Top Restaurants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Ruan Thai

Cuisine: Thai
Price: $$

Mouthwatering dishes that demonstrate the best features of authentic Thai cuisine fill the menu at Ruan Thai. Curries, soups, rice plates and noodle dishes can be made with a variety of proteins including chicken, beef, pork, shrimp and tofu. Many of the dishes can be made at a spiciness level to suit personal preference: mild, medium or hot. With literally dozens of dishes on the menu, each boasting a variety of customizable choices, the ways to enjoy the flavors of the Far East are endless. Vegetarians in particular will love the wide range of dishes available to them: a far cry from the limited meatless selections of most restaurants. Featuring a shorter menu and smaller portions, Ruan Thai's lunch menu is another way to enjoy the delicious cuisine while on a budget.

Dreamland Bar-B-Que

Cuisine: Barbecue
Price: $

There are a handful of Dreamlands scattered about Alabama, but the Dreamland Bar-B-Que of Tuscaloosa was the first and remains the best. Opened in 1958 by a man nicknamed "Big Daddy," the restaurant has flourished throughout the region thanks to its tangy barbecue sauce and delicious fire pit-roasted meats. Only a few items are offered at this branch, leaving diners to choose between a BBQ rib sandwich or a rib plate, or a slab of meat for larger groups. Save room for the banana pudding, which provides the perfect sweet and refreshing contrast to Dreamland's hearty barbecue.

Cypress Inn

Cuisine: American
Price: $$

Despite its romantic setting and fantastic food, diners at the Cypress Inn don't need to dress up to enjoy the food or the atmosphere. Instead, this beautiful restaurant focuses on being an inviting, family-friendly restaurant where anyone can come and enjoy a great American meal of beef, chicken, seafood or pasta. The setting of the restaurant is one of its best features: overlooking the Black Warrior River, the dining area is especially beautiful in the early evening. Four acres of gardens and grassy lawns surround the building, proving popular for romantic pre-dinner strolls and special private events.

Depalma's Italian Cafe

Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$

A local favorite of college students and families, Depalma's Italian Cafe has a cozy, rustic atmosphere that can be taken as romantic or just seem relaxing, depending on the company and the time of day. With a menu brimming with tempting possibilities, picking a tasty meal is easy, but sampling the entire range of cuisine will take time. The pizzas are served New York-style, meaning huge, filling slices on a tantalizingly light crust. Any kind of pizza can be made into a cheese-packed calzone as well. Platters of pasta and meat entrees are just as delicious, especially when complimented by a glass of wine off the list. Almost everything on the menu is served in a massive portion, leaving plenty to take home and enjoy the next day. To top it off, the prices at this downtown restaurant are very affordable, making a trip to Depalma's a truly enjoyable experience.

Waysider

Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch
Price: $

Much like Dreamland Bar-B-Que, Tuscaloosa's Waysider is beloved local restaurant, standing for decades in the same spot and featuring the same excellent service as ever. Waysider is easily the best place in Tuscaloosa to indulge with a Southern-style breakfast, no matter the time of day. Serving up grits, biscuits, gravy and all the meats that could ever be desired, this popular restaurant is a great place to get fueled for a busy day or recover from the evening before. While Waysider usually gets absolutely packed during the weekend brunch rush, try to hold out and wait for a table: the food is very worth the delay.