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    Current Charcoal Grill

    4.4 (127 reviews)
    Closed • 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Bo Ssam
    Tia T.

    I have been wanting to try this restaurant for awhile. My husband brought me here for my birthday. Our reservations were for 5:45. We arrived a few minutes early and were seated immediately. There was a few minutes left for Happy Hour so we were able to get a couple of cocktails and Bao Buns from the Happy Hour menu. The Fried Chicken Bao Buns were seasoned and fried perfectly. This was a nice bite to start the evening. My Negroni Sour was bright and smooth. For our entrees we did the Short Rib Bo Ssam and Panang Curry with short ribs. The curry was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The short rib bo ssam was tender and flavorful and came with lettuce and bao buns. For dessert we had Sticky Toffee bread pudding and it was moist with bits of toffee inside. Our server, Sydney provided great service. We had an amazing experience and would definitely return.

    Redfish
    Matthew M.

    I have long been a defender of this place but I think I'm done with that now. Service is still good, ambiance is still fine, and main dish quality is still solid but I just can't defend the prices here. When we ordered our two apps, as three people, we received enough food for each of us to have two bites. That was $30 right there. When we ordered our mains, I asked if rice would be included and I was informed that a small bowl of steamed rice was $5, and that I should order multiple given our party. The mains are already about $40 each, we can't get rice? Rice. I bet you literally buy it in 30 pound bags. Then we were informed the mains were "protein-heavy" and did we want to order some vegetables? So, no vegetables with the main but, sure, what do you have? Oh we have wok tossed sugar snap peas for like $15, and maybe you might need two. No, man, I'm not paying another $30 for sautéed snap peas. Y'all make wonderful food. I just can't possibly afford the fact that everything is essentially à la carte.

    Crispy redfish and green apple salad
    Tina H.

    The yellowfin tuna tataki was our favorite, along with the crispy redfish and green apple salad. It was a perfect combination of savory flavors with a crisp, tangy, and refreshing bite from the apple. The pork belly was a bit too salty for my preference, but it was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. The cut of the steak was slightly chewy and also a bit salty for my taste, though still delicious overall. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, and the service is impeccable. I would definitely recommend it for a date night or even a dinner with parents who enjoy Asian cuisine

    Bo ssam
    Kayla A.

    I've had a lot of amazing Asian food, so I can be a tough critic... but this place was super solid. The service was incredibly attentive, parking was easy, and the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. So vibey and honestly didn't even feel like we were in Birmingham. The standout dishes were the panang curry and the miso custard dessert, both easily a 9.5/10. The curry was almost perfect... I just wish it came with some naan to soak up that amazing sauce. The dumplings and ice cream were also great (about an 8/10). The bo ssam and brisket egg rolls landed around a 7/10 - still good, just not showstoppers. Overall, I'd absolutely return. Solid food, great vibe, and a really memorable experience.

    Menu
    Lucy T.

    Wow. I was not expecting much from Current, but it really surprised me! It was not like many restaurants I see around here, but in a very good way. It was super nice and so much more than what I expected. the original item menu my friend and I wanted wasn't available, so I had to go with my second choice which were the Dan Dan noodles. I didn't particularly love the way it was garnished, it was a bit too intense for me, but the noodles themselves were perfectly cooked. Overall, it was a super nice place to have dinner, and I hope to come back much more often.

    Linda R.

    We were looking for a restaurant that could seat six people last minute around 8:30 pm on a Saturday night without a major wait. After contacting several restaurants, we were glad that Current Charcoal Grill was available. Also, we happened to be at the UpDown Arcade bar, so it was an easy walk. I like that they take reservations, and I loved that they were able to seat us away from the crowd and by a window. The service was great! We really liked our waitress. Some of my favorite dishes were the Pork & Shitake dumplings, the Iberici Pork and the steamed Bao Buns.

    Current specials

    We had a wonderful anniversary dinner, thankful to Opal. She is truly a gem of a server. From my coconut mojito mocktail to our miso tart dessert. 5/5! Thank you so much. Lovely meal and amazing service

    Camille F.

