This place is the best spot I been to downtown birmingham. Ive visited a few times now and the only…read moretime it wasnt great and smooth was sunday morning. I foun d out later that theyre very popular and busy for brunch so keep that in mind if you go for weekend brunch. I would suggest trying to get ahead of the 11 oclock rush or after the 1pm rush The pizza is amazing the owner cares a great deal and the menu is inspired

This place is my type of vibe!…read more Trattoria ZaZa has been on my list of places to stop at for several years. Parking often deters me but after attending the Italian Festival earlier that day, we had a craving for pizza. I ordered the combo that includes 2 slices of the day with salad. Since I wasn't overly hungry, I offered him one of my slices and he added another slice to the order. We paid and were given a number to place on our selected table. Jazzy music played in the background while we waited on our order to be brought to the table. The natural lighting, while beautiful, made it a little warm in the building. One of the waitresses propped the door open that leads to the restrooms (which are in the hallway near the elevators) in order for cooler air to make its way in. That wasn't a deal breaker, but do be aware of that on warmer days. Our food came out after a short wait. I kept my 3 cheese slice, and gave him the pepperoni one. The cheeses were very rich and the salad, while simple without the frills, was perfectly sized and drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette that was just the right amount. While I enjoyed my meal very much and the ambiance, he wasn't overly impressed with his. He didn't want the fresh herbs on his slices and knocked all of them off, lol. He's a simple guy with simple taste. This is definitely a place I will be revisiting with one of my girlfriends and not him next time as he didn't appreciate what ZaZA had to offer. Everyone we encountered was helpful and courteous. Our food, including drinks, was around $28, which was not bad for a cute, eclectic spot downtown. If you haven't been, make sure to try them out soon. Just don't wait as long as I did to visit!

The Essential was such an unexpected find during our trip through Alabama. We weren't expecting to…read morestumble across such an elegant restaurant serving truly elevated food, but it ended up being one of our favorite meals. I ordered the seafood pasta, and you could immediately tell the pasta was homemade. It was fresh, perfectly cooked, and the seafood was beautifully prepared. My daughter had the spaghetti, and my husband ordered the Waldorf salad, which was just as thoughtfully put together. Our waitress also recommended the hummus and house pickles, and I'm so glad we listened. Both were fresh, unique, and the perfect way to start the meal. From the food to the service, everything felt polished without being pretentious. It was one of those meals where every dish was executed with care and attention to detail. Overall, The Essential was such a pleasant surprise and proof that you can find five star dining experiences in the most unexpected places. If you're anywhere near Birmingham, this place is absolutely worth the stop.

Really cool place with a quaint atmosphere and great service. My wife and I split the chicken…read moresandwich, grits and a hash brown. All were really good. We got the sauce on the side for the sandwich just in case, but it was really good. Definitely a place I want to revisit. Saw the smash looking burger and pancakes at tables and they both looked amazing!!

Came in for brunch on a Sunday. Got there just before 11 and there was a bit of a wait, but it…read moremoved pretty fast. Service was friendly and quick, even though it was busy. Portions were generous and prices were decent. They were also great about accommodating gluten-free. I ordered the Farm Breakfast with bacon and gluten-free bread, it was filling and really tasty.

We arrived 1:45pm on a Thursday and it was empty except for another party. We easily found street…read moreparking outside the restaurant. I ordered the Banana Puddin' cold brew that was really good. They also serve pour over! Vanilla-Cinnamon French Toast came with 2 small bread slices - I liked that the portion was small and manageable. We also ordered the Quinoa & Black Bean Burger and the BE Hive Quinoa Bowl. They are great options for vegan / plant-based / vegetarian members in your party. The Biscuit Board comes with 4 mini biscuits and 4 different spreads, which was nice to share with the group. We all liked that the restaurant was quiet and bright and airy.

