5 new restaurants in Decatur + one coming soon

Reading time: 6 minutes

LinkedInShares25
A Rainbow Paradise cocktail, fire roasted street corn dip, and house made hushpuppies at Marlin's Grill & Bar, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
Marlin’s Grill & Bar opened recently on the Beltline in Decatur. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

River City residents and visitors have a handful of fresh options for dining out just in time for holiday gatherings with family and friends. Five new restaurants in Decatur opened in the last six months, and another is coming soon.

These new spots offer fantastic local flavors, from Los Cabos-style cuisine to BBQ and Southern comfort food. Read on for all the details.

1. Kimmie’s Kitchen & Social House

Teammates behind the bar at Kimmie's Kitchen & Social house, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in the second half of 2024.
A group of friends play Singo Bingo at Kimmie's Kitchen & Social House, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
A Country Breakfast Bowl, mimosa and coffee at Kimmie's Kitchen & Social House, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in the second half of 2024.
Thursday Singo Music Bingo and weekend brunches are top times to visit Kimmie’s Kitchen & Social House in downtown Decatur, Alabama. (Courtesy of Kimmie’s Kitchen & Social House)

Kimmie’s Kitchen & Social House opened at the end of August and is open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday. Thursday nights are popular for Singo Music Bingo.

Brunch has already become a big deal on the weekends. Think: Country bowls overflowing with hash browns, scrambled eggs, a biscuit, sausage gravy and crumbles; shrimp and grits; and strawberry cream cheese French toast. You can also build your own omelet.

Midday and evening menus include several tropical twists on traditional Southern cooking with offerings like jerk chicken, shrimp, pineapple glazed salmon, a Key West salad and Key lime pie.

Specialty cocktails like coconut pineapple martinis carry on the cozy, Caribbean vibe.

2. Marlin’s Bar & Grill

The exterior of Marlin's Grill & Bar, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
Bar seating at Marlin's Grill & Bar, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
A Rainbow Paradise cocktail, fire roasted street corn dip, and house made hushpuppies at Marlin's Grill & Bar, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
Take a trip to West Coast tropical waters with a Rainbow Paradise cocktail, fire-roasted street corn dip and a cozy, cheerful atmosphere at Marlin’s Grill & Bar in Decatur. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

You may see the name “Marlin’s” and think seafood, and yet it’s so much more. While you will find grilled swordfish and lobster tails on the menu, they’re alongside Mississippi catfish, a selection of quality steaks, ribs and many Mexican classics.

Table service starts with a basket of luscious hushpuppies. A server robot assists the wait staff and will sing “Happy Birthday” to you.

It’s an interesting mix and here’s why: Owner and Chef Dino Flores has been cooking in restaurants for 40 years, so you’ll see most of his favorites from many regions and culinary styles on the menu.

Marlin’s is part of the Flores family’s group of restaurants in North Alabama and Mississippi, which include the Los Cabos and Cabos San Lucas brands. The Flores family hails from Los Cabos in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, known as the “Marlin Capital of the World.”

When Flores had the opportunity to launch a new brand, he chose a creature close to his home and heart—the marlin.

3. Nash BBQ Reloaded

A rib plate with macaroni and cheese and baked beans at Nash BBQ on the Beltline, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in the second half of 2024.
A fish plate with potato salad and baked beans at Nash BBQ on the Beltline, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in the second half of 2024.
Two women enjoy a meal at Nash BBQ on the Beltline, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in the second half of 2024.
Nash BBQ Reloaded opened this fall under a second generation of ownership and reimagined menu. (Courtesy of Nash BBQ Reloaded)

Barbecue fans rejoiced when Nash BBQ Reloaded held its grand opening on Oct. 1, which replaced a former Nash BBQ location that closed there in 2020.

The former owner’s son, Terrence Baker-Nash, reimagined the menu and tweaked the name to match the fresh concept and his ownership.

Baker-Nash says that so far, business has been good and steady, “even better than expected.” The restaurant’s honey hot catfish has been a huge hit, as have the new wings flavors—honey gold, honey hot and lemon pepper.

Keep up with Nash BBQ Reloaded’s daily specials Monday through Thursday, which will cost you less than $10 for a full meal.

4. The Game

A big bowl of truffle fries on a table with multiple screens showing an Alabama football game at The Game, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
Pinball and video games in the game room and axe throwing gallery of The Game, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
People watch a football game at the bar of The Game, one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama to open in late 2024.
The Game in downtown Decatur, Alabama has several spaces for dining, drinks and entertainment. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

The Game held its grand opening back in September, welcoming folks in for some of the most decadent comfort food in town, a stocked bar and plenty of room to watch games.

As you may guess from the name, “game” is the word here: There’s also a selection of pinball machines and video games alongside an axe-throwing gallery. It’s pretty much impossible to be bored here.

As for the food, we’ve only heard good things. From experience, try one of the massive, rich and creamy macaroni bowls.

5. Honeybaked Ham

The exterior of The Honey Baked Ham Co., one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama, which opened on Nov. 14, 2024.
Hams in a cooler at The Honey Baked Ham Co., one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama, which opened on Nov. 14, 2024.
The inside of The Honey Baked Ham Co., one of several new restaurants in Decatur, Alabama, which opened on Nov. 14, 2024.
A Honey Baked Ham Company location opened in Decatur in November near the Walmart Supercenter. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

With The Honey Baked Ham Company, you may think of the namesake first, especially if you’ve enjoyed one of their hams over the holidays or another occasion. Decatur welcomed a franchise location in November, just in time for this year’s festive season.

Of course, the store offers signature hams and many catering options for office parties, family gatherings and other feasts.

What you may not have tried is the daily menu for a scrumptious lunch or early dinner. Try the ham and Swiss sliders or a variety of delicious deli sandwiches, salads and sides.

Coming soon: Chow Won Seafood & Steakhouse

The exterior of Chow Won Korean BBQ, a restaurant coming soon to Decatur, Alabama.
Chow Won Seafood & Steakhouse is planned for Plum Tree Center in Decatur, with no opening date yet set. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

While we do not have an opening date yet for Chow Won in Plum Tree Center, we noticed signs of progress recently. Or sign, really: The new sign is in place on the building.

Chow Won will serve authentic Korean barbecue, seafood and steak, similar to other locations in the same group of restaurants in Florida and Georgia—Chow One and Chow Won.

We’ll keep you posted as details develop.

Have you tried any of these new restaurants in Decatur? We’d love to hear about your experiences and menu tips about your favorite dishes.

Stay in the know about what’s new and happening in and around Huntsville! Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

LinkedInShares25
Lisa Battles
Lisa Battles
Articles: 18

Related Posts