Lé Fresca has been on the "must try" list for a while, but we often forget about it because you have to call for a reservation instead of the usual Resy or Open Table apps. Anyway, I finally called and made a reservation with the friendly person who answered. I even called back to change the reservation time and they were very accommodating. The restaurant is located in the downtown Birmingham area and there's lots of street parking and a pay lot about a block away. They do not offer valet service, but this wasn't a big deal on this particular weekday evening. We were promptly seated by the host who was stationed outside. Water arrived and shortly thereafter our server, Marco, appeared. She was very friendly and gave us a quick run down of the menu offerings and answered any questions we had without hesitation. We started with the arancini, and for entrees chose the rainbow trout with seasonal vegetables and the tagliatelle al funghi. Everything was super fresh and delicious. Nothing to complain about this experience. It checks all the important boxes... good food, friendly service and an inviting atmosphere. We will definitely return to support this locally owned Italian restaurant. I will note that there are more menu options and specials available than you'll find on the online menu. read more

Lé Fresca - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Don't walk, RUN! This place was absolutely amazing. My friend and I sat at the bar, and the bartender was phenomenal, she was knowledgeable about the menu and made some incredibly refreshing cocktails. The staff and owner were also very welcoming and friendly. The food was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. The ambiance was dark, cozy, and perfect for a relaxing meal. And you HAVE to try the White Banana Bread ..it was unbelievable! I'm a picky eater, so that says a lot. I'm so glad we stopped here for lunch and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great dining experience. read more

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Wonderful. Food was great, perfect wine recommendation. Friendly helpful staff. This is not an Olive Garden remake. Great Northen Italian read more

Great dinner with my bride at LeFresca. A couple things were amazing, food and service. Server was Marco, she did not look like a Marco..... Food was delicious but the portions were smaller. Couple things, not so much. The restaurant was extremely warm. My bride and I both were sweating the entire meal. We asked the couple beside us and they agreed. We mentioned it to our server, she said she spoke with the manager. I'm glad I was not in the kitchen that night. Nice wine selection but the one we were interested in were bottle only. Unfortunate. read more

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Homemade pasta, wine, and burrata. Three of my favorite things. Lé Fresca certainly fits in with the vibiness of 2nd Ave. I called the afternoon of to make a reservation for my mom and I, and we got exactly when we wanted, 5:30 on a Saturday night. The man on the phone did inform me that the table had a 1.5 hour limit, but this was fine. We started with a glass of wine. The wines by the glass list is fairly short, but covers all the bases and is very fairly priced. No complaints here, and they offered some unique wines that I hadn't heard of before. About $10-15 for a glass of wine. Then we got the burrata, which came with beets and crusty bread. The beets were just perfect. Tangy and the perfect consistency. Serve burrata at my funeral, please. We both opted for pasta dishes, and heard our fantastic waiter out on the daily specials. Several of the pasta dishes are different every day. I got the butternut squash ravioli, a special fall offering. Upon biting in, I was almost surprised by how sweet the filling was. But paired with the butter sauce, vague sage flavor, and light saltiness, it was delicious. I would come here again and again. It feels like an intimate, cozy, perfect cold, dark night dinner spot. read more

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My wife and I loved our meal and our entire experience at Le Fresca. We had the hangar steak and it was the best hangar steak I've ever had - cooked perfectly, great quality of meat, flavor was spot on. The potatoes it comes with are not to be missed either! My wife had the rabbit pappardelle and it was fantastic as well. Also have to mention the bread the had a delicious crunchy crust while the middle just melted in our mouths. For dessert we had th white chocolate bread pudding - it was the special so I don't know if they have it all the time, but if they do have it you should get it. Our service was outstanding with Scot behind the bar and the owner working their magic. It is a pretty typical bistro, bustling with activity but not too loud where we couldn't talk or had trouble hearing anyone. Great place - a must try when in Birmingham! read more

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Just as good as it was when it opened. Food is beautiful and taste fabulous. Love the atomosphere and the staff. Great people.

