50 Best American Restaurants in Birmingham

“This was our first time and it was absolutely excellent from start to finish! The manager, Brandon, was SO genuinely welcoming and accommodating. Our server, Parker, was flawless and so much fun (request him!). Every dish was perfectly cooked, refined and full of flavor (smoked salmon, fried green tomatoes, fried oysters, rainbow trout, swordfish with andouille, ribeye with truffle fondue). The cocktails and wine all perfect. Will definitely return and want to thank Blueprint for a truly wonderful experience!“

“We dined here last night and I must say I was very pleased. I ordered the fried green tomatoes as a starter. The dish was perfectly plated and the taste was spectacular! The sourdough bread brought to us prior to ordering was also very delicious.

I ordered the scallops for my main course and that too was very tasty and beautifully plated.

For dessert, the beignets, which was the best I have ever tasted. Better than Nalins:)

Our server (forgot his name) was perfectly on point. The atmosphere was warm and cozy.

We enjoyed our dining experience and look forward to returning when back in Birmingham.“

“We love this restaurant and had a phenomenal experience on 2 different occasions. Today they did a fantastic job for our son's birthday. The food was amazing and the staff is so friendly. The atmosphere is cozy and beautiful. We definitely will make this our place to escape from the average dining places.“

“Everything I had was great and fresh the atmosphere and energy was amazing I’ll definitely be back“

“They were very busy for a Monday at lunch time and didn't seem to have enough servers. The hostess at the front door fussed at us for not having an RSVP, so we sat in the bar. (We didn't know we needed RSVP for lunch) the food was fantastic. I had the grilled meatloaf.“

“This is a hidden gem. I'd give more than 5 stars if they were available. We looked at the menu on line and there were atypical offerings that attracted us. The food was excellent. My wife and I shared the beef steak tartare appetizer. It was a different presentation, but each bite was better than the one before. She then had the snapper in banana leaves with a side of sweet potatoes, and I had the duck breast with a papaya salad and sambal. Both portions were ample and we skipped dessert. A sign of a great chef is when food needs no added seasoning. None needed any. They also have an excellent wine selection. My only negative, which I make everywhere, is the noise level.“

“Amazing food and great service. 🙂“

“I’ve been avoiding posting this review, but it wouldn’t be fair to others if I didn’t. I know I’ll probably catch some flack or criticism for it, but it is what it is. I don’t get paid for this. I don’t receive free food. I experience these restaurants just like any other customer, from the moment I walk in to the moment I leave. That being said, here’s my honest review of Yo’ Mama’s! I went here with friends and family for lunch, and my first impression was great. The restaurant was very clean, and the staff was friendly and efficient. To start on a positive note, everyone else in my group really enjoyed their food. They said the fish was well-seasoned and delicious, and they had no complaints. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as lucky. I ordered the fried chicken and waffles, and while it looked absolutely delicious, the taste didn’t match the appearance. Let’s start with the chicken. It was fried to perfection crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside, practically falling off the bone. No issues there. However, the biggest problem was the complete lack of seasoning. It tasted like it was simply floured and fried no salt, no pepper, nothing. I was so disappointed that I couldn’t even finish it and ended up giving it away. As for the waffle, it was cooked beautifully crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. It was good, but unfortunately, syrup didn’t seem to be an option. Instead, I was given something that resembled honey butter but had a strange, fruity taste and a gritty texture, which threw it off for me. Had I just received regular syrup, I think I would have enjoyed it much more. Now, let me be clear I hate that I even have to say this but this review is not meant to bash or tear down a Black-owned business. I was genuinely excited to try this place, only to walk away feeling let down. This is why I always try to dine with others when I do reviews to get a well rounded perspective. I had three other people with me, and they all enjoyed their meals. Unfortunately, I just drew the short straw that day. Final thoughts: Based on my personal experience, I’d have to rate my meal 5/10 not because the food wasn’t cooked well, but because key elements of flavor were missing. That said, would I return? Yes. The food was prepared properly, and the restaurant itself had a great atmosphere. They just missed the mark on seasoning, which is crucial. I’d still encourage others to check this place out. Every dining experience is different, and just because mine wasn’t great doesn’t mean yours won’t be. Hopefully, if I visit again, my experience will be much better!“

“Great breakfast buffet that was very expensive but convenient if you are staying in the hotel. Everything was fresh and they had someone at a station making omelets and would bring it to your table if you didn’t want to wait for them to prepare it. Overall the breakfast buffet was good.

The staff was very friendly. We even came here at the end of our day for desert and enjoyed the restaurant that had a modern look and was quiet and relaxing.“

“Amazing service. Amazing food. They have some OG restaurant people that work there that other stuff. If you haven’t been highly suggested.“

“Went here after a cheer competition! We had a large party and were set quickly! Our waitress had multiple large parties and was absolutely fabulous! Food was amazing! The kids enjoyed the outside area while waiting on food! Very accommodating to allergies and picky eaters! Highly recommend! Only con is that they don’t have one in Murfreesboro, TN!!“

“Food and the service are excellent. Very friendly place including customers. They also have a good variety of frozen food and sweets.

