In December 2025, we were staying in a nearby suburb visiting relatives for Christmas. We opted for a day before Christmas brunch at Culinary Dropout. A family member selected Culinary Dropout due to numerous high reviews. I made a quick online reservation due to my great fear there would be a long wait. Upon arrival, the restaurant had no visible wait but they were busy though not full. We were seated promptly at a nice clean and comfortable booth with not shared long bench seating, as is my preference. The menu was not too long but offered a nice selection of cooked to order selections. The server was very courteous and thorough. For appetizers, we ordered the Whipped Feta & Tahini Dip and also the Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue. Both had excellent flavors. I was especially taken by the latter as the soft pretzels worked so well with the gentle, warm and creamy fondue. As we were all quite hungry, we also shared a variety charcuterie platter. The selection of cheeses, meats, honey and olives were delicious. The astute server took it upon herself to add on for us some crusty bread which really added to our enjoyment. For entrees, our family had Butternut Squash and Kale Salad with Chicken, Crispy Chicken Katsu Sandwich, Prime Rib Dip Sandwich and I enjoyed the Turkey Pastrami Sandwich. All were very much enjoyed with premium ingredients and meat cuts. Aesthetically, the view from the restaurant is quite nice as it is up higher along the ridge line. The general shopping area of The Summit is completely and totally safe being just off Highway 280 and further from questionable downtown Birmingham. The restroom was spotless as was the entire restaurant. There is also a bar with high seats in the middle of the restaurant. I am betting the happy hour drinks here are quite good. I recommend this restaurant without hesitation. read more

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We stopped by for a bite after work and were early enough to take advantage of their happy hour specials. We got several "small" plates, most of which were not small. The staff checked on us frequently. We got an order of the pork belly nachos - so much food, but good. A wise choice for a meal or for an appetizer for the table. With our other food, we came close but were unable to finish it! We also got a small charcuterie tray sampler - grilled bread, meat & cheese, nuts, and some grilled asparagus - very tasty. We had ordered the truffle pizza - truly one of the best pizzas I've ever had - but were so full, we ended up getting it to go and ate it the next day. I look forward to coming back soon. read more

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Was in the area because of hubs job. Nice place. We made a reservation and still had to wait to be seated, lime 15-20 minutes. Once seated, our waitstaff came to take our drink orders. It appears that different restaurants have a different take on a Paloma. I enjoy the one from a restaurant here in MO. This one was pretty much, straight grapefruit juice and alcohol with bitter wine added. I asked for a shot of grenadine to help with the bitterness. Nkt much help but, I drank it. Hubs haf some kind of beer, the kids had lemonade. For meals, I had fish and chips, hubs had the ribs, the teen had pizza, and the toddler had chicken stripe. I have to stop ordering fish and chips from places. I barely ate any (fish seemed not fully cooked). The toddler wasnt feeling well and went to sleep. The teen said his pizza was ok,but he didn't eat it all which is unusual for him. Hubs said the same about his ribs. Once we got back to the hotel, the fish and chips made an appearance, up and out. I really think the fish was undercooked. Maybe it was an off day. When in the area again, I probably won't be back. read more

We went to happy hour this time around so there wasn't a wait and not noisy at all. Our waitress was friendly and quick, but then came the shift change. She introduced our waiter Shaun and he was friendly but we had to flag him down a few times for refills and to order food. Not a fan of the waiters/waitresses dressed in everyday street attire like the customer... Made it difficult to distinguish the server from the customer. The drinks were good... I had the El Bee Si which was light and refreshing. We had several appetizers and really enjoyed the pretzels with fondue and the whipped feta. When the music started, we moved to another table as the musician was standing right over us. The table we moved to was in another waiter's area and he seemed kind of put off that we sat there, but we could at least hold a convo among friends. read more

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I went for a quick late night bite the other night, and honestly the food is nothing to write home about. Our way pigs in a blanket were tasty but inconsistently cooked. We got buffalo wings and the sauce tasted more like marinara but I didn't necessarily dislike that. The shrimp crispy rice was just ok, but again not bad. My mocktail is why I'm giving them such a high review. I ordered the VIDA VERDITA which contained jalapeño, mint, pineapple, cilantro, bubbly water. I must recreate this drink at home. They also make their ginger ale in house and it is amazing. The bartenders are cute and friendly. I like that everyone gets to wear their own clothes! It's a very cute date night spot. read more

