Looking for the best restaurants in Gardendale, Alabama? We got you.
Gardendale is located in Jefferson County, in the north-central part of Alabama, and it has a population of about 16,000 people.
Just as Gardendale is home to a lot of amazing restaurants, it is also home to a lot of amazing tourist attractions like Gardendale Civic Center, Gardendale Heritage Park, and Gardendale Public Library.
Due to the number of restaurants in Gardendale, choosing a restaurant that is worth dining at can be a big task.
After in-depth research and testing, we have curated a list of the best restaurants in Gardendale, Alabama.
By the end of this post, you should be able to find a restaurant that serves the type of food you are craving.
With that said, here are the best restaurants in Gardendale
1. Shrimp Basket Seafood Restaurant
We heard a lot of amazing things about this restaurant, so we decided to check this place out.
Our server was really good and brought our drinks as soon as we ordered them.
They were patient with us while we looked at the menu because it was our first time there.
They even gave us some suggestions when it came to choosing what to eat.
I ordered a seafood platter, which had a little bit of everything like oysters, shrimp, fish, and stuffed crab.
The fries were really good, and the coleslaw is one of the best I’ve ever tasted.
My friend got a combination of shrimp and chicken, and he really enjoyed it.
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Recommended Dishes: Coleslaw, Shrimp, and Chicken
Address: 550 Fieldstown Rd #100, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-694-0280
2. Ming’s Garden Chinese Restaurant
We were looking for where to have lunch and we came across Ming’s restaurant, so we decided to try it out, and it was amazing!
They have a buffet, but we didn’t choose that option.
Instead, we ordered from their lunch specials, and it was really great!
I had the lo mein, and there was so much of it that I even had it again for dinner.
In my opinion, I think this is one of the best Chinese restaurants around!
We also tried their Mongolian beef and it was fantastic.
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Recommended Dishes: Mongolian Beef, and Chicken/kun pao chicken.
Address: Valley Green Shopping Center, 1046 Main St, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-631-7746
3. Jim ‘N’ Nicks
I couldn’t have found a better place to enjoy a delicious meal while on the road than Jim ‘N Nick’s!
Everything was fantastic – the service, the food, and the atmosphere.
I ordered a barbecue and I think it is one of the best barbecues I’ve ever had from a chain restaurant.
The barbecue sauce had a unique and incredibly tasty flavor.
The brisket was absolutely phenomenal, and the burgers were really tasty.
The pig on a bun with the white sauce was out of this world.
The onion rings were a great choice too.
The cheese biscuits/muffins were a special treat and had a unique and scrumptious flavor.
My favorite dish here is usually the barbecue pork sandwich with corn on the cob.
They have other sides available, but I often go for the corn because it feels like a healthier choice.
For those with a bigger appetite, I highly recommend trying the banana pudding.
It’s a classic dessert in BBQ restaurants, and the pudding here has always been excellent.
Service Options: Dine-in · Drive-through · Delivery
Recommended Dishes: Cheese biscuits, Brisket, Burgers and Onion rings
Address: 915 Odum Rd, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-608-3315
4. Baja California Cantina & Grill
Baja California Cantina and Grill is one of the most popular restaurants in Gardendale.
The food there is tasty, the service is good, and they serve cold beer and margaritas!
What more could you ask for?
Because of how popular this restaurant is, It can get quite busy, especially during dinner time.
It’s classic Mexican cuisine, nothing too fancy or extravagant, but everything they make is done well, in my opinion!
The dining room is large with plenty of seating, and they even have a small bar area.
Give it a try… maybe you’ll enjoy it too!
We also tried their chips and salsa, and it was delicious.
My only complaint would be the Margaritas, which lacked flavor and were on the weak side.
Overall, we were satisfied and would come back.
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Recommended Dishes: Chips, Fajitas and salsa
Address: 961 Main St, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-285-8881
5. Hamburger Heaven
Hamburger Heaven provided us with an amazing catering experience.
