Excellent experience, plan on walking, parking is terrible! The food was good,must try.Be prepared to walk and wait for a table.

If you know downtown Tuscaloosa, you know getting into Urban Bar & Kitchen usually requires patience--and a willingness to stand around waiting for the doors to open. But spring break week flipped the script in the best way possible. Tonight, my wife and I met up with some good friends for a pre-retirement dinner, and with the college crowd scattered to the beaches, downtown felt like it belonged to us "seasoned locals" again. No lines, no crowds--just a quick call ahead and we were seated within minutes. That alone felt like a win. We started things off with the fried green tomatoes--a true Southern delicacy and, let's be honest, acid reflux's favorite dance partner. Worth it? Absolutely. These were hot, crispy, and full of flavor. The kind of dish that would make Grandma nod in approval. No shortcuts, just done right. For the entrée, I went with the UBK Pasta--blackened chicken, sausage, and shrimp tossed with corkscrew pasta probably crafted in a cast iron skillet. It came out hot and packed with flavor, carrying just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting without overwhelming the dish. Exactly how I like it. My wife stuck with a proven winner: the shrimp & grits. She's had it before, and once again, it delivered. Consistency matters, and this dish continues to hit the mark every time. Now, not everything was quite as smooth. Our waitress wasn't exactly channeling that warm Southern hospitality you hope for. Let's just say she wasn't "Miss Dolly" serving smiles with a side of charm. The service leaned a bit on the impatient side--subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints that our time at the table was up, including clearing drinks before we were even finished. At one point I joked about going to the restroom but worried I might come back to find my chair gone. Still, when the food is this good, it carries the experience. Urban Bar & Kitchen continues to deliver where it matters most--on the plate. The atmosphere was relaxed thanks to spring break timing, the food was as strong as ever, and the company made it even better. As for the service... maybe she was just ready for her own spring break reunion. Happens to the best of us. Final takeaway: Go for the food--it's consistently excellent. And if you can catch a quieter night like this one, even better. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Shrimp & Grits - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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I visited on the last day of restaurant week to try the short rib special. The inside of the restaurant is nice and chill. Parking can be a headache if you're visiting on the weekend or after 5 on the weekday. This visit was a little underwhelming... I had heard many good things about UBK so I was expecting something more flavorful. All of the food lacked flavor and could've used more seasoning. The short rib was very tender but there was absolutely no flavor. I ended up adding a bunch of salt and pepper to my meal. The fried green tomatoes were okay but not seasoned well. The only good thing was the margarita. Besides the lack of seasoning, there were plenty of gnats and flies. Our server even acknowledged that they were having issues with the gnats. I'd love to give this place another try but I don't think it would be worth it. read more

Whole wing dinner, sweet potato fries, cheese grits, I had coleslaw. Fried crab claws for an appetizer. Absolutely awesome, best wings in town, crispy, juicy, seasoned and cooked perfectly. Such an awesome meal, not cheap but worth every penny. Service was great, place is really nice and super clean and organized. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Whole Wing Dinner, sweet potato fries, cheese grits. - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Literally wow. Amazing service AND amazing food! Had reservations at 7pm on a Friday night for 2 and we got there about 6:45. We were prepared to wait since we got there early but got sat right away. Also, we got all of our food within 10 minutes. Fast and efficient service! We started off with the cup of gumbo and fried green tomatoes and neither disappointed. The tomatoes were so crispy and had a great, almost potato like texture (but lighter on the palate). First time trying gumbo and the best way I can describe it is a mix of Japanese beef stew and Portuguese bean soup with a slightly spicy southern flare. Highly recommend both of these options. For entrees, we got the shrimp and grits and the blackened salmon salad. The shrimp and grits were buttery and full of umami. Honestly, the sausages shined more than the shrimp but an overall amazing dish. Got a side of collared greens by recommendation of our waitress (who unfortunately we didn't catch the name of but was the kindest and most patient person ever), and was just such a solid side that we demolished. Salty, savory, and light enough for us to enjoy all the other dishes we got. Also came with two little corn breads! The blackened salmon salad came with a great raspberry vinaigrette that was used on less than half of the salad because the salmon was THAT juicy. It was seasoned so well and literally flaked apart. I would get it again in a heart beat. A hefty serving of salmon too!!! Couldn't even finish the salmon with all that we got and I'm very much looking forward to having it later. Sat towards the front of the restaurant so can't attest to the ambience too much but it was a bit loud in there. Nothing unbearable though. I would highly recommend this place and will be coming back for sure. read more

