The Essential was such an unexpected find during our trip through Alabama. We weren't expecting to stumble 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. read more

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Really cool place with a quaint atmosphere and great service. My wife and I split the chicken sandwich, 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!! read more

The Essential - Half Chicken Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

This is a great spot in Birmingham. The menu was not clear, but the staff worked with us to figure out 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. read more

The Essential - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I met 5 of my girlfriends here for a birthday celebration and they had a card on the table for her. It was probably one of best meals I have ever had. We had the fish of the day, which was Tile Fish, Beef Carpaccio , Aranci, and the Burger . Our drinks were French 75, Cosmo and wine. The ambience was very nice. Every single thing was perfect. Joe , our server was amazing! He made the evening perfect! Highly recommend! read more

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Katie was amazing! Her recommendations were on point and she gave me time to relax and enjoy my time. I started with a glass of bubbles, a cappuccino and the mushroom toast. Then had the agnolotti with fried chicken. Everything was amazing & Im so happy I visited the essential. I went right at opening with no reservation on a Monday and had a pretty quiet meal. Make sure you check in with Resy for your chase/amex credits. Thanks! read more

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Wow!! Food is amazing and vibe is so European! Our first time here. Trey was excellent server and very professional with a smile! This is a must if you want to get out of the suburbs and eat Brunch downtown BHAM!!! MUST make reservations!!! Also outdoor seating! Yum!! read more

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I love The Essential for brunch. The food is good and a great variety to choose from as well. I prefer to go in the warmer months to be able to sit on the patio area and enjoy the outdoors and seeing the traffic passing by, but the inside is also nice and give somewhat of a European feel. They have a good wine and cocktail selection but I also find that I enjoy their hot teas. I would like to try them for dinner in the future. On my last visit there was a hair in my meal but they did comp the entree which I did appreciate since the hair was not the color nor texture of mine. Throughout the situation they were very gracious about it. Service was very good they checked on us consistently throughout the visit. read more

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The Essential is a fav of mine, simply for the ambiance and the great customer service. We were constantly checked on. Their Caesar salad is super good read more

The Essential - Cheeseburger Rigatoni Bolognese - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I looooove this place!! The smash burger is our go to!! Awesome customer service and vibe!!! The staff is attentive to detail read more

Our Friday Day date option was a goodie! I was told the burger was amazing but wasn't in a burger mood so went with the pasta. Still a good choice. The chicken I added was a little overcook but the pasta was perfect. I also tried the Rueben which was better than I expected. The service was great! Loved the atmosphere as well. Such a vibe! I'll be returning to finally try the burger soon. read more

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Great Bar, Disappointing Kitchen I really wanted to love The Essentials, but the food was a major letdown. It has the look of a high-end, chef-driven restaurant, but the execution just isn't there. I started with the rigatoni, which arrived with crunchy, undercooked noodles. I swapped it for the chicken biscuit, but the chicken was severely overcooked and the biscuit was just "meh." Even my husband's hash wasn't really a hash--it was a bland potato bowl that desperately needed seasoning. To top it off, the plating was surprisingly sloppy. The only saving grace is the bar. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and make a fantastic cocktail. My advice: Stop in for a drink and the vibes, but head elsewhere if you're actually hungry. read more

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We arrived 3:30pm on a Friday and there were only 2 other parties. The restaurant is cold and slightly dimly lit. It was easy to find street parking right outside the restaurant. Our waitress helped pick out and modify dishes for a vegan / plant-based diet. The Five Grain Salad is delicious and with the whipped feta on the side, it's a great pick for vegan / plant-based diets. She also had for the mozzarella salad, the mozzarella separate from the rest of the salad. The bread that comes out with butter was also served with olive oil for vegan / plant-based diet. The Rainbow Trout was delicious. The Tiramisu was different with the addition of freeze dries strawberries & black sesame. read more

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Great food. Great service. We ate here 4 out of 7 days that my dad was in the hospital at UAB.

