The Essential

137

481

2 years ago

Food is high quality and delicious. It is a small menu but they do everything well. Service was great at the bar, and I love the design of the restaurant. read more

The Essential - Red snapper - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Daiquiri - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Malcolm H.

1 year ago

This place is consistent and consistently good, the drinks are good for the most part. The food is consistently good. This place is a consistent staple for me . read more

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Michiko M.

777

1538

3 years ago

Great experience! Make sure to make reservations ahead of time. The hostess put us on the bar waitlist and it took about 15-20 minutes. Hands down best caesar salad I've had. Such a unique twist to it. The baked mozerella was also so good! read more

The Essential - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Baked - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Davida B.

187

347

1416

3 years ago

Great food and drinks. The bartender, Libby, was on point! I ordered the five grain salad and it did not disappoint. My friend ordered a pasta dish that she said was delicious. Their menu changes seasonally my visit was in December 2023. I ordered a drink called Lillypad. It's my new favorite. read more

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Mary S.

1 year ago

Great lunch 5 grain salad. Drizzle honey on top. Excellent waitress Canna suggested. Enjoyed very much as out of town visitor.

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Anne P.

1 year ago

We popped in for a late lunch and we're not disappointed. Cool vibe, relaxed mid-century vibe. Excellent cocktails. We started with the beef tartare (which wasn't my favorite dish as it had a but too much stuff added to the beef but the presentation and accompaniments were great), continues with a versatile salad that we split. For our main I had the gulf fish piccata and my hubs had the scallops. Both were really excellent and creative dishes! The service was attentive but not hurried. Highly recommend! read more

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Laura D.

Elite 25

120

181

186

3 years ago

Some bites were incredible! Others were a let down. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, and I hope next time every bite is amazing!!! The good: the apple crisp was the best I've ever had. It was spectacular! Garlic bread was substantial and tasty! The meh: cool aesthetic, but bad acoustics. Tiny tables made me feel a little crammed. The bad: the crab bucatini was such a let down. Way overpriced and the flavors just didn't hit. There was a pickled flavor didn't work for me (and wasn't hinted at on the menu description either). I also had quite literally, no crab. Maybe it all broke down into sauce, but you couldn't see a single tiny sliver of crab. My husband got the same dish and could only find two tiny slivers of crab. Truly almost microscopic. If I come back I'll for sure try a different entree!! read more

The Essential - Garlic bread - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Apple crisp - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Crab bucatini - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Bentley B.

1 year ago

We both got the eggs Benedict and it was top 3 best Benedict's we've ever had! (And we're Benedict connoisseurs) The decoration is great. It gives for a nice sunny vibe. Our server wasn't overbearingly nice, but they were super kind. No notes, 5 stars! read more

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Mark C.

166

342

2 years ago

Found this gem by chance coming from out of town on trip. Love the limited but diverse menu I believe too big a menu is a fault. Let's be real , can't do everything excellent. Our group of 8 ordered a wide range of items and entrees. From pasta ,fish and their renowned hamburger. Service was spot on with the manager Wes, showing up and pouring wine and engaged. High quality ingredients was a big plus. read more

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Lynda C.

1 year ago

Excellent service from Joe and excellent food loved this restaurant Ambiance was cozy and very clean Sat outside and enjoyed the street views read more

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Ayns N.

2 years ago

$$ is wildly incorrect . I spent 64 on half an appetizer, a 1/4th of the cheapest bottle of wine, a salad, and half a carrot cake. The appetizer and cake were AMAZING, like life changing, but otherwise was fairly disappointed. The staff, however, was the redeeming quality. I LOVED our waiter!! She split the check in a crazy complicated way, which she should have said no to, but she stuck with us. Also gave amazing recommendations, and was just a friendly person. Once again, we were recommended to come here for the interior design, which was decent, but the lighting was bad late at night. Not a big deal, but that's the architect within me. read more

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Max F.

567

447

5 years ago

It's a great place with unique food and ambiance. Service is super professional. Their patio is cozy and well heated and can be enjoyed also in cold days. The very big Minus is being unfriendly to kids. It's so clear they don't like kids around that they could as well write it on their advertisement. But, after all is a great place to hang out with your hipster friends. Recommended read more

The Essential - The hash - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Susan B.

9 months ago

Our party of 6 dined at Essential on a Sunday night. Our waiter was very personable and helpful, an encouraging sign. Unfortunately, when our food arrived, we quickly realized that the quality of the food and the inflated prices were not commensurate with the service. Our pasta dishes were, in the truest sense, something we could make at home for far less and equal satisfaction. My Bistro steak, though perfectly cooked, was drowned in a balsamic concoction that threatened to obscure the delicious beefy goodness of the meat that I could rescue . The best thing we ordered was the sour dough bread-- four small slices for 8 bucks! Apart from the inflated prices, the noise in the venue made conversation difficult; and, since we had to wait nearly an hour for our meals, we were challenged. Fortunately, we had that delicious over-priced sour dough bread to fill in the gaps. read more

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Erica P.

235

157

212

3 years ago

We always enjoy ourselves when we go! Never bad service, and our food is always freshly cooked. Drinks are A1, and it's such a cute cozy little vibe in there! I love the smoked salmon Benedict and they make a great lemon drop. The Irish coffee is strong!, but really good. Sometimes, they're can be a little wait, but it's always worth it read more

The Essential - Lemon drop with tequila - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Jamie M.

183

314

4 years ago

This is a cute dinner brunch spot right on First Avenue. They have excellent customer service the staff is very energetic they greet you immediately. We ran in for a quick dinner on a weeknight, and the waiter was great at suggesting things for us to try. We tried the appetizer that he recommended, and the drinks that he told us were all great. The food came out promptly, just a clean, swift service that you can always enjoy in Birmingham. I had the lamb pasta, not the best thing in the world, but it was nice dish it was even better on the second day. read more

The Essential - Tan lines - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Amanda M.

451

273

812

3 years ago

We came here for Saturday brunch. Pro tip is to join the waitlist virtually from the Resy app. The lady on the phone gave me that recommendation when I called to inquire about the wait, and she was so upbeat and friendly! It took a little over an hour for our table to get ready. When we arrived, we were disappointed to see they were seating three of us on a table that was hardly big enough for even two people. We felt like we were in the walkway. The music was also insanely loud, especially for an early brunch hour. We considered sitting outside in the heat due to the noise levels. Our server was very friendly. She gave recommendations. Our table split the French toast, and we all got separate meals to then try. I got the mushroom madame. It came with a small "salad," but this was basically just salted lettuce leaves. The dish itself was just okay. We all felt that way regarding our orders. We liked the French toast, but it was quite rich. It was a cute establishment with friendly faces, but it's not somewhere that we will likely return. Worth checking out once though! read more

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Linda D.