    Cool, modern, all the things. Big industrial building with lofty ceilings and comfy booths. Aesthetic curation to the max. What are the kids saying these days? Current Charcoal is 'aura farming.' I've been here twice now, and can firmly say that my recommendation is to treat this place like a tapas/shared plate situation. For two people I recommend 2 appetizers, 1 sushi/nigiri, and 1 entree to share. The entrees are great but the flavors here are too good to limit yourself to too much of one of them. Drinks are good, and reasonably priced. Glass of wine $13-25 which seems fair to me. They get extra points because they have the Elusive Lambrusco (band name idea) on the menu, my fav. We had the calamari and dumplings to start. The dumplings come under a cage of baked cheese (I think) that's so different and adds some great texture. Came with a chili oil, peanut dipping situation that was the perfect heat/salt/umami. The calamari were perfectly fried. Very lemony and peppery, with a creamy dipping sauce. I had the short rib panang curry for an entree, and it was awesome. I generally prefer a chicken in a curry, but this was the perfect super-fatty treat. I came home with enough leftovers for lunch the next day. ALSO! Our server boxed up my leftovers for me. I absolutely love when they do this. I don't really want to scrape my plate at the table. I understand that sometimes it's a health department thing to not take back dirty dishes, but I think everywhere should be doing this for you. We had a reservation for Friday night, but they honestly weren't packed to the max. I'm guessing they save spots for walk-ins.

    Yasmin Y.

    We had a fantastic experience at Current Charcoal Grill. The server, Eric, was excellent--attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The menu changes often, so don't expect the same dishes every time, but that's part of the charm. We started with the sweet corn ribs and soy pickled cucumbers--both fresh and flavorful. For my main, I had the whole fluke flounder, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We shared a side of steamed rice, which complemented everything nicely. Highly recommend for a seasonal, thoughtful dining experience. Oh and dessert- the miso custard tart!!!!!

    Beef Carpaccio
    Alexandra S.

    Very cool, modern ambiance! Our waiter, gave amazing recommendations: Beef Carpaccio- was super tender, fresh, and perfectly balanced with apple to give it citrus and the sauce made it perfect! He said the Iberico Pork is the best entree: he was right! The pork was cooked to perfection with the meat so tender and not dry at all. The food is cooked beautifully and packed with flavor! We will be back!

    Benjamin C.

    As an American Born Chinese, I'm a manifestation of Asian fusion, so when someone told me that Current is good Asian fusion, I knew I had to be the judge of that. On the table: pork katsu bao, sweetcorn ribs, whole fluke flounder, soy pickled cucumbers, crispy potatoes. Pork katsu bao - I was very pleased. The pork deep fried into a cake was a creative southern spin on a classic staple of the orient. Sweetcorn ribs - this felt more like a Mexican street food to me as cheese isn't really a thing in most Pacific Asian cuisine, but I still liked the dish and really liked the stracciatella cheese and chili crisps (I'm a big fan of chili crisps - Lao Gan Ma is the most popular chili crisp brand you can find at any Asian grocery). Whole fluke flounder - another pretty good fusion with the butter and soy. Normally this type of dish is steamed in traditional Chinese cuisine. I can appreciate the attempt to fry it, but it didn't work for me like it did on the pork bun. It felt like the fish fry dried it out too much since the flounder itself was already pretty thin. I do love the fact that the fish came out bone-in. Most Americans are pretty scared of bones . One thing I wish I had was a bowl of rice to eat with the sauce, but I wasn't going to pay $8 for a side of rice. Soy pickled cucumbers - good. Crispy potatoes - good, enjoyed the curry mayo. One suggestion I have is to improve the organization of the menu. Some dishes seemed more shareable/family style while others were individual entrees. The waiter knew how to guide us, but it was still a little confusing, especially as the prices varied significantly between dishes. And fried chicken was listed under "Salads and more." I guess it was the only "more" item, but I definitely didn't see it having initially skipped over the salads part. Raw dishes were listed first, so it wasn't clear to me if these were more along the lines of appetizers, entrees, or side dishes. Overall, I think this place does a great job of blending together coastal Asian and southern cuisine and flavors. The creativity and execution I experienced during my visit definitely "pays homage to the vast range of flavors, ingredients, and techniques of Asian cuisine and the bounty of the Pacific" (from website). I sometimes forget that a lot of people have never been introduced to elements of Asian cuisine before, so I'm glad that this place is providing a familiar way to be introduced to new flavors and ingredients.

    Virginia H.

    My mom took me and my SO here to celebrate my work anniversary. I enjoyed the experience and the food overall, though the start was a little rocky as making a reservation was like buying a car or something. Asked for name, phone number, email, and some other things that I can't remember....there were a lot of questions for a reservation. Then they wanted a credit card too. So yeah. Anyway. So it's Asian-American fusion, and I would say the food reflects that pretty accurately. Very much recognizable Asian dishes that have twists. Got pan fried dumplings, green onion pancakes, fish, short rib, mushroom pot, green tea ice cream, and miso cake. Everything was above average. My favorite was the green tea ice cream tho, haha. Definitely worth trying, but it's not going to be a regular for me. Reservation too much of a hassle. May pop in for ice cream to go tho, ha.

    Short rib
    Destiny C.