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Add this to your list when you visit Ttown! The food was really REALLY good!! And the prices were really reasonable! I had the crab claws as an appetizer and there were seasoned to perfection. I got the fried pork chops for my dinner and ate both chops they were so good!! Our server Iyana was so nice & very knowledgeable about the menu. We were surprised at the end of our dinner to learn it was only her 3rd day! Ask for her section when you go! I will definitely be going back!! read more

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Great food, excellent service, and we try to visit every time we get to Tuscaloosa. Have tried multiple dishes and we have enjoyed them all. read more

Hit the spot. Order came out correctly. The chicken portion was far larger than I expected it to be. Pleasantly surprised by how tasty the salmon was. The waitstaff were all very pleasant. Very quick service. My husband said his ribeye was average at best. read more

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Yumm! This place was delicious!!! Get the grouper sandwich and the buffalo dip!!! This is a great stop for lunch in Tuscaloosa!!! Wonderful service also!!! read more

We've been here a few times, and every time it is good. The wife had a shrimp Caesar and I had the smothered chicken. We both had the cheese grits and thought they were very good. All in all a solid dinner spot. read more

Roll Tide. Dropped in to Tuscaloosa for a family competition. The restaurant is minutes from the main campus. This was the first place that came up and it had 4+ stars so let's go. Went on a Saturday so it was busy. There were available seats at the bar so that is where I went. Ashley was my server/bartender was helpful and friendly. I ordered the buffalo cauliflower wings for the starter and blackened fish tacos as the entree. I went with the Blackberry Farms Saison. Perfect choice on a warm summer day with the spicy cauliflower and fish tacos. The buffalo cauliflower was excellent the intentional heat built nicely. The fry was perfect and cauliflower was still moist. The fish tacos were ok. The blackened fish could have been a little more crispy with a touch more heat. I added a few pieces of the cauliflower wings and bingo, it added some spice and crunch that the tacos needed. Cabbage instead of lettuce may have been a decent touch as well. The grits were the star of the night. They were super creamy and cheesy, soo good. Some of the best grits I have had at a restaurant. I sat next to some locals and they had some great recommendations, will go back. read more

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I ate lunch here yesterday for the first time and I wish T-town was a bit closer to Hoover. The service was excellent -- the food came out quickly and hot! I ordered the blackened grouper taco with seasoned fries. The portion was HUGE and the fish fresh and seasoned to perfection. I devoured all of the fries and took one taco home to eat today. It was a busy time at the restaurant, but that didn't matter. The owner had time to come over and check in with us to make sure we were enjoying our meal. I wish this restaurant much success. I will return! read more

So, so good! Blackened Grouper sandwich is simply yummy! Gonna be my go-to place when I am in town! Peach cobbler & ice cream is next! Manager/owner (?) walks around checking on folks. Really a nice place to dine! read more

Hubby and I came here for dinner tonight....SO GLAD WE DID!!!! The food is excellent, our waitress, Ms Claire is awesome and so friendly and we had the opportunity to meet one of the owners, he is REALLY nice! To start we had the Buffalo Cauliflower Wings....wow! Delicious! I little too much salt for me....but it was downright delicious and I would definitely eat it again! Hubby had the fried catfish with collard greens and cheesy grits. Needless to say he oooh'd and aaah'd while eating! I tasted the greens, they are down right delish! I had the black bean burger with sweet potato fries...delish! The topping!!!!! We had the slutty brownie and was blessed with a small sample of the white chocolate bread pudding. OMG!!!!! We are EVERY DROP!!!!! We will definitely return, and highly recommend! read more

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A must when in TTown! You won't be disappointed. Wide selection and fantastic atmosphere.

