On the Mountain — Mentone
Elevation Bistro
Elevated / masterful culinary art, warm and welcoming — the area’s closest thing to a destination dinner. Farm-to-table, locally sourced, menu changes daily. Reservations recommended. Highway 117, Mentone.
Wildflower Café & Country Store
A Mentone institution where “Southern roots meet a free-spirited bohemian soul.” Gourmet coffee, desserts, and a full menu with daily specials. Good for lunch or a casual dinner. Highway 117, Mentone.
Moon Lake Kitchen
A locally owned restaurant serving Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes with thoughtfully sourced fresh ingredients, house-made bread, and an upscale cocktail menu in the evenings.
Mentone Market
A local general store on the mountain for over 80 years, with hand-made pizza, burgers, fresh sandwiches, and a grab-and-go deli case. The right stop when you want something good without a reservation. Open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday until 6 p.m. 5872 Highway 117.
Valley Head (5 miles)
Tiger’s Inn
A local favorite serving country-style breakfasts, meat-and-three lunches, and dinner specials. A staple of Valley Head for decades. Order the fried deviled eggs. Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 132 Commerce Ave, Valley Head.
Worth the Short Drive — DeSoto State Park
Mountain Inn Restaurant
Located in the original 1930s sandstone CCC lodge, overlooking the West Fork of Little River. Open Friday dinner and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Fort Payne (12 miles)
The Rooted Table Cafe
A family-owned café serving breakfast, lunch, and handcrafted coffee, with famous cheesecakes made from a 40-plus-year family recipe. A good stop for a morning meal or afternoon coffee. 2308 Gault Ave N.
The Copper Penny
Fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, and homemade baked goods in a relaxed lunch setting. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1303 Gault Ave N.
Meal & Market
A farmer- and veteran-owned restaurant and market in downtown Fort Payne, focused on locally sourced food and supporting area farmers. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, closing at 2 p.m. Worth the stop. 113 1st St.
Southern Harvest
Founded in partnership with Teddy Gentry of the band Alabama, with beef sourced from local ranches. Southern comfort food done well — burgers, fried green tomatoes, and daily specials. Open Wednesday through Sunday. 1907 Scenic Rd E.
Roadside ‘Que
Hickory-smoked meats using pasture-raised, locally sourced beef from Fudge Family Farms — slow and low, no microwaves, no propane. Winner of Best BBQ in DeKalb County 2024. Open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 607 Gault Ave.
Mater’s Pizza & Pasta Emporium
Deep-dish pizza made with house-made dough, along with pasta, sandwiches, and salads. Full bar and live music most evenings. 107 Gault Ave N.
Enthusiast Wine Bar
A wine bar in historic downtown Fort Payne with a rotating selection of wines and artisan charcuterie boards. Good for an evening out.
Worth the Drive — Georgia (30 minutes)
Canyon Grill
A relaxed dinner spot atop Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, Georgia, focused on sustainably sourced seafood and premium specialties with careful, simple preparation. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday starting at 5 p.m. Reservations recommended. 28 Scenic Highway, Rising Fawn.
The Creag at McLemore Resort
A seasonal menu with craft cocktails and fine spirits, set atop Lookout Mountain overlooking McLemore Cove. The mountain views alone are worth the drive. Reservations recommended. 32 Clubhouse Lane, Rising Fawn.
