Fairhope’s culinary scene welcomes new additions, new locations for old favorites

By Melanie LeCroy
Lifestyle Editor
melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 6/23/22

Publications often highlight Fairhope as a top place to visit, live and retire, and the locals know that once people get here, everyone has to eat. And they make sure it's also a top place to do just …

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Fairhope’s culinary scene welcomes new additions, new locations for old favorites

Posted

Publications often highlight Fairhope as a top place to visit, live and retire, and the locals know that once people get here, everyone has to eat. And they make sure it's also a top place to do just that.

The idyllic downtown area is small, easily walkable and packed with restaurants and cafes along with antique stores, art galleries and clothing boutiques. In the summer, it is not unusual to see tourists walking around with maps as they take in the area before heading to the beach.

The culinary scene in Fairhope is constantly changing and evolving, making it a destination for travelers and residents alike. The past year has seen old favorites move to new locations, brand-new additions and a few coming soon. While there are always rumors percolating that places like Starbucks, Chicken Salad Chick and Five Guy’s Burgers and Fries are coming to town, here are some solid bets.

NEW AND OPEN

Kind Café

What: The Kind Café is Fairhope’s first bagel bakery. Their crunchy exterior and chewy interior is everything you want in a bagel. The menu offers a selection of flavors from plain to sesame bagels, a selection of cream cheese flavors made in-house, bagel sandwiches and coffee. The interior design of the space is welcoming and makes a great spot to meet friends.
Where: 108 N. Section St., Fairhope

Delta Soul
What: Located inside The Mill in Fairhope, this quick counter-service restaurant has a menu full of southern comfort food classics. Everything your southern soul desires from fried green tomatoes and fried chicken to new twists like fried apple pie chicken sandwich and chicken potpie chimichanga.
Where: The Mill Fairhope, 85 N. Bancroft St., Fairhope

EllenJay Cookies
What: EllenJay Cookies has been a staple in Mobile for years, and they recently opened a satellite location inside The Mill in Fairhope. The menu features decorated sugar cookies, cakes, cookie sandwiches and tea cakes.
Where: The Mill Fairhope, 85 N. Bancroft St., Fairhope

The Fairhope Burger Company
What: The Fairhope Burger Company is the latest addition to The Mill in Fairhope after opening in March. It specializes in burgers topped with unique toppings. Not in the mood for a burger? The menu includes chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and loaded French fries.

Where: The Mill Fairhope, 85 N. Bancroft St., Fairhope

Sean’s Prime Dining
What: Chef Sean Travis has been serving the Eastern Shore for years out of the Eastern Shore Street Eats food truck, but in March he moved his operation to a permanent location. Recent menu specials include lobster roll, pork belly roulade and gulf snapper ceviche.
Where: 58 N. Section St., Fairhope

Ferus By the Bay

What: The newest spot on our list, Ferus By the Bay just opened in May. Located on the corner of Church Street and De La Mare Avenue, this spot has a large outdoor deck for enjoying a cocktail and people watching. The menu features everything from wings and pimento cheese and crackers for snacking to salads and steak. They also have a children’s menu sure to delight the youngest of diners and a cocktail and beer selection that will delight the older diners.
Where: 51 S. Church St., Fairhope

Porterhouse BBQ
What: The name and logo may sound familiar for this new downtown eatery. Porterhouse BBQ started as a food truck around the area, and they now have a brick-and-mortar location on Fairhope Avenue. The menu features smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs and burgers.
Where: 410 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope

OLD FAVORITES WITH NEW LOCATIONS

Fairhope Chocolate
What: Fairhope Chocolate moved from Fairhope’s French Quarter to a prime location on Fairhope Avenue. The bigger space offers cozy seating areas, beer and wine, a larger selection of housemade gelato and bakery items.
Where: 403 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope

Ox Kitchen

What: Ox Kitchen recently moved from The Mill in Fairhope to their own spot on U.S. Highway 98. The new space offers a deck with outdoor seating, a fun Fairhope mural and the same great food.
Where: 365 Greeno Road South, Fairhope

Rae’s Kitchen
What: Rae’s Kitchen outgrew their original space long ago, but they have a brand-new location right in downtown Fairhope. The same tasty food, dips and ready to cook casseroles are now in a larger space with indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of downtown parking.
Where: 72 S. Section St., Fairhope

Bay Breeze Café
What: Bay Breeze Café moved into a new space with a large covered deck, more seating capacity and a liquor license. The menu still features classics like their delicious roasted corn and tomato bisque, sandwiches and wraps, but they have expanded to offer dinner and live music on certain nights.
Where: 212 ½ Fairhope Ave., Fairhope

COMING SOON

Pearl Restaurant
What: Pearl Restaurant looks like it will open soon with the promise of cocktails, seafood and a raw bar.
Where: 334 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope

Panini Pete’s Pizza and Pasta
What: Chef Pete Blohme has been working on a new dinner menu for his Fairhope Panini Pete’s location that promises freshly made pizza and pasta. He has been pushing out teasers for months, but we are hopeful he won’t make us wait much longer.
Where: 42 ½ South Section St., Fairhope