50 Best American Restaurants in Birmingham

“Stopping through on our way to a Bama game. Is it crazy to say the highlight here was the salad? Gosh those greens were fresh. And I don't think I've been somewhere that's so concerned about flavor of dressing and all the toppings. Everyone loves the calamari and Brussels sprouts too. Cornbread was good but it's really just a honey butter delivery system. Mains were solid. I got the Surf and Swamp. Not a catfish guy. Stellar red beans and rice on the side. And hey, I tried alligator and enjoyed it. I think the dish to get right now is the elk. Gosh what a burst of flavor and expertly cooked. I also thought the brisket was plated really well also. I could taste the meat and not just the barbecue sauce which was a nice change. Our server Matt was excellent and our water was always full. This is a beautiful restaurant, with an upscale homey vibe. I'll be back next time I make it out for game day.”

“It has been over a month since we visited AL and I continue to think about how amazing our experience was on 07/28. Caleb was a phenomenal server and provided us with the best experience possible. They helped with menu selection, fantastic coursing, wine recommendations, and was complimentary to all of the other staff at Cafe Dupont. A meal and evening that won't be forgotten!”

“Great brunch location. We both had the Trifecta, two eggs, waffle, and a breakfast meat. Delicious. I also added a biscuit, which was just like Grandma would make. Yummy. We'll be back. (Sorry no pictures this time, I was hungry and forgot to take them!)”

“Yo! Yo! Gooood!! The chicken and waffles set me straight for the long day I had ahead of me. Also, the service from start to finish was wonderful! Thanks for being concerned about us wearing all white. Please know that not one piece of food missed our mouths! Lol!”

“The lobster was overcooked, and the any gratin potatoes are weird now, whatever they changed a while back isn't good - steak was excellent. Still disappointing that they make the truffle fries out of a baked potato yet took the baked potatoes off of the menu”

“Top notch! The food was superb and service was excellent. Ambiance was on point. We had our anniversary dinner here and loved it so much I had to come a second time with my son who also was very impressed with the food. The chef knows flavor and is excellent with food execution. With all the options around this area this is a must go to place! Thank you Galley and Garden!”

“My wife and I dined for the first time at Satterfield’s tonight to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary and first date as parents.We started with a dirty martini and old fashioned, both very well made. We enjoyed the oysters for an appetizer. For dinner, we each paired a glass of red wine with our entree. My wife enjoyed her Pinot Noir with her perfectly prepared medium-rare ribeye. I ordered the slow roasted beef short rib, which was wonderfully complemented by a Malbec; it was probably the best dish I’ve had in Birmingham! So good, I didn’t bother trying my wife’s ribeye (though, of course, I did share a bite of my dish with her). We finished with the blueberry pie and vanilla ice cream.We had very friendly and attentive service from our waitress, Sophie (thank you!). The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We will undoubtedly be back.”

“Our first time here and everything was phenomenal! The food is top tier and the steak is one of the best around Birmingham. Our server, SJ, was the best part of our experience and made sure we had the best time! We will be eating here again very soon and very often.”

“We snuck in early-ish, about 6pm on a Friday evening without a reservation. As we expected, there were no seats available but we were offered bar seating (nearly full) or outside at the sidewalk tables (nearly empty). With the pleasant weather, we opted for outdoors. It was perfect. Those soon filled up too and 15m after we arrived we heard the host tell someone there was now a 2 hour wait. We already had drinks and had ordered our food. Service was fast and excellent. The cocktails were creative, delicious and ONLY $10! These were on par with drinks we've paid $13-15 for at many other places downtown. I tried all 4 we ordered and each was very good. We ordered 3 small plates to share and it was just the right amount of food. Each dish was well prepared and seasoned, served up hot and fast. Our server knew all the food and drinks well, and made thoughtful recommendations. We ordered both desserts on the menu, and they were just as pleasing as the other food and drinks. We both commented that it was one of the best meals we've had in a while, start to finish. I can't wait to return.”

“What a blast! On Saturday, we had our daughter and future son-in-law’s Engagement Party at The Wine Loft. The ENTIRE experience from the initial viewing, planning, setting up, and actual party was FABULOUS! Kristen was an absolute joy and such a wealth of knowledge! I was clueless on how this venue/party stuff worked. The entire staff was kind and diligent like they’ve known you for years. And the atmosphere… such super cool vibe that most guests stayed the entire time and I have received numerous amounts of positive feedback! The food, drinks, atmosphere, people, vibe, all the things - top notch! Thank you to all for a PERFECT night to set off our Wedding Season!”

