Montgomery Restaurant Named to NYT List

The city's own Perennial earned a spot on the 2026 New York Times restaurant list.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Dining Out

Gouache-painted illustration of a rustic ceramic bowl filled with seasonal root vegetables on a wooden surface, evoking a sustainable culinary focus. — The Montgomery restaurant Perennial was named to the 2026 New York Times restaurant list for its focus on sustainable dining practices. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Perennial, a Montgomery restaurant located at 1914 Mulberry St., has been named to the prestigious 2026 New York Times restaurant list. The eatery was recognized by a national scouting team for its commitment to sustainable dining practices.

Why it matters

The restaurant garnered national attention for its vegetable-forward menu and proactive food waste reduction efforts. This inclusion places the Montgomery dining scene among the top culinary destinations in the country.

Perennial maintains a staff of fewer than 10 employees and operates within a century-old home. The restaurant sources ingredients from farmers across Alabama to support its vegetable-forward menu.

The players

Perennial

This Montgomery-based restaurant is housed in a century-old home and focuses on sustainable, vegetable-forward cuisine.

Deanne Allegro

She is the operator of Perennial and oversees the restaurant's daily operations and sustainability mission.

Bill Briand

He serves as the executive chef at Perennial, where he directs the development of the restaurant's locally sourced menu.

The New York Times

This national media organization publishes an annual list of notable restaurants across the United States selected by a national scouting team.

The details

Operated by Deanne Allegro with executive chef Bill Briand, the restaurant emphasizes sustainability by using upcycled materials and vintage tableware. A 16-person scouting team traveled nationwide to evaluate candidates for the final selection of 50 restaurants.

Perennial opened in Montgomery in June 2025.
The restaurant was named to the NYT Restaurant List in 2026.

Awards
Sept. 22
Innovate Alabama Honored 26 River Region Organizations
Construction
Sept. 21
Montgomery Began Construction on New Parking Deck
City Hall
Sept. 23
Montgomery City Council Approved 2027 Fiscal Budget

Culture Shift

The selection of Perennial highlights the growing national recognition of Alabama culinary institutions. This move signals a broader shift toward regional destinations that prioritize sustainable practices over traditional luxury dining models.

Residents may see an increase in wait times or reservation demand due to the national recognition of the restaurant. Diners can expect the menu to continue reflecting seasonal ingredient availability from local Alabama farmers.

The takeaway

This recognition underscores how small, mission-driven eateries can impact the national conversation on sustainable dining. Readers should check for reservation availability in advance to accommodate the likely influx of new patrons.