The menu on their website doesn't match the menu they served. I was looking forward to the burrata with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes and the rigatoni with ragu because that's what the online menu had, but when I got there the burrata they actually had was with beets and walnuts. I don't eat beets and walnuts unfortunately. Also the rigatoni wasn't on the menu at all. So I got the hangar steak instead with potatoes and arugula. The steak was great and so was the arugula. But the potatoes were very oily and left a puddle in the middle of the plate that was spreading to the steak and arugula. We didn't have a reservation and they said they were fully booked so we sat at the bar and the service there was very good. They were constantly checking on us and filling our water. The decor was nice lots of big artwork on the walls and good music playing. read more

The food at Le Fresca is truly an experience within it's own! I came here last month for the first time with my friend Victoria and her mom. It was seriously the best time! Our server was amazing! To drink we had orange things to start and then limoncellos to end our meal. The ambiance is real nice too, it's such an intimate setting. To start we shared the heirloom tomato salad and the beef carpaccio. For my entree, I got the risotto del giorno with shrimp. It was amazing! I tried a little bit of each other their pastas too and loved them all as well! I highly recommend this place! read more

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The white chocolate bread pudding is a must try! The owner has a nasty attitude and his behavior was unacceptable. Creating a situation in his head instead of approaching with a simple conversation, he was incredibly unprofessional and blew up on us. A conversation could have cleared up anything he had misconstrued in his head. We all know what the issue is really about. read more

Lé Fresca - White Chocolate Bread Pudding - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

We ended up here basically by just wandering around downtown. What a little gem! This place had a very nice ambience and incredibly attentive servers who knew the dishes and specials very very well. We tried the hanger steak, cheese pizza, and the Pappardelle. Every dish was delicious and fresh. So good definitely recommend read more

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Overall I really enjoyed all the dishes we ordered here. I will say the tables are small hindering us from getting more! The service was amazing and our server was very knowledgable and welcoming. read more

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Is you need a great lunch spot, this is the place! The food and atmosphere are amazing! read more

Lé Fresca - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I absolutely love this place!! First, I was concerned about parking. However, we lucked up and found a park right out front. The place is not that big, so you have to choose your times wisely if you go for lunch or there may be a short wait. When we went, the tables were all full. We went around 11:30. So, we decided to sit at the bar. The bar tender was very friendly. I have a seafood allergy and they were very attentive to my needs. I ordered a Saporita pizza and my coworkers ordered Porcky pizza and another member of our party ordered the Spinach ravioli. We got our foods in about 15 minutes. It was really quick. If I had any complaints, it would be that the pizza is not sliced when it comes out. You have to cut it yourself. This can be annoying, when you are hungry and really want to just eat. However, the chef saw me struggling and came over and showed me a neat trick to easily slice the pizza. There is a reason why the chef does not slice it. So I'm not complaining because the pizza was soooo good! I was so full after eating half, but I kept eating because it was just that good!!! I would definitely return. My coworker's ravioli also looked great and it came with soft bread. She's Italian and said that this place was one of the best places that she's tasted in Alabama. I could easily eat here every day. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Birmingham. Everything is absolutely delicious. For apps I highly recommend the burrata! We got the trout special and the risotto special with braised short rib, all was fantastic. You HAVE to try the Tiramisu for dessert! They make you feel like family when you're dining and the service is excellent. The ambience is very sexy, moody, low lit, perfect for date night. 10000/10! read more

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I called on Friday for a next day reservation. They were booked but the guy I spoke with was incredibly helpful. He let me know we can show up an eat at the bar if there were no tables. Even said they'd call us if there weren't bar seats available but some opened up. When we arrived we had no trouble getting a bar seat. We had the burrata. It is a must have! The cocktails all looked light and refreshing. I had the refresca and it was delicious. We split the risotto of the day which was spinach and artichokes with speck. It came out hot and portion was plenty enough for the 2 of us. Our bartender/server took great care of us. I'd like to go back and try their pizzas! read more

