Chez Lulu just gets fall dining. The light is softer, the air a little cooler, and the whole place feels like it's exhaling after summer. Between the glow from the string lights and the smell of bread coming from Continental Bakery next door, it's impossible not to relax here. I ordered the Meyer's Ranch Beef Stew (La Doba à la Nissarda) and it might be one of the best comfort dishes in Birmingham right now. Deep, rich flavor. Tender beef. The kind of meal that makes conversation slow down because everyone keeps taking one more bite. The vibe lands somewhere between a Parisian café and your favorite neighborhood spot. If you haven't been in a while, go now. Order the stew, grab a seat near the window, and let the evening stretch. read more

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We had a fabulous High Tea today! Service was superb! And the food was divine! Highly recommend!

Why has the bakery gotten rid of the french music? I understand it can be a bit trying but it is iconic and kind of defined Chez lulu.. now they are playing generic Stevie Nicks- not bad but now the bakery is losing its character.... read more

This place is way overrated. The interior is known to be quirky, but it appears to me to be tacky and cheap. Half of the food was very good, but some of it was too salty. The server was very difficult, had such a frown on her face, and I also got the feeling I would not be welcome with my group that I reserved for. There's actually another group that I'm in that they don't even let come there because they "only order water." This is literally what I was told. read more

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Tres Bon! This little haunt is a hidden gem. I feel like I stepped off an alley in the Left Bank in Paris. The ambiance at night is warm and inviting. The food is excellent. The socca is must for your appetizer. The smoked salmon pizza was delicious - I added mushrooms. The staff inviting, knowledgeable and friendly. The beer choices are a bit limited but you"ll find something you like. The wine was enjoyed by the entire table. I think I saw Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec sitting at the bar.. he was admiring the art on the walls. Bravo Chez Lulu! read more

Wife and I ate dinner for date night. Great ambiance, food, and service. The Mediterranean sampler and smoked salmon pizza were wonderful!

We really enjoyed our dinner. It was delicious. Great service and good wine list. Love the cozy romantic atmosphere.

What a NEAT place this is. The lighting and decor were very eclectic and we ended up walking the whole restaurant to check it all out. We had an appetizer dip, a soup, and a pizza and were not left disappointed. It was all homemade and had excellent flavor. Service was good for sure. If you are hungry, and are in this part of town, this is your stop for certain! read more

Everything at Chez Lulu is still very fine. The front dining room and the sidewalk tables were full of happy folks. Our meals were delicious, one pizza, 2 sandwich plates, 2 beef stews and watermelon salads. We have dined here for at least 25 years and new ownership is very consistent with Carole's way. read more

How have I not reviewed this place? It's been here forever and for good reason. Creative, fresh and enticing menu options that in my experience are always good. A cheese plate called cheese lulu, the garlic soup, the fresh bread from Continental Bakery next door, the French inspired deserts, the wine list, the pro-level cocktails, the light sandwiches with creative ingredients to keep you on your toes, the atmosphere, the service, the reasonable prices....what else do you really need? Overall a great spot for a quick lunch, or a slow lingering lunch where you consume several bottles of wine. The menu is thoughtful and loaded with things that should appeal to everyone. The place just doesn't disappoint. read more

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Always fresh local ingredients. Lovely salads, quiche and a variety of menu items. Service has always been good. Love the rustic French artsy decor. Dining al fresco on the front sidewalk transports diners to France. read more

So we came to Chez Lulu on a last minute whim around 7PM on a Sunday night and got seated immediately. We had an amazing server who made the best recs (especially with the desserts!). We sat outside and the ambiance was definitely lovely with French music playing overhead. I ordered the 1/2 soup and sandwich combo and got the garlic soup and pressed Turkey Panini. If I'm being honest, I thought the food was good but definitely not amazing. For dessert we got the almond bread pudding and the chocolate almond Tortlette. We will definitely be back for desserts next time! read more

Chez Lulu - Pressed turkey panini and chips - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Was so excited to catch up with friends in such a lovely looking area. There's no other way to say it except that this was the biggest disappointment. We had to ask multiple times to get waited on after sitting as our server disappeared and never took our orders. We then waited a full hour for our sandwiches in the almost empty place; all sandwiches were clearly grilled and made earlier, but just not sent out to our table on time as they were ice cold. The food itself was not worth the money whatsoever, extremely bland and something I'd expect from a hospital café, not a restaurant. The garlic soup I got on the side was room temp at best; I've had better soups at Panera. Our waitress also took my soup before I was even done with it? We later had to once again hail down a waiter to get our check as ours was engrossed in a conversation with the table next to us. My friend was also charged $5 for a single tea bag that you could by a full box of for $2 at Walmart. Waste of time and money! read more

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My favorite place for date night! Ambiance is off the charts. Food is delicious, especially the dessert. Service is always good too, especially with allergies. read more

Chez Lulu - Affogato & Creme Brule - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

We ran in at 8:30, right before close, to get coffee and dessert. Even though it was the end of the night, the staff were all so friendly and welcoming. Their dessert menu is so vast, they actually care about giving you options! I had the turtle sundae, it was delicious. read more

Chez Lulu - Turtle sundae - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The food was excellent. The service great. The ambiance charming. We went back the next night for desert!!!

