Where To Eat in Metro-Birmingham

By Chanda Temple

When people visit Birmingham and its surrounding areas, they come hungry for two things: bold history and even bolder flavor. The good news? Locals know exactly where to find both. We’ve rounded up their favorite spots, organized by location, so you can eat your way through metro-birmingham, one yummy bite at a time.

I’m working on adding links for each restaurant soon. Until then, dig into the list and get ready to enjoy what the Magic City has to offer. **This list was last updated on March 26, 2025.**

Hungry for more? Follow me on Instagram for delicious foodie pics.

Burgers, biscuits, brisket and so much more can be found in Birmingham restaurants. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — Burgers, biscuits, barbecue, boba tea, beer and so much more can be found in Birmingham restaurants, which have received national recognition. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

AVONDALE

Avondale Common House

Big Spoon Creamery

Joyland

The Marble Ring

Miracle Pizza Co.

Saw’s Soul Kitchen

Seafood is always a win in the Magic City. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

DOWNTOWN

Alabama Peanut Co.

Alicia’s Coffee (Inside the A.G. Gaston Motel Museum)

Armour House

Bamboo on 2^nd

Bayonet

Birmingham Breadworks

Birmingham Wings and Waffles

Bistro 218

Brick and Tin

Café Dupont

Carrigan’s Public House

CAVA

Cayo Coco Rum Bar and Restaurant

Current Charcoal Grill

Guiseppe's Cafe on Birmingham's Southside has been a staple in the Magic City for years. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — Guiseppe’s Cafe on Birmingham’s Southside has been a staple in the Magic City for years. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

East West Kitchen and Bar

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

Encore Rouge

Fife’s

Frothy Monkey

Full Moon BBQ

Green Acres

Gus’ Hot Dogs

Helen

Hero Doughnuts

Last Call Baking Co.

Le Fresca

Michael’s Steakhouse

Newk’s

Outback Steakhouse

Paramount

Pizitz Food Hall

Pizza Grace

Red Cat Cafe

Reve Restaurant

Salud Taqueria

Shu Shop

The chicken and waffles at Yo Mama's has received high praise through the years. In 2024, Southern Living said it was one of the top 35 restaurants to visit in Birmingham, AL. — The chicken and waffles at Yo Mama’s has received high praise through the years. In 2024, Southern Living said it was one of the top 35 restaurants to visit in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

Starbucks

Tasty Town

Taziki’s

Ted’s Restaurant

The Essential

Trattoria ZaZa

Wooden City

Yo Mama’s

Wings from East West Kitchen in downtown Birmingham. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — Wings from East West Kitchen and Bar in downtown Birmingham. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

FIVE POINTS SOUTH / SOUTHSIDE

Bottega Restaurant and Café

Chez FonFon

Fish Market

Galley and Garden Restaurant

Insomnia Cookies

Magnolia Point

Makarios Kabob and Grill

Ocean

Original Pancake House

Rocky’s Pizza

Slide

Surin

This chocolate Italian cake is from Amore Ristorante Italiano on U.S. 280. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

FOREST PARK

Juniper

The Rougaroux

HOMEWOOD

Cookie Fix

Davenport’s Pizza

Edgar’s Bakery

Do Not Disturb

Gianmarco’s Restaurant

Johnny’s Restaurant

Kale Me Crazy

Little Donkey Taqueria

Pastry Art Bake Shoppe

Real & Rosemary

Rodney Scott’s Barbecue

Ruby Sunshine

Saw’s BBQ

SoHo Social and SoHo Standard

Tina’s Market

But first, dessert! Homemade icebox pies are available at restaurants such as Ted's in Birmingham. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — But first, dessert! Homemade icebox pies are available at restaurants such as Ted’s in Birmingham. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

HOOVER/VESTAVIA/CAHABA HEIGHTS

Farrely’s Southern Bar and Kitchen

First Watch

FoodBar

Glass Panda

Heavenly Donut Co.

