Frothy Monkey

I stopped by Trattoria ZaZa for brunch on Sunday after church, and overall, I had a really…read moreenjoyable experience. There was a bit of a wait before my order was taken, but honestly, it worked out in my favor because it gave me plenty of time to look over the menu. There were so many tempting options that it was honestly hard to decide! I ultimately chose three items and enjoyed a few bites of each. Ham & Fontina Scone: This was my first time trying a scone, and I was pleasantly surprised. The texture reminded me of a dry biscuit, but the ham added a delicious savory flavor that I really enjoyed. Frittata Plate: The frittata was SO good! It wasn't too dry, and all of the flavors worked really well together. It was served with polenta, which reminded me of really fine grits, along with fruit. After trying it, I realized that one entrée would definitely be enough for me to enjoy on its own. Breakfast 'ZA: This was essentially a breakfast pizza topped with a fried egg, and the egg was such a nice touch. The 'ZA itself was really good, although I think adding something similar to a gravy or sauce would make it a little less dry. Even without it, though, the fried egg really took it to another level. Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso: I decided to try the Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, which was the barista's pick. This was my first time having a shaken espresso, and I'm so glad I gave it a try! It was refreshing and perfect for a hot day. The inside of Trattoria ZaZa is nice, although it is somewhat small, so I opted to sit outside. It was a very warm day, but the awning provided plenty of shade and made the outdoor seating comfortable. I also appreciated that, even though the restaurant doesn't have traditional table service, someone periodically checked on me to make sure I didn't need anything else. Overall, I had a great brunch experience at Trattoria ZaZa. There were plenty of menu options, the food was flavorful, and I really enjoyed trying a few things that were new to me. I'd definitely be open to coming back and trying more of the menu!

We came for dinner before a show down the street at the Lyric. First time here. She had the baked…read moremacaroni and cheese with vegetables added and absolutely loved it. I had the daily special, which was a broken lasagna. Also very, very good. Mixed greens on the side rounded out our table. The pizza looked very good and reminded us of pizza in a shop we love in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. It's walk up service, no ordering from your table, which was fine. The menu has a nice variety. The store is a downtown casual vibe. We probably should've opted for outdoor seating, because the evening was so nice.

Inside wait in line to order then pick your own seat inside or out

Baked Feta

See all

Inside wait in line to order then pick your own seat

The Essential

4.4(512 reviews)

0.2 mi

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!!

Pavlova

See all

Sourdough bread with French butter.

The Harvest

4.0(119 reviews)

0.3 mi

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.

Cute but chic ambiance

Beef tartare

See all

Roots & Revelry

3.7(354 reviews)

0.6 mi

•$$$

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

Photos do not do justice to this space.

See all

The Red Cat-Railroad Park

4.2(142 reviews)

0.7 mi

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.

Nice place, great coffee. The service is friendly & the food is great. The menu has a little of…read moreeverything. The pastry selection is excellent.

Plain black coffee

Chai latte and pumpkin muffin

See all

Abyssinian iced latte

Ruby Sunshine Homewood

We had our first ever experience at Ruby Sunshine and it was fantastic. Food portions were great…read moreand very delicious! We had the sweetest bartender, Lauren, and she took great care of us and was very helpful guiding us. She made great drinks, too! We noticed a sign that says they use 2 oz of liquor in their drinks and if you want something different you should ask. This makes a difference because so many chains and businesses try to save money and give you skimpy amounts of alcohol and that's where they go wrong. The more alcohol, duh, the more you want! This is where Ruby Sunshine does it absolutely right!! Also the manager, Craig, was very attentive as well! It makes a difference when the staff genuinely cares! The other thing I liked was the staff was able to be their selves. No corporate mandates on the look. And I think this is pretty awesome. Good job to the team at this location.

The food is very good at Ruby Sunshine! I have always enjoyed everything. There biscuits are the…read moreonly thing I would consider spectacular. Make sure to get some butter and jelly with it. The service has been good each time. The ambiance isn't the best, but it is not bad either. We will be back. A very solid breakfast spot. Me: 4.25/5 Wife: 4/5

See all

Maple Street Biscuit Company - Homewood

4.1(222 reviews)

2.6 mi

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.

Five and dime, no bacon, vegetarian gravy on the side

Firebird

See all

Five and dime

Hero

4.2(111 reviews)

0.6 mi

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!