Excellent Italian service! Food made fresh from scratch daily. Would love to visit again and try more read more

Lé Fresca - Strawberry Risotto (savory with a hint of sweet) - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Great dinner at Le Fresca! Definitely recommend having a reservation before dining here as it gets busy, especially on the weekend. We had the burrata & arancini to start then I had the pork chop for the entree, and finished with tiramisu. Everything was outstanding. As a bonus, the owner is an Italian immigrant and a very nice guy. Come get a taste of Italy in Birmingham! read more

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Most authentic Italian restaurant in Alabama. Ownership first class. Service great. Food always perfection. read more

Lé Fresca - Mushroom Campanelle - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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This was our first time to this restaurant. We were welcomed as soon as we got to the door. Our waiter was amazing. He had been there for five years and was very knowledgeable and very friendly. We had the pork chop, which was amazing tender, and juicy. We also had the beef carpaccio, which was very good our ending was the white chocolate bread pudding, which is the best I've ever had. It's definitely a comeback place. The vibe is very modern versus old world. I really enjoyed how they would walk by and show everyone the food so you had an idea of each dish. 10/10 recommend the tiramisu is amazing too. I forgot to get a picture of the beef carpaccio and the bread pudding. read more

Lé Fresca - Pork chop - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I love visiting the bar here for a tasty dinner or happy hour with friends. This time I tried a pizza and it was soooo delicious! The crust was light and crispy and the topping tasted very fresh. If you're going for dinner you'll need a reservation or prepare to wait. My fav place to eat is the bar, the service is just as quick and friendly there. I had to wait a little while for my friend to arrive abd the staff was so polite and kept me company at the door. They definitely made the evening special. read more

Lé Fresca - Pizza - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Excellent food, great ambiance and Madison is a very good server! I recommend this restaurant for a wonderful Italian meal. read more

Lé Fresca - Rigatoni Al Ragu - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Excellent. I had a pasta I can't pronounce but is similar to a carbonara. Very good. My son had a seasonal sweet potato and sage ravioli. Extremely good, but small portion. Wife had an excellent light lemony cocktail. Wine list was over my head, but waitress guided me to an excellent wine. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my wife always gets and loves their fish. You will not be disappointed. read more

Great place. Marco did it right when he opened this place. Hate it was right before covid but thank God they survived. Great authentic Italian. Drinks and ambience are great for dinner with friends or date night. Service is always spot on and they make you feel part of the family. If you love it, try their sister restaurant Locanda Brasato that just opened. Some different menu items but still same solid food and service read more

This is my family's favorite restaurant in downtown Bham! I personally love their pizzas, but the rest of my family typically gets one of the pastas or one of the rotating specials. The drinks are all great (definitely try the Limoncello)! The servers have always been kind and attentive. The restaurant is a good size and if you have a choice, I would recommend sitting at the bar! It can definitely be lively on the evenings, so make sure you get your reservation! read more

Great overall meal. Pizza was kinda soft and undercooked in the middle said it's supposed to be like that Cheese wasn't freshly grated? Amazing tiramisu Pasta was good but lacked excitement. Reservation strictness is odd but no real complaints about it. read more

Excellent service by. maryann who has been here for 4 years! Adorable, personable and adds a little 'bama to this true Italian ristorante in little ole' Birmingham. I am a true lover of all things Italy and to find this Italian oasis in the middle of AL has been a godsend! The best pizza since my last visit to Italy...almost made me cry! Fresh and delicious Insalata Mista and a most authentic burrata & beet salads! Thank @lefreca and Marco! Thank you Maryann!! read more

