The pace in Montgomery, Alabama seems to move a little slower. It’s a friendly town, filled with Southern hospitality. Like any true Southern town, you’ll find a focus on food. From mouthwatering fresh seafood to classic Southern cuisine to casual comfort food, Montgomery has options the entire family will enjoy. Pull up a chair and sit a spell. Our family friendly dining guide to Montgomery, Alabama, leave your mouth watering and your taste buds tempted.
Montgomery, Alabama Family-Friendly Dining Guide
1. Capitol Oyster Bar Known as the “best-kept secret in Montgomery,” Capitol Oyster Bar is an unassuming restaurant that sits off the beaten path. You might be tempted to turn back when you see the outside of the restaurant, but don’t! Once inside asked to be seated on the deck where you can see relaxing views of the Alabama River, mix with locals and if you stop by on Sunday nights, enjoy music from some of the Best Live Blues acts in town. Open for lunch and dinner, the pace is relaxed, the atmosphere is casual (What else can you say about a place that closes at 8ish?) and the food is amazing.
You’ll find classic seafood dishes here- fresh fried oysters, batter fried shrimp, even gator tail and frog legs for the more adventurous eaters in your party. All dinners are served with their classic cole slaw and another side of your choice. I recommend starting your meal with a basket of hushpuppies or the fried crab claws. I had the Fresh Fried Oysters-so fresh they were being shucked before my meal was prepared. The portions are large and you won’t leave hungry! I could have easily made my portion into two meals so if you are a light eater you might want to share a dish. Capitol Oyster Bar is open Wednesday through Sunday.
2. Cahawba House With a slogan like “Bama Bona-Fide Cuisine,” you know you’ll be getting Southern style cooking the minute you walk through the door. Open for Breakfast and Lunch Monday through Friday and for brunch on Sundays, plan to come hungry. We were served a Classic Southern Breakfast, Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, Conecuh Sausage, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Fried Green Tomatoes and some of the best beignets I’ve ever put in my mouth. Seriously, our entire group spent the next two days inventing ways to return for beignets before we left town. They were crisp on the outside with a smooth chocolate filling and sprinkled with the perfect amount of powdered sugar.
The owners believe in the Farm to Table movement and serve local products as much as possible. You’ll find local jams, jellies, and honey available to top your biscuits. If you find a flavor you fancy, the products are available for sale. The biscuit bar is served daily from 6:30-10:30, except on Sundays when it is available from 6:30 AM until 2:30 PM.
3. Chris’ Hot Dogs An unassuming little restaurant located on Dexter Avenue, Chris’ Hot Dogs has the distinction of being Montgomery’s Oldest Family Run Restaurant. In fact, they had just received a historical marker in front of their shop in April to celebrate their 100th birthday. Founded by Chris Katechis, a Greek Immigrant, in 1917, he believed in good food, reasonable prices and service for everyone. Everyone, from former presidents and Civil Rights Leaders to regular Joes, is treated with friendly service and tasty food.
What makes Chris’ memorable? Their secret recipe chili sauce (known to only two or three people in the world). Each hot dog includes onions, mustard, kraut, and Chris’ famous chili sauce, but they can be prepared to order. The menu is limited; think hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers and chicken salad with a few side items and the venue is small, but you’ll find they are packed with fans, many who have visited for years. Chris’ Hot Dogs is open Monday through Saturday.
4. The House & The Exchange at The Renaissance Looking for a place to dine without leaving the comfort of your hotel? You can be in the center of the action at both The Exchange and The House. The Exchange is a casual affair, dedicated to lighter fare like salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. Stop by during Happy Hour, held daily from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM for live music and drink specials. I recommend the Tallapoosa Punch, a smooth concoction of Smirnoff Raspberry, Peach Schnapps, pineapple, and grenadine. It’s like summer in a glass.
The House restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you want to get a start on your day, choose the breakfast buffet, available in two options. The Continental Buffet, a choice for the light eater, and The Full Buffet, which includes coffee or juice. The full buffet has everything from the continental buffet, along with traditional breakfast dishes and made to order omelets. Lunch is the time for Southern Cuisine. They’ve got $11 lunch specials daily Monday through Friday with choices like Southern Fried Chicken, Red Beans and Rice with Andouille, and Fried Catfish. The Exchange and The House are open every day.
