11 Best Restaurants in Huntsville Picked By A Local
I’ve spent all of my life in Huntsville and have been to countless restaurants in the area. While some of the best restaurants in Huntsville have come and gone, there are still several local gems that everyone needs to try.
In the list below, you’ll find some of my favorite Huntsville restaurants. These aren’t in any particular order and are honestly a little bit random.
I’ve tried to include a variety of different options, from upscale dining in Downtown Huntsville to longstanding quick-service restaurants. This list should have something for everyone!
Table of Contents
Blue Plate Cafe
Blue Plate Cafe has been keeping customers happy for 20 years, but the recipes the kitchen follows go back a lot longer than that.
This diner, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, showcases the very best in southern cooking.
For breakfast, choose between breakfast burritos, omelets, and berry pancakes. For later in the day, why not sample the diner’s southern fried catfish?
I’ve been to Blue Plate Cafe so many times that I’ve lost count. For me, it’s one of the best restaurants in Huntsville because I have great memories of eating there with my grandparents growing up, and hope you can make some memories for yourself there!
Rosie’s Taqueria
If you’re looking for authentic Tex-Mex flavors, look no further than Rosie’s Taqueria. The Mexican food here is incredible and is some of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Huntsville.
You can find Little Rosie’s on the corner of Whitesburg and Airport, where you’ll be drawn in by the smell of fresh chips, tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. Little Rosie’s has more of a fast-food vibe: the place to go for your Mexican food fill quickly.
If you want a more authentic Mexican restaurant, check out Rosie’s Cantina (aka Big Rosie’s). There are two Rosie’s Cantina Huntsville restaurants – one on University Drive and another on South Memorial Parkway.
Rosies is one of the most iconic spots in the Rocket City. I have been to Little Rosies well over 100 times and will probably go 100 more. Be sure to try the Pocket Tacos with Fajita Chicken. You’ll thank me later.
Commerce Kitchen
Commerce Kitchen can be found right on the corner of Franklin Avenue and is a go-to for Southern comfort food. You could describe the Commerce Kitchen as a relaxed fine-dining eatery, with comfortable booths and a lot of local favorites for you to try.
It’s a must-visit if you’re exploring the Downtown Huntsville area.
Dine like a regular, and enjoy a pan-seared rainbow trout, buttermilk fried chicken, or the must-try shrimp and grits. If you’re looking for family-style dining, I’d recommend the Sunday Supper (but good luck getting a reservation!).
Commerce Kitchen is part of the Church Street Family, which owns a handful of upscale restaurants in the Huntsville area. I’ve been here with my wife on date night a few different times and we both consider it one of the best restaurants in Huntsville.
Definitely try the salmon if you go!
Sam and Greg’s
Sam and Greg’s delivers everything you could want from a pizza joint: eclectic pizza toppings, a laid-back vibe, and an element of fun. When you visit this pizza place on the square, you can choose between indoor or outdoor seating.
Choose from its wide range of unique options, including crawfish and andouille sausage, and – my favorite – their take on the Meat Lovers Pizza.
Not only does it have some of Huntsville’s best pizza, but there’s even a 9-hole putt-putt course – the perfect way to round off an excellent meal with your family.
Oh, and if you’re like me, you’re going to want to try some of their gelato for dessert!
Peppered Pig
Peppered Pig is the place to be if you’re looking for the best burgers and sandwiches in Huntsville, Alabama.
Peppered Pig has garnered a name for itself over the years as a popular food truck on the Alabama street food scene. Recently, it has opened a brick and mortar, where you can sit in and dine Tuesday through to Sunday (at the time of writing, the Peppered Pig is only open for lunch).
Since moving to its physical unit, this locally owned business hasn’t lost its authenticity and is still one of the best restaurants in Huntsville. The burgers are delicious and the staff are super friendly!
If you’re on the fence, it won Huntsville’s Restaurant Week in 2023 and is definitely worth a try!
Tenders
When in Huntsville, you’re never too far away from a Tenders chicken joint. Since starting the business in 1996, the owners of Tenders have opened four franchises throughout Huntsville. You could even say it’s a town institution.
