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    Giuseppe's Cafe

    4.5 (356 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Italian, Salad
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Giuseppe's Cafe Photos

    GIUSEPPE'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Giuseppe's Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta
    Peyton L.

    This little Italian pizza spot is an absolute gem. It's tiny and we did have to wait a while, but it was so worth it!!! I ordered the Alfredo and it was honestly the best I've ever had in my life--rich, creamy, and full of flavor. We also got the cheesy bread as an appetizer and it was phenomenal. I would recommend this place to anyone in Birmingham. Totally worth the wait, and i'm still craving that Alfredo everyday.

    Maja R.

    Best chicken Alfredo I have ever had. Highly recommend this place. The place is small inside so it's definitely a cute little vulnerable vibe.

    Baked Ziti Pasta

    The baked feta was amazing! We also tried the house salad, the baked ziti, and lasagna. All was great with excellent service! Would recommend a reservation.

    Meatball sandwich
    Tyler T.

    This place is a staple of the Glen Iris neighborhood! It is a small space, so make sure you get there early on busy nights (Friday and Saturday). The service was great and the food came quickly. We both really enjoyed our meals and will definitely be back!

    Chicken Marsala Pasta
    Soumya K.

    unassuming little italian cafe that is so impressively good! came for a birthday dinner on a monday night and it was packed which is such a good sign. the food was delicious, i got the chicken marsala which was creamy and indulgent! the breaksticks as the appetizer were the only downfall of the meal but everyone else's food was also incredible! also, hands down some of the best service in birmingham! our waitress was so kind and gave our birthday girl dessert and made her feel so special:) highly recommend

    Front of store, friends
    Timothy B.

    Old standby favorite neighborhood spot... If I'm thinking of eating out with my wife this always comes to mind first. And I've been know to carry out their Margherita pizza in a pinch. They refund the service fee if you pay with cash! It's a good pie for right around $20. Had a pleasant evening here recently with some old friends of mine. I've been coming to Giuseppe's ever since I started living in 12th street in college, around 2007. So almost 20 years! And a few of the servers still know "my usual:" Cesar Salad and lasagna! This type of authenticity is rare these days! Check it out! Hope this place never goes away. Even when it's crowded you can still have a good conversation, never too noisy, and there is no distracting music. Just the sound of conviviality and the kitchen.

    Cheesecake
    Madison E.

    It's been around since 2002 so they must be doing something right! Giuseppe's is the Italian name for Joseph and their website says the owners name is Joe, so I can only assume that's where the name came from. We loved dining here. When you're looking for "a place where the locals go," this would definitely fit the bill. The inside is small and cozy, which leads me to suggesting getting a reservation. We went on a Wednesday night at 5pm and it was packed. I didn't think we'd need a reservation but I'm glad I called earlier in the day and got one. Parking was not ideal but not horrendous. It's somewhat of a triangle shaped building and there's parking on the perimeter of it (notice in video) and some spots across the street. A smaller car would have no problem but we were in my husband's (obnoxiously large) truck. We started with a sauv blanc and a miller lite. ($10 & $4) I am a processo/brut girlie through and through but that wasn't on the menu. I got sauv blanc bc that's what Tswift drinks so what could go wrong. I had ONE glass and I had cotton mouth and a touch of a headache the next morning. But it was delicious. I digress... We got baked feta as an app and loved it. Perfectly creamy but tangy. The crostinis were crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. (9) David got chicken florentine and loved. Chicken spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes in the homemade Alfredo over fettuccine. This was very creamy and tasted homemade. (17) I got the special of mahi mahi over pasta. So good and light. Mine was much more lemon-y than David's. The capers really set it over the top. I will say the fish was a tad fishy. But nothing unbearable. (Unsure of price - but I'd assume under 20) We don't opt for dessert much but at Italian places it's almost mandatory. The cheesecake had a creamy vanilla layer on top. It was perfectly fluffy and would definitely recommend. Giuseppe's, we will be back!

    Sophia R.

    This was the best choice EVER!!! I ordered a chicken pesto pizza with artichoke and green olives but accidentally got the pasta instead. They comped me the pasta and STILL made me the Pizza. THAT WAS THE BEST PESTO CHICKEN PASTA I HAVE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE! And I'm from California, we have good pasta. The ambience was so chill and felt like I was sitting in Nona's kitchen. The staff were the sweetest and the food came out quick too! If I'm ever back in Alabama, def coming here again!

    Italian Stallion
    April B.

    Not my most favorite, especially with all of the steep competition around here. The parking area is HORRIBLE! The food is ok. The girl up front wasn't super friendly and that sucks because you order at the counter. The atmosphere seemed cozy, it just isn't my number one Italian spot in the area.

    This chicken and prosciutto pasta was absolutely amazing!
    Charmaine C.

    I was looking for takeout food nearby and came across this as an option. Of course I utilized Yelp to see what the opinions of it was. Everything they said was right... this food is amazing! I had the chicken and prosciutto pasta and it was one the best dishes I've had in a very long time. Very fresh and hot! The portion side is huge and will make a great lunch leftover lol. Glad to tried something new and it being awesome.

    Vickerman F.