189

343

1153

3 years ago

This was our first meal ever in Birmingham and we were pleased we came to The Essential. We just got into town and saw this restaurant mentioned a few places and has 4.5 hearts on GF Foodie, they were great to make accommodations for GF. Service was excellent, Kevin was spot on, friendly and efficient. His suggestions were very helpful. They a a GF IPA which my husband enjoyed and I had the "Lux be a Lady" it was so refreshing! Just the thing to start the night off, since we went with the Caesar salads, one with Chicken and one with Smoked Salmon we decided to splurge on two small plates, one French fries with Parmesan and garlic aioli and an Heirloom tomatoes with mini chickpeas, olive oil and Tzatziki sauce with herbs so delicious! Sadly no GF bread, but do have GF pasta. Had decaf cappuccino with the Chocolate Bundino a rich ganache-like creation ask for it without the cookies if you're GF, paired beautifully with the cappuccino. The ambiance is French bistro chic with marble tabes, linen napkins and inside and outside eating areas. Valet parking, street or parking garage with limited spaces across the cobble stone street. Sound bounces al over the place inside, so if you want to focus on your conversation, opt for the patio. Either way you'll have a great meal in a fun space with great service! Hello Birmingham! read more

The Essential - Chocolate Bondoni - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Small plate fries - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Cappuccino with Oatmilk and delicious chocolate dessert - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Lux Be a Lady - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Caesar with Smoked Salmon - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Caesar with chicken - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Paige L.

148

1 year ago

Enjoyed a lunch with two former students at this wonderful restaurant. I enjoyed the agnolotti while they both had the ham and cheese sandwich. Whipped feta appetizer was a wonderful treat too. read more

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Samantha L.

2 years ago

Yes. Just yes. Service, atmosphere, cocktails, food, . Rolled in on a Sunday night after the place cleared out. I was brought the perfect vodka martini. We were lucky to have the lovely server Blake's full attention. He helped us pick the perfect meal for our mood. Let me just say: get the beets. Everything we had was tasty, but I'll crave the beets. Carrot cake also insanely delicious. Enjoy! read more

The Essential - Vodka Martini - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Exterior - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Beets - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Eileen S.

1 year ago

The food is deliciously crafted and unique cocktails are tasty. It's quaint and has a romantic ambiance. I really enjoy dining here.

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MD S.

1 year ago

Delicious!!! We ordered the Hash, a burger.. and a bloody mary. The mary was great, really good flavor! The Hash was amazing!!!!! The burger was good. Service was great!! The ambiance was fantastic. Totally recommend! read more

The Essential - Burger - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Hash - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Bloody mary (already drinking some) :) - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Anna S.

143

1 year ago

The brunch menu is fantastic. Prices are a bit steep but the quality makes it worth it. Definitely worth giving this place a shot.

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Andrea R.

3 years ago

We love coming over here! They have a great selection of items, but you can never go wrong with their burger. It is one of my favorites in Birmingham! The staff is all very friendly and the restaurant is in a beautiful area. The only downside is that the restaurant can get crowded at times. I hope to go one day to try out their brunch! read more

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Fred S.

123

129

5 years ago

First off the service was outstanding. Anna R was so informative about a quite interesting menu and all over it the rest of brunch. My wife had avocado toast with smoked salmon, roasted peppers, cream cheese and a poached egg. She said it was amazing. I had "The Hash", but not corn beef hash,conecuh bacon hash with pan seared potatoes and roasted peppers Two eggs over medium on top made for quite a tasty dish!. We finished up with a lemon meringue tart that was one of the best, not heavy, deserts we have ever had. If there is any room for improvement here it comes from the bar. With a brunch like that a top notch bloody Mary would've been fantastic. Average at best. Overall an amazing brunch from service to desert. read more

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Joshua B.

3 years ago

I chose to go to The Essential last minute for my Birthday and thankfully I was able to grab a table for two and a little baby without a reservation. First off the food was delicious! I ordered the Half Chicken Piri Piri and my wife had the Cheeseburger. Both were so good I forgot to snap a picture of it. The Chicken Piri Piri was so juicy and full of flavor and came on top of a generous portion of seasoned just right fries. My wife's cheeseburger was the bomb and also came with loads of fries. I totally almost forgot that we ordered spaghetti and meatballs for the little one and she LOVED IT! The ambience was as expected, lively and full of laughter and the music was a hit for the little one. Haha Lastly we enjoyed a house margarita and an espresso martini that was phenomenal and are certainly come back again with friends and family. The greeter was very pleasant and welcoming and the server was attentive but didn't pester us. read more

The Essential - Espresso Martini - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Labarron C.

2 years ago

I never order cheese burgers when I go out. It wanted to be different and try something new and boy let me tell you it was one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. Quad is the BEST bartender in the world and to be honest he's the only reason I finally decided to just check it out. He recommended the tomatoes and peaches and it was different but I enjoyed my overall experience. I also ordered the carrot cake to go and it was chefs kiss. read more

The Essential - Peaches & Tomatoes - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Cheese Burger - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Kristie B.

Elite 18

123

411

2 years ago

Our server was great!! We told him we were in town for a few days and then we are heading farther south. He had wonderful recommendations that 4 of us took advantage of! I would recommend going here! It was a bit loud but it worked for the 4 of us! read more

The Essential - Tomatoes and peaches Delicious! - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Linda R.

185

731

1287

5 years ago

My husband and I often laugh about YELPing places to eat and which of us more often chooses correctly and which of us chooses incorrectly. He continued his winning streak by finding this gem. Wow, just wow! It's a smallish intimate place with a lovely little patio. The bar takes up nearly 1/3 of the space and was quite busy while we were there. We had stopped into a boutique just before (found some cute clothes for me!) and the sales clerk recommended the tomato pie. She wasn't wrong, the flavor was fantastic and the flaky crust was perfect. We then shared the Parisian gnocchi and the 5 grain salad, each were simply outstanding; the blend of ingredients was so spot on. We love a place that has numerous vegetarian options but the small, not limited, menu had plenty of options for both herbivores and carnivores. Though I am pescatarian, I have to say that the meat dishes looked fantastic. We finished with the semifreddo (see photo) and honestly I don't even remember what it was (dined there over a week ago, I know- not helpful) but I do remember thinking it was amazing. We also each enjoyed our espresso and cappuccino- bonus points for offering espresso, not drip coffee. Our waitress was delightful as well as helpful with choices. Our bill came with a very cute postcard... they have several of these whimsical postcards and I want them all! read more

The Essential - 5 grain salad - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Tomato pie - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Semifreddo - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Parisian gnocchi - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Jack W.

