Essential Montgomery restaurants everyone should try
These are the essential Montgomery restaurants you need to try. (Amber Sutton/Bob Carlton/Jared Boyd/Ben Flanagan/Chad Allen)
When it comes to dining out in Montgomery, there’s a little something for everyone no matter what you’re craving.
The Capital City offers up an array of eateries that are as eclectic as the must-try dishes they serve – like a classic meat-and-three with iconic fried chicken, a Venezuelan-Latin restaurant that serves three meals a day and a more than 100-year-old hot dog joint, just to name a few.
Of course, having so many great options can make deciding where to get lunch that much harder, so we put together this list of nine essential Montgomery restaurants everyone needs to try. These aren’t all the Montgomery spots where you should have a meal, but they’re among the best.
Chris’ Hot Dogs
138 Dexter Ave.
Considering Chris’ has been serving its signature hot dogs for more than 100 years, it’s safe to assume it has a strong following for a good reason.
RELATED: Chris’ Hot Dogs make the list of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die
The family-owned business keeps customers coming back for more thanks to its famous chili sauce, which it has shipped all over the world for those fans who can’t make a quick trip to Alabama’s capital city. You can also grab hamburgers, chicken salad, grilled cheese, homemade chicken vegetable soup and an array of fresh-made pies, all available for dine-in or take-out.
[vimeo 160377281 w=640 h=360]Chris’ Hot Dogs on list of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Martin’s Restaurant
1796 Carter Hill Road
Martin’s is an essential Montgomery restaurant. (Bob Carlton)
Martin’s Restaurant is known for its Southern cooking and friendly atmosphere where customers feel like (very well-fed) family from the moment they walk in the door.
RELATED: Support restaurants on Alabama’s 100 Dishes list, like Martin’s fried chicken
With more than 80 years in business under its belt, Martin’s has perfected the classic meat-and-three-style, offering up a daily menu featuring an array of popular dishes, like its famous fried chicken, baked pork chops and more alongside Southern favorites like macaroni and cheese, squash casserole and its signature paradise salad.
[vimeo 400619064 w=640 h=360]Martin’s famous fried chicken is on Alabama’s 100 Dishes list from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Capitol Oyster Bar
617 Shady St.
Capitol Oyster Bar is an essential Montgomery restaurant. (Jared Boyd)
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind spot to chow down on some fresh seafood in the capital city, look no further than the iconic Capitol Oyster Bar.
Capitol Oyster Bar has a menu filled with seafood, po’boys, steaks, crawfish and more – and that’s not including the fresh oysters you can get served every which way, from raw to Rockefeller. Plus, Capitol Oyster Bar offers a lively atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal while listening to live music and taking in gorgeous views of the Alabama River.
Vicki’s Lunch Van
2520 Fairground Road
Vicki’s Lunch Van is an essential Montgomery restaurant. (Ben Flanagan)
Vicki’s Lunch Van might not look like anything special when you first pull up, but there’s a reason you will usually find a line of customers out the door eager to get their hands on one of their fully loaded burgers.
Vicki’s Lunch Van burgers are custom-order and hand-pressed, with freshly made fries that will leave you feeling full, satisfied and planning your next trip back. They’re only open for lunch Tuesday through Friday though, and they’ve been known to sell out before closing time, so make sure you get there early.
El Rey Burrito Lounge
1031 East Fairview Ave.
El Rey Burrito Lounge is an essential Montgomery restaurant. (Amber Sutton)
Tucked into the heart of the Old Cloverdale historic district, El Rey Burrito Lounge is a gem that locals and tourists alike love, thanks to its unique atmosphere and delicious cuisine.
El Rey has been in the business of serving locally sourced Mexican-inspired food, including show-stopping burritos, enchiladas, street tacos, handmade guacamole and margaritas, for more than 20 years, and it’s earned a reputation as a must-stop spot for many.
Lek’s Railroad Thai
300 Water St.
Lek’s Railroad Thai is an essential Montgomery restaurant. (Amber Sutton)
If you’re looking for a place to grab some authentic Thai food in a unique setting, Lek’s Railroad Thai serves a full menu of Asian fare and sushi in Montgomery’s historic Union Station.
Lek’s, which is open for lunch and dinner, offers something for everyone thanks to its vast traditional Thai menu, including a variety of rice, curry and noodle dishes as well as vegetarian and vegan options. You can enjoy your meal in the elegant dining room or in the outdoor space.
D’Road Café
121 Montgomery St.
D’Road Café is an essential Montgomery restaurant. (Amber Sutton)
For more than a decade, D’Road Café has been serving flavorful Venezuelan-Latin food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, becoming a local favorite in the process.
D’Road Café offers an eclectic lunch menu that varies from day to day, but one thing you can count on is that the food will be filled with delicious, exotic flavors that’ll have you eager to try the next dish. They also offer breakfast and a host international dinners, spotlighting a different country’s favorite foods, on Friday nights.
Scott Street Deli
412 Scott St.
Scott Street Deli is an essential Montgomery restaurant. (Bob Carlton)
Scott Street Deli is one of Montgomery’s oldest businesses, which tells you a lot about the one-of-a-kind sandwiches, wraps and salads you can score there.
Tucked away on a side street in downtown Montgomery, Scott Street Deli is a gem that’s off the beaten path and offers a relaxed environment. Its menu includes a variety of sandwiches made on bread that is baked in-house daily. Its more popular items include the club, the Italian and a classic muffuletta.
Central
129 Coosa St.
For a fine-dining experience that spotlights unique dishes made from regionally sourced ingredients, look no further than Central in downtown Montgomery.
Central is an upscale casual restaurant with an eclectic menu that offers a memorable meal no matter what you’re craving. Its dinner entrees include fresh seafood from the Alabama Gulf, hot honey fried chicken and pasta made in-house. Just make sure you save room for a slice of pistachio cheesecake for dessert.
[vimeo 314359415 w=640 h=360]Central has become a cornerstone of Montgomery food scene from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