“Excellent tap room, and the view sitting outside while drinking some of their beers It's just excellent. Didn't try any of the food but probably would next time. Great place to come sit and chill out, and their beers are really tasty.”

“Truly enjoyed the overall experience of MELT! The service from the greeter to the waitress to the table staff was awesome. We had Flatbread as an appetizer, and it was delish! I actually would have been satisfied with just this as the meal. But then I would have missed out on that sandwich! Would definitely ”

“The East 59 Cafe has a private venue room for rentals. We rented the private venue room for a birthday party. It is very spacious. They have a wood wall on one side and twinkle Cafe lights strung up above. The place is so cute and amazing! Would/will definitely rent again. The Event Coordinator Amber is fabulous! She answered all my questions.”

“Gator Tacos were good however I'm not getting anything with a side of chips anymore. They give you half a thimble of queso dip with your chips and you run out of dip when your only halfway through your chips. I asked for more queso and they said it would be a $2 up charge for more. I'm not paying $2 for more queso on a meal I'm $16 deep in that's worth $10 when they should have given me more queso to begin with. Basically if you don't mind buying 2 tocos for $16 that comes with half a side go ahead and try there tocos. Otherwise get something with a different side.”

“Along with their fried chicken, which is their specialty, I also had rice with gravy and brussel sprouts for sides. My dinner, in my opinion, was excellent and truly captured the essence of southern comfort food. I was hungry after eating such a filling and substantial supper.”

“Looking for a reasonably priced meal after an 8 hour train ride....food was great. I got the Southern Burger with fried onions...burger was delicious and the pimento cheese had a little kick. The onion rings are not rings but huge fried slices that were some of the best I've ever had. Husband got a plain hot dog but was one of the meatiest hot dog which is grilled. He got french fries and they were lightly seasoned with rosemary.The atmosphere is great to people watch while watching several tvs. Service was great and the team was. Always watching to be sure we had what we needed. We never made it into the arcade but it was a pleasant experience and we'll have to return on a future trip.”

“If you're not aware, Iron City also does private events and we recently booked them for our wedding. If you love the look and feel of a classic Birmingham/industrial setting, book Iron City for your private event! First of all, it's such a fun venue, and having a full stage made us decide to hire a live band and everybody had SO much fun. Second of all, Kendall, the coordinator for Iron City, is so incredibly kind and helpful. If you're worried about table linens and how many sandwiches to order and those little details stress you out, she has the answers to all the questions you could possibly ask. I feel like everything was taken care of, and she was always happy to answer my random questions and concerns. It was also so convenient to have food and drinks as part of the rental, and it was nice to not have to worry about coordinating all of those things as well. All in all, I feel like my wedding was beautiful, SO fun, and Kendall at Iron City is one of the big reasons it went as smoothly as it did. Can't recommend it enough!”

“Grabbed brunch here on Saturday morning right when they opened. Was afraid that it would be really busy but managed to grab a table really easily. No reservations are taken for brunch. We were warmly greeted by our server and walked through the menu. I was a big fan of my breakfast - the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese biscuit. Though it can come across as a rather generic menu item at a breakfast eatery, I was really amazed by the varying aromatics in this simple breakfast sandwich. You can tell everything is sourced very intentionally. Paired with a simple side salad and two mimosas (orange and pomegranate), I was feeling very good for breakfast. As a side, I got a Bo Boy? which is like a giant hashbrown. Overall, a great time!”

“Fantastic all the way around! What a lovely getaway to enjoy a fresh-cooked meal. I’ve been staying at UAB the past few days with my Grandmother in the hospital and it was so nice to come into an inviting, cozy, welcoming atmosphere to eat a nice meal. I had the seafood kabob with fruit, salad and hummus. The kabob was DELICIOUS and the fruit and salad were so fresh! The server was Matt and he was amazing as well. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area!”

