Location: Tuscaloosa
Top Restaurants in Tuscaloosa
Top Things to do in Tuscaloosa
- 1. Bryant Denny Stadium
- 2. Paul W. Bryant Museum
- 3. Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
- 4. Children's Hands-On Museum
- 5. Mercedes-Benz US International Visitor Center and Factory Tour
- 6. Bryant Museum
- 7. Capitol park
- 8. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion
- 9. Tuscaloosa Museum of Art
- 10. The Tuscaloosa Farmers' Market
Countries
Most Popular Restaurants in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa (/tʌskəˈluːsə/ TUSK-ə-LOO-sə) is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama (in the southeastern United States). Located on the Black Warrior River at the Atlantic Seaboard fall line of the Piedmont, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with an estimated population of 99,543 in 2016.
Things to do in Tuscaloosa
1. City Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By susant771 - Tampa, Florida
A tradition in this area. City Café serves up great southern fare in a no frills, old timey diner!! Fresh from the farm veggies are delicious. Mains are your typical country favorites like chicken and dumplings, beef stew, fried chicken, meat loaf, pork chop, salmon patties and fried catfish, just to name a few. A meat with four veggies will run you about $8.00 and a slice of pie $1.70!!!! Southern cooking at its best. Just like Momma used to make. I sure wish you had one in my neck of the woods.
2. The Avenue Pub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 285 reviews
Reviewed By LarrJann - Stockbridge, GA
2/22/2018
Grandson suggested dinner at Avenue Pub tonight. Great choice! First they had a talented singer with a wonderful Van Morrison vibe. Food was delicious! I had the Thai Nachos, hubby had the corn beef sandwich and grandson had the steak sandwich. All the food was delicious!! If I lived here this would be one of my go-to places.
3. DePalma's Italian Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 616 reviews
Reviewed By Paul K - Lincoln, NE
I visited DePalma’s around 5:00pm on a Friday afternoon and was able to get a table for one without a wait – I’d visited the previous Sunday evening and the wait was an hour, which I could not afford at the time. The place has a nice, cozy ambience and I looked around and saw dozens of wine bottles on shelves at eye level that were autographed by patrons. There are also many pictures and signs on the wall, as well as an open kitchen, so I wasn’t tempted to pass time between my waiter’s visits by looking at my phone. I saw a list of wines and beers on the menu and by the time my waiter came, I’d already decided on the place’s one Italian beer, Moretti (two types); I commented I was surprised they didn’t have Peroni, and the waiter said they did years ago. I also ordered a house salad (I asked to “hold” the cheese, which is usually mozzarella) with Italian dressing and spaghetti with marinara sauce and added shrimp ($8 extra). The beer came out with a chilled glass and hit the spot (see picture). The salad was larger than I expected, but delicious with grape tomatoes, green pepper slices, mushrooms, whole olives, and romaine lettuce (see picture). As I was finishing the salad, the entrée came out and looked appetizing with a couple of slices of bread, a nice portion of pasta, marinara sauce, and what ended up being seven shrimp (see picture). I eat a lot of marinara sauce around the country, and this was one I thoroughly enjoyed. My waiter came by frequently to check on me, so I was never wanting for anything. I got a second beer during my meal, a Hoegaarden, which is one of my favorites with its hint of coriander. This was a wonderful experience with great food and equally great service. I can see why there’s an hour wait at times!
4. The Levee Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 140 reviews
The Levee opened it's doors to the public on March 2, 2015. It is locally owned and operated by Gary McGee and Chris Bradshaw. The Levee specializes in Seafood, Steaks, Oysters, and More. The Levee is Northport's only riverfront dining overlooking the Black Warrior River and Downtown Tuscaloosa.
Reviewed By William L - Etheslvill, AL 35461
It will only take a few words to describe this dining experience...Very, Very Good! For appetizers we had Shrimp Cocktail and the Pimento Bacon Bombs. I can highly recommend both. The entrees we had were Fish Tacos and the Country Fried Sirloin. The fish in the taco was grouper and I had it fried(grilled and blackened is offered as well). Both the shrimp and the grouper was very fresh. The Country Fried Sirloin was very tender and good. All the side orders were fresh, quality and well prepared. Our server, Erin, was as good as they come and gave us top notch service. Also, we had a great view of the Black Warrior River and downtown Tuscaloosa. Eating here was a 'homerun' for us and we will be back for sure!
