Food first, thoughts after... This was definitely an experience. My husband and I went for the full story 10 course + wine pairing. Rêve is located in the pitzitz food hall. Although the interior was beautiful, intimate, and artistic, the exterior of the food hall was quite the contrast. The restroom for the restaurant is the communal one in the food hall. My husband and I spent over 4 hours here. Good thing I love this man as we kept each other company. Some dishes were good and some were okay. I will say the pours for the wine pairing were pretty gracious compared to other fine dinings in the Birmingham area. Our total at the end was over $580. The service was outstanding. Everyone was basically on standby to clear anything not needed on the table. We can see the hard work put into the restaurant to potentially one day achieve a michelin star. Would we go back? Definitely not soon but maybe later on when they continue to improve? read more

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I think this may be the most overrated restaurant I've ever visited. For veterans of fine dining, it is the epitome of "mid." My husband and I went for our anniversary back in October. We were there on a weeknight and were one of two tables. If you're big on ambiance, Reve falls a little flat due to its location in the Pizitz, but I wasn't particularly bothered by it. We had the 6-course menu with a cocktail pairing. The food was mostly good, but none of it was great. The dishes looked beautiful, and the flavor combinations were creative, but not always complementary. Of the 6 courses, only 2 were memorable, and it was because they were disappointing. The fish course was not worth finishing, and I wasn't looking for more of any of the other courses. The best thing was the milk bread, but it did not pair well with the condiment it was served with. The cocktails were better than the food. The service was also mid. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, but the pacing of the meal was off. We had long waits between some courses-- not exorbitantly, but we chose the 6-course because we DIDNT want a 3+ hour meal on a weeknight. We also preordered a soufflé when we first arrived, since they take some time to prepare. Despite that, our server waited until we were finished eating to order it. It took FOREVER to get, and wouldn't you know, it was overcooked. All in all, it was an above average meal, but for the price it did not rise to the level of other fine dining experiences. IMO, the Michelin hype is resulting in high expectations for Reve, but the execution isn't quite there. read more

Went in December to celebrate my birthday and promotion. I had been wanting to go here for months, and was SO excited! I'll start off with the ambiance... 5/10. It all kind of felt like an afterthought -- like they had acquired the space, but weren't allowed to make any changes, if that makes sense. It was prime time on a Friday, and we were one of only three tables in there. One of the other couples were dressed in sweatpants. It was also very strange having to walk through the entire Pizitz Food Hall to get to the restroom. There was a book of poems associated with each course -- it was made of paper and frayed/stained/torn. Not in a chic way, just a "used" way. I'm not expecting a custom book by any means, but the quality just wasn't what I expected in a fine dining restaurant. I'd give service an 8/10. Our server was very kind and thoughtful. He seemed to really like his job and knew the menu well. Points deducted because we tried to pay with InKind, while Reve was still on the app, and were made to feel pretty awkward about it. Apparently, the restaurant was actively trying to cut ties with InKind -- they still let us pay through it but recommended tipping in cash. Not a huge deal but certainly an awkward way to end an expensive dinner. 8/10 for the drinks. I got the wine pairing, and my husband got the cocktail pairing (which we were really excited to see -- great idea). The stemware was pretty fabulous. I wasn't a big fan of any of the wines... they were all very similar in taste, and unfortunately all pretty sweet. The cocktails were fine, but also all pretty similar in taste. Also room temperature and would've benefited from garnishes. Now for the food... The Japanese milk bread was my favorite part. The hot potato/cold potato dish kind of just tasted like salt, but I thought it was creative (and maybe a nod to Alinea?). I'm not even sure I can form a judgement on the beef, based on the *one* bite (pictured) I received, but the carrot was good. I think we also had some twist on French onion soup at one point. Wasn't crazy about any of the desserts except for the chocolate box at the end. Though I don't think it was intentional, I thought it was cute that the box said "Forte" inside, which is where the Chef worked before :) Overall, I'd really like to see them in a location that better reflects the price point. The Pizitz is great for a lot of things, but not the right venue for a fine dining experience. read more

