The food was superlative. Best meal I have had in Alabama, and I have been lucky enough to sample some high end spots in both Birmingham and Huntsville. Raw bar, grouper, roasted oysters and cocktails...A+ snapper was a bit salty, the scallops and peaches were a B. Would go back just for wine and superlative dip and homemade crackers. Jeff, our server, was smooth attentive and thoughtful. Meal was well paced. Wine list was perfect. Just a great overall dining experience. Expect 125pp w/drinks and you will be stuffed... read more

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If you yearn to pay top dollar for raw broccoli perched upon warm dog vomit, you'll love Automatic Seafood! For the love of God, don't believe the news articles and the James Beard nomination. This place is a ripoff. If it was ever good, it's gone downhill faster than a shopping buggy. The food is severely subpar and overpriced. The half lobster appeared to be a third lobster and cost as much as a whole lobster. I've had better hush puppies at a roadside barbecue joint. I've never had tiny "seared" scallops dumped into a half inch of beef broth before (how can they still be called seared when they're submerged?!?). Remarkably low quality cuisine. Please don't waste your money unless you're an unsophisticated rube. My cocktail was alright, but very small in volume compared to most other restaurants. The decorating appears dingy and the booth seats hurt your back. My wife said the bathroom had "trash everywhere." The waiter was very nice. read more

Pros: food was good and cool atmosphere/vibe. The bread/rolls app and oysters were the highlight. Cons: #1 Prices were utterly absurd. Look, I understand inflation has taken a hit on everybody but charging up to $50 an entrée and everything else à la carte??.....my meal better be amazing but it wasn't. #2 Service was just ok. Ours wasn't the most jovial individual but not a dealbreaker. Issue came with the check....we had three groups in our party and he charged everyone's credit card on other's check and had to re-process everybody. Really annoying as this is not a hard thing to deal with handling separate checks (inconvenient for him?...yes, but not difficult). All in all....I will not be back as the food/service definitely not worth the $$ read more

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My husband and I dined here for a much needed date night. We couldn't have had a better experience. From our cocktails to every dish that followed, everything was excellent. It's hard for me the pick a favorite. I really loved both oyster appetizers we ordered and dessert is something I'm still dreaming about Our meal was fantastic! Service was great as well. We didn't feel rushed and they kept our table clean and new cutlery for each course. read more

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Outstanding seafood and a delightful dining experience are sure to be found at Automatic Seafood! This is a more upscale outing, and it made for a cozy and elegant birthday dinner/date night. What we ordered: -Smoked Fish Dip: This appetizer could have easily been shared with multiple people. The dip was so flavorful! -Fish and Chips: You definitely can't go wrong with this one. The fish was perfectly crunchy and battered, and the fries were perfect! -Spice Crusted Yellowfin Tuna: my boyfriend loved this! It wasn't my favorite, but the potato stack that it is served with was phenomenal... they know how to do potatoes here. Without a doubt, I'll be back here. Their menu changes regularly, so there's always something new I can look forward to trying. read more

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Decided to try out the spot as it was listed in the Michelin Guide. We had a reservation, so there wasn't much wait time to be seated. The server was quite busy but there was still someone in between to fill water glasses. We sat near the open kitchen which always intrigues me. I was overly impressed by the attitude, consistency, and temperament of the BOH staff with it being such a busy night. Most of the items both food and drink that I wanted to try they did not have or were out of. The fish, honestly, for the price wasn't worth it. I read another review that harped on the portion size. I felt the portion was generous just the price didn't add up. The sauce didn't have much flavor nor did the crawfish so it didn't really add much to the plate besides color and a tad bit of texture. Overall not a bad experience, food was fresh just a bit underwhelming. read more

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This was a great place for a yummy dinner! The fried rice was amazing and we got the bread service/ crispy potatoes as the appetizer and they were delicious. Service was great, it took a while to get our meal but we enjoyed the atmosphere so we did not mind! This is a lovely spot in bham read more

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This restaurant is stunning. The food is exceptional and the service is always great. The yeast rolls are to die for. I had brut rose so I can't attest to their cocktails but they have an extensive wine selection. You have to get at least a dozen oysters. The short rib, their potatoes, the grouper, and the key lime pie were everything. I'm salivating just writing this. A Birmingham staple! read more

