Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Alabama

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Alabama? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dread River Distilling Company

4.8

4.8 (175)

$31 to $50

Distillery

Birmingham

About the restaurant

Dread River spirits are created for those inspired by the journey. We take great pride in crafting each spirit we pour. Currently distilling are small batches of Bourbon, Whiskey, Rye, Vodka, Gin, Rum & Agave Spirit.

Our Tasting Room Bar area features our one of a kind craft cocktails, engineered to enhance every unique feature our spirits have to offer. Our Tasting Room is a combination of Bold and Elegant, & provides the perfect vibe for you to enjoy the fruits of our labor by pairing the perfect cocktail & your favorite food menu item. The menu features a perfect mix of selections to meet any occasion. Come check out our beautiful Veranda space.
It is dog-friendly and is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Join us on Saturdays from 12 - 4 pm with our Day Drinker Menu or Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 3-6 pm.

We invite you to come and be inspired by the journey as you take part in our Dread River experience.

Top review

Annevip

Dined on Aug 15, 2024

We care for restaurant week and really enjoyed our food and cocktails! Our waiter was so very personable and the bartender so friendly as well! The restaurant looked like a great place to have a party or gathering! We will most definitely be back.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Birmingham

4.8

4.8 (393)

$30 and under

Sushi

Vestavia Hills

About the restaurant

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

Top review

Jackie

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious sushi. The thriller roll was fantastic. Will be back

Il Forno

4.5

4.5 (230)

$30 and under

Italian

Auburn

About the restaurant

Escape to Italy without leaving Auburn! IL FORNO ("The Oven") offers a taste of authentic Italian cuisine using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Savor the flavors of Italy in our cozy, casual atmosphere located in the heart of downtown - just steps from Auburn University.

Indulge in classic pasta dishes like rich carbonara or specialty 13-layer lasagna. Try an exceptional entree featuring succulent beef, pork, seafood or chicken. Vegetarian and gluten-free options help accommodate all tastes.

Dessert? Absolutely. Have an affogato ("drowned") coffee with homemade ice cream and pour-over freshly ground (and brewed) espresso.

At IL FORNO, we bring people together over great food with good company. Join us to experience the warmth of an Italian family gathering as our staff provides exceptional service to make your visit memorable and delicious anytime.

Call to say hello, or make your reservation here, to visit the family at IL FORNO.

Top review

Martyvip

Dined 6 days ago

Wynter was our server and she did a great job. The food was excellent. Nice quiet dinner

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4.5

4.5 (143)

$31 to $50

Southern

Montgomery

About the restaurant

Located at the cornerstone of Montgomery's thriving entertainment district, The House invites you to experience the South's finest flavors. Blending traditional Alabama recipes with innovative techniques, The House proudly boasts a curated menu featuring locally sourced ingredients and fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

At The House, true Southern hospitality is a way of life. Whether you're relaxing after a long day at the convention center or meeting with friends for a night downtown, you'll be enamored by our restaurant's congenial service, sophisticated ambiance and mouthwatering cuisine.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

I had an incredible experience. I’ll definitely be going back.

Forte

4.5

4.5 (25)

$31 to $50

American

Tuscaloosa

About the restaurant

Situated in the bustling downtown area of Tuscaloosa, Forte effortlessly combines the allure of traditional old-world European cuisine with the refinement of a contemporary ambiance. Enter a realm where enduring tastes converge with modern sophistication, crafting an exceptional and memorable dining journey.

Top review

Leighvip

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Our server, Morgan, was outstanding. Wonderful time!

Tom Brown's Restaurant- Huntsville

4.5

4.5 (392)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Huntsville

About the restaurant

Huntsville's Best Steak and Seafood Restaurant.

Tom Brown’s Restaurant specializes in wet aged hand-cut Certified Angus Beef, the freshest seafood flown in, and house-made entrees. We serve only exceptional food with authentic hospitality. On the wetter side, choose from house craft beers, an extensive wine list, and signature hand crafted cocktails.

