Coffee snobs, look no further. Your search is over. Go here now…read more I had the privilege of staying in Birmingham nearby this place and checked it out after looking at the photos. And I'd love to qualify this five-star review by saying I've been traveling the United States for over 10 years and I've been to countless coffee shops from Alaska to Boston to Florida to San Diego and everything in between. I can easily say this has been a top 10 experience and if you're in Birmingham you are very fortunate that this place is here. I had a hot vanilla latte and one of the finest pastries of all time but I'm not reviewing the pastries. Both days I went in here there were two different baristas some quiet dude and then some alternative tattoo girl both of them made an absolutely exceptional hot latte. Everything I look for is here: The espresso itself is a medium-dark profile with dark chocolate, toasted almond, and brown-sugar sweetness, low bitterness, and a rounded, low-acid finish that holds its shape in milk instead of washing out. The vanilla stays clean and floral on top of that, while the milk is steamed to glossy microfoam that integrates with the shot, leaving a silky body and a long caramel-cocoa aftertaste. Perfection. Some of the best in the USA. Hats off to you.

Came here after reading reviews…read more I'll start by saying the staff were decent enough. Not super friendly but not rude. Just there. I ordered an iced americano given it was a hot day around noon. I got my drink and went to add creamer and sweetener like I always do. And bam that's when I noticed this place was one of those we are going to force you to have what we believe is healthier for you. What do I mean. No Splenda no equal just that nasty truvia. I'm diabetic so I don't use sugar and truvia is just nasty. It tastes horrible and makes your drink taste horrible. Now mind you they will use all kinds of syrups with dyes and additives and sugars but nope not Splenda. That's bad for you. The 50 grams of sugar in a single vanilla latte is totally fine. We're ok with that even though that alone is over the recommended amount. But Splenda no we can't allow that. Will never be back.

Stopped in for brunch on a Friday. Was pretty empty but there were several people in and out…read morepicking up orders. I got the Adam and Eve Lox. It was delicious, packed with fresh ingredients. Uab students and employees get a small discount which is very much appreciated. Will probably go back to try their drinks and desserts in the glass case.

Worst BIRTHDAY lunch ever! I would give a zero if was an option…read more I ordered Avocado Toast and did not receive. Waiter said I didn't. Although, my husband and I heard me. My coffee was not drinkable - not tasty and it was supposed to be a Biscoff iced latte. It was gross and luke warm. I ate half my husband's seitan wrap. It was edible but messy and greasy. To go, we ordered a slice of vegan chocolate and a slice of coconut cake. When home, the coconut cake is HARD as a ROCK - inedible.

Came in for brunch on a Sunday. Got there just before 11 and there was a bit of a wait, but it…read moremoved pretty fast. Service was friendly and quick, even though it was busy. Portions were generous and prices were decent. They were also great about accommodating gluten-free. I ordered the Farm Breakfast with bacon and gluten-free bread, it was filling and really tasty.

Worst dining experience I've had in Birmingham. Came in for a late breakfast with one person and…read moresat by the window. It was filthy - ants on the table, hairs all over the place - it clearly hadn't even been wiped down. I chose to ignore it as I was starving. I ordered a drink and waited for 15 min. No one came by to see if I wanted to order food. However they did go to other tables right by me. After finishing my drink, I left some money on the counter and went elsewhere. Go someplace else. Most places in Birmingham have great food and service. If I could give no stars I would.

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.

First latte I had from Cala was here and it was amazing. Brown sugar vanilla iced. This place has…read morebeen my fav go-to coffee shop since. Nice baristas and it's always pretty packed inside. I frequent both locations and will most likely frequent the new one in mountain brook as well!

3.5 but I'll round up just cause I think I got a lil unlucky…read more Came by here for some caffeine after the event at Salud in Birmingham. I was specifically super excited to try their seasonal matcha special, which was made with horchata (also from Salud!) and strawberries, if I recall correctly. Unfortunately, we walked in only to find they were out of the supplies needed to make the drink. :( I was caught off guard and didn't know what to order, but the barista recommended a latte with maple flavor so I went with that. The interior was clean and spacious and had a relaxed and calm but energetic feeling to it. Good place to hang out or work quietly. There's a self-service area to spruce up or fix your drink or grab lids or stir sticks. Service was nice and my drink came out quickly. It was pretty good but not really the "right" drink for me. I like my stuff on the sweet side and this was much more balanced and coffee-forward. That said, it held its own against my sugar-craving taste buds and I drank most of it, which is usually the hallmark of good brew, lol. I don't really blame them because I blanked on what to order and just went with what was suggested. It's probably a great suggestion for lots of other folks! Would be happy to come back and try a different beverage. Seems like a nice place overall. :)

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.