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This seafood spot cooks up overall the best fish entrees I have ever had. My girlfriend and I ordered multiple fish focused entrees and they were all perfect. The key is that they perfect their sauce so well and the sides that come with the entree are also a co-star of the show. Of course get some oysters and ask the server for recommendations since it's a bit overwhelming list. read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I love visiting Birmingham. There are so many unique dining spots, and this one did not disappoint. The ambiance the aesthetic everything was so beautiful and top-tier great spot for date night. I was here for work; I am so glad we stopped in! The Caesar salad was so delicious -- I'm a person who honestly hates salad. The scallops were cooked to PERFECTION! They had a very nice char and were salted quite nicely. This ditch was very rich and flavorful-- it's a new take on surf and turf! The beef was outstanding and so tender! Make sure you get the yeast rolls and use the rolls to get up every last drop! read more

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Visiting Birmingham for the first time and we're hungry after a morning drive and was able to check this place out for Sunday brunch. First and foremost they offer complimentary valet making it easy access to the restaurant, there is also parking on the street around the restaurant (if needed). We arrived without reservation and got sat right away, thankfully. We started with drink (Bloody Marys!) and ordered the beet salad and oysters, fresh and from Alabama! We ordered the Nicoise Salad, Schnitzel and Burger for our entrees. I personally loved my salad and it was prepped in a way u have seen before. I do wish there was some more tuna but it was flavorful. The key lime pie was a nice way to close out the meal. I'd definitely come back here again! read more

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If you are a seafood lover, this place is a must. The oysters were absolutely amazing fresh and flavorful. The fish was on another level cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. Definitely a place I will be back to. Service was outstanding. Everyone was very friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. This place was buzzing on a Friday evening. Plenty of outdoor seating, perfect for upcoming spring and summer. read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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We stopped in for lunch, and everything was fresh and absolutely delicious. They didn't miss on a single dish, making it the perfect midday stop. The service was solid, the food was great, and the restaurant itself was clean and well maintained. A really satisfying lunch experience. read more

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Every bite was delicious! Started with the smoked fish dip, large portion and our amazing server brought more crackers without us asking. My fish was delicious just smaller portion for the size and to not have a side. Ordered cauliflower side dish which was delicious but be prepared for the heavy sauce on top. The veggie plate may have been the winner with the bold flavors and large portion. read more

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Imagine if fine dining and casual dining had a baby... that's this place. The atmosphere is elevated yet comfortable, the prices are reasonable, and the service was fantastic. The food was excellent. The fish cheeks/collar, the scallops and short rib, and the crispy potatoes were standouts. Every dish we tried was fresh and beautifully presented without feeling pretentious. One thing to note: the menu changes slightly with the seasons, so what you see online may be a little different once you arrive. Highly recommend for a date night, a nice dinner with friends, or if you're just in the mood for seriously good food without the stuffy vibe. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Amazing after hours oysters! I had two of every kind and they had approximately seven different kinds. Everyone was wonderful from the hostage to the waiter to the person who's opening my order. I'd go back in a heartbeat the next time I'm in Birmingham, but I might not order anything but oysters. read more

Automatic Seafood is one of my favorite spots in Birmingham. The ambiance is fantastic and the food is consistently amazing -- everything is fresh, well prepared, and thoughtfully done. I've also hosted several client dinners here, including in their private event space, and the experience has always been excellent. The service is professional, attentive, and makes hosting easy. Every client I've brought here has loved it. A great place for both a special night out or a business dinner. read more

AMAZING! Just go you'll see! Great dishes, great service. The Musial offerings. Just good solid cooking. You won't be disappointed!

