Alabama on the Menu: A Cultural Feast for Curious Travellers

When you think of Alabama, warm Southern hospitality, and melt-in-your-mouth comfort food instantly spring to mind. Here, food isn’t just sustenance, it’s a deep-rooted connection to culture, community, and tradition. So, what is Alabama known for? From the smoky perfection of Alabama-style barbecue with its signature tangy white sauce to sweet, flaky pastries bursting with local flavour, the state offers a truly rich and diverse culinary experience. Whether you’re dining at a five-star restaurant in Birmingham or enjoying craft beer at a cosy small-town brewery, Alabama serves up a feast for all the senses. Bring a hearty appetite and meet the award-winning chefs who transform local ingredients into edible works of art. From world-class goat’s cheese and fresh Gulf seafood to home-grown collards, sweet potatoes, and mouth-watering barbecue, you’re sure to find your personal favourites. Join us as we explore the bold, soulful flavours that make this Southern region truly unforgettable. 

Alabama Barbecue Trail

Food Festivals

Every August, Alabama bursts with flavour and festive spirit as it celebrates its rich food and drink heritage. From 14–25 August, Alabama Restaurant Week invites diners to savour standout dishes featured in the renowned 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die brochure. On 2 August, the Smoke on the Water Barbecue Festival offers a fun-filled family day with a BBQ cook-off, live entertainment, competitions, and more. Then, on 16 August, the Sweet Tea Festival pays tribute to the South’s most beloved drink with tastings, contests, shopping, and live music. Looking ahead to autumn, Syrup Sopping Day on 2 October 2025 in Loachapoka invites you to experience pioneer life with cane syrup making, blacksmithing, Creek Indian demonstrations, and an array of arts and crafts vendors. This free one-day event attracts thousands and features treats from the Pioneer Park cookhouse. Later in the season, Hog Days of Summer brings Montgomerians together for a celebration of barbecue and Americana music, all in support of Hogs For The Cause. With great food, live bands blending rock, country, and blues, plus a Kids Zone packed with inflatables, crafts, and games, it’s a perfect event for the whole family. Whether you're tasting your way through local favourites or soaking up Southern hospitality at a festive gathering, these events showcase the very best of Sweet Home Alabama.

Seafood

Alabama offers an abundance of opportunities to savour some of the finest seafood in the South, especially along its beautiful Gulf Coast. From fresh oysters and crawfish to the rich, buttery flavour of Royal Red Shrimp, the state is a haven for seafood lovers. At Gulf Shores’ King Neptune’s, you’ll be welcomed with an ice-cold beer before diving into a heaping plate of peel-and-eat royal reds, served steamed, heads and tails intact, alongside red potatoes, corn on the cob, and garlic toast. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet, lobster-like taste make them a must-try. Further north, in Birmingham, the renowned Hot and Hot Fish Club combines seasonal Southern cuisine with relaxed elegance. Owned by celebrated chef Chris Hastings and his wife, Idie, this award-winning restaurant serves up refined dishes in a warm, historic setting, complete with wine-pairing dinners and regional favourites like boiled peanuts and pickled okra. For a more casual seafood experience, Crawmama’s in Scottsboro, which started in 1987 as a small oyster bar, now offers a menu of over 75 items. Whether you’re indulging in haute cuisine or cracking shells at a coastal shack, Alabama's seafood scene is as rich and welcoming as its people.

Tasteful Road Trips

In Alabama, barbecue is more than food, it’s a way of life. From seasoned pitmasters to exciting newcomers, North and Central Alabama boast some of the nation’s finest, award-winning BBQ joints, each serving up smoky perfection with a side of Southern charm. Down on the pristine Gulf Coast, local chefs are turning fresh, wild Alabama seafood into culinary masterpieces that blend tradition with creative flair, making coastal dining an unforgettable experience. Inland, the town of Elkmont is famed for its world-class goat’s cheese, rich Civil War history, and vibrant live music, from pickin’ at the depot to country tunes in a red caboose A caboose is a crewed railroad car coupled at the end of a freight train. Meanwhile, Alabama’s thriving craft beer scene is pouring with personality, with 29 breweries and brewpubs welcoming everyone from ale aficionados to curious first timers. From the Tennessee border to the Gulf of Mexico, these beer hotspots offer flavourful adventures for the thirsty traveller. Keeping pace with the state's culinary and craft beverage boom, Alabama’s 14 wineries, many using the native muscadine grape, produce unique vintages shaped by the diverse soils across the region. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just discovering your palate, a relaxed vineyard visit offers a scenic and delicious way to experience your holiday. 

North Alabama Wine Country

Welcome to North Alabama Wine Country, home to six charming wineries nestled in the southern Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by stunning valleys, rivers, and scenic drives. Thanks to a unique combination of geology, soil, and climate, local growers produce an enticing range of wines, from robust Cabernets and bold Muscadines to sweet, fruit-forward blends. While the trail can be completed in a day, we recommend taking two to fully savour the beauty and hospitality of the south. Each February, love is in the air during the Wine & Chocolate Trail, where participating wineries offer decadent chocolate pairings with their finest vintages, ideal for a romantic escape or a fun outing with friends. In June, the focus shifts to the timeless pairing of wine and cheese, as visitors are invited to sample carefully selected cheeses that highlight each winery’s unique offerings. Looking ahead to autumn, the Art On The Rocks event at Noccalula Falls Park on 20–21 September 2025 features over 90 arts and crafts vendors, wine and beer tastings, free mini golf, and seasonal delights like mulled wine and curated snack baskets prepared by the wineries. Whether you come for the wine, the breathtaking landscapes, or the festive events, North Alabama Wine Country promises a truly memorable and welcoming experience.

Soul Food

Birmingham’s culinary scene is steeped in tradition, and few places reflect that better than Savage’s Bakery & Deli, a beloved local landmark for over 70 years. Known for its classic Meltaways, Iced Smiley Face Cookies, Butterflake Rolls, and show-stopping cakes, Savage’s still uses its original, time-honoured recipes, proof that some things truly get better with age. Another long-standing favourite, Martin’s, has been serving up hearty Southern comfort food since the 1930s, including its Famous Fried Chicken. Open Sunday to Friday for lunch and dinner, Martin’s has earned national recognition in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Garden & Gun. Just east of the city, The Irondale Café traces its roots back to a humble 1928 hot dog stand. Under the guidance of Bess Fortenberry and later a dedicated team of women during the wartime 1940s, the café became a beloved community fixture, celebrated for its home-style vegetables, meats, and sandwiches. After multiple expansions and moves, it now resides in the former Daily Hardware Store near its original location, a testament to its enduring local legacy.