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No! Our visit to Rêve, a Michelin-mentioned restaurant, was meant to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary and mark an opportunity to try somewhere new. Unfortunately, the experience was deeply disappointing. The food was lukewarm, uninspired, and ultimately boring--an especially glaring failure given the high price point. The menu felt disjointed, lacking cohesion or a clear culinary vision, and none of the dishes left us wanting more. For a restaurant trading on Michelin recognition, the execution simply did not justify the cost. Service and hospitality were equally underwhelming with the exception of our waitress and her trainee. With only seven diners seated in one of the small dining rooms, it was noticeable--and telling--that the executive chef greeted only a single table. That selective engagement reinforced a broader sense of detachment rather than care or pride in the overall guest experience. After reading other lackluster reviews, we also noted a pattern of defensive rebuttals from the executive chef--responses marked by ego, excuses, and a lack of accountability. There is no need for a rebuttal to this review. Our experience speaks for itself. We came to celebrate. We left disappointed. We will not be back--ever. read more

Reve - Just the start of a 6 course disappointment. - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

We loved our experience at Reve! We had dinner last night, a week night, and brought our friends from California. We had the Atelier menu with wine pairing. Our waitress, Callie was super and recited the menu to us since we forgot our readers. We understood that the menu changes to suit what is in season. Boy, this was a fantastic menu. Every course was perfectly matched with the wine. Every bite was memorable with so many complementary flavors. Especially loved the sturgeon. We enjoyed the ambiance and the music selections. Definitely a meal to remember! read more

I came here for the 6 course tasting dinner menu. I want to start by saying that I am excited that Birmingham is upping it's game in the fine dining scene! The efforts to make Birmingham a destination by the wonderful people who live and work here are immense. Reve specifically: food and ambiance both left something to be desired. The current location is operating out of the back of the Pizitz Food Hall. I do believe they've made every effort they can to make the inside feel glam and luxe. However, I spent the evening looking at a wall that only went halfway up to the ceiling, open air to the dining hall. This bothered me as it made the experience feel so much less intimate. Unfortunately, I'm sure this is some sort of fire code thing and not an easy fix. I believe I heard this is a temporary location for Reve? I'll certainly come again once they move somewhere else. Cocktails were good, nothing remarkable but up to par. The service was not what I believe a coursed meal should be. Our server seemed a bit unknowledgeable about the food she was bringing out which was disappointing. The food itself was innovative and exciting looking... but none of it made me say the word "delicious." I'll eat anything, but the fish course I could not finish. I hope the chef noticed that we (much to my chagrin) did not eat everything off our plates for some of the courses. The first course and the dessert course were the best. The oyster with strawberry on it was good and something I'd never had before. Fruit and oyster pair really well together! And the ice cream/goat cheese dessert with honey was also good. read more

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Had a fantastic time at Reve! It was a wonderful 8 course meal! The soup inspired dish with truffle in it was my favorite. Also the steak and beef were cooked to perfection! They ended the courses with some lovely sweets! Could not recommend more' read more

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I don't even know where to begin. This is the best dining experience I have ever had. Truly an incredible night for Valentine's day. They were doing an 8 course tasting menu. The flavor in every dish, ingredients that I could have never pictured together, worked so well together. The freshness of the ingredients, the art that chef Jacob Stull puts into these dishes was truly remarkable. The staff and service were impeccable. The ambiance although connected to the Pizitz food hall, still made for a great, romantic evening. This restaurant is definitely Michelin star worthy. This experience gets all of the praise it deserves read more

