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There’s no shortage of fabulous spots to wine and dine around Birmingham. But outside the city limits, there are plenty of eateries serving up delicious fare along with a generous dose of Southern hospitality. We couldn’t possibly cover all the fabulous eats outside the city’s hustle and bustle, but here’s a list of 11 must-visit spots worth the hour’s drive (give or take) from downtown.

Archibald’s

Location: Northport 
Commute from Birmingham: 1 hour
More Info: archibaldbbq.com

Any Bama fan will tell you that Archibald’s, located just north of Tuscaloosa, has some of the best barbecue in the region. A family-run eatery since 1962, Archibald’s menu features good old-fashioned BBQ staples like pulled pork, chicken, catfish, and award-winning ribs, all prepared with the same hickory wood they’ve used for over 60 years. Their ribs have earned national attention from The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. Southern Living even named them among the most legendary barbecue joints in the South.

Small white building with a red roof and a tall chimney emitting smoke with the sign "Archibald's BBQ." A stack of firewood is piled nearby under sunny skies with trees in the background. Pin
Archibald’s BBQ is a Bama game day tradition, but they welcome Auburn fans, too. Image: Facebook / Paul W. Bryant Museum

White House Restaurant

Location: Warrior
Commute from Birmingham: 25 minutes
More Info: Facebook

Mosey up to the White House Restaurant in Warrior for some traditional Southern comfort food. This beloved meat-and-three is known for its down-home feel, friendly service, and can’t-beat prices. Grab a tray and head down the serving line, which offers rotating menus with dishes like fried chicken, liver and onions, catfish, hush puppies, and Sunday chicken and dressing.

At the White House Restaurant, a buffet line tempts with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn laid out on a metallic counter.Pin
Head up to the White House Restaurant and take your pick from the daily steam table. Image: Facebook

Kati Thai Cuisine

Location: Gadsden 
Commute from Birmingham: 1 hour
More Info: Facebook

The next time you head up to Noccalula Falls, stop by Kati for some of the best Thai food in the state. This hidden gem is just half a mile from the falls, and people from all over rave about Kati Thai once they discover it! The drunken noodles, coconut soup, and pad Thai are some of the most popular options, and you can select your spice level to make it just right for you.

Basil spring rolls filled with vegetables and shredded meat are sliced in half and arranged on a white plate. A dipping sauce with crushed peanuts is in the background from Kati's Thai Cuisine.Pin
Kati popular appetizer, basil rolls, isn’t available for lunch. Be sure to go after 5 p.m. for these beauties. Image: Facebook

The Ark

Location: Riverside & Springville 
Commute from Birmingham: 40 minutes
More Info: thearktogo.com

Now 95 years old, The Ark is an Alabama mainstay that continues to inspire (and satiate) generations of patrons. The Ark earned its name back in 1930 when, as a workaround for Prohibition laws, the restaurant opened in a converted river barge on the Coosa River between two dry counties — Talladega and St. Clair.

Technically located between the two (and therefore outside either’s jurisdiction), The Ark quickly became known for its drinks as well as its food. Beyond the lore, The Ark is worth the trip for its incredible fried catfish and has been frequented by NASCAR stars over the years.

A plate from The Ark featuring fried fish, shrimp, hush puppies, French fries, a lemon wedge, and coleslaw on a wooden table.Pin
Enjoy some of the best catfish you’ll ever eat (and perhaps an ice-cold beer) at The Ark. Image: Facebook

BoonDocks BBQ and Restaurant

Location: Brierfield
Commute from Birmingham: 45 minutes
More Info: Facebook

If you find yourself out in the sticks in Bibb County, you might as well enjoy some tasty Southern comfort food at BoonDocks BBQ in Brierfield. They serve a no-fuss menu of country cooking and classic BBQ dishes with all the fixings. Try the twisted fried green tomatoes for a delicious spin on a Southern staple — battered ribbon-cut green tomatoes fried to perfection. Sit outside on the covered patio, watch lightning bugs dance, and listen to the cicadas sing as you dig into your down-home country meal.

A basket of twisted fried green tomatoes is pictured from BoonDocks BBQ. Pin
Your stop at BoonDocks isn’t complete without the twisted fried green tomatoes. Image: Facebook

The Back Porch Grill

Location: On Lake Logan Martin in Talladega 
Commute from Birmingham: 1 hour
More Info: Facebook

Travel by land or water to make the most of a beautiful day on the lake at The Back Porch Grill at Logan Martin. They serve a varied surf and turf menu, but the delectable Southern-inspired seafood dishes tend to steal the show. Sit inside if you must, but the best way to enjoy your meal is out on the back porch under the giant willow tree on the water.

