Because of the newest census, Huntsville now ranks as Alabama’s largest metropolis. The inhabitants these census numbers signify is acknowledged as being well-educated and more and more numerous. Along with 1000’s of jobs required by area and rocket firms, 5 schools are additionally a part of the Huntsville panorama: Oakwood College, Alabama A&M, Drake State Neighborhood and Technical School, Calhoun Neighborhood School, and College of Alabama in Huntsville. It is smart that Huntsville eating institutions mirror respect for elevated palates and cultural preferences alongside regional Southern delicacies that has been served for generations. 

Along with dishes related to the Deep South, expert cooks and numerous ethnic teams are offering a variety of consuming choices for folks in Huntsville and the encircling areas. Right here is my listing of 18 eating places which give an outline of what to anticipate. Numbers 1-9 are chef-driven and have higher-priced menus. Numbers 10 and 11 serve consolation meals. Numbers 12-14 are what I consider as quirky and enjoyable. Numbers 15-17 are ethnic eating places, and quantity 18 is totally gluten-free. I can personally suggest each and actually consider you’ll have a scrumptious expertise if you happen to select to go to. To make sure, Huntsville additionally has many chain eateries, however the ones on this listing are all regionally owned. 

Tom Brown's Restaurant - Redfish topped with Crawfish Julie
Connie Pearson

1. Tom Brown’s Restaurant 

Tom Brown’s Restaurant is technically in Madison, however on the subject of eating places and purchasing, Madison and Huntsville are virtually interchangeable. Chef and Proprietor Tom Brown opened his beautiful restaurant in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, but it surely proved to be an instantaneous success with a sought-after reservation listing to show it. 

Chef Brown’s spouse is the visionary behind the restaurant’s decor, and their daughter Kenzi, an artist who focuses on preserving flowers in acrylic, contributed eye-catching works for the partitions. Chef Brown is especially happy with the restaurant’s seafood and steak picks. In the event you arrive with an enormous urge for food, the 40-ounce bone-in ribeye referred to as The Tomahawk is a specialty, however the redfish topped with Crawfish Julie is my private favourite. 

A second Tom Brown’s location is scheduled to open in South Huntsville at Hays Farm in late 2022. 

Professional Tip: Make reservations early within the week for prime weekend spots. 

2. Cotton Row 

Cotton Row was the primary restaurant Chef James Boyce opened in Huntsville, and he has since opened three extra. Situated within the southwest nook of Courthouse Sq. in downtown Huntsville, Cotton Row is in a constructing that dates to 1821 and was part of the cotton change so widespread with merchants. Chef Boyce educated on the Culinary Institute of America in New York and obtained in depth expertise in Las Vegas and California earlier than settling in Huntsville along with his spouse and household. Huntsvillians embraced his culinary ideas eagerly.

The menu modifications usually however all the time consists of southern and French-inspired dishes utilizing regionally sourced substances. Cotton Row is open for dinner solely on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, for brunch solely on Sunday, and for lunch and dinner Wednesday via Friday. 

3. Char 

Char Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days every week, and its brunch menu is offered on Saturday and Sunday. It’s situated on Bob Wallace Avenue close by of the Parkway, which is the primary thoroughfare connecting all of the sections of Huntsville. The menu has a heavy emphasis on steaks and seafood with hints of New Orleans displaying up within the Nola BBQ Shrimp, the redfish dishes, and the blueberry bread pudding for dessert. Reservations are strongly really helpful.

The Poppy & Parliament -- Beggars' Purse Frog Legs
Beggars’ Purse Frog Legs (Photograph Credit score: Connie Pearson)

4. The Poppy & Parliament 

The Poppy & Parliament started its life as a bar referred to as The Poppy owned by Shane Brown from Yorkshire, England. Then destiny stepped in. Chef Barry O’Connor from Cork, Eire, walked in whereas visiting Huntsville and struck up a dialog with Brown. Shortly after, the adjoining constructing turned obtainable, and a full restaurant headed by Chef O’Connor and referred to as Parliament was added with entry created between the 2 companies. Most just lately, a British/Irish/European market opened upstairs. 

The menu hints strongly of England and Eire with fish and chips, colcannon, bangers and mash, and a steak referred to as the Prime Minister, however there are a variety of Mediterranean dishes as effectively. 

You’ll be able to’t miss the constructing. It’s painted poppy pink with an genuine British telephone sales space out entrance. 

Appetizer of crispy shrimp stuffed with grits.
Crispy shrimp full of grits (Photograph Credit score: Connie Pearson)

5. 1892 East Restaurant & Tavern 

The neighborhood surrounding 1892 East Restaurant & Tavern embraces the restaurant and has discovered it to be an amazing place for eating whereas visiting with mates. Thankfully, those that don’t stay close by are welcomed warmly, too. The 5 Factors neighborhood is, in actual fact, certainly one of Huntsville’s Historic Preservation Districts. Earlier than or after eating at 1892 East, you could effectively wish to enable a while to drive round and admire the houses within the space. 