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Solid 3 maybe 3.5. Effort exceptional. Execution not so much. First of all, I was so excited to have a restaurant like this in Bham that I want to give it 4 stars but I was underwhelmed by some of the dishes. I have been to enough bham restaurants, chef's tastings and fancier (Michelin yada yada) to have an opinion: I think that for what it strives to be, it should be commended for its efforts, but unfortunately falls short. Taste wise some notes were great, however the wine pairing at $115 per person for the "full story" was disappointing. Mainly bc half the time the wines didn't come out with the meals. The meals themselves, as I have said, have some strong notes but nothing that blew it out of the water park again against what they are striving for. I think they also suffer atmosphere-wise due to the association with Pizitz's food hall which makes it noisy and difficult to do "mood lighting." All in all, glad we tried it and scratched the itch. But not dying to try again. read more

An ambitious and delicious concept. The first brick and mortar multi-course style French restaurant in Birmingham. The staff are top notch, the bar has a creative drink menu, although a limited wine menu (though I anticipate that will improve) The 10 course meal was phenomenal! The squid ink and truffle beignet to start was super unique and packed with umami. My favorite overall bite was the sweetbreads as boneless nuggets with blue cheese foam and celery relish! I would have taken home a box of 20! Each course told a story and employed unique cooking techniques. I was very impressed. From staff, to ambiance to amazing food this is a new heavy hitter in the Birmingham food scene! read more

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Looking to have your taste buds lit up like pop rocks on the the Fourth of July. Sit down and have the servers walk you through a dinning adventure that will leave you breathless. Taste your way through what is Birmingham only restaurant (in my opinion) Tucked away in the Pizitz enter through their side entrance where you park your car right up front. From cocktails to wine the beverage program brings allocations to this small little city. Chef Jacob's curated tasting menu changes daily; it will leave you improper because your jaw is left wide open desiring the next course. Wow, amazing, and oh my goodness is how the food will be described. This is what eating out should be about. Finish with dessert curated by Chef Kate, recipes lost in time that makes you wish you saved room. read more

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Just had another phenomenal meal here. Jacob and his team delivered an unforgettable ten-course tasting experience (the lamb, absolutely incredible). We opted for the wine pairing as well, and it was Michelin quality across the board. I don't usually gravitate toward Old World wines, but the selections with each course were spot on and truly elevated the meal. What made the evening even more special was getting to meet Jacob and his mom afterward. They made us feel like family. Birmingham has an outstanding food scene, but I love the Michelin level approach to dining they're bringing here. read more

This experience was so fun and so delicious ! The server was so patient, knowledgeable and fun. We did the 6 course meal and did a wine pairing with it as well- would recommend if you are open to trying new things read more

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Exactly what I was hoping for. Something unique to Birmingham and a really neat experience. Finally I don't have to go to a Michelin city for a Michelin experience. My wife and I sat at the counter next to the chef and it's definitely what I'd recommend. Almost every round the chef would look over to see our reception of the dish and give more insight, it was a really neat perk. read more

Reve - Menu - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

We celebrated my mom's 90th birthday. She had never had a tasting menu before. Reve did not disappoint. Cali took great care of us; her suggestions were helpful, and she did a great job describing our dishes. Caitlyn, the pastry chef, came to our table and visited with us - a very personal touch that was appreciated (browned butter bits!!). This was a very nice experience. Don't let the size fool you - you will be pleasantly "full" when you leave. read more

Excellent upscale modern French cuisine with a unique flair all their own. Modern inspired drink selections with an excellent wine selection and pairing. Tasting menu is a great way to dine with multiple options that satisfies the palate. Ever changing menu which is nice to be able to sample different tastes all the time. Inspired menu worthy of other high class restaurants such as Alinea or French Laundry. Impeccable service with attention to detail. I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience, and I will definitely be back time and again. read more

If you allow the Chef to cook for you no questions the tasting menu will be a treat. Did you argue with moma what she fed you! Sit back and enjoy read more