11 months ago

Fantastic food, highly recommend. I ordered the rigatoni as takeout, and it was great. Great taste, just enough spice and good portion size. Enjoyed the sourdough bread as well. read more

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Paul C.

623

777

1523

5 years ago

The restaurant is located on the cobblestone paved Morris Avenue. The restaurant has a nice outdoor seating area and the atmosphere is pretty cool. Our waiter was funny and attentive. I think his name was Jeff, and he was a good waiter. For dinner I had the 1/2 chicken with Piri Piri sauce. I thought it was just okay. The 1/2 chicken is basically a large split chicken breast. No leg, no thigh, no wing - "1/2 chicken" description is kind of misleading. The Piri Piri sauce is a complex paste-like sauce that is made with chilies, garlic, paprika and other spices. It is Portuguese in origin. I thought the sauce had a good flavor, but could have used some spicier chilies. My dinner companions ordered the Rigatoni and Tortellini dishes. They were very happy with these choices. For dessert we sampled Carrot Cake, Strawberry Tart, and Chocolate pots de creme. Desserts were good, and the consensus favorite was the Carrot Cake. read more

The Essential - Sourdough Bread - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Tortellini - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - 1/2 Chicken Piri Piri - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Essential - Rigatoni - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Omar S.

Elite 24

140

376

2 years ago

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at The Essential. They have creative cocktails, a desirable food menu, and great service. Others in the restaurant seemed happily pleased. read more

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Shannon L.

2 years ago

My second time at the Essential was just as good as the first. The service was great on this quiet weeknight date. The agnolotti was very tasty and the carrot cake was SO good, highly recommend. read more

The Essential - Agnolotti - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Chris G.

315

4 years ago

Intimate. Not stuffy. Impeccable. Here I am at 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning still thinking about the amberjack piccata I had last night. It was literally that good. And kind of resenting my wife for taking a couple of bites off my plate. Marriage counseling might be in order. read more

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Soumya K.

118

4 years ago

Before I say anything about the food itself, I'd like to say that the service here was incredibly friendly and left a great impression on me. We came here for dinner and the food was good, I had the carbonara pasta and my boyfriend had the Essential burger. Both were good and had nothing wrong with them, they just weren't anything too mind blowing. I would love to come back and try again for brunch since I've heard many good things! read more

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John L.

2 years ago

Wonderful experience today at the bar in the Essential. Service was great: informative & humble, attentive without being pushy., definitely friendly & kind. Had the Rainbow Trout in a beurre blanc sauce. The sauce was the star of the show: great butter lemon balance. Trout was very, very good. read more

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Meredith C.

2 years ago

Excellent service. And excellent food. Loving the new location on 1st Ave N. Outdoor seating area is perfect for mild evenings.

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Stephanie F.

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

157

473

3 years ago

Fabulous brunch in the downtown area. Great food, wonderful service. Delicious drinks. Be sure to make a reservation or get there early - this place is popular! read more

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Nguyen T.

3 years ago

Overall - 8.3/10 The road leading up to the essential is a little bumpy with very little parking try to look for parking a tad bit before you go down the road and take a nice little walk. The Essential has very little seating on the inside from what I could see, it looked like about 8 tables inside and then 10 seats at the bar or so. Make sure you come early, I came at 9:14 and the inside was full. As soon as we walked through the door my girlfriend and I got introduced by the very nice host and hostess, told us no seats inside. But they offered outdoor seating with personal space warmers so every table had their own heater, nice and toasty legs. Service was fast with plenty of servers, food took about 15 minutes to come out. Drinks - I thought mimosas were supposed to be in champagne glass and a side of the juice of your choice so this was a new experience for me. Orange mimosa tastes like a normal one, but the pomegranate was very light in the pomegranate flavor, i believe because of the sweet and fruity notes matched the champagne they used, so I really only tasted the champagne for the pomegranate mimosa. The hash - everything was well cooked, felt it lacked a little bit of some spice. Once we added the hot sauce, it was perfect and we licked the plate clean. Avocado Toast - we opted for the smoked salmon and I believe its a necessity to add the salmon. Without the salmon I believe it would've been way to repetitive in flavor and too fatty and rich to finish. The egg was cradled by the half avocado they topped it with and once i broke the egg, a golden waterfall was released. Perfectly cooked egg. Every bite felt like a new bite and it was just as good every time. read more

The Essential - Top: The Hash with orange mimosa Bottom: avocado toast with smoked salmon and pomegranate mimosa - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Page 3 of 13

2215 1st Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Directions
(205) 718-7612
Call Now
Visit Website
https://essentialbham.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does The Essential open?

The Essential opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.The Essential opens at 9:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.The Essential opens at 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

What time does The Essential close?

The Essential closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.The Essential closes at 2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMSat-Sun 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does The Essential take credit cards?

Yes, The Essential takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Essential have catering options?

No, The Essential does not have catering options.

Does The Essential have a drive thru?

No, The Essential does not have a drive thru.

Does The Essential have a happy hour?

Yes, The Essential has a happy hour.

Does The Essential serve alcohol?

Yes, The Essential serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does The Essential allow dogs?

No, The Essential does not allow dogs.

Does The Essential have TVs?

Yes, The Essential has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Essential have bike parking?

Yes, The Essential has bike parking.

Does The Essential have outdoor seating?

Yes, The Essential has outdoor seating options.

Does The Essential have parking?

Yes, The Essential has parking options. Street Parking, Valet Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Essential wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Essential is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Essential allow outdoor smoking?

No, The Essential does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does The Essential have free WiFi?

Yes, The Essential has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

American bistro open all day with fresh pasta, craft cocktails, natural wines, a really good chicken, and weekend brunch.

The Essential Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Essential

Any vegan food?

Vegan options are available by request only. We use fresh local produce so we can craft a dish to your specific needs. Of note, we don’t use any meat substitutes. Thank you!

View question details

Is there a gluten free bread option?

Is the pasta made in-house?

Always

View question details

What weekday breakfast do y'all server?

They only serve pastries for breakfast during weekdays. Lunch starts at 11 on weekdays.

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Do you have a lunch menu?

There is 1 menu served from 11am-10pm

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Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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In town for a conference and the restaurant was a block from my hotel…read more Inside is very casual. Kinda bar-like with a nice restaurant vibe! We sat at the bar since it was packed. Service at the bar was good considering every seat at the bar was taken. We ordered our food and it was out within 15-20 minutes. I ordered the Nashville hot chicken, but subbed the sides for the whole fried okra and Gouda grits. When I say those grits and okra hit.....somebody in that kitchen knows what they're doing! The chicken breasts were juicy and flavorful. The spice level was typical for Nashville hot chicken, which I sometimes I can't take. But I loved the flavor so much I couldn't stop eating it. I will eat here again when I return to the city!