Culinary Dropout - Hot Wings, Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket, Smashed Potatoes and Gravy - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Listen up.. come for the amazing drinks. Start with a campfire vibes. Then stay for the food. The deviled eggs are a must. Menu is stocked full of amazing things to eat. I'm partial to the steak frites. Staff is amazing. If you are coming to Birmingham make this your first stop read more

Culinary Dropout - Deviled eggs and Campfire vibes - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Had reservations, 5:15, and were seated 15 minutes early on Mother's Day weekend. Wow, when you walk in it was super friendly and the atmosphere, the open air atmosphere, was absolutely amazing. Love seeing the kitchen in action also. Overall dinner was very good. Each dish was very unique, but done very well. Don't leave without monkey bread with vanilla bean ice cream. I almost couldn't drive home. They will see us again soon! read more

Service from a young lady was great. We asked for suggestions and she was very honest answering our questions. She told us about new menu items that's why we got a watermelon margarita. We sat in a booth which was quite nice. Prime rib dip and burger were both excellent. read more

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Sat at the bar and had an unforgettable experience -- thank you, Nate, Christian, and TJ! The service, food, and atmosphere is absolutely impeccable. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've had! read more

Culinary Dropout - Make sure to have the Caramelized Banana Bar! - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Service was awesome! I loved the amount of outdoor seating! Great for individual or large parties! Noise level moderate! Customer service excellent from the greeting you get when you walk in,, being seated and then the servers! First time here! I wanted to try everything! I had the crispy Brussels and they were delicious and not too spicy! The turkey pastrami sandwich was me trusting the recommendation of my server, Jeffrey who was awesome! Did not disappoint! All ingredients worked together perfectly! I will be returning! read more

Culinary Dropout - Cocktail menu - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE eating at Culinary Dropout. The food, drinks and staff are top tier. Everyone is genuinely friendly. I was greeted and quickly sat at the bar. I went for happy hour. I ordered the brisket nachos and a red sangria. Both were amazing. While enjoying my drink, two ladies next to sparked up a conversation. Stayed for awhile and chatted with the bar tender as well. He was sweet. This location, I will be back to. Thanks for the welcoming energy. read more

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Omg this place was wonderful! The food was amazing like 10/10. Our server Josh was amazing! He had great energy and knew all the best foods on the menu. Right away when you walk in the ambiance is beautiful and clean. The manager Nate was very nice and made sure to check how our experience was going. This place is 10s all across the board. I am definitely adding this place to my list of favorites! read more

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Excellent service and seating feels spacious. My favorite was the crispy chicken katsu, which was flavorful and delicious. The bread, the crispy chicken, and the hoisin sauce were great. The Mongolian short rib was also pretty good, but after having the katsu it wasn't as special. The grasshopper ice cream was good but very rich and huge so definitely split. It's mint chocolate, but the mint is very subtle read more

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Bar tender was pretty inexperienced and probably didn't need to be alone just yet. Food was absolutely amazing. The Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket were awesome. Live music started while were there which was very enjoyable! Great food at a solid price point! read more

Culinary Dropout - Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I loved it. From booking the reservation to paying our bill. Everything was great. Drinks and apps along with service. The atmosphere hit the mark. read more

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This place gets 3 star only because the food wasn't that amazing. This was my 3rd time. The atmosphere and decor were great. Service was great. I felt like my food was warmed up in a microwave and prepared days before. Drink menu was lengthy. They have charcuterie boards for appetizers which is nice. I feel like this place is better for drinks and appetizers. Not really a great entree selection. read more

First off the , let's talk about this staff. Sydney , Riley, and Nate were some of the nicest and welcoming staff I've ever encountered at a restaurant! Like for real! Thank you all for being so hospitable. This is a beautiful establishment with some very delicious and filling food. My favorites were the Brussels sprouts and pigs in blanket. The sauce with the pigs just took me to another level. Probably the best sprouts I've ever eaten! read more

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Stopped in for lunch today with my mom and sister, and we had a great experience. We sat on the patio, which was really nice -- perfect weather and a relaxed vibe. My mom and sister both ordered the fried chicken with buttermilk biscuit, smashed potatoes, and gravy -- total comfort food and absolutely delicious. The chicken was crispy and juicy, and the biscuit was warm and fluffy. I went with the roasted salmon, which came with sweet corn, toasted couscous, and a flavorful heirloom tomato & caper relish. It was fresh, light, and super well-balanced -- exactly what I was in the mood for. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Definitely a spot I'd come back to, especially for a casual lunch with family. read more

