Mobile, AL, Restaurants Serve Up International Flavors
Port cities around the globe are famous for the diversity of flavors, languages and people brought into town by the tides, and Mobile is no exception. Here, restaurants marry Italian, French, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Mexican flavors with local ingredients for a cuisine that hits all the right notes.
Latin Love
For Mexican food lovers, regional restaurateur Armando Rodriguez has established a veritable empire of south-of-the-border eateries in Mobile, each with its distinct vibe. A quick glance inside one of the two locations of Aztecas Restaurant & Cantina is enough to know you’re in for a good time, as upbeat music and ultra-friendly servers create a vibrant atmosphere. The sprawling menu boasts classic entrees (think carne asada, carnitas and sopes) as well as dishes that skew more toward the “Tex” side of Tex-Mex (wings, nachos and cheesy enchilada platters).
Sibling restaurant Hacienda San Miguel is more subdued, with warm terra cotta tile floors and wrought iron finishings taking the place of bright papel picado garlands; it’s more family restaurant than party central. Finally, deMaiz Taco Cantina boasts an airy, intimate dining room; its clean modern decor and neon wall art appeal to a younger crowd. The restaurant has also just opened a location downtown on Dauphin Street in addition to its location in west Mobile.
There’s a significant amount of menu overlap between Aztecas, Hacienda San Miguel and deMaiz, though there is enough variation to keep it interesting at all three.
For example, culinary chimera birria ramen can only be found at Aztecas or Hacienda. And deMaiz is the only spot to offer brunch, where you can enjoy a selection of scrumptious breakfast burritos, breakfast quesadillas and a divine French toast served with a Mexican caramel sauce and fresh berries. Another notable dish is the chilaquiles, which are fried tortilla strips simmered in red or green sauce and served with shredded chicken or eggs and smothered with queso fresco.
Fast-casual spot Taco Mama has three locations in Midtown, west Mobile and Daphne; all three turn out tacos and fat Mission-style burritos in flavor combos like the Mayor (chicken, queso fresco and creamy cilantro sauce) and the Hippie Fisherman (flounder or shrimp, chile slaw and avocado). Diners can also craft their perfect bite from an impressive list of 30 toppings and sauces.
If you’re looking for empanadas with a Cajun twist, Empanola Mobile boasts an enticing display of golden-brown pastries stuffed with all manner of sweet, savory and international fillings.
A night at Las Floriditas requires some research, but don’t be deterred – a seat at the Cuban-style speakeasy’s bar is well worth the effort. Visit its social media the day of to nab the password; guests without it won’t be admitted. Once inside, sip on a bevy of rum cocktails like Cuba Libre and a half-dozen daiquiri variations. The mojo pork, achiote chicken and guava flan coming from the kitchen will whisk you away to the Caribbean island.
Euro Bites
For beautifully plated Italian classics in a casual atmosphere, check out Amici Trattoria, a sit-down restaurant and wine market. The extensive wine-by-the-glass list naturally prioritizes Italian juice that pairs perfectly with the kitchen’s comforting pastas and Gulf seafood. With regular live music, wine tasting events and a monthly wine club, it’s the perfect place to develop your palate.
Bistro Saint Emanuel serves Alabama-fied French food in an elegant colonial setting in the heart of Mobile’s historic Fort Condé Village. Try the gumbo, packed with local oysters, shrimp and sausage; poutine smothered in Bourbon brown gravy; or the burger topped with gooey brie, caramelized onions and crispy bacon. Brunch – served every day – is especially popular with locals.
For a quick, casual jolt of Mediterranean flavor, hit up one of the three Mediterranean Sandwich Co. locations in the city. From Middle Eastern standards like gyros, chicken shawarma and hummus to cultural mashups like “redneck gyros” (sausage, mozzarella, gouda and Cajun tzatziki), these spots win over fans with their commitment to premium meats and bold ingredients.
Get to Know Mobile, AL
Want to learn more about living and working in Mobile, AL? Check out the new edition of Livability Mobile – Coastal Alabama.