With two large, covered patios, a spacious dining room, and custom 30 foot long bar, Tom Brown’s has plenty of space to enjoy food, family and friends in a casual, welcoming environment!

We have two private rooms for your special occasions. Please contact us directly to see how we can help make your event memorable.

Top review

Chris

Dined 3 days ago

We got the black grouper with Yukon golds instead of the baked potato. The grouper was seasoned and cooked PERFECTLY! We had crab cakes for a starter which is our usual. Bloody Mary’s were on point as usual! The food is a bit pricey, however, the portions are huge and you can’t get seafood cooked to perfection anywhere else around here currently. Service was exceptional as usual!

The Fennec

4.4

4.4 (260)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Birmingham

About the restaurant

The Fennec has introduced a southern Farm-to-Table menu at our new Ramblers Sports Bar & Grill. Our goal is to have numerous items for all guests' dietary preferences and restrictions while providing an exceptional dining and sports entertainment experience.

With sports running continually on our new video walls, screens, and TVs, the new Ramblers Sports Bar & Grill takes watching your favorite teams to a different level. Enjoy our locally sourced southern menu, chic cocktail creations, and elegant event spaces on the second floor, there really is nothing else in Birmingham like the Fennec.

Top review

Camille

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Server, Thomas was great! Very fun and friendly! Made my birthday celebration so good!

Culinary Dropout - Birmingham

4.4

4.4 (389)

$30 and under

American

Vestavia Hills

About the restaurant

Culinary Dropout serves classic meals done right. With crowd favorites like our pretzel bites and provolone fondue, 36-hour pork ribs, and our famous fried chicken drizzled with honey you’ll want to taste everything. Thirsty? Wash it all down with an ice-cold craft beer or a killer house-made cocktail. And don't forget to stick around for games and free live music with a laid-back vibe. Culinary Dropout is for anyone who loves damn good food and drinks.

Top review

Tarrice

Dined 5 days ago

Me and my mother and aunt and grandma all enjoy our time at culinary dropout. We made reservations and were quickly seated once we got there. Emily and Chelsea were both accommodating. we wanted to order pizza because its soo good and was told they ran out of pizza but Emily and Chelsea both made sure that we were taking care of and they were so nice and generous.

P.F. Chang's - Birmingham

4.0

4 (141)

$31 to $50

Asian

Birmingham

About the restaurant

P.F. Chang�s in Birmingham, Alabama, is a farm-to-wok restaurant that offers guests authentic Asian recipes featuring flavors from Vietnam, Japan, Korea and more. The menu has plenty of options for guests who are vegetarian or who don�t eat gluten, as well as a wide array of delicious meals for meat-eaters. Try the barbecue spare ribs prepared with a tangy sauce, a favorite at P.F. Chang�s and pair it with an order of orange ginger edamame. Jicama street tacos filled with lobster and shrimp or chicken are another great menu item, as well as the Hunan dragon wings. Let P.F. Chang�s satisfy your whole family in the casual, comfortable dining space that is perfect for lunch or dinner.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 30, 2024

Well it’s would have been nice if open table would have sent my reservation but they we happy to accommodate

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Experience

Lucky 8 Happy Hour (Mon - Fri, 3 - 6pm)

Dillard's Chophouse- Birmingham

3.1

3.1 (18)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Birmingham

About the restaurant

We strive to serve exquisite food and give excellent service. Dillard's specializes in traditional American steakhouse fare including Filets, New York Strips, Ribeye's, Wagyu, and more. Our side dishes range from Lobster Macaroni and Cheese to Garlic Smashed Potatoes, and are portioned to be shared with others at your table. The wine list is both exceptional and unique to this town as we tend to find wines that other dining establishments haven’t yet discovered. Our cocktail menu rotates with the seasons, utilizing fresh berries and herbs to highlight our spirits.

Top review

Susan

Dined on Aug 21, 2024

Wonderful experience on a very busy Night. I highly recommend.

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