Overall it was a nice new place to try however they are missing several opportunities to elevate the dining experience. The server was very nice and attentive, never felt like he had more tables than he could care for. The food was good but as with fine dining was small and left me wanting more. The least appealing thing thing was when it was time to cash out, I was presented with a plain receipt that resembled a McDonald's receipt. read more

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Oyster happy hour is a great deal, but don't like the mignonette, and I have never had one I didn't like until this one, so was relegated to cocktail sauce and horseradish (super fresh). read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I'm hedging a lot with this review. I would say it's a solid 3.5 maybe even 3.75 but not a 4. A lot of this is has to do with whether expectations were met and given this restaurant's reputation-it's a favorite amongst a lot of friends-I wanted more. I will also say my husband had been here before and quite liked it. Service: It took about 20mins before a server greeted us and this was not at a super busy time (several empty tables, random weeknight). Outside of that service was fine I guess. Food: We got multiple things for starters including the yeast rolls (v good), fish dip(pretty good), fish collar (pretty good) and the deviled crab(absolutely delicious). Things started out pretty well. The mains however were a bit hit or miss. I got the scallops which overall were pretty good but not quite the best I've had. I believe they sear and keep middle slightly raw purposefully but wish it was more warm throughout. The short was good. Two ppl at the table had the shrimp fried rice and reviews were mixed. It was a bit of a letdown but not inedible. The poached amberjack was by far the best and an easy standout. We did get sides - the hush puppies were good (plus it would be quite sad to mess this up) but the cauliflower left much to be desired. Ambiance: nothing off putting or outstanding. All in all, it was an okay experience. I wouldn't say no to going back but too few hits here to make me super excited for a return visit any time super soon. read more

We loved dining at James beard award winning Automatic Seafood! The yeast rolls with whipped honey butter were soooo heavenly and delicious! GET THE FISH COLLAR - it's perfectly fried and delicate with tons of sweet meat. The sauce is so flavorful and perfect to mop up with the yeast rolls. My husband dislikes fish, and he ate the entire dish with excitement! The grilled oysters were perfectly warm/charred with delicious toppings. Grouper with summer vegetable succotash was an ode to summer with mint, sweet corn, Lima beans, and zucchini/squash - truly delightful!!! read more

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I visited here on Wednesday night with my sister. It wasn't super crowded, I didn't have a reservation and we were seated right away. The food and service were both great. Our server (I hate that I forgot her name!) was bubbly, attentive, and super knowledgeable about the menu. She gave some great recommendations! We started off with the rolls and pork belly (so good!), then ordered the grouper and the steak as our entrées. I had the grouper, and it was delicious. My sister got the steak, and we both felt like the sauce wasn't quite our cup of tea. It may have just been a little too much and kind of overpowered the steak. The inside of the restaurant is cute and dimly lit. All in all, I'd definitely recommend it and will be back again! read more

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Wonderful restaurant to celebrate a birthday! We originally had a reservation for just two, then added two more! The afternoon of our dinner, we added four more! And even though Saturday night was busy, they generously changed our reservation! What amazing service! Our wait person was smart, fun, and relaxed! They were clearly very experienced and knowledgeable! The food, however, was the star, from the oysters to the fish, we enjoyed each dish! Whole flounder was the best fish we've ever eaten! Wine was very reasonably priced and perfectly paired with seafood! We won't wait for another birthday to visit! Valet service was a nice touch! read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Selected East Coast oysters - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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From the moment you pull up to Automatic Seafood and Oysters, you know you are in for something special. Our group dined in the private room and our menus had the name of our church printed right on them. That kind of personal touch is rare and it set the tone for the entire evening. The staff was warm throughout and the atmosphere was inviting. I even struck up a conversation with a group of ministers at a nearby table and they were just as welcoming. The swordfish schnitzel was my entree and it delivered on every level. Gorgeous crust, rich house-made sauce, and those cheddar grits on the side that I will be thinking about for a while. I also had the marinated beet salad, snacked on some truffle fries, and the buttermilk biscuit was a pleasant surprise with a great texture inside and out. David handled valet with professionalism and care. The whole table left happy. Five stars all the way. read more

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Went recently for birthday and it was disappointing across the board. We ordered fish dip and it was like eating a mouthful of salt. It was inedible. The yeast bread was also over salted but edible. The tilefish was flat and bit rubbery probably overcooked a bit. We also ordered a side dish which never came. Dessert ordered was key lime pie and it was ok but the meringue was burnt. Service was ok. Overall for the price, this wasn't worth it. It's too bad because they had been good in years past. Dining room was modern, nice and clean. read more

