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    Culinary Dropout

    4.0 (286 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Culinary Dropout Takeout or Delivery

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    CULINARY DROPOUT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    Recommended Reviews - Culinary Dropout

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    Deviled eggs and Campfire vibes
    William S.

    Listen up.. come for the amazing drinks. Start with a campfire vibes. Then stay for the food. The deviled eggs are a must. Menu is stocked full of amazing things to eat. I'm partial to the steak frites. Staff is amazing. If you are coming to Birmingham make this your first stop

    Make sure to have the Caramelized Banana Bar!
    Pepper P.

    Sat at the bar and had an unforgettable experience -- thank you, Nate, Christian, and TJ! The service, food, and atmosphere is absolutely impeccable. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've had!

    Cocktail menu

    Service was awesome! I loved the amount of outdoor seating! Great for individual or large parties! Noise level moderate! Customer service excellent from the greeting you get when you walk in,, being seated and then the servers! First time here! I wanted to try everything! I had the crispy Brussels and they were delicious and not too spicy! The turkey pastrami sandwich was me trusting the recommendation of my server, Jeffrey who was awesome! Did not disappoint! All ingredients worked together perfectly! I will be returning!

    Spicy Shrimp Crispy Rice
    Kyra D.

    Omg this place was wonderful! The food was amazing like 10/10. Our server Josh was amazing! He had great energy and knew all the best foods on the menu. Right away when you walk in the ambiance is beautiful and clean. The manager Nate was very nice and made sure to check how our experience was going. This place is 10s all across the board. I am definitely adding this place to my list of favorites!

    Scarlett F.

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE eating at Culinary Dropout. The food, drinks and staff are top tier. Everyone is genuinely friendly. I was greeted and quickly sat at the bar. I went for happy hour. I ordered the brisket nachos and a red sangria. Both were amazing. While enjoying my drink, two ladies next to sparked up a conversation. Stayed for awhile and chatted with the bar tender as well. He was sweet. This location, I will be back to. Thanks for the welcoming energy.

    Mongolian Short Rib*
    Alison L.

    Excellent service and seating feels spacious. My favorite was the crispy chicken katsu, which was flavorful and delicious. The bread, the crispy chicken, and the hoisin sauce were great. The Mongolian short rib was also pretty good, but after having the katsu it wasn't as special. The grasshopper ice cream was good but very rich and huge so definitely split. It's mint chocolate, but the mint is very subtle

    Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket
    Michael B.

    Bar tender was pretty inexperienced and probably didn't need to be alone just yet. Food was absolutely amazing. The Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket were awesome. Live music started while were there which was very enjoyable! Great food at a solid price point!

    Saundra G.

    I loved it. From booking the reservation to paying our bill. Everything was great. Drinks and apps along with service. The atmosphere hit the mark.

    Skillet Steak Frites*
    D'Von A.

    First off the , let's talk about this staff. Sydney , Riley, and Nate were some of the nicest and welcoming staff I've ever encountered at a restaurant! Like for real! Thank you all for being so hospitable. This is a beautiful establishment with some very delicious and filling food. My favorites were the Brussels sprouts and pigs in blanket. The sauce with the pigs just took me to another level. Probably the best sprouts I've ever eaten!

    Roasted Salmon*
    Yasmin Y.

    Stopped in for lunch today with my mom and sister, and we had a great experience. We sat on the patio, which was really nice -- perfect weather and a relaxed vibe. My mom and sister both ordered the fried chicken with buttermilk biscuit, smashed potatoes, and gravy -- total comfort food and absolutely delicious. The chicken was crispy and juicy, and the biscuit was warm and fluffy. I went with the roasted salmon, which came with sweet corn, toasted couscous, and a flavorful heirloom tomato & caper relish. It was fresh, light, and super well-balanced -- exactly what I was in the mood for. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Definitely a spot I'd come back to, especially for a casual lunch with family.

    Beer Battered Fish & Chips
    Jessica P.

    Since my son hadn't been here before I decided to take him to lunch here on a Sunday afternoon. I had been here several times and I usually make a reservation since it seems to be a busy spot. I wasn't aware that we were going to be on brunch time and the menu did not include some of their delicious pastas. I decided to try something different and got the Detroit style cheese pizza, and added goat cheese to it. My son got the pork belly nachos and devoured it. We did share the Mississippi pie, which I had before that was delicious. I love the decor in here. It is so trendy. They have a bar area that is really nice that I would like to come sit out at some point. I didn't drink today. I just got a coat but they do have some cool alcoholic drinks. I will be back sooner than later Carleigh with our server and she was very attentive and personable.

    Beer Battered Fish & Chips
    Amalia T.

