Local restaurants the NCAA women’s basketball teams + fans will love

Reviewed by: Pat Byington

Reading time: 4 minutes

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Hattie B's bucket of hot chicken and sides NCAA women's basketball tournament in birmingham
Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

NCAA women’s basketball teams are in Birmingham March 28-31 for Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups in March Madness.

As teams look to secure a spot in this year’s Final Four of the tournament, we want to make them feel right at home.

Keep reading for our list of Birmingham restaurants that our visitors from South Carolina, Texas and more will love.

Women’s March Madness 2025

Half of the next two rounds in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament will be played at Legacy Arena this Friday through Monday. The eight teams joining us are:

  • University of North Carolina
  • Duke University
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Maryland
  • Texas Christian University
  • University of Texas
  • University of Tennessee

While our out-of-state friends are in The Magic City for a few days, we rounded up some restaurants we think will remind them of home.

UNC + Duke: Rodney Scott’s BBQ

Rodney Scott's BBQ
Rodney Scott’s is serious about their BBQ. (Bham Now)

For our North Carolina teams, UNC and Duke, we’ve got Rodney Scott’s BBQ. A true Southern staple and one of my personal favorite BBQ joints of all time.

Get the Carolina-style pork sandwich (a true, vinegar-based staple) with a side of baked beans and thank me later

BONUS: Stop by Cookout in downtown Birmingham or Lakeshore Drive for a North Carolina-classic Cheerwine—get it as a float or milkshake.

South Carolina: Dyron’s Low Country

We love our shrimp and grits here in Alabama, but I think South Carolina’s love for low-country boil is unrivaled. Dyron’s Low Country in Mountain Brook will suit our Palmetto State friends very well.

Notre Dame: The Fish Market

The Fish Market Restaurant
The Fish Market Restaurant

Fish Fridays at The Fish Market (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

The Fish Market Restaurant is known for its authentic Greek-style dishes, and Notre Dame fans will love their snapper, grouper and more seafood classics.

Plus, Fish Fridays are a Bham (and Catholic) favorite.

Maryland: Bistro 218

Bistro 218’s Maryland-style crab cakes are loaded with sweet crab meat from the gulf and served with beurre blanc.

The menu changes daily, so stop by this weekend and see if you luck up with the famous crab cakes.

Or, head to Bottega for their beloved crab cake dish.

Texas + TCU: Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

We know Texans love their brisket, and Martin’s BBQ in Cahaba Heights is the perfect stop for Texas and TCU fans. Owner Pat Martin is known for his savory, cooked-to-perfection brisket.

Of course, there’s always a classic Tex-Mex option at Uptown Cantina (neighboring Legacy Arena)!

Tennessee: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Hattie B's hot chicken and scratch-made sides; to-go menu for Thanksgiving
Try five different heat levels at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

One of my favorite meals is a three-piece chicken tender combo with fries, and Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken does it perfectly.

Tennesee fans, stop by and see if you can handle the Shut the Cluck Up! heat level.

Or, try Birmingham’s Eugene’s Hot Chicken for a true out-of-town experience.

Are you headed to Legacy Arena for the NCAA women’s tournament? Let us know @bhamnow!

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Callie Morrison
Callie Morrison
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