“You absolutely have to try these pies. One of the best things I’ve ever tasted. In addition to the amazing pies and cakes, the customer service here is absolutely impeccable. It was my first time visiting and I will, without a doubt, be returning for more! My grandmother passed away not too long ago. She use to bake sweet potato pies often and to walk in and not only smell that sweet smell of pies baking, but to also see one of my grandmother’s favorite scriptures across the wall “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” It felt like it was meant to be. Everything about this place made my entire morning!”

“There's no SUBstitute for a quality sandwich. Ampersandwich has been on my dad's & my radar for a moment so we decided to check them out today. This cool little Avondale spot specializes in sub sandwiches. When you're in the mood for one, there's nothing like a good sandwich & this place makes a GOOD sandwich!I had the Italian sandwich featuring pepperoni, mortadella, salami, provolone, mayo, whole grain mustard, giardiniera (pepper salad), onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, oil, salt & pepper. Everything about this sandwich was high quality. The bread comes from Birmingham Breadworks & is SUPER fresh. The meat/cheese to toppings ratio was just right. I love a nice whole grain mustard. It added terrific flavor...but my favorite part was the giardiniera! It was SUPERB *chef's kiss. Giardiniera is a traditional Italian relish consisting of a medley of pickled peppers, cauliflower, carrots & celery. It's got a nice kick to it, but it's not overwhelmingly spicy. If you can handle mild spice, you can handle this. It's vinegary, tangy & slightly sweet. It added a lovely crispness in contrast to the soft bread. Get the giardiniera! I also had a side of potato salad. I LOVED this potato salad. Most are really "eggy". This one is not. I'm not wild about boiled eggs, so this was perfect to me. Nice & creamy, delightful bacon flavor.I really dug everything about Ampersandwich. It's not everyday you'll see me get excited about a sandwich shop, but this place is truly special. I had a good feeling right when we pulled up to the building & were greeted by the cute lil sandwich mural out front. The inside dining area is small, but comfortable. Hip. There's a very nice courtyard I look forward to enjoying this fall. Beer & a couple of wines are available in the cooler. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff. There's a parking lot so, though downtown, parking is a breeze. As their tagline goes, "Yum & Yum". Simple & 100% accurate. Thanks for a great lunch, Ampersandwich! 100/10”

“I've been a member for a while, been coming here since smoking was ubiquitous. Recent changes in layout are great. Easier menus are good.If you've never been it's a really big place. Three restaurants, one giant bar/terrace/lounge. There are other areas for special events.Food level is a medium/budget cruise line. Service is usually decent.An evening on the terrace with some nice folks and a meal are very nice. Live music is available SOMEWHERE nearly every evening.Most 'special events' are problematic, like large banquets are anywhere. It's either a buffet (or 4 or 9 ) or food that can hopefully take being in a warmer for a bit.July 4th has become tiresome. Too many folks, and more 'guests' than members. New Years is a blast, with folks actually dressing like adults and generally having fun like adults. Evening gowns and a tux are not required but predominate- and SHOULD.Other holidays and events are all over the place. My wife and I recently went to 'Lobster Fest' and it would have been better observed by non-attendance. Thanksgiving and Mothers Day are generally enjoyable. Wedding receptions generally depend on the size of the budget....”

“Jimbo's is a really cute place to grab a quick bite. If you enjoy a quaint and nostalgic dining experience, then this is the place for you. Breakfast food is great and the waffles are really good as well. Coffee was nice and strong but I like it this way.”

“I'm very picky about steak houses and this place hot the spot. The prime rib was like cutting through butter and the Hemingway center cut was also flavorful and tender. Great appetizers and services. Decent size bar with plenty of options also. Highly recommend.”

“Food is phenomenal and I love the vegan options! Drinks are great too! My only complaint is with the seating outside, it's very small and not very sturdy; chairs and tables constantly wobble, I do think they could invest in better furniture that keeps with their time period”

“Service is outstanding. The waitstaff knows the menu and is able to assist. Cocktails are classic, balanced and on-point. Entrees are delicious, though be warned the portion sizes are on the small side. Not quite big enough to share. It’s very very loud in the restaurant, so be warned. Pork chop and lamb crepinette were outstanding. Scallops were a bit rubbery but full of flavor. This place is great and consistent.”