The menu is small however very tantalizing. You could be shocked to search out vegetarian entrees among the many decisions. Make sure to order the Crispy Shrimp & Grits appetizer. The shrimp are full of the grits, and this dish made the Alabama Tourism Division’s listing of 100 Dishes to Attempt in Alabama Earlier than You Die. It’s actually scrumptious. 

6. Commerce Kitchen 

Commerce Kitchen is on the other finish of the block and on the identical aspect of the road as Cotton Row and is one other of Chef James Boyce’s institutions. Commerce Kitchen can be housed in a classic constructing with a comparatively small eating room. 

The lunch menu options sandwiches, salads, snacks, and specialties in a smaller amount with particular preparations and really affordable costs. The dinner menu is expanded and consists of common nightly specials, corresponding to chicken-fried steak on Tuesday and blackened catfish on Thursday. 

Professional Tip: My favourite time to dine at Commerce Kitchen is for weekend brunch. The environment is elegant, and the dishes are so interesting. Think about a starter of Cornmeal Crusted Gulf Oysters adopted by the Twickenham Unique, which features a souffled pancake. 

Grille on Main dessert - pineapple upside down carrot cake
Pineapple the other way up carrot cake (Photograph Credit score: Connie Pearson)

7. Grille On Principal 

Grille on Main is situated in The Village of Windfall by the massive fountain close to the doorway. It’s the latest of Chef James Boyce’s ideas (His fourth one, by the best way, is Pane e Vino situated contained in the Huntsville Museum of Artwork — additionally “a reduce above” form of place). The menu right here is just like Commerce Kitchen however gives extra decisions made potential with a bigger kitchen and eating space. The newly adorned inside is extraordinarily pleasing, and the environment is ideal for date nights or for getting along with mates. 

There are many seafood choices, but additionally pasta, pork, hen, steaks, and the chef’s favourite: braised quick rib of beef. 

Professional Tip: I can personally vouch for the Pineapple Upside Down Carrot Cake on the dessert menu. 

8. Rhythm On Monroe 

Rhythm on Monroe is hooked up to the Von Braun Middle, an enormous leisure complicated in Huntsville. It’s significantly widespread with those that attend performances at Mars Music Corridor which is immediately throughout the hall from Rhythm on Monroe. It’s good for an early dinner or for hanging out on the rooftop bar after a live performance. 

The eating room is open for dinner seven nights every week and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The menu has a pleasant music and efficiency theme with classes corresponding to Sound Checks for appetizers, Opening Acts for soups and salads, Headliners for entrees, Groupies for sides, and such. The weekend brunch gives fun-sounding choices corresponding to Cinn-Ful Rock n’Roll and White Lightening Nachos. I can personally attest for the Eggs Bennie & the Jets. 

The hovering ceilings and trendy décor lend a big-city vibe. 

Flight Plan Wine & Tapas -- Fried Deviled Eggs with bacon and caviar
Fried Deviled Eggs with bacon and caviar (Photograph Credit score: Connie Pearson)

9. Flight Plan Wine & Tapas 

Flight Plan Wine & Tapas is a pleasant play on phrases suggesting each the flights of wine and whiskey which are provided and the aeronautical emphasis so prevalent in Huntsville. The lunch and dinner menu consists of charcuterie boards, small plates, salads, naan bread pizzas, tapas, and very tempting desserts. 

This restaurant is comparatively new to Huntsville, having opened in November of 2019. It’s situated in Jones Valley at one finish of the large Goal purchasing middle. 

Professional Tip: Make sure to attempt the Fried Deviled Eggs with bacon and caviar. So good. 

10. G’s Nation Kitchen 

G’s Country Kitchen claims to serve the very best soul meals in North Alabama, and my meal there gave no motive to argue. This family-run eatery is situated within the Oakwood Purchasing Plaza on Oakwood Avenue. The standard providing is a meat with two sides and bread for $8.99 with banana pudding and candy potato pie ready to complete the meal. Fried hen, pork chops, hamburger patties, or catfish are the most well-liked “meats,” whereas sides corresponding to fried okra, yams, turnip greens, slaw, cabbage, and mashed potatoes make selecting solely two a dilemma. “G” is the mistress of the kitchen, however her husband and members of the family greet and serve the hungry company. It’s a slice of Southern hospitality you received’t wish to miss. 

11. Blue Plate Café 

Blue Plate Café on Governor’s Drive serves hordes of consumers at breakfast time and barely fewer at lunch, and the crowds taper off at suppertime. That mentioned, I noticed Alabama Governor Kay Ivey there for her night meal throughout a go to just a few years in the past. Blue Plate’s cocoa biscuits are solely provided on Saturday, so that you’ll discover an additional surge of company ordering these sizzling biscuits topped with butter and chocolate sauce (also called chocolate gravy). 

The Blue Plate Particular consists of a meat, three sides, and a alternative of cornbread or roll. Every day of the week gives a distinct array of meats and sides. If you need hen and dressing, make sure to go to on Saturday or Thursday. The café opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m., clearly following the “Early to mattress, early to rise” mantra. 

