13 Best Restaurants in Phenix City, Alabama
Situated directly across the Chattahoochee River from the larger city of Columbus, Georgia, Phenix City is a small city on the border between Alabama and Georgia. Phenix City, home to a little over 32,000 people, has an unexpectedly lively and varied culinary scene. There are many of wonderful restaurants in Phenix City to explore, serving everything from exotic cuisines to traditional Southern comfort food.
13 Best Restaurants in Phenix City, Alabama
Primo’s Italian Steakhouse
Name and Location: Primo’s Italian Steakhouse, Columbus GA
History and Significance: High-end Italian Steakhouse since 1999 featuring exclusive certified Angus Beef expertly aged and hand cut daily in house. Zagat rated fine dining blending old world techniques with modern inspired additions like tableside food preparations. Award winning wine list with over 200 selections.
What to Expect: Classic elegance with pianist serenading amidst dark wood decor accentuated with deep red fabrics. Attentive service guiding you through the Italian Steakhouse menu showcasing pasta, seafood, veal chops and USDA Prime steaks served with signature zip sauce. Save room for made-from-scratch desserts.
Visitor Information: Reservations strongly recommended. Business formal attire. Valet parking available.
Make a reservation at the sophisticated Primo’s Italian Steakhouse for an exceptional supper out in Phenix City. Primo’s ambiance creates the perfect setting for a sophisticated dining experience with its rich crimson décor and wood accents, soft lighting, and linen-covered tables.
The menu offers both Italian-influenced dishes and classic steakhouse fare, with an emphasis on expertly prepared pieces of meat, fish, and pasta. The star of the show is the USDA Prime steaks, which include a 16-ounce ribeye and a dry-aged, bone-in ribeye that are presented with a selection of housemade sauces like tangy horseradish or savory porcini mushroom.
Pasta recipes like pappardelle noodles with wild boar ragout and veal parmesan in marinara sauce are excellent examples of Italian cuisine. Evening specials, a long wine list with several Italian wines, and a dessert platter with cannoli and tiramisu complete dinners well. For lovers of Italian cuisine, Primo’s offers a memorable evening out with its traditional setting, excellent service, and delicious upmarket menu.
Wiley’s Wagon Wheel
Name and Location: Wiley’s Wagon Wheel Steakhouse. Phenix City, AL
History and Significance: Local favorite steakhouse since 1975 housed in rustic barn-style building featuring genuine cowboy decor. Known for perfectly seared Angus cuts chargrilled over open fire paired with made-from-scratch sides in generous portions. Live music in the Wheelhouse Lounge nightly.
What to Expect: Hearty steakhouse fare in a casual festive wild west atmosphere with cowboy murals, wagon wheels, lassos, checker tablecloths and friendly service. Hand cut steaks, BBQ ribs, chicken fried steak among guest favorites. Join locals line dancing in the lounge after dinner.
Visitor Information: Opens 4pm daily. Closed Sundays. Reservations for parties 6 or more.
Wiley’s Wagon Wheel has been providing smiles and traditional American diner food since 1972, catering to both hungry children and adults. The crimson leatherette booths and checkered floor exude nostalgia. But the big servings of comfort food are the real deal.
For breakfast, Wiley’s serves two-egg combinations stuffed with bacon, ham, or sausage served with hashbrowns, grits, and toast, as well as fluffy biscuits drenched in delicious sausage gravy. French toast and pancakes offer a sweet variation. The lunch menu features enormous 10-ounce charbroiled burgers and egg sandwiches.
The appetizer selection has several hidden jewels, such as the Boudin Balls, which are highly praised for their rice stuffing and Cajun-spiced pork. The food is kept reasonably priced and seasonal with daily blue plate specials. Make room for rich milkshakes and handmade pies. Wiley’s, which is open daily from 6 AM to 8 PM, consistently fulfills diner needs.
Chattahoochee Grill
Name and Location: Chattahoochee Grill in Columbus, GA
History and Significance: Popular special occasion restaurant since 1995 renowned for its exquisite new American cuisine served in an elegant yet relaxed riverside setting. Seasonal menu guided by first-rate culinary team presents artful interpretations of classic dishes utilizing fresh regional ingredients.
