5 Best Restaurants in Montgomery, Alabama to Try

Steeped in Civil Rights history and fueled by both deep South tradition and new arrivals, Montgomery’s restaurant scene is soulful, resilient, and on the rise.

Here, food is a gathering place—for memory, change, and great comfort.

1. Vintage Year

A fine-dining anchor in the Old Cloverdale neighborhood, Vintage Year serves award-winning New American cuisine—chargrilled steaks, shrimp and grits, inventive vegetable plates, and house-baked desserts.

The wine list is extensive, the cocktail program smart, and the ambiance elegant but unstuffy.

For business dinners, anniversaries, or memorable Sunday brunches, it’s top of the city.

2. Filet & Vine

Part deli, wine shop, and downhome kitchen, Filet & Vine’s lunch line stretches for a reason.

Locals love the meat-and-three plates: fried chicken, beef tips, buttery mashed potatoes, okra, mac and cheese, and hot rolls.

Grab a glass from the wine wall, relax on the covered porch, and swap stories with the regulars—everyone meets at Filet & Vine.

3. Derk’s Filet & Vine

Yes, they’re related—and Derk’s, just a few blocks away, is more casual, heavier on the steaks and cold brews, and one of the best places in town for Alabama’s best burger, steak sandwiches, and a sprawling salad bar.

The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly: it’s the everyday anchor to Vintage Year’s celebration meals.

4. Chris’ Hot Dogs

Since 1917, Chris’ has defined Montgomery’s quick, legendary eats. Its chili-laden dogs, snap-top sausages, and “Chris’ Special” mustard sauce are the city’s working lunch.

Photos of past presidents and street preachers line the walls; everyone who eats at Chris’ becomes part of the city’s living memory.

5. D’Road Café

Latin American flavors at this cheerful, cozy café attract big lunch crowds—arepas with shredded beef, fresh empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, Venezuelan stews, and house lemonade.

The staff is joyful, and for homesick students or new arrivals, it’s a passport to global flavor. Their “Sunday Brunch of the World” is a citywide favorite.