I stopped by Trattoria ZaZa for brunch on Sunday after church, and overall, I had a really…read moreenjoyable experience. There was a bit of a wait before my order was taken, but honestly, it worked out in my favor because it gave me plenty of time to look over the menu. There were so many tempting options that it was honestly hard to decide! I ultimately chose three items and enjoyed a few bites of each. Ham & Fontina Scone: This was my first time trying a scone, and I was pleasantly surprised. The texture reminded me of a dry biscuit, but the ham added a delicious savory flavor that I really enjoyed. Frittata Plate: The frittata was SO good! It wasn't too dry, and all of the flavors worked really well together. It was served with polenta, which reminded me of really fine grits, along with fruit. After trying it, I realized that one entrée would definitely be enough for me to enjoy on its own. Breakfast 'ZA: This was essentially a breakfast pizza topped with a fried egg, and the egg was such a nice touch. The 'ZA itself was really good, although I think adding something similar to a gravy or sauce would make it a little less dry. Even without it, though, the fried egg really took it to another level. Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso: I decided to try the Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, which was the barista's pick. This was my first time having a shaken espresso, and I'm so glad I gave it a try! It was refreshing and perfect for a hot day. The inside of Trattoria ZaZa is nice, although it is somewhat small, so I opted to sit outside. It was a very warm day, but the awning provided plenty of shade and made the outdoor seating comfortable. I also appreciated that, even though the restaurant doesn't have traditional table service, someone periodically checked on me to make sure I didn't need anything else. Overall, I had a great brunch experience at Trattoria ZaZa. There were plenty of menu options, the food was flavorful, and I really enjoyed trying a few things that were new to me. I'd definitely be open to coming back and trying more of the menu!

We came for dinner before a show down the street at the Lyric. First time here. She had the baked…read moremacaroni and cheese with vegetables added and absolutely loved it. I had the daily special, which was a broken lasagna. Also very, very good. Mixed greens on the side rounded out our table. The pizza looked very good and reminded us of pizza in a shop we love in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. It's walk up service, no ordering from your table, which was fine. The menu has a nice variety. The store is a downtown casual vibe. We probably should've opted for outdoor seating, because the evening was so nice.

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.

I was in town for a concert and came across this restaurant on TikTok, so my daughter and I decided…read moreto give it a try. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the hostess and seated inside. The interior has a nostalgic, warm vibe and would be a great setting for a date night. Our server was awesome! He was friendly, attentive, and recommended some great food and drink options. I also really enjoyed the open-kitchen concept, as I always like being able to see the food being prepared. My only concern was with a couple of things I noticed in the kitchen. Since the kitchen is completely open and visible to guests, I think extra attention should be given to sanitation and overall presentation. I noticed one of the cooks drinking while preparing food, and another wiped his nose with his arm while working. Although he didn't use his hand, it still left me feeling a little uneasy. When guests can see directly into the kitchen, those small details really matter. Aside from that, we enjoyed our experience, and I do think this is a place worth trying at least once. The atmosphere, service, and recommendations from our server were definitely highlights of our visit.

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.

We arrived 1:45pm on a Thursday and it was empty except for another party. We easily found street…read moreparking outside the restaurant. I ordered the Banana Puddin' cold brew that was really good. They also serve pour over! Vanilla-Cinnamon French Toast came with 2 small bread slices - I liked that the portion was small and manageable. We also ordered the Quinoa & Black Bean Burger and the BE Hive Quinoa Bowl. They are great options for vegan / plant-based / vegetarian members in your party. The Biscuit Board comes with 4 mini biscuits and 4 different spreads, which was nice to share with the group. We all liked that the restaurant was quiet and bright and airy.

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.

Got fried green tomato Benedict with salmon for brunch. Absolutely delicious. Beautiful place. Good…read moreservice. Got free champagne because our food took a little longer to come out even though it didn't feel that long to us. This place is on the fancier side - a place I might take out of town guests. I would highly suggest getting a reservation. Will definitely be back!

Chile please keep your money. This place (in my opinion) has little bang for a big buck. The…read moreservice was great so if it was solely based on that I'd give them a 5 star. But I'm sorry the food? (In my case shrimp and grits) was NOT GOOD. And don't get me wrong, it wasn't a horrible flavor, but the flavors it did have were terrible. First the grits are not smooth at all. Like they aren't super course but they definitely could have been cooked down more. And they had little seasoning. And that's being generous. Then the "creole" sauce on top? Can we ask the audience what they consider creole? Because that was just pure tomato sauce. Like straight out a can, had to be. No way someone cooked that sauce from scratch or even with creole seasonings or typical additives I'm sorry I just refuse to believe it. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST... 5 shrimp??? You can't be serious. I could understand 5 shrimp if they're the huge jumbo ones but these are smedium at best. Like I feel BAMBOOZLED because no way I paid 24$ for 5 shrimp and maybe 1.5 cups of grits. But imma be honest I'm not surprised the food wasn't that good. Any place that puts on the bottom "we can't refund for food you don't like" that should tell you everything you need to know. But I digress My friends said the tequila sunrise was good so that's another star. Service and tequila sunrise. The only highlights. The venue is pretty but I don't recommend

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.

