Best Restaurants in Montgomery

Go exotic and try gator tail or frog legs, or just order a huge pile of ribs, dripping with sauce, to do some serious munching. Montgomery also has you covered if you prefer under water fare or a taste of Italy. From cosmopolitan cuisine to down south grub that’ll stick to your ribs, you can find it all at these restaurants in Montgomery.

Southern Comfort Food at Martin's Restaurant

If you've never tried fried green tomatoes, country fried steak with gravy, or homemade chicken and dumplings, check out Martin's Restaurant for authentic southern cooking. The menu changes daily, but you'll find fried okra, cornbread and macaroni and cheese featured most days. Try their collard greens, black-eyed peas, fried catfish and red beans. If you're traveling with kids, you might be surprised what foods they decide to try in this casual eatery. Of course, you can always mention lemon meringue pie as a tasty incentive, one of Martin's popular desserts.

Seafood and Sounds at Capitol Oyster Bar

Seafood and the blues—both seem appropriate for an old fishing boat that's been hauled up on dry land and turned into a restaurant/bar/music haven. Located at the Montgomery Marina, you can reach Capitol Oyster Bar by car or boat. Oysters, blue crab and seafood gumbo are staples, as are crayfish and hush puppies and cornbread dumplings that are usually deep-fried. Sample some frog legs or even gator tail if you're feeling brave. Kids can choose from their own menu or try some of the adult foods. Most meals are low to moderately priced, with the best bargains at lunch. On music nights—usually held on weekends starting after 5 p.m.—a cover charge may be called for.

Finger Licken' Ribs and Banana Pudding at Dreamland Bar-B-Que

You can't leave Montgomery without trying some Dreamland Bar-B-Que, a fixture in Alabama for decades. When John "Big Daddy" Bishop opened his first restaurant in Tuscaloosa, he developed such a following that a second in Montgomery soon followed. Ribs, pulled pork, sausage and chicken are slow-roasted on site. Dreamland also offers some outside-the-box items, like pork or chicken quesadillas and nachos, cheese fries and barbecued wings. The baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and creamy macaroni and cheese are all homemade. If you don't want to eat in, you can get your food to go. Don't forget a healthy serving of rich, creamy banana pudding.

Pizza and Art at Sa Za Italian Restaurant

Head for Sa Za if you feel like some homemade pizza. This Italian eatery was founded by artist-turned-chef Joe DiMaggio, Jr. He's still part of the local art scene and it's not unusual to find artists at work on site. Try Grandma's Pizza, topped with fresh mozzarella and basil and a layer of crushed San Marzano tomatoes. Want something more daring? Sample Pizza in Purgatory, covered with poached eggs, Reggiano cheese, marinara sauce, basil and a healthy dose of spicy chili oil. Pasta lovers might prefer the hand-rolled, stuffed cheese manicotti, bathed in marinara sauce and topped with oven-browned mozzarella. Grandma's spaghettini and meatballs is a hit with the kids. Cocktails with names like Wise Guy and Sicilian Kiss await you at this Italian hot spot.

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