Culinary Dropout - Roasted Salmon* - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Since my son hadn't been here before I decided to take him to lunch here on a Sunday afternoon. I had been here several times and I usually make a reservation since it seems to be a busy spot. I wasn't aware that we were going to be on brunch time and the menu did not include some of their delicious pastas. I decided to try something different and got the Detroit style cheese pizza, and added goat cheese to it. My son got the pork belly nachos and devoured it. We did share the Mississippi pie, which I had before that was delicious. I love the decor in here. It is so trendy. They have a bar area that is really nice that I would like to come sit out at some point. I didn't drink today. I just got a coat but they do have some cool alcoholic drinks. I will be back sooner than later Carleigh with our server and she was very attentive and personable. read more

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The Perfect Post-Church Spot (Even Without Reservations!) Came here on a Sunday right after church -- so yes, it was packed. The kind of bustling, lively crowd that tells you immediately: this place must be good. And it absolutely was. First of all, we had no reservations and still got seated in about 15 minutes, which honestly impressed me considering how busy they were. The host was incredibly kind and efficient -- a great first impression. The atmosphere is beautiful. The bar alone is stunning and gives off that upscale-but-welcoming energy. It feels lively without being chaotic. We were greeted quickly and our sweet teas came out almost immediately -- and let me just say: get the sweet tea. It has a hint of passionfruit and it is so good. Light, refreshing, and just sweet enough without being overpowering. Because it was such a busy Sunday, service timing wasn't perfectly paced -- our appetizers took a little while, and then our entrées came out shortly after (maybe five minutes later). But honestly? Our server was incredibly sweet, the entire staff was hustling, and everything was handled with kindness. You could tell they were working hard. And the food made up for any small timing gaps. We ordered: * Caesar Salad - A lighter, more citrus-forward dressing rather than a heavy anchovy profile. If you like a fresher twist on a classic Caesar, you'll love this. * Pork Belly Nachos - SO flavorful. The pork belly was rich and tender, and the queso? Absolutely delicious. * Fish and Chips - Crispy, satisfying, and well-executed. * Prime Rib Dip - Highly recommend. Tender meat, great flavor, and just overall comforting and done right. One thing that really stood out: we had to leave a bit quickly, and the staff was incredibly accommodating. They brought to-go containers promptly and even gave us fresh drinks to take with us. That level of thoughtfulness goes a long way. Overall, this is a lively, beautiful spot with delicious food and genuinely kind staff. Yes, Sundays are busy -- but they handle it with grace. We'll definitely be back (maybe next time with reservations ). read more

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Stopped in for a quick drink on an unusually warm day in the South. Service was pretty good and the margarita was great! read more

Culinary Dropout - Cali & Tay Skinny Margarita - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

My friends and I stopped by on Wednesday for happy hour. The restaurant was not very busy and we were seated at a booth adjacent to the bar. I was surprised to learn that the happy hour menu is only offered at the bar. But, our waitress said they would allow us to order from the happy hour menu. We started with The Sampler. It's a chef's selection of a meat and cheese charcuterie board. It was a nice presentation, but I thought was a little overpriced at $30. This was not part of happy hour menu. We did order drinks and a couple of items to share from the happy hour menu. The drinks were okay, but not memorable. We ordered the Korean ribs. They were served with coleslaw and had a nice flavor. Unfortunately only three small ribs are included in an order. We also ordered the Pork Nachos, and this was a much better item to share. The nachos were pretty good, and I would recommend them. Wait staff was very nice. read more

Culinary Dropout - Perfect Margarita - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I'm not sure how anyone rated this less than five stars. Starting with walking in, I was impressed by the unique look of the business and the light fixtures, in particular. I was greeted by the hostess and multiple others prior to going to my table. Although a little slow, it was dinner time so that is normal. My waitress was very attentive and gave recommendations of where to start. The feta and tzatziki dip was my favorite--with the bread, it was such a standout. Other bar foods available, too--the marinated olives were nice to snack on. The butternut squash and kale salad was incredible--I added shrimp. Already signed up for their loyalty although I did come from out of state. Came here for the story behind the restaurant chain, stayed to try as many food options as I could because it was so good. Definitely a favorite now! read more