Harvest was one of the best dining experiences I had in Birmingham. One thing worth mentioning…read moreright away is that it's located inside the historic Redmont Hotel. That wasn't immediately obvious from many of the reviews I read beforehand, so don't let the hotel location deter you--this is a destination restaurant in its own right. I ordered the braised short rib (without the grits), and it was outstanding. The meat was incredibly tender, packed with flavor, and cooked to perfection. It easily ranks among the better short rib dishes I've had. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and struck the perfect balance of being available without hovering. The dining room has an upscale yet comfortable atmosphere that makes it just as suitable for a business dinner as it is for a date night or special occasion. If you're visiting downtown Birmingham--or staying at the Redmont--don't overlook Harvest just because it's inside a hotel. It's proof that hotel restaurants can absolutely compete with the city's standalone dining scene. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Birmingham.

This place was honestly a surprise. My husband and I were in the area looking to get dinner but the…read moreoriginal restaurant we wanted to go to was booked. We ended up here. I will say this is one of the best steaks I have had up to date so far. Cooked just the way I liked it.

Got fried green tomato Benedict with salmon for brunch. Absolutely delicious. Beautiful place. Good…read moreservice. Got free champagne because our food took a little longer to come out even though it didn't feel that long to us. This place is on the fancier side - a place I might take out of town guests. I would highly suggest getting a reservation. Will definitely be back!

Chile please keep your money. This place (in my opinion) has little bang for a big buck. The…read moreservice was great so if it was solely based on that I'd give them a 5 star. But I'm sorry the food? (In my case shrimp and grits) was NOT GOOD. And don't get me wrong, it wasn't a horrible flavor, but the flavors it did have were terrible. First the grits are not smooth at all. Like they aren't super course but they definitely could have been cooked down more. And they had little seasoning. And that's being generous. Then the "creole" sauce on top? Can we ask the audience what they consider creole? Because that was just pure tomato sauce. Like straight out a can, had to be. No way someone cooked that sauce from scratch or even with creole seasonings or typical additives I'm sorry I just refuse to believe it. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST... 5 shrimp??? You can't be serious. I could understand 5 shrimp if they're the huge jumbo ones but these are smedium at best. Like I feel BAMBOOZLED because no way I paid 24$ for 5 shrimp and maybe 1.5 cups of grits. But imma be honest I'm not surprised the food wasn't that good. Any place that puts on the bottom "we can't refund for food you don't like" that should tell you everything you need to know. But I digress My friends said the tequila sunrise was good so that's another star. Service and tequila sunrise. The only highlights. The venue is pretty but I don't recommend

I've been here a few times now and have always had a great experience. I loved the Autumn latte…read morespecials they had and have enjoyed sitting outside in the cool autumn weather. Service is good!

If a random stranger came through the city of Birmingham, stumbled around aimlessly for a while and…read morefinally worked up the nerve to ask a local for a suggestion to grab a coffee, Red Cat would likely be at the top of that list. It's one of Birmingham's original coffee shops as coffee culture started to transition from the realms of iHop and Denny's into something that one might actually appreciate. Red Cat opened here in 2008, close to the time when Railroad Park was forming up in front of it as well. Of course, beans are roasted in house. Of course, the views are very pleasant overlooking railroad park across the street. And, what other colors could mugs be other than red? The layout inside is pleasant, although does have a bit of that "overly private" feel. The way that tables are positioned, it's not conducive to having a chat with a stranger. Depending on the vibe one is looking for, that can be a good or a bad thing. Basically, this is where you come if you don't want to be bothered. As a whole, a wonderful spot to enjoy one of their signature Espresso blends.

