From fun outdoor activities like swimming at Point Mallard, playing soccer, going fishing, shopping or enjoying some of the festivities or cultural events - it's easy to work up an appetite in Decatur, Alabama. Here is a low down on where to eat in the River City.
Whisk'D Cafe
For the best local breakfast or brunch head to Whisk'D. This local eatery opened its doors in 2015 in the Albany District and relocated to its new location downtown at 1051 Grant Street Southeast. It's open from 7:00 am until 1:00 pm daily and serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
Menu items are divided into categories which include Sweets 'N Such with Apple Cider Donut Holes ($6) and Dutch Baby ($8) and more, Sandwiches featuring Breakfast Burger ($11) and Shrimp Po Boy ($10), Fried Potatoes Five Ways ($5 - $9), A La Carte ($1 - $7), and Specialities with delicious items like Chicken and Waffle ($11), 'Nawlins Bennie ($16), Breakfast Gumbo ($13), and Moon Pie Oatmeal ($8).
Heads up: be careful as you enter the location - the sidewalks are a little uneven. Whisk'D is ranked #13 out of 103 restaurants in Decatur on TripAdvisor.
June 2022 - Whisk'D is closed for the time being. The message below was posted on their Facebook page.
The Brick Deli and Tavern
The Brick Deli and Tavern has been a local go-to spot for sandwiches, beer, and live entertainment for years. It has been at its current location in downtown Decatur at 112 Moulton Street East since 2007.
If you like karaoke or live music, sit in the front when the action gets going. If pool is more your thing, head to the back where there are two pay-to-play pool tables.
The Brick Deli's hours are Monday and Tuesday from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM, Fridays from 11:00 am until 12:00 AM, and Saturdays from 11:00 AM until 12:00 AM. The Brick Deli is closed on Sundays.
The Brick Deli is the #1 rated restaurant in Decatur according to TripAdvisor.com.
Alfonso's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
If you want pizza that is outside of the box, then head to Alfonso's.
Located on Beltline Road in between Cheeseburger Bobby's and LawLers Barbecue (just east of Staples), Alfonso's serves homemade New York-style pizza along with salads, subs, and Italian classics like fettucine alfredo ($8.50), chicken cacciatore ($9.50), lasagna ($8.75), and spaghetti ($8).
Alfonso's is located at 725 Beltline Rd SW Suite E and opens at 11:00 AM Monday - Saturday (the restaurant is closed on Sunday). 256-350-0211 Reservations are not required.
Alfonso's Pizza and Italian Restaurant is ranked #9 for Decatur restaurants on TripAdvisor.
Big Bob Gibson's Barb-B-Q
Big Bob Gibson's has been serving mouth-watering barbecue in Decatur since 1925.
You may have heard of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q thanks to appearances of Pitmaster Chris Lilly on the Food Network. Among Chris' awards are ten World BBQ Championships and six world titles at Memphis in May.
Or perhaps you may be familiar with Big Bob Gibson's because of the world famous Alabama White Sauce. Alabama White Sauce is a mayonnaise-based tangy barbecue sauce that is delicious on pretty much anything you put it on.
On the menu at Big Bob Gibson's, you'll find items like Bar-B-Q Nachos, salads, loaded potatoes, barbecue sandwiches (pork $4.19), chicken sandwiches, a hot dog, BBQ plates, samplers, Southern side dishes, and homemade pies.
There are two locations: the original is at 1715 6th Ave SE (US Highway 31) and is open daily from 9:30 AM until 8:15 PM, and 2520 Danville Road SW and is open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 AM - 8:15 PM.
Big Bob Gibson's is ranked #3 out of 103 restaurants in Decatur on TripAdvisor.
Las Vias Mexican Grill
Mexican food lovers will like Las Vias Mexican Grill located at 1000 Beltline Rd Ste. Q. Las Vias opens daily at 10:30 AM and is open until 9:30 PM Monday - Thursday, until 11:00 PM Friday & Saturday, and until 9:00 PM on Sunday.
The menu is pretty extensive and features everything from appetizers to postres (desserts).
The menu is broken down into categories such as Burritos, Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Fajitas, Pollo, Seafood, etc. making it easy to find the right dish. There are even sections on the menu for niños (children) and vegetarianas.
