Leeds, AL sits just a short drive from Birmingham, offering historic charm, community parks, and enough local shops to fill a weekend afternoon. But the real draw to this town, beyond its quiet streets, is the surprising concentration of exceptional places to eat. We’ve tracked down the very best for 2025.
The Central
$ | (205) 352-0351 | WEBSITE
The Central’s main room is usually just a place to shoot pool and play darts while waiting for karaoke to start, but now you’ll find a bunch of friendly bartenders like Lisa and Ms. Wendi where you can order great drinks and unwind any night until closing.
Rails & Ales
$ | (205) 352-0365 | WEBSITE
Rails & Ales is pouring their excellent selection of local beers, hosting live music, and welcoming outside food or pizza delivery in their spacious outdoor area and throughout the lively hangout spot. You can stop by for a laid-back gathering any time they’re open to enjoy the fantastic vibe with games and terrific live acts.
Teriyaki Express
$ | (205) 699-0651 | WEBSITE
Teriyaki Express has become a go-to spot for quick and satisfying Chinese food, open daily for lunch and dinner. Swing by this reliable venue for crispy sesame chicken or flavorful general Tao’s chicken at any time of day. Either way, make sure to get extra rice and try the orange chicken.
El Cazador Méxican Grill
$ | (205) 699-1655 | WEBSITE
El Cazador Mexican Grill is a great spot to get some authentic Mexican food while you’re in Leeds. Their generous portions, especially the chicken fajitas that come out with a cloud of heat and smoke, and the flavorful chicken quesadilla, are available every day. The chips and salsa are a standout, with light and hot chips served with a robust salsa. The Chimichanga and Super Nachos are also highly recommended, with fresh salad fixings and perfectly cooked rice.
They accept groups, and the attentive service and cozy ambiance make dining here a delightful experience that will have you coming back for more.
Logan’s Roadhouse
$ | (205) 640-5237 | WEBSITE
The Leeds location of Logan’s Roadhouse has the distinction of being a local favorite, while other steakhouses might offer more formal settings. But this American spot in Alabama has something that the others don’t – perfectly prepared steaks and servers who provide excellent, attentive service. Make use of both while enjoying their tender New York strip or sampling their underground menu any day for lunch or dinner.
Guerrero Mexican Grill
$ | (205) 352-3065 | WEBSITE
This Mexican spot continues to impress with its generous portions and welcoming atmosphere. They’re serving phenomenal dishes like the popular Tex Fajitas, queso with salsa and chips, and Carnitas, with tables available for walk-ins throughout the week. Recent visits highlight the delicious enchiladas supremos and the incredible molé sauce, which has delighted many regulars. Fresh and hot tortillas are provided with each plate, making every meal feel special.
The restaurant is known for its reasonable prices—expect to pay around $12–18 for most entrees—and attentive, friendly staff who ensure fast service even near closing. Guerrero Mexican Grill is a must-try for families seeking a satisfying, value-packed meal in a casual, brightly lit space with comfortable booths.
Papa Johns Pizza
$ | (205) 699-5888 | WEBSITE
Papa Johns Pizza is a local spot in Leeds where you can grab a pizza and some wings for lunch or dinner, or chicken tamales and cheese sticks during a casual meal. You can place an order for delivery or pickup through their website any day of the week.
Frozen Rooster
$ | (205) 699-7875 | WEBSITE
There’s no rule that says wings and catfish need to be served in generic sports bars with sticky floors and blaring TVs. We say this for two reasons. First, it’d be a very boring rule, and second, Frozen Rooster is currently serving incredible versions of both in their clean, welcoming space with an awesome vibe. Order the Hot Lemon Pepper Catfish with Cajun Ranch Cheese Fries or the Signature Strawberry Funnel Cake through their friendly staff.
