While we were making the move from Texas to North Carolina we stopped in Tuscaloosa for the night…read more I wanted to try a restaurant downtown since it was our first time in this town and the Avenue pub came highly rated. Parking is manageable, but you'll need to find parking either in front or to the side of the restaurant. When you walk in it has the feel of a polished, upscale pub. We were seated and immediately ordered the bacon burger (which comes with a 1/2 a pound of ground beef with provolone and bacon). I also would recommend adding grilled onions to the burger and upgrading the fries to pub fries (seasoned fries topped with shaven Parmesan, mozzarella, and chopped bacon). The peppercorn ranch that is especially good and tied everything together. If you are looking for a craft burger spot in the heart of Tuscaloosa, I can't say enough good things about this place and it's absolutely worth checking out.

Me and wife came here for lunch after seeing reviews…read more I'll start with staff. They were very friendly and we were seated right away. For food I ordered the chicken club and wife got the fish and chips. The club was good not amazing. Both the sandwich and fries were a little too salt heavy. The fish and chips were ok. Not the best but not bad. Again fries little to salt heavy. I'd go back if someone really wanted to eat there but wouldn't choose this place.

This was my first time at Big Mike's in Moundville. Our waitress was Ensleigh and she was the…read moresweetest! She was extremely helpful and her recommendations did NOT disappoint. She also makes really good drinks! We went on a Thursday a little after 5 before a holiday weekend and they were very busy. When you go make sure you go when there isn't anything going on in town. The food is very good. The seafood was fresh and the steak was grilled well and juicy. The portions and prices are reasonable. This isn't a fancy place but the space in there makes it great for large dinners.

Went there today on 3/17/26. All 4 steaks were completely cooked wrong and the manager couldn't…read moreeven come over to our table. We heard about this place and came up from Florida. Will never come here again. The manager is a pos on Friday night.

Date night done right! Every dish is packed with flavor, cooked to perfection, and perfect dim and…read moreelegant ambiance. We adore the mussels appetizer and always have fantastic fish dishes every visit. A must-go for date night, a special occasion, or just a reason to dress up!

Second trip to River Restaurant starts off on a bad note. We arrived at 10:35 a.m. and the inside…read moredining room was only about half full with several empty tables, and the outdoor seating area, which we specifically requested, also had open tables. Still, we were told there would be a 15-20 minute wait. We waited about 35 minutes before seating. Make it make sense. That said, the restaurant sits right along the Black Warrior River, which offers a really pleasant view, especially from the patio. On a cool spring day like today, it's hard to beat outdoor seating here. Tuscaloosa is buzzing with football fans for the annual A-Day spring game, which adds to the energy around town. My better half ordered the shrimp and grits, and I went with the steak fajita bowl, minus the sunny-side-up egg. Even at my age, I can't do the runny yolk situation, I always ask for my eggs over hard. With that change, I'll say the fajita bowl jumped up to one of my top breakfast/brunch go-to dishes in town. Yes, I know it's technically brunch, but it was before 11 a.m., so I'm calling it breakfast. The shrimp and grits were solid, though the tails were still on the shrimp, which meant a bit of extra peeling at the table, my wife wasn't a fan of that part, but she still finished the dish and enjoyed it overall. Only minor gripe on the food side: ice seems to be a rare commodity here, I'd love a few more cubes in the water. But overall, the food was very good, the patio seating is absolutely the way to go, and the river view is fantastic.

This was a home run from start to finish. Though it was a bit of a hike from South Tuscaloosa, it…read morewas absolutely worth the drive. The wait for our party of 5 wasn't too long and we were seated in a big booth near the bar. Very nice decor, classy but comfortable. All of the servers and staff were super friendly and offered a nice selection of local brews and tasty margaritas. Several of us had the redfish special which was just outstanding! All in all, and outstanding experience. Definitely a repeater for us when next we're in town.

Well after seeing reviews me and wife decided on this for lunch…read more I'll say all the staff were great. Very friendly. But the food?????? Wife wanted a salad and potato skins so went with the wedge which came chopped so more of a chopped salad than a wedge and it was fine. Nothing spectacular. Who potato skins were reminiscent of some frozen ones you heat in the oven. Didn't seem fresh at all. The bacon wasn't that great really and the cheeses was cheese. All in all edible but not enjoyable. I went with the bacon wrapped meatloaf with mashed potatoes with gravy and a side of Mac and cheese. I'll start with the Mac. It was horrible. Sorry don't mean to be a downer but wasn't good at all. The mashed and gravy a big nope. The potatoes weren't all that good. It was like eating a plat of spackle. And the gravy was horrendous. Made bad potato's worse. The meatloaf was ok. Kind of like cafeteria meatloaf. I did eat it but wasn't thrilled. Again not a fan of that bacon so ditched that after one bite. Personally I would not go back and wife agreed. Maybe we got the wrong items but nothing was good.