If you are a fan of Continental Bakery and their pastries, desserts, and loaves of bread, you will have to try Chez LuLu which is owned by the same people. This is a French cafe style restaurant located in the English Village area. They have soups, tartes, salads, and sandwiches. They also have a bar, serve a Sunday brunch and offer dinner. On the downside, this is a cozy place with tiny tables and not much room between tables. Definitely don't bring a large group. Also, parking can be a real problem! The day I went, my friend recommended the 3 salad plate. With this option, you get to pick three of your favorite salads from the menu and try each one. Each salad was very good and the plate was definitely enough for a meal. Overall a great experience and a fun place for a girl's lunch. It definitely reminded me of Paris from the food that was served to the music in the background. read more

Chez Lulu - This is a unique restaurant with a French cafe style. - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham has some great restaurants, but Chez Lulu has been my go to date night restaurant for years, and probably my favorite in town, just because of the experience. I love lingering over a bottle of wine in the eclectic, artsy, and intimate atmosphere; it's like stepping out of Birmingham and into a Paris bistro. A few of my all time favorites: the Continental Bakery bread served as an appetizer; The Goat in the Orchard Salad; the North African Pulled Lamb sandwich; the Mediterranean Sampler. Desserts are always good, as is the coffee. read more

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For some reason, I tend to end up here after nights of partying to get a hair of the dog in the shape of Kronenberg on draft and their killer North African lamb sandwich. The socca preparation is also just wonderful, those chickpea crepes are simply phenomenal. From the food items, those would be my recommendations without hesitation. Service is always great and the place is one of the coziest establishments I've visited. The industrial inspired furniture with table legs from pipes is not what one would typically associate with cozy, but they manage to pull it off. The design is actually inspired by that of a French brothel, a risqué connotation that permeates into the creative menu. Parking is usually plentiful in this quaint little mountain brook village and clientele consists of local residents. Overall, Carole Griffin, the chef and mastermind here brings some really interesting Mediterranean flavors to an area that is filled with traditional southern food, which I welcome with open arms. A wonderful establishment and a spot I will surely return to. read more

Chez Lulu - Garlic cream soup - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

On this Thank You Thursday, I wanted to finally leave a review for a business I've loved for years! This small French cafe and attached bakery are bursting with personality and great things to eat! I've been here multiple times for lunch with friends, and their sunny sidewalk seating area is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a meal. I wish I had taken pictures of the restaurant interior. Small, a little dark, and crowded with tables and French decor, it's charming and fun! I've tried several different meals over the years. I've never had anything I didn't like. They have a rotating menu of tarts and soups that feature fresh, local ingredients. On my most recent trip, we ordered several appetizers and shared them, plus sampled a few of the yummy seasonal cocktails. They were delicious, inventive, and so pretty! The La Vie en Rose was my favorite! Chez Lulu hosts different events throughout the year, like a drag brunch once a month, a street parade, and on Valentine's Day in the past you can buy a package with a meal plus tickets to see Casablanca at the Alabama theater. If you want an authentic French experience but you can't necessarily board your private jet for a lunch date in Paris...check out this gem. You won't be disappointed!! read more

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This restaurant has an incredible ambiance. The low lighting, outside seating, and paintings and art all over the walls are great. I recommend the first bathroom, the couch is very nice, I also liked how every inch of the place had some decoration. The drinks were exquisite. The french 75 was strong, just how I like it. Free bread too, not a given nowadays, but it was great! By the time the food came, I was a bit drunk from the previously mentioned strong drinks but it was good. No cheese on the sandwiches and lots of veggies in them. Perhaps this is a trait of these Frenchmen I find increasingly intriguing. What sort of culture breeds a love for vegetables but not for cheese? Although France is known for its cheese, so why dont they put them on their sandwiches? These are the big questions of our time. The only complaint I have is that the service was sparse, about 15 minutes between each check in and the food did take forever to come out. But the ambiance makes up for it. I want to drink a bottle of wine and sit outside and chain smoke a pack of cigarettes all day as the french do while eating here. read more

