NEW RESTAURANTS IN FAIRHOPE, AL (2025-2026)

Updated June 2026

People ask us all the time what is new in Fairhope and where they should eat that just opened. Here is everything worth knowing for 2025 and 2026, the spots that are open and welcoming you in right now. Let’s dig in.

What are the newest restaurants in Fairhope, Alabama?

The newest restaurants open in Fairhope right now include Atticus (elevated French on North Section Street), Little Bird (a James Beard nominee’s coastal Southern cottage on Oak Avenue), Kingfisher Seafood (Louisiana fare under the live oaks), Market by the Bay (fresh Gulf seafood downtown), Fairhope Social Club (casual eats and cocktails on North Church Street), and Parlor Doughnuts (craft doughnuts and coffee in a 1921 building). More are listed below.

New Restaurants and Spots Open Now in Fairhope

Atticus

61 N. Section Street

The newest arrival, and the most ambitious. Atticus is fundamentally French with a global influence, built around a four-course tasting menu that runs from foie gras and handmade dumplings to prime steaks, chops, and Gulf seafood, finishing with something like a banana souffle. It comes from Charles Mereday, a chef with more than 35 years in the business and a past role as executive chef at the Battle House in Mobile, with Mackenzie Broquet as executive chef bringing a Japanese influence to the kitchen. Named for Atticus Finch, it opened in 2026 in the former Plane and Level space and is already one of the most exciting tables in town.

Little Bird

404 Oak Avenue

Set in a restored historic cottage with six intimate dining rooms and a wonderful porch, Little Bird is the work of five-time James Beard nominee Chef Bill Briand, named in honor of his late mother. The coastal Southern menu is the draw, and the Seafood Tower is the showstopper. From the same group behind The Hope Farm, it opened in June 2025 and quickly became one of the most talked-about restaurants in the area.

Kingfisher Seafood

805 S. Mobile Street

A Louisiana-meets-Alabama fish house under a canopy of live oaks. Kingfisher comes from Tyler Hood, an owner of several of The Chimes restaurants in Louisiana, and it is his first concept in Baldwin County. Expect gumbo, fried catfish, and chargrilled oysters, plus a spacious bar and an outdoor deck that catches the Eastern Shore breeze. It opened in January 2025.

Market by the Bay

7 S. Church Street

The beloved Daphne seafood spot brought its second location across the bay to downtown Fairhope in January 2025. The menu favorites came with it, including po’boys and the award-winning seafood gumbo made fresh daily. A welcome addition for anyone craving fresh, no-fuss Gulf Coast seafood right in the heart of town.

Fairhope Social Club

14 N. Church Street

A casual eatery with a modern, fun twist from Jessica Barnhill of Rae’s Kitchen and her partners, with Chef Jeremiah Matthews in the kitchen. The menu has personality, from charcuterie nachos and a curly fry salad to the Alabama Tenderloin, a fried bologna sandwich that has become a signature. There is a full bar too, with cocktails like the Social Club Kool Aid and the Giggle Juice, their take on a French 75. It opened in April 2025 and stays open later and on weekends.

Parlor Doughnuts

51 S. Church Street

Inside a cozy 1921 building on South Church Street, Parlor Doughnuts pairs specialty coffee with its signature layered doughnuts, crisp on the outside and soft within, in flavors from french toast to turtle cheesecake. There are savory options too, like a sausage biscuit with fig jam and sage butter. It opened in October 2025 as a comfortable, fireplace-warmed spot for a morning treat or an evening sweet.

Rouxster Cafe & Catering

209 S. Section Street

A caterer at heart that also serves small lunch plates, Rouxster brings Cajun, Creole, and Southern soul food to South Section Street. Think award-winning gumbo, po’boys, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, shrimp creole, butter beans, collard greens, cornbread, and cobbler. A great stop when you want big Louisiana flavor in a quick, casual setting.

Lartigue’s Seafood Market

420 Eastern Shore Shopping Center (off S. Greeno Road)

Not brand new, but newly relocated and worth knowing. The Lartigue family has been a seafood name in the area since 1978, and their Fairhope market recently moved into the Eastern Shore Shopping Center. Alongside fresh and specialty seafood, they make prepared items using family recipes, from gumbo and crab cakes to dips and crawfish boudin, and they will steam your purchase for you. A 2024 Nappie winner for Best Seafood Market. Perfect for taking dinner home, or grabbing a quick bite.

Southern Bayou Grill

11950 County Road 32

A bit outside the downtown core but worth the drive for Southern comfort with Cajun flair. House-made burger patties, crawfish, jambalaya, shrimp, and fresh Gulf oysters, with a kids menu and sides like hush puppies and red beans and rice. Established in 2025, it is the kind of warm, casual spot regulars happily go out of their way for.

Bullet Coffee

23764 US-98 West

A new drive-thru coffee stop on Highway 98 for a quick, quality caffeine fix. Espresso drinks, teas, and a few wraps and pastries, with house favorites like the Turtle Latte and the Caramel Latte, plus a loyalty program for the regulars. New in 2025, it is easy in, easy out, with no parking hunt required.

The Best Way to Experience Fairhope’s Food Scene

New spots are exciting, but the real magic of Fairhope’s food is in the mix, the brand-new alongside the places that have been getting it right for decades. On the Taste of Fairhope Food Tour, we walk you through the heart of town, stop at five local restaurants, and serve up the history and stories behind the food along the way. It is a fun, easy way for visitors to get to know Fairhope, and for locals to taste their town like never before. Come hungry and taste Fairhope like an insider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the newest restaurants in Fairhope, Alabama?

The newest restaurants in Fairhope include Atticus, Little Bird, Kingfisher Seafood, Market by the Bay, Fairhope Social Club, Parlor Doughnuts, Rouxster Cafe and Catering, and Southern Bayou Grill, plus the recently relocated Lartigue’s Seafood Market and the new Bullet Coffee on Highway 98. This list is updated as new spots open around town.

What is the newest restaurant in Fairhope?

Atticus, an elevated French restaurant on North Section Street from Chef Charles Mereday, is the newest notable opening, having debuted in 2026 in the former Plane and Level space.

Where can I get fresh seafood to take home in Fairhope?

Lartigue’s Seafood Market, recently relocated to the Eastern Shore Shopping Center, sells fresh and specialty seafood plus prepared items like gumbo and crab cakes, and will steam your purchase. Market by the Bay downtown is another great option for Gulf seafood.

How often is this list updated?

This guide is updated regularly as new restaurants, markets, and coffee spots open in and around Fairhope. It is maintained by the Taste of Fairhope team, who track the local food scene year round.

Maintained by the team at Taste of Fairhope, who lead walking food tours through town and keep close track of the local food scene as it grows.

Keep Exploring Fairhope

• 10 Best Restaurants in Fairhope
• The Chefs of Fairhope
• 15 Must-Try Dishes in Fairhope
• A Perfect Weekend Itinerary in Fairhope

The scene keeps growing, so come hungry and check back often.