    The Perfect Post-Church Spot (Even Without Reservations!) Came here on a Sunday right after church -- so yes, it was packed. The kind of bustling, lively crowd that tells you immediately: this place must be good. And it absolutely was. First of all, we had no reservations and still got seated in about 15 minutes, which honestly impressed me considering how busy they were. The host was incredibly kind and efficient -- a great first impression. The atmosphere is beautiful. The bar alone is stunning and gives off that upscale-but-welcoming energy. It feels lively without being chaotic. We were greeted quickly and our sweet teas came out almost immediately -- and let me just say: get the sweet tea. It has a hint of passionfruit and it is so good. Light, refreshing, and just sweet enough without being overpowering. Because it was such a busy Sunday, service timing wasn't perfectly paced -- our appetizers took a little while, and then our entrées came out shortly after (maybe five minutes later). But honestly? Our server was incredibly sweet, the entire staff was hustling, and everything was handled with kindness. You could tell they were working hard. And the food made up for any small timing gaps. We ordered: * Caesar Salad - A lighter, more citrus-forward dressing rather than a heavy anchovy profile. If you like a fresher twist on a classic Caesar, you'll love this. * Pork Belly Nachos - SO flavorful. The pork belly was rich and tender, and the queso? Absolutely delicious. * Fish and Chips - Crispy, satisfying, and well-executed. * Prime Rib Dip - Highly recommend. Tender meat, great flavor, and just overall comforting and done right. One thing that really stood out: we had to leave a bit quickly, and the staff was incredibly accommodating. They brought to-go containers promptly and even gave us fresh drinks to take with us. That level of thoughtfulness goes a long way. Overall, this is a lively, beautiful spot with delicious food and genuinely kind staff. Yes, Sundays are busy -- but they handle it with grace. We'll definitely be back (maybe next time with reservations ).

    Turkey Pastrami Sandwich
    Dell O.

    In December 2025, we were staying in a nearby suburb visiting relatives for Christmas. We opted for a day before Christmas brunch at Culinary Dropout. A family member selected Culinary Dropout due to numerous high reviews. I made a quick online reservation due to my great fear there would be a long wait. Upon arrival, the restaurant had no visible wait but they were busy though not full. We were seated promptly at a nice clean and comfortable booth with not shared long bench seating, as is my preference. The menu was not too long but offered a nice selection of cooked to order selections. The server was very courteous and thorough. For appetizers, we ordered the Whipped Feta & Tahini Dip and also the Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue. Both had excellent flavors. I was especially taken by the latter as the soft pretzels worked so well with the gentle, warm and creamy fondue. As we were all quite hungry, we also shared a variety charcuterie platter. The selection of cheeses, meats, honey and olives were delicious. The astute server took it upon herself to add on for us some crusty bread which really added to our enjoyment. For entrees, our family had Butternut Squash and Kale Salad with Chicken, Crispy Chicken Katsu Sandwich, Prime Rib Dip Sandwich and I enjoyed the Turkey Pastrami Sandwich. All were very much enjoyed with premium ingredients and meat cuts. Aesthetically, the view from the restaurant is quite nice as it is up higher along the ridge line. The general shopping area of The Summit is completely and totally safe being just off Highway 280 and further from questionable downtown Birmingham. The restroom was spotless as was the entire restaurant. There is also a bar with high seats in the middle of the restaurant. I am betting the happy hour drinks here are quite good. I recommend this restaurant without hesitation.

    Cali & Tay Skinny Margarita

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    5 months ago

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    Food and drinks were good but nothing too special. Was expecting more flavors with the meals

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    Ask the Community - Culinary Dropout

    Oak House - Peanut Butter Pie

    Oak House

    4.8(144 reviews)
    6.3 mi

    We have spent our last 3 anniversaries at Oak House. It has never disappoints. Our most recent…read moretrip there might have been the best. This place is tiny. I have never tried to eat there without a reservation. It is always packed. I did not take a single pic but we had the gulf crab claws in lemon butter sauce. These were the most amazing crab claws i have ever had. It came with 2 pieces of bread thank goodness bc i needed it to get all the lemon sauce. Pricey- yes. Worth every penny-yes! We shared an entree short rib entree and added a side of mac and cheese and scalloped potatoes. There was not even a crumb left. I didn't even need a knife for the short ribs. My tip is to go early. I'm sure the other food is good too, but the best stuff sells out.

    Boy do I love Oak house. Really. One of the best restaurants in Birmingham. No question. All…read morethree of us got chicken piccata. OUTSTANDING. NOW let's talk about the service. Let me set this up. My wife and I are on the diet shot. We share meals and still can't finish them. Both my wife and I at the beginning of our life together 47 years ago, both worked for restaurants. We know how hard folks in the business work. Even though it would affect his income negatively, our server was a real professional. I notice things like that. I tipped 35%+. WHY, he deserved it and we enjoyed his service. The Ambiance of the restaurant was calm, friendly and inviting. We will absolutely go again. Bravo.