It’s a fast-food restaurant and the vibe is relaxed, making it one of the best restaurants in Huntsville that’s locally owned. However, this doesn’t stop the decor from being attractive and the food from being fancy restaurant-quality. Served on a paper plate, the mouthwatering chicken is so delicious that you’ll keep coming back for more.
The menu is pretty simple: The “Big Daddy” is what I usually get, which comes with six tenders, fries, slaw, and Texas toast.
Food aside, one of my favorite things about Tenders is the decor in the Five Points location. It has tons of local sports memorabilia along with helmets and flags for all of the SEC schools.
Honest Coffee
Honest Coffee is another downtown Huntsville restaurant, and, let me tell you, it serves a lot more than just coffee.
Since bursting onto the Huntsville coffee scene in 2017, Honest Coffee has made a name for itself serving up honest dishes in the form of breakfast, brunch, and lunch, and has quickly become one of the best restaurants in Huntsville.
You can start your day off right with one of their BomBom Bowls, which is acai topped with granola, strawberries, bananas, and other good stuff. Honest Coffee also has a lunch menu that’s served all day.
I get a BomBom Bowl almost every time I visit. They’re just so good!
Located on Clinton Street and close to the square, Honest Coffee is great for picking up a quick bite or some of the best coffee in the Rocket City.
Supper Heroes
If you’ve got superheroes of your own to feed, head over to Supper Heroes on Winchester Road. This superhero-themed restaurant is an ideal option for family dining, with plenty of options available on the children’s menu.
Plus, the comic book-styled menus, superhero posters, and Marvel and DC merchandise are sure to delight your kids.
Don’t think this restaurant is only a gimmick, however. It’s one of the best restaurants in Huntsville, Alabama because the food is great, too. Choose from burgers, salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
Oh, and if you’re not convinced, every kids’ meal is served with a Little Debbie snack cake. How fun!
Bandito Burrito
While a burrito bandito doesn’t sound like someone you’d want to mess with, Bandito Burrito is a friendly and relaxed Mexican fast-food restaurant in Huntsville. It’s great any time of day, being open from 10 am to 10 pm almost every day.
Governors Drive and the surrounding area has a lot of food options, but Bandito Burrito holds its own against its competitors and has become one of the best restaurants in Huntsville. This is thanks to its housemade green bean burritos, fish tacos, and enchiladas.
While it may not look like it from the outside, it’s worth noting that this place is normally packed. Luckily, it has a small outdoor patio area which extends its seating options.
Char
When you first set eyes on the decor at Char, you might think you’re in for a fine dining experience. However, the vibes are mellow, and a good time is guaranteed – especially during happy hour when the atmosphere is at its peak.
This casual yet elegant spot is a proper Texas steakhouse with USDA Prime and Choice cuts of meat. You can wash this down with wine, a local bourbon, or a classic cocktail.
However, Char isn’t only for meat eaters. It also specializes in fish dishes, with redfish sandwiches and sea bass dishes on offer.
My wife and I went to Char not long ago for a date night to celebrate an anniversary and it was a great experience. We will definitely be back!
Cotton Row
Cotton Row is one of Huntsville’s best upscale restaurants and can be found in one of the city’s most historic buildings. Located in the southwestern corner of Courthouse Square, this eatery occupies a building that, alongside the Cotton Exchange, dates back to 1821.
The elegant decor matches the premium food, meticulously prepared by TV Chef James Boyce, the owner of the restaurant.
Boyce’s menu puts a modern spin on classic American cuisine. The restaurant is famed for its surprisingly simple yet delicious dessert menu, which includes its popular Pb&J In Phyllo.
This mouthwatering dessert effectively reinvents the peanut butter and jelly sandwich – an American staple!
There are so many great places to eat in town that picking the best restaurants in Huntsville is almost impossible! Hopefully, this list has given you a few new places to try.
If you’re looking for something particular, feel free to reach out to us on Facebook or send us an email and we will give you more suggestions!
Andrew Smith is the founder of Huntsville Explorer. Born and raised in Huntsville, Andrew has spent his whole life in the Rocket City. He graduated from Auburn University in 2020 and loves exploring all of the new businesses in town!