    Tracy was AMAZING! We started with her at the bar and then came to our table for dinner. She was very forthcoming with recommendations and all of them were a hit! If you come to Current you have to ask for her! Short rib- 8 Fried rice- 8 1/2 chicken- 9

    Dumplings

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    Great pork belly great drinks. Hidden gem!!!! Can't wait to come back for work. Was hard to find on Google Maps.

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    EastWest - Spring rolls

    EastWest

    4.5(417 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    •$$

    Came here for a Thursday night dinner! Most everywhere else in Birmingham had an hour+ wait for…read moredinner, but EastWest had no wait! I'd never been here before, but had been excited to try it out! The atmosphere is similar to the other restaurants on 2nd Ave, and I love the mural in the back. I love a short menu, the menu here is the perfect length. Just one side of a sheet of paper. We tried the cauliflower to start, the flavor was amazing but the fry could have been a little bit crispier. My friend ordered the salmon plate for dinner, which I had a bit of and was INCREDIBLE. I'd definitely order that next time. I had the Mongolian beef bowl, which hit the spot, but did leave a little bit to be desired. I wasn't particularly wowed by the flavor or sear on the beef itself. Service was ok. I'll definitely come back here. The price and ambiance are right for a weeknight winter dinner out. Parking can be a little bit tricky around here. Most street parking was full and we ended up parking in a paid lot behind Neon Moon.

    East West is seriously one of my favorite spots in Birmingham! I literally come here at least once…read morea month, and it's always a go-to whenever I have friends or family visiting from out of town. If you're not from Bham, this is definitely a place I recommend adding to your list! It's perfect for a date night, girls' night, or really any occasion. The prices are reasonable, the drinks are good, and the food never disappoints. I always get the East West Wings, and they are PHENOMENAL! One of my absolute staples every time I come is the duck nachos, they're SO good and definitely a must try. I also love getting the spicy garlic noodles with shrimp. The flavors are always on point!

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    EastWest
    EastWest - Short ribs

    Short ribs

    EastWest

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    Bamboo on 2nd - Wham B'ham Roll

    Bamboo on 2nd

    4.4(546 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$

    I am ashamed to say I had not been to Bamboo on 2nd in quite some time. I live a 15-minute walk…read morefrom it. I took my family there for by adult son's 40th birthday. That is so hard to say, 40th???? Well, I am getting old. I was more than impressed by our dinner. From the drinks to the Appetizers to the sushi. Outstanding. The service was also on point. The first thing I said to my family when we got there was, "I love the vibe of this place. So, if you have not been to Bamboo for quite some time, give it a try. I will be going back soon I assure you. Eat well, Drink well and stay healthy.

    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.

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    Bamboo on 2nd
    Bamboo on 2nd - California Roll and Salmon Crunch

    California Roll and Salmon Crunch

    Bamboo on 2nd

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    Yummefy Flavors of India, Nepal & Thailand

    Yummefy Flavors of India, Nepal & Thailand

    4.2(244 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$

    Steamed dumplings were very good…read more Ordered chicken vindaloo (medium) and garlic naan. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff but a little slow at 5 pm.

    I am starting to venture into foods from other cultures more and Yummefy was on my list to try…read more Upon arriving, I was greeted warmly and told to sit where I chose. My drink order was taken (water) and my server, who answered all of my questions, was very patient and pleasant. For my appetizer, I ordered the spring rolls. They were freshly made and came out hot and crispy. I enjoyed them and would order them again. Now the main course. I opted for the spicy Himalayan chicken, medium heat. I love spicy food, and I thought I was doing the right thing by ordering the medium level. However, it was very spicy! I did notice however, that the longer it sat, the level evened out some. Still, on my next visit, I will try the mild level to compare. The dish was delicious and very flavorful. The white rice added just the right amount of coolness to the chicken and veggies. Upon leaving, I ordered the drunken noodles with chicken in mild. I'm not sure if it's because it's a totally different flavor profile, but the mild has very little spicy. I just can't believe it's that much difference between the mild and medium levels. The drunken noodles were just okay, in my opinion. There was not a lot of juice, spice not flavor in this dish. On my next visit, I will stick with the Himalayan chicken and order it in mild just to test out my theory. The workers were very friendly and came by to check on me and made small talk with all of their customers, including me. I enjoyed my visit and look forward to returning again

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    Yummefy Flavors of India, Nepal & Thailand
    Yummefy Flavors of India, Nepal & Thailand - Coconut curry

    Coconut curry

    Yummefy Flavors of India, Nepal & Thailand - Fresh Vegetables and Broccoli cooked with chicken curry
Spice Level: Mild, Medium, Hot, Indian Hot

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    Fresh Vegetables and Broccoli cooked with chicken curry Spice Level: Mild, Medium, Hot, Indian Hot

    Maro - Kick off your meal with our irresistible, flavor-packed appetizers whether craving for crispy bites or bold, savory treats.