After being seated, diners are served chips along with salsa and slightly spicy white sauce.
Las Vias has been voted Decatur's favorite Mexican restaurant by readers of the local newspaper, the Decatur Daily. It ranks #23 on TripAdivsor.
Simp McGhee's
Named after an infamous boat captain, Simp McGhee's is located at 725 Bank Street Northwest and is one of the more expensive restaurants in the city.
Simp McGhee's ranks #6 on TripAdvisor and the reviews are mixed but has an overall rating of 4 out of 5.
Perhaps as a nod to the namesake's profession, the menu features several seafood dishes like Cajun Shrimp Sauté ($26), Crab Florentine ($29), and Grilled Tuna ($22). Poultry and pork are also on the menu, as are beef dishes like filet mignon and prime rib (market price).
Simp McGhee's opens at 5:00 PM Monday - Saturday and closes at 9:00 PM Monday - Thursday and at 9:30 on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday.
The Railyard
The Railyard is a family-owned local restaurant that has been serving seasonal southern farm to fork dishes in Decatur since 2015. It's a great spot to enjoy an intimate or celebratory dinner in a casual environment.
Menu items at this local favorite (#2 on TripAdvisor) include gourmet sandwiches like The Poutine Club (pulled-pork on wheatberry bread with French fries and fried cheese curds and smothered in brown gravy for $11), burgers such as The Baja (burger topped with avocado, pico de gallo, poblano slaw, and chimichurri for $11), and entrees like Wasabi & Seared Sesame Ahi Tuna served on sesame brown rice with crunchy peanut slaw and sriracha honey drizzle ($20).
The interior of the restaurant is dark and cozy and at times it does get loud.
The Railyard is located in downtown Decatur at 209 2nd Ave SE. Go through the doors and down the stairs. Alternatively, you can park near Whisk'D and enter through Railyard's lower entrance.
Reservations are not required but I do recommend that you make them at OpenTable.
Cross-Eyed Owl - Decatur's Only Brewery
Though not a dining destination, Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company is Decatur's only brewery creating handcrafted beers and sodas.
Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company almost shuttered it doors due to the pandemic and decreased sales. However, the company has a loyal fan base and was able to secure new investors to keep the beer flowing.
There are 12 varieties of beer on tap: Cream Ale, Dragoon Red Ale, Cotaco IPA, Murloc Gose, One Shoe Brown Porter, Black Ale, Lechuza Mexican Porter, Starfish Dunkelweizen, and Skyline India Pale Lager.
Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company opens Monday - Friday at 4 PM and on Saturdays at 11 AM and at noon on Sundays. Cross-Eyed Owl is ranked #12 out of 23 things to do in Decatur according to TripAdvisor.
Other Restaurants in Decatur
Prefer to dine at something a little more familiar? Decatur has plenty of restaurants that you are sure know. Below is a listing of some of the more common eateries around Decatur:
| On and Around the Beltline | On and Around 6th Avenue (HWY 31) |
| Logan's | Waffle House |
| KFC | Jack's |
| O'Charley's | Zaxby's |
| Burger King | Dunkin' Donuts |
| Applebee's | McDonald's |
| Red Lobster | Sonic |
| Waffle House | Little Caesar's |
| Popeye's | Domino's |
| Chicken Salad Chick | Arby's |
| Taco Bell | Taco Bell |
| Chick-Fil-A | Burger King |
| McDonald's | Bojangles |
| Cook Out | Chick-Fil-A |
| Krispy Kreme | |
| Panda Express | |
| Wendy's | |
| Jacks's | |
| Captain D's | |
| Chili's | |
| Golden Corral | |
| Starbucks | |
| Arby's | |
| Zaxby's | |
| Cheeseburger Bobby's | |
| Cracker Barrel | |
| Texas Road House | |
| Olive Garden | |
| Chipotle | |
| Panera | |
| Five Guys | |
| LongHorn Steakhouse |
Where's your favorite place to eat in Decatur?
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Puloma Banerjee says
Wow that was a fabulous list of restaurant reviews in Decatur.Very useful, thank you for sharing 💕.