9/14/26 Today I visited Ruby Sunshine on Oxmoor Rd in Homewood, Alabama. The food was next level…read moreawesome. The fried green tomatoes are the best in the world and deserving of a Michelin Star. It is clear that chef D'Angelo cooks from the heart. Our server Trey was kind, pleasant and very engaging. Service was quick. The French toast melted into your mouth and was perfectly prepared. Delicious. Or as my wife put it, "Slamming !!" The Ambiance was excellent, a combination of cozy and community very conversational. I had the omelette, grits and a pancake. Everything was seasoned to perfection. I will come back and bring friends. Chef kiss.

My guy and I visited here recently and I must say, it's been awhile since I've had such a poor…read moreexperience at a restaurant. It's been a few years since I've been here (since they first opened), and I am in no hurry to return. What went wrong shouldn't be the question. What actually went right should be asked. Let's start at the beginning. We visited on a beautiful Saturday mid morning but were quickly seated after arriving. The server asked us if he could start us off with drinks. I shared I was there for the Yelp event, and he ignored that and repeated his question about drinks. He also stated he was busy, which I didn't know how to take. I felt rushed to make my drink decision, which ended up in me not enjoying the iced vanilla coffee I settled upon. For our order, we ordered the original beignets, the breakfast sandwich with potatoes and the 3 Little Piggy Omelette with cheese grits. After waiting for 20-30 minutes, our server returned to say that he just realized that our order was not in the queue. He said that that had never happened to him before, and said that maybe the weather was making the computers mess up. He said he would put in a rush for our food. I can say he seemed apologetic but I think it was an error on his part, not the computer. After all, he had already mentioned how "busy" he was. And I've never known a sunny, cloudless day to mess with computers. He typed our order in again and this time, the food was out within 15 minutes. The beignets were the best part of the meal. The breakfast sandwich (on sourdough) was hard and dry. The potatoes looked unappealing and lacked salt. My guy remarked his food was ok but commented on how "used" the butter looked. See included picture. The server checked on us periodically. We are not complainers so no we didn't mention any of this to the server. After requesting a box for the leftovers and the check, it was another 15-20 minutes before we saw either, even though he came around twice more and repeated what we had asked him for. We did leave a tip although this was one of the poorest experiences we've had in ages. We will not return anytime soon to this location.

First of all the chicken was superb! Crispy and flavorful, yet not dry. I adored The Squawking…read moreGoat, all flavors worked well together. We loved the bacon. Hubby wasn't a fan of the asiago/bacon waffles, which come with the Chix and Waffles; I tried them and it is an acquired after taste. Neither of us were big fans of the smashed potatoes, although the sauce was refreshing. We wondered why they are "smashed," but round? Overall, food was satisfactory! Service was quick and helpful, and it wasn't as busy after 9. It is more of a community based set up. We appreciated the inclusive environment and staff, but we did have to move after being next to the dirty dish station and having multiple angry outbursts from the young lady working/cleaning and overly loud placement of dishes. We gave her the benefit of the doubt.

So I visited this establishment a couple of days ago for a quick breakfast . The place is nestled…read moreon the corner of 18th street South. I walk in and to your right you go up to order your breakfast items. Good selection for quick breakfast dining . Nothing too overwhelming to decide on. I choose the breakfast hash with a side of grits with coffee to drink. They call you up once your food is ready. I ordered the hash and a side of grits.. They were OK.. I do prefer my grits a little thicker a little cheesier . They have more of a contemporary style of grits which it was OK, but I'm just kinda finicky when it comes to some old-fashioned grits. I tried the maple coffee which was pretty good. Had more than my fair share. There is also, seating inside and outside. Come and check this place out.

Such a cozy and retro space! Not too bright but just the right amount of neon and nostalgia from…read moredecor to seating areas. Service was quick, friendly, and helpful when picking flavor choices. I dined in and enjoyed the vanilla doughnut more than the fritter, mainly because if the fritter was warmed up it would have been amazing! Cold cinnamon, glaze, bread, and apples aren't as appealing to me, but maybe I missed an option to warm it up. That wouldn't stop me from visiting again!

This donut shop was a surprise stop after our walking tour of the Rotary Trail. A very cute donut…read moreshop with retro diner vibes and friendly staff. We ordered a maple sea salt and apple cider donut along with some little mini sidekicks to split among our group. The maple sea salt was my favorite of the bunch. Glad we were able to grab some yummy treats while visiting downtown Birmingham!

Food and service was amazing for brunch this morning! Also the Breakfast Dude drink is to die for!…read moreWill be back!

My first time visiting, from the reviews I was very excited to eat here for breakfast. I ordered…read morethe bbb breakfast plate. The grits are not normal grits - which the extra ingredients aren't disclosed on the menu, highly disappointed. Then I ordered scrambled eggs and they put cheese on the inside of the eggs - never asked for that. They took over 15minutes to make fresh eggs and by then I had already completed my meal. It would be nice to see more descriptions on your menu if an item is not standard ingredients instead of a surprise or even to make regular grits too. The waitress Sherlyn was very nice and accommodating with getting those items removed and overall a good waitress with the other things being beyond her control.