Dining and Nightlife > Sandwich Shops and Delis > Panini Pete’s Café and Market

42 1/2 South Section Street
Fairhope, Alabama 36532

(251) 929-0122

The heart and soul of the French Quarter in Fairhope, Panini Pete’s Cafe and Market is a beloved sandwich shop full of big flavor and local charm. Featuring an array of perfectly pressed sandwiches and mouth-watering Angus beef burgers, this quaint café has been impressing guests since 2006.

Featured on several Food Network shows such as Diners Drive-ins & Dives, the “Best Of” Diners Drive-ins & Dives, and Guy’s Big Bite, Panini Pete’s is one of the most popular spots in town. Along with Panini Pete’s, owner “Panini Pete” Blohme also has the scenic Sunset Pointe restaurant overlooking Mobile Bay in Fairhope, Ed’s Seafood Shed on the Causeway, and Squid Ink in Mobile.

As an extra treat, Pete himself comes out regularly to greet guests and make sure your visit is enjoyable. To learn more about “Panini Pete” Blohme, check out this feature in Our Southern Souls.

Panini Pete’s is open daily for breakfast and lunch. The breakfast menu at Panini Pete’s Cafe and Market consists of a variety of breakfast paninis (called “paninos”), wraps, sliders, bowls, and the signature beignets.

Whether for breakfast or lunch, our favorite way to start the meal is with a plate full of warm beignets dusted with powdered sugar and a lemon on the side. For a twist on this local specialty, try the Banana Nut Beignets pressed together with bananas, walnuts, and maple syrup.

The Beignet Chicken Slider is another sweet option. A fun twist to the customary chicken and waffles, these beignet sliders are stuffed with a grilled chicken and served with powdered sugar and syrup on the side. There is also a Beignet Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Slider that combines all your favorite breakfast foods in one tasty sandwich.

Traditionalists will enjoy the Classic Breakfast Panino with scrambled eggs, bacon, and Swiss cheese pressed together on grilled sourdough bread or the Breakfast Bowl with scrambled eggs, bacon, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and fries. Having something for everyone, there is also an Italian Breakfast Panino (*vegetarian option), Pete’s “Steak-n-Egg” Wrap, or Egg White Avocado Bowl (*vegetarian option). 

Most sandwich options include a side of fresh fruit. To give it the real French Quarter feel, compliment your meal with a Panini Pete’s Cafe Au Lait or Bloody Mary. 

*Menu options subject to change.

When the weather is nice, lunch in the courtyard at Panini Pete’s is one of the top spots in Fairhope. We recommend arriving right around 11:00am if you want to guarantee your outside spot. Indoor seating is also available as well as seating inside the glass conservatory.

The lunch menu at Panini Pete’s consists of a variety of paninis, burgers, and salads. The menu is fresh and inventive blending all the right flavors together. Gluten free options are available so make sure to speak with your server if this is a dietary requirement. The paninis and burgers are served with your choice of hand-cut fries, chips, featured side of the day, or salad greens. 

Featured on the Food Network, The House Roasted Turkey Panini includes a generous portion of turkey, mouth-watering garlic aioli, and fresh mozzarella pressed together on focaccia. Another popular pick is Pete’s “Muffaletta” Panini that was included on the coveted food list, “100 Things to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.” With mortadella, salami, Swiss and provolone cheeses, and a homemade olive spread, we think this sandwich may be the best muffaletta in the South.

Other panini options include the House Roasted and Medium Rare Roast Beef (also featured on The Food Network), the Seared Tuna, Rosemary Chicken, Pop’s Mozzarella and Tomato (*vegetarian option), and the Grilled Chicken Bahn Mi. 

Paninis aren’t the only thing served up for lunch at Panini Pete’s. There are also several mouth-watering burger options to choose from as well. Try The Basic Burger for a classic taste or branch out with the Black & Bleu Burger topped with a homemade gorgonzola spread, French Quarter with bacon and Swiss cheese, Beer Cheese and Bacon, or the La Grand Fromage blending together three different cheeses. And if you can’t imagine going to Panini Pete’s without getting a panini, but still want a burger, you can get it on a panini as well!

For a lighter lunch option, there are several salads to choose from including a Fresh Garden Salad, Grilled Chicken Salad, Pete’s Signature Salad, Roasted Turkey Salad, and a Seared Tuna Salad.

Fairhoper’s Favorite – There are so many tasty options at Panini Pete’s and we have tried most of them, but we always seem to gravitate back to the Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Panini. The flavors blend so perfectly together and it is a dish we always look forward to getting. If we had to pick another, the Muffaletta is always a favorite or the Black and Blue Burger.

Whether going for breakfast or lunch, don’t forget to grab a side of beignets with a squeeze of lemon!

Panini Pete’s is located at 42 South Section Street in the French Quarter section of downtown Fairhope, Alabama. There are two main entrances to the French Quarter. One entrance is located on De La Mare Avenue and the other entrance is located on South Section Street. A quaint little alleyway takes you into the French Quarter courtyard, home to a few local boutique shops and Panini Pete’s Café and Market. 

Parking on De La Mare Avenue, Section Street, Fairhope Avenue, or South Church Street would be the shortest walk to Panini Pete’s. There is also a public parking lot just north of the Fairhoper’s Community Park on South Church Street, a small parking lot behind Julwin’s Restaurant on Bancroft Street and another parking area just north of the Fairhope Public Library on Bancroft Street.

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