Loved this place. It gives modern and sleek sports viewing at the bar with STELLAR service (went on Tuesday evening), with options for more intimate dinner or group seating as well. I love the layout and how you can see the kitchen bustling. My food was super juicy and flavorful, and they even had the Ferus Blonde Ale on draft. The sweet potato fries were the hit. Perfectly sweet and crispy. I can't wait to return and try more of their menu items. This will become a staple within my future visits for sure. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Fried fish and Southern Chicken BLT - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

It was alright. The Brown Sugar Old Fashioned was tasty. The salad with chicken was okay. It was a bit overdressed, but was otherwise good. I'd probably go back. read more

Ordered the bolognese and it was super satisfying. The meat sauce had a lot of depth and was clearly slow-cooked. Pasta was firm and held the sauce well. I liked the little sprinkle of parmesan they added on top. The staff was upbeat and made us feel welcome. Good place to grab dinner with friends. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves hearty pasta. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

My sister and I were in town for a Maxwell concert and decided to try out this Black-owned biz for dinner. We learned that it's a pretty popular spot, so we were really looking forward to it. Service was great! From the moment we walked in everyone was smiling and helpful. We made a reservation through Yelp, which I highly recommend because the place was packed, and got seated quickly. They were also playing good R&B tunes so the place had a nice vibe. I tried the crab claw dinner and it looked delish, but the claws were overcooked, making it hard to get the actual meat off the claw. My greens were also a bit bland, but overall it was a decent meal. My sister loved her burger and was so disappointed she couldn't take the leftovers to the concert lol. We also got some cocktails and I can't remember their names but they were good too. I'd definitely come back to try the burger and some other stuff. A man was walking around greeting people and helping the staff, so I think he was the owner. He was super nice and very attentive to everyone around, gotta love that kind of passion! read more

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The food is excellent, service is great and the ambiance is all that. The food never disappoint. This is a must go!

Great food. Have tried a variety of things from the menu and nothing has disappointed. Wish they took reservations because they can be hard to get into on busy nights. Wish the chairs were more comfortable, but that's the only complaint. read more

I got the smothered Chicken, rice w/ gravy and collard greens for pick up. My rice came without gravy, and the collards were so salty I couldn't eat them which was unfortunate because the chicken was excellent and perfectly cooked. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Gravy-less rice - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Amazing food and people! Great time my new favorite place in T-Town! Best Gumbo you will ever have! Grouper was incredible!

Greeted immediately upon entering in a friendly manner. Cute space with ample seating. Waited roughly 10 minutes to be seated around lunchtime, which seems normal. Good menu, quite a few options. Waitress was absolutely great, attentive but not overly attentive. Food came out quickly. I had salmon salad and my daughter had a chicken club. It was delicious! Bathrooms were clean but the floor in there was slick and could use a good clean and strip. I'd definitely go again. read more

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I revisited this place for a night out with my partner, knowing we would have a good meal. Though service was slow (which is usual for here due to its popularity and lack of staff like everywhere else) our meal was fantastic. My fish tacos were perfectly seasoned and cooked until flakey. They went great with the corn tortillas, cheese, and salsa. I also highly recommend the Caribbean Mule if you cannot decide between all the delicious cocktails. This restaurant makes up for its slow service with its excellent food, friendly staff, and great atmosphere. I recommend Urban Bar and Kitchen any time I can. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Caribbean Mule - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Food is excellent! Bar service was great! My wife and I ate here a year ago when we dropped off our son (freshman year). Roll Tide! I had a old fashion (x2) - excellent My wife had a black cherry white claw (x2) I ordered the southern fried pork chops with green beans and sweet potato fries - excellent My wife ordered the shrimp and grits - also excellent! Definitely would recommend! read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Southern fried pork chops - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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We had the best experience! The bacon bombs are 10/10. I got the blackened grouper and mac & cheese which was delicious! Our server was amazing and our food came out quick. We'll definitely be back! read more

The food is excellent, the service was great and the atmosphere of the restaurant was busy and pleasant. I would return back to this restaurant when I am in the area, read more

Favorite spot in Tuscaloosa! Food is great and the service is always good. Don't miss the grits...