Doughnut Kitchen

Doughnut case

See all

Hero Doughnuts next to Railroad Park

Big Bad Breakfast

4.4(885 reviews)

2.8 mi

Food and service was amazing for brunch this morning! Also the Breakfast Dude drink is to die for!…read moreWill be back!

Delicious food!! Big servings. Got there during Saturday morning rush hour and was able to get…read moreseat fast and food fast. I will definitely be back.

See all

The Yard

3.2(137 reviews)

0.4 mi

•$$$

The food was delicious overall. I found tge shrimp cocktail awkward in how they served it but…read moreoverall great food. Zeudd (Zee) was an excellent server. The atmosphere was good. I didn't know this resteraunt was an extension of the hotel so it got crowded around the bar. Other than that, a good experience.

Sooooooo...I had the chicken and waffles and the food was amazing. However, actually getting…read moresomeone to serve you is a challenge so don't even bother.

See all

Old fashioned

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Neha A.

4 years ago

If I could give this place 6 stars instead I would! Frothy monkey has the most amazing breakfast food I have ever had! I am a huge breakfast/ brunch person and this places checks all the boxes. As someone who can't eat pork, most brunch spots mainly have pork items on the list but frothy monkey has several vegan, gluten-free and pork free options making it such an inclusive spot. The location is amazing and the environment inside the restaurant is adorable! They are LGBTQ+ ally which makes it easier for me to eat there with most of my friends. The servers create such a comfortable environment for everyone that visits and it just makes me want to keep going back. I ate there twice before I decided to host my birthday dinner there and no shocker, their dinner menu is fantastic as well! There isn't a single item on the menu that I would not recommend. read more

JJ C.

Elite 25

440

973

3 years ago

Atmosphere: Frothy Monkey is a spacious cafe with plenty of seating. It can get pretty busy during breakfast and brunch hours. The music can be loud, so it can be hard to concentrate if you're hoping to get some work done. Service: Even though we were only getting drinks, we were served dine-in style, which was confusing at first. However, our server was friendly, and we got our drinks quickly. Food: We ordered an iced matcha latte and a shot of espresso. The iced matcha latte was decent! It was a bit powdery, but the sweetness and level of matcha flavor was good. The espresso was solid, no complaints here! Overall: Frothy Monkey is a cute cafe with a variety of drink options. Though we had a good drink experience, we'd probably come back for their food choices to try something new! read more

lali m.

3 years ago

Great customer service. The French toast were amazing. Peaches were fresh. Cute spot. Definitely a must try when your in town.

Felicia H.

3 years ago

This place is amazing! The food is delicious! Their breakfast menu caters to all! Great service and wonderful ambiance!

James W.

2 years ago

Another blatant act of racism at The Monkey. It won't be long before the boycott begins

Frothy Monkey - cafes - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Frothy Monkey also viewed

Santos Coffee Uptown

(79 reviews)

We were in town for a convention and found this coffee shop within walking distance! It's located…read moreright by the Westin which makes it super convenient and easy to get to. I tried the Lavender Basil latte and really liked it. It was a little weird seeing basil leaves in my coffee but it added a fresh twist. We also ordered a couple of their bagel sandwiches and both were solid. Nothing extraordinary but satisfying. The service was friendly and the space is bright and spacious. If I were a local, I wouldn't mind coming here to get some work done. Overall, a nice little coffee spot in a great location!

K & J's elegant pastries suggested I go to Santos coffee so I walked around the corner. I wasn't…read moresure what to order so I asked for suggestions so I Got a large iced caramel coffee. It was so good. I wish I wasn't in a hurry I really liked to have checked this place out a little longer. Really good vibe and the smell of coffee is so relaxing. I would definitely recommend this place and I definitely will be going back again. They have teas and other drinks I feel I need to try.

The Original Pancake House

3.9

(356 reviews)

It has been years since we visited The Original Pancake House. We used to go with our kids way…read moreback, and it was one of our favorites places, but it was difficult to get into because the lines were out the door. For a bit of nostalgia, we decided to go back, and we forgot what we were missing. This time there was no line, yay, and we got a table immediately! The portions were a nice size and the price was good. Alot better than other breakfast places around. I ordered the banana pancakes with the tropical syrup and a side of bacon and scrambled eggs. Food was really good, and the service was excellent!

