Bombay Cafe, 2839 7th Ave. S.; 322-1930
This romantic, uptown restaurant has been satisfying customers for more than 10 years with its innovative menu that changes daily. The emphasis is on fresh seafood such as yellow-fin grouper, mesquite-grilled mahi mahi, West Coast amberjack, lemon sole and grilled salmon.
Bonefish Grill 3430 Galleria Cir.; 985-9545. Bonefish Grill is an upscale but casual seafood house featuring creative fresh-fish dishes, other grilled specialties like Chicken Marsala and Fontina Chops, and pasta.
Bryant’s Seafood Restaurant, 3096 Allison Bonnet Memorial Dr.; 491-5652.
With a come-as-you-are, casual atmosphere, Bryant’s specialties include Alaskan snow crab legs, scallops, oysters, red snapper and jumbo & butterfly shrimp. Lunch and dinner served 7 days.
Calypso Joe’s Caribbean Grille, 700 Montgomery Hwy., Ste. 140; 978-6761.
Former Miami Dolphin (and University of Alabama All-American) Bob Baumhower launched Calypso Joe’s to give diners a taste of “that Caribbean paradise I fell in love with a few years back.” Fresh seafood and other Caribbean fare is the specialty. Located in the Vestavia Hills City Center.
Copper Grill Lobster and Steak House, 595 Brookwood Village; 414-1411
The lively Copper Grill restaurant features live Maine lobsters, "New York-style" aged steaks, and other menu items from Dover sole to osso buco. Open daily from 5 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.
Cobb Lane, 1 Cobb Lane; 933-0462
A Southside landmark for 60 years, Cobb Lane features great Southern food, delicious cocktails and live jazz in its historic cobblestone courtyard, as well as inside among fountains and hand-painted murals. Cobb Lane's menu features items such as Seafood Casserole, Shrimp & Grits, Caramelized Pork Tenderloin, Crab Cakes, Chocolate Roulage and their famous She-Crab Soup, once hailed by Julia Child as "the best I've ever tasted." Cobb Lane is open Tues-Sat from 11am until 2:30pm and for dinner from 5:30pm-Until.
Fish Market Restaurant, 1681 Montgomery Hwy.; 823-3474
The Fish Market offers all sorts of fresh seafood dishes served in a casual atmosphere.
Fish Market Restaurant, 611 21st St. South; 322-3330
This is the place for reasonably priced, fresh seafood served in a casual atmosphere. This award-winning restaurant is open Mon.-Thurs. from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat.from 10a.m. to 10p.m.
Flat Rock Grille, 150 Main St.; 733-8890.
Specializing in seafood but also serving up steak, chicken and baby-back ribs, along with a wide array of appetizers, soups and salads. Open seven days a week.
Fox Valley, Highway 17, Helena; 664-8341
Currently celebrating its 11th year, this restaurant features innovative cuisine coupled with an extensive wine list. Well known by locals for their crab cakes, Fox Valley is a current and six-time winner of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence and draws diners from all over the country. The menu changes slightly every day. Fox Valley is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
Gulf Seafood Restaurant, 140 Laster Dr., Springville; 467-9348.
Attracting locals who crave a “down-home dining experience.” Menu items include catfish, shrimp and crab as well as chicken and other landlubber favorites. Hours: Sun. 11-3, M-Th. 11-9 & F-Sat. 11-10.
Hot and Hot Fish Club, 2180 11th Court South; 933-5474
This vibrant up-scale restaurant is home to the creative new American cuisine of Chef Chris and Idie Hastings. Named one of the South's top neighborhood restaurants by Bon Appetit, Hot and Hot's nightly menu focuses on seasonality, combining the best regional produce and nationwide purveyors' delights from the sea as well as steaks, homemade pasta and chicken. Hot and Hot is open for dinner Tues.-Sat. Reservations are recommended.
Joe's Crab Shack, 20 Meadowview Dr. off Hwy. 280; 981-2999
Who can resist a place that was designed to look like a crumbling fishing camp on the Gulf? Joe's Crab Shack offers Dungeness, blue, king and soft-shell crabs, served fried, grilled, boiled, broiled, barbecued, blackened, steamed and stuffed.
Lakeview Oyster House, 731 29th St. S.; 252-5888
An old-style Florida restaurant, but with cuisine more upscale than your typical oyster bar. In addition to the oysters, the menu includes shrimp and amberjack po-boys, mesquite-grilled Atlantic swordfish, Jamaican grilled chicken and grilled chipotle-peppered ribeye. The dining rooms are decidedly funky, and the large porch overlooking the busy street below is a fine place to people watch.
Landry's Seafood House, 139 State Farm Pkwy.; 916-0777
This casual, family-oriented restaurant serves everything from Maine lobster, shrimp, crab legs, oysters, and crab cakes to choices for landlubbers. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun.-Thurs. and until 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat.
McCormick & Schmick, 623 Brookwood Village; 871-5171.
Voted one of the top restaurants in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler, McCormick & Schmick has come to Birmingham with its concept of a lively fine dining restaurant featuring fresh seafood from around the world. Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 11-10 and Fri. & Sat., 11- 11.
Ocean, 1218 20th St. S.; 933-0999
Voted best seafood restaurant and rated four stars by The Birmingham News, Ocean offers fresh seafood in an exciting and contemporary atmosphere. The menu features fresh oysters and fish from around the world. Locally owned and operated by George and Harriet Reis. Dinner Tues.-Sat. starting at 5:30. Reservations recommended.
Prairie Fire Grille, 5426 Hwy. 280, Greystone; 991-1313
Owned by Arman DeLorenz (who also owns Chef DeLorenz in Riverchase) features seafood, steak, veal and even duck, all with a Southwestern bent. Currently the Prairie Fire Grill serves lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat.
Red Lobster, 7601 Crestwood Blvd. (& other locations); 591-3818
Offering a variety of dishes for both seafood lovers and landlubbers, but you can't go wrong with the live Maine lobster.
Up the Creek Fish Camp & Grill, 2943 Hwy. 150. 988-0744.
A casual dining seafood restaurant. Specialties include fried green tomatoes, Lemon-Lime Shrimp and Jim Beam Grouper or Salmon. Or choose your favorite seafood (oysters, shrimp, catfish, etc.) fried or cooked New Orleans style in an iron skillet.