5. Mugshots Grill & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Reviewed By Paul K - Lincoln, NE
I stopped in to Mugshots around 7:30pm on a Sunday night, about a block from my hotel. It’s one of several restaurants in the area of downtown Tuscaloosa, but several are closed on Sundays. As is typical, when I went in asking for a table for one, I was asked if I wanted to sit at the bar. I said I didn’t, but I was seated at a high-top table near the bar (which was empty at the time – see picture) and waited for someone to help me. A waitress soon came and took my drink order, a draft “Monk” beer, which turned out to be more expensive than I expected ($6) - I should have ordered a domestic longneck beer as they're advertised at $2 all day. I ordered the blackened mahi mahi and a side dinner salad. The fish comes with some grilled shrimp and a spicy creole mustard cream sauce with rice and grilled veggies. Although the shrimp is advertised as “fresh,” it was not especially fresh tasting but okay. I asked if cheese comes with the side salad, and learning it does, I asked for it to be omitted. However, once the salad came out (with the entrée), I didn’t realize that it comes with what is about 1.5 pieces of bacon crumbled in it. Being pescaratian, I spent several minutes picking out the bacon (see picture). The food was good, but my waitress was slow enough that although I had planned to order a second beer, I was done eating by the time she came by again so I didn’t get to order one. I hear that the burgers at Mugshots are very good, but I was impressed by the flavor and texture of the mahi mahi. Aside from average service I would rate Mugshots as very good.
6. Archibald's
Overall Ratings
5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By SPFEsq - Hampstead, Maryland
Archibald's is the way southern barbecue is supposed to be - fantastic flavor, best barbecue sauce I've ever had, served by friendly people with picnic tables outside to enjoy the weather. There is nothing fancy about Archibald's, except the flavor of their food. The building is a small concrete block building behind a house on the side of the road. You dine on styrofoam plates at picnic tables, but it can't be beat. The ribs are very meaty and tasty. The pork is sliced, not pulled but is tender and so flavorful. Wash it all down with some of Archibald's sweet tea and you'll be hearing Dixie in your head all day. Archibald's is a can't miss when in the Tuscaloosa area. ROLL TIDE!
7. Five Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 282 reviews
Reviewed By RockyRaccoon - Atlanta, GA
Just wanted a quick bite for lunch. Had the quesadillas...which were filled with tender and juicy pork. Very nice. Wife had the red beans and rice and she really enjoyed the sausage in the dish. The bloody marys were also top notch. We'll definitely be back.
8. Chucks Fish
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By Paul K - Lincoln, NE
I visited Chuck’s on a Monday night around 7:00 and the place was already just about full. The ambience included low lighting, lots of pictures of Bear Bryant and other local sports figures on the walls, an upstairs dining area, and a nice-looking bar (see picture). I asked for a table for one but was asked if I wanted to sit at the bar. The bar was essentially full so I asked for a table. The hostess led me to what may have been the only open small table, where I took a seat. I was soon greeted by a waitress who took my drink order – a bottled Yuengling, as the restaurant doesn’t have draught beers. When she came back I’d studied the menu, one side of which lists many sushi offerings as well as sashimi and nigiri, too. I wasn’t in the mood for this, so I chose off the other side, which has more traditional seafood. I ended up ordering the “fresh market fish,” one choice which was cobia from the restaurant’s wholesaler in Destin, Florida. It can be done either blackened, wood-grilled, or sautéed. I asked for the blackened version, which includes a corn and red pepper relish, a grit cake (which I found later comes with a remoulade sauce surrounding it), and black-eyed peas. I also asked for a cup of seafood gumbo. The gumbo came out (see picture) and turned out to have a rich flavor, although with less of a broth-like roux than I’m used to (I have a New Orleans background). Nevertheless, it was very good. I noticed other tables were served bread just after they ordered, and when my waitress came by the next time, she asked if I’d like some bread while waiting. I accepted and she brought some out. It had a cheesy crust and with butter was delicious (see picture). Finally, the main dish came out and looked appetizing (see picture). In the end, though, I thought the cobia was a little fishier tasting than I would have expected for what is supposed to be “fresh” fish, so I was a little disappointed. The corn and red pepper relish was a little sweeter than I like, too, so if I visit Chuck’s again I’d try the red snapper or a different fish to see if it’s better, and try a different preparation. The black-eyed peas were a surprise because they included okra, which is one of my favorites; I especially liked the black-eyed peas with okra. The service was very good, and I’d try Chuck’s again on a future visit to see how some of the other fish dishes compare.
9. Dreamland BBQ
Overall Ratings
4 based on 748 reviews
Reviewed By MsShewa - Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The chicken wings have green onions chopped with the wings & they r DELICIOUS! U can order fries or whatever side to go with the wings but I get each time I go there!
10. Archibald & Woodrow's Barbeque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
205 333 3622
Reviewed By LaBubba - LA
First off, we enjoy down home cooking. We don't like infused this and that or tres cuisine; just well prepared everyday food. With all the rave reviews we had high expectations. But, the meals we ate rank up there with monkfish: something I never want to try again. The chicken fried steak was institutional reformed chopped beef and the smallest piece I've ever seen. The brown gravy was out of a can. The mac and cheese wasn't much better. The bread was stale. The one good thing I can say is that the collard greens were very good. The ribs were tender and passable, but the sauce was terrible.
It reminds me of a restaurant back home that was great 50 years ago, but should have closed 20 years ago. It only lives in the minds of days gone bye.