The Original Pancake House is a Birmingham classic, and for good reason! Their food is predictable,…read moredelicious, and well-priced. In addition to this, the staff is friendly and pretty flexible on accommodations. I visited on a Wednesday morning, and there were about 7 other tables filled. In the past, when I went on a weekend, I usually had to wait around 15-20 minutes for a table, so if you are able to, I recommend visiting on a weekday. Today I got the vegan sausage, eggs, and pancake combination. It came with two eggs, two pieces of sausage, and three pancakes, which was plenty of food. I ended up bringing home my leftover pancakes, and they heated up quite nicely in the microwave when I ate them later. They also provide ramekins for different sauces and syrups if you want to bring any home, which was very nice. Our server was very kind and proactive at refilling water, checking on us, and getting the check to us quickly, especially because he knew that we had to leave relatively quickly. I also love the ambiance of The Original Pancake House. The seating, artwork, and general atmosphere provide a sense of hominess and southern charm. The seating can be a bit cramped, and I think it's better to have party sizes less than eight, otherwise you may get turned away or have to sit at separate tables. Overall, I highly recommend The Original Pancake House, especially if you are taking someone who has never been to Birmingham before; it's a classic for a reason!

Santos Coffee - Homewood

(21 reviews)

Came here before catching a flight and it was a good experience…read more Mami ordered the Nutella latte and said it was pretty good I ordered the chicken Verona and liked it a LOT. Try this place out.

I loved the ambience of this place. It's a great study spot. We came on a Monday morning and there…read morewere plenty of tables available. I liked that there were outlets for computers and free WiFi. Also plenty of free street parking. Food: - Bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel was incredible. We got it with Colby cheese (you get options) - Pumpkin muffin was pretty bad. It was dense and lacked flavor. Not sure if we just got a bad batch or something. Drinks: - Very few tea options for my non-coffee drinking hubby. He likes unsweetened ice tea and I had to explain to the barista that you could just make a regular hot cup and then pour it over ice. Maybe the people I had working today were new? They were very sweet and happy to make the tea. - basil lavender latte: very yummy... the basil is very subtle.

Ashley Mac's Kitchen

4.4

(41 reviews)

Friendly service Great take home dishes in their freezer…read moresection Delicious and fresh healthy options Even good gluten free items too

3.5/5. Visited here for lunch today. Had heard a lot of good things about this local chain and it…read moreseemed like a good fit for me as I recover from some kind of nasty crud -- lots of easy on the stomach, healthy options. For anyone who may not have heard, this place reminds me of similar smaller scale chains like Chicken Salad Chick or even a little bit like Urban Cookhouse. If I had to compare it to a larger chain, I'd say it's kind of like Panera. The biggest difference I'd say is the presence of a very large cooler with grab and go/take and bake type of meals. Definitely seems like a nice service. This location was larger than I expected it to be. Outdoor parking was a little crazy around noon on a Thursday, but I managed to find a spot inside a nearby underground parking garage and the walk over wasn't bad. They were moderately busy but there was plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Two cashiers were waiting for me to order at the counter. There's also a shelf where carryout orders are left for pickup. Oh, and I stopped in the bathroom before I left and found it tidy. I was in a bit of a hurry, so I quickly scanned the menu and decided on the lemon rosemary chicken. It comes with rice, a sour cream biscuit, and your choice of a side. My stomach was feeling a little on the fritz so I chose a fruit cup to keep it extra light. Service was polite and efficient, which is all you can really ask for. I thought the price was a touch high, especially when I saw what I wound up getting: almost $16, and that's before tip (and yes, they use the tablets that automatically prompt you to tip -- I don't mind tipping for the sake of the worker but I wish we as a society would just pay workers living wages rather than relying on tips, especially when there's not really much "table service" even going on!). The food was okay. I was bummed to see they serve Red Diamond tea; it's not a favorite of mine at all, although I suppose it's local so it makes sense. The chicken was probably the best part, in the sense that it was actually cooked perfectly. Still tender and juicy! I didn't get much rosemary, though; the lemon and feta overwhelmed it and some bites were quite salty and/or acidic. The rice was also cooked well, not too mushy nor undercooked. The fruit cup was...fine. About one strawberry cut in halves, two apple pieces, a very small handful of grapes, and the rest of it oranges, which are not my favorite. Probably on me for ordering it, as I don't tend to think fruit cups are worth it when dining out, but I was trying to cater to my tummy. If I return, I'd get something different. The sour cream biscuit made me sad, lol. When I hear biscuit I think of a bread item at least the size of my palm. This was smaller than even a miniature muffin like you'd get in a snack pack for kids. It was about the size of the half of a strawberry in my fruit cup. It was tasty! But very small. :( Maybe "drop biscuit" would've given me slightly more realistic expectations, haha. Overall, this restaurant chain may fit the bill if you're looking for something fairly healthy, quick, fresh, and unobjectionable, or if you're looking to find an easy dinner to take home! If I return I hope to come back feeling more robust and ready to try something new like the poppyseed chicken. :)

Irondale Cafe

(168 reviews)

Kind and helpful staff, great food, home-cooked style. My son said "There's a lot of old people…read moreeating here," and I told him that's how you know the place is good! Fried catfish was very mildly seasoned (good for kids), chicken fried steak was great, and fried green tomatoes juicy and crunchy: their name-sake, as the author of the book based her characters on family who lived just across the tracks. Highly recommend!

Irondale Cafe is a great option if you are in the mood for comfort food. It has the perfect…read moreenvironment. The lines can get long but it's not ever TOO bad. I went on a Sunday for lunch and it was very busy! They had several meat options ( fried catfish, fried chicken, baked chicken, beef tips ,chicken livers, etc). Many veggie options too! I won't list those but their website has allll the daily menu items available. I went with the fried catfish - I was nervous ( it was fried to perfection). I also had greens, cornbread dressing because they had cranberry sauce and fried green tomatoes. Everything was extremely fresh - not overly seasoned but satisfactory to my tastebuds. Overall, I enjoyed my meal & left satisfied (and sleepy). The staff certainly was hardworking and handled the crowd effectively.

The Red Cat-Railroad Park

4.2

(142 reviews)

Nice place, great coffee. The service is friendly & the food is great. The menu has a little of…read moreeverything. The pastry selection is excellent.

OHenry's Coffees

4.4

(43 reviews)

A great place to work, study or simply enjoy a coffee, latte or frozen creation. Their Honey…read moreCinnamon Latte was yummy, lightly sweet and hit the spot. Service was quick and efficient. The Cinnamon Scone was tender, moist and full of cinnamon flavor, but I wish I'd had her warm it a bit - as she offered. It was cool from being in a refrigerated case. The atmosphere here is high ceiling industrial, but exposed brick and a lovely walnut paneled wall give it a warmth and a stately library touch. I'll return.

Conveniently located in Trace crossings. My lemonade was very tasty. They have tons of items on…read moretheir summer menu. Can't wait to try more. This place has plenty of patio seating tons of pastry, sandwich, and coffee options. Tons of restaurants and cool retail shops all in walking distance. Service was great.

OHenry's Coffees

3.8

(85 reviews)

Food first, thoughts after... I go to OHenry's almost on a…read moreweekly basis. Located conveniently near a running trail, I always make sure I reward myself with coffee after. One of my favorites to get is the cool carmello. Food wise their breakfast burrito and Conecuh sausage biscuit is delicious. As a student I've also tried to study here before. There is additional seating upstairs. The lighting is more dim on the upper deck. Surrounded by numerous and convenient parking spots, there is no excuse not to go!

The coffee is good. I am in town twice a year and I always stop here for coffee. I even told the…read morebarista this and she just half smiled and went on. I asked her for sugar free suggestions and she pointed me to a sign. So, the service is really not that great but I like to support local instead of huge chains. I have felt less than appreciated the last couple of visits so I may need to find a new spot the next time I'm here. Maybe they are just big in locals. I'm not sure.

Red Mountain Expresso

4.5

(62 reviews)

I was looking for something quick and easy for lunch. This came up on my Yelp search. I hadn't…read morerealized it's only a drive-thru until I got there. However, it worked just fine. They have a drive through on both sides of the building. A young man helped me promptly. I ordered the chicken salad and a Vulcan iced latte. The chicken salad pack comes with pita chips and hummus. The chicken salad was delicious. The amount they put on the sandwich is generous. The hummus was a tiny scoop for the number of pita chips. You can order extra hummus for an additional charge, however. The latte was good and strong. I love a bold coffee. However, it wasn't as smooth as I prefer my coffee. It had a bit of a bitter punch like Starbucks. The flavor was good though and I did finish it. The menu is limited for food options, but for a quick and easy lunch or coffee, it's perfect!

Everything was perfect. Even my crazy latte order. The biscuits are incredible! I tried the sausage…read morepimento and it was perfect. At first I thought it wasn't going to be enough pimento cheese but it was absolutely the perfect amount. My quad shot maple latte with 1 pump of white mocha and half water was just what I needed

Edgar's Bakery

(53 reviews)