Our family took us out to eat for dinner and this was one of our options. When my husband's aunt…read moresaid prime steak house. I was worries it was going to be a more upscale place. As we weren't dressed to the nines. We had jeans and tshirts. This place was laid back. Almost like texas roadhouse vibes but still different. They have oysters for apps and they have other shareables. We went with the fried green tomatoes. They were good. The breading was thin yet crispy. Top off with some ranch. They have a menu with some cocktails, beer, and wine. His aunt and i both had one glass of wine. I did the mascato and she did the cabernet. His uncle ordered the shrimp n grits as thats his usual. The shrimp he just had them grilled and less seasoning. They will accommodate for you. Both his aunt and i ordered the big blue burger. We both went bunless. The burger itself to me with the blue cheese did not need additional sauce. I ordered mine medium, which was fine. I almost wish i said medium rare. The baked potato was good. i tried some of the okra and that was tasty too. We were orig told it would be about a 30 min wait. Which didnt take but 15-20 to be seated. It just took a tad for our food to come out. Otherwise we were all pleased. The girl that waited on us was very kind and attentive. I figured it would be kind to help them get updates photos. Since the latest menu pics on here are 5 years old!!! Yikes

Tonight we decided to give 43 Prime another go. We've been here a few times before and always…read moreenjoyed their burgers -- they're downright solid. But tonight, we decided to wander off the beaten path and try something new. I went with the Nola Pasta, and my wife ordered the Chef Salad, and let me tell you -- both were absolutely delicious! The place just oozes southern charm, from the mounted deer skulls to the old hand saws, sickles, and what I like to call "vintage farming toys" hanging on the walls. Every now and then, you'll hear a little buzz from the airplanes dangling overhead -- adds a bit of character if you ask me. The staff couldn't have been friendlier. They took great care of us and made us feel right at home. And I've got to talk about those cheese sticks... mercy. They're so good they'll make you wanna slap yo' momma -- but don't do it, she raised you better! Honestly, these might just be the best cheese sticks in Alabama... maybe even the whole South. The dining area was spotless, too. I was half tempted to stake out the next table over, just in case someone dropped a cheese stick -- I was ready to pounce! Bottom line: 43 Prime is serving up great food with true southern personality. We'll definitely be back.

After seeing a bad health score at a nearby restaurant and another being closed for a private event…read moreon date night, we decided on Depalma's. Before we even got within 2 blocks we could smell a garlicky bread scent which thrilled us as we were carrying a pretty intense appetite at this point . When we got in, the place had an authentic Italian feel to it, but Americanized for sure. It had a charm that ensured me the food was gonna be valid -- and that it was. We sat down after about a 15 minute wait in a packed house. Our server was fantastic from start to finish and was very knowledgeable about whatever we inquired about. 10/10. We first had wine -- forgot what we had, sorry maybe it really did its job. I had a red wine and fiancé had a white. Both wines were very good. Fiancé ordered the Baked Feta antipasti. She enjoyed it. It came with garlic bread that was as crisp as it was tender. 8/10. Then we got our Caesar salad. A different twist indeed as the dressing was more vinaigrette than the dressing we're accustomed to. Still very good and it grew on us each bite 9/10. Our dinner came out about 15-20 minutes later (we were distracted by the company that the wines brought us) but it was very well worth it. I had a feeling that it was gonna be good just by how long it took. Fiancé had the pizza with pep, spinach and feta topping with cheese. We don't consume pork much, especially her, so if she enjoyed it, it had to have been really good. It was as fresh and crisp as ever. I had the build your own pasta with angel hair, Alfredo, Asiago, herb baked chicken, and salmon. Top 5 best tasting pasta dishes I've ever had -- and I've been to Italy. We attempted to get the white chocolate bread pudding but it unfortunately had sold out . Regardless, we'll have another opportunity at it because we will be back at this fantastic establishment. 5/5!