Parking: Tough to find a spot at lunch

Kid-friendliness: Always kids with a parent

Wheelchair accessibility: We use a wheelchair often when dining in“

“Stopped by this place because it was close to the BJCC while taking the Bar Exam.

I was pleasantly surprised how awesome this place is! I chose the sirloin burger with chips. I would have posted a photo, but I ate everything too quickly 🙂 so check this place out for yourself!

Fantastic service, delicious food and awesome location!!“

“Very good place and friendly staff.“

“What a staff, Leslie , Lizzy and Monty killing it today .“

“Locally owned, hole in the wall venue, friendly service, amazing breakfast! Highly recommend anyone in the area to stop by and visit at least once. The fried pork chop and egg breakfast is second to none. The western or meat lovers omelette is absolutely delicious! The French toast is not for the diabetic with its extremely flavorful cinnamon and powdered sugar topping. Another recommended breakfast choice is asking for grilled toast, you'll think me later!
If you live close or traveling through, you need to visit our friends over at the cedar house and experience the local food!“

“I am so happy that Zoes Kitchen BHM is back! All of the original menu items are available. Had lunch there this week and enjoyed the Grilled Chicken Pita with Slaw and extra slaw for my side—thought I had died and gone to Heaven!“

“Nice restaurant. You will spend about $12-13 for a plate and drink. I got the braised pork plate with the hot cheddar pasta, bread, and broccoli salad. The pasta was really good and cheesy. The servers were very friendly. It's by the federal reserve. It's cool because the bathroom entrance was the old vault. Indoor and outdoor seating available. The wait time for the food wasn't long at all; they got our food out within minutes.“

“I’m a trucker and I’ve been to this place 2 times. N this is some good eating.“

“Try the philly cheese steak! So good!“

“I've been driving past this place for months and thought I needed to try it. Today was the day, Chili Cheese dogs for me and Slaw dogs for a co-worker. Fries and Tots too, both of out meals were good, friendly people behind the counter too. Looks like they have a good variety of other standards for this type of small restaurant. I/we'll be back soon. Thanks Guys.“

“My wife recently had an overnight procedure at UAB, so we looked up Cajun restaurants in the area and this was the closest to us. I’ve been to NOLA countless times over the years and I’m here to say, every morsel of food we ate at this place was hands down better than anything I’ve ever had in NOLA. I love spicy food and everything was seasoned to perfection. I honestly can’t say enough great things about this hidden gem. Super friendly staff, excellent food and great atmosphere. We live in North AL and I would definitely drive the hour south just to go eat here again. It was absolutely amazing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!“

“Had dinner here last night for the first time with my hubby and we loved it! Andy took great care of us even though he had a full bar and we were sitting at a table. The food was fantastic. I had the sea bass, which had a delightful crispy sear but was not at all overcooked. Also a great price for sea bass! My husband got the burger and loved it. He doesn’t get excited about food like I do, but said “mmm, this is a really good burger” at least 4 times while eating it. If you know him like I do, you know he was impressed. Lol. We also enjoyed a very nice Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, which I was thrilled to see by the glass. The GM came over and talked to us for a while also, allowing me to rave to him about how much we enjoyed everything. A great experience, and a great value. We will DEFINITELY be back!!“

“Fun place with friendly staff.“

“It was my 1st time ever seeing one of these im from the north & we only get the sweet tea & lemonade in grocery stores i saw this place & of course i had to indulge. Food was hot & fresh service was friendly and helpful. I was not disappointed.“

“Enjoyed our meal! Nice change from our usual places.“

“Food is good Fresh as well 10/10“

“We visited from Texas and were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere and food at Urban Cookhouse. I’d be curious to try other sandwiches, but would definitely pair it with more broccoli salad.

Parking: I walked up to the restaurant, but I did notice plenty of street parking available.“

“On Saturday, April 5, 2025, I had my retirement dinner at Culinary Dropout. There were twenty people in my party. Our server Natalie was a "little dynamo". Even the restaurant was crowded due prom season, she got all drink orders promptly. The starters orders arrived soon after. Then the entrees. She was there for drink refills and other requests. She handled the situation with grace, kindness and professionalism. Her and the other wait staff were truly exceptional. The bartenders got drink orders promptly and made to protection. They made my 25 year retirement celebration truly awesome! I will definitely book any future events with this amazing restaurant. Kudos!!!!“

“The food is certainly good, but I definitely don’t recommend the Down Home. It’s an insultingly tiny amount of food. My wife and I both laughed when the server set it down in front of me—$13 for a main course smaller than most appetizers.“