I found The Southern Kitchen & Bar completely through Yelp and the Yelp reviews, and I am glad I…read moredid. When I came in, the place was crowded, which is usually a very good sign. It had a good energy right away. I had been looking at a few things on the menu and was really going back and forth. I was interested in the hot chicken, the Brussels sprouts, and also the ribeye Philly cheesesteak. They told me both were really good, and I ended up going with the ribeye Philly cheesesteak. Great choice. I also got a side salad with the chipotle ranch dressing and that was very good too. Picture below. For dessert, I was planning on getting the key lime pie, because that is usually my move, but Hayden my server talked me into trying the blueberry cobbler cheesecake instead. I am glad he did. It was very good. Picture below. Between the crowded room, the good service, and the food, this was a very strong experience all the way around. I am giving The Southern Kitchen & Bar 5 stars.

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Juniper

Excellent cocktail program!! A Gin focused bar, though they do have a small selection of tequila,…read morevodka, whiskey, beer & wine. Food was great, dish & chips was the perfect girl dinner. Fantastic service all around, especially Ginger & Margot. I do wish the bar seats were a little more comfy but that's always a crap shoot with sitting at the bar. There is plenty of dining seats that look more comfy

Been here a few times but realized I may not have left a review…read more The brunch today was delish. I ordered the avocado toast. It has a nice slice of toast with cream cheese, thinly sliced avocado on top, and a boiled egg. I really enjoyed it with a side of bacon. My husband ordered the egg cheese Sammy. It was really yummy as well. We had a French press coffee and mimosa. The decor was really pretty. I've been here for dinner and enjoy the dinner menu as well. I've had the burger before for brunch and that was really juicy and nice. No complaints here :) Great outdoor patio. Parking on the street. Definitely check them out!

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I was originally planning to go elsewhere for lunch but due to a special event ended up here…read moreinstead. I had been before for lunch awhile back and recalled enjoying it. Seated immediately by the Friendly staff. After a bit of trying to decide, I settled on the Basically Famous Fried Chicken Finger Plate with side of Regular Tots (instead of the Parmesan Truffle) and Street Corn. I had intended to save a couple of the chicken pieces and some of the tots for lunch the next day. But it was so good I ate it all! Even though parking can be a little challenging at the SoHo area, I consistently can find an available space in the underground parking garage. While I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch, they need a lunch menu with smaller portions and pricing for me to come back more often.

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Current Charcoal Grill

My God, I thought fine dining had finally died, especially after covid. Current Charcoal Grill is…read morethe first restaurant I've been to in years that still understands and executes on everything that makes eating out enjoyable. The service is *excellent* with a capital "E." We ate at the bar, and the staff were friendly, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about every single aspect of the restaurant. They have tried everything on the menu themselves. They can describe any one of the imported liquors up on the wall. These are real deal professionals who illustrate just how important the people in a restaurant's front truly are. The food? Delicious. It's a wild grab bag of East Asian fare - Chinese, Japanese, Thai - and it's all done extremely well. The portions are small, which is good, since you'll want to try half a dozen things on Current's very deliberately thought-out menu. The Peking Duck is some of the best I've had. The cocktails are also excellent, with my favorite being a delicious, earthy combination of coconut, lime, and pandan. It's like an extremely upscale tiki drink. I cannot recommend this place enough. Absolutely perfect. 5 stars.

My friend, Julia, and I tried current the other night! We walked in and immediately loved the vibes…read moreand upscale, quirky, modern feel of it all. High ceilings and exposed brick are a few of the ways to my heart. If you've seen a post about this place, you've probably seen a picture of the crackly round, artistic dish and wondered what it was. There are dumplings on the underside of it and you break each one off of the crackly part to enjoy. We did enjoy these but I would've loved a soy sauce to dip them in. They came with chili crunch, peanuts, and green onions but I wanted an actual sauce. They were very standard tasting dumplings and there was nothing extraordinary about them unfortunately. As always, we'd looked at the menu beforehand and decided what we wanted. It does state on their website that their menus can change due to freshness and availability. But we'd both decided on an app and entree we wanted only to get there and have none of them on the menu. I do appreciate a rotating menu to accommodate local items, but I would also love for those to be updated on a regular basis. So after rerouting, we decided on the chicken skewers as another app with the dumplings. These were chargrilled, flavorful, and had a nice crust on them. I got shrimp fried rice and Julia got spicy beef noodles. It was fine but I wish the shrimp wouldn't have been cut up. It felt like they chopped them up in order to not put as many in the dish. At $25 for this, I'd like whole shrimp please. There were a few pieces of raw spinach with pepper on the top. I would've loved a sauce of some kind. I would've preferred shrimp hibachi with fried rice from a Japanese place that included vegetables and sauces. This was not *bad* there was just SO much room for improvement. We both agreed that nothing was awful, but for these prices and the hype, we expected more. Our waitress was super friendly. Bonus points because they had match boxes at the host stand! There was a paid parking lot diagonal from the restaurant, so we had to walk through an intersection to get there. There are some spots up front if you can snag one. Overall, we enjoyed our time here but won't be sprinting back.

Awesome. Just awesome atmosphere

Bar view

Skewers

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Urban Cookhouse

Thanks, ChatGPT. I put in "help me think of healthy restaurants", and Urban Cookhouse came up. It…read morewas a nice reminder. I went there years ago, but totally forgot about it. Once a drank the strawberry lemonade I remembered how much I liked this place. This time we went for dinner and I was impressed with the number of plates they offered. I ended up choosing The Down Home which comes with smoked turkey and pineapple ham, hot cheddar pasta, broccoli salad, and a warm orange roll. It was really good. It didn't look like a lot on the plate at first, but I ended up having leftovers.

My friend invited me to a fundraiser they were having last night at Urban Cookhouse. This was the…read moreperfect opportunity for me to revisit UC after about 10 years. The location is easy to find in homewood square, plenty of parking (they have a lot or park in any of the surrounding areas), there is a drive thru as well. The restaurant itself was spacious and clean, however, the women's restroom needed attention. Staff smiled and work diligently. The gentleman with the locs was the main one I saw interacting with individuals. Very professional and had a warm personality. My order consisted of half a BALT (bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, aioli toasted sandwich) with a half mandarin crunch salad (lettuce, cabbage, green onion, mandarin oranges, chow mein noodles, honey sesame dressing). Both items were fresh and straight to the point. I enjoy having a meal that isn't overly complex every now and then. A light dinner while supporting a friend.