The Essential is now on my essentials list! This place definitely has all the feels especially if you take the time to sit back and let your senses take over. We were able to make a reservation online which was helpful, but not needed because there were a few tables left when we arrived. The service was a great. Our waitress checked on us just enough to be helpful, but not annoying. The lighting was perfect. Just enough to keep it cozy, but not too dark that you needed your phone flashlight to read the menu. The restaurant itself had an upscale diner/cafe kind of feel with booth seating and marble tables. I loved the background music it added to the experience, and made me feel like I was somewhere in Europe. The food gave off an Italian vibe with a bit of a French and American flair, and what I really liked about the menu was that they were more than just the same fancy chicken, pizza, corn dogs and hamburgers that a lot of restaurants offer. I loved the fact that they offered homemade pastas and homemade ice cream. For my entree I ordered the spaghetti,and this was not your typical spaghetti. The desription was cacio e pepe', spelt flour, miso butter, parmesan brodo, with zanzibar peppercorns, and it was absolutely delicious. Let me give you a tip, when the waitress asks if you would like to add bacon to the dish, say yes! This really added to the flavor. I also recommend the sour dough bread for a starter. It goes really well with the spaghetti. Both were full of flavor and warm. The perfect comfort food for a cool evening. For dessert, my husband and I shared the rocky road ice cream. The presentation was beautiful, but I was hoping the toasted marshmellow would be mixed in the ice cream rather than sitting on top. read more

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Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. The decor here is chic and cozy, the menu options are delightful, and the quality-to-price ratio is respectable. This was my first time dining here and I'm already dreaming of my next visit. What we ordered: -5 Grain Salad: quite y the BEST salad I've ever eaten. Filled with quinoa, farro (chef's kiss), avocado, walnuts, whipped feta, this salad is perfectly crafted. -Essential Burger: the bites I tried of this were incredible! Absolutely delicious burger atop a fresh, homemade bun. The fries were quite mediocre for this type of restaurant... maybe this was a one-off thing? I cannot wait to return! read more

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Great food and great service! The menu is not so run of the mill brunch but some wonderful creations that will make you come back!

Beautiful setting of the restaurant in the heart of downtown BHM. The entry and walk was pleasant with a small buzz of traffic, and as soon as we arrived the host asked if we had a reservation. We were seated promptly and service was efficient with making it, getting drinks and food, and sitting for a while before heading out all within an hour's time. We made it during brunch and shared a burger and fries, all of which was great and 5/5! I love teas and wanted to try something different, but unfortunately the jade green was a bit too fresh for me and I could not finish it. Our dessert was complimentary for our anni weekend which is always so sweet to experience because, of course, not all restaurants/facilities can do that. Wonderful brunch visit! read more

The Essential - Raspberry sorbet - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Birmingham do not play about weekend brunch! Me and two of my friends came here at 10 am on Saturday and the place was buzzing! The hostess got us on the wait list since we did not have a reservation. The wait wasn't long at all . We were seated at the bar and we had comfortable space. The bar service was outstanding and fast! The mimosa and coffee was flowing. We had the chicken biscuit , steak and eggs and potato hash. The food was outstanding!!! Everything was well made and delicious! I l love the new location and the aesthetics here. I definitely recommend adding the essential to your brunch or lunch lineup! You're welcome. read more

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The Essential on 1st Ave is truly one of Birmingham's standout spots. The vibe is bright, stylish, and cozy -- perfect for brunch, a casual date, or catching up with friends. It has that effortless charm that makes you want to linger a little longer. The food is always fresh and beautifully done, with dishes that feel elevated without trying too hard. Whether you're stopping in for a pastry and coffee or a full meal, everything tastes thoughtful and well-crafted. The cocktails are also a highlight -- balanced, creative, and worth ordering every time. Service is warm and attentive, and the energy of the restaurant just feels good -- relaxed but polished. The Essential continues to be one of those places that reminds you how special Birmingham's dining scene really is. read more

The Essential - Caesar Salad - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I had to go back again for the mushroom toast and they have changed the recipe slightly. It was still great but I did enjoy the beurre blanc sauce more. The cheeseburger was stellar! read more

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Came here for brunch and got an orange mimosa and the grits and tomatoes. Both were delicious. The pork belly on the grits and tomatoes melted in my mouth. 10/10 service and super cute decor. read more

The Essential - Mimosa, grits and tomatoes brunch - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

This is a cool bistro/gastro restaurant located in downtown Birmingham. Cool bar. The wait staff is excellent. We enjoyed several of their cocktails upon arrival. The Bees Knees (gin) and El Presidente (dark rum) were very good. We split the mushroom toast as an appetizer along with a cheeseburger with fries. Make a reservation! read more

The Essential - El Presidente - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I was there for lunch today with friends and this is my first time, I tried their Risotto with lumps of crab meat and Scallops. it was good, very rich and creamy, service is fast and the server is very sweet. The ambiance is a little back in time sort of, my friends ordered haft chicken Piri Piri, it was good but not for me and the portion is huge, and the last order is Agnolotti, it looks good but I am allergic to goat cheese, my friend says it was delicious. All in all, my first experience is good, I will be back to explore some their foods. read more

