A few new restaurants to try in the Tuscaloosa area

Jasmine Hollie

Tuscaloosa News USA TODAY NETWORK

The Tuscaloosa restaurant scene is always evolving and expanding.

Here’s a recap of some buzzworthy restaurant openings that you may have missed: Alabama Peanut Co.

This Birmingham-based peanut shop opened its first Tuscaloosa location at 411 23rd Ave. in Temerson Square.

Alabama Peanut Co. offers over 100 rotating fresh boiled peanut recipes and barrel-roasted peanut flavors. It also offers local craft beers, domestic favorites, classic sodas and refreshing seltzers.

Founded in 1907, Alabama Peanut Co. is known as America’s oldest peanut shop, according to its website.

Ben’s Bread

Ben’s Bread offers a selection of sourdough bread, bagels and croissants made to order with organic ingredients.

The bakery is at 3510 Loop Road. According to its website, owner Ben Rosario was inspired to create his own bakery through his own love of sourdough bread. Rosario, his wife and new

born son often visited a Sourdough bakery in England.

After moving to Tuscaloosa, Rosario wanted to make his own authentic sourdough bread.

Southern Ale House Dockside

Southern Ale House restaurant expanded and opened a new location on Lake Tuscaloosa.

Southern Ale Dockside is the newest addition to the Southern Ale House family. It offers the restaurant’s signature Southern cuisine and craft beers with a waterfront setting, according to its website.

The restaurant’s original location is at 1530 McFarland Blvd. N. in Tuscaloosa. The Dockside site is at 15129 Marina Dr. N. in Northport.

Milano’s Italian Grill

Milano’s Italian Grill is at 1301 McFarland Blvd NE in the former home of La Bamba and most recently VeraCruz. Some might remember the site as home to Pepito’s.

Menu items include pizza, lasagna, chicken alfredo, spaghetti with meatballs and more.

Milano’s is on Facebook and Instagram.

Rolf’s German Restaurant

Owner Rolf Meyer first opened Rolf ’s Deli and Sausages on U.S. Highway 43 in Northport in 2021 before relocating to Temerson Square in 2024.

The restaurant offers smoked or brat chicken and curry sausages, salami, bratwurst, gyro meat, hams, German meatloaf, schnitzel, sauerkraut, raisin bread, sourdough bread, butter pretzels, garlic and French bread rolls, Black Forest cake and more, according to its website.

Sugo Italian Restaurant

Sugo is an Italian restaurant is at 2217 University Blvd.

According to its website, the restaurant offers an authentic Italian dining experience with a touch of Mediterranean flair.

Menu items include fettucine alfredo, scampi chicken parmesan and more.

The Sanctuary on 25th

The Sanctuary on 25th is a full-service restaurant and bar that features a private event space.

This business is at 1710 25th Ave., in the former home of Conquerors Light Faith Center.

Owners of the Sanctuary are Matt and Nikki Ray of Eat My Beats in Tuscaloosa.

The business offers a selection of food and alcoholic drinks. Notable drinks called the seven deadly sins include: Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Pride, Sloth, Envy and Wrath.

20\\59 Restaurant & Bar

This Cottondale based restaurant is at 6421 Interstate Drive.

According to its website, owner Melvin Cannon of Tuscaloosa always had a passion for food and dreamt of having a restaurant.

Cannon was a former chef at the now-closed Cypress Inn and dietary manager for Heritage Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

He’s always had a passion for food and dreamt of having a restaurant he could call his own in the Cottondale area where he and his family reside. He’s also the creator of the infamous Ms. Cynthia’s Peach Cobbler, which is dedicated to his late mother.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@ gannett.com.