I tried Rev for the first time and really enjoyed both the food and the overall experience. I had the Attelier (sp?)--the six-course meal. While some courses stood out more than others, one in particular--the deconstructed French onion soup--was plate-licking, out-of-this-world good. The service was excellent. Each course was explained clearly, and the pacing was spot-on. In my opinion, this is the most unique dining experience in Birmingham and definitely worth a visit. read more

For those who have experienced fine dining at its best and do not want to read through the review, save your time and money. It is expected that a tasting menu with 10 courses can be expensive, the quality of the food did not rise to what would be reasonable with the cost of the dining experience.While Reve means dream, this experience (other than our waitress) was more of cauchemar or nightmare.We arrived about 15 minutes early and were seated immediately by friendly staff. The menu and beverage selections were explained and a complimentary beverage was delivered. The assorted canapés were the highlight of the meal. Each item was presented well and had a nice flavor profile. The French butter for the pull apart rolls was exquisite. Unfortunately, it was downhill from there. The various courses were nicely presented, but were an exercise in presentation over flavor. One course included semi warm mashed potatoes on one side and potato ice cream with caviar on the other. The mashed potatoes were flavored as well as any home cook could make, but the potato ice cream was just strange. One of the courses included an overcooked, under flavored piece of halibut topped with potatoes. The time between courses was much too long and the dinner lacked flow. Our meal was made much less enjoyable by the group of influencers who arrived midway through our meal with their professional stage lighting in tow. We were told they advised Reve they would be posting to social media so their meal was comped. Reve was not aware of their plans for disruptive lighting and handled the situation. We ate at a Michelin Star tasting menu restaurant in Rome that was phenomenal from start to finish. Each course flowed without the long delays we experienced at Reve. (39 minutes between one course) One of the desert courses was frozen so solid we struggled to eat it with the spoons provided. A knife would have helped. Without significant improvements in course delivery and flavor profiles, Reve will likely be short lived here in Birmingham. read more

Reve - Canapés at Reve - French Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

1. The address has changed, they're at the food court semi permanently I was told by our server. I couldn't find another help page but they do have an open table page that has more information. And I will put my full review there and attach my notes from dinner here: - Weird emo music? And lots of covers that didn't fit the vibe at all being a fancier French restaurant.. - Bread was kind of hard which was odd - honey Butter was good - course 1: Oyster and potato pair was odd, potato cake just was very oily. - course 2: Then the vegetable dish with egg yolk was very good 8/10 this was the highlight of the night - Been an hour at this point - Said something and they changed the music !! - Music changed back to rap or something? - course 3: Bowl of potatoes?? One small piece of pork that was delicious, too bad it wasn't the star of the dish- Okay 3 tiny pieces found- still too bad. 3/10 - course 4: Very heavy on the strawberry, very sweet which I thought was odd not even half way through, maybe 4/10. Did not taste of duck liver but interesting and really liked the bark/ green topping - course 5: Veal cheek very soft, noodles not made here? Broth decent. Overall 5.5/10 - course6: Duck: good, very chocolatey sauce but great with the duck, cherries were very tart. Beets cooked well. Bao buns of duck leg were just too much at once - course 7: Lobster: good 6.5/10, great green curry sauce - course 8: Palette cleanser very good, nice balance of sweetness. 7/10 It had been about 2 1/2 - 3 hours at this point so we got the desserts boxed up to go! Overall experience id say maybe 4.5/10. I am being slightly generous with 3/5 rating. read more

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Slow and sloppy. On our way out we were trapped in the atrium. We were literally locked and couldn't get out and couldn't get back in. When I finally busted open the door, one of the waiters said "you don't have to open the door like that!" as if I had done wrong. They literally trapped us in the atrium and we couldn't get out not could we get back in due to their negligence. This place needs to fail. read more

