The Best Restaurants in Montgomery, a City That Takes its Restaurants Seriously

By Rebecca Thompson
Updated July 13, 2026

Vintage Year

AUTHOR BIO: Rebecca Thompson has held many jobs, from newspaper writer to middle-school teacher. As a restaurant critic, she’s reviewed the Michelin-starred to gas station BBQ.

The best restaurants in Montgomery, Alabama, tell the city’s story through hot dogs served on Dexter Avenue since 1917, soul food with roots in the civil-rights era, riverfront oysters, handmade pasta, and polished Southern dining in Cloverdale. Knowing where to eat in Montgomery means moving between old-school institutions, downtown restaurants, neighborhood favorites, and a few places that make a convincing case for dressing up. This guide to Montgomery’s best restaurants covers the meals worth planning around, from fried chicken and meat-and-three plates to Venezuelan lunches, coastal Italian dinners, and one very serious bottle of wine. These are the best restaurants in Montgomery right now.

Central

Downtown Montgomery gets a dose of metropolitan cool at Central, housed in a historic building with exposed brick and soaring ceilings. Chef Jason McGarry’s menu blends Southern staples with global influences, but the fresh catch pictured here is a standout: blackened and served over clams, mussels, shrimp, potatoes, cipollini onions, and a broth of smoked tomato and fennel. The cocktails are just as serious as the food—ask for the bartender’s off-menu recommendations and thank me later.

El Rey Burrito Lounge

On the surface, El Rey is a funky little spot in Cloverdale with a love for tacos and tequila, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find some of the most inventive Tex-Mex in the state. The duck taco with hoisin sauce and pickled onions is a flavor bomb. Bonus points for the killer margaritas and a patio that practically begs you to linger.

La Jolla

This East Montgomery spot feels like an escape to the California coast, but the menu leans Southern with just the right amount of experimentation. Chef Arturo Ortega’s crispy duck breast with blueberry gastrique is a can’t-miss, and the burger pictured here, The Royale With Cheese, is a messy masterpiece. The minimalist interior and soft lighting make La Jolla feel like the kind of place you’d take someone you’re trying to impress—whether it’s a date or your boss.

Sa Za Serious Italian

In the Alley Entertainment District, Sa Za leans into bold flavors and unapologetic portions. Chef Joe DiMaggio Jr. (no, not that Joe DiMaggio) serves up inventive pizzas like the Godfather, loaded with four kinds of meat and a whisper of truffle oil. The pasta dishes are just as memorable—try the lobster ravioli in a vodka cream sauce. The vibe? Loud, lively, and unapologetically fun.

Sol Restaurante Mexicano

A relative newcomer, Sol focuses on authentic Mexican flavors with a modern twist. The birria tacos are the main event here—perfectly crispy, cheesy, and dunked in a consommé that might make you emotional. The industrial-chic vibe feels fresh, and the staff makes you feel like a regular by your second visit.

Vintage Café

The more casual sister to Vintage Year, this Cloverdale café is where you’ll find me on a lazy Saturday morning. The Vintage Café menu leans light and fresh—think avocado toast with locally sourced eggs—but the baked goods steal the show. The blueberry scone is practically perfect, and the espresso drinks could compete with any big-city coffeehouse.

Photo by Rachael Boutwell

Vintage Year

Cloverdale’s Vintage Year has been around long enough to feel like an old friend, but it constantly reinvents itself to stay relevant. Helmed by Chef Eric Rivera, a James Beard semifinalist, the restaurant serves refined Southern cuisine with unexpected twists. The bacon-wrapped quail stuffed with cornbread and smoked pecans is one of those dishes you’ll tell people about unprompted, and burger night a heck of a reason to come back. The elegant interior feels like a throwback to when dining was an event—but without the formality of needing a tie.