One of the Birmingham classics. My attempt to limit carbs invariably fail when they set out that basket of bread and olive oil from their sister operation the Continental Bakery. The other thing I can't resist is the garlic soup, which is a bit sad because it's a great place to take a date. Oh well, we've got to keep our priorities straight here on Yelp!. If you want a love life there are other sites for that. Salads are great with a lot of variety that they allow you to mix and match. And then there are the desserts. I usually have them bring me whatever they feel like and it never disappoints. Side note, while not widely hailed as one of the better pizza places in town, they make a really good one. On the eco-friendly front, they are good citizens for the most part. I must confess I forgot to check the Styrofoam situation. Guess I'll have to go back. read more

Well I feel certain I've reviewed this place before. However, I will say that I had the pleasure of eating dinner there the other night. And there has been no change. The food is fantastic, the service is great, and I would recommend this place to anyone. read more

5 stars for their desserts. 3 stars for their pretentiously​ French food. 0 stars for courtesy and attitude of the wait staff. The ambiance is great, but is ruined by the unpleasant​ attitude fo the wait staff. Best way to enjoy this place is to order their desserts as take out. read more

Wonderful intimate setting to enjoy great food and service. The price for quality you can't beat.

Delicious food. Great menu. Michelle was a very nice server. We would definitely visit again!

Sunday fun day turn into a disaster!!! As much as I love this place, this is not one of the nice review that I normally write. I love the food here and how homie it is. My house is like 8 minutes from this place and I work at First Protective which is 5m from it also. I can't count how many good compliments and "words of mouth marketing" I did for this place. I even introduced this place to all my coworker so we can have some lunch time here. However, back to the story. My fiends and I love to get Sunday brunch at different locates. We expected to have a fun day and we choose Chez LuLu (yes, again, because like said I love this place) not knowing that it was about to ruin our Sunday. We we got there it is 12:38pm. And we got signed with a tired looking waiter, he barely talked and smile and had the biggest attitude that I ever seen. We contemplate to ask for another waiter but we don't want to get any body in trouble. It took more than 15m for him to pay attention on our table again just to ordered our drink. Another 15 to get our food order, while everyone around us get what they order and their waiters come checked all them multiple time. If you are familiar with Chez LuLu they always bring out those small bread basket while you wait for your food. I looked out and checked every table, they all had it! This is about to get worst! After we waited for more than 45m minutes. We got to the point that we want to give up and go to another restaurant, all of us not feeling happy like we first arrived there anymore, we just tried to look for him and he wasn't there the entire time( we sat out side btw) while other table got there waiters checked on them like every 10m. We had to asked the other waiter to look for our. He came back looked like we are getting the food for free. Again the way he talked, we felt like he doesn't want to serve our table. We showed our disappointment and when we got our tickets. He literally throw it all the table and said "HAVE A NICE DAY", like excuse me we were not even do anything to you! If you had a Saturday night out and you tired! Just don't go to work at all. I talked to the manager and He Is No Helps. He said the kitchen was really busy and expected some delay(it is the job of the waiter to come back and confront it with us), that the bread basket is not suppose to be brought out because it is brunch not lunch(So tell me why all other table have it without any order expect my table), and he will get back to it and work with the waiter later. Which usually mean I don't care. So for the first time in my life I didn't leave a penny for tip cause he is no way deserve any thing. I don't get why you literally a waiter and work for tip and you bring your attitude to serve your customers. That is all I have to say but whoever that has responsibility for the restaurant, please consider about this problem. My friend have a picture of the copy with his name but I don't. He is the skinny boy with earring on both ears. I'll happy spread the words for your restaurant, not a good one any more. read more

Chez Lulu - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Chez Lulu really puts you in the mind being in Paris! From the decor to the music playing in the background, it is a place you won't forget. A group of us had brunch here and the only downfall I can give is that our cell phone service was acting a bit weird. Now that i think about it, I have Sprint and we all now how good that is. -_- I ordered the salmon flatbread brushed with olive oil, garlic, and capers, as well as the chocolate crepe. Both were quite tasty and very filling, but would I order them again? Anyway, after carrying on a very intense conversation, the rest of my colleagues seemed to be a bit underwhelmed with their food. It was good but not great. If you anyone knows how to do food, it's the French right? This bistro is on the revisit list because again as I stated earlier their decor is so chic and I believe in second chances. Au revoir!!! read more

