2230 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 759-4900
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The Sanctuary on 25th
The Sanctuary on 25th is a welcome new addition to the Tuscaloosa scene. The restaurant comes from local entrepreneurs Nikki and Matt Ray, who opened the Sanctuary in an old church building from the 1920’s that they lovingly transformed into one of the go-to places in the Druid City. Now the Sanctuary is a tapas restaurant with an extensive bar, live music, a large outside area with lawn games and a huge TV for sports — altogether, the Sanctuary is like nothing else in Tuscaloosa.
The Brussels sprouts with bacon, apples, and cider vinegar are very popular, as are bacon-wrapped dates, pork belly tacos, street corn, and flatbreads. The bar is an event in itself, with seven signature drinks named for the seven deadly sins. Other specials include Garden Of Eden, made with cucumber-infused tequila, and Southern Heat, with rum, coconut cream, hot honey, and lime. The wine selection is extensive, and there are dozens of beers on tap, including some from local Tuscaloosa breweries.
- 1710 25th Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, US
- (205) 535-9620
- Visit website
Source: www.eater.com
