4 Course Meal in Huntsville, Alabama

With new restaurants opening left and right, incredible chefs serving up fresh concepts, and plenty of locals and visitors to please, Huntsville is becoming quite the foodie hotspot— and I’m loving it.

Here’s a fantastic food itinerary with some of my favorite spots for each of the four meals you need to try. Read on for your guide to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert in Huntsville.

Image Credit: Kristen Conner Hill 

A Florence, Alabama favorite out in the Shoals, Turbo Coffee opened up another location in Huntsville’s Lincoln Mill area. After trying it recently, I couldn’t be more impressed. I’d stop here for breakfast before starting your day.

At Turbo, you’ll find excellent coffee drinks (I highly recommend the cinnamon toast latte!) but you’re not leaving hungry. Their menu features pastries and sandwiches to suit your whole group. The breakfast cookie feels healthy but is also filling, but you can’t go wrong with a cinnamon roll either. I’ll always choose the B.S.T. though—consider it like avocado toast and a B.L.T. combined!

Image Credit: Kristen Conner Hill 

When it’s time for lunch, head over to Dashu. This Airport Road restaurant has lived many lives with various different concepts over the years, but I’m a repeat customer at the Japanese spot now inhabiting the spacious interior.

Sushi is such a perfect meal—and when there’s a great lunch special, even better! Try the pork (or vegetable—both delicious) gyoza to start, with a two or three-roll combo to follow. (This place has all your favorite hand rolls, and what I love most is that the spicy tuna is actually spicy.) My friend also really enjoyed the hibachi. I look forward to exploring the rest of the vast menu and the friendly wait staff can help you decide the best option if you’re feeling stuck.

Image Credit: Kristen Conner Hill 

For dinner, try a pub—but make it chic. That’s The Poppy and Parliament downtown, two-in-one of my favorite date night spots. You can’t go wrong starting with drinks at the bar, especially if there’s a wait (tip: as for a purple cup so you can hang out outside on the square until your table is ready!) Their seasonal cocktail offerings include creations such as London Sour, a Clover Club, and the classic Pimm’s Cup—but the bar is also stocked full of favorites from across the pond including Magner’s, Guinness, and various British ales.

Image Credit: Kristen Conner Hill 

If you have a group, you must start with the charcuterie. Far from just meat and cheese on a plate, the rotation changes frequently and includes international tapas, unique cheeses, and homemade breads. We’ve never had the same offerings twice. If that’s too much, try the potato gnocchi with grilled radicchio-- an item one of my friends cannot leave this restaurant without ordering (or taking to-go).

Image Credit: Kristen Conner Hill 

The dinner menu is a work of art though. The chefs here are always surprising us with unique flavors for unforgettable dining experiences.

For your entrée, choose fish & chips or bangers & mash for a taste of the U.K. … or follow my lead and order from the evening’s list of hand-cut steaks! I’m a huge fan of the veal short loin, served in what appeared to be a huge cast iron skillet directly to our table: a 16 oz. veal short loin bone-in steak resting on a fried wild mushroom, pesto, and polenta with Italian roasted tomato, garlic, and fennel cream sauce. Truly, to die for.

Image Credit: Kristen Conner Hill 

Take a walk around the courthouse square while you make room for dessert! The Sam & Greg’s patio on the other side of the Madison County Courthouse will be the perfect place to enjoy some gelato in the warm, evening air.

The homemade Italian treats served up here are sure to amaze—flavors like creamy banana pudding, garden mint chocolate chunk, and rocky road are just some of the options that await. Even if it’s just a scoop, you’ll never regret closing the night this way.

There you have it—the perfect food itinerary for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert in Huntsville! With this taken care of, you’re free to spend your energy planning the rest of your trip to the Rocket City. Bon Appétit!