Food was great, had the swordfish schnitzel, with cheese grits and cabbage. Service was excellent, wait was great from starting with the valet to the hostess stand to the wait staff. Vibes are chill, like the low lightening environment, which adds to that atmosphere. read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Swordfish schnitzel - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The roasted red snapper and crispy potatoes were prepared with great care, juicy, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The potatoes complemented the snapper wonderfully. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable, and offered excellent recommendations. I'll be back! read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Crispy Potatoes - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Automatic Seafood and Oysters was awesome. When I read on their website that the chef worked at The Optimist in Atlanta and Craft in NYC, I knew we'd be in capable hands. And a James Beard Award too? Impressive. We came for brunch, and it initially wasn't very crowded but started filling up quickly. The restaurant is an open, handsome industrial space which used to be home to an Automatic Sprinkler Corporation factory, hence the name. I tried the following, and the team smashed it out of the park on all of them: * Smoked Fish Dip ($11): Our server told us the blend of fish used but I've forgotten them. At any rate, this dip was delicious and had some heat to it from the Fresno pepper. * Benedict ($18): Quite unique! This version put chorizo on focaccia, with crispy okra. They had me at okra, and I admit the chorizo and focaccia were delightful surprises. * Buttermilk Biscuit ($4): I ordered this as a side, but it was so massive that it was practically a meal and I ended up taking most of it to go. The peach yuzu jam was especially tasty on top. * Chilton County Peach Popsicle ($6): An ideal cool way to end brunch! Not too sweet, very peachy. * Coffee ($5): Strong and great with free refills. I also had favorable impressions of our outgoing server and of the bathrooms. While we sat inside to escape the heat, there were tables outside too. And we scored street parking right on the corner. Automatic five stars from me! read more

Such a great experience for delicious food. Also a great date night location, they also have a great brunch on Saturday/Sunday. The oysters are excellent too :) enjoy read more

This place is a local staple from James Beard Award Adam Evans. I eat here frequently and love the esthetics and cuisine. The space is quite large with ample indoor and patio seating. You can also sit at the cocktail bar or the oyster bar where you can watch them shuck oysters for each order (really cool experience). Now, I'll admit that even though I come a lot, sometimes there's disparity in the execution. Dinner is by far better than brunch (although brunch has a great bloody Mary). I love the fact that there are always a variety of fish other than your basic salmon. I never was a fan of oysters, but Automatic is where I have been turned into a believer. Now I love them and with the knowledge and extensive menu the restaurant offers, I know the difference in types and sizes ranging from Prince Edward island to Maine to, of course, Alabama. Oysters live up to their namesake and are the best in the 'ham. Surpringsly, the shrimp fried rice (which I was really only expecting to be okay) actually blew me away and the blackened Amberjack made me shout in delight! Oh, and don't forget to stop by for happy hour! read more

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Dinner was amazing!! The decor and staff were so friendly. It was our first time, we will definitely be coming back!

Tried automatics brunch for the first time because I kept hearing about it! It was overall pretty good. I ordered the blackened mahi sandwich and fries. The fries were so good! The sandwich was a 6.5/10. The fish was a little dry but great concept. I also tried their frozen drink (forgot the name!) and it was very tasty! I would definitely go back and try another dish! read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Me + Frozen drink - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Probably my favorite restaurant in Birmingham and definitely a top 5 of anywhere I've ever eaten. The service was very professional incredible, the atmosphere is welcoming and clean. It was impossible to choose what to eat but very pleased with what I got. They also have a separate dessert menu that has both food and drinks. I will definitely be back in the future. read more