“Such a cute restaurant. The service is wonderful and fast. I ordered a veggie plate with carrots, peas, okra, and corn polenta cake. The carrots were tender. The okra was fried to perfection and came with a delightful sauce. The corn came polenta was also delightful with cheese and corn kernels. The peas were too crunchy for my liking. I prefer peas more tender so I didn't eat those. Overall, I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a healthy, light meal.Vegetarian options: Fresh veggies that taste like they should!”

“This was the best brisket sandwich I have ever had. My service was great (Ashley) was very hospitable and gave great recommendations on food and the area. The cook also stopped by before I left and was very sweet. I wish they were open on weekends so I could eat here again before I fly out.”

“First visit but will not be our last. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes that were thinly sliced and fried with a delicate batter. The dipping sauce was so good!!! I had the filet sliders with truffle fries and the hubby had the Oak House pasta-Chicken and pasta in a Cajun sauce with just the right amount of heat. Homemade foccaci bread and an orange cake rounded out our meal. Our server Tristan should win an award for best server ever!!! He was so helpful and friendly in helping us navigate the menu. This is our new go-to place for dining.”

“Really good burgers that remind me of burgers I had at a pool hall growing up in KY. If you want to go inside to sit and eat, bring your ID as it’s located inside a federal courthouse.You can go to the window without your identification. Friendly service. Good food. Good prices.”

“I come to the Birmingham area for work and have eaten at several of the locations. I need to branch out and get something besides the Cookhouse Wrap, but it's excellent and I'm not in town often so I keep ordering the same meal. The side of fruit is always fresh. Wish this business was around OKC.”

“Pretty good little walk up and order place. Not overly loud and plenty of seating. I got the Buffalo chicken wrap and salad- it was pretty good, not amazing but good, and my hubby got the white bbq chicken sandwich and thought it was good. It was a bit weird when we received our food while dining in all in take out boxes though. We weren't asked if we were taking it out, so I would definitely specify that if I went back.”

“A hidden gem of Lakeview district! If only Lakeview could follow this example!!! Great vibe, modern but cozy. Surprisingly good food (had the burger). Classic drinks. Attentive bar staff. Had to wait a minute for food but nothing more than expected for small made-to-order kitchen. HANDS DOWN best fries I've ever had and that's saying something. I would come here again JUST for a side of fries and a drink! A great break from work! Wait they have good WiFi, too!”

“This is probably my second or third time to come to the Cedar house each and every time the food has been amazing. It is an old-school cafeteria serving meat and vegetables. There were multiple choices each day for the entrée. I chose the hamburger steak. I also chose the term greens, black-eyed peas, and fried green tomatoes. Everything was amazing and tasted delicious. The staff continue to check on us and cater to our needs as we sat eating offering numerous times to refill our glasses. It’s a very comfortable atmosphere where you can come for a quick meal or stay and visit. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a delicious meal and a friendly atmosphere.Parking: Plenty of parking”

“I was looking for food at night, and this place caught my eye. The environment was so chill, and everything was more than reasonably priced. I also appreciate ya'll playing "The Isley Brothers - Between The Sheets" for me. Thanks again for the hospitality.”

“This is a great place to grab Latin or American food. You order at the bar and then it’s brought to the table. We eat here frequently. I particularly like the Philly cheesesteak, David’s quesadilla, fried fish, tacos, and burrito. The hamburger is also good. It has a full bar and there. Margaritas are really good as well. The staff is very nice and friendly. The atmosphere is very relaxed and casual With a wide variety of people. It truly is a great place in the neighborhood.Kid-friendliness: Mainly adults, but children are welcome especially in the outdoor area”

“Wow. These 'spelt' biscuits are a marvel of culinary engineering. You'll be comforted to know their spelt biscuit flour tastes like normal white flour. Except far better. Will be returning again and again. ? We'll be lifelong customers.”

“Their service is outstanding! And their smoothies are awesome. Their burgers are definitely not what I expected from a smoothie joint, very surprising that they are actually really really good! Almost tastes like you made one at home on your grill.”

“The food it was excellent. This young man has been in business for two years. The first year was in a food truck, the second year has been in this building authentic Kenyan cuisine, but definitely pleased the group.Check times before you go (it closes at 7 PM) but it is definitely worth the lunchtime or early. Dinner option.”