5. E.A.T South Urban Farm While not a restaurant, this is a fun place to visit. E.A.T. South (whose initials stand for Educate, Act, and Transform) is an urban farm located in the heart of downtown Montgomery. They work closely with the Montgomery School System to educate children on how to grow their own food and they “promote access to healthy, fresh food and the benefits of a local sustainable food system.” While the location is small, the grounds, located beside the Alabama River, are lovely. Looking for fresh veggies? Each Saturday, during the months of March through November, they sell fresh produce at the Curb Farmer’s Market on Madison Street.
You Might Like These Posts:
Must Visit Family Attractions in Montgomery, Alabama
Must Visit Civil Rights Sites in Montgomery, Alabama
These sound like some great places to eat in Alabama. If I ever visit, I’ll definitely be checking a few of these out.
So much good food! Thanks for putting together such a delicious introduction to the food in Montgomery!
I love the farm to table concept. We not only get healthy meals, but we get to enjoy produce at its freshest. I will have to remember these restaurants when we visit Montgomery.
I love visiting Alabama, it’s such a beautiful state. Now I know where to dine while we’re there. A biscuit bar sounds divine.
Yummy! This looks so good! I lobe to eat farm to table restaurant!
You know, my family is from Montgomery and I have never been to any of these places!! I have to let my mom know about some of these places so we can try them out!
My daughter lived near Montgomery and she really loved it. She said it was a haven for foodies!
What a delicious food it makes me hungry now. I haven’t been in Alabama and it sounds a beautiful place to visit with my family.
The food is fantastic! I have not been to Montgomery AL (yet).It does look like a gastronomic heaven for me. Thank you for the suggestion of places to check out.
I totally live for dining guides because I love learning about the places that would be nice to check out when you’re in specific place! These are amazing! Each one offers you something unique. It’s definitely going to make the whole vacation better.
Montgomery in Alabama sounds like a great place to visit. These is so much history there and a lot of great things to see. This is a great list for places to eat if we ever get down there. I have always loved southern cooked foods. Thanks for sharing this awesome guide.
This is a cool looking destination.
Your pictures are fantastic and really show the “flavor” of the place (pun intended 🙂 ).
I have never traveled to Alabama before but want to – these look like amazing choices. Oysters are one of my faves!
Awesome food choices! I’ve never gone to Montgomery before and it’s good to know that there are a lot of food to try there, being the foodie that I am, this makes me totally excited! Thanks for sharing these gems!
I have never been to Alabama! I love Oyster or any seafood dishes! I’d love to visit these places.
My boyfriend would love Chris’s. (Who am I kidding? So would I!) We love a good hot dog.
My husband would definitely enjoy Chris’. He loves a good hot dog! We’ll have to make a stop there the next time we cruise through Alabama.
It’s great to know that there are different family-friendly dining areas in Montgomery. Thanks for your list. I won’t have a hard time finding one.
The Crab Claws at Capitol Oyster Bar look amazing. I always look for family friendly restaurants when I am planning a trip.
Ooh, my family would definitely want to go to Capitol Oyster Bar to try out some seafood. I think I’d be most excited for the Cahawba House though.
I am so sad that I am not near Alabama but it gives me a reason to go. Southern comfort food , must be the best and you have given me some ideas of places to go for it.
I think I just salivated all over my keyboard as the southern hospitality definitely has me wanting to come and check out Alabama.
Oh wow they all look like some absolutely delicious places to grab a bite to eat, if I am ever in the area, I think I might have to try them all out.
There’s some really tasty looking food here. I’ll be in the area later this year, and I’ll definitely be hitting all of those places.
That food looks delicious! Montgomery has some amazing dining establishments.
So much deliciousness! It seems like Montgomery really knows their food. I especially need those beignets in my life.
Visiting the south urban farm would be a nice way to refresh yourself with nature and also learn new stuff. The Oyster Bar and Chris Hotdogs looks like really delectable restaurants.
If I’m ever in Montgomery, I’ll have to check these places for food! I’d love to try Chris’ hot dogs!
Wow, Alabama is a gorgeous place and those foods are mouth watering. I hope to visit there someday with my family.
Same here. I love southern food, so I would be in heaven just going there to eat!
My tummy is growling just looking at the photos. I’d love to visit all of these places, especially the Capitol Oyster Bar. The food looks so delicious!
I have never been anywhere in Alabama before, so now I know where to eat when I make it down that way!