What to Expect: Understated sophistication with rich woods, marble, and romantic fireplaces framing views of the Chattahoochee River. Attentive service guiding you through Chef’s latest seasonal creations and an extensive award winning wine list spanning the globe. Save room for the heavenly coconut cake.
Visitor Information: Open for dinner Tues-Sat. Reservations strongly recommended especially weekends. Proper evening attire required. Valet parking available.
The Chattahoochee Grill is a delightful restaurant with scenic views of the Chattahoochee River, tucked away along the riverbank. Uninterrupted views of the Russell County Bridge, the Phenix City skyline, and the waterway are provided via floor to ceiling windows.
The extensive menu features a range of dishes, from robust pub grub such as massive loaded nachos to more sophisticated options like grilled fish with a lemon-dill sauce. Crowds are pleased with shareable appetizers like chicken lettuce cups, quesadilla rangoon wrappers, and fried pickle chips. Sandwiches and salads are also very satisfying.
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Naturally, the picturesque location promotes relaxed alfresco dining on the terrace. With a nice drink in hand, enjoy live music while the sun sets over the placid waters. Any night of the week is made more tranquil by the market-style string lighting. The Chattahoochee Grill offers a comprehensive riverfront dining experience, complete with delicious food, entertainment, and stunning views.
Tip Top Cafe
Name and Location: Tip Top Cafe in Columbus Historic District
History and Significance: Quaint petite cafe housed in an original 1890s building in heart of historic downtown Columbus. Well-loved breakfast and lunch establishment since 2014 dishing out fantastic omelets, hearty sandwiches and homemade baked treats in cozy retro surroundings.
What to Expect: Crave worthy daily breakfast and lunch specials scribbled on chalkboard menus that might include dishes like Pimento Cheese omelets, shrimp and grit bowls, grilled Cuban sandwiches, tomato basil bisque and macaroni and cheese. Save room for sticky bun bread pudding!
Visitor Information: Opens 7am to 3pm Tuesday thru Sunday. Limited indoor counter seating plus outdoor bistro tables. Street parking available.
Any resident in Phenix City will tell you that Tip Top Cafe is a great place to get comfort cuisine. Since its 1962 opening, this small, cash-only eatery has drawn loyal regulars drawn by its homemade cooking and affable charm. Known for its hearty breakfasts and even heartier lunch platters, Tip Top Cafe serves homemade Southern cuisine.
Morning meal options include golden waffles and pancakes, corned beef hash, cheddar cheese omelets, and fluffy buttermilk biscuits. Lunchtime favorites include candied yams, sweet baked beans, cornbread, and greens with golden fried chicken. Mashed potatoes are served alongside pot roast, which is simmered for hours. Cut into the sweet and tangy pulled barbecued pork or the soft, fall-off-the-bone meatloaf.
Sweet desserts like homemade banana pudding and lemon icebox pie round out the menu, with daily specialties like smothered cubed beef keeping things new. At this cherished little town cafe, get the straight-up coffee or peach tea, and make sure to leave space for dessert.
Unanimous
Name and Location: Unanimous Food Truck Park in Columbus GA
History and Significance: Opened in 2021, this vibrant space brings a rotating lineup of the city’s best food trucks and carts together along with craft beer, games and entertainment creating a casual hangout spot for locals. conceived by the owners of Wildwood Spirits urban distillery next door.
What to Expect: Outdoor area with strings lights overhead featuring various food trucks daily offering everything from tacos, ramen burgers, bbq, po boys to Hawaiian shaved ice. Chill space with live music, craft beers and lawn games like ping pong, cornhole and giant jenga. Various themed events.
Visitor Information: Usually open evenings Wed thru Sunday – Hours vary by season. Family and pet friendly outdoor space with some covered and heated seating areas.
Despite being relatively new to the Phenix City eating scene, Unanimous has gained followers right away. Owner and executive chef Quang Tran’s inventive food is complemented with a vibrant, exposed ducting décor that is trendy and industrial.
Visitors may witness the mixologists create inventive drinks using housemade syrups and infusions at the central square bar. Shareable small appetizers and dinners with unusual flavor combinations are available on the menu. Taste buds are amazed by appetizers like the General Umami Fried Rice Balls with Japanese kewpie mayo on top or the Hitsavory Pastrami Egg Rolls.
A spicy and sweet bluishberry gastrique complements the seared duck, while the Miso Bronzed Cod entrée counterbalances the powerful fermented bean paste with bok choy and jasmine rice. When it comes to dessert, save room for the Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie with vanilla bean ice cream.
