21 Best Southern Restaurants in Tuscaloosa

1

River

River Southern • $$$
1650 Jack Warner Pkwy, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

River Flats Oven-Baked Flatbreads Cajun Shrimp & Sausage
Salmon Mushrooms and Roma Tomatoes
Southern Oysters Rockefeller
Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms
Peanut Butter Pie
Salmon Hollandaise
Shrimp and Grits
Brussels Sprouts
Alabama Catfish
Shrimp & Grits

“Was working in Tuscaloosa and a restaurant with a two hour wait recommended the River. We had the steak filet and the seared tuna. Both dishes were absolutely amazing. The service was outstanding and the whole experience was just classy and comfortable. Brussel sprouts were on special for an appetizer, they were the best we’ve ever had. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

4.5 Superb290 Reviews
Southern Ale House Tuscaloosa Southern • $$
1530 McFarland N Blvd, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Get 5 All Day Every Day Drink Specials on Long Island Ice Teas & Adult Strawberry Lemonades
Tammy Smith’S White Chocolate Cheesecake
Hand Battered Chicken Tenders
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Buffalo Pimento Cheese Dip
Creole BBQ Shrimp & Grits
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
Pimento Cheese Burger
Bourbon Bread Pudding

“I love having Dockside open up Hwy 43 to give us another option for dinner close to home! If you haven’t tried the fried shrimp or the catfish, you’re definitely missing out! There’s just something extra about the breading that had me eating ALL my shrimp and not sharing with my husband! 🤣 Highly recommend checking it out!“

4.4 Superb343 Reviews
Chicken Salad Chick Southern • $
1800 McFarland Blvd E #308, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Red Velvet Cake Slice
Salt & Vinegar Chips
Scoop or Sandwich
Bacon Cheddar Melt
Broccoli Salad
Pimento Cheese
Buffalo Barclay
Jalapeno Holly
Flower Cookie
Classic Carol

“Met a friend here for lunch and overall had a really pleasant experience. The chicken salad was pretty good—not the best I’ve ever had, but solid and enjoyable. The food felt light and satisfying without being heavy, which made for a good lunch choice.
The service was friendly, the restaurant was clean, and the atmosphere was comfortable and easy for catching up with a friend. Nothing overly memorable or standout, but everything was done well.
It’s the kind of place I’d return to when I want something reliable, fresh enough, and simple. I’d eat here again.“

4.6 Superb151 Reviews
Wright's Restaurant American • $
3750 University Blvd E, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Hamburger Steak w Gravy Turnip Greens Black Eyed Peas
Cornbread Pepper Sauce for the Greens
Bacon and Cheese Omelette with Grits
Grits Eggs Bacon and Raisin Toast
Breakfast Plate with Sausage
Harvest Catfish Strip Plate
Fried Harvest Catfish Plate
Grits Eggs and Bologna
Double Cheeseburger
Chicken Strip Plate

“very good and good value for money“

4.7 Superb251 Reviews
The Shoals Bar and Kitchen Southern •
111 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa

“Ate there on 1/12/25 for breakfast and it was delicious. Waitress was great, could tell she really cared and liked her job. My breakfast was perfect, but my wives French toast was amazing and came out looking like a presentation on a high end cooking show.“

4.5 Superb4 Reviews
RONJOE'S Southern •
2818 39th Ave, Tuscaloosa
5 Superb1 Reviews
Urban Cookhouse American • $
1490 Northbank Pkwy #110, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Cuban Sandwich with Mac and Cheese
Three Cheese Chicken Quesadilla
Grilled Chicken Special
Urban Cowboy Sandwich
Chipotle Braised Pork
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Brown Sugar Brownie
White BBQ Sandwich
Roasted Vegetables
Pepper Patch Salad

“We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Urban Cookhouse today. We had the veggie quesadilla with chicken and two of the salad options with chicken. No disappointments. It's counter service, but they bring it to your table and pick up your plate when you're finished. The place is very clean, nice, and bustling with folks but not too loud. We found a table with an outlet to charge a laptop. We will be back and we would recommend it!“

