IKKO Japanese Fusion…read more IKKO Japanese Fusion was a pleasant culinary surprise! We ordered delivery one night and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. We tried both the Salmon and Beef Poke Bowls. The Salmon was outstanding -- fresh and flavorful, easily my favorite. The Beef version was a bit bland and dry for my taste, though. The sides really shined. The Takoyaki (octopus dumplings) were delicious and unique, topped with Takoyaki sauce, tempura scraps, and perfectly cooked. The Gyoza, Japanese Egg Rolls, and Shrimp Tempura were all light, crispy, and excellent. The Squid Salad was also very good and made a nice addition. Overall, a tasty experience with some standout items. We'll definitely be back soon!

My favorite place for Japanese food in Birmingham! This has been been a staple, reliable spot for…read moreme for the past 4 years of college to take friends and family since they have something for everyone. They have so many different types of ramen that are perfect when you need something warm, flavorful, and comforting. My absolute favorite, however, is the build you own sushi burrito. They have so many different additions and proteins to choose from at a very affordable price for the volume you receive. My friends and I also love stopping in just to grab boba at the front to-go counter. The boba always comes out very quickly and they have a large menu of fruit teas and milk teas to choose from. Service is always quick and friendly and I usually am able to be seated immediately. Definitely recommend this place if you are looking for Japanese cuisine, or just to gather at a restaurant where there is something everyone can enjoy!

By far the best ramen in town! An absolute go-to for a nice dinner with a dimly lit ambiance. Heads…read moreup, they don't take reservations and wait can be long during peak hours but they are open late.

Shu Shop is by far my favorite restaurant in Birmingham. Everything about this place just hits from…read morethe food to the cocktails to the atmosphere. The short ribs are hands down the best in the city; tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked every time. I also love the pork broth ramen with burnt ends it's rich, smoky, and so satisfying. And if you're into cocktails, their Old Fashioned is one of the best around. The vibe here is effortlessly cool dim lighting, great music, and that "sexy" atmosphere that makes it perfect for a date night. But honestly, it's just as good for a solo stop when you want a good meal and drink at the bar. If you're in Birmingham and haven't been to Shu Shop yet, you're missing out. It's a must.

My first time in Birmingham and this spot in Downtown is a gem. The energy is great, especially if…read moreyou snag a seat at the bar. * Service (The Star): Shoutout to Bianca at the bar. She's an amazing bartender--super friendly, helpful with recommendations and kept the space spotless. She turned a 4-star meal into a 5-star experience. * Fish Quality: The sushi and fish quality were impressively fresh. * The Rolls & Ramen: Both rolls recommended by the Bianca were well above average and the ramen exceeded my expectations. * The Rice (Shari): A bit of a letdown. The rice was too mushy/wet and the portion of rice per piece was way too large. * Pork Bao: Not worth the mention (or a photo). Skip this one. Verdict: 5/5 stars. Mostly thanks to Bianca's top-tier hospitality. Solid Japanese spot in the heart of Downtown.

Delish! We did the mumu, ribs and green beans. Loved the food, service was okay. Would go back!read more

I haven't been back here in years and let me tell you. I have missed it so so much…read more When you first pull up you can see the oriental market that is attached to Red Pearl. Once you walk in you will take a right inside and then go to be seated. The staff were all incredibly nice and checked on us multiple times. The food? Absolutely amazing. Seriously, I cant rave enough about how good it was. We sampled each other's food and it was even better than how I originally remembered! The food was a 10/10 and is such an amazing place to get food. The lights And arrangement inside looked gorgeous and it was so clean inside. We loved getting to enjoy the food and check out the super market while we were inside! We will definitely be coming back soon!

I will drop you down a star for taking my suggestions lightly and making excuses…read more It was not the server it was most all of the servers were sitting down not doing their jobs. I had zero problems with my server . I know she was told as they all were to do the silverware. Plus I have lived in Al my whole life. I know about our heat. No your place was too hot. Your food is good but your service for the most part blows. Also a guy server said something rude to me and then when I asked him what he said he said jk. It was not felt rude it was rude when I asked him to tell me again what he said he wouldn't tell me. I heard excuses . Sorry just because you have been in business a long time does not mean I have to support rudeness or a place that doesn't care about my business. **Also if you would go down through the reviews there is a common theme your service is lacking and has been for many, many years. ** Responsibility should be taken and not excuses I will not be in a hurry to come b and my money spends elsewhere. Your loss truly! Other places appreciate my business . Too bad

I'm not a beer drinker but I do respect a fun place to squat and people watch. And this place fits…read morethe bill! Back Forty is huge-with plenty of seating to accommodate large crowds, couples or even families with little ones. There's plenty of big screens to watch the games on, and I would really love to come back during football season to do just that. I ordered their infamous Back 40 cheeseburger on this visit. While it wasn't my favorite, for a brewery it was definitely above average. It was juicy, made to order and fresh. I didn't care for the sauce nor the stringy onions so I would order it plain next time or try something else on the menu. The shoestring fries were well seasoned with something like garlic parmesan. They were my delicious! The staff were friendly and helpful as we placed our orders. This is a cool spot to hang with your friends, drink, eat and watch some sports or watch the trains go by. I enjoyed my visit and I'm looking forward to coming back.

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.

The Thai Chicken nachos are my absolute favorite from here! I have also tried other things but I…read morejust keep going back to them. I've only been for lunch but plan to visit for dinner soon. A must try!

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.

Love Shiki. Consistently good food, great location. I love the coconut soup here. Sushi is always…read moretop tier, too. Family-friendly, lots of good apps like edamame and tempura green beans. Service is always fantastic, even their takeout service - they're always super quick. Inside is cool, and the patio outside is a good vibe. I think they have a weeknight Ladies night wine special.

Sushi and a white wine hates to see me coming ‍…read more Don't miss happy hour so you can try several apps & drinks. Our faves in order: *The strawberry mojito was sooo refreshing *Kimchi brussel sprouts (y'all know I love an acid component and this delivered) *Panang curry pot stickers *Tempura green beans Fave rolls in order: *Cash Me Out *Spicy crunchy salmon *Spicy tuna We had a reservation but it wasn't necessarily needed. It's more casual than we thought and that was a welcomed surprise. Our server was friendly and helpful. Parking wasn't too too horrible. There are slanted spots right outside the restaurant, if you're lucky enough to get one. Beyond those, idk where you'd park. We had a lovely evening and would go back!

Stopped by Okinawa Sushi & Hibachi Steakhouse for a late lunch and decided to sit out on the…read morepatio.... such a great choice!! The outdoor seating was relaxed and perfect for enjoying the beautiful weather without feeling rushed. Service was friendly and attentive, even during that in-between lunch/dinner time. Our food came out fresh and well-prepared. We both ordered hibachi. Our server even offered us to go drinks which was a nice gesture. Overall, it was a laid-back, enjoyable experience. Definitely a solid spot for a casual lunch date or catching up with friends. I'd come back again for sure.

Food first, thoughts after... Overall a good choice. We went…read moreback after so many years because our friends wanted to go before moving away from Birmingham. The sushi was good. My husband enjoyed his udon but both of us were thirsty when we got home due to the saltiness.