Locals love the menu’s adventure, handcrafted cocktails, and lively atmosphere, which entice them to come often to see what delectable surprises Chef Tran has in store for them.
Cream & Sugar Cafe
Name and Location: Cream & Sugar Cafe in Columbus, Georgia
History and Significance: Lovingly from scratch baked sweets and pastries offered in this quaint cafe opened in 2014 by husband wife team inspired by their global dessert travels. Known for European high tea service, specialty layer cakes and seasonal baked items that delight the senses.
What to Expect: Sweet aromatic setting with display cases beckoning you to the days freshest croissants, macarons, cupcakes, tortes and artisan breads and sandwiches for takeaway or sit down tea service. The strawberries and cream layer cake is sheer bliss.
Visitor Information: Open Tues to Sat 8am to 5pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Call ahead for custom dessert orders. Street parking available.
Cream & Sugar is a quaint cafe that serves breakfast and lunch, with a focus on plant-based and vegetarian fare. A relaxed atmosphere is created by the light interior with exposed brick walls and striking artwork. However, the extensive and imaginative menu demonstrates a great deal of attention to detail and flavor pairings.
Thick oatmeal dishes brimming with nuts, seeds, and dried and fresh fruit are served. Breakfast tacos are loaded with smokey tempeh bacon or tofu chorizo. Sandwiches for lunch include the Smoked Gouda BLAT, which is made with coconut bacon, and the Jackfruit Carnita Wrap, which comes with guacamole, black bean salsa, and pickled red onion.
Salads are enhanced by options such as the high-protein Ancient Grains Bowl or the high-fiber Roasted Beet and Quinoa salad. Small batch baked products, coffee drinks, and smoothies complete the menu. Cream & Sugar is a favorite for leisurely mornings or lunch meetings because of its friendly counter service and large seating.
Mare Sol
Name and Location: Mare Sol Restaurant, fine Latin dining in Columbus GA
History and Significance: Opened in 2018, this upscale nouveau Latin restaurant quickly earned acclaim for artfully infused Pan-Latin cuisine blended with local ingredients and Georgia flavors. The brainchild of native Columbian chef-owner Andres Cuero, dishes reflect technique driven interpretations of Cuban, Peruvian and Brazilian fare.
What to Expect: Thriving downtown locale with golden hued interiors reflective of Latin sunset. Dishes like Peruvian ceviche, Brazilian churrasco skewers, ropa vieja steak Cubanos and slow braised cabrito join diverse Tapas selections. Handcrafted cocktails shine using South American spirits.
Visitor Information: Dinner daily 5pm to 10pm. Encouraged reservations. Valet parking available. Craft cocktail bar open late night.
The strong flavors that await within Mare Sol Latin Kitchen and Bar are alluded to by the bright purple facade. An enticing picture is created by small interior dining spaces and an outdoor patio full of plants. But Chef Luis’s menu, which focuses on Latin fusion, is where inventiveness really shines.
Smaller items like chipotle chicken lettuce wraps or empanadas can be sampled across the table with shared plates. Tart goat cheese arepas are served with steak skewers, and yuca fries are served beside tequila-glazed fish drenched in ginger garlic sauce. Next to bite-sized mac & cheese with bacon and jalapeños, pepper-crusted tuna cubes scream Latin flair.
Naturally, homemade concoctions such as the piquant Serrano Melon Margarita need special mention. A long list of rums also calls for investigation. In the center of Phenix City, Mare Sol is a unique dining experience that blurs the boundaries between traditional cuisine and fusion while emphasizing sharing morsels.
Brickyard Cafe
Name and Location: Brickyard Cafe in Phenix City, AL
History and Significance: Popular local cafe since 2005 known for signature gourmet brick oven pizza, wings and classic American comfort fare. Housed in a converted 1920s era brick building near Idle Hour Park giving it historic charm and character. Frequented by locals and area workers alike.
What to Expect: Counter order casual dining with indoor and patio seating. Specialties include brick oven pizzas, juicy burgers, chicken wings and homemade meatloaf and pot roast entrees. Full bar featuring local and mainstream brews.
Visitor Information: Opens 11am daily, late night kitchen hours on weekends. Catering menu available. Free parking lot adjacent.