Farm to fire to table

BALT w/ Turkey

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Culinary Dropout

Since I had been here a few times, I wanted to introduce this restaurant to my brother since he had…read morenot been yet. We decided to come on a Friday night I did make reservations beforehand and I highly suggest making them especially on the weekend and you can make them online through their website. On this evening, they had Tyler Giddens playing his keyboard and singing along. He was very good and I was able to chat with his wife and she told me that he plays around town so I definitely look forward to hearing his music again. Fowler was our server and he was very attentive. We started off with the brussels sprouts and the pork belly nachos. They were both equally delicious. Last time I was here I got the chicken tacos and I was so impressed. I got them again. My son got the Mac burger, which he completely devoured. My brother got the short ribs which he enjoyed. He also got a to go Mac burger as well. This time instead of Mississippi mud pie I got the monkey bread which was very delicious and it had apples in it as well. I love how the staff gets to wear whatever they want, and they can express their style. I did visit the restrooms and they were very clean. The only negative is sometimes the parking lot is real busy and if it is, you kinda have to park across the street. It's not a far walk but a lot of the drivers at the Summit area. They tend to drive crazy. I will definitely be back. I haven't had a bad meal here since I've been coming. Not sure why, but it wouldn't let me post any more pictures.

I would comment on the food, but I wish I knew. I went in by myself and sat at the bar. It was…read moredirty, and I asked for a wipe down, and the bartender left it sopping wet. Rather than complain, I asked for a water and placed my order with the second bartender to approach me. A third one asked if I had been taken care of, and I said yes. They clearly lack communication. I asked where the bathroom was and after being told said I would be right back. when I returned, someone else was at my seat, my drink was cleared, and when I asked what happened, they said they thought I had left. That's not service. That's chaos. Apparently the culinary dropout also dropped out of hospitality. They need to learn how to communicate with one another. I will not be back.

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The Refinery

Easy free parking. Arrived and was uncertain what drink I wanted so Alyse whipped me up a wonderful…read moredrink that tasted like Smarties candy! She was so nice and cheerful.

Staying in Homewood. Looked around for a low carb option. The Refinery hit the spot. Tuna,…read moresquash medley, and a side salad for the person looking for low carbs. I had a delicious pork chop with black eyed pea, corn, okra, and tomato succotash. A glass of red wine and a bottle of beer. Small dining area with a warm welcoming feel. There are tables outside when the weather cooperates. It was a little warm outside for us. The service was good! Our only issues were rounding the block a few times for find parking and 18% gratuity being included with the bill.

Chickpea tostadas, truffle fries, mozzarella cheese. All were very good!

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Shot

Wooden City

4.7

(132 reviews)

0.1 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.

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

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Gimlet

The Fennec

Came here to watch the SEC Championship. Wait time was minimal and we received our food in good…read moretime. Our waitress was good and was knowledgeable about the menu. The Steve burger is so good! Casual spot to watch the game. Great for groups or solo.

This was my first time coming here so I came out for the Alabama and sat at the bar. It wasn't to…read morecrowded so service was spot on for me, LOL. I ordered the Birmingham hot honey chicken and a loaded bake potato which was really good. The venue is realy big as they have concerts there and a lot of TV's for your enjoyment and I believe I some pool tables in separate room. I was only there for a short time but next time im in town I'll stop by again for a full experience

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La Fête

Home-run French in downtown Birmingham. I came here with a couple of my friends for a summer…read moreevening dinner out on the patio. We thoroughly toured the list of French wines, imbibed on a couple of their yummy cocktails (my friend loves the "Last Word"). Service was, of course, fantastic. The location is one of the most quaint and vibey in town (Morris Ave) and the food is certainly up to snuff. We split the famous potato appetizer and I had the half chicken for entree. Both outstanding.

This was my first time to visit La Fete. The location is great. Right on the historic Morris Avenue…read morenext to Alabama Peanut Co. and in front of Pilcrow and Cayo Coco Rum Bar. We were able to make a reservation for inside dining which I liked because it was a hot June Alabama day, but I would have preferred outside because it was so loud inside, there was no sound suppression, and the tables were very close together. The outside patio was nice and covered. Next time I will request to sit outside. We started with the sourdough bread which I highly recommend! There was enough pieces to have one while you waited for your dinner, and to save one to eat with your dinner. My husband ordered the deviled eggs and really enjoyed them. For our entree, we shared the roasted chicken. It was a half chicken with lemon, garlic, shallots and potato gratin. It was plenty for both of us. We even had leftovers. This is probably because of the appetizers and we had stopped for drinks at Cayo Coco before dinner. We usually skip dessert, but my husband really wanted to try the chocolate custard, bittersweet chocolate custard with chantilly cream. The presentation was beautiful. I had a couple of bites and it also tasted amazing. Our waiter recommended a dessert wine that paired with the custard. He let us try a couple of sips, and the sweet fruitiness really made a difference. The service was amazing. We will definitely be back.

Charcuterie

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Potato Pavé

Little Donkey - Homewood

Came in for lunch and the place was packed, but I just sat up at the bar. I had the Paloma cocktail…read morewhich was decent well-made and ordered the nachos as my main dish. The nachos were very good not a huge plate but very well-made and the brisket I had them add on top of it was excellent. Would like to come back and maybe try some other options too.

We showed up at 8:30p (30 min before closing) after a day of traveling, they were very hesitant to…read morelet us eat. They let us know the kitchen would close at 9:00p, so we needed to order quickly. That was fair enough, but we ordered at 8:45p and didn't get our food for over 30 min. One of our party of 7 didn't get his food for 45 min. Our waitress never refilled any of our drinks the entire meal. We all ordered the 2 taco plate. All the tacos were dry and below average. It felt like an upscale attempt at Mexican food that missed the mark slightly. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful inside with great vibes, that was a standout plus. I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't recommend it.

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Bayonet

4.7

(85 reviews)

0.2 mi

I had a great dinner here and can't wait to try more of their menu when I return. Foodies (like…read moremyself) will enjoy this place, from the vibes to the details in decor, food, and service. And I express my thanks to my servers and bartenders, who were not only attentive in service, but also offered recommendations which led me to a great dining experience. In short, I had the following: -dry-aged Shima Ahi crudo ( flew in from Japan) -a Mordella sandwich, and -peach fried pie. My wine pairing for my dishes was a California Albariño, which was a great surprise. I'm now searching for this winemaker to add bottles to my cellar. Every dish I tried was my favorite in its own way. Each meal was well-balanced and highlighted the flavors of every ingredient. The mortadella sandwiches featured a playful twist with Cobia fish, and the house-made focaccia bread, where the mortadella and Cobia spread are nestled, was truly what focaccia dreams are made of. Plus the garlic aioli for the fries is money !!! And the peach fried hand pie was the perfect end to a great meal. The aromatics of caramelized glaze comes across like it might be super sweet. But when you bit into the flaky buttermilk pastry crust it gave it a warm, humble feeling with the perfectly diced peaches pie filling adding the right touch of sweetness. And as a special treat, this hand pie is paired with a sour cream-lemon sorbet which I didn't know I needed in my life that was refreshing. The peach fried pie is a seasonal dessert, so enjoy it while you can. Overall, the ambiance and music were spot on making it a vibe that you definitely want to come for dinner or just enjoy cocktails which looked really yummy( but that's for another time ). The unique decor, with a mix of midcentury meets fisherman lighting and a crowned octopus handles tap beer, was a lovely detail when you get to sit back and enjoy. Even the plateware where food sits on is crafted by a local Bham female artisan at Civil Stoneware, is a nice touch ( which I was obsessed with ). I hope your experience is as great as mine. Happy dining y'all!

