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    The Yard

    3.2 (136 reviews)
    PriceySouthern
    Open 6:00 am - 10:00 AM, 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    The Yard Photos

    THE YARD ATMOSPHERE

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    Trendy
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    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - The Yard

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    Dessert
    Nes M.

    Pro: The ribeye was very good and so was the pecan bread dessert. The place is cute and attached to the hotel I was staying in. It was a cold, rainy night so it was nice to have that option without having to step outside. Cons: it was oddly quiet. Like awkward. And I was told the music had been broken for a while. I thought the AC was broken, too. it was very warm. Maybe to make up for the chill outside, but still. Again, It was just awkward inside. dark, warm and quiet. Overall, I would give this place a second try.

    Dj D.

    The service was great from the greater to the server. The food was delicious. It vibe was very chill. My only complaint was the drinks weren't good. Neither drink was as expected. We didn't finish either of them.

    Roger G.

    I had the Double Yard burger, with smoked Gouda and grilled onions. Cooked perfectly medium rare, it's a great burger. The fries were also hot with a crunch, and the salad was tasty. Monica provided great service and the atmosphere here is excellent.

    David K.

    What's up Yelpies If your in Birmingham and want to enjoy great food and great people then this is your spot. The cook knows his business and the service is top notch. Oh and if you have a min go to the bar and order a classic old fashioned you won't be disappointed

    Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi.... Yum
    Yarinet R.

    Came here after a last minute decision for dinner. I ordered the Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi which had great taste and flavor. At first is doesn't sound appealing, but was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately my friend ordered the Heirloom Tomato and Grilled Peach Salad that comes with goat cheese. Her luck, the waitress never placed the dressing on the side as she asked and the salad barely had any goat cheese(little to no goat cheese really). Once we wrapped up our meal my friend gave feedback to the waiter that the salad barely had goat cheese and felt it was a form of bad marketing that the salad comes with goat cheese when there is barely any is on the dish. They ended up giving her a To-go order of another salad with only 3 specks of goat cheese ( still barely any goat cheese). Not what was asked for nor did we wanted. Sad to say the salad went to the trash since it was drenched with dressing on top and no one wants salad again after their meal. Just as an idea,maybe giving a free dessert to compensate would have been a better option. Hope y'all have a better experience dining here.

    Yogurt Parfait - Cam out warm
    Michael B.

    My food took 45 minutes and it took me 15 minutes to get my first drink... the restaurant wasn't full just staff not being efficient. The only person that was doing any real work was the bartender.. However, the restaurant itself is pretty and in a lovely hotel.

    This was the food they bought out but was pink all through the meat!

    I made reservations here for Valentines night for a family of 4 last night. My mom and friend arrived an hour early . My husband and I arrived on time. Once I arrived my mom stated you're not going to like what's on the menu. They only offered a Valentine's menu which was very limited entrees, had I known that while making the reservation I would've never booked the restaurant. Moving forward we all just decided to be grateful and try the surf and turf. Waitress already a bit upset when we seated. She took our order and when my husband said well done on his sirloin she stated the chef will not cook the meat well done! only medium rare, or medium well! I immediately closed my menu and stated I can't eat here. A manager came out and stated the same thing! How dare you all tell people how to eat their meat that we have to pay for. The manager made an exception and gave us another menu because of the lack of communication and no one told us the menu was limited and your meat can't be cook well done! Ok! Cool we all order from this different menu meanwhile Husband and I go and take pictures maybe about 20 minutes later my mom comes out very upset and states a guy came out and said they are out of the food we order from the different menu! Yep just like that. I go back in and speak with the manager she stated yes they are out and that she was sorry and that we can order from the menu that was limited the Valentines menu and they can cook the sirloin to our liking now which was well done. My mom and friend left and said no they had been sitting 3 hours already. My husband and I stayed. The manager herself bought the food out and it looked very good and I cut my sirloin and guess what rare inside and my husband sirloin was exactly the same. I pushed my plate back saying I don't want it! I see the waitress who was upset when we seated coming our way, she saw me pushed the plate back and she turned away and walked back towards the kitchen. My husband and I got up and left the building! I never leave a bad review on anyone but the people we had serving us by the name of Laci was awful! Ashleyn the manager tried to help but she wasn't much help either. The chef needs to be fired as well as Laci! You can't tell anyone how you will cook their meat that's ridiculous! My worst experience ever! We had to go and find another place to eat at. We ended up at a drive thru and ordered fried chicken because every restaurant we called was booked! So Bravo to The Yard for messing up our Valentine's Night! FYI my mom friend ordered wine and said Laci never bought it to him they had to call the manager to get it! I been to some upscale restaurants and this was the worst service I ever encountered in my life!