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Man oh Man. This spot just landed on the Michelin list and having heard of it for years now, we were stoked to try this place out. Mind you, we went for Brunch, so our experience may not be the best of them. First off, their patio is dog friendly, much to the seeming dismay of the locals. The staff were wholly accepting of our pup and very outgoing, most of the FOH made a point to check in. Our server was fantastic. It's a testament to the culture of the business when your team is engaged and invested in their patrons experience and both AS&O and Current excelled here. We ended up going with a number of dishes while here; Smoked Fish Dip, Dry Aged Burger, Swordfish Schnitzel, Vietnamese marinated crab claws, Marinated Artichoke Hearts. The smoked fish dip was superbe. The crab claws were the absolute highlight. The Burger was quite good but I can't recall anything about it that really stood out. Not to sounds like a jackwagon but I've had a lot of good burgers. The marinated artichokes were good. The swordfish schnitzel was the only dish that had a ton of potential but we felt it was just missing something, likely acid. Traditionally with schnitzel and with fried dish, lemon is on the side. It would've made this dish sing. It was quite fantastic and clearly they know what they're doing, just my two cents. We'll gladly go back for dinner eventually and hopefully, sans dog so that we can get the full experience. read more

My wife and I chose this restaurant to celebrate her birthday, especially after hearing about its recent Michelin recognition. Unfortunately, while the food was very good, the service was so disappointing that it completely overshadowed the dining experience. From the moment we were seated, service was painfully slow. It took more than two hours just to get through the main course, and our server rarely checked on our table throughout the evening. We repeatedly had to flag someone down for assistance. Drink refills only happened after we specifically requested them, and after our main course was delivered, our server essentially disappeared. We eventually had to ask the manager for our check because no one returned to our table. The manager was equally disappointing. Rather than actively overseeing the dining room, he appeared more interested in his cell phone than managing his staff or ensuring guests were having a positive experience. Several service missteps were particularly concerning. During the presentation of our fish collar appetizer, the server dropped food onto the table and then placed it on my plate instead of discarding it. Later, when bringing drink refills, she attempted to combine the remaining contents of our original drinks into the new beverages rather than simply providing fresh refills. These are basic service standards that should never be overlooked, especially at a restaurant aspiring to Michelin-level hospitality. The most frustrating part is that the kitchen did its job well. The food was flavorful, thoughtfully prepared, and deserving of praise. However, exceptional dining is about more than just the food. Hospitality, attentiveness, and professionalism are equally important, and on those measures this restaurant fell far short. A Michelin nod raises expectations. Based on our experience, the cuisine may warrant the recognition, but the service certainly does not. What should have been a memorable birthday celebration became an evening defined by frustration and disappointment. read more

Interesting restaurant - not too much ambience. Noise was lower than many other similar choices. Food - small menu selections - had grouper and unfortunately found the offering short on what I like fish to taste like. Over the top mixed greens with strawberries unique but not a show stopper - grouper was bland. Price - not for the average working person! Drinks expensive too. Service - fine and attentive. Feel the rating for Automatic Seafood is off-the-mark. read more

I would give this 10 stars if I could. From the food to the service everything about this experience was perfect. We started off with three Murder Point and three Otter oysters. Murder Point more buttery, Otter a little more salty, but excellent. We then had the Crispy Fish Collar - and well let's just say this was epic. We have never had something like this but the chili sauce and the fish. OUTSTANDING. Then we each had the red snapper that had the most perfect crust. Flaky, moist and just delightful. We also had the brussel sprouts ... ok ... cherry sauce with brussels.Never done it. But if I could bottle that cherry sauce I'd drink it by itself. Absolutely crazy good. And we also had the carrots with pistachios. By this point we were just shaking our heads because everything was exquisite and unique. We don't live near here but this restaurant is making me consider relocation. WELL DONE!!!!! read more

Fastest service we've seen in an upscale restaurant. Every item excellent. We had spice crusted tuna, roasted potatoes, scallops, oysters, outstanding banana pudding. Like the atmosphere here too. And loose leaf teas. read more

Automatic Seafood and Oysters - Awesome banana pudding is frozen in molds and coated in white chocolate painted with turmeric to look like mini bananas. - Seafood Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

HOLY COW! What an absolutely delicious meal, start to finish. I can't say enough good things! We went as a large group of 8 adults and 2 kiddos and we all ordered something different. Every meal was freakin decadent! The service was wonderful from seating us to our server, they were lovely and so on top of it. The vibe is really unique and enjoyable. The bathrooms were clean and private. Highly recommend if you're in downtown Birmingham! read more

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