The Essential - Agnolotti with goat cheese - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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This morning, Sunday, February 15, 2026; My wife and I went to "The Essentials" for Sunday, Brunch. 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. read more

Came back for brunch! I got the hash and my friend got the steak and eggs. Both were delicious and the oat milk latte was great. We sat at the bar and had prompt service. Overall, would recommend for any meal of the day! read more

The Essential - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

We decided to give The Essential another try after their recent renovation, and overall, we had an excellent meal. The Caesar salad and sourdough bread were both outstanding. For entrées, we ordered the mezzaluna and the flank steak. The mezzaluna was unique and absolutely delicious, and the steak was perfectly cooked--especially the steak butter, which was amazing. That said, the steak came with a side of potatoes and cauliflower that were below average, to say the least. They seemed boiled with very little seasoning and felt out of place compared to how well-executed the rest of the meal was. While the marble tables are beautiful, the bases are quite large, making it difficult to pull chairs in or move the table close enough to the bench. The seating ended up being pretty uncomfortable. The waitstaff was attentive, which is always a plus. Overall, it's a great spot for a date night. read more

We have eaten at The Essential seven times, but this was our first time at the new location. This is a nice upgrade. We really like the Art Deco style. It felt like we were eating in a 1940's diner. The one good thing that didn't change was the quality of the food! There Egg's Benedict are unbelievable, the Bloody Mary is off the charts. If you're in the 'Ham for brunch, you really should treat yourself. read more

The Essential - Eggs Benedict and Grits - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Came here for Sunday brunch, busy but attentive staff and only 45 min wait for table of 4. Small menu, but they do it well. Really great drinks to choose from we enjoyed some Palomas and a mimosa. We sat outside it was a lovely industrial area with plenty of things to do and see while we waited. Cobblestone street just a block away was gorgeous! Ordered cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwich, and essential hash. Didn't wait long for food & it was delicious. Everything was cooked great, wonderful flavors, and great service. Couldn't have had a better experience and meal. read more

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The Essential is definitely a go-to weekend cute brunch spot. The coffees are yummy and there are also some other fun drink options like aperol spritz, brunch punch & beer/shot combo. The fried chicken biscuit was absolutely AMAZING. The chicken is a large, juicy breast piece with the perfect amount of golden breading. Our server was the sweetest girl, who checked on us multiple times and food was brought out in a timely manner. Would definitely come back again with friends however, giving 4 stars because I would prefer more healthy options. They do have the avocado toast but it comes on some type of house made Texas toast which does not feel healthy. I have also had the five grain salad on prior visit here which was pretty underwhelming. The unhealthy options like the fried chicken biscuit, honey butter pancakes and tomatoes & grits are great, just wouldn't come here looking for a healthy brunch. read more

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Very solid brunch in downtown Birmingham. Excellent service, solid food. Menu is small-ish but some good classic like eggs Benedict and pancakes. Drinks might be the star, coffee, matcha and brunch alcohol (it is a bar after all). Nice outdoor patio. read more

A Birmingham gem great for lunch and brunch. Also, the espresso martini's are on point. read more

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We live outside the city, but my husband & I finally got here for brunch on a Saturday morning. We didn't have reservations, so we had to wait about 20 minutes, but then were seated outside, in the shade, which was nice. I ordered a cappuccino. It came out in a glass, which was really odd. It's a hot drink and I couldn't even hold the glass until it cooled down. My husband & I both ordered the pancakes with peach compote and I got a side of grits. The pancakes were delicious and the peach compote took them to the next level. The grits were very creamy. Our server was nice. My only complaint is serving cappuccino in a glass and not a mug, but we will be back for the food. read more