“Exquisite community, exceptional homes. Especially one revisioned by master remodeler, Jason Thomas 👌“

“I've been eating Sneaky Pete's hotdog since I was a little kid. The food is great, but it's much more than that. It's more than just a hot dog restaurant, it's a Birmingham icon. Everyone from here and travels through here should have a Sneaky Pete's hot dog.“

“Even got a cool 😎 magic show! Everyone was friendly! Good food.“

“We had a wonderful time at the Collard Green Cook-off. The venue, the people, the food, were all excellent t. Such courteous people. My daughter and granddaughter and I really enjoyed it. My granddaughter, Dani, sings with the Alabama Blues Project, thst entertained the crowd. Awesome day!“

“Look past where this place is, it's Birmingham, the whole place sucks, just focus on what you're ordering and don't hand out change. It'll start a feeding frenzy with the locals. Good food from a slept on eatery. Lock your doors when you go in.“

“Highlands Bar and Grill is a culinary masterpiece in Birmingham. From the moment you enter, you’re greeted with warmth and elegance. The menu is a celebration of Southern cuisine with a modern twist. Each dish is a work of art, featuring locally sourced ingredients bursting with flavor. The service is impeccable, and the wine list is extensive. Dining here is an experience that tantalizes the taste buds and nourishes the soul. If you appreciate fine dining and Southern hospitality, Highlands Bar and Grill is a must-visit in Birmingham.“

“I will post a picture later, the food is gone before I remember to pic it. ??The food reminds you of your grandmother's cooking. She has pork chop sandwiches, bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits and sandwiches, waffles, orange juice, coffee, and foundation sodas. The place is nice and airy. The extra large windows allow the natural light to brighten up the restaurant. A small to large crowd can be accommodated. Stop by one morning for a treat. I am a regular now and so is my son. ?“

“Amazing people, Amazing atmosphere, and Amazing smoothies and food.“

“An american classic, simple menu, easy to order, all you do is just head inside and tell them if you want to-go or dine in. They have a variety of different foods including burritos, biscuits, and hotdogs in the morning and then burgers, chili cheese fries, and more for lunch. It's no wonder this is a popular spot to go to in Alabama. ?

Miscellaneous: Open at 7 am and close at 5 pm on Monday thru Friday, on Saturday, they close at 4 pm and they are closed on Sunday, pretty reasonable hours, parking is easily accessible to the public, just make sure to look both ways before crossing. ?

Service/Food: Excellent, fast, efficiently well-made, you order your food, get a drink, then they'll call out your number but it gets done so quick depending on what you order, there is a great number of employees here and you should appreciate them as much as they appreciate you.

Amenities: Drink machine includes fan favorites like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Water, and more, they have a restroom to use in the back and they also have a TV to watch if you're bored, I see there are many pictures of other customers that have enjoyed Sneaky Pete's, you might be the next one. ?
The food listed in the picture is the Ultimate Double Cheeseburger and regular fries but the #11 combo is also good!“

“I had the Ahki’s 2 Meat Large Platter with chicken and lamb over rice, and it was fantastic! The meats were tender and flavorful, perfectly paired with the White Magic and Spicy Don't Play With Me sauces. The White Magic added a creamy, tangy touch, while the Spicy sauce brought just the right amount of heat. The portion size was generous, and every bite was delicious. The service was great, and the flavors were on point. Highly recommend Ahki’s for an unforgettable meal!“

“Grilled or fried Chicken salad is the best!! Kids love the ice cream too!! Good gravy biscuits and fun signs to read!“

“Great service and food is always good.“

“When I walked in the door, I was greeted by someone. I was told there would be a 5 minute wait to sit down. It didn’t take the whole 5 minutes for me and two additional people to be seated. The business was quite full but everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves, smiling and eating. As soon as we were seated a waitress took our drink orders along with our food. We received our drinks right away. It took approximately 10 minutes for us to get our food. The food was delicious. I am impressed. Great service overall. 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Enjoyed our meal! Nice change from our usual places.“

“Hot and Fresh Food, Superb Menu!“

“Nobody toots the O’Carrs horn enough! They are faster than a drive through, over and beyond service, friendly, consistent. I get the same thing every time—the chicken salad fruit plate for my dad and a cup of soup for myself and a half-and-half tea. Best little lunch ever.“

“All-time new favorite place! Can’t say enough great things—beautiful, dreamy atmosphere that feels like you drifted into a European country cottage with lush, greenery everywhere: friendly, attentive staff; refreshing cocktails; food was to die for, bold, rich flavors, especially the crab cakes and burger! 10/10“

“Delicious! Best hamburger and wings. Excellent service from our bartender, Savannah. She's the best!“

“Consistently good food at a reasonable price.“