Pricy, slow, went there on a French onion soup crawl. Yes we were comparing French onion soups. It was cold and wintery. French onion soup is the sin qua um singly qua... that Latin phrase for "the very thing" for cold weather food. Reve has a bold yet delicious reimagining of French onion soup. More like stew but really tasty. I would eat it weekly all winter. The drinks were super wierd and involved lots of fermentation and odd alchemy. The bartender forgot to shake my friend's blue cheese martini (shaken till ice cold is their description not mine) so my drink was warm and fetid. I traded my clarified sazerac with my friend for the fetid martini and snuck some ice in and stirred 30seconds and it transformed into a facsimile of what it was supposed to be and was odd and good. Also, couldn't resist the giant vegetable -tater tots. Filling. Will go back again to try their other offerings. read more

In response to Rêve's reply to my initial Google review posted on August 2, 2025, I feel compelled to clarify and expand upon my experience during my first--and only--visit to this establishment. I had been genuinely excited to dine at Rêve, especially while hosting a friend visiting from out of town. As fellow food enthusiasts, we looked forward to enjoying what we believed would be an elevated dining experience, particularly given the restaurant's high Google rating. We arrived on a Sunday at approximately 5:30 PM for our 6:30 PM reservation, hoping to enjoy the happy hour that had been advertised on Rêve's Instagram page. Upon entry, in a nearly empty restaurant, we were informed that happy hour had been canceled due to a large party and that the dining room was closed. This was concerning, as I had made my reservation more than a week in advance and received no prior notification of such a closure. When I inquired whether our reservation would still be honored and if we could be seated early, the staff confirmed both. Regarding attire: we were dressed appropriately for an upscale yet modern restaurant--my outfit included a linen blouse and dark, fitted denim. If there were concerns about our appearance, they should have been addressed at the door. For clarity, your own social media features public figures, including the mayor, wearing jeans at your establishment, which suggests your dress code is not consistently enforced or clearly communicated. I also want to address the implication in your response that I asked for a discount inappropriately. If I did inquire, it would have been about a military discount. As a veteran, I don't believe this was an unreasonable question. To suggest that such an inquiry was offensive or disqualifies my opinion of the food is both unfair and dismissive. Now to the food--unfortunately, it did not live up to our expectations. While I refrained from providing explicit details in my initial review out of courtesy, Rêve's response has prompted me to be more transparent. The Raviolo de Crabe resembled canned ravioli in both taste and texture. The Deep South of France dish reminded me of cold, canned creamed corn with a faint trace of fish, and because it was a hot dish served cold, we had to send it back, and it was removed from the ticket by the chef. The Amandine lacked the described flavors of green beans and lemon confit, and instead triggered an unpleasant physical reaction. One canapé was so off-putting that I discreetly removed it from my mouth and left it on the plate. Despite these disappointments, I remained polite to the staff, did not complain during the meal, and left a generous tip. At no point did anyone in my party disrespect your team in any way. In retrospect, perhaps I should have spoken with a manager at the time, but I chose instead to move on and offer polite feedback in brief and simple review. It was disheartening to read a response that seemed to attack my character rather than reflect on the feedback provided. Rather than addressing my concerns with professionalism, Rêve responded in a manner that felt defensive and dismissive. There were only a few other parties dining during our visit, and based on what I observed, their enthusiasm seemed similarly muted. Plating consistency also appeared to vary across tables, which further reinforced our impression that the attention to detail was lacking. I did not want this to become a negative exchange. I initially waited two weeks before posting a review to allow time for reflection. Unfortunately, your public reply escalated the situation unnecessarily. My intention was to provide honest, constructive feedback--not to be disparaged for doing so. Lastly, while the food fell short, I did enjoy the cocktails, and our server was kind and attentive throughout the evening. I appreciated their professionalism. In your initial response to my first review, you recommended that I try another restaurant instead of giving you another chance. Thank you for the encouragement--I will take that advice to heart, and will not return. read more