    Springer Mountain Chicken Picatta 28
    Darla D.

    I went with my friends for my 30th birthday and it was so delicious. Everyone was very nice upon arrival. We did have reservations ahead of time to avoid wait, since we had a larger party. The setting was cool rustic, and historical with beautiful light fixtures. I really enjoyed our meal. My fiancé got a burger and he said it was phenomenal. Most of my friends also got the chicken and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. It was cooked to perfection. I would dine there again. One of my friends got a different dish that was like a pot roast and it looked delish as well. (Pictu

    White Chocolate Bread Pudding

    An unexpected gem. We walked to this restaurant before a show at the Alabama Theatre. Our server was exceptional: genuine, friendly and engaging; knowledgeable about the menu & helpful with suggestions. Since we were heading to a show we split everything. No one took offense; much appreciated since sometimes it isn't. The salad was amazing, the steak & potatoes perfection! The grand finale was white chocolate bread pudding. It was perfection! Thank you, D for making our dining experience exceptional.

    Teri W.

    Disappointed by the slow service when the restaurant was clearly not busy. Food was ordered to go and completely lacked aesthetics and flavor. Got the roasted half chicken and skin was crispy but meat was very dry. Accompanied salad was drenched in dressing but awkward with 4 whole leaves of bib lettuce. Dessert was a huge disappointment - it was supposedly the reason for the hour long wait and the Berry Lavender Cobbler was just a crumbled average biscuit with warm berry mix. Very odd and unremarkable. Would not recommend.

    Chicken Piccata
    Melanie B.

    Amazing service and literally the best chicken piccata I have ever had. The chicken was JUICY, y'all. And yet had a crisp exterior. With SALT FLAKES. Just order it. Trust me. #capers

    Bison steak
    Frank H.

    This was my first time here and it was my birthday on yesterday so it was a double treat! I love the decor and the building itself puts you in a place of relaxation and comfort. We had a redo and we're immediately taken to our table. Our server came and welcomed us and shared with us all the features and favorites. I started off with an old fashion drink. She said it was their staple drink so I tried it and it was fantastic. It really put me in a mellow mood. Then we had appetizers. The mushroom toast and the brussel sprouts. The toad had a combination of sweet and savory but the mushrooms brought it all together. The sprouts were topped with crumbled blue cheese and I was very skeptical. After the first bite, that went away real fast. That combination of the blue cheese and the brussel sprouts is something I would have never would go together. Our entrees were the bison steak and the burger. The bison is so tender and full of flavor. The burger is one of the best in the city. Make sure you ask for the homemade aoli to dip your fries. It is delicious. Overall, this is on the list to revisit ASAP. Oh, the butterscotch bread pudding is amazing but I Foote take a picture before we ate it. Enjoy!!!!

    Chicken Picata

    Outstanding food & service & prices reasonable for the menu Love the atmosphere Ask about daily specials & the Chicken piccata special amazing Bartender are"real " mixologists I make sure my dinner plans include The Yard

    Grilled Squab. Fennel, peas, mango - was outstanding!

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    I love to visit the yard on a Sunday after church. I'm always guaranteed to be able to get in and get a table. Have a great brunch meal!

