20 Best Restaurants in Birmingham

Niki’s West is a legendary Birmingham restaurant that’s been in business since 1957. This cafeteria-style buffet is the Southern food lovers' dream. You’ll find rotating mains, including fried chicken, tilapia, and hamburger steak, paired with tasty sides like collard greens, fried okra, and more. Finish off your selection with a robust dessert table and refreshing beverages.

You’ll feel like you’re eating a home-cooked meal as you socialize with friends and make new acquaintances at this historic spot.

Enjoy fresh Italian food at Trattoria Zaza, located in downtown Birmingham. This trendy cafe’s Roman-style, rectangular pizzas come with various toppings, including cheese, bacon, prosciutto, and more. They also offer tasty sides, pasta, salads, and sweets.

Don’t forget to check out the weekend brunch, which is famous in the city. Classic brunch items combine with Italian ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind experience that draws large crowds every week.

Automatic Seafood and Oysters is the perfect spot to visit when you’re looking to splurge on a nice dinner out. This award-winning restaurant opened in 2019 in the bustling Lakeview district of Birmingham. It combines a coastal setting with an ode to Americana to offer a comfortable, classic environment.

Automatic serves some of the best dinners, brunches, and cocktails in the city. Their most-loved menu items include grilled oysters, fish and chips, yeast rolls, and marinated crab claws. The fish is primarily sourced from the Gulf of Mexico, and the oysters come from the waters of the Southern and Eastern coastlines.

Rojo is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day exploring Birmingham. This casual restaurant offers Latina and American food in a welcoming atmosphere. Guests love to grab a spot on the patio to enjoy dinners, brunches, and tasty cocktails. The menu features dishes including quesadillas, burritos, burgers, and more.

Get a taste of the best barbeque in Alabama at Saw’s BBQ. With six locations and a food truck in Birmingham, you’ll find a convenient spot anywhere in the city. Saw’s is known far and wide for its hearty barbecue plates, sandwiches, and family meals. They also feature must-try specials, including pork and greens, collards, pulled pork, and onion rings. After you finish, take home a bottle of their legendary sauce.

Combine sushi and Mexican cuisines at Wasabi Juan’s. This funky, casual spot is known for its top-notch sushi and authentic Mexican street food. They’re the home of the South’s sushi burrito, wrapping your favorite tuna, shrimp, and other classics in a soy wrap or nori roll. You can also enjoy a local beer from their neighbors next door on the patio. 

When the chicken cravings hit, make your way to Eugene’s Hot Chicken. This big, red food truck travels around to the top spots in Birmingham, offering the best Nashville-style chicken in town. Dive into their spicy battered chicken fingers, tasty wings, fresh fries, and flavorful slaw to satisfy your lunch or dinner cravings.

Eugene’s is known as the best chicken in Birmingham, so you won’t be disappointed! Follow their social media accounts to see where they’ll be parked next.

The Red Cat Coffee House is the perfect spot for a fresh coffee or quick lunch. It offers the community a place to gather in a comfortable ambiance filled with tasty meals, great coffee, and fruit-filled smoothies. Menu highlights include sandwiches, breakfast bowls, pastries, and sides. The coffee is roasted in-house daily, so you can trust that it’ll always be fresh. With a motto like “Coffee For Everyone,” you’ll surely feel a taste of southern hospitality in this local coffee joint. 

Real and Rosemary is the place to be if you’re searching for a healthy meal with an elevated spin. This quaint restaurant is a great spot to grab a healthy lunch or stop in for a date night dinner. The hip ambiance feels relaxed and refreshing, with three locations in Birmingham.

Real and Rosemary was designed to be an extension of home, with family recipes and fresh foods filling the tables. Meals are made with the best ingredients, free from preservatives, food dyes, and MSG. The top menu items include grazing boards, summer salads, and sandwiches.

There’s no better way to beat the Birmingham heat than with an ice cream cone from Bendy’s Cookies & Cream. This food truck serves classic, homemade ice cream with a modern twist. Mix and match various flavors, such as cookies and cream, strawberry buttermilk, or peach cobbler, to create a blend of creamy goodness. Choose a freshly baked cookie with your ice cream to create an ooey-gooey ice cream sandwich. 