The food was delicious, and the ordering and receiving process was smooth.
I placed my order online, and when I arrived, everything was neatly packed and ready for me.
The atmosphere of the restaurant reminded me of the old-fashioned burger joints like Pop’s in Southside or the old DQ’s.
The food was delicious, and the fries were cooked perfectly – not too crunchy or overcooked.
We also tried the hamburger patties, and they were thick and juicy.
If you’re craving a big, homemade-style burger, I suggest trying the Holy Cow burger with thick-cut fries or thick-cut sweet potato fries.
Lastly, their banana pudding is too good.
I highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area.
6. Buffalo Wild Wings
I have visited this place more than 4 times, and I have never had a bad experience.
The food is always good, plus they also have a great selection of drinks.
I personally recommend trying the dry rub lemon pepper wings along with their top-shelf margarita!
The honey barbecue boneless wings are the best, and I absolutely love the cheese curds.
Service Options: Dine-in · Kerbside pickup · Delivery
Recommended Dishes: Lemon pepper wings, and Barbecue
Address: 2505 Caufield Dr, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-631-7646
7. Moe’s Southwest Grill
We were passing through this area so we placed an online order for pickup at this Moe’s Southwest Grill location.
The order was prepared quickly, the food was excellent, and the inside of the restaurant was clean and welcoming.
They have been occasions we went inside.
When you order something, they prepare it right in front of you, just the way you like it.
They don’t skimp on any ingredients.
Depending on what you order, it may not be the cheapest place, but it is definitely worth every penny.
The portions are generous and will definitely fill you up, or even provide leftovers to take home.
Service Options: Dine-in · Kerbside pickup · Delivery
Recommended Dishes: Chicken Club Quesadilla, Three Tacos, and Moe Meat Moe Cheese Burrito
Address: 655 Fieldstown Rd, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-608-5122
8. Pasquale’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant
The food at Pasquale’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant is always delicious.
This restaurant is a wonderful family-owned place that has maintained its excellence over the years.
My personal favorites are the meatball hoagie and the garlic bread.
Their pizzas are also the best in the area.
If you are passing through this area I highly recommend stopping by for a mouthwatering meatball hoagie.
The roast beef with gravy sandwich is simply the best you can find.
It has an amazing flavor, and the garlic bread that comes with it is delicious.
I would recommend multiple visits to experience the deliciousness.
Everything we ordered was amazing, just as we remembered.
We had Stromboli, roast beef, meatball, and cheesy garlic bread.
We also tried the Stromboli steak sandwich, and it is one the best I’ve ever had!
Service Options: Dine-in · Drive-through · No delivery
Recommended Dishes: Pizza, Roast Beef, Sauce, Cheese Bread, Stromboli Steak, Pizza, Meatball, Sandwich
Address: 215 Fieldstown Rd, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-631-5972
9. Our Place
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Gardendale that knows how to treat its customers, then you should check this place out
As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm smile.
The staff members are all polite and kind.
Their biscuits and gravy taste just like, or maybe even better than, my mom’s.
I also tried their chicken salad and it was delicious and big enough to fill me.
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway
Recommended Dishes: Biscuit & Gravy, and Chicken Salad Plate
Address: 1218 Main St, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-608-1030
10. Waffle House
This Waffle House location is one of the best I’ve ever been to.
I highly recommend trying the All-star breakfast, as if you didn’t already know.
From our waiter to the cooks and everyone else, they were all amazing
The cook pays attention, listens to your requests, and prepares the food very well.
I also tried the blueberry waffle, and it tasted way better than I expected.
Service Options: Dine-in · Drive-through · No delivery
Recommended Dishes: Hasbrowns and Toasted, Peanut Butter Chip Waffle, Hashbrowns, Cheesesteak Melt Hashbrown Bowl
Address: 500 Fieldstown Rd, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States
Phone: +1 205-608-1030