My husband and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary here last night. We enjoyed the fabulous 10 course dinner as well as the accompanying cocktails. Their service was fantastic, the food was unforgettable and one of the dishes is hands-down in the top 10 of dishes I've ever eaten. My husband and I really enjoy a well curated and refined menu and the chef story through food was second to none in Birmingham. If you truly appreciate fine cuisine and have a refined palette that appreciates high-quality ingredients used in interesting and unique ways than you need to make a reservation. read more

This place was great. I had a great time here. The food was absolutely delicious and so new. I loved the creativity of the dishes. We had the 10 course tasting menu and let me tell you one of the most unique concept of foie gras, it was amazing. The desserts were great. I don't like blue cheese but one of the dishes had that and I couldn't stop eating it. Their drinks were quite innovative too. I had the bourbon drink which was deadly good. Our waiter was so knowledgeable and pleasant. It was very nice to have that alongside the ambiance. I would definitely want to come back here. I will recommend this place to everyone wanting some French innovation in their meals. Cheers. read more

This is the best restaurant in Birmingham right now. They are striving to be more than a Birmingham restaurant. Excellent fine dining without the pretentiousness. I read the other reviews, and they are dissociated from reality. Please go and try. My wife and I got the 6 course tasting menu, and each got different things, so we tried 12 dishes. Every bite was differentiated, elevated, and exquisite. The only criticism that makes sense is being attached to the Pizits. Will, our server did a fantastic job, and we enjoyed a short conversation with the pastry chef, whose detailed description made obvious the attention to detail and love of her craft. I would highly recommend Reve to anyone looking for an elevated, curated, and delicious dining experience. read more

Nothing was delicious, actually pretty bad. We had to send items back, due to temperature or just an overall bad taste. One dish tasted like canned ravioli loaded with cumin! My dining companion actually had to spit the food out to stop the gagging. When you spend this amount of money it creates expectations and a level of excitement, but unfortunately with Reve this was money wasted and excitement deflated. read more

Food was a joke. Keep in mind while reading this, we had to go to ANOTHER restaurant immediately afterward because no one that was with us got full or even remotely satisfied. It's a tweezer chef place where he clearly is just trying to make tiny little artistic plates but with no actual cooking or flavor profile talent. Anyway, reminded my wife and I of canned food made to look pretty. We were tricked. They completely ruined the amberjack and its naturally amazing flavor with some kind of gross, overbearing gel?!? They disgraced Cajun food and the state of Louisiana by claiming to serve gumbo... My entire family makes gumbo and no matter who makes it or how it's made, all different recipes, it's always phenomenal. This was not gumbo. It was over seasoned soup. Lol just awful. Then we get a cheesecake that tasted like Publix cheesecake that just sat in the fridge uncovered too long with a topping to cover up the lack of skill that went into making it. Do not waste time and money here. Despite the restaurant being slow, the service was slow as well. Management was not friendly either. Hospitality doesn't seem important to this establishment. Instead they take an elitist approach. The facility looked elegant and clean, so we expected so much more than the disappointment we experienced. If you want a much better meal, do yourself a favor and go to a real restaurant like Bottega, Bayonet, Chez Fonton, Ovenbird, or even SAW's BBQ blows this fake fine dining place out of the water. Doubt they'll last long unless they make some serious changes. Surprised they're even still open. read more

Two friends and I were excited to try this new French restaurant. The decor is lovely. We began with drinks, which were attractive and tasty, and three starters: potato rosti, gem lettuces salad, and gougeres. The gougeres arrived first. They were small and cooked to a crisp, which became the theme for the night. The salad was lettuce with buttermilk dressing and grated cheese on top. It was fine, although rather bland. The rosti was crispier than one would expect, but one of us liked it. For the main course two of us ordered coq au vin and one the halibut. All arrived overcooked, completely dried out. One companion ate only a single bite of the coq au vin before setting it aside. No one finished their food. We were all feeling pretty glum about the meal. Then the pastry chef brought out her chocolate soufflé. She was charming as she described it and the souffle was fabulous. We all agreed we might return, but only for drinks and desert. read more