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One of my favorite restaurants in Birmingham. They have a seasonal/changing menu, so you can't get attached to one meal! During my first visit, they had a seafood pasta, which was amazing. Their risotto is rich and creamy. The grilled duck breast is unlike any duck that I've ever tried. Honestly, every single meal here exceeded my expectations. I would also highly recommend their tomato salad and burrata -- both are so refreshing. I've only visited for lunch, but I heard they have the best espresso martini in town. Their dessert portions are also huge; one order of tiramisu can be shared between 2 - 3 people. As for the service, I've always had a great experience. The waiters are helpful in explaining the meals, and the chef will hand deliver your meal. The restaurant is small, so there may be a long wait, but it is WORTH IT! read more

GO HERE!!!! This was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. We couldn't get reservations so we sat at the bar and had THE BEST time. The hanger steak was one of the best things I've ever ate! Everything from the drinks to the dessert was phenomenal. This place is doing it right and I can't wait to come back. read more

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Le Fresca is the most authentic Italian dining experience that we've had in Birmingham. Everything, including the food, wine, and ambience, were outstanding. We especially loved the arancini, risotto, and tiramisu, and we were able to share a wine that we had in Italy but haven't been able to find anywhere locally. I can't believe it took us this long to discover Le Fresca, but we will definitely be back! read more

To-die-for Italian food and easily one of the best dining experiences in Alabama. The service is second to none, and the owner being there every night adds such a special touch--an absolute gem. The menu rotates almost nightly, which keeps everything fresh and exciting, with high-quality farm-to-table ingredients throughout. If I was on death row, this would be my last meal. read more

I've never had a bad meal here--pizza, ravioli, carpaccio...fabulous. I remember when Marco (owner) was a wait person dreaming of his own restaurant. His vision is now manifested in this lovely, small bistro atmosphere. read more

Nice, elegant Italian restaurant. Mussels in white wine were wonderful. The pizza was quite bland in my opinion. The crust was dull, not cooked in high enough heat, and was covered in too much semolina. Our server was really excellent and the restaurant has a nice ambience to it, so I am still giving 4 stars. read more

We went to Birmingham for the Museum of Fine Arts, the botanical garden and the Catholic Cathedral. We decided on Italian to be safe. I was asked if I had a reservation on a Tuesday afternoon. And then the server kept telling us the price of the menu. I guess I look poor. Aside from that first, the server was very friendly and food is absolutely authentic to Italy. I felt I was back in Naples by the port with a perfect view of Mount Vesuvius having a perfect Margherita pizza. The spaghetti is al dente and the sauce is magnifique. Chef's kiss read more

Loved this pasta dish. The sauce had a deep, rich flavor, and the noodles had the perfect texture. The garlic and herbs really brought everything together. The service was great, and the food came out hot and fresh. read more

Lé Fresca - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Fabulous Italian! The touch you immediately recognize as authentic and homemade. The ravioli is to die for. Service was excellent and just a small place with lots of character. read more

Great food, great service Will definitely go back Waiters were very familiar with the menu and specials of the day. Great restaurant read more

This place is really, really nice. I highly recommend reservations. The bar is first come first serve. The food was wonderful. I'd never heard of Sheephead fish before so I ordered that. It was lovely. I would definitely recommend the mushroom pizza! The service was top-notch. This place should definitely be on your 2024 list. read more

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Where do I begin? It's arguably the best Italian food in the state, let a lone Birmingham. The food is divine. The best part is they're open for lunch when many of the other spots nearby are not. It's a quick walk from my office over there for lunch or a glass of wine after the work day. Menu - traditional Italian fare made in the best ways possible. Wine menu - heavily European and well rounded. Wish there were some Napa wines available but hey, Italians have a few thousand year head start on wine. Parking - Street only. Find a garage or pay lot nearby. It's not hard. read more

Lé Fresca - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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We didn't have reservations but we're seated in 30 min. It was dark inside but comfy. Lots of great choices but unfortunately what I chose was the clam dish. It was bitter which was something I couldn't explain and had sand in the clams I ate. The wine was fine as I was not in favor of my first choice and selected another and that was fine. read more

Lé Fresca - Clams and wine. - Wine Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama