One of the best sourdough-based bakeries we have tried in the US. The bread was supple with…read moreexcellent crumb. They take absolute care and pride in everything--even the eggs were extra tasty and their breakfast sandwiches....yum. Most of the pastries are made with sourdough (except danishes, cookies, muffins). And they are top notch. Tender, buttery, flavorful, no skimping on anything. Just plain delicious. Bought more to save for afternoon coffee. The Friday offerings of challah, rye, and bagels are not sourdough but made with great care--even the bagels are made using tangzhong and cold proofed for 48 hours. Even those who do not emote about food and those carefully counting macros and calories in our family were impressed, vocal, and eagerly finishing off all of the offerings, sweet and savory. And great service!

Was lucky to find street parking right up front this morning. Grabbed a brioche honey bun -$6 with…read more3% charge for credit card payment. It was a giant bun of yummy.

I was excited to learn about a traditional bakery like the ones I grew up around in Jersey. I was…read morealso surprised to see pecan pie, which looked good at first sight. The flavor was definitely there, which I appreciated, but the crust was a little tough. I also grabbed a couple of brownies. They were good, but I was disappointed by the presentation, tightly wrapped and squeezed into plastic wrap. I came to Alabama expecting Southern bakery quality, Southern prices, and Southern hospitality. Instead, the brownies gave me a middle of the road presentation at Jersey prices. Would I go back? Now that's the question. I would give the pecan pie another chance, but hopefully with a crust that is a little more cooperative.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE BAKERIES!!! I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS PLACE!!!!…read more If I lived closer it would be dangerous for me because I would eat croissants and cookies everyday.

Ok. Every time somebody comes into town, I take them here. It's almost a requirement that I take…read morethem here. It is SO good and I have not been disappointed every time I've come here. They have such creative flavors, and I appreciate the acknowledgment to people coming in with different diet restrictions. They have some flavors that are staples like chocolate, vanilla and a few others (I always get the chocolate flavor with something else) but the others can rotate. But seriously, go here and just just enjoy the flavors here. The flavors just pop in your mouth. I just had the coconut lime sea salt paired with chocolate, and the chocolate was just as creamy and smooth as always, and the coconut was so sooo unique and bursting with flavor and so refreshing. The people behind the counter were so nice and allowed me to try as many flavors as I wanted. This is very kid friendly - they have a small table at the back so kids can sit there very family friendly. Clean place and loved the vibe here!

The Sweet and the Absurd: A Birmingham Creamery's Baffling Economics…read moreTo step into Big Spoon Creamery in Birmingham is to subject oneself to a masterclass in both artisanal delight and bureaucratic absurdity. On my visits--a pilgrimage undertaken reliably every month and a half--the front-line staff have never been anything short of exemplary. They are the cheerful stewards of a deeply baffling system, executing their duties with a warmth that almost distracts you from the institutional quirks around them. I say "institutional" because the management themselves are entirely phantom. They are never seen on the floor. Perhaps this is a calculated evasion; if they were ever present, they would surely have to field a relentless, exasperated inquisition regarding the tragic and ongoing absence of their finest creation: the "Magic City." Why an ice cream parlor would willingly suppress its undisputed masterpiece remains an enduring mystery. Even if the economics of its ingredients demanded a premium surcharge, "Magic City" ought to be enshrined as an immovable staple on the menu. Instead, the menu is a restless, ever-shifting carousel. I concede that a relentless churn of novelty is a virtue to a certain type of customer, but the soul of a great neighborhood institution relies on the comforting reliability of a few anchor flavors. At Big Spoon, just as you develop an affection for a flavor, it vanishes into the ether. Then, we must examine the rewards program, an endeavor so poorly conceived it borders on the avant-garde. The mathematics are punishingly flat: one point per order, regardless of whether the patron spends a single dollar or one hundred. The rational response to such a broken incentive structure is, naturally, to weaponize the system. To extract any genuine value, the savvy customer is forced into a theatrical display of micro-transactions, paying for each scoop separately. It is a loophole that needlessly punishes the very staff who make the establishment shine, forcing them to run the register three or four times for a single family's dessert. Finally, there is the creamery's bizarre pricing taxonomy. A close study of the board reveals an accidental arbitrage opportunity: the customer is objectively better off purchasing two distinct pints of ice cream and two empty waffle cones to assemble on their own time, rather than engaging in the straightforward, intended transaction of ordering ice cream scooped directly into a cone. Whoever is pulling the levers behind the curtain at Big Spoon clearly fancies themselves a clever operator, disrupting the traditional ice cream parlor model with dynamic menus and gamified loyalty. But in their pursuit of perpetual novelty and labyrinthine economics, they have embodied the old proverb perfectly: they are entirely too clever by half.

K & J's Elegant Pastries NEVER disappoints! Every single time we come to Birmingham, my son and I…read moremake sure we stop by and show them some love. The menu is ALWAYS so full of delicious options that, honestly, it's a little overwhelming for us because we want to try EVERYTHING! And let me tell y'all... that pound cake is TO DIE FOR! It is SO good! My son's personal favorite is anything Cookie Monster, so you already know we have to grab something Cookie Monster every time. The quality, the variety, the taste! EVERYTHING is 10/10. If you're in Birmingham and haven't tried K & J's yet, what are you waiting on?! Go show them some love! You will NOT be disappointed!

Not only is it in a great location, with ample parking spots, but it also has whimsical decor that…read moremakes it a fun spot to meet up with friends to sit and chat over sweet treats. I like how the selections are offered at different levels, from great to premium. I tried their signature treats, and one of the many caught my eye. I definitely recommend this bakery for the great flavors and moist cakes.

Do I think they're pricy? Maybe just a little but I also think they're super delicious and such a…read moreworthy snack. If they were closer, I'd stock up on them daily. Every time I go there's a cheerful person ready to watch me indulge in all the carbs. I really enjoy their pop tarts. They're kinda hidden if you didn't know what to look for. Definitely a local gem. Very chill.

In a sea of Birmingham coffee shops & bakery/coffee shops Bandit is ok. The space is just nice, not…read moreparticularly inventive, the person I asked about pastries was a low-talker. Her response was literally indiscernible. The pastry I got was well, ok but really unremarkable and my red-eye was barely warm and again very average. I really wanted to like this place but no one seemed passionate about pastries, coffee or service. It was just... ok:/

I went to Insomnia Cookies specifically for the oatmeal chocolate chip walnut cookie, and when I…read moretell you it did NOT disappoint, I mean it! Insomnia is located downtown, and while the parking situation isn't the best, the moment you walk inside and smell those fresh cookies, it's all worth it. My cookies were warm, soft, and crispy all at the same time. Truly hit the spot!

Ordering ahead on the app was super easy. The staff were busy ensuring orders were brought out. The…read morearea was clean as well inside. My suggestion: It was slightly confusing figuring out where pick up and ordering for the first time was. I believe having a section of the counter reserved for pick up will allow the team at this location to make the pick up process smoother. I was waiting with others who had yet to order. The cookies and ice cream was soooo good! the package was perfect for travel back to my home. Just delicious 10/10.

Cannella is my favorite gelato (or ice cream for that matter) in Birmingham! The flavors they have…read moreare hard to come anywhere else. My personal favorite pistachio is always available which I love. I also really enjoy the pineapple habanero which is uniquely sweet and spicy. The gelato consistency is dense and silky and reminds me of Europe. The staff here is friendly and will let you try multiple flavors to help you decide. It has limited seating inside but there's more outside which is nice on a cool day. They also have a full coffee menu which is a plus. If you're more of an espresso or pourover person they make it really well!

One last stop before heading home from Bham! I'd had this spot bookmarked and it was a short drive…read morefrom where we ate, so we headed on over to get some dessert. This gelateria is tucked away in a cute area. The road is like...cobblestone? Or very uneven and narrow at least. Wasn't super friendly for our car. Probably better to walk from somewhere else nearby. The inside was super weirdly hot, which was unexpected. Fortunately we were getting our goodies to go. There's very limited seating inside but you could maybe grab a spot if you wanted to. I ordered a scoop of hazelnut gelato and husband got chocolate. The flavor selection is somewhat simple and limited but that's not necessarily a bad thing - product seems very high quality. Service was acceptable, quiet and matter of fact. The serving size was generous. Both gelatos were good, but my hazelnut was great! It was so pleasantly nutty and sweet, and the texture was amazing. I'd definitely order this treat again! Give them a try if you're a gelato fan. Yum!

4.5 but rounding up because the vibe was sooooo perfect…read more Came here for caffeine before the drive back up to Huntsville. This is a GORGEOUS coffee shop with a lot of Latin flair. I will say parking was a bit of a pain. I cheated and parked at Chick fil a but I don't think that would've worked if I'd stayed for more than enough time to order and go. Fortunately I was in and out fairly quickly. That said, if I lived in the area, I'd love to hang out for a while. The atmosphere is just perfect. Cool, a tiny bit punk rock, great music, powerful air conditioning, fun stickers and stuff on the tables for local bands, breweries, and celebration of immigrants. Service was super sweet and working diligently. The barista who spoke with me answered my questions happily and made great recommendations. I ordered an iced horchata latte for myself, an iced chocolate Abuelita for my dad, and a chocolate concha to take home to my husband. Our drinks came out quickly and we were on our way. She warmed up the concha without asking, which wound up not being necessary but would've been appreciated had I eaten it immediately. My iced drink was a little over-full and did squeeze out some when I stuck a straw in. Sticky! No big deal, we had wet wipes in the car. The horchata latte was perfection. Sweet, creamy, strong cinnamon and coffee flavors. Exactly how I imagined it would be! My dad said he felt the chocolate Abuelita was a little light on coffee flavor but he rarely drinks iced coffee or "fancy coffee," so YMMV. The concha was tasty, subtly sweet, and soft when I got around to eating it later. Will definitely return on future trips to Birmingham. Thanks so much, Bandido!

Should I be judging a coffee shop on their matcha? I don't know. Maybe not. But I was pretty…read moreunimpressed. Only way I knew matcha was in there is bc it was green. I'm always willing to try again of course. They were also super busy ... but with the amount of people behind the counter, you'd think they could dole out 2 matcha lattes in less than 20mins. Maybe not. Who knows.

This hip and fun coffeehouse is located right across the street from Railroad Park, making it a…read moreperfect stop for a coffee before or after a stroll. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy your coffee wherever you're most comfortable. They have some amazing signature flavors that caught my attention. Instead of going with a regular cappuccino, I decided to try the "Havana Brown," made with hazelnut and Irish cream. It was a treat to try something different, but it wasn't overly sweet, which I personally like. The staff seemed really friendly and welcoming, and they were more than happy to offer recommendations. I also loved seeing how involved they are in the local community. There's a board along the wall featuring upcoming local events, which gives the shop an even more welcoming, neighborhood feel.

If a random stranger came through the city of Birmingham, stumbled around aimlessly for a while and…read morefinally worked up the nerve to ask a local for a suggestion to grab a coffee, Red Cat would likely be at the top of that list. It's one of Birmingham's original coffee shops as coffee culture started to transition from the realms of iHop and Denny's into something that one might actually appreciate. Red Cat opened here in 2008, close to the time when Railroad Park was forming up in front of it as well. Of course, beans are roasted in house. Of course, the views are very pleasant overlooking railroad park across the street. And, what other colors could mugs be other than red? The layout inside is pleasant, although does have a bit of that "overly private" feel. The way that tables are positioned, it's not conducive to having a chat with a stranger. Depending on the vibe one is looking for, that can be a good or a bad thing. Basically, this is where you come if you don't want to be bothered. As a whole, a wonderful spot to enjoy one of their signature Espresso blends.

I got cake batter for the second time in a row (brownie batter was a close second during sampling…read morebut I couldn't help myself!) Hubby got cookies and cream (not pictured) and said it was very tasty. His palette is not as forgiving as mine and has specific places he enjoys as far as sweets, so that says a lot. The cashiers were very helpful and gave ample sampling portions. Plus, always love a good neon sign/backdrop for pictures, a clean atmosphere, and other options like cotton candy buckets and smoothies!

Got some ice cream here. It was okay, but for 7 dollars it felt like a bit of a scam. The ice cream…read morewasn't cold and tasted super cheap. They probably spent all their money on the big neon sign (which looked pretty cool but didn't make up for the subpar ice cream)