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    The Southern Kitchen & Bar

    The Southern Kitchen & Bar

    3.6
    (663 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Savannah Salad
    Savannah Salad
    Fried Green Tomatoes

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    Fried Green Tomatoes
    Gabriella's

    Gabriella's

    4.5
    (20 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    My first time at Gabriella's was recently. This place gets really busy..... fast! When I arrived,…read more there were about 2 ppl already present and ordering at the hot bar. It's kind of hard to tell what all the food options are, so I had to ask what some stuff was. I managed to get a meat and 2 instead of a meat and 5! There were quite a few veggie options that looked amazingly delicious! I do not recommend coming here hungry or hangry. Ok, sooo I love meat loaf so naturally that's what I got. I also got collards and cornbread dressing & yes they had cranberry sauce. Everything was good tasting. The meatloaf was a little sweet to my taste so I probably wouldn't order it again. The veggies were not over seasoned or overcooked. I will definitely comeback here bc there is still just so much I wanna try. The staff is nice and took care of the crowd. I even witnessed them give a person in need food, as they were about to dig in the restaurant's garbage can outside for scraps. Made me count my blessings.. all of them! There is street parking only. I didn't have any issues parking on a Sunday afternoon. The inside of this restaurant is not big but I was comfortable dining in.

    Good southern food on a Sunday afternoon while visiting. Couldn't tell from the Yelp pictures but…read moreit's a really small restaurant with food displayed buffet style behind the clear partition that they serve you in a container. Only about 3 people at a time can hold inside before it's starts getting crowded. It stay pretty busy. Options are 1 meat with two sides or 2 meats with three sides combination. A la cart is available as well. They have ice tea or lemonade drinks in a cup that they also serve you. Lemonade was good. There's a very small counter to pay after you order. Fry chicken is tasty with perfect crisp. Collard greens were seasoned well and perfect texture. Yams (my favorite) was perfect - flavorful, not too sweet and firm but not hard. Both of us thought the Black eyed peas looked really good but taste bland. I would have preferred it without the Okra. I didn't see that when I ordered. One in our group commented the meat loaf was good. The dressing was really good too - well seasoned and tasty. After paying there's a dining area for self seating. It serves the purpose to sit and eat but definitely could use sprucing up along with the restrooms. Please seriously consider! It would make the experience much more pleasant to enjoy their delicious food. I took off two stars for that reason and yes it's that unpleasant as the tables/chairs are also too clustered together. The chairs don't fit around the table properly. Overall good southern food at a reasonable price and recommended. Skip dining in if you don't have too. Just my two cents.

    Photos
    Front
    Front
    Peach cobbler
    Peach cobbler
    Sign

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    Sign
    The Harvest

    The Harvest

    4.0
    (119 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Cute but chic ambiance
    Cute but chic ambiance
    Beef tartare
    Beef tartare
    The Harvest

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    Helen

    Helen

    4.5
    (337 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    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.

    Photos
    Ambience, exceptional!
    Ambience, exceptional!
    Brussel sprout fall vegetable plate
    Brussel sprout fall vegetable plate
    Birthday chocolate pudding

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    Birthday chocolate pudding
    Yo' Mama's

    Yo' Mama's

    4.7
    (593 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Everything went well during my lunchtime visit to Yo'Mama's restaurant. The Hot wings and French…read morefries was delicious. The waitress was cordial to make sure I enjoyed my "first" visit. The ambiance of the restaurant was calm and pleasant. There are several dining tables to choose and enjoy the scenery.

    The menu had a good variety of options including fish, hamburgers, chicken, and more, though I…read moredidn't notice any salad options available. Parking is primarily street parking in the area, but there is also a public parking deck nearby. I'm unsure what the current cost is for the deck, but it's worth knowing if you're visiting during a busier time. I ordered the fish tacos with black beans and chose the cheese grits as my second side. Everything tasted fresh and had lots of flavor. The real star of the meal, though, was the sweet potato cake. It was incredibly moist and delicious. Honestly, I could've eaten four of them without shame or hesitation. My colleagues ordered burgers and fries. They both really enjoyed their burgers, but neither cared much for the fries. They had also requested a couple additional items after the food arrived, but those items never made it to the table. The decor is bright and fun, though it didn't quite seem to match the style of food being served. Just my personal observation. They also have a robot that helps deliver the food alongside the servers, which felt a little unexpected for the casual atmosphere and southern comfort food vibe. They were fairly busy since it was lunchtime on a Friday, but the wait really wasn't bad at all. Would I go back? Yes. Was it my absolute favorite? No. But there were definitely things I enjoyed, especially that sweet potato cake that nearly made me consider ordering dessert first next time.

