30 essential Huntsville restaurants, from barbecue to upscale
Gonna spare you the listicle-intro jazz. Below are the 30 essential Huntsville restaurants right now, in my opinion. No chains, just brick-and-mortars located in Huntsville, listed in no particular order. They aren’t the only great local spots, just a start.
Niyah’s Southern Grill
Soul food with clever twists.
We like: fried chicken (crispy, succulent), half chicken (smokey without smog), queso mac and cheese (Southern side gone Tex-Mex), gumbo greens (kicked-up collards)
$: Moderate
392 Jordan Road Ste. D, Niyah’s on Facebook
More here
Nonna’s Restaurant
Italian food that tastes like it was made by, yes, somebody’s nonna.
We like: Chicken Scarpariello (a steaming, stellar), lasagna (symphonic striation), meatballs with spaghetti (savory with garden-fresh red sauce)
$: Affordable lunch options to moderate and up
7900 Bailey Cove Road S.E. Unit A, nonnasrestaurantal.com
More here
Boarhog’s Barbecue
Un-fancy, way-tasty rustic eats.
We like: Pulled-pork sandwich (tender, smokey, massive), hashbrown casserole (down-home carb awesomeness)
$: Affordable
2118 Hwy. 72 E., facebook.com/BoarhogsBarbeque
More here
One Eleven Bar & Kitchen
A stylish new downtown must-do.
We like: Angry Prawns (bulbous crustaceans with spicy chili oil and toasted garlic, served over okra succotash)
$: Moderate to upscale
111 Washington Street, oneelevenhsv.com
More here
Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Elevated New York ‘za with uncommonly nuanced crust.
We like: The Godfather (meat-lover’s dream), The Valentina (savvy mix of pig and veggies)
$: Moderate
25783 Huntsville Brownsferry Road (Madison address but technically in Huntsville), valentinaspizzeria.com
More here
Tamarind Island Grille
Caribbean served from a trailer in the shadows of Orion Amphitheater.
We like: Jerk chicken (peppery, aromatic), vegan mango chicken (sunny, light)
$: Moderate
5909 University Drive, facebook.com/Tamarindislandgrille
More here
Peppered Pig
Creative diet-busting burgers and sandwiches.
We like: Bulgogi burger (flavor-texture powerhouse), Country Boy (bodacious bacon-chicken-cheese sammie)
$: Moderate
1305 Four Mile Post Road S.E. Ste. C, pepperedpig.net
More here
Purveyor
Cosmopolitan shapeshifting menu with specials, steak, seafood and beyond.
We like: Pork muso bucco (arthouse Mexican remix of an Italian classic), Purveyor burger (luxe cow wow), seasonal apps (ahi tuna tacos, etc.)
$: Upscale
201 Jefferson St. N., purveyorhuntsville.com
More here
Bo’s Best Wings
If it’s good enough for football legend Deion Sanders, it’s good enough for us, too.
We like: Chicken wings with either “Bo’s Special Sauce” (crushable sweet-hot concoction) or lemon pepper (a favorite among regulars), fried green tomatoes (served with remoulade), “peachade” (tastes like summer through a straw)
$: Affordable
3700 Blue Spring Road N.W. Unit A, Bo’s on Facebook
More here
Taqueria El Cazador #2
Vintage bus gone stationary street-food hotspot.
We like: Pastor, asada and pollo tacos (the real deal), torta (pork sandwich bliss)
$: Affordable
3806 Triana Blvd. S.W., El Cazador on Facebook
More here
Mozza Pizza
When I picture the ideal classic pizza, it looks and tastes like Mozza’s — cheesy, savory, bendy.
We like: By-the-slice (generously cut), build-you-own pizza with pepperoni and sausage (spectacular without being showy)
$: Affordable
More here
Thai Garden
A culinary anchor of HSV’s Five Points area for decades.
We like: Pad Gra Tiam Prig Thai (choice of chicken, beef or pork stir-fried in garlic sauce with broccoli)
$: Affordable
800 N.E. Wellman Ave., Thai Garden on Facebook
More here
Sac’s Kitchen
6008 Mastin Lake Road N.E., sacskitchen.com
Take-out-centric soul food and, for my money, home of the city’s best fried chicken.
We like: Fried chicken (made to order, so it’s grandma-kitchen level), collard greens (zingy witchery), cornbread (pancake flat and rad)
$: Affordable
More here
Aki Japanese Cuisine
Located in an unglamorous shopping center, Aki is the move for savvy sushi lovers.
We like: Naruto Roll (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado, wrapped in sliced cucumber instead of rice)
$: Moderate
6125 University Drive N.W., Huntsville, akihuntsville.com
More here
Domain South
European-inspired seasonal menus, with a nifty patio and view of Big Spring Park East.
200 West Side Square, domainesouth.com
We like: Charcuterie (so many decadent and exotic options), mahi wrap (a beach vacation for your mouth), harissa honey butter fried chicken sandwich (local upgrade to Chick-fil-A’s seasonal pimento sandwich)
$: Moderate to upscale
More here
Big Papa Gyro
Long-running local Mediterranean fave.