Culinary Dropout - Whipped Feta & Tahini Dip and Marinated Olivesolives - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Mother's Day brunch! So glad we came here! We had 10:30 reservation and were seated right away Not thrilled our table was back in a corner outside the bathrooms and server station though especially when there were other open tables. That was a downer. Otherwise, Love the atmosphere and we had fantastic service. Food was a little unique and tasty. The veggie Bloody Mary was not very "veggie". Will dine here again, but I will leave if I am seated at the same table, and will skip the Bloody Mary. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Loved this place! We got there an hour before close because we were passing through. The staff is phenomenal and the food is fantastic. Our server, David, was so sweet and helpful. They were incredibly accommodating. Highly recommend. read more

And for lunch on a Wednesday, not on busy but I opted to sit at the bar instead of wait for a table. Good thing I did! TJ was engaging and recommended an appetizer for me, the Wagyu pigs in a blanket , which were fab, and I ordered a Two to Mango... a nice light fruity drink! When I come back in town, this will be my regular spot! read more

Let me just start by saying the team at Culinary Drop Out in Birmingham know the meaning of hospitality, service and teamwork! On Sunday mid evening I phoned the restaurant to see if there was anyway to handle a very large group - 25 people. Lauren calmly and politely, with what was a smile over the phone, said typically "we need 24 - 48 hours to prepare, but if you don't mind holding on, let me talk to my manager and see what we can do." Of course I said not a problem at all. After a few minutes I was told if you wouldn't mind coming at 7:15 vs 6:30, we will make your reservation work. We have a side room we can set you up in." I thought that was the best news of the night ..... When we arrived, a bit early, we were told that they were still setting up and feel free to head to the bar. Which we did! But here is where the team rocked it! Our group of 25 people turned into 41. Yes, let me say that again - 41! Josh and Jinji, our servers for the evening, came in and began by ensuring that everyone who wanted a cocktail had one. I don't remember the bar tenders name (please insert here) but he knocked out drinks and everyone began to laugh, relax and talk about the cool vibe of the restaurant. There was laughter and comradely all around us. Our group asked Josh and Jinji for recommendations and they were on point based on the feedback I heard around the table. Next up - questions and recommendations for dinner. I was one of those individuals and Josh recommended that between the meals I was eying, I would enjoy the ribs. Man he was right! Thank you. Chef Chase knocked it out. Orders went in and meals came out and presented with true culinary delight!! Presented to the eye, fragrance to pull you into your meal and taste to keep you engaged and keep eating! To Emily who supported the entire team and I saw their faces respond to a how do we make this happen?! They did it. I am humbled by the teamwork of this team. The ambiance of the very cool and casual vibe, and the taste of the meals. The best complements came late in the evening when our individual who was the host said it was the best experience. Cool vibe. Great food and the experience he hoped for in bringing people together as family from across the US! In short. I can't thank each of you each enough for ensuring this was such a successful event (at the last minute). PS. Dear General Manager - please recognize this team and do something special. From one executive to another, you have a very special team in your presence!! read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

From the moment we stepped into Culinary Dropout, we were enveloped in a warm, inviting atmosphere. The soft lighting and rustic decor created a cozy ambiance perfect for a celebration. Though the atmosphere was a bit noisy, we had a BIG group. Highly recommend for a casual, delicious meal." Let me back up. We were attending an event in Birmingham and need reservations for 25 at the last minute. After calling the manger, Krissie D., she said bring it! And we did. Our numbers were off, and things started to become a little scary. The crowd almost doubled; we have a total of 41 people arrive. As more people arrived the staff rocked it. The Host, Lauren never lost her cool. She directed people to the appropriate area and bar with ease. The servers, Josh and Jinji never even broke a sweat. They were as smooth as Cool Hand Luke. I did not see one drink or order missed or mistaken! When the orders came out you automatically knew the Chef Chase was in a zone. All the meals came out together, multiple trips however no one hand to wait more than 2 minutes for the entire group to be served. My last shout goes out to Emily, the shift lead. Thanks for making this happen and having such a great team! The drinks were smooth, and I highly recommend the Old Fashion. The food, as expected was spectacular. I did the Steak Frites, which was a delightful burst of flavors, it was cooked to perfection - tender and juicy. A definite must-try!" The menu is creative, and I appreciated the focus on different cuisines giving everyone in our group something to choose. The way this team came together with a two-hour window and served a group of 41, they need 10 stars here. Thanks all!! read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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We had a great time at Culinary Dropout! They did a great job of accommodating my larger party. We all had delicious meals and drinks. This is a great place to come for a special event or for a nice family outing. I would definitely recommend this place because of the great variety of options on their menu. I will definitely be back to try more! read more