    Maro

    4.5(35 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Cute place. Good fast casual addition to Mountain Brook village. Had the bao buns. They did the job.read more

    I absolutely love this friendly fast-casual eatery! We wanted a quick and healthy dinner when in…read morethe area recently. I peeked in and thought it looked so pretty. And of course they had me at poke bowls. It's one of my top 5 things to eat, honestly. But I ordered a Buddha bowl because it's almost the same thing and I felt a little lazy to DIY (not to mention, the Buddha bowl looked tantalizing!) They have other veg options, but I set my sights on that bowl as soon as the friendly counter guy suggested it. It's overloaded with goodness--avocado, deliciously marinated tofu, edamame (yes, it's a protein-rich bowl), tomatoes, shredded carrots, diced cucumbers, greens and more. You're literally devouring the rainbow here, friends. For drinks, they have a modest but decent selection of beer, wine (a decent bubbly in a can!) and sake in addition to soft drinks. The place is so beautiful (and spotlessly clean) with plants dangling from the ceiling and beautiful murals throughout. If I lived in the neighborhood, I'd be here all the time.

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    Maro - Join us at Maro where every meal is complemented by an atmosphere designed to delight your senses and make you feel right at home.

    Join us at Maro where every meal is complemented by an atmosphere designed to delight your senses and make you feel right at home.

    Maro - Meet the crowd favorite: our Bao Mi Bun! A fluffy, pillowy bao stuffed with choice of chicken or pork belly,one bite and you'll be hooked!

    Meet the crowd favorite: our Bao Mi Bun! A fluffy, pillowy bao stuffed with choice of chicken or pork belly,one bite and you'll be hooked!

    Maro - Refresh your palate with our vibrant choices of salads, packed with fresh ingredients such as caesar, seaweed or tako salad.

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    Refresh your palate with our vibrant choices of salads, packed with fresh ingredients such as caesar, seaweed or tako salad.

    Wooden City - Fresh Burrata

    Wooden City

    4.7(148 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    This place was recommended by a local Birminghammian and it was a good recommendation. Three of us…read morewere working somewhere nearby and we took an Uber here and it was kinda packed. We snagged some seats at the bar and had some drinks and shortly after that, our table was ready. And they were able to keep everything on one check, which was nice. No need to settle the tab and start a new one at the table. And the old fashioned I had was delicious. For food, we started with the Hungarian Hot Stuffed Peppers. These were pretty good and the heat gradually snuck up on you as you ate them. I don't know if it was because the heat was more intense as you worked your way towards the stem or just a gradual burn. Either way, these were good and worth the heartburn later. The thick focaccia helped with the burn a little. Speaking of heartburn, the pepperoni pizza may have contributed a bit to that too, but again, totally worth it. The cup-and-char pepperoni was charred nicely as were the edges and bottom! I love a nice bottom! These were easy to share between two of us. Service was amazing from the bartender to the waiter to the uber driver (who didn't really count, but nice job, man). We felt welcomed and I can see why the place was crowded on a Tuesday evening.

    First, know that there is parking behind the building. We didn't know and apparently for the number…read moreof cars trying to squeeze into nonexistent spaces, many others didn't either. We walked up the street with a half dozen other diners. Wooden City is definitely not in the best part of BHM. Walking to the restaurant was a little sketchy, no need for a detailed description. Although we had reservations, the hostess looked at us like we had three eyes. She found a small table for us in the far back of the restaurant. No problem, at least we were seated. Our server greeted us quickly and went over the menu. We ordered drinks, blistered Hungarian peppers and a sausage and mushroom pizza. We told him that we were going to a concert and were on a little bit of a tight schedule. By the time our server checked on our food, the second time, we went from a little bit tight to full "gotta get out of here" mode. I guess the delay in getting our food was to give the kitchen time to burn our pizza. Over half of the thick, chewy crust was inedible. The bottom of the pie didn't fare much better. The peppers, on the other hand, were amazing. (not so much so at 2 am but that's just me!) They are a do not miss. We were at least able to settle our bill quickly and made it to the concert with time to spare. Overall, would we go back? Only if in the area - those peppers were amazing. Still, I definitely would not make a special trip.

    Photos
    Wooden City
    Wooden City - Tavern Burger - american cheese, iceberg, grilled onion, dill pickle, bacon

    Tavern Burger - american cheese, iceberg, grilled onion, dill pickle, bacon

    Wooden City - Gimlet

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    Gimlet

    Current Charcoal Grill - asianfusion - Updated October 2026

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