Restaurant rankings show Alabama is becoming the food capital of the South

Photo courtesy of Cotton Row Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Cotton Row Restaurant

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A new ranking by USA Today of the South’s best fine dining restaurants boasts 3 Alabama joints in the top 10, including Huntsville’s Cotton Row coming in at No. 1.

“Under the direction of Chef James Boyce, Cotton Row Restaurant in Huntsville, Ala. features an ever-changing menu of inventive modern American dishes,” USA Today’s article on the ranking says. “The atmosphere matches the food in quality; the restaurant occupies a three-story brick building from 1821 in Courthouse Square, and the name is a tribute to the cotton traders who once worked in the area.”

Highlands Bar and Grill, and Hot and Hot Fish Club, two Birmingham restaurants that helped put the Magic City on every foodie’s map were named #5 and #6, respectively.

20 of the South’s best restaurants were selected for ranking to be voted on by readers. Alabama’s 3 entries in the top 10 were only matched by Virginia, which also landed 3 restaurants on the list.

Birmingham has garnered significant attention in the last several years for its burgeoning food scene. From the fine, French-inspired dining of Highlands, to the slow-smoked Saw’s BBQ, The Magic City’s culinary offerings seem to land on another ranking every week.


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