4.6 Superb249 Reviews
Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q Barbecue • $
305 21st Ave, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Fried Catfish Fillet with Tartar Sauce Collard Greens Mac and Cheese and Muffins
Lil' Pork Sandwich with 1 Trimming
Brisket and Macaroni and Cheese
Cheddar Biscuits and Ice Tea
Loaded Mac \u0026 Cheese
Pitmaster Nacho Platter
Pulled Pork and Sides
Fried Chicken Tenders
Carolina Pork Plate
Topped with Brisket

“Thank y’all for making a birthday a little more special today !!🩷🩷“

4.5 Superb431 Reviews
Waysider American • $
1512 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Fried Potato Skins Aka Breakfast Appetizer
Plantation Smoked Sausage with Two Eg zs
Homemade Biscuits with Butter and Jelly
Eggs over Medium with Bacon and Grits
Real Country Cured Ham with Two Eggs
Country Ham with Eggs and Biscuits
Hor Cakes with Bacon or Sausage
Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy
Hot Cakes with Sugar Cured Ham
Ham Grits Eggs Red Eye Gravy

“If you are a Bama fan this place is a must. Great breakfast and great prices. Ham and eggs are great, the flapjacks were really good. Bacon and sausage were good to perfection. The biscuits are a must! The memorabilia was quite a site to see. Sat at Bear Bryant’s table.. really great place to try especially being the oldest restaurant in Tuscaloosa.“

4.5 Superb293 Reviews
King's Kitchen Southern • $
501 Hargrove E Rd, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Hamburger Steak w Gravy and Onions Fried Okra Mac and Cheese
Small Catfish Plate - 3 Filets with 3 Sides
Hamburger Steak Fried Okra and Fries
10 Piece Wings with a Side of Fries
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Fried Pork Chop Plate with 2 Sides
Southern Fried Chicken Tenders
3 Fried Wings with 3 Sides
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Macaroni and Cheese

“I would give it 10 stars if I could! Great homemade country cooking line grandma’s cooking! Don’t let the outside size fool you this place has GREAT food!“

4.1 Good219 Reviews
Half Shell Oyster House Tuscaloosa Seafood • $$
2325 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Fried Green Tomatoes and Crab Cakes
Royal Reds Shrimp Peel and Eat
Bananas Foster Cheesecake
Oyster Sampler Platter
Chargrilled Asparagus
Oyster Rockefeller DZ
Charbroiled Oysters
Oysters Rockefeller
Soup & Salad Combo
Oysters Bienville

“Literally the best Chargrilled Oysters ever! Consistently flavorful and delicious!“

4.4 Superb526 Reviews
Chow’s Country Buffet Buffet • $
1100 Skyland E Blvd, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Hot and Sour Soup
Orange Chicken
Assorted Food
Fried Shrimp
Salad Bar

“The Sunday I visited the restaurant was clean and all the food was terrific! Wait staff was courteous and helpful!“

4.3 Superb85 Reviews
Slim Chickens Chicken • $
2520 McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Strawberry Cheesecake Jar Dessert
Chocolate Brownie Pudding Jar
Tender Mac and Cheese Bowl
Chicken Tenders with Fries
Small Crowd Potato Salad
Small Crowd Mac & Cheese
Chocolate Chip Brownie
Strawberry Milkshake
Chicken & Waffles
Spicy Slim's Meal

“Great experience. The food and service was amazing“

4.2 Good194 Reviews
Glory Bound Gyro Co. Greek • $
1301 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Pepperjack Gyro
Surf-N-Turf Gyro
Comeback Gyro
Original Gyro
Hummus Trio
Falafel
Hummus
Pizza
Salad

“We visit at least once or twice a month usually on a Wednesday the food and drinks are always delicious 😋 And never had a problem with the service and we’ve been visiting since they were on the corner downtown, but this past Wednesday November 18, 2020 our server was horrible she had the nastiest attitude and demeanor. First thought was because we African American but we soon realized that wasn’t it she treated two other tables with the same curtness and attitude. Hopefully next visit will be better“

