50 Best American Restaurants in Birmingham

“Can't go wrong with anything here! Amazing food, creative cocktails and fantastic service. Will be back quite a bit, highly recommend!“

“We came for our 37th wedding anniversary. It was our 1st time eating here. Our server was Bishop. Bishop was amazing....staring woth the glass of celebratory champaign, picking a perfect wine pairing, explaining the dishes, great sense of humor....he helped make our experience fun and memorable. The food....OH. MY. GOODNESS!!! The food was amazing. Cooked to perfection! From the bread, Amuse Bouche, appetizer (great fried green tomatoes, by the way!!!) Intermezzo, main course (ribeye and braised rabbit), and dessert with coffee....every step was amazing! A truly wonderful sensual experience from all the aromas, flavors, and ambiance. We will definitely be back, and will definitely recommend Cafe DuPont to others. Thank you for making our celebration special!“

“The service was excellent! Love their gluten free options.❤️“

“Chance was good and the food was great!“

“We love Oak House! Amazing food and atmosphere. It’s our go to date night spot since moving to the area.“

“Ashley Mac’s Kitchen is a Birmingham favorite for a reason—it delivers comforting, Southern-inspired food that feels homemade but polished. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is bright, welcoming, and relaxed, making it an easy choice for lunch with friends, a quick solo meal, or picking up dinner to take home.

The menu is packed with reliable crowd-pleasers. The chicken salad is a standout—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced—while the poppyseed chicken remains a signature dish that keeps people coming back. Salads are crisp and generously portioned, and the sandwich options are hearty without feeling heavy. One of Ashley Mac’s biggest strengths is its grab-and-go market, offering fresh and frozen meals that are ideal for busy nights when you still want something that tastes homemade.“

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

“Longtime family favorite! Ashley Mac's has been a part of our family meals for so long and is so well loved that my oldest son has asked if I'm going to send the poppyseed chicken with him when I send him meals and care packages for college! He's only in 10th grade, but he's already thinking about how he can make sure he doesn't miss out on poppyseed chicken night!“

“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.“

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

“Small place, but very nice and they’ve made awesome use of additional outdoor seating. The menu is small, but extremely well thought out and delicious! We had the smash burger and the French dip. Regular fries and the truffle fries, cheese sticks, and a delicious salad. It was 10/10!“

“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.“

“The Cedar House Cafeteria has been in business fourty-nine years in the same location. Throughout the years there have been changes made here and there but the quality of the food and service has always been
remarkable. Stop by and enjoy this iconic landmark and see for yourself what has kept the doors
open all this time. Delicious food, prompt friendly service all at a great price. You will become a regular Cedar House patron too!!“

“Very good place and friendly staff.“

“Easy access on a corner, this small café is a hidden gem brimming with Southern hospitality. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel like family, greeting us with warm smiles and genuine kindness. The food was just as memorable—homestyle classics cooked to perfection, with fresh ingredients and rich flavors that reminded me of a southern, home-cooked meal. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast or an affordable lunch, this charming spot is the perfect place to relax and savor great food in a welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend!“

“So I placed my order after a recommendation from a friend. I was initially pissed off because I was charged $3.99 + service fees for delivery through door dash which should have been zero for a first time order. Then the resturant charged me $7.00 for a order change so that my brother could be happy. I say all this to say they did a outstanding job, the only thing that could make this sweeter is to give my brother another compli army meal free of charge anything off the menu with of course revisions to fit his tastes.“

“Great brunch ans cocktails!“

“Food is good Fresh as well 10/10“

“The food was Amazing! I had the Mandarin crunch chicken wrap with broccoli salad, it was so light and delicious! My dad had the chicken salad fruit plate and Oh My Goodness you won't believe how great this meal was, bonus-value to portion was incredible!! If you are looking for fresh meal this is the place!!“