For decades, Phenix City residents have relied on the Brickyard Cafe for breakfast and lunch. It is housed in a beautifully restored historical structure on 14th Street. The Brickyard Cafe is open everyday from 7 AM to 2 PM and offers traditional American breakfast fare such as crispy bacon, made-to-order omelets, and their famous Eggs Brickyard, which are created with spinach, ham, mushrooms, and Monterey Jack cheese.
Though there are a number of creative items on the menu, traditional favorites still take center stage. The Coffee Braised Pot Roast Omelet, which is filled with soft chuck roast and melted cheese, is highly praised. Another option is the Whole Hawaiian, which is a muffin stuffed with ham, pineapple, green onions, and Swiss cheese.
A nostalgic vibe is created by the tastefully renovated brick walls and antique furnishings. The Brickyard Cafe is one of the greatest places in Phenix City for a weekend brunch or homestyle breakfast because of its popular menu items and cozy setting.
La Casa
Name and Location: La Casa Mexican Restaurant in Columbus, GA
History and Significance: Authentic family-owned Mexican eatery since 1982 bringing signature recipes to Columbus straight from Guadalajara Mexico. Frequently voted best Mexican fare in the city for traditional dishes prepared fresh daily. Room decor pays homage to Mexican culture.
What to Expect: Large menu with all your favorites like burritos, enchiladas, tacos, fajitas and combination platters served with rice, beans and made in-house chips and salsa. Don’t miss the table-side guacamole or homemade flan for dessert. Value priced deliciousness.
Visitor Information: Open for lunch and dinner daily. Party room perfect for large groups and celebrations. Kids welcome.
With a range of classic south of the border meals and nibbles inspired by street food, La Casa lives up to its claim of being an authentic Mexican restaurant. The fresh guacamole made at the table and the elote, which has fire-roasted corn covered in a thick aioli, queso fresco, and chili powder, are two of the appetizer selection’s highlights.
Of course, the entire menu of tacos and burritos, which includes fillings like carne asada, al pastor, and spicy chorizo, is also worth checking out. A single taco order lets you try out a variety of options. Burrito Mojado and Jumbo Chimichanga delight with their copious amounts of contents, such as beef or fajita chicken, which provide flavorful bursts.
The specialty drink menu is equally impressive, offering a wide variety of Margarita options as well as non-alcoholic Jarritos Mexican soda tastes. The vibrant surroundings and mariachi music complete the joyous La Casa ambiance. Without having to leave Phenix City, it’s the ideal place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or take in a little taste of Mexico.
Shrimp Basket
Name and Location: Shrimp Basket in Phenix City AL
History and Significance: Florida based restaurant chain bringing fresh from the Gulf wonderfully crispy seafood baskets and plates to this East Alabama location since 2008. Family favorite spot for heaping fried or grilled baskets of shrimp, oysters, fish and chicken tenders paired with hush puppies, slaw, fries or Cheese Grits.
What to Expect: Casual counter service setup where you choose fried or grilled seafood specialty baskets or create your own combination plates. Dine in the nautical themed interior or patio spaces. Receive table delivery of piping hot seafood goodness ready for your own tartar and cocktail sauces. So tasty!
Visitor Information: Opens for lunch daily 11am. Closes 10pm weekdays, 11pm weekends. Online ordering available.
Prepare to indulge in the Shrimp Basket whenever the desire for delectable seafood hits. This laid-back eatery, which is a part of a regional company with its corporate headquarters located in Phenix City, is known for its shrimp and other fried fish dishes.
Fried shrimp can be ordered by the basket, added to salads, or served as part of a plate combo entrée such as Frogmore Stew, which is loaded with potatoes, sausage, corn, and shrimp in a tomato broth. The crispy fried shrimp with a light breading and hushpuppies go well with it, according to the guests. Grouper, flounder, oysters, catfish, and lobster are among the fried options that would not disappoint those who are not fond of shrimp.
For the younger ones, there is even bite-sized fried shrimp on the kids’ menu. The Shrimp Basket meets every appetite with its reasonably priced options, inventive seafood meals, emphasis on freshness, and distinctive sauces for dipping that are flavored with garlic, sugar, or spice.
