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10 Best Restaurants in Mobile, Alabama

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Serving up fresh Gulf seafood and mouthwatering steaks, Mobile, AL, is home to a diverse mix of gastronomic experiences for tourists and locals to enjoy, from hole-in-the-wall restaurants to fine dining waterfront establishments.

The culinary scene in the state’s oldest city offers live entertainment, breathtaking sunsets, and seasonal menus. This article enumerates our top recommendations for the best restaurants in Mobile, Alabama.

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Southern Comfort at Its Finest

Visiting this city won’t be complete without having some shrimp and grits and other southern staples. These unique restaurants in Mobile, AL, are some of the best destinations to taste local southern comfort food.

1. The Noble South

Downtown Mobile offers lots of great options for good food, drink, and atmosphere, and The Noble South is one of them. This restaurant has a casual yet refined atmosphere, with exposed brick, lofty ceilings, a long bar, and outside patio seating.

Must-Try:

  1. Beef Tartare – Aleppo pepper, whole grain mustard, and beef fat popcorn.
  2. Radiatore Pasta – LA alligator bolognese, heirloom tomato sauce, and breadcrumb.
  3. “Steak” & Eggs – Wagyu steak, potato hash, scrambled eggs, and demi glaze.

Reviews:

“The service was excellent. The atmosphere and the lighting inside is exceptional. And every bite of the meal was perfection! I had the arugula salad, and my son had the catfish.

A job well done all the way from the sweet tea to the bowl of water for our pop and the excellent food and service. Thank you so much I highly recommend.” – Kimberly Croddy

Restaurant Information:

2. Dumbwaiter

This chic, Michelin-starred restaurant offers an extensive selection of southern seafood and steaks prepared in unique Mobile style. Southern staples like white-cheddar-infused shrimp and grits are a local favorite.

Must-Try:

  1. Deep Fried Pork Chop – Served with collard greens, goat cheese scallion mashed potatoes, and a house-made brown gravy.
  2. Pot Roast on a Plate – Braised short rib, goat cheese scallion mashed potatoes, baby carrots, and bleu cheese crumbles.
  3. Creole Seafood Pasta – Fettuccine, sausage, shrimp, crab, and creole cream sauce.

Reviews:

“It’s a small beautifully decorated place. The food was delicious and the service was amazing. The only downside to the whole meal was that the chairs were incredibly uncomfortable for everyone. The Half Baked Oysters was the show stopper! The cheese and all of the flavor!” – Hope Davis

Restaurant Information:

Dive into Gulf Coast Delights

Explore two of the best seafood restaurants in Mobile, AL, that serve fresh, locally sourced oysters, shrimps, crawfish, and more!

3. Bluegill

Located on the Mobile Bay Causeway, Bluegill is known for serving up only the freshest seafood since 1958. Enjoy waterfront dining and stunning sunset views from the covered outdoor deck while listening to live music.

Must-Try:

  1. Voodoo Shrimp & Slaw – Lightly dusted hot Gulf fried shrimp tossed in a zesty, spicy sauce. Served on a bed of cool, Memphis-style slaw.
  2. Fried Green Tomatoes with Crawfish Royal – Fried green tomatoes topped with their famous crawfish tails in Bluegill’s creamy sauce.
  3. Famous Flaming Oysters – Freshly shucked oysters sizzling from a flaming hot grill, ladled with a perfect concoction of butter (plus a few secret ingredients), drizzled with cheese, and then ladled with even more butter.

Reviews:

“Best oysters I’ve had in a restaurant in Alabama so far. All their food was tasty. Crab and Corn Soup, French Dip Roast Beef Debris Sandwich, Burgers, all very well made. Their flaming oysters is not over powering with the butter and cheese and is made perfect. Chillin oysters tasted very fresh and delicious with the cocktail sauce. And the environment and service is welcoming. Outdoor section with live music is a bonus. Visit this restaurant!” – Bruce Wayne

Restaurant Information:

4. Wintzell’s Oyster House

This locally owned informal chain eatery has been serving oysters, fried shrimp, and other Gulf Coast seafood for over 75 years. Wintzell’s is popular for serving the best seafood gumbo in town.