A plate of nachos topped with grilled shrimp, diced tomatoes, cheese, and sauce sits enticingly on a metal surface from Back Porch Grill. Pin
Lunch at Back Porch Grill is the perfect way to soak up a gorgeous day on the water. Image: Instagram

Top Hat Barbecue

Location: Hayden
Commute from Birmingham: 30 minutes
More Info: Facebook

It may be called Top Hat, but this barbecue joint is all about simple, homestyle food—no bells and whistles necessary. What it lacks in frills, it more than makes up for with its generous helpings of country classics like pulled pork sandwiches, country fried steak, and some of the tastiest catfish you’ll find anywhere. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday, and it’s just a 30-minute drive north from downtown.

A small, single-story restaurant with a sign reading "Top Hat" sits nestled among the trees. Pin
A home-cooked meal like Grandma used to make is just a hop, skip, and a short drive north on I-65. Image: Facebook

Carpenetti’s Pizza

Location: Moody
Commute from Birmingham: 25 minutes
More Info: Facebook

Birmingham has a fabulous docket of must-try pizza joints, but the New York-style pizza at Carpenetti’s is well worth the 25-minute drive out to Moody. Regulars rave over the Italian sausage and pepperoni chips, and the ranch dressing is the stuff of legends. Whatever toppings you choose will be generously sprinkled over a hand-tossed, crispy, yet perfectly floppy crust.

As a heads up, the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays and open only for dinner on Saturdays (4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). You can stop in for lunch or dinner Tuesday through Friday for pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and the ever-popular calzones.

Frank Carpenetti holds a large pizza topped with greens and cheese, standing inside Carpenetti's pizzeria. Pin
Owner Frank Carpenetti has been hand-tossing award-winning pizzas at Carpenetti’s for over 25 years. Image: Facebook

The Old CookStove

Location: Danville 
Commute from Birmingham: 1 hour 10 minutes
More Info: Facebook

If you’re not a fan of buffets, let The Old CookStove in Danville change your mind. People travel far and wide to fill up on all sorts of country fixings like ham, roast beef, country-fried steak, fried chicken liver, wings, homemade ice cream, cobblers, cakes, and so much more. While The Old CookStove is worth the drive any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday (the only days it’s open), the seafood buffet every Friday is not to be missed!

A rustic building with a red metal roof, sign reading "The Old Cookstove," surrounded by greenery and garden decorations.Pin
The drive to The Old CookStove is worth it for the great food, inviting atmosphere, and impeccable hospitality. Image: Facebook/Alabaster Senior Center

Hector’s Kitchen

Location: Attalla
Commute from Birmingham: 55 minutes
More Info: hectorskitchenattalla.com

Off the beaten path in Attalla is a charming, authentic Latin eatery that offers a refreshing (and delicious) alternative to your average Tex-Mex cuisine. The menu features old family recipes from Colombian Chef and Owner Hector Contreras, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped off an Alabama country road into a Colombian family kitchen. The popular coconut wraps pair perfectly with the Attalla Sunset cocktail and freshly made bread pudding.

Bollitos de Yucca topped with diced vegetables on a white plate, accompanied by lime wedges and a drizzle of green sauce from Hector's Kitchen.Pin
Try the gluten-free, vegetarian Bollitos de Yucca at Hector’s Kitchen, cheese-stuffed fried cassava balls filled with hogao, corn, and veggies. Image: Facebook

Peach Park

Location: Clanton
Commute from Birmingham: 55 minutes
More Info: Facebook

Any Magic City dweller knows that no trip to the Gulf is complete without a stop by Peach Park in Clanton. A fruit market known for its scrumptious homemade ice cream, cobblers, and pies, it also offers lunch on the porch with a rotating menu of daily specials. Pull over to stretch your legs in the park and enjoy dishes like country fried chicken, meatloaf, and smoked pork chops, along with Southern sides like fried okra, macaroni and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. Don’t forget to top off with a few scoops of Peach Park’s famous peach ice cream.

Two cups of peach ice cream with spoons rest on a tray, the cups emblazoned with "Peach Park, A Southern Tradition, Clanton, Alabama" with a matching sign in the background.Pin
Everyone knows the directions to Peach Park: Head south on I-65 until you see the peach. Image: Instagram

Head out and enjoy a great meal off the beaten path!

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Author: Katie Leigh Matthews
About the Author
Katie Leigh Matthews

A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.