We like: Feisty Feta Dip (feisty chunky feta with cloud-soft pitas), Spanakopita Plate (Greek pie wedges smuggling spinach and feta), classic panini (flatbread, rotisserie lamb and beef, feta, peppers, onions, tzatziki)
$: Affordable
925 University Drive Unit 120, bigpapagyro.com
More here
Salt Smokehouse
Family-owned/operated, with iconic Southern eats made new by international influences.
We like: Soft shell crab bao sliders (maybe HSV’s best appetizer), pork ribs (drizzled with cayenne pineapple glacé), fried chicken sandwich (with sriracha oil, ginger coleslaw, pickles)
1300 Meridian St. N. D-104, saltssmokehouse.toast.site
More here
The Standard Social Market
Kicked-up Southern breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
We like: Old school b’fast (sexier sibling of a Waffle House platter), shrimp and grits (Huntsville’s best), meat-and three (elevated and dinner only)
$: Moderate
127 Holmes Ave. Ste. 102, thestandardhsv.com
More here
Betty Mae’s Restaurant
Soul-food standout.
We like: Fried catfish (fresh, flaky, textural), black eyed peas (earthy, piquant), mac and cheese (exactly how you want it)
$: Affordable
2007 N. Memorial Pkwy., Betty Mae’s on Facebook
More here
Cocina Cinco De Mayo
Salt-of-the-earth taqueria open late night.
We like: Pastor taco (aromatic sliced pork shoulder punctuated with pineapple), enchiladas de mole (shredded chicken smothered in gravy-ish sauce), nachos (choice of protein over house-made chips)
$: Affordable
200 Oakwood Ave. N.E., cincodemayomexicanal.com
More here
Commerce Kitchen
Restaurateur/chef James Boyce owns several notable local restaurants and Commerce is, to me, the best.
We like: Shrimp and grits (leveled up), fried green tomato Benedict (with poached egg, pulled pork, roasted potatoes)
$: Upscale
300 Franklin St.
More here
Viet Huong Vietnamese Restaurant
Tasty enough for posher places than their strip mall digs, but Viet Huong’s all about the food.
We like: Clay pot (steamy and soulful), pho (nuanced and bright), goi cuon thit nuong (translucent spring rolls with charbroiled pork)
930 Old Monrovia Road N.W., viet-huong-vietnamese-restaurant.res-menu.com
Velocé Pizza
Huntsville’s most musical pizzas (whole pies and slices) made by Trevar Akins, bassist with popular local Beastie Boys cover band the Beastie Goys.
We like: Red Rocket (red sauce, pepperoni, Conecuh sausage, pepperoni, jalapenos, house cheese blend and siracha), Mean Green (pesto, house cheese blend, artichoke hearts, feta, fresh basil, jalapeno, pecorino romano)
$: Affordable
Lowe Mill 2211 Seminole Drive S.W. Studio 1020, velocepizzabakery.com
More here
The Curry Modern Indian
An Indian buffet done right: Mainstream stars, like tandoori chicken, tiki masala and naan, supported by a rotating cast of vibrant less American-famous dishes, like aloo jeera, cheera thoran and chana masala.
We like: Lunch buffet (see above description)
$: Moderate
607 Andrew Jackson Way N.E., thecurryrestaurant.com
More here
Phat Sammy’s
Asian-fusion served in a Tiki-themed subterranean hipster lair.
We like: Phat fries (funky poutine), beef shoulder birria ramen (Japanese/Mexican lovechild), spicy pork bulgogi (counterpointed with kimchi, sticky rice, fried egg)
$: Moderate
104 Jefferson St., phatsammys.com
More here
Bandito Burrito Co.
Punk-rock Cali-Mex and beloved local hang since 1990.
We like: The Raven (elemental vegan burrito bliss), Green Bean (bean burrito with cheese and green sauce)
$: Affordable
3017 Governors Drive S.W., Bandito on Facebook
More here
Garam Korean Restaurant
Hole-in-the-wall Korean spot located on arguably Huntsville’s best street for local food, Jordan Lane.
We like: Bibimbap lunch special with spicy pork and spicy chicken (a bowl of badassery)
$: Affordable
600 Jordan Lane NW, garamkoreanrestaurant.dine.online
More here
Good Company Café
Good Company does breakfast through late afternoon, and their umbrella-dotted patio is ideal for daytime dates and bestie convos.
We like: Dad’s Egg Sandwich (egg, cheddar, bacon, garlic aioli, sourdough), Breakfast Panini (again with the egg, plus bacon, feta, pesto, tomato, focaccia)
$: Affordable
7500 Memorial Pkwy. S.W., goodcompany-cafe.com
More here
The Poppy & Parliament
English-style pub has bloody-good eats, drinks and vibe.
We like: Fish and chips (listening to The Beatles is the closest I’ve come to visiting England, but friends who have say P&P’s legit)
$: Moderate to upscale
117 North Side Square, thepoppyandparliament.com
More here
Stanlieo’s Sub Villa
Stanlieo’s opened their original Jordan location in 1971, and 50-plus years later they’re still slinging signature subs.
We like: The Kitchen Sink (a seven-meat, three-cheese extravaganza)
$: Affordable
605 Jordan Lane N.W., 602 Governors Drive S.W., /www.stanlieos.net
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