My husband and I came here for a date night, and the service was unbelievably disappointing. The…read morehostess was kind and had our drinks out quickly, but our server, Barry, introduced himself and then completely ignored us for the next 15 minutes while he attended to every other table, including one that was seated after us and received appetizers before he ever came back to take our order. We were the only Black couple in the restaurant. Was that the reason? I can't say for certain. What I can say is that we watched every other table receive attentive service while we were repeatedly overlooked. We paid for our drinks and left because we refuse to support a restaurant where service is this poor.

This fruity red blend, served cold, pairs well with fish.

Dining Room

Mushroom skewers

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BrickTop's

A true hidden gem right off Highway 280…read more Let me just say--this place is absolutely beautiful. From the ambiance to the staff, everything felt elevated from the moment we walked in. We made reservations for Bae's birthday dinner, and they welcomed us with a handwritten card signed by the entire staff... such a thoughtful touch that really set the tone for the night. Now let's get into the food To start, I had the Charred Grapefruit Martini--perfection. Smooth, refreshing, and just the right balance. We ordered the Butter Crab Sushi and Lobster Bisque to kick things off, and both were incredible. For our entrées, we went with the Steak Frites (with a little switch-up on the sides), and baby... nothing missed. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. This is one of those places where you can confidently order anything on the menu. 10/10 experience--don't forget to tip generously, the staff truly deserves it!

The food was fantastic. My mom had the trout and said it was amazing. I had the crab cakes and they…read moreare some, if not the best in this town. I always get them and substitute for another side. Service was great. Definitely need reservations. We were there tonight, on a Monday. Place was packed. My only complaints: 1) It's a very load restaurant and we had a very hard time hearing each other. 2) The seats lean back so you have to sit up right without your back to the chair. I ended up grabbing a bolster from a bench near the hostess stand for my mom.

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Helen

I have been here multiple times for dinner, and I just recently went here for lunch for the first…read moretime. This is probably one of the best restaurants and all of Birmingham and that is saying a lot. We, of course, got the Angel biscuits with that delicious butter. Those are always outstanding! One person got the chicken thighs and another got the burger that came with delicious chips and we got the peas for an extra side. The atmosphere is such a cool charming upscale SOUTHERN restaurant Five. My guest thoroughly enjoyed it and I bet they can't wait to go back just like me. My server had excellent answers to every question. I asked him and several people came to our table throughout the meal to make sure everything was going well when my server was busy. This is one of the best dining experiences you can have in Birmingham whether it be a nice lunch or a celebration of the most special occasions, this is one of the best places to be for it.

I'm always looking for local, non chain, farm to table restaurants and was excited to try this one…read moreout with my sister-in-law. The interior was refreshingly classic but current, making good use of an elongated and narrow space. The partially open kitchen increases interest, but I was sitting with my back to it, which spared my lunch companion from competing for my attention. Our server Krynn was perfectly kind, prompt, and pleasing, genuinely welcoming to us and knowledgeable of the dishes. She was so very sweet and one of the best servers I have encountered in Alabama. The food was very thoughtfully prepared. We ordered Tuesday's lunch special, the fried green tomato BLT. We were impressed that the bacon is cured on site and cut the same day it is fried and served. The sandwich was so large that we easily split it. The tomatoes were good. I prefer lettuce in leaves, not shreds, but it didn't detract much from the experience and it didn't fall out everywhere. The sandwich came with chips which seemed homemade and were very good, not soggy. I added salt which was brought in a little wooden pinch bowl. For a side we split a plate of marinated summer peas and beans. This was baby lima beans and black eyed peas, with a very small amount of finely diced red onion and red bell pepper. There was a copious amount of cilantro that was not finely chopped and dominated certain mouthfuls. I would adjust this recipe by using a few more pinches of red onions and bell peppers, and finely chopping the cilantro and using less of it. It was very flavorful! I thought my SIL might still be hungry so we got a cheesecake slice at the end. It presented beautifully and was covered in a blueberry syrup. The texture was a bit ragged but it isn't any worse than one I'd make at home. I also felt the lemon flavor was a bit overly strong, and the crust appeared to be cornmeal based and wasn't my favorite, but that's just my preference. I feel that smokers or people with few taste buds would still be able to taste the food at Helen! I also ordered a cup of black regular coffee and it was truly delightful, no adjustments to that flavor needed in my opinion! We were attended by a couple other servers and everyone was polite and sweet. I felt very relaxed and as if I were valued as a customer. I hope Krynn has many sweet customers who appreciate how nice she is! I hope to be back someday and would definitely recommend Helen restaurant.

Brussel sprout fall vegetable plate

Ambience, exceptional!

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Birthday chocolate pudding

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18 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Brittney K.

2 years ago

The Essential is my favorite brunch spot in Birmingham! I haven't had a bad meal yet--whether it's the burger or the steak and eggs, everything is always delicious. The service is top-notch, and the servers are incredibly knowledgeable about the entire menu. It's one of those places where you can't go wrong with whatever you order. The perfect spot for a great meal and a great experience every time! read more

Joann K.

171

3 years ago

This restaurant is a must if youre looking for dinner in Birmingham. Located on a cute, cobblestone road downtown, this restaurant is perfect place to go! we had Jordon as out server and he kept out water full (and we drank a lot) and just had amazing energy. this place deserves 5/5 stars. the employees are incredibly kind and helpful and the food is just to die for. read more

Vonstein W.

1 year ago

This place delivers delicious comfort food with a modern edge. The fried green tomatoes were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, while the side of cornbread was perfectly baked. The rustic yet contemporary atmosphere made it an enjoyable place to eat. After a day of exploring, this was the perfect place to unwind and indulge in something hearty. read more

Ashley B.

