I wish I could give The Refinery a proper review, but unfortunately they made that pretty…read moredifficult. When I walked in they handed me the full menu... and then immediately told me I couldn't order from it. Apparently they're running on a very limited menu right now, which consisted of maybe three or four things. Bit of a letdown since I came specifically because I saw pictures of their smash burger and had dreams about it on the drive over. Instead I settled for the tacos, which were actually pretty tasty. No real complaints there. The drinks leaned pretty sweet, which makes me think there's a heavy hand with the syrups. The space itself is very small. It's decorated nicely, but you'll definitely feel like you're accidentally best friends with the people sitting next to you. The staff was fine overall, but very close and boisterous with each other. In a room that small, if one of the servers has the cackle of a woman who skins Dalmatians on the weekends... maybe don't pair her up with the funniest coworkers on the planet. All in all, a fine experience but not ideal. Call ahead if you actually want access to the full menu.

Chill atmosphere with great food and service. Want some good cocktails? We were alcohol free…read moretonight but they looked pretty good! Want truffle fries? They've got that too. Want to splurge on a smashburger or go light with a salad? Want some sports television on three big screens? You know the answer by now. Lunch menu is served all day and they have a weekly dessert (I forgot to ask, I failed the mission darnit) . Very personable and small space - less than 30 seats in the house - so be prepared for the close quarters if you have a larger party. For hubby and I we had the perfect spot for two and enjoyed the industrial touches. Bathrooms were in the back, single rooms, and they were well taken care of and beautifully arranged. Thank you as always Birmingham.

I was finally able to check out wooden city and enjoyed it so much that I went back a couple weeks…read morelater for a friend's birthday! I really like the ambience inside. It gives a great vibe for either a work dinner, a date night, owl or dinner with friends! It's fun and swanky but not over the top. They have a really attractive bar and they have a pizza kitchen that is open, which is always a cool touch. I try to handful of appetizers and I've got to recommend both the jerk cauliflower as well as the brussels sprouts and the Caesar salad was delicious as well. Also, the blistered Hungarian peppers are a must order if you'd like sausage! The meal that I had both times because it was that good was the spicy lamb rigatoni. I might just go back next week and get it again. I like that they have a wide variety of options whether you're looking for a gluten-free meal or something carb heavy like pizza or pasta, but they also have options to fit a variety of budgets from a casual dinner and a burger to more expensive entrées. The servers are very kind and are definitely educated in their wine and food offerings and very hospitable. Since this is located on Morris, a lot of people think parking is difficult down there, but apparently there is a parking lot in the back where you're able to get your ticket validated. I know some of my friends wish they would have known this before. I'll definitely be back and recommend this spot to others wanting a good meal!

Ordered a takeout pizza because of the 4.8 stars. I'm from Omaha and when I went inside to pick up…read morethe pizza, it was obvious that this is one of the main hipster spots in Birmingham. The pizza was good, but my girlfriend ordered mushroom and pepperoni and we got sausage and mushrooms . The toppings and sauce were good, but the best part was the chewy crust that was slightly charcoaled. I had to use the City parking lot in the back as street parking was full. This area looks to be comparable to Omaha's Old Market, but we didn't have any time to explore. Hipsters of the World Unite!

Service personable and waitress answered any questions helpfully. Given the name "porch," it…read morereminds me of family gatherings on the literal porch, and this atmosphere was similar: lots of large family tables and groups. We were one of two double seater tables that were reserved, it was really cute honestly. It has been a while since I got duck confit, and I loved the luxuries of tasting it without the price tag tonight. Only $8 to add some on to either the caesar or house salad options. Husband got the sweet potato fries and blackened flounder sandwich which were all tasty as well. Fries were shoestring style and sprinkled with brown sugar - yum. PSA to DEFINITELY try the cookies, my hubby is a chocolate chip connoisseur and said these were top of the list now. So warm and fresh. The fried pie was delicious as well and I enjoyed my cocktail selection. Great date night selection!

3.5 overall Great…read morelocation and patio space. I came for lunch and I agree that the service is a bit slow. I opted for the farro bowl, but was hesitant about the beets--cause, well, beets are not my jam-- but the kitchen put them on the side for me! (Thank you!!). I added braised pork. The bowl is a very creative and i loved the concept but the execution just need a bit of tweaking. The bowl was just too greasy. And I don't think the grease was only coming from the pork. The farro was about 1 or 2 minutes overcooked for my taste; however, I would try it again maybe with just the egg. I hear great things about thw smash burger so I'll come back and try my luck. Wednesdays are half off bottles of wine!!