Today we were invited to a late lunch at DePalma's with some friends after the Alabama-Kentucky…read morebasketball game. For us Bama fans, the afternoon turned out far better than what the football team put on the field a few days earlier. The basketball team showed up ready to play and made up for that New Year's Day disappointment. But let's be honest--we were really here for Italian food, and DePalma's was happy to oblige. It had been over a year since we last stepped inside this establishment, not because of any past experiences, but simply because this place stays busy. On a typical weekend, folks are packed in here like cordwood, and the sidewalk outside looks like someone kicked over an ant farm. That said, there's a reason for the crowd--DePalma's consistently delivers good Italian eats. The old building still carries plenty of character, with wine bottles lining the walls and the nostalgic bar where an old pharmacy once served Coke and a smile. These days, instead of sodas and prescriptions, they're rolling dough and making pasta behind that same bar, and I'd say that's a pretty solid upgrade. We started with the stuffed mushrooms, which were outstanding. When we finished, the plate was so clean you could've put it back in the cabinet--only a few grains of salt remained as evidence they were ever there. For my meal, I ordered the pine nut-crusted salmon along with a Caesar salad. It was my first time having their salmon, and it definitely won't be my last. The dish was excellent--well-prepared, flavorful, and proof that stepping outside your usual order at DePalma's can pay off. I've eaten here many times over the years and can honestly say I've never had a bad experience. Great food, great service, and great company--even the Kentucky fans who made the trip down to watch their beloved Cats get smacked around on the hardwood. All in all, DePalma's remains a Tuscaloosa staple for a reason. Crowded? Usually. Worth it? Absolutely.

I'm so glad we have a good seafood spot in Tuscaloosa! Honestly, I'm from Destin, FL, and it's hard…read moreto trust inland seafood restaurants. But Half Shell pulls it off! (Try Chuck's, too!) If I had to order a last meal, it would be chargrilled oysters! Chargrilled Oysters are a delicacy like no other!! It is hedonism at its finest. This place serves up a variety of seafood, especially oysters, and other seasonal offerings on the speciality menu. Our server, Nicola, was just fantastic, always around, but never hovering, great recommendations, and you could just tell she was there for you! I love popping in to grab a cocktail as well. Austin at the bar makes a mean martini!

First time here, we stopped by for a late lunch/early dinner on a Tuesday. We were seated quickly…read moreat a window table with a great view of downtown Tuscaloosa. Our server, Austin, greeted us right away and promptly took our drink order. This is where the experience dropped to three stars. The menu lists O'Doul's, but they no longer carry it. Austin mentioned they now offer Heineken 0.0, but they were out of that as well. My wife then tried to order the nonalcoholic Mint Julep without mint, followed by the Basil Margarita without basil, but ultimately settled for water. Everything else we ordered was very good. The Oysters Bienville were excellent, as were my Red Fish Orleans and my wife's shrimp pasta. One thing we did notice is that the menu identifies whether seafood is sourced domestically or imported, and unfortunately, too much of it appears to be imported.

Amazing food and people! Great time my new favorite place in T-Town! Best Gumbo you will ever…read morehave! Grouper was incredible!

Yumm! This place was delicious!!! Get the grouper sandwich and the buffalo dip!!! This is a…read moregreat stop for lunch in Tuscaloosa!!! Wonderful service also!!!

Came in on a busy Sunday morning after gameday and received great service! The place was packed but…read morehad a nice ambiance. I ordered the fried catfish w Mac & cheese. Catfish was good, Mac was subpar. Rolls were awesome as always and so was my cocktail.

The ribeye had good flavor and was tender but arrived only slightly warm. The entire dinner was…read moreonly slightly warm. Shrimp...not really good. Caesar Salad...fair. Loaded baked potato was smallish but good. Sweet tea was really good. It's loud but that's to be expected. It was busy and the wait staff was working hard.

I loved this restaurant! A must stop in Tuscaloosa! The salmon and creme brûlée were amazing!!…read more The service was also terrific and it was a beautiful restaurant!

This was our first visit to Forte in Tuscaloosa, and I really wanted it to be love at first bite…read more The restaurant itself sets the mood perfectly -- clean, stylish, and with a bar area that practically waves you in for a drink before you can say "just water for me." The outdoor seating is a gem, especially on these cool October evenings when the humidity finally gives us a break. Dinner started off strong with a Caesar salad that hit all the right notes -- crisp, fresh, and flavorful. The croutons, though? Let's just say they could double as home defense. Then came my Mushroom Cream Pasta, rich and delicious in flavor, but the noodles were a bit too enthusiastic about staying firm -- more "al dente" than I ordered. My wife's Pan-Seared Salmon fared better -- flaky, well-seasoned, and politely reminding my pasta who's boss. The staff, to their credit, were wonderful -- friendly, attentive, and even comped my dish (which I insisted wasn't necessary). Despite tonight's hiccup, I'll be back. Forte has the charm, the service, and the potential -- I just hope next time my pasta decides to soften up a little!