Phil Sandoval

Tre Luna Bar and Kitchen

Vecchi Pizzeria and Mercato

It's a no brainer. The pancakes from Pancake House on the Southside are a "must'' when in Birmingham. (Photo By Chanda Temple) — It’s a no brainer. The pancakes from Pancake House on the Southside are a “must” when in Birmingham. (Photo By Chanda Temple)

Fish Market on the Southside offers fresh seafood, daily. And they have some the BEST hushpuppies in town. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — Fish Market on the Southside near UAB offers fresh seafood, daily. And they have some the BEST hushpuppies in town. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

LAKEVIEW / PEPPER PLACE

Automatic Seafood and Oysters

Bettola

Blueprint on 3^rd

Blueroot

Denim Bar

Hot and Hot Fish Club

Jeni’s Ice Cream

Ovenbird

Red Cat Café

Slice Pizza and Brewhouse

The Mayor

Umami

LEEDS

Bucee’s (The sandwiches, especially the brisket, are well known.)

Rusty’s BBQ

The Wharf

Fresh and flavor reign supreme at Yo Chef Surf and Turf Smokehouse in Birmingham. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

NORTH BIRMINGHAM

Eagle’s Restaurant

Ruth’s Café

Niki’s West

Yo Chef Surf and Turf

Want to bite into a piece of Birmingham tradition? Then stop by Gus's Hot Dogs in downtown Birmingham, where the hospitality and Southern goodness will keep you coming back for seconds. And no Gus's Hotdog is complete without a Grapico. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — Want to bite into a piece of a Birmingham tradition? Then stop by Gus’s Hot Dogs in downtown Birmingham, where the hospitality and Southern goodness will keep you coming back for seconds. And a Gus’s Hotdog is not complete without a Grapico, bottled right here in the city. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

THE SUMMIT SHOPPING CENTER

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Cheesecake Factory

Chuy’s

Emmy’s Pizza

Fleming’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar

Panera Bread

P.F. Chang’s

North Italia

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Real & Rosemary

Seasons 52

Taco Mama

Urban Cookhouse

Village Tavern

Ted's Restaurant near UAB is a meat-and-three with different offerings each day. This plate features their fried chicken livers, Brussel sprouts and pinto beans. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — The meat-and-three spots in Birmingham feel like Sunday dinner every day. This plate from Ted’s Restaurant near UAB features their fried chicken livers, Brussel sprouts and pinto beans. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

TRUSSVILLE

Jim N Nick’s

Metro Diner

Food trucks pop up in some of the best places in Birmingham. These are the brisket tacos from the Fat Charles food truck. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

UPTOWN (Next to the BJCC, the Sheraton and Protective Stadium)

Cantina

Capella Pizzeria

City Walk’s Food Truck Park (This area is only active during special events in the Red Block near the Skate Park. Sometimes, trucks pull up in the Green Block. Check the City Walk website to see if trucks will be parked during an event or market day that may interest you.)

Dillard’s Chophouse

Eugene’s Hot Chicken

K&J’s Elegant Pastries

Mugshots Grill and Bar

Santo’s Coffee

Southern Kitchen & Bar

Texas de Brazil

WOODLAWN

Bayles Catering and Restaurant

Naughty But Nice Flavored Popcorn

Slutty Vegan

The lines at the Aww Shucks Food Truck say it all. This roasted corn is always in demand during food truck events in Birmingham. (Photo by Chanda Temple) — This roasted corn from the Aww Shucks food truck is always in demand during food truck events in Birmingham. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

MISCELLANEOUS

Black Market Bar and Grill – The Shops of the Colonnade

Bistro on 19 – Bessemer

Bright Star – In Bessemer

Char Bar No. 7 – Mountain Brook

Chuck’s Fish – U.S. 280

Creole Connection – behind Legion Field

East of the Mississippi – Five Points West

Edgar’s Bakery – The Shops of the Colonnade

Flying Biscuit – The Shops of the Colonnade

Gardens Cafe by Kathy G at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

J’S Wings – Five Points West

Mama Nem Southern Kitchen – Across from Rickwood Field

O’ Taste and See Soul Food – Eastwood Shopping Center, Off Crestwood Boulevard

Perry’s Steakhouse – U.S. 280

Refined to Go – Helena

Sammy’s Sandwich Shop – Off Messer Airport Highway

Simone’s Kitchen – Center Point

Taj India – Highland Park

The Steakhouse of Helena – Helena

Cheers to the tostado! So good! (Photo by Chanda Temple) — Cheers to the duck empanada from Sol Y Luna in Mountain Brook! So good! (Photo by Chanda Temple)

Chanda Temple Writes

Where To Eat in Metro-Birmingham

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