    Photos
    Oak House - A portion of the dining area

    A portion of the dining area

    Oak House - Salmon Oscar

    Salmon Oscar

    Oak House - Whiskey Sour

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    Whiskey Sour

    FOODBAR - Burnt Basque Cheesecake candied popcorn & crème fraîche

    FOODBAR

    4.3(134 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    Great little upscale spot in Cahaba Heights. We came in on a Saturday night for dinner, no…read morereservation but they squeezed two of us in after a few minutes. The bar seating was 100% full. This is a spot with a heavy regular rotation. The people of Mountain Brook/Vestavia are here for dinner. It's a specific crowd. Service was great, the waitstaff is very friendly and on top of things. My dad ordered the "Magic City Manhattan" -- I'm not normally a dark liquor person, but I thought this was fantastic. I think it was the pecan liquor which made it so good. We split the muscles appetizer, which was great. The broth was so warm, garlicky, acidic, perfect. Love. And the bread that came with was great, too. If I'm being picky, the bread services' butter could've been more room-temp and easier to spread. But that's me being extremely picky. We ordered the lamb chop entree to split, too. Again, great. This is a fantastic spot if you're not looking to travel downtown for dinner. Easy menu, crowd pleasing. Definitely suited for an older crowd, which can be harder to find in the downtown spots.

    Enjoyed another great meal at Foodbar tonight. Great food, thoughtfully prepared, and wonderful…read moreambiance. Always full of customers that (it appears from staff responses) are regulars. My guest tonight is a healthy eater, so the menu was perfect. Lots of farm to table options, vegetarian options, as well as fresh fish and other great proteins. We ended up having the seared tuna with soy pearls, yellow beets, feta and dates, and the spring salad with fried goat cheese, pistachios, apples and raspberries. Everything was fresh, well prepared and delicious. Service is always wonderful. Seating is limited so make reservations as early as possible. Bar seating available first come first served. There's a number of off-menu items so be sure to ask your server! My only complaint is that best tables are held for the "regulars;" so I guess it's time to become a regular at Foodbar.

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    FOODBAR
    FOODBAR - Crab claws app not on menu

    Crab claws app not on menu

    FOODBAR

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    Porch - The Oko

    Porch

    4.4(115 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    Service personable and waitress answered any questions helpfully. Given the name "porch," it…read morereminds me of family gatherings on the literal porch, and this atmosphere was similar: lots of large family tables and groups. We were one of two double seater tables that were reserved, it was really cute honestly. It has been a while since I got duck confit, and I loved the luxuries of tasting it without the price tag tonight. Only $8 to add some on to either the caesar or house salad options. Husband got the sweet potato fries and blackened flounder sandwich which were all tasty as well. Fries were shoestring style and sprinkled with brown sugar - yum. PSA to DEFINITELY try the cookies, my hubby is a chocolate chip connoisseur and said these were top of the list now. So warm and fresh. The fried pie was delicious as well and I enjoyed my cocktail selection. Great date night selection!

    3.5 overall Great…read morelocation and patio space. I came for lunch and I agree that the service is a bit slow. I opted for the farro bowl, but was hesitant about the beets--cause, well, beets are not my jam-- but the kitchen put them on the side for me! (Thank you!!). I added braised pork. The bowl is a very creative and i loved the concept but the execution just need a bit of tweaking. The bowl was just too greasy. And I don't think the grease was only coming from the pork. The farro was about 1 or 2 minutes overcooked for my taste; however, I would try it again maybe with just the egg. I hear great things about thw smash burger so I'll come back and try my luck. Wednesdays are half off bottles of wine!!

    Photos
    Porch - Cute spot

    Cute spot

    Porch - Truffles Farro bowl with braised pork

    Truffles Farro bowl with braised pork

    Porch

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    Mudtown Eat & Drink - Bleu burger and tator tots

    Mudtown Eat & Drink

    4.2(314 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    One of Birmingham's local-heavy spots. Heavily patronized by Cahaba Heights regulars. It's bar food…read morewith extra love. Lots of cajun, brunch, sandwiches, soups, etc. I came for a late lunch on Saturday with some friends, I wasn't super hungry, but ended up being quite enticed by the menu. I ordered the sausage balls off of their special brunch menu. They were served with what I believe was a cranberry jam and very tasty. I could have done them a little spicier, but that's personal preference. I would definitely get them again. I also ordered a side of the gumbo, which was very good. Very dark roux, very tasty. This place hits the spot and is a great option for a group of all ages, they'd definitely have something to please everybody. Service is good, too. Parking can be a little difficult and it's on a steep hill.

    This is the second time I've been to this restaurant in about two weeks…read more We came here on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't too busy. Maybe there was three tables open. We started off with the chips and dip because my son had had it the last time he was here which was last weekend. The house chips were very delicious. I didn't catch my server's name, but she was short and had blonde hair and she was attentive. They were still serving brunch, but I decided to get a patty melt while my son got the big green pimp burger. This time we got the salted caramel cookie from cookie fix with some ice cream and brought it home and that was very delicious. The parking is a little tricky. It's a bit steep. They have a small bar area where it looked like there were several regulars there. There were several TVs in there to watch the different games that were on. The only thing I don't like is that there's no coke products they have Pepsi, which I really don't care for Pepsi other than that I think it's a really great place. Very casual.

    Photos
    Mudtown Eat & Drink - The bar and restaurant, small and quaint

    The bar and restaurant, small and quaint

    Mudtown Eat & Drink - Delicious

    Delicious

    Mudtown Eat & Drink - Fried Green Tomatoes

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    Fried Green Tomatoes

    Culinary Dropout - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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