First time to The Battery... There were 7 of us who went to watch the Super Bowl. Very clean…read moreupscale sports bar. Drinks were great and the Brussel sprouts were fabulous... one of my favorites. Made with whipped goat cheese and pomegranates. The burger was absolutely delicious.... Maybe I was just hungry lol. Our waitress was wonderful, I'm sorry I didn't catch her name. Always made sure our drinks were filled. Would I go back? Yes indeed! Everyone in the party was happy with their food and the service.

The good: they have a parking lot with a decent number of spots and a very nice covered patio with…read morelots of TVs. Oh and they have several NA beer options that aren't badly priced. The not good: the service. We had 2 servers on a Sunday afternoon. The first was very good. The second was non existent. The manager had to come take our orders and refill water. The menu has limited vegetarian options - extremely limited. I got the quesadilla and asked them to hold the meat. But it was insanely filled with cheese like to the point I thought I was going to choke on a blob of cheese. Just not a place to come if you're hungry and don't eat meat. I'd come back for a beer and to watch a game. But I wouldn't plan to eat here. A veggie burger option would go a long way here.

This morning, Sunday, February 15, 2026; My wife and I went to "The Essentials" for Sunday, Brunch…read more I have not eaten at "The Essentials" for a few years now. We don't like going out on holidays like Valentines Day so we usually do something the day after. Food: I got the Steak & Eggs. They were great. I did think the "Potato Cake" on the plate was a bit dry but I did eat it all. I was surprised that no Toast was provided for this item. Just an after thought. My wife go the Banana Bread French Toast. She also loved it. Service: This is where "The Essentials" understands what their clients want. Our server was outstanding. I looked around and felt the entire staff really knew how to work with their guests. Refreshing. Ambiance: At first, I thought the restaurant was a bit noisy. Yet my wife and my conversation was not strained. The Ambiance was upscale casual. Value: I thought the prices were a bit high yet the real story was, once I was finished, my mind was asking when the next time I would return. Cost a meal is in direct portion to how much you enjoyed it. I enjoyed my meal very much. Eat well, Drink well and stay healthy.

This is a great spot in Birmingham. The menu was not clear, but the staff worked with us to figure…read moreout what they could make without seed oils and gluten-free options. I ended up with a bunless burger. The Caesar salad with chicken was my first choice, but both the dressing and the chicken had seed oils - not good. Still, the vibe was great, and we made the best of what was available. Thanks to the chef for working with us.

Came for lunch today! Love the garage doors and outdoor seating. Fast-casual, order at the front…read more The murals and decor are cool, definitely suit nighttime better. They have a nice cocktail menu, and a lot of the seating is lounge style (couches with coffee tables). This would be a fun spot to watch some football. The food was satisfactory. I had the garlic noodles with chicken, $17 for lunch. My dad ordered the banh mi with fries. I'm assuming these prices are the same for dinner, but I really think they should be lower for lunch. I'm even fine with a slightly smaller portion, but Tuesday lunch shouldn't be more than $15 anywhere. I'll definitely be back to try something else! I love the outdoor seating. I'd forgotten about how jam-packed this block of Lakeview is with restaurants and bars.

Loving the cleanliness and atmosphere . Had the Philly cheesesteak and it was awesome !!…read more Staff is /was wonderful !!!

A true hidden gem right off Highway 280…read more Let me just say--this place is absolutely beautiful. From the ambiance to the staff, everything felt elevated from the moment we walked in. We made reservations for Bae's birthday dinner, and they welcomed us with a handwritten card signed by the entire staff... such a thoughtful touch that really set the tone for the night. Now let's get into the food To start, I had the Charred Grapefruit Martini--perfection. Smooth, refreshing, and just the right balance. We ordered the Butter Crab Sushi and Lobster Bisque to kick things off, and both were incredible. For our entrées, we went with the Steak Frites (with a little switch-up on the sides), and baby... nothing missed. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. This is one of those places where you can confidently order anything on the menu. 10/10 experience--don't forget to tip generously, the staff truly deserves it!