Supper Heroes -- Hawaiian Burger with fries and slaw
Hawaiian Burger with fries and slaw (Photograph Credit score: Connie Pearson)

12. Supper Heroes 

Supper Heroes is the form of place you’ll undoubtedly wish to take pleasure in with kids or grandchildren in tow. The partitions are full of work and posters of well-known superheroes, and the menu is even in comedian e book type. The situation on Winchester Street is a little bit bit off the overwhelmed path, however in actuality, it’s only a couple of 15-minute drive from the U.S. Area & Rocket Middle. Supper Heroes serves improbable burgers and sandwiches which embody fries and slaw, and the Younger Heroes (kids’s menu) choices are all simply $3.99. 

Professional Tip: There are a number of screens displaying superhero-style films. In the event you occur to go to with younger kids and the film enjoying is just too intense, simply ask your server, and they’ll gladly change it to one thing extra kid-friendly. 

13. Toybox Bistro 

Toybox Bistro is situated on Jordan Lane not removed from one of many essential entrances to Redstone Arsenal and the websites of quite a few space-focused firms. It’s mentioned to be particularly interesting to nerds — that means extra-smart rocket scientists and such. Collections of classic toys are in every single place (even on the ceiling), and buckets of Legos are provided for constructing and enjoying whilst you wait on your meals to reach. As soon as once more, this place is enjoyable for youngsters. It’s closed on Sunday however open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. the opposite six days of the week. 

Waffled Mac n Cheese, the Hades Burger, Huntsvegas Scorching Rooster, the Sonic Intestine Buster Ripper Canine, and the Roast Beef Sundae are only a few of the eclectic dishes on the menu.

Dragon's Forge Cafe with a selection of sweets in a tea service.
Connie Pearson

14. Dragon’s Forge Café 

Dragon’s Forge Café has a fantasy theme, hinting at dragons, dungeons, Harry Potter, and unconventional weirdness. The headliner gadgets are coffees and teas, making it a pure match for Huntsville’s Craft Espresso Path, but it surely additionally serves fresh-made soups, sandwiches, and sweets. With advance discover, Dragon’s Forge will put together a tea service, making this a pleasant place for a gaggle of mates to assemble or for a grandmother to share together with her granddaughters. 

The café is inside Lowe Mill ARTS & Leisure, so make sure to enable time for searching, shopping for, and assembly the artists earlier than and after your go to. Dragon’s Forge is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday via Saturday. 

15. Ol’ Heidelberg 

Huntsville’s ties to Germany started when rocket scientist Wernher Von Braun and his group members arrived in 1950. It didn’t take lengthy earlier than some favourite recipes started to be shared with their new American mates and colleagues. Ol’ Heidelberg opened in 1972 and continues to be referred to as Huntsville’s premier location for genuine German delicacies. Sausages, schnitzels, sauerkraut, and extra are served for lunch and dinner daily besides Monday. 

Professional Tip: In the event you go to with choosy and suspicious grandchildren, order schnitzel and potatoes for them, and they are going to be blissful eaters. 

16. Rosie’s Cantina 

Though there are a variety of different Mexican eating places scattered round Huntsville, Rosie’s Cantina is the most well-liked. It has grown in following because it opened in 1995 and has expanded to 2 massive places, one on College Drive and the opposite on the Parkway. The in depth menu and the sauces made contemporary every day are two of the perks that set Rosie’s other than the remainder. A really moderately priced children’ menu that features a drink additionally appeals to households. My private favorites are the Rosiechanga and the Rooster and Spinach Burrito, however I’m able to attempt many different gadgets. As with so many eating places in Huntsville, it’s closed on Sunday however open for lunch and dinner Monday via Saturday. 

17. Stone Age Korean BBQ 

Two phrases are used prominently at Stone Age Korean BBQ. They’re “All you’ll be able to eat” and “Do it your self.” For one set worth (much less for lunch than for dinner and weekends), you should have your alternative of meats and sides after which be invited to prepare dinner the meats to your individual satisfaction on the fuel grill within the middle of your desk. Meal substances are served household type. This makes for a singular and entertaining eating expertise. 

18. Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro 

Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro is the undisputed well being queen on my listing. The bakery, which opened in 2013, was Alabama’s first gluten-free bakery, and the bistro adopted in 2015. Breads are baked contemporary daily, and meats are cured and smoked in home. What a treasure that is for these with celiac and different situations in order that they will take pleasure in breads, cookies, cupcakes, and different treats with out worrying about getting sick! Mason Dixon goes even additional by offering Paleo and vegan decisions, too. 

The bistro aspect of the enterprise has breakfast, salad, burger, sandwich, and drink choices obtainable all day. Mason Dixon can be closed on Sunday however is open 8 a.m. to six p.m. Monday via Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. In the event you thought a good looking, gluten-free marriage ceremony cake was unattainable, suppose once more. Mason Dixon has you coated. 
I hope you propose a visit to Alabama’s Rocket Metropolis quickly, and please arrive with urge for food. You should have a dizzying variety of eating places from which to decide on. For extra trip-planning inspiration, see all our Huntsville, Alabama, content here.



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