“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!“

“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.“

“Wow, wow, wow. When I asked the waiter, how long the restaurant had been there, I was almost mad at myself when he told me it has been in Birmingham eight years. Why didn’t I find this place sooner? I went with my sister and my brother-in-law for dinner, we felt like we were eating in the French quarter. It’s the best Cajun food I’ve had north of New Orleans. You must try the shrimp, poor boy, better yet get the surf and turf because the roast beef will blow your mind. My sister and I also had the gumbo, the hush puppies are Devine, succotash was really good, and oh my wonderful tastebuds, the muffaletta was something like you would have on Bourbon Street. If you like Cajun food, this place has great food and a fun environment with lots of outdoor seating. Dog friendly to boot! I highly recommend that you try this at least once if you live in Birmingham or are visiting.“

“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!!!!“

“Our family (my husband & I & our three toddlers) was in the area today & were recommended Real & Rosemary for lunch. We had a wonderful experience. The staff was incredibly welcoming & accommodating! The food was absolutely delicious! We will definitely be adding this to our list of favorites in the Birmingham/Homewood area!“

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

“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.“

“This place is absolutely amazing. Took my smokin’ hott wife here on date night. Tiffany was our server and she was amazing. The food is better than a home cooked meal and the price is well worth it. Again ***** 5 STAR“

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

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

“Try the philly cheese steak! So good!“

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

“10 out of 10 Food and Service was Great from start to finish“

“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.“

“I have been a Milos fan since I was a kid. We would go to the 1 in Roebuck after soccer games and the 1 in Irondale during the time there. Now in Cahaba Heights I can walk to the place. My Mother would get burgers to go back to Florida when they lived down south. Never ate a burger and fries that tasted bad.“

“Stumbled into this place and it was delicious. Two classics with fries, all very tasty. Cute little diner feel with Mario being very sweet with excellent customer service. Manager even came out and checked on everyone dining. This must be what it was like back in the day when customer service was always top priority and the food reasonably priced and authentically made to order.“

“Great service and food is always good.“

“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.“

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

“Went with my wife and had an incredible experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, the food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. Everything exceeded expectations — a true 5-star experience. We will absolutely be coming back.“

“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.“

“It had been a long time since we had a sneaky Pete's hot dog, so, we stopped at a drive thru at Forestdale. I got two chili cheese 🧀 dogs with fries 🍟, my wife got two sneaky Pete's, and i ate one.of them! They were really good and the 🍟 were hot 🔥 it was just a good lunch! People at.the window were very nice and I could see inside the kitchen, my truck sits really high, it.was.very clean. Give sneaky Pete's a try, I think you will enjoy it! Nuff said..“

“Consistently good food at a reasonable price.“

“Annie’s kitchen food overall amazing. I had a brunch catering for graduation. The food was amazing overall 9/10. I would definitely use Annie again. She was professional and quick when it came to responding to messages. Had great team to help her. I would 100% recommend for catering services. Thank you Annie.“

“My husband and I often eat at the Metro Diner Trussville, AL location, because the food is excellent, and the staff is amazing. So, when he said he was going to order our Thanksgiving dinner from them, I was not surprised. And, y'all, it was EXCELLENT! A lot of food for a reasonable price, and everything tasted delicious. Plus there was plenty for leftovers. I know who we'll be having to cater our Christmas dinner. 😀“

“Good food, drinks and Dj Bad boy Butch“

“I was in town for a wedding this weekend and stayed at The Kelly. The hotel is beautiful and the rooms are very spacious for being in a historic building. The price was fantastic for such a nice hotel in a good location. The staff is unbelievably friendly and welcoming. I didn't get the names of the front desk workers but they were absolutely terrific! The valets are some of the best I've ever encountered. Eric, Tory and Thomas went out of their way to be helpful every single time. One evening I accidentally left a bag in the car and Thomas volunteered to go all the way back to the parking garage to get it for me. From now on, when I am in Birmingham I won't be staying anywhere else but The Kelly. I suggest you do too!“

“Everyone working here is really nice and always makes my food to order. I work nearby and they feed me almost every day. The chicken fingers are great and well breaded. Buffalo is my favorite, but they also have honey mustard, ranch, and Petes sauce. Burgers are also very tasty. Cant speak for the hot dogs, as I dont eat pork, but the sauce is delicious and the prices are reasonable“