    Photos
    Counter
    Counter
    Yo' Mama's
    Waffle + 6 pc chicken wings underneath + house made syrup

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    Waffle + 6 pc chicken wings underneath + house made syrup
    The Essential

    The Essential

    4.4
    (509 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    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.

    Really cool place with a quaint atmosphere and great service. My wife and I split the chicken…read moresandwich, grits and a hash brown. All were really good. We got the sauce on the side for the sandwich just in case, but it was really good. Definitely a place I want to revisit. Saw the smash looking burger and pancakes at tables and they both looked amazing!!

    Photos
    The Essential
    Pavlova
    Pavlova
    Sourdough bread with French butter.

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    Sourdough bread with French butter.
    Ted's  Restaurant

    Ted's Restaurant

    4.2
    (137 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Classic cafeteria line, ideal for a quick weekday lunch downtown. You grab a tray, go thru the line…read moreto pick out your meat and 3, and sit down. The bring you a check to pay at the end and handle your drinks for you too. The fried chicken here is great. I'm normally a creamed corn lover, alas, none today. They have any sort of soul food classic you could want: cornbread, fried okra, pies, iced tea, etc.. It's not super huge inside, but things move fast. Parking is easy, there's a lot plenty big outside. It's been here over 50 years!

    My folks and I made a run down to Birmingham to catch the tail end of the French Moderns exhibit at…read morethe BMA. Ted's was our pick for lunch! We arrived fairly early, shortly after opening, but the place was already bustling and the hot bar was full of yummy-looking and smelling food. It has a pleasant, sort of old-timey feel, which makes sense given it's been open since the 70s. This is a "Greek and three," fairly common in Bham, so they offer country cooking favorites like fried chicken in addition to Greek foods like souvlaki. You order as you move through the line in front of the hot bar. The food is protected from guests by glass so it doesn't feel as icky as a buffet does (to me, at least). The folks working the hot bar were pleasant and working diligently. There was one waitress who was suuuuper bossy and a little short with me (she really didn't want me to stand still and look at a paper menu, apparently), but she eventually warmed to us after my dad chatted her up while she was getting our drinks. I ordered fried chicken with yams and fried okra. My mom also got fried chicken, hers with mashed potatoes and cabbage. My dad tried the baked Greek chicken with green beans and macaroni and cheese. I snagged a roll and a sweet tea to drink. The tea was refreshing and not overly sweet. The food was overwhelmingly quite solid. My fried chicken breast wasn't ready when I ordered it so I had to wait a while for it to be prepared, but on the bright side it arrived piping hot and super crispy. It was great fried chicken, clearly brined and flavorful throughout, not just on the crunchy batter. The yams were nicely spiced and not overly soft. The fried okra was a delight as well, crispy and plentiful. The roll was average, but nbd. My parents were also quite happy with their meals. My mom RAVED about the cabbage and ate all her mashed potatoes and gravy. The macaroni and cheese was outstanding (I wish I'd gotten three sides and it been my third). The Greek chicken was succulent and light. The only so-so item was the green beans, and even those were decent. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Birmingham! One of the better meat and twos/threes I've had in a while.

    Photos
    Just a few weeks earlier, Ted's celebrated its 50th anniversary. Today's decor would not be out of place back then.
    Just a few weeks earlier, Ted's celebrated its 50th anniversary. Today's decor would not be out of place back then.
    Ted's  Restaurant
    Cafeteria serving line just as the place opens for the day. The steam table features several meats and about a dozen sides on any given day.

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    Cafeteria serving line just as the place opens for the day. The steam table features several meats and about a dozen sides on any given day.

    The Yard - southern - Updated August 2026

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