Must-Try:

  1. Crab Claw Basket – Alabama blue crab. Fried or sautéed, or enjoy both with a half-and-half basket.
  2. Award-Wining Seafood Gumbo – With shrimp, crawfish, lump crabmeat, okra, stewed tomatoes, and a perfect roux, it’s Alabama’s most award-winning gumbo.
  3. Oyster Sampler – Four each of Oysters Rockefeller, Oysters Bienville, Oysters Monterey, and the famous Chargrilled Oysters.

Reviews:

“This is and will always be my favorite oyster bar. My favorite is the raw, but I’ve had them all. Took mom and my friend here for lunch, and we enjoyed it. We had raw and chargrilled oysters, fried green tomatoes, gumbo,and grilled salmon. Our server was AMAZING! If you ever visit, please ask for Kasondra. She will make your experience here worth it. She takes pride in her job and makes her guests happy. She’s the reason I have a new level of respect for servers. She keeps a smile on her face always. I highly recommend this location. See you all next time.”- Alicia Allen

Restaurant Information:

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International Flavors to Satisfy Your Cravings

Beyond local dishes, these restaurants in Mobile, Alabama, offer mouthwatering international cuisines from several different parts of the globe.

5. NoJa

NoJa is the ultimate place to explore Asian, Mediterranean, and Gulf Coast cuisines in a romantic setting. You may choose to stay indoors or dine under the stars in the beautiful courtyard.

Must-Try:

  1. Fish Karaage – Served with sesame sticky rice cake and honey soy mayo sauce.
  2. Lamb Chops – Baba ghanoush, chimichurri.
  3. Chicken Tikka Masala – Butter curry sauce, basmati rice, sesame sticky rice cake, and
    mint-infused yogurt.

Reviews:

“This is our second time here and there’s a good reason why. This place is nothing short of spectacular. Each time we’ve been it’s always firing on all cylinders. From the service to the room atmosphere and the incredible food, this place just gets it right. Everything we’ve had so far is spectacular and the service is top notch, Always, Always, Always get the chef specials when offered , 9 times out of 10 It’s worth it. Some highlights include the duck breast with a strawberry reduction, the pan crusted Mahi, and for the appetizers you’ve got to try the braised pork belly, the seared scallops, and the chicken Karaage. As Well as the whiskey Peach drink. We will definitely be coming back as often as we can.” – Ryan Beverly

Restaurant Information:

6. LoDa Bier Garten

Well known for its delicious towering burgers, this authentic German pub also features the largest selection of beer in the Southeast. It boasts over 100 on-tap draft beers and more than 100 bottled beers.

Must-Try:

  1. The Saenger – Named after the famous theater next door, this bacon mushroom Swiss burger comes with an entire fried portabella cap topped with herb aioli. Served on a soft bun.
  2. Spanish Fort – Burger topped with bacon, avocado, red onion, Awesome Blossom sauce, cheddar and pepper jack, onion straws, and covered with flame-roasted corn and bell peppers.
  3. Mobtown Steak Bomb – Eight ounces of perfectly blackened sirloin sliced then topped with beer-braised onions and mushrooms, in-house pickled bell peppers, melted Swiss cheese, and from scratch, creamy horseradish sauce, all served on a soft bun.

Reviews:

“First visit at Loda Biergarten. Service was excellent — we were given the opportunity to sample a few beers before making our final decision. When I ordered my flight, I noticed the wrong beer was put on. The menu itself wasn’t updated and showed the same tap number for two beers. They let me choose another beer free of charge to make up for the missing beer!

Food was excellent. I’m not sure what prices are appropriate for the area since I’m new around here, but I thought they were a little higher than average.

Good atmosphere in the Biergarten. Would come back again!!

Not sure why the flights were served in Louisiana shaped trays since we are in Alabama, but I love it!

Only negative was the potsticker appetizer — kind of lacked flavor. The burgers made up for it” – Kat Weeks

Restaurant Information:

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Unearth Local Gems

These are the best places to eat in Mobile, Alabama, if you want to experience the city from a local’s perspective.

7. Dew Drop Inn

Dew Drop Inn is Mobile’s oldest restaurant. Opened in 1924, the restaurant has been serving generations of Mobilians with their famous Dew Drop Inn Hot Dog, onion rings, and burgers in a nostalgic setting.