4.2 Good236 Reviews
Full Moon Bar-B-Que Barbecue • $
1434 McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Pulled Pork Sandwichandfried Green Tomatoes and Potatoes Salad
Sliced Black Angus Beef Brisket Plate
Black Angus Beef Brisket 2 Trimmings
Loaded Spud with Pulled Pork BBQ
Hickorysmoked Pork Value Meal
Fried Green Tomatoes
Kickin' Cheeseburger
Smoked Buffalo Wings
Classic Spare Ribs
Alabama White Sauce

“Best staff in Alabama today! The young man who was cashier opening this shift is an absolutely exceptional person and employee! He deserves all good things!!!“

4.1 Good354 Reviews
Thomas Rib Shack Barbecue • $
2931 15th St, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Fried Chicken Porkchop Beef Tips Hamburger Steak Bake Chicken
Neck Bones Wednesday’S Only
Catfishplate with Side Fries
Fried Chicken Leg and Thigh
Cobbler and Mac and Cheese
2 Small Pork Sandwiches
Pork Chop Dinner Roll
Large Pork Sandwich
Bake Chicken Dinner
Chicken Wings Combo

“First time dining at Thomas Rib Shack today. We were headed back to MS from South Carolina and was looking for some soul food. We were definitely not disappointed. The food was delicious and the staff and other customers were friendly. We will definitely be checking them out again.“

4 Good141 Reviews
Slim Chickens Chicken • $
685 Skyland Blvd, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Strawberry Cheesecake Jar Dessert
Cayenne Ranch Chicken Sandwich
Chicken Tenders and Fries
Chicken Wings and Fries
Chicken Club Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Salad
Pack of 10 Sauces
Chicken & Waffles
Fried Mushrooms
Chicken Fingers

“I love coming to this restaurant when I'm in the Tuscaloosa area“

3.9 Good173 Reviews
Side by Side Kitchen & Cocktails French • $$$
2410 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Herbed Airline Chicken Breast
Side by Side Caesar Salad
Butter Lettuce Salad
Fried Green Tomatoes
Baked Pimento Cheese
Cheeseburger w Fries
Lamb Osso Bucco
Fried Okra
Tuna

“love the food, the service and the atmosphere it was awesome!“

3.5 Good279 Reviews
Bojangles Fast Food • $
4309 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Bojangles Chicken Sandwich Dine in: Yes Takeout: Yes Curbside pickup: Yes
Cajun Chicken Filet Biscuit Combo
Pork Chop Griller Biscuit Combo
Grilled Chicken Sandwich Combo
Hot Fresh Bojangles Biscuits
Bo's Chicken Sandwich Combo
4pc Chicken Supremes Combo
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Bojangles Cajun Pintos
Spicy Chicken Sandwich

“Just go check it out you will ❤️ it“

3.1 Average219 Reviews
Jack's Family Restaurant Fast Food • $
4475 Skyland E Boulevard, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich Combo
Grilled Chicken Sandwich Combo
Chicken Fingers Combo 4pc
Double Cheese Combo
Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits & Gravy
Stack of Pancakes
Sausage Biscuit
Big Jack Combo
Steak Biscuit

“First and last time coming here, staff was overall friendly no issues there. But I ordered a number 1 and to add cheese. Guess what there’s no cheese on my burger. Please listen better when people are ordering. Isn’t that difficult to do… I went back in and got my ordered fixed. Staff was super nice and accommodating I’ll be back for sure thank you“

3.3 Good248 Reviews
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store American • $
4800 Doris Pate Dr, Tuscaloosa

Customers` Favorites

The Cracker Barrel's Country Boy Breakfast
Grandma's Breakfast \u0026 Pecan Pancakes
Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast
Country Vegetable Plate
Southern Fried Chicken
Cracker Barrel Sampler
Chicken Fried Chicken
Buttermilk Biscuits
Country Fried Steak
Loaded Baked Potato

“Torrance provided friendly service.“

3.2 Average620 Reviews