The BBQ burger here is loaded with flavor. The tangy barbecue sauce, crispy onion strings, and juicy patty make every bite satisfying. The sweet potato fries were a great side option, though they could have been a bit crispier. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Even on a busy night with several large groups previously dini we only had to wait a few minutes before being seated. Provides a little reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding college town atmosphere. Food portions of the appetizers were easily shared amongst the two of us. The main course definitely required taking half back home. Which made for a delicious lunch the following day. My new "go to" restaurant in T-Town. read more

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The shrimp and grits were amazing, top 3 on my list and I've lived in the low country. Highly recommend. We've came for drinks here 3 times and the drinks are always the best. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Shrimp and Grits - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

My small group of three visited for brunch on a game day weekend, so there was a short wait. The brunch menu is much more limited compared to their dinner options, but we ordered the Chicken Wings & Waffle, Shrimp & Grits, and their traditional breakfast meal. As for the Chicken Wings & Waffle, I was expecting a much more fluffier and thicker waffle, but the dish was fine overall! I also liked that the meal came with sides; I also made sure to ask the waitress for a hot sauce for the wings. The star of the show was definitely the Shrimp & Grits. They put a good amount of sauce and vegetables in the mix, and there is so much flavor! I personally thought it was a little salty, so we mixed it with an additional side of grits, which was phenomenal. We also ordered a side of mac and cheese, which I highly recommend. read more

Urban Bar & Kitchen - Chicken & Wings and Waffle, Shrimp and Grits, Classic Breakfast - American Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

For a small town like Tuscaloosa, this place is quite the spot for a nice lunch or dinner with friends and/or family. I will say though, the entrance and figuring out where to go from there is quite confusing. At first we thought it was a fast casual, order at the counter situation but within a few minutes, we were greeted by a host and sat within minutes. The food is very rich but tasty nonetheless. I ordered the grouper sandwich, and though it was delicious, it could have used a more sturdy bread due to the amount of mess that came with the sandwich. We also ordered fried green tomatoes and the fried cheese balls and they were to die for! I could have eaten those and been satisfied! Our server was very attentive, even with it being very busy. She gave great recommendations and overall kept our glasses filled! With many restaurants closing up while students are away for break, this gem is definitely a place to check out if you're a townie! read more

I wouldn't give this restaurant a star if I had a choice. They are rude and don't tell you that you have a 15 minute grace period for reservations. Parking is impossible and you can barely make it in time for your reservation due to parking. I wouldn't even recommend a dog to come here. read more

Don't miss this place. Always GREAT!! Burgers to die for. Dessert amazing too. Seafood so good. Try the sweet potatoes fries!!!!!

The food is always delicious and hot. My favorite meal to order is the Shrimp and Grits! Manager is always polite and working hard.

The atmosphere is good vibes.. Food is delicious! I had the crab claw dinner and loved it all! The owner was so involved and checked on all the customers personally. Live dinner acoustic music. 5 stars + read more

I can't say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere is incredible, the service is top notch, and the food is fantastic. Great location close to a free public parking garage. We had crab claws for an appetizer with our drinks, both perfect. We had the bronzed grouper, collard greens, and roasted potatoes, perfect! Ashley was our server and she was amazing!! One tip for new customers. Make a reservation or you may not get seated. This place is popular. read more

Not only is the food great, but the atmosphere rates highly, also. I love the crab claws, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and cobbler. We need to keep this restaurant because the food is good and there is a wide variety of options. read more