    I had the penne alla vodka and it was delicious. The sauce was creamy with a bit of spice which made it more interesting. Pasta had a great texture and the whole dish felt well-balanced. I appreciated how the portion wasn't too small. The vibe of the place was chill, good for a weeknight dinner. The server made some good recommendations too. I'll be back to try the lasagna next time.

    Lemon cake

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Great place, good food and good service. Highly reccomend for anyone looking for a quick bite to eat.

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Great food and service. Lovely small cafe! We went with a group and it wasn't a problem we all sat together and had our phone quickly!

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    11 months ago

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    6 months ago

    This restaurant has authentic Italian food. We love eating in this local noon chain restaurant.

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    1 year ago

    It's been a long time since we've had it so I hope it's as good as I remember. Because it was pretty darn good. Pasta +++

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    The pasta is the BEST anywhere around!!! The Mahi Pasta in particular. The portions are generous. The service is specialized!!!

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    4 months ago

    This great place is our go to when we come to Birmingham to see doctors. The food, service and staff are always superb.

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    8 months ago

    Food was amazing! Found this place near a work meeting and will be back. Cozy atmosphere and food was authentic.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Very nice employees, food was great and it was a quant little restaurant. The vibe was very chill.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Giuseppe's Cafe

    Is wine available here?

    Yes. Really good selection.

    Do we need a reservation?

    No, but it is a small venue and during peak hours you may have to wait. But, well worth the wait!!!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Trattoria Zaza

    4.5
    (497 reviews)
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    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!

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

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    Inside wait in line to order then pick your own seat
    Tasty Town

    Tasty Town

    4.5
    (366 reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    I really enjoy going to Tasty Town for lunch. I normally get the catfish lunch meal with the…read moreVillage Salad and their French fries, and it's always exactly what I'm craving. I love that the catfish is crispy on the outside but still tender and flavorful on the inside. I also really like the Village Salad it's fresh and light, which balances out the heavier parts of my meal. I usually pair it with their French fries because I can't resist the crispy, golden texture. Excellent service and dining experience. Great spot for business dinners or lunch with friends. I've tried looking at their vegetarian options too, and while I don't usually get them, I think they have some solid choices. I like that I can customize a salad or get a few sides to make a meal that's vegetarian-friendly. I think Tasty Town does a good job of offering something for everyone. I personally stick to my usual catfish meal, but I feel like I could explore more of their options if I wanted to try something different. Overall, I really enjoy my lunches there, and I always feel satisfied and happy with my choices.

    This review is specifically for the catered/box lunches we recently enjoyed from Tasty Town…read more Each lunch was boxed separately and included the silverware packet. That's a huge plus; the number of times I've seen referees having to pass on the side because they didn't have utensils! The entree was a chicken pita. It did have a few fresh onions, but I enjoyed them since I didn't have to be the one dragon breathing around the field all day. We did have a choice of roasted potatoes or basmati rice. The potatoes went much quicker than the rice; I had the potatoes and they were fantastic. There was also a tray of chocolate chip cookies provided. I don't think they were frash made; they looked similar to other restaurants generic chocolate chip cookies. They were a nice addition to the lunch, though. They also provided sweet and unsweet tea in gallon jugs.

    Photos
    House-made, fire-baked pita
    House-made, fire-baked pita
    Tasty Town Martini
    Tasty Town Martini
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    Paramount - Downtown Birmingham

    Paramount - Downtown Birmingham

    4.3
    (477 reviews)
    1.5 mi
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    We sat at the bar. Nice selection of beers. We had the three hander and my wife had a gourmet hot…read moredog called West Virginia. The food was perfectly prepared and surprised us how good. The bar was very busy but the bartender was very attentive. Great service. The ambiance was perfect for a corner bar downtown.

    I wanted to love this place SO BAD!! There's an attached arcade!!…read moreAnd the staff was SO NICE and friendly and helpful and I loved the industrial, creative decor. But we'd spent the day at McWane Center and we were starving so we were there to EAT! The food looked gorgeous but it tasted very meh. The onion rings had too much breading on them, which I didn't think was possible, but here we are. The part of the breading next to the onion was mushy so that threw off the texture of the whole thing too. The burger was very much like a Whataburger. Even the lettuce smelled the same. I got The Standard and the bun of the burger was a little mushy (similar to Whataburger) and there was not much meat. For an $11 burger, I'm expecting more than a Whataburger. My middle kid likes everything on her burger and isn't picky at all and the loaded kid burger looked impressive but it was about the same as mine. Not awful, but not very good either. Very close to the same amount of meat. She's the queen of the Clean Plate Club and she only ate half. The fries were good but a somewhat too salty, the dip that came with the onion rings was excellent and we ended up using it for the fries. We had 2 adults and 3 kids and our meal was $63 before tip for 5 waters, 2 adult burgers, 2 kid burgers, a kid grilled cheese, and a basket of fries and onion rings (I thought I was ordering a "side" of fries, not realizing I actually ordered a basket and it was a lot of fries and onion rings). We don't mind spending money on good food, but the prices here don't align with what you get. No one was more disappointed than me, I've been wanting to eat here for FOREVER!!!

    Photos
    Beer is pictured
    Beer is pictured
    I rarely eat the impossible burger but it was so darn good!
    I rarely eat the impossible burger but it was so darn good!
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    Giuseppe's Cafe - pizza - Updated July 2026

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