The Best Restaurants In Foley, Alabama

You can’t miss a place like this if you are going to be traveling in coastal Alabama. Advertised as a ‘funky, junky redneck joint,’ you’re bound to find lots of locals. The interior décor consists of retired fishing gear hung artfully. Fishermen themselves frequent this place, adding an air of authenticity to the ambiance. The seafood platter contains all the essentials, including huge portions of fried catfish, shrimp, oysters, hush puppies, and fries. No matter what you decide, rest assured that all seafood is cooked fresh to order. The famous swamp soup comes with every order, and it’s definitely not an element of Fish River Grill to be missed. Oh, and get the beignet for dessert. Seafood’s not your thing? Don’t fear, Fish River Grill also offers a variety of other fare, including great burgers.

In the South, it is crucial to treat yourself to some barbecue. Down South Barbeque offers the real deal. Dig into huge slabs of tender ribs slathered in homemade barbecue sauce, smoked beef brisket, or whole barbecue rotisserie chickens. One of this joint’s specialties is the cornbread sandwich: BBQ pork and coleslaw between two pieces of cornbread. Takeout is recommended, since the place spends more time on smoking huge portions of meat than it does on décor. There are picnic tables outside where you can enjoy your finger-lickin’-good BBQ on a balmy night on the Gulf shore.

If you’re looking for something different, try John’s Gyro and Mediterranean Food. The Mediterranean platter, a crowd favorite, includes hummus drizzled in fresh olive oil, hearty slices of souvlaki, fried halloumi, falafel, roasted eggplant, spanakopita, Greek salad, and warm pita bread. John’s also offers innovative twists on the traditional gyro, like the Gyro Teriyaki and the Gyro Philly. There is a good deal of vegetarian fare, too, like the cucumber feta gyro & stuffed grape leaves. The crispy, sweet Baklava rounds out the meal.

If you’re tired from enjoying the many water activities that Foley has to offer, check out Dragon City for take out. The restaurant serves American-style Chinese food, like dumplings, egg rolls, and sesame chicken. Beyond these options, the menu has a variety of spicier and more authentic offerings, as well, including curry, moo goo gai pan, and subgum wontons. This place is great for vegan and vegetarian travelers, something that can be hard to accommodate in the Deep South.

Get your sushi fix in this upscale Japanese hibachi restaurant. Ichiban Japanese Steak House provides expertly prepared Japanese delicacies as well as dinner entertainment; all you have to do is bring your appetite. The hibachi chefs are highly skilled and engaging. A crowd favorite in the hibachi show is the onion volcano. What’s more is that each specialty sushi roll comes with a complementary regular roll. There is always great emphasis placed on presentation, resulting in intricate arrangements of sushi and sauce. Expect a crowd on weekends.

Self-proclaimed ‘best-kept secret in Foley,’ Gelato Joe’s is an Italian restaurant and delicatessen. You are sure to find Italian favorites like paninis, pasta, and Stromboli, as well as awesome desserts, including cannolis, cheesecake, bread pudding, and, of course, gelato. It is a spacious establishment with ample deck seating. The Tiki Deck Bar is open every weekday and features karaoke. The bar also serves cocktails and a variety of beers, making this place a festive one for the younger folk.

Lambert’s Café serves genuine southern comfort food. Menu items include mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy, baked potatoes, collard greens, fried okra, chicken pot pie, fried chicken, cornbread, and black-eyed peas. Vintage memorabilia adorns just about every inch of the walls, allowing visitors to relish Foley’s past. Lambert’s is a family style restaurant, meaning that it’s a welcoming environment for people of all ages. The jovial staff throws rolls to its patrons as restaurant tradition dictates, so heads up! The bright red bow ties are a fun added touch. At the gift shop, you can buy apple butter, sorghum, and t-shirts. Cash or checks only!

Stacey Rexall Drugs & Old Tyme Soda Fountain is like traveling back in time to small-town America in the roaring 1920s. It is a delightful little place for a light lunch. There is a model train that runs continuously around the shop at ceiling level and model planes that hang from the ceiling. The soda fountain offers malts and milkshakes, sundaes and floats, as well as hot dogs, hamburgers, PB&Js, and barbecue. All ice cream products are whipped by hand. With charming, wire-backed chairs and café tables, you’ll really feel like you’re in an old-fashioned American soda fountain and drug store. It also doubles as a family-owned pharmacy, with a small pharmaceutical museum that is worth exploring during your visit

By Lily Cichanowicz
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