Many incredible restaurants can be found throughout Alabama. While some of these restaurants stand out, many others are hidden away—whether they’re in a converted building or located in the middle of nowhere. Some will even require a second look because they don’t look like a restaurant from the outside. Listed below are 9 amazing hidden gem restaurants in Alabama that everyone should check out.
- Rattlesnake Saloon, Tuscumbia
yelp/Stormtrooper H.
yelp/David J. If you’re looking for places to eat out in Alabama, this one may not cross your mind but it should! Rattlesnake Saloon offers “cave dining” at its best. This relaxed watering hole is hidden away at the opening of a small cave and features a delicious menu of appetizers, sandwiches and burgers. Pictured: Polish Hot Dog with French Fries. For more information on Rattlesnake Saloon, head to the website. Address: 1292 Mt. Mills Rd., Tuscumbia, AL 35674
- Post Office Pies, Birmingham
yelp/Tim W.
yelp/Christy B. The next time you’re in the Avondale area of Birmingham, you absolutely must stop by Post Office Pies. This pizzeria is hidden away in a converted post office and all of their delicious pizzas are made onsite. Pictured: The Swine Pizza. For more information on Post Office Pies, head to the website. Address: 209 41st St., Birmingham, AL 35222
- The Red Barn, Demopolis
yelp/Lauren T.
yelp/Kelly G. The Red Barn is hidden inside of what was once used as a hay barn and John Deere office. Today, this is one of the oldest restaurants in the area. Pictured: Grilled Chicken Salad. For more information on The Red Barn, head to the website. Address: 901 US-80, Demopolis, AL 36732
- Main Street Cafe, Madison
facebook/Main Street Cafe Madison
facebook/Main Street Cafe Madison Main Street Cafe is hidden inside of a converted jail, making it quite the one-of-a-kind locale for some Alabama dining. And what’s really unique about this hidden restaurant is that you can actually eat inside of an actual jail cell, complete with iron bars. Pictured: Assortment of Meals. For more information on Main Street Cafe, head to the website. Address: 101 Main St., Madison, AL 35758
- Tip Top Grill, Birmingham
facebook/Tip Top Grill
yelp/Raye F. Please note, Tip Top Grill has permanently closed. At Tip Top Grill, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view. This restaurant is hidden inside of what used to be an old historic service station. Pictured: Cheeseburgers and Fries. For more information on Tip Top Grill, head to the website. Address: 588 Shades Crest Rd., Birmingham, AL 35226
- Derailed Diner, Robertsdale
yelp/Donna D.
yelp/Jacqueline M. Please note, Derailed Diner has permanently closed. Derailed Diner doesn’t look like a typical restaurant, so it’s no surprise it receives many second looks. Plus, there aren’t many restaurants that offer guests the opportunity to dine inside of a full-size train car. What a fun restaurant! Pictured: Grilled Country Ham Plate. For more information on Derailed Diner, head to the website. Address: 27801 County Rd. 64, Robertsdale, AL 36567
- Mama Misitano’s Italian Cafe, Boaz
facebook/Sand Mountain Shooters Club
facebook/Sand Mountain Shooters Club Mama Misitano’s Italian Cafe is located inside of a gun shop. That’s right. A gun shop. You can’t get much more hidden than that. Pictured: Assortment of Pastas. For more information on Mama Misitano’s Italian Cafe, head to the website. Address: 626 Bloodworth Rd., Boaz, AL 35956
- Garage Cafe, Birmingham
yelp/Trish C.
yelp/Karl C. Garage Cafe is a small restaurant with an outdoor eating area that’s cluttered with different types of junk, including concrete statues and wrought iron pieces. You have to look closely or you just might miss this hidden restaurant. Pictured: BLT with Chips. For more information on The Garage, head to the Facebook page. Address: 2304 10th Terrace S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- The Gulf, Orange Beach
yelp/jan w.
yelp/Clay J. The first time you see The Gulf, you’ll probably wonder what it is. This unique restaurant is hidden inside of a building that’s been crafted out of four shipping containers. It’s such a cool restaurant. Pictured: Grouper Sandwich. For more information on The Gulf, head to the website. Address: 27500 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL 36561
Have you eaten at any of these hidden gem restaurants in Alabama? What other hidden restaurants do you know of that can be added to this list? Let us know in the comment section!
yelp/Stormtrooper H.
yelp/David J.