“I had the opportunity to patronize Slide Cafe this past weekend. It was Valentine's Day weekend, so I expected a longer wait time. I decided to order on-line to help minimize the wait. My order was placed 10:26 and would be ready by 10:41 a.m. The email stated to come to the pickup counter once my order was ready. I arrived at 10:40 and looked for a pick-up station but I didn't see that area to directly go to. I found an "order here" area with individual kiosks that allowed for ordering prior to sitting. I walked near the bar and was greeted, asked did I have a to-go order and my food was bagged and ready as promised. Service and speed were on point. The previous location was smaller, so I was excited to see the newer location. The popularity of the business has grown in the Birmingham community so it's grand to see the business elevate upward as well! The decor was amazingly designed, with black and white colors with an accent of yellow. This instantly created a warming spirit from within. There was ample seating, some located near the window which I loved. The remaining seating areas were spaced out great and even had a seating in a separate section that could host a wedding party, baby shower or birthday celebration. The restaurant offers a different ordering vibe, as mentioned earlier with the kiosks. There was a host present to assist with menu explanations, suggestions and order processes. I think this is smart, to prevent people from ordering errors and skipped bills, allowing the customer to be directly in charge of what the kitchen sees. There are plenty of options like, sauce on the side, omit and add items during ordering. There are some menu items that are specifically crafted by the chef so no modifications can be made to these items. However, so many items are available that something that may be wanted may be purchase a la carte. The kitchen receives the order electronically and the guest is given a number to place on their table. There are servers to bring the food to the table as well. The owners are the final point of expediting, which is brilliantly done. They provide the final quality control before the meal reaches the guest. This remains me of Gordon Ramsey service because if it doesn't meet Chef Racquel's standards, it's not going out! With a name like Slide Cafe, the menu does include different brunch or lunch slider options, like steak and eggs (steak=brisket), chicken & waffle slider and break-fast slide with bacon and Conecuh sausage! How about a burger, grilled chicken or crab cake slider if breakfast is not on your mind. Omelets, breakfast platters (small or large), seafood options like shrimp or salmon and grits, pork chop & gravy, signature hash skillets topped with various house-made sauces and vegan options as well! Bottled soda, tea and lemonade were available as well as a full bar for mimosas and mixed drinks. They even have a soul food menu on the weekend with whole fried okra, lamb chops, jerk oxtails and more. I think that is perfect to take home if you come to dine in for brunch! Now, let's take about the food. I ordered the Catfish and grits, Chicken and Gravy slider w/ a fried egg and cheese and a House Lemonade. My total was less than $30, which I feel is ok with the amount of food provide. The slider was packaged in a Styrofoam container. The Catfish & Grits were accented nicely with parsley garnish is a plastic meal-prep container, perfect to reuse for something else. The slider, yes, amazing any day. They are called sliders, but they really are sandwiches! The chicken breast was seasoned in and out, fried beautifully, crispy and juicy. The biscuit was definitely homemade and moist, fluffy, yet firm to hold everything together. I ordered the gravy on the side, which came in a 4-6-ounce bowl and used a dunking action to indulge. The gravy is homemade, rich and peppery. 10/10! The lemonade was not just powered Country Time lemonade. There was a real tangy and not overly sweetness to it. I drink some of it down and adde“

“AHKI’S is a flavorful and satisfying Mediterranean‑inspired restaurant that delivers bold taste with generous portions. From the first bite, you can tell the focus here is on fresh ingredients and rich seasonings. The menu leans into classic Mediterranean street‑food vibes — think tender grilled chicken, juicy steak, and perfectly seasoned rice — but with enough personality to make each visit feel distinct.

One of the best things about AHKI’S is the sauces and toppings. The creamy white sauce adds brightness to every dish, while the spicier sauces bring a pleasant kick without overwhelming the palate. Whether you’re ordering a bowl, pita wrap, or platter, the flavors are balanced and layered, making even simple combinations taste exciting. The salads are crisp and refreshing, giving a nice contrast to the heartier proteins and starches.“