Chez Lulu - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I came here last weekend with my friends Kate and Anne. They had both been here before, but it was my first time. The restaurant itself was much smaller than I had imagined, but I didn't have a problem with that. If there were a lot of diners I can imagine maybe having to wait, but there was already a table available so I had no complaints there. They started us off with complimentary sourdough bread and oil. That bread was some of the best bread I've ever had! I didn't even need the oil that came with it. It was soft, moist, and perfect even by itself! To eat, I ordered the special that night which was a mushroom and spinach tart that came with the house salad. The house salad was pretty average. I've had much better ones, but it also wasn't terrible. The mushroom and spinach tart was amazing! I would definitely recommend it! It was cooked perfectly from the filling to the pie crust. Our waitress was also super friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. I would definitely come back here. read more

Chez Lulu - Complimentary sourdough bread. Some of the best bread ever! - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I love Chez Lulu! It's a fascinating French restaurant with charming quirks! The food is tasty and there is never a shortage of bread made next door at Continental Bakery! I got the Lamb sandwich with the Goat in the Orchard salad and a cup of Butternut Squash Soup. All was so flavorful and filling! The atmosphere is very romantic and charming! Highly recommend! read more

Really Cute place!! I went for Sunday brunch. The menu is not a traditional brunch menu. Frittatas, pizzas, crepes, soups, salads... It's a bakery so they have a lot of wiggle room where their restaurant menu is considered. The food was good. The restaurant is kind of tight but in a cozy kind if way. I ordered the ham and Brie frittata. I will definitely go back and order something different next time. read more

Chez Lulu - Ham and Brie frittata warm applesauce and grits - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

What a beautiful place, arts and crafts all over the place. Very interesting menu. The bhan mi was most tasty, as was the pizza. As usual, the first beer i asked for was out (happens to me often) but there were other options. Great service--8 of us came in near the end of hours, closed the place, but one of our party was the amicably ex-husband of the owners. A hair pretentious perhaps, but friendly and delicious. read more

Chez lulu worked hard to continue to serve food during 2020 and beyond. Sometimes it was to go but I appreciated their efforts to pivot. Love the pizzas they serve at night and the desserts are always great! read more

One of the most quaint, cozy, comfortable places I've ever been. Service was impeccable and knowledgeable. We went simple with quiche, salad and soups. Everything they have is homemade by them or sister next door Continental Bakery. Call ahead for hours as they are not open every day. read more

chez Lulu is a gem. Love the food, the atmosphere, the staff. Never disappointed. read more

This is my favorite place to eat in the whole world. I love the atmosphere, I love the food, and the waiters are always very pleasant. There are great vegetarian options. Chez Lulu is perfect for a lunch with a friend, a romantic dinner, a group get-together, or a family brunch. read more

I cannot say enough extraordinary things about this divine cuisine. The complimentary sourdough bread & dipping oils was phenomenal. I had the sweet potato & ginger soup - the amount of ginger was perfection. Even the house salad was so incredible. I had a panini which was so much more delicious than I expected out of a sandwich. Then came dessert *cue the choir singing* The seasonal peach pie w/ ice cream was great; but the crust was what was extraordinary. It was layered dough, baked to a sweet crisp. What a wonderful restaurant and authentic vibe we thoroughly enjoyed. read more

I realized this week, that I might have problem. But the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Hello, my name is Will, and I love brunch. I mean REALLY love brunch. So much that this is my second review this week of a place I have been to on numerous occasions... just for brunch! So I will preface this by saying that I know Americans are known the world over for being served mass quantities of food at restaurants. So I can appreciate a French restaurant the doesn't crowd the plate with quantity, but with quality food. The breads are baked fresh. So anything you get (croissant, scone, sliced bread, etc.) is always of top quality. I have pretty typically enjoyed everything I have gotten. Even though I couldn't tell you all off the top of my head. Their Bloody Mary is decent, but not great. The inside (especially in the back) can feel a little cramped. But that adds to that cafe feel of the place too. Overall a cool, unique place that is unlike any other in Birmingham. read more

Chez Lulu - Back dining room. - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Try the Banh Mi and lamb sausage sandwiches, mushroom soup and creme brûlée! Also, Rosemary Greyhound drink! Delish!

Walked in and curly hair gentlemen was polite, host was polite as well. It was when the server came where things became unsatisfying, she did not greet us. She poured the water and walked away. The waitress was talking very minimal and in a low tone. We were excited to order the drinks and it took a little for the drinks to come. When they arrived I was not given the option for vodka or gin I was just given gin. Me and fiancés drink were very strong. Half hour passes and our main entrees came, I ordered Banh Mi Sandwich which was very dry and my fiancé got the Greens Pie Tartes Du Jour. we would tell our waitress thank you and we wouldn't get a you're welcome back. Our waitress had short hair and glasses. 2 stars because we liked the restaurants Decor! read more