Follow Bendy’s Cookies and Cream on social media to keep up with their changing schedule and location.

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint offers the American classics you know and love. This casual spot was opened by two best friends who dreamed of having their own place to serve great craft beer and tasty burgers.

All the burgers are made with 100% American wagyu beef sourced from a family-owned business in Boise. The large selection of craft beer is constantly changing to offer something for everyone. With a menu filled with simple, sweet, and to-the-point items, you can’t go wrong.

Located in downtown Birmingham, Tasty Town Restaurant and Lounge offers casual, Greek-inspired fare that everyone will enjoy. Every dish tells a story of flavors, ingredients, and techniques. The menu includes fresh seafood, soft pita bread, and traditional dips.

The lively bar offers non-alcoholic creations, custom cocktails, beer, and wine that guests can enjoy on the patio or in the lounge.

Take a trip to the Mediterranean at Makarios Kabobs & Grill. This Birmingham restaurant serves some of the best Mediterranean cuisine in town. Enjoy shawarmas, kabobs, sandwiches, and more in the casual, welcoming environment. They also offer take-out and online order options if you’re in a hurry. 

Avondale Common House is a friendly neighborhood bar and grill located in the heart of Avondale. The menu features southern bar fare with an eclectic twist, with items including the hot honey bacon burger, loaded wedge salad, and maple bacon brussel sprouts. The chefs use top-quality ingredients and locally sourced produce.

If you’re looking for a fun nighttime activity, Avondale regularly features live music performances to enhance the experience. Stop in for house-crafted spirits, beers, and pub grub in a lively environment. 

Whether you’re looking to sit down for a seafood-infused bite or grab some market offerings to take for a snack later, The Fish Market is the perfect destination. This casual dine-in or take-out restaurant offers an expanded menu featuring shrimp and grits, crab cakes, jambalaya, and more. Take a seat inside or on the outdoor patio and pair your meal with a cold cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage. 

If you’re looking for a tasty dinner to end the day, make a reservation at Ovenbird. This rustic-chic eatery is located in Birmingham’s Market District at Pepper Place. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients with meals inspired from all over the globe. Some of the most-loved options include the deviled eggs, hanger steak, and roasted chicken. 

Ovenbird has a seasonally driven craft cocktail menu that infuses flavors from around the world. The extensive beer and wine list pairs perfectly with each menu item. 

Urban Cookhouse is a family-owned restaurant offering fast-casual fare for the entire family. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch while on the go or sit down for a healthy breakfast. The menu features sandwiches, greens, wraps, and more. You can even get dinner to go with their “Take It To The House” option, which features a pre-cooked meal for four.

Urban Cookhouse supports the community by sourcing ingredients from neighboring farms.

Stop by T-Bone’s Authentic Philly Style Cheesesteaks and Hoagies to enjoy the best comfort food around. As you enter the establishment, you’ll notice the bright, graffiti-style art covering the walls, which creates a lively, welcoming environment. Then, head over to the counter to choose from the selection of cheesesteaks, hoagies, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and sides. They offer dine-in, takeout, and online ordering for easy convenience. 

If you’re looking for great cocktails, tasty food, and a fun environment, visit The Battery for lunch or dinner. This must-visit restaurant offers something for everyone, whether you’re visiting with the entire family, on a date night, or meeting friends for happy hour. The menu items are all made from scratch, using the highest quality ingredients for every dish. Try tasty offerings such as burgers, salads, appetizers, and desserts. 

Nawlins Style Po'boys began as a food truck serving locations across Birmingham. The establishment has grown into a brick-and-mortar location that serves some of the best flavors and spices in the city. They serve authentic Cajun and Creole cruising, with menu items including catfish, po’boys, burgers, and cheesesteaks. Each flavor-filled bite will transport you to the streets of Louisiana. 

Traveling to Birmingham? Book a room at one of our affordable, pet-friendly hotels.