The Essential - Hot cappuccino served in a glass, which was odd. Too hot to even hold for a while. - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Wow! Thats really all you can say is wow. I found this place when looking for nice dinner options in the area and though the menu and everything looks great. So I booked a reservation and drive the family from Atlanta to experience "The Essential". And man I wish we would have stayed home. We arrived at 5pm at the start of dinner so it's not too busy. We're seated and quickly order because of again I've already seen the menu that's why we're there. We went with the mushroom toast and the sourdough with butter for the kids. The mushroom toast was good but the topping was barely warm. Not good the Topping was delicious but the temp of it kind of killed it. We ordered entree's almost immediately which took a while. The kitchen seemed behind from the start of service, so things were taking a while to come out then they were getting backed up with new orders. We ordered the 10oz steak, the agnolotti , and a cheeseburger for the kids. The steak wasn't even warm. They "rested" it so long it couldn't even melt room temp butter that came on the side, and had zero salt on it. The fries that come with it and the burger were so under cooked they almost still had a little of the raw taste/texture to them. Like they par cooked them and forgot do the second cook in them. Which you could tell by how pale they were. The agnolotti..... this dish was wrong in every way. Some vegetables over cooked, some undercooked, no salt/seasoning, and the worse part..... the sauce. It was not a sauce it was literally a milky water in the bowl. They didn't mount it or cook it long enough to make a sauce so what they had in the bowl was just a scoop of pasta water. It was so thin it wouldn't even stick to the noodles. A sauce should be viscous enough to stick to the spoon and this did not at all. Ran off like dish water. Then we get to the burger. Easy, can't mess this up. They sell it as a double so i asked for a second bun and to just make it 2 angle burgers for the kids. They won't eat a double as they are young. I don't mind paying the cost for the second bun so they can make singles. Ha, guess that was too much to ask. Even though the server was confident it could be done. They send out a bun of on a plate then a double cheese burger. So now the cheese has melted and we're trying to separate the patties of course the cheese all sticks to one patty and so one kid gets a cheese burger and one gets a hamburger. It was a simple request but they failed at every dish it would have been out of the pattern atleast make the burger correct. For the cost of dinner versus the amount of issues and quality this place unfortunately takes home a 1 star. With a little more attention to detail, passion, and just basic care maybe this place performs at the 4.5+ star rating others have gave them. But for me they lacked everything for even a slight positive experience. The space is cute though. read more

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Very cute spot located downtown Birmingham. Went for brunch on a Saturday about 10 o'clock it was the perfect time. The staff was very nice and friendly my server. Courtney definitely was very attentive and made some really good recommendations on the menu since this was my first time visiting the pineapple margarita was a perfect mid morning drink. It balance really well with the delicious honey pancakes 10/10 that essential hash 8/10. The hash was a little salty it had so many different favors with the potatoes and the onions, peppers, the egg on top made for a well balance dish. I'll definitely have to go back to try a few other dishes. read more

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Food was very fresh and prepared perfectly. Service was very good and the restaurant was clean and attractive.

Had a very delightful meal yesterday and the food was great. The service was fine and the ambience was ideal, albeit a little noisy. Unfortunately, the group consisted of eight people with each expecting to pay independently. Upon arrival we were told that they would not provide individual bills but rather there would be only one for the table which one diner would pay. This forced all to divide up charges based on the meals and drinks consumed for each amongst the group and then reimburse our friend who paid the ticket. Needless to say this was time-consuming and tedious. The policy is absurd. It eliminated the positive impression encountered at The Essential. Further, a 3% charge for using a credit card is required - it is predatory in the first place given that most people do not carry large amounts of cash on them as a matter of a routine? That exactly was the case encountered! Add to the above, a 20% tip was included automatically by the establishment. Needless to say, no one decided to give more to the waiter, as the experience was so negative that the group collectively decided never to return to this restaurant in spite of the service provided. Too bad for the waiter. read more

The food was excellent. The host was amazing and very attentive. It was a cool spot and great for a solo date. Music added to the vibe. Parking on the street and in a lot across the street. read more

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Started off on a sour note when I received my kombucha. I was served about 2 sips worth of kombucha and for $6 I expected at least a can or bottle amount. Although I was disappointed by my drink and the table (I made a reservation for patio seating and was given indoor), I did heavily enjoy the fried chicken biscuit. The biscuit was flaky and buttery and the chicken was well seasoned and hearty. The essential hash was good.. but there was only 5 small cubes of corn beef, the rest was just potato's and onions. I felt they were extremely stingy with the amount of meat and definitely would not order this for a meal, it's more of a side dish considering the lack of protein. I'm not sure if I would come back but if you are looking for a quick brunch it's worth a try. read more

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Food and service were incredible. We had the Ham and cheese sandwich and the pastrami sandwich. 10/10 SO good!!!! Can't wait to come back!! read more

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I really enjoyed the starters that I ordered. The waiter Steven was really pleasant and helpful with my food choices. I loved the arancini so much that I was tempted to order more for home. The calabrian chili sauce that came with it was a bit too spicy so I added garlic aioli with the sauce and it was amazing. I really liked the roasted okra but it was a bit rich to eat as a meal; it was definitely meant to share. I loved the ambiance; the restaurant was very well decorated and I loved that they gave the refill water in a bottle next to my water. read more

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