277

1 year ago

We had brunch at The Essential today and it was wonderful! We we want to highly commend Seama Khan and Jay, our waiter that helped us today at Sunday brunch! They both went above and beyond! We just moved here, their kindness, and amazing customer service really made our day. The food was super delicious! We will definitely be back! Thanks very much! read more

Ben C.

3 years ago

I usually love the essential, but it took my partner and I about an hour to receive our entrees. My partner got the burger medium rare, and then subsequently got sick after. It was a bummer. read more

A C.

4 years ago

The avocado toast is perfect; especially with the salmon and the perfect poached egg. The coffee and late is delicious. Definitely worth checking out for brunch. read more

Daniel W.

164

2 years ago

Apparently they're not open or maybe not opened on Wednesdays (?). No signage but drove here to try it and they're buttoned up tight.

Jeremy H.

4 years ago

Fantastic service. Had the mushroom rigatoni. Fantastic. Just passing through and I'm glad I stopped.

Tia W.

1 year ago

long wait and food wasn't worth the wait . . . .

Jaclynn H.

7 years ago

Terrible service. The food was good but the service was so awful I would never go there again.

Haley W.

4 years ago

This. Was. Amazing. And everyone was so friendly, helpful, and fun. The food was delicious!!

Alan C.

4 years ago

Good not great food, at a not so great price. Kind servers, good ambiance, great location

Nancy S.

4 years ago

The services was helpful, staff friendly and food pretty good. Not excellent, but good.

Kevin S.

5 years ago

Food and ambiance is top notch! Definitely coming back whenever I come to Birmingham.

Ashley A.

4 years ago

Great customer service. Delicious food did not have to wait long either.

M V.

3 years ago

If want overpriced food then this is the place for you

Nat B.

4 years ago

as always. great brunch and our waiter was awesome!

Javier S.

3 years ago

flies everywhere and cleaning not so well.

The Essential - bars - Updated August 2026

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(111 reviews)

Grilled Salad, but chopped? Crab cake, with a twist?…read moreI ate them both. The contrast between the cool, smoky, acidic crunch of the salad and the rich, warm, sweet heat of the crab cake makes for a flawless menu pairing.

First time here heard a lot of great things about it. It was my wife's birthday dinner. Let her…read morepick, Daniel George is what she picked. The food, which is what you want when you go to find dining, was the hit and highlight of the evening. From the appetizer to entrees, everything was amazing. Service was a bit challenged. Most likely because of how busy it was. That will not keep us from returning numerous times! There was an event going on in their big room that made it a little louder than I would've liked, but no problem. Let's talk food. Wow! Check the pics!

Sticks N Stones

4.9

(61 reviews)

This is THE spot! I can't count the number of times my husband and I have patronized Sticks N…read moreStones. Never a bad experience. The service is always impeccable. The food and drinks are amazing! We love everything about this place! Whether it's meeting the girls after work or the hubby for a date, Sticks N Stones is the spot! You feel the ambiance as soon as you walk through the door! Don't take my word for it. Go see for yourself!

My dinner was absolutely delicious and the ambience was amazing. I ordered the wedge salad with…read moresteak. The steak was cooked to my satisfaction. Tender and favorably. 10 out 10 for me. I ordered the Paloma drink .. again to my satisfaction. Everyone was so nice from the wait staff, to owner. And almost forgot to mention the DJ spinning the tones we all knew. If you're ever looking for a new spot recommend you check them out.

The Electric

4.3

(65 reviews)

I love this place and the folks who work here! great food and drinks and awesome location in Bluff…read morePark

It's cute in here! Came by for a solo lunch date! Great parking! The food is a little underwhelming…read moreI tried the chicken ranch flatbread and it was just ok & lacked flavor I did enjoy the frozen guava margarita I sat at the bar and had the sweetest bartender service was great

Mudtown Eat & Drink

4.2

(317 reviews)

The food is always so delicious and they go out of their way to serve with a smile. My Bābee and I…read morehad a burger that we shared and told them that they didn't have to split it but the waitress did it anyway because she read our faces. That's doing the right thing even when someone doesn't know what that is. Cheers to Mudtown.

One of Birmingham's local-heavy spots. Heavily patronized by Cahaba Heights regulars. It's bar food…read morewith extra love. Lots of cajun, brunch, sandwiches, soups, etc. I came for a late lunch on Saturday with some friends, I wasn't super hungry, but ended up being quite enticed by the menu. I ordered the sausage balls off of their special brunch menu. They were served with what I believe was a cranberry jam and very tasty. I could have done them a little spicier, but that's personal preference. I would definitely get them again. I also ordered a side of the gumbo, which was very good. Very dark roux, very tasty. This place hits the spot and is a great option for a group of all ages, they'd definitely have something to please everybody. Service is good, too. Parking can be a little difficult and it's on a steep hill.

Hot and Hot Fish Club

4.0

(393 reviews)

•$$$

My first time at Hot & Hot was recently and it did not disappoint. Me and a friend had a 5:55 pm…read morereservation on a Friday night. Yes, we had "linner" reservations! Lol. I'm not hip so I'm just hearing this term. Anyways, we arrived a few minutes early but the nice hostess immediately seated us and this set the tone for how the rest of the evening would go. Our server, Kendra did a fantastic job. Such great hospitality from opening act to closing act. They like to take your order all at the same time just to help with the flow of how the food comes out. For apps we had the crispy pork belly & heirloom tomato salad. Both dishes were amazing, colorful and so balanced. Not to mention, filling but not in a too full way. (Commercial break)I did have a dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives - delicious! Back to the food. For my entree I had the oven roasted grouper and my friend had their steak dish. Yet again, both of us thoroughly enjoyed our selections! I really don't think we could have gone wrong with any of their menu options. Everything was so fresh & the presentation really made the food that much more enjoyable! To end our meal, my friend selected the blueberry cake for us to share for dessert. Whew!!!! The plan was to only taste a bite or two and get the rest to go. We couldn't stop eating this delectable cake! We tried but it was one of the lightest, most beautiful cakes I've ever had. Pro tip - don't skip dessert!!!! I can't forget the ambiance. It's spacious, comfortable and decorated nicely. There's also outside patio dining and bar seating available. This was a great experience and I can't wait to return soon!

Hot and Hot Fish Club continues to be one of Birmingham's signature dining experiences. We started…read moreby sharing the tomato salad, which was just okay this visit. While fresh, it didn't have the same standout flavor we've enjoyed in the past. The entrées, however, were excellent. I ordered the duck breast, and it was cooked perfectly--tender, flavorful, and easily the highlight of the meal. My friend had the whole snapper and said it was equally delicious. Service and atmosphere were as polished as always, making for an enjoyable evening. While the starter fell a bit short this time, the outstanding entrées more than made up for it. We also shared the blueberry cake. Our service was spot on. We sat at the chef's counter. Made reservations online. I recommend the cookbook. Have had it for more than 20 years.

