FIVE Tuscaloosa — Restaurant in Tuscaloosa

FIVE in Tuscaloosa is a refreshing take on upscale casual dining with a Southern soul. True to its name, the menu is beautifully streamlined—five appetizers, five entrees, five wines, five cocktails—keeping things simple but far from ordinary.

The atmosphere hits that perfect balance between trendy and cozy, with exposed brick, ambient lighting, and live music often setting the tone for an inviting night out. Whether you’re seated inside or enjoying the vibe from their outdoor patio, the service is attentive without being overbearing.

Favorites from the menu? The white chicken chili is rich, warm, and full of flavor—a crowd favorite for good reason. The shrimp & grits delivers big with creamy texture and bold seasoning, while the Filet is tender, perfectly cooked, and beautifully plated. Their FIVE Burger is a comfort food home run with gourmet flair.

Cocktail-wise, the bar does not disappoint. The FIVE Mule and the House Old Fashioned are excellent, and the wine list—though short—is well-curated.

In a city filled with college-town staples, FIVE stands out as a spot that feels a bit more elevated, yet still approachable. It’s ideal for date night, catching up with friends, or just treating yourself to a really good meal.

Rating: 4.7/5 Refined, flavorful, and always consistent—FIVE proves...

So, first off, the restaurant itself is very cool--the chandeliers are gorgeous, and the ambience is trendy/casual. And our server was very nice and attentive. The food, though, was less impressive. We had a vegan job candidate and chose FIVE because they featured vegetarian and vegan options, per their menu and website--all one needed to do, it said, was ask your server. We asked, and the server was baffled, responding, "No, we don't have anything like that." We ultimately learned that they did, in fact, have a portobello burger, which three of us ordered after the ordeal to learn that it existed. It was...okay. It was kinda greasy, kinda bland, and too big/rubbery. In short, it was prepared by someone with limited knowledge of how to make a vegetable the entree. The thing was, though, no one at the table was particularly amazed by their food, even though the other items were presumably in the restaurant's wheelhouse. Let me be clear--it wasn't bad; it wasn't good; it was okay. It's a fun locale, so if the point is to socialize and enjoy the atmosphere, eat elsewhere, and then come to FIVE for drinks...

Tries to be hip, fancy... whatever. At first glance, it's that. After visiting a few times, not so much. The restaurant/bar is fine, and the "only five things on the menu" is confidence-inspiring (as in, how can they possibly screw up the order?). But the coffee shop routine could use some work. The coffee was overpriced for what you get, and the pastries are just a few seconds in the microwave away.

Bragging Rights are earned. This place may have lost those some time ago, but nobody told them. There is literally nothing special, here, other than a simplified menu. Not a bad place, but nothing stands out about it that would make me want to go here over anywhere else (i.e., Decades for Jumbo Pulled-Pork Tacos, Jack Browns for Double-Patty Wagyu Cowboy Burgers, or Big Bad Breakfast for any of their skillet dishes, etc.).

People sometimes go to bars just to meet and hang out, and this place is great for that: It's a fancy bar that happens to sell food, not a fancy restaurant that happens to sell drinks, in my humble opinion. Set expectations...