Must-Try:

  1. World Famous Dew Drop Inn Hot Dog – Homemade chili, mustard, ketchup, kraut, and a pickle slice.
  2. Dew Drop Hamburger – Homemade chili, mustard, and ketchup.
  3. Dew Drop Cheeseburger – Homemade chili, mustard, ketchup, and a pickle slice.

Reviews:

“How can you rate a 100- year old location? It’s a blast from the past, with the soul of Americana at every booth. Food was exceptional, add a pinch of salt for the youngers. Best gumbo and grill cheese of the 21th century.” – Lee Vaasjo

Restaurant Information:

8. Big Time Diner

Another local favorite, Big Time Diner has been serving home-cooked meals in Mobile, AL, for over 25 years. This classic café is known for its menu full of “Old Mobile” recipes handed down through the years.

Must-Try:

  1. Grilled Fish Almondine – Lightly breaded and grilled with almonds.
  2. Fried Crab Claws – 9 oz. of choice claws.
  3. Oyster PoBoy – Fried oysters, lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce.

Reviews:

“Old time themed dinner. Good atmosphere, friendly staff and great food. Large portions. No outdoor seating. Both booths and tables inside. Boothes have old time wall jukeboxes. Really neat. Dinner is run by a church and staff are youths getting work experience. A great place, definitely worth the stop.

Wheelchair accessibility: Has a ramp.” – Elisa Williams

Restaurant Information:

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Family-Friendly Dining for All

Looking for the best dining options to enjoy with the whole family? Here are our top picks.

9. Roosters

This family-friendly Latin American restaurant with a seaside twist is the ultimate place for taco lovers. Roosters serves a vast range of tacos, from Gulf shrimp tacos to classics like carne asada, barbacoa, and al pastor pork.

Must-Try:

  1. Barbacoa Beef – Pickled red onion, cilantro, and queso fresco.
  2. Surf & Turf – Grilled Gulf shrimp, barbacoa brisket, Spanish rice, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and chipotle cream topped with queso blanco and chorizo.
  3. Cuban – Slow-roasted pork, smoked ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and yellow mustard on pressed French bread.

Reviews:

“Big shoutout to Henry, very informative and friendly server!! Brought me over a great selection of hot sauces to try, that he personally recommended. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference! Burrito speaks for itself, would definitely come back.” – George Wilson

Restaurant Information:

10. Butch Cassidy’s Cafe

Located in Midtown Mobile, Butch Cassidy’s Café is a cozy and casual spot that serves some of the best burgers in town. It has a Western theme, with cowboy hats and posters on the walls – a fun place to enjoy a great meal with the family.

Must-Try:

  1. Brown’s Park Steak Sandwich – 8 oz USDA ribeye served on sourdough and topped with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and pickles.
  2. Telluride Rooster Fingers – Served with honey mustard or prairie sauce, fries, tater salad, or slaw.
  3. “Now Famous” Butch Burger – Bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, mayo, and four pickles.

Reviews:

“Yummy southern food!!! Fried green tomato BLT was amazing! Also try the jalapeño crab poppers!!! 10/10 also the price for 12 people was AMAZING. FAMILY FRIENDLY, BUDGET FRIENDLY, DELICIOUS!!!” – Tiffany White

Restaurant Information:

10 Best Restaurants in Mobile, Alabama

Wrap Up

There you have it – the 10 best restaurants in Mobile, Alabama! The city sure has a lot to offer to those who seek to have a spectacular culinary experience.

Aside from these restaurants, Mobile also features lovely homes in beautiful neighborhoods. If you’d like to explore these, give us a call today at (251) 270-6400 or send us an email at hollie@localpropertyinc.com so we can schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best seafood restaurants in Mobile are Dumbwaiter, Bluegill, and Wintzell’s Oyster House.

These restaurants have live music: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, Bluegill, FIVE Mobile, and Dauphin’s Casual Fine-Dining.

NoJa and LoDa are the best restaurants offering international cuisine in Mobile.

Yes, these restaurants offer vegetarian dishes: The Noble South, NoJa, The Royal Scam, Dauphin’s, Roosters, and Dumbwaiter.

NoJa is a popular restaurant known for its romantic atmosphere and delicious food.

A good rule of thumb for fine dining attire is to dress in business casual, casual elegant, or formal attire. You may check the restaurant’s website or contact them ahead of time to confirm their expectations so that you and your guests can dress appropriately.