Melt

4.4

(190 reviews)

So impressed with this restaurant. Clean, friendly, great food and great leadership. Our first…read moretime in and will be back. Sat at the bar and had a great meal! The ownership team is beyond amazing! They do have a little bar area and it's a fun spot to watch food come and go. Food service safety is phenomenal, 10/10 would recommend and will be back.

My family and me came here for Saturday lunch. It's been a number of years since we came here so I…read morewas looking forward to the visit. We ordered at the counter and our food didn't take long to arrive at our table for a party of 6. I had the old Smokey / no mayo and it was a well made sandwich. Nice flavor. I was looking forward to trying this sandwich , since I didn't get to try it during the Birmingham Restaurant Week preview party. I really enjoyed the beer battered fries as well. Others in my party had chicken finger plate, Cuban melt, chicken Parmesan melt and chicken salad melt. Everyone enjoyed their selections and had leftovers! I chatted with I'm assuming the manager and he was very nice. We enjoyed our recent experience here at Melt. The service , food and environment all made me want to come back soon.

The Electric

4.5

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I stopped by The Electric on a whim, and I'm really glad I did! I got my food to go this time, but…read moreI can definitely see myself dining in here in the future. The indoor dining area is on the smaller side, but it seemed like plenty of space for the crowd level when I visited. There's also outdoor seating, which was comfortable and especially convenient with the brewery next door. The bartender offered me a taste of the frozen peach margarita and mentioned that it was made with fresh peaches. You could really tell! It was incredibly refreshing, and if I dine in next time, I'll definitely be trying one for myself--or another cocktail from their menu. I ordered the Hedberg, and while I'm not normally much of a sandwich person, I really enjoyed it. The "205" mustard was a standout for me and added a lot of flavor. The bartender was also incredibly helpful and happy to offer suggestions, which I really appreciated since it was my first visit. I left knowing exactly what I'd like to try next time. Definitely a spot I'd come back to!

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The Local

4.3

(24 reviews)

Because of a couple of my coworkers and Yelpers saying that this is a must-try, I decided to do…read morethis for lunch on Sunday. I placed an order for pickup via DoorDash and headed over to get our food. This restaurant is on Highway 31, in the parking lot with Donato's Pizza and across the street from the Shell Gas station. The restaurant looks lovely from the front, and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Inside, there are several bar chairs up front and regular seating in the middle and back. When I walked in and went to the bar, one of the young ladies at the bar asked me if I had the to-go order. She was very helpful and even gave me something to drink while I waited on my food. There were TVs everywhere so you could watch one thing and the kids had something they could watch, which was great. My to-go order came out pretty quickly and I went to my mama's house for lunch. My mama opened her Meat and 2 (Greek chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans) and said, "Where is the chicken?" I looked on her plate. There were about 5 chicken tenderloins that had been cooked - and they came out super small. So small that you could not tell there was chicken on the plate. We were not happy about that, but she tasted one and said it was good. She was side-eyeing my burger and how much food came on my plate, though. The other thing I noticed were the side salads. They were $6.00 each, and they were in the smallest cups. It surprised me, but I was okay with it because the food filled me up. I think if you are getting a burger and fries, you are going to love it. Don't get the Greek Chicken on your Meat and 2 plate if you like larger portion sizes. The flavor was excellent on both meals and we enjoyed them. I will definitely be back!

The Local is located within a shopping center and has a cozy, neighborhood feel to it. I see a lot…read moreof potential but some improvements are definitely needed. Starting with the good: Like I said, it has a cozy, neighborhood feel to it. You can tell people are friendly. We were there on a Friday night and it had live music, so that was nice. There is a sign at the door to seat yourself. We ordered the 7 layer salad and the okra. Food is made fresh when ordered, so takes a bit. That's never an issue if that means good is fresh though. Improvements needed: We waited for over 5 minutes at a table after we sat ourselves as the sign directed and not a single person greeted us. Finally I went to the bar and asked if we were supposed to order at the bar. The guy said let me find someone for you. So after a few more minutes, someone finally came and took our order. 7 layer salad and the okra took over 20 minutes to come out, but they were fresh so could be worth the wait if everything was good. Okra was good, but there were at least a good 25% of it that had no okra in it, juat fried bits. The 7 layer salad was missing the green peas and the bacon. All we got was romaine, tomatoes, cheese, and onion. Not sure what happened there. May be an off-night, will probably give it one more try before writing it off completely since the vibe is cool.

Highlands Bar & Grill

4.5

(332 reviews)

•$$$

It was nice to go hang out here with the fellows and meet the nice waitress who showed up a good…read moretime in and out the bar

If there is a restaurant that is a Birmingham institution among the wealthier crowd, there is…read moreliterally only one name that locals would bring up, and it is undoubtedly Highlands. Not that there aren't other nice restaurants, but this spot has proven itself over time and is ran by a chef that most Alabamians are quite proud of. Opened in 1982, Highland's is a place that put Birmingham on the map in a positive way at a time when the post industrial iron period was about to wind down and transform the city. Frank formalized his cooking techniques by working in kitchens of San Francisco and France, creating a medley of American Southern and French cuisine that is difficult to find elsewhere. It was not a time when it was common to see a chef from Alabama going to study cooking in Europe, thus the story was already an anomaly. Frank Stitt was trying to pioneer sustainable agriculture and farming well before anybody in Alabama knew what in the world that actually meant or for that matter, cared. One of the signature items is the baked grits that has been around since the restaurant opened. It's a tasty grits preparation and without a doubt, something to try. The pheasant was spectacular, fairly lean and with a crispy delicious skin, served with grits and green beans. Pastries here are created by Dolester Miles, who has been in the job for well over 30 years. The opera cake is absolutely spectacular, gentle and complexly layered. The basque cake is peachy and moist, with a crispy delicious exterior and Chantilly cream. Not only are these likely the best desserts to discover in Alabama, but may be some of the best to be found in America. The attentiveness got derail was clearly evident. As far as service, generally fine, but not particularly attentive. The waitress did not seem in much of a mood to welcome people to the establishment. Many items on the menu were running out by 8:30pm on a Saturday night. Nobody was particularly impressed with the flounder that got substituted for the grouper. And then there are other questions, why would you run out of grits? They know they are always filled to capacity and ingredients to make grits are not immediately perishable. Highland's has by this point in Birmingham's history become a classic. It's evident that most people here have been around for decades working at their jobs and serving the rich crowds of Mountain Brook. It's a place of great food and shows many combinations of ingredients that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere, let alone be executed this well.

Trussville Social

3.3

(101 reviews)