Alabama’s Award-Winning Dining Destinations 

Alabama is a destination known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, music legends, dominant sports teams, and best of all, its famous food scene. Here, the food scene steals the spotlight with its five-star dining, quaint town breweries, and a barbecue tradition that stands toe-to-toe with Texas and the Carolinas—thank the unique Alabama white sauce for that. From the heartwarming simplicity of meat-and-three diners to innovative food truck offerings, Alabama’s food scene offers something for everyone.   

Acre – Auburn 

Led by chef David Bancroft, Acre offers innovative interpretations of traditional Southern flavors. The restaurant sources responsibly farm-raised meat through collaborations with the Auburn University Meat Lab and local ranchers, featuring these selections on the “Butcher’s Block” alongside housemade pickles, jams, and regional cheeses. Among many of its accolades, Acre has been named one of the Top 50 Best Southern Restaurants by OpenTable and received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Additionally, chef Bancroft was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef South Award.  

Bottega – Birmingham 

The culinary mastermind Frank Stitt, from Cullman, Alabama, developed a love for Southern ingredients early on, honing his culinary skills under chef Richard Olney in France. Returning to the South, he created a unique approach to food, advocating for sustainable agriculture. His restaurant, Bottega, established in 1988, features Italian-inspired cuisine that combines Southern ingredients with Italian artisanal products, offering wines, cocktails, and wood-fired pizzas in a sophisticated setting. In 2023, Bottega was nominated for the Outstanding Bar Program through the James Beard Foundation. 

Bright Star – Bessemer 

The Bright Star Restaurant opened in 1907 as a humble 12-seat bar. Over the years, the restaurant was passed down through the generations from founding fathers Tom Bonduris and his cousin Bill Koikos and today it’s the oldest family-owned restaurant in Alabama. Menu staples include pan-seared Greek snapper, chicken pan pie, smothered pork chops, and a plethora of sides like baked spiced apples, butter beans, fried okra, and Greek hashbrowns. Having offered up quality Greek and Southern cuisine for over 117 years, the Bright Star has quite the reputation as an iconic Southeast landmark. In 2010, the restaurant was named a James Beard Foundation America’s Classics winner and designated as the Best Local Restaurant in Alabama by Southern Living in 2023. 

Cotton Row Restaurant – Huntsville

A regular on the Today Show and in national food publications, chef James Boyce opened Cotton Row in 2008. At Cotton Row seasonal and local ingredients dictate the menu, including dishes like the bourbon glazed smoked duck breast and the restaurant’s surprisingly simple dessert, peanut butter and jelly in phyllo. Boyce’s elegant and casual approach to cooking has brought him acclaim from journalists and diners alike. He has been lauded by the likes of Food & Wine, Esquire, and Wine Spectator, and was a two-time Mobil Five Star award winner and three-time James Beard Award semifinalist. 

Hot and Hot Fish Club – Birmingham 

Founded by Chris Hastings and his wife Idie, Hot and Hot Fish Club has been dazzling diners since 1995 with its unique fusion of Southern, French, and Californian flavors. Five-star dishes like mussels and fish jowl, ancho-rubbed Ibérico pork chops, and seasonal desserts dot the ever-changing menu that has been delighting foodies for nearly three decades. Hastings’ culinary brilliance and creativity has repeatedly shone through, earning the chef significant recognition in the culinary community, including five coveted nominations for Best Chef by the James Beard Foundation between 2007-2011. In 2012, Hastings finally reached the peak and was named the Best Chef of the South.  

KBC – Dothan 

KBC is dedicated to providing classic, beautiful dishes served with Southern hospitality and big-city flair. Chef Kelsey Barnard Clark, a Dothan native, brings a slice of the big city to her hometown with her remarkable culinary skills. As the first Southerner to win the prestigious Top Chef title, Clark’s credentials include an education from the Culinary Institute of America and valuable experience in top-tier Michelin-star Manhattan restaurants. At KBC, her focus is on crafting dishes that are not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor. Bringing her expertise back to the Deep South, Clark and her team offer delicious, whole food with a difference you can both taste and see. 

Johnny’s Restaurant  – Homewood 

Thanks to chef Tim Hontzas’ Greek heritage, Johnny’s Restaurant, located in the suburb Homewood, has quickly become a Birmingham a local favorite. Guided in the restaurant business by his Greek grandfather who opened the first Johnny’s restaurant in 1954, Hontzas crafted his eatery into an iconic blend of Southern dishes and Greek cuisine. Opening in 2012, the plate lunch style restaurant offers meats like fried catfish and ketedes Greek meatballs alongside scrumptious sides like fried green tomatoes, purple hull peas, and spinach with chickpeas. Hontzas’s unique marriage between traditional Southern and Greek specialties has led him to become a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist and a 2022 finalist for Best Chef South. 

Plan your culinary road trip today at Alabama.travel 

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