I can finally say I've been to Bricktop's. Located right off Hwy 280, it can be a little…read morechallenging if you're traveling west. You'll have to go past it to a light and make a U turn. Traffic can be heavy on 280 during rush hour. There's adequate parking with beautiful foliage and an attractive outdoor waiting area. This location has been there almost 10 years and their decor is still simple and contemporary. There's two large dining rooms separated by an open bar. They do take reservations and with a dinner reservation, we were seated quickly. By the time we were leaving, the restaurant had filled with guests waiting to be seated for a bustling Thursday evening. In addition to their specials, there's a nice variety to their menu with steaks, chicken and fish dishes. We got the Spinach and Artichoke dip appetizer which arrived quickly. The dip had good flavor. The chips were good, but I wasn't that impressed with the salsa. Tammy and I split a caesar salad so they served it in separate bowls. The salad also had a nice flavor and on par. Chase tried the short rib. Presentation was outstanding. It was served with two onion rings and mashed potatoes. There wasn't anything left on his plate when he was done. Tammy tried the crab cakes. It was served with a large mass of skinny fries. I stole a bite and the crab cakes were outstanding. Yom Yom Yom Yom. I ordered the Fish & Chips which arrived on an extra large plate with about seven strips of cod coated and deep fried next to another large mass of string fries with room for slaw. The fries were perfect. The mayonnaise based slaw was creamy, tangy and even a little sweet. It was outstanding and one of the best slaws I've ever had! Yom Yom Yom Yom. The cod was also good but I thought it was a little heavy on the batter. Since I love a good tartar sauce, I have to give a shoutout for their homemade tartar sauce. We saved room for dessert and their bread pudding and pizookie with vanilla ice cream was so rich, it raised my A1c a couple of points! Service was outstanding. Our waiter checked on us regularly and our glasses of water were constantly topped off even as the restaurant filled with more patrons. I would return just to try their snapper, salmon, trout or filet. Keep in mind, their price point is higher than most but this is their level of service and they do it well.

Was looking for a place to grab a quick pint before hitting the airport and this little spot is big…read morefun. Good brew and food, fun atmosphere.

I hadn't been in this area for lunch in a while and had not heard of this place. It had taken over…read moreanother restaurant we had been to in the past. Met my wife here for lunch and it was a nice surprise. The inside is a little small, so if they are busy, you may have to sit outside. The inside is decorated... festive? And they have TVs on to catch a game if you're so inclined. I got the philly sandwich for my lunch. It was tasty, though I wish they had some slightly better hot sauce to put on it. I'd definitely come back though and try something else on the menu next time.

Excellent burgers and the sweet potato fries, to die for! Had to have a second burgerread more

Wow! This burger joint is amazing and better than Jack Browns imo…read more We ordered the cowgirl - American cheese, horseradish aioli, bacon, 2 waygu beef patties. Absolutely delicious and crave worthy. The burger was juicy and flavorful everything I wanted. The bun was toasted to perfection. My husband got the regular hand cut fries and I got the sweet potato fries. Literally the best SP fries I've ever had they were crispy and perfect balance of salty sweet. Yum! I wish we had one in HSV guess I'll have to drive back just for the burgers lol. They also serve different styles of hotdogs and fried pies for dessert. They have a few beer options and fountain drinks. Our food came out quickly and the whole place had a funky cool vibe.

Love Back Forty, along with the rest of Birmingham. There's always so much going on here,…read moreespecially when the weather is good. Tons of kids and dogs outside. People often host their own little parties and events at the picnic tables here. I came on a Sunday afternoon, and it seemed like a lot of families came for lunch and to hang out after church. The food here is certainly impressive food for a bar to me. I love the wood fired pizzas. I will say, I think the size is a bit awkward. They're a little too big to be a single serving, and a little too small to be for two people. The beer is all good. Service at the bar always friendly. The fries here are some of my favorite in town. Shoestring.

Located right next to Sloss Furnaces, this is a fantastic place to grab a beer, catch the big game,…read moreand enjoy a solid meal with friends. They've got a huge selection of beers and a full dinner menu, so there's something for just about everyone. Whether you're coming for drinks or planning to eat, you won't feel limited. Parking is plentiful, which is always a win in Birmingham, and there's plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. It works well for small groups or larger parties. One thing to know going in: this isn't really a full-service setup. You order and pick up your own food, and aside from someone occasionally clearing empty pint glasses, there's not much table service. We actually didn't receive utensils with our food and had to go back up to the counter to grab some. Not a huge deal, just something to be aware of. I ordered the catfish sandwich with fries. The sandwich itself was delicious -- crispy, flavorful, and satisfying. My only small gripe was that it came in a to-go box. I understand it probably makes cleanup easier for them, but it does take away a bit from the dine-in experience. The fries were shoestring style, which just aren't my personal favorite. They're fine, but I always feel like I need about three handfuls to feel satisfied. We went on a Saturday night and the brewery was packed -- and I mean packed. It was very loud and definitely more of a party atmosphere than a relaxing dinner vibe. If you're looking for a quiet night out, this probably isn't it. But if you want energy, beer, sports on TV, and a fun crowd, this place delivers. Overall, it's a great hangout spot to catch a game, grab a drink, and enjoy good food -- just expect a lively, high-energy scene.