“There's probably nothing wrong with a bar, there was packed so obviously people love it, it just wasn't my cup of tea, I'm not saying that there was anything wrong with it it wasn't filthy it wasn't dirty it wasn't rundown I mean it wasn't poorly-run nothing, so I'm not knocking the business as far as that goes to, I just don't care for it myself it's not my preference, it wasn't my crowd it wasn't my thing I didn't feel it, it's nothing knocked against the business they run a good business otherwise it wouldn't be packed, so my opinion is just mine it's not everybody else's as I saw it tonight so, it's probably a great business it's just wasn't for me”

“I ordered some food for delivery for an injured family member (I live out of state) and there was a mix up with Door Dash because the restaurant was closing before Door Dash could get there. Employee Karen Norton was so helpful in trying to resolve it and then offered to deliver the items herself (to the nearby home). What a saint! We are even bigger Ashley Mac fans now. Yummy food. Above and beyond service.”

“Tyler was the most excellent and arguably the most handsome server I’ve ever had. The food was amazing and brought to my table by the chef himself. The manager personally greeted me and, upon our lovely conversation, offered to pay for my meal! I absolutely will be coming back 3-5 days every week.”

“My husband and I were recommended to Gray Bar by Patrick at the Anvil we came by and we were greeted by Edwina who is absolutely amazing. She had a great personality and she handles that place with ease. We were only in town for a couple days but when we come back next fall will definitely be back here. Loved seeing the owner (Sorry I forgot his name) chatting it up with his guests. Great place keep up the great work as an in the biz person I always appreciate great service and a great time and Edwina you’re the best and you are truly an asset to this pub”

“Cool bar and grill on the southside with live music. The manager sat us in “the foxhole” which was an intimate cocktail lounge. We could hear live music but still have a conversation. Seared tuna was perfect. My wife had pork tenderloin which was also good. Beer was cold and crisp and Jay was an excellent server. We'll be back.”

“I came here with a group of friends for dinner last week. I had heard a lot about this place so was really looking forward to finally trying it. It's kind of a hole in the wall in Mountain Brook. The bar/restaurant itself was kind of small. Since our party was pretty big, we had to sit in their outside patio area. The servers were nice, but service was a bit slow having to wait a good bit to flag down our server to take our food orders. He didn't write anything down, but he got all of our orders right. Kudos to him! I ordered their Club Salad. It was delicious. So much meat and cheese! It's a huge serving too!”

“Can't really speak for lunch as I've only eaten there once (was good), but breakfast is fantastic. I love the ladies that work in the mornings together. Super sweet & very hard workers. Unlike many places, I don't feel like I'm a burden for being there.”

“As someone who is a fan of the Halal Guys in New York i must say this is as close as you can get found here at this Birmingham location. The food was fresh and made to order. I had the lamb that was delicious and the small meal was almost more food than I could eat. The service was welcoming and took time while we chose what meats and sides we wanted. The red sauce is no joke. Just the right amount of fire and flavor. I highly recommend this place to anyone and look forward to when I can return.”

“This is the best restaurant I believe I have attended to date in the Birmingham metro area. The staff are ALWAYS very professional, exceptionally courteous, respectful and highly efficient. The place is always clean. I've never been a hot dog guy before but this place changed has my mind. You owe it yourself to take your family here for lunch.Kid-friendliness: I observed a family with young children eat and they appeared to be very happy. This restaurant has high chairs (The stackable kind) for children.”

“I went on a Monday night with my friends, and loved it! The bartender girl was very friendly when we came in, we had already had quite a few drinks so it made the experience better immediately lol. The older gentleman who came after her was even nicer! The other patrons in the bar were super nice, and the buffalo wings me and all my buddies had were DELICIOUS I don’t know if it was because I was already hammered, or just super hungry but from what I can remember I loved them. They served my modelos with lime too, which I appreciated. 10/10 place to go grab some drinks with the boys.Parking: Just a regular open parking lot”

“Was at a red light and looked to my right...and there BITE was. Saw the picture's for the reviews and decided to try it...OMG..the Club was amazing A+. I love the cozy atmosphere and the drinks are amazing x 5.....Thank you for the amazing experience!Today is 10-7-23 ...food was so good Friday, that I tried to visit Bite on a Saturday...and they are closed...I'll see ya'll Tuesday!!! Got to get that Club!!! The food is really made with love and care. You can taste it!!!”