Today, Saturday June 27th, I took 2 of my girlfriend to brunch. Everyone on staff was great! I…read moreasked for the manager on my way out, so I could brag about a couple of them in particulier. They are Lauren and Micael .....sorry Micaela. They were extreamly helpful, kind and professionnel, in each of their respective jobs. Craig Everett, please do something nice for them. I'll be back because I like the place. It looks as friendly a place as it really is. The prices aren't that bad either. PLEASE don't forget about Lauren and Micaela. ​Thank you

My first time here. Don't know why I haven't come before. It was very good. I had the King Cake…read morebeignets. They were outstanding. I also had the Trifecta Eggs Benedict. It was really good. Had to take some of it to go. It's a lot of food. Coffee was very good. Food came out quickly. Caelyn was my server. She was great. Very personable and had great recommendations. Restaurant is pretty large. Outside tables as well. It's an upbeat environment. I loved it.

First of all the chicken was superb! Crispy and flavorful, yet not dry. I adored The Squawking…read moreGoat, all flavors worked well together. We loved the bacon. Hubby wasn't a fan of the asiago/bacon waffles, which come with the Chix and Waffles; I tried them and it is an acquired after taste. Neither of us were big fans of the smashed potatoes, although the sauce was refreshing. We wondered why they are "smashed," but round? Overall, food was satisfactory! Service was quick and helpful, and it wasn't as busy after 9. It is more of a community based set up. We appreciated the inclusive environment and staff, but we did have to move after being next to the dirty dish station and having multiple angry outbursts from the young lady working/cleaning and overly loud placement of dishes. We gave her the benefit of the doubt.

So I visited this establishment a couple of days ago for a quick breakfast . The place is nestled…read moreon the corner of 18th street South. I walk in and to your right you go up to order your breakfast items. Good selection for quick breakfast dining . Nothing too overwhelming to decide on. I choose the breakfast hash with a side of grits with coffee to drink. They call you up once your food is ready. I ordered the hash and a side of grits.. They were OK.. I do prefer my grits a little thicker a little cheesier . They have more of a contemporary style of grits which it was OK, but I'm just kinda finicky when it comes to some old-fashioned grits. I tried the maple coffee which was pretty good. Had more than my fair share. There is also, seating inside and outside. Come and check this place out.

Such a cozy and retro space! Not too bright but just the right amount of neon and nostalgia from…read moredecor to seating areas. Service was quick, friendly, and helpful when picking flavor choices. I dined in and enjoyed the vanilla doughnut more than the fritter, mainly because if the fritter was warmed up it would have been amazing! Cold cinnamon, glaze, bread, and apples aren't as appealing to me, but maybe I missed an option to warm it up. That wouldn't stop me from visiting again!

This donut shop was a surprise stop after our walking tour of the Rotary Trail. A very cute donut…read moreshop with retro diner vibes and friendly staff. We ordered a maple sea salt and apple cider donut along with some little mini sidekicks to split among our group. The maple sea salt was my favorite of the bunch. Glad we were able to grab some yummy treats while visiting downtown Birmingham!

It wasn't crowded but the service was quick and welcoming…read more The grapefruit juice tasted just as fresh as it claimed, it also didn't have a strong aftertaste which was a pleasant surprise. I also had their chef's favorite, the Screamin Demon which is a fried chicken sandwich with seasoned fries with ranch. I started with the fries and immediately, the ranch was nice and savory along with the fries being crispy. The sandwich itself was savory but not too overpowering, the fried chicken was crunchy which went well with the rest of the sandwich. Overall, this is a gem for brunch!

So we got the Low Country Skillet and Huevos Rancheros and oh man... they were SO GOOD…read more The low country skillet comes with a side bread of your choice and we chose the biscuit which I'm so glad we did. The biscuit was so soft and you get to choose from an assortment of jam, which tasted so good with the biscuit. I just felt like it was bursting with flavor and so savory. The huevos rancheros were really good and satisfying. Our waitress suggested that for the egg we choose Sunny side up so that you can pop the yolk and it will bleed into the rest of the dish. It did not disappoint! The inside of the restaurant was super cool. I loved the vibe. It's actually a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. There are two floors. I actually felt like upstairs felt very open with the big windows. The people working there are super nice. There are so many dishes that looked so exciting to me, and I will be back to try some more. So many cool options!