If you’re looking for places to eat out in Alabama, this one may not cross your mind but it should! Rattlesnake Saloon offers “cave dining” at its best. This relaxed watering hole is hidden away at the opening of a small cave and features a delicious menu of appetizers, sandwiches and burgers. Pictured: Polish Hot Dog with French Fries. For more information on Rattlesnake Saloon, head to the website. Address: 1292 Mt. Mills Rd., Tuscumbia, AL 35674
yelp/Tim W.
yelp/Christy B.
The next time you’re in the Avondale area of Birmingham, you absolutely must stop by Post Office Pies. This pizzeria is hidden away in a converted post office and all of their delicious pizzas are made onsite. Pictured: The Swine Pizza. For more information on Post Office Pies, head to the website. Address: 209 41st St., Birmingham, AL 35222
yelp/Lauren T.
yelp/Kelly G.
The Red Barn is hidden inside of what was once used as a hay barn and John Deere office. Today, this is one of the oldest restaurants in the area. Pictured: Grilled Chicken Salad. For more information on The Red Barn, head to the website. Address: 901 US-80, Demopolis, AL 36732
facebook/Main Street Cafe Madison
Main Street Cafe is hidden inside of a converted jail, making it quite the one-of-a-kind locale for some Alabama dining. And what’s really unique about this hidden restaurant is that you can actually eat inside of an actual jail cell, complete with iron bars. Pictured: Assortment of Meals. For more information on Main Street Cafe, head to the website. Address: 101 Main St., Madison, AL 35758
facebook/Tip Top Grill
yelp/Raye F.
Please note, Tip Top Grill has permanently closed. At Tip Top Grill, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view. This restaurant is hidden inside of what used to be an old historic service station. Pictured: Cheeseburgers and Fries. For more information on Tip Top Grill, head to the website. Address: 588 Shades Crest Rd., Birmingham, AL 35226
yelp/Donna D.
yelp/Jacqueline M.
Please note, Derailed Diner has permanently closed. Derailed Diner doesn’t look like a typical restaurant, so it’s no surprise it receives many second looks. Plus, there aren’t many restaurants that offer guests the opportunity to dine inside of a full-size train car. What a fun restaurant! Pictured: Grilled Country Ham Plate. For more information on Derailed Diner, head to the website. Address: 27801 County Rd. 64, Robertsdale, AL 36567
facebook/Sand Mountain Shooters Club
Mama Misitano’s Italian Cafe is located inside of a gun shop. That’s right. A gun shop. You can’t get much more hidden than that. Pictured: Assortment of Pastas. For more information on Mama Misitano’s Italian Cafe, head to the website. Address: 626 Bloodworth Rd., Boaz, AL 35956
yelp/Trish C.
yelp/Karl C.
Garage Cafe is a small restaurant with an outdoor eating area that’s cluttered with different types of junk, including concrete statues and wrought iron pieces. You have to look closely or you just might miss this hidden restaurant. Pictured: BLT with Chips. For more information on The Garage, head to the Facebook page. Address: 2304 10th Terrace S, Birmingham, AL 35205
yelp/jan w.
yelp/Clay J.