Mangos Cantina and Grill Leeds
$ | (205) 702-0100 | WEBSITE
The vibrant dining room at this Mexican cantina remains one of the best family-friendly options in Leeds, and from lunch through dinner service, it still delivers. They’ve also got plenty of booths and tables throughout the space in case the main area is bustling or you prefer a slightly quieter corner.
china wok
$ | (205) 702-6248 | WEBSITE
We’re not aware of any official rankings, but if an award were given out for the most reliably satisfying Chinese food in Leeds, China Wok would be a strong contender. That’s where you’ll find this family-owned restaurant, with consistently hot, fresh, and great-tasting dishes offered every day, with customers never having to wait more than 10 minutes for an order, even at peak times.
Rusty’s Bar-B-Q
$ | (205) 699-4766 | WEBSITE
When this counter-service BBQ joint opened near I-20 and Buc-ee’s, they kept their phenomenal fall-off-the-bone smoked ribs and homemade sides, and gained a comfortable family-friendly atmosphere in the process. It was a classic win-win move, unless you’re a vegetarian missing out on their addictive sweet baked beans.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (205) 699-1118 | WEBSITE
Every time we’ve been to Chick-fil-A, we’ve looked at the recently renovated space with its multiple drive-thru lanes and imagined how great it’d be to breeze through during rush hour. There’s no need to imagine any more. Pull up to the friendly, courteous staff any day except Sunday, and enjoy some of the best fast food in town.
La Juanita
$ | (205) 352-3064 | WEBSITE
The menu at this Mexican spot ranges from taco trios with steak, chicken, and carnitas to tamales, street corn, and Mexican candies. In other words, you can go to La Juanita with pretty much anyone without worrying if they’ll be able to eat anything on the menu. As an added bonus, just about every dish is less than $18, and they’re open every day from 11am-10pm.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
$ | (205) 640-2478 | WEBSITE
When the oversupply of crowds and undersupply of tables turns your holiday meal into a holiday hassle, head straight to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. You’ll find some very good country food, like a campfire chicken grill that’s enough for two people, as well as plenty of shopping options. The first come, first served seating is available every day, and be prepared for potential mistakes and limitations on the menu.
The Backyard with Neighbors Brew & Pies and Saw’s BBQ Leeds
$ | (205) 352-9180 | WEBSITE
This Leeds barbecue spot specializes in the Southern comfort classics known as pulled pork, and they serve it with sides like coleslaw, baked potatoes, and fried green tomatoes. They also have a very cool outdoor seating area with plenty of tables and an onsite bar, and they’re currently welcoming families for casual dining.
Señor Taco
$ | (205) 566-3307 | WEBSITE
This probably won’t come as a surprise, but putting custom steak in a taco leads to good results, as does adding fast service to an already affordable meal. In case you’re an “I’ll believe it when I see it” kind of person, head to Señor Taco. This Mexican spot’s convenient location at a gas station on Parkway Dr. in Leeds is available daily for lunch or dinner, with plenty of parking available for groups of any size.
Ricarda’s Filipino BBQ
$ | (205) 643-5737 | WEBSITE
For authentic Filipino barbecue, pork adobo, and chicken skewers in Leeds, try Ricarda’s Filipino BBQ. They’ve got a small outdoor seating area available on a first come, first served basis when the weather’s good.
Waffle House
$ | (205) 699-5300 | WEBSITE
Waffle House doesn’t take reservations, which spares you the disappointment of planning a breakfast outing only to find the counter seats all taken by the early morning crowd. If you do manage to snag one of their booths during peak hours, which are available daily from 6am to 2pm, then you’ll be able to enjoy the same fantastic waffles packed with love and delicious grits bowls as you would have if you’d ever gotten a seat right away before.
Arby’s
$ | (205) 640-2606 | WEBSITE
Like many Arby’s locations across the country, the Moody spot is serving up quick meals every day from morning until late evening. You can order ahead online through their website, or swing by whenever you’re in the mood for a double beef and cheddar with curly fries, or Greek gyro and mac-n-cheese balls.