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    Current Charcoal Grill

    4.4 (124 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    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

    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.

    Good bite!!!
    Gabe P.

    Safe to say that I may hit up the Current whenever I'm working at red mountain theater. I came here after a Saturday night performance at RMT to escape the rain. The restaurant was pretty empty for a Saturday night. I sat at the bar and enjoyed a dirty martini. I also ordered the salt & pepper shrimp. I enjoyed everything! The bartender was cool and made sure I was straight. I love the vibe @ Current, especially on rainy nights. Although it was still raining when I left the restaurant, I walked to my car happy and full!

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Dumplings
    Bella A.

    Currently now obsessed with current! Knowing it's from the same creators of Automatic Seafood, I did come in with high expectations. And it definitely met my expectations and more. When first stepping in, the vibes of the restaurant are so fun and hip! Our server was very personable and helpful throughout the meal. To start, I tried the lucky lotus which was fantastic. We shared the dumplings, wings, and scallops for appetizers. My favorite were the scallops but everything was delicious. I enjoyed the beef Panang curry for dinner - very hearty and very good. I also tried my friend's snapper and the fried chicken which was delicious. If you're up for southern Asian fusion, you can't miss out on Current.

    Joseph C.

    Current Charcoal Grill is absolutely deserving of Michelin-level praise. Every visit has been outstanding from the food to the staff to the ambiance. The dumplings, shrimp, and Panang curry were all incredible, perfectly executed, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. The staff is attentive and welcoming, making every meal feel special. Lovely atmosphere rounds out the experience. This is the kind of place that sets the bar high in Birmingham, truly exceptional from start to finish.

    Salt and pepper shrimp, beef spring rolls, and  Jasmine rice

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    17 days ago

    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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    Wooden City

    Wooden City

    4.7
    (134 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Dude the food was amazing. The server was awesome; shes…read morefrom the bay like me! The ambiance was just a chill vibe. If I ever am in town again, I am coming back for more.

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

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    Gimlet
    The Essential

    The Essential

    4.4
    (510 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    The Essential was such an unexpected find during our trip through Alabama. We weren't expecting to…read morestumble across such an elegant restaurant serving truly elevated food, but it ended up being one of our favorite meals. I ordered the seafood pasta, and you could immediately tell the pasta was homemade. It was fresh, perfectly cooked, and the seafood was beautifully prepared. My daughter had the spaghetti, and my husband ordered the Waldorf salad, which was just as thoughtfully put together. Our waitress also recommended the hummus and house pickles, and I'm so glad we listened. Both were fresh, unique, and the perfect way to start the meal. From the food to the service, everything felt polished without being pretentious. It was one of those meals where every dish was executed with care and attention to detail. Overall, The Essential was such a pleasant surprise and proof that you can find five star dining experiences in the most unexpected places. If you're anywhere near Birmingham, this place is absolutely worth the stop.

    Really cool place with a quaint atmosphere and great service. My wife and I split the chicken…read moresandwich, grits and a hash brown. All were really good. We got the sauce on the side for the sandwich just in case, but it was really good. Definitely a place I want to revisit. Saw the smash looking burger and pancakes at tables and they both looked amazing!!

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    The Essential
    Pavlova
    Pavlova
    Sourdough bread with French butter.

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    Sourdough bread with French butter.
    The Harvest

    The Harvest

    4.0
    (119 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Harvest was one of the best dining experiences I had in Birmingham. One thing worth mentioning…read moreright away is that it's located inside the historic Redmont Hotel. That wasn't immediately obvious from many of the reviews I read beforehand, so don't let the hotel location deter you--this is a destination restaurant in its own right. I ordered the braised short rib (without the grits), and it was outstanding. The meat was incredibly tender, packed with flavor, and cooked to perfection. It easily ranks among the better short rib dishes I've had. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and struck the perfect balance of being available without hovering. The dining room has an upscale yet comfortable atmosphere that makes it just as suitable for a business dinner as it is for a date night or special occasion. If you're visiting downtown Birmingham--or staying at the Redmont--don't overlook Harvest just because it's inside a hotel. It's proof that hotel restaurants can absolutely compete with the city's standalone dining scene. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Birmingham.

    This place was honestly a surprise. My husband and I were in the area looking to get dinner but the…read moreoriginal restaurant we wanted to go to was booked. We ended up here. I will say this is one of the best steaks I have had up to date so far. Cooked just the way I liked it.

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    Cute but chic ambiance
    Cute but chic ambiance
    Beef tartare
    Beef tartare
    The Harvest

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    Yo' Mama's

    Yo' Mama's

    4.7
    (593 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Everything went well during my lunchtime visit to Yo'Mama's restaurant. The Hot wings and French…read morefries was delicious. The waitress was cordial to make sure I enjoyed my "first" visit. The ambiance of the restaurant was calm and pleasant. There are several dining tables to choose and enjoy the scenery.

    The menu had a good variety of options including fish, hamburgers, chicken, and more, though I…read moredidn't notice any salad options available. Parking is primarily street parking in the area, but there is also a public parking deck nearby. I'm unsure what the current cost is for the deck, but it's worth knowing if you're visiting during a busier time. I ordered the fish tacos with black beans and chose the cheese grits as my second side. Everything tasted fresh and had lots of flavor. The real star of the meal, though, was the sweet potato cake. It was incredibly moist and delicious. Honestly, I could've eaten four of them without shame or hesitation. My colleagues ordered burgers and fries. They both really enjoyed their burgers, but neither cared much for the fries. They had also requested a couple additional items after the food arrived, but those items never made it to the table. The decor is bright and fun, though it didn't quite seem to match the style of food being served. Just my personal observation. They also have a robot that helps deliver the food alongside the servers, which felt a little unexpected for the casual atmosphere and southern comfort food vibe. They were fairly busy since it was lunchtime on a Friday, but the wait really wasn't bad at all. Would I go back? Yes. Was it my absolute favorite? No. But there were definitely things I enjoyed, especially that sweet potato cake that nearly made me consider ordering dessert first next time.

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    Counter
    Counter
    Yo' Mama's
    Waffle + 6 pc chicken wings underneath + house made syrup

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    Waffle + 6 pc chicken wings underneath + house made syrup

    Current Charcoal Grill - asianfusion - Updated August 2026

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