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.

Really great hand pies and the coffee is excellent quality! Will definitely be coming back again.read more

Filter is a cozy shop specializing in new wave coffee. They were selling Onyx Coffee from the…read morecounter, which is a vote of confidence in my book. Any time I'm traveling, I like to try the cortado or an equivalent drink at a shop like this, and I'm happy to say Filter's would rank in the top 10, maybe top 5. The quality and freshness of the beans was obvious from the rich, thick crema on my drink and the milk was steamed just the way I like it. There's a fair amount of seating inside, charming decor, and my drink came out to me very quickly on a Wednesday morning around 8am.

Lovely friendly helpful staff as always. Wide variety of selections too! One of my go to witchy…read morestores ever since I started my craft.

I try not to be biased in my reviews. I did end my visit early with my partner because we came to…read moredo some studying. However, there wasn't enough space to plug our laptops. Definitely recommend bringing an extension cord. Bri gave us an amazing tour. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. I diiiiid come across one of two beauties they mentioned in the tour. I believe their name was Voodoo (pictured). Voodoo told me to leave a review or they would visit me in my dreams. Task complete.

We were in town for a convention and found this coffee shop within walking distance! It's located…read moreright by the Westin which makes it super convenient and easy to get to. I tried the Lavender Basil latte and really liked it. It was a little weird seeing basil leaves in my coffee but it added a fresh twist. We also ordered a couple of their bagel sandwiches and both were solid. Nothing extraordinary but satisfying. The service was friendly and the space is bright and spacious. If I were a local, I wouldn't mind coming here to get some work done. Overall, a nice little coffee spot in a great location!

K & J's elegant pastries suggested I go to Santos coffee so I walked around the corner. I wasn't…read moresure what to order so I asked for suggestions so I Got a large iced caramel coffee. It was so good. I wish I wasn't in a hurry I really liked to have checked this place out a little longer. Really good vibe and the smell of coffee is so relaxing. I would definitely recommend this place and I definitely will be going back again. They have teas and other drinks I feel I need to try.

If I could eat an actual establishment, it would be this one…read more Just look at this place. I literally walked in and audibly gasped. It is like a magical French bakery/general store, tucked away like a secret garden. Am I in south France or Birmingham? HARD TO TELL I don't know if I enjoyed the treats more or all the visual delights. The treats were just amazing. I brought my husband and all of my kids so we got a nice sampling of goodies from the cases. It was all perfection. Cookies were crispy on the edges, appropriately soft in the middle. The almond cake was buttery and sweet, but not too sweet. Muffins were excellent. The food is so well done. The ambiance here? Extraordinary. Every corner, every ceiling tile, every display has been so thoughtfully curated. This place was such a treat for my eyes and my imagination. I could sit for hours and just enjoy all the clever ways furniture is used. My kids played in the little play area- even that was done so beautifully! The store had such a wide selection of cute tea towels and little gifts. If you want to surprise someone with a beautiful little happy, or birthday gift, or Mother's Day gift, there's plenty to choose from here! I rarely buy things from little stores like this, but I purchased several gifts for girlfriends and my mom and an apron for myself. It's easy to get caught up!

I was looking for a place to grab some lunch but didn't want a drive thru/fast food experience…read more This location was very close to my location and the reviews looked great! It's such a unique place with it being both a restaurant as well as a shop. It's got a very nostalgic feel to it with the decor and items for sale. I saw a couple students but when I visited I mostly saw upper class looking Caucasian ladies. Being very laid back, down to earth and often times socially awkward, I admit that it felt a little hoity toity, while also being a very welcoming spot. It's hard to explain, so you'll have to check it out for yourself. Also worth noting for the plus size community: the chairs are not plus size friendly. (See zoomed in photo) The employees there were on top of their jobs and super helpful. They cleaned up the tables that emptied quickly, as the lunch crowd trickled in. The food was good. I loved the creative presentation of the sampler plate! The pimento cheese was very cold and hard to spread but I still it. The toast triangles were delicious! While they offer a lot of excellent coffee choices. I only got a 1/2 & 1/2 tea. Even the restroom was really neat with the retro decor. I'd definitely go back.