Depot Bar and Grill
Name and Location: Depot Bar and Grill in Columbus, Georgia
History and Significance: Housed in a restored historic railway station originally built-in 1860, this classic pub brings modern gastropub cuisine paired with extensive craft beer selections in a casual fine dining environment. Frequented by locals, business crowd and event goers at adjacent Civic Center.
What to Expect: Creative takes on comfort foods like lobster tacos, duck confit sliders, shrimp and grits, seared diver scallops joining staples burgers and flatbreads. Refined yet unpretentious dining room with gorgeous mahogany bar. Monthly beer dinner pairings quite popular.
Visitor Information: Lunch, Dinner Daily – Reservations accepted for parties 6 or more. Extensive gluten-free and children’s menu available. $5 valet service and private event spaces.
The Depot Bar and Grill has been providing Phenix City with delicious food since 2014. It is set in a beautiful red brick building that was formerly the Central of Georgia Railway depot. The Depot Bar & Grill focuses on hearty, handcrafted Southern staples with flair, embracing its location and heritage.
Begin your dinner with deliciously greasy, incredibly messy fried green tomatoes that come with a side of Creole remoulade sauce for dipping. Other Southern appetizers, such as the Baked Pimento Cheese Dip with bacon on top and baked till gooey, are as delicious.
But maybe its most well-known feature is the enormous servings and homemade entrée preparation of Depot Bar & Grill. An enormous, crispy deep-fried chicken breast is the first ingredient in the Chicken & Waffle dish. It is served atop a massive Belgian waffle drenched with sausage gravy. The classic Chicken Salad dish is served on a bed of salad greens and almost a whole chicken’s worth of flavorful pulled roasted flesh.
Visitors are also drawn in by the inventive sandwiches, Southern sides, daily specials, and a full bar that serves beers crafted in Alabama. The Depot Bar and Grill fulfills every requirement for tasty southern cuisine in a distinctive atmosphere.
Pho Lee Vietnamese Restaurant
Name and Location: Pho Lee Vietnamese Restaurant in Phenix City, AL
History and Significance: Humble strip mall eatery bringing fast, fresh traditional Vietnamese noodle soups and dishes to East Alabama since 2015. Quickly became renowned in the community for authentic pho, bahn mi and rice platters priced with everyday value in mind.
What to Expect: Simple counter service setup where you order signature Vietnamese noodle soup pho in rich oxtail or chicken broth brimming with meat, rice noodles and herb garnish. Also popular are Bahn Mi Vietnamese sandwiches, vermicelli bowls and rice plates with grilled pork, shrimp or chicken.
Visitor Information: Open everyday 11am to 9pm. Cash only payments. Call ahead for large orders or catering.
Pho Lee, the sole Vietnamese eatery in Phenix City, provides a delectable taste of this well-liked Asian dish. The extensive menu features a number of Chinese and Thai dishes in addition to some Vietnamese classics. But the star of the show is the pho noodle soups.
These aromatic dishes, which are broth-based, are packed with noodles, herbs, and veggies. You can also choose from a variety of meats, such as chicken, beef, fish, or tofu. Large bowls of rice noodles, finely sliced raw pork, bean sprouts, and fragrant Thai basil combine to create a remarkably participatory dish that requires mixing and adding ingredients just before consumption. For beginners, the traditional Pho Ga chicken Pho or the uncommon Pho Tai beef offer excellent starting places.
Past pho, try the spicy Bún bò Huế noodle soup, the wobbly beef tenderloin dripping in a sauce of garlic and pepper, and the delightful spring rolls and Banh Mi sandwiches. The unique cuisine, which is unknown to many inhabitants of the Phenix City area, is made more enjoyable by the lively, stylish setting and the efficient, kind service.
Conclusion
Phenix City’s culinary scene offers a wide range of options, from unique Vietnamese cuisine to hearty Southern cuisine, and everything in between. There are seafood shacks, chef-driven upmarket eateries, and small town institution cafes that leave their stamp. Included in the mix are weekend brunch essentials, supper with a view restaurants, and delicious homemade breakfasts.
These 12 eateries offer the greatest selections, must-try secret finds, and reasonably priced classics to satisfy every craving or occasion. Phenix City caters to all tastes, from breakfast at Brickyard Cafe to dinner with the family at Wiley’s Wagon Wheel or an evening at Primo’s. This list should encourage both residents and tourists to check out the delicious dining options that are flourishing in this surprisingly food-forward Alabama town.