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Party of five gathered together and dropped in for the first time. We were seated and Jessica was excellent at explaining the menu for the day. We were swiftly given our drinks and order was taken. Speaking of drinks, we modified them otherwise it's just "well" alcohol, nothing memorable. The food was great! We tried a few things and everything was tasty. The atmosphere was comfortable as the jazz musician carried out his set on stage. There is room for bar, indoor and outdoor seating but indoor was preferred as this was a warm day in summer. I didn't feel like sweating my eyeliner off. Luckily the air conditioning was on full blast which was perfect. I'll definitely return and this place will go into my favorite restaurant rotation. read more

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Food was amazing and I enjoy this restaurant. They have numerous options for all taste buds. read more

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This was a very cool spot. I stopped in because the name caught my attention and ended up being very impressed with both the staff and the food. When I arrived, the hostess greeted me and showed me to the bar area since I was dining solo on a work trip.I was quickly welcomed by Bluey, a newer bartender, who provided a menu and promptly got my drink order started. I ordered the Katsu chicken sandwich, which was excellent. The servers were friendly and smiling when they delivered my food, and both bartenders stayed engaged throughout my visit, making sure I had everything I needed and keeping my water refilled.It was a fairly quiet night, likely due to the heavy rain, which may have kept people at home, but that worked in my favor, as the service was outstanding. Thank you to Bluey and the rest of the Culinary Dropout team! read more

Culinary Dropout might just be my new go-to date night spot. Went with my church brothers for a pre-vow renewal dinner and everything hit--Lana's service, the complimentary pretzels with provolone fondue, those killer Brussels sprouts, and my melt-in-your-mouth Mongolian short rib. Even took monkey bread home like a trophy. My wife doesn't know it yet, but we've got a dinner date here soon. read more

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I've been to culinary dropout 3 times and already made plans to go a fourth. I will say some of their entrees are on the salty side. I really like their apps and this recent time when I went the steak was good. I would still go again. An easy pick. read more

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A culinary delight! When you first walk in, and right at opening to begin with, the restaurant was full but laid back. Service was great and punctual. Loved the fried chicken, my first entree to try. We came during brunch and I also enjoyed a watermelon coco mimosa. The buttermilk biscuit was the star of the show and the potatoes paired well with the chicken. Crisp, moist, and not overly seasoned. Looking forward to visiting again! read more

Culinary Dropout - Fried Chicken & Buttermilk Biscuit* - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Stopped by to have dinner with friends around 6:15 on a Thursday. There was no wait. I ordered the short ribs with slaw and fries. The pork ribs were tasty and fell off the bone. They do provide the wipes for you because the sauce if the ribs can get messy. I didn't care for the slaw. Not much taste and was somewhat dry. The fries were okay/good... could have been a little more hot. Overall a good time catching up. They also had live entertainment that evening. read more

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This was 2nd visit l, and once again the food was great, had the banana nut French toast, along with the endless summer drink. Service was awesome, everyone from the manager, who checked on us after we had not been attended too a few minutes after being seated, to the our waiter(Tyrie)to the staff who brought our food out was great! The environment is always vibe, music is good, open air dining is awesome, even though you are sitting inside, you feel like you are outside. read more

Culinary Dropout - Banana Nut French Toast - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Wowzers. I've driven past this many times but I somehow had not been in there yet. I took my three teenagers to dinner tonight and we all 4 absolutely loved the food we ordered. I will constantly say that even more important than the food for me though is the service at places. And this place was seriously one hundred percent perfect. Every servers we had and all the ones throughout were bringing a great vibe and were great servers. Also hearing the musician playing nice songs was also another great vibe in there. This is a super great place and it's very comfortable and the food is yummy. read more

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First timer here! The food was amazing. The service was amazing as well. It took a while for our food to come out and it was addressed by our server and we were given an appetizer on the house. The pretzel bites were hot and fresh. The cheese dip was a nice touch. For my entree, I ordered 36 hr ribs and the portion was large. Oh and I can't forget about the ranch 10/10. I can tell it is home made. read more

Ok y'all. Mother's Day brunch was handled beautifully. Everything was delicious. I am looking forward to stopping by after the holiday. From the hostess to our waitress everyone was kind and accommodating. read more

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