The first time you see The Gulf, you’ll probably wonder what it is. This unique restaurant is hidden inside of a building that’s been crafted out of four shipping containers. It’s such a cool restaurant. Pictured: Grouper Sandwich. For more information on The Gulf, head to the website. Address: 27500 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL 36561
If you are looking for restaurants out in rural areas, check out our list of 10 Country Restaurants In Alabama That Are So Worth The Trip.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 901 US-80, Demopolis, AL 36732Address: 101 Main St., Madison, AL 35758Address: 588 Shades Crest Rd., Birmingham, AL 35226Address: 323 Walker St., Hackleburg, AL 35564Address: 27801 County Rd. 64, Robertsdale, AL 36567Address: 626 Bloodworth Rd., Boaz, AL 35956Address: 27500 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL 36561Address: 1292 Mt. Mills Rd., Tuscumbia, AL 35674Address: 209 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222, USAAddress: 2304 10th Terrace S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gem Restaurants In Alabama April 09, 2021 MelissaM What are some of the best local restaurants in Alabama? It’s always a treat to find out where the locals eat because that’s usually where the best food in the area can be found! Want some delicious cajun and creole in a laid-back setting? Head to Delta Blues Hot Tamales in Birmingham. What about some down-home Southern cooking like some country-fried steak or catfish? Head on down to Blue Plate Cafe in Huntsville where you can, in fact, order a blue plate special. Craving barbecue? In that case, you must try Big Daddy’s Real Pit Bar B Que in Enterprise for some of the best! What are the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Alabama? It’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? The same goes for restaurants that may not look like much from the outside but on the inside, we are treated to some of the best food of our lives. A place like Mrs. B’s Home Cooking in Montgomery fits this bill. Sitting inside a humble abode, this restaurant serves up food that will rival your grandma’s best cooking. Holy Smokes BBQ in Scottsboro makes the most mouthwatering barbecue out of a small building that sits behind a gas station. You just can’t judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to good food! What is one of the most unique restaurants in Alabama? Do you like fun? Do you like water views? Do you like good food? Then come to Lulu’s along the Gulf Shore where you can enjoy some delicious seafood in an open-air restaurant with water views and loads of fun activities for the whole family! There’s even a beach. This is the type of place you’ll want to spend the entire day at.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gem Restaurants In Alabama
April 09, 2021
MelissaM
What are some of the best local restaurants in Alabama? It’s always a treat to find out where the locals eat because that’s usually where the best food in the area can be found! Want some delicious cajun and creole in a laid-back setting? Head to Delta Blues Hot Tamales in Birmingham. What about some down-home Southern cooking like some country-fried steak or catfish? Head on down to Blue Plate Cafe in Huntsville where you can, in fact, order a blue plate special. Craving barbecue? In that case, you must try Big Daddy’s Real Pit Bar B Que in Enterprise for some of the best! What are the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Alabama? It’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? The same goes for restaurants that may not look like much from the outside but on the inside, we are treated to some of the best food of our lives. A place like Mrs. B’s Home Cooking in Montgomery fits this bill. Sitting inside a humble abode, this restaurant serves up food that will rival your grandma’s best cooking. Holy Smokes BBQ in Scottsboro makes the most mouthwatering barbecue out of a small building that sits behind a gas station. You just can’t judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to good food! What is one of the most unique restaurants in Alabama? Do you like fun? Do you like water views? Do you like good food? Then come to Lulu’s along the Gulf Shore where you can enjoy some delicious seafood in an open-air restaurant with water views and loads of fun activities for the whole family! There’s even a beach. This is the type of place you’ll want to spend the entire day at.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
It’s always a treat to find out where the locals eat because that’s usually where the best food in the area can be found! Want some delicious cajun and creole in a laid-back setting? Head to Delta Blues Hot Tamales in Birmingham. What about some down-home Southern cooking like some country-fried steak or catfish? Head on down to Blue Plate Cafe in Huntsville where you can, in fact, order a blue plate special. Craving barbecue? In that case, you must try Big Daddy’s Real Pit Bar B Que in Enterprise for some of the best!
What are the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Alabama?
It’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? The same goes for restaurants that may not look like much from the outside but on the inside, we are treated to some of the best food of our lives. A place like Mrs. B’s Home Cooking in Montgomery fits this bill. Sitting inside a humble abode, this restaurant serves up food that will rival your grandma’s best cooking. Holy Smokes BBQ in Scottsboro makes the most mouthwatering barbecue out of a small building that sits behind a gas station. You just can’t judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to good food!
What is one of the most unique restaurants in Alabama?
Do you like fun? Do you like water views? Do you like good food? Then come to Lulu’s along the Gulf Shore where you can enjoy some delicious seafood in an open-air restaurant with water views and loads of fun activities for the whole family! There’s even a beach. This is the type of place you’ll want to spend the entire day at.
