29 Best Cafes in Birmingham

“The first time there today got a Philly cheesesteak and I’m gonna tell you. It was really good. The bowtie pasta is good now I gotta try the calzone highly recommend. Love the atmosphere.“

“Amazing food, great staff and beautiful space“

“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.“

“My favorite local restaurant- delicious food, atmosphere and staff exceptional, and also fun to shop for unique gifts.“

“The food is always fresh and delicious, the Reuben is my favorite!!! Great people and wonderful service!“

“This is one of the hidden gems in town! Always fantastic food and I eat here at least twice a week. The service is outstanding and always friendly. Sue the hostess that works the door is amazing. She remembered my name by the second visit and always greets me with a smile?. The entire staff is unbelievable and you feel like you are eating lunch with best friends. Highly recommend!!!“

“East 59 Cafe in Lee Branch is my favorite spot for a coffee, lunch or even alone time. I have had several birthday parties held here and will continue to go to them. Thank you always for the kindness shown to my son, daughter and I. All the best!“

“Love this place! Amazingly fresh and delicious!“

“We went to visit yesterday! Love this place! Great drinks, extraordinary cats and wonderful staff!! Thank y'all for what you do!! Will be back 💕🐈‍⬛💕“

“Food this good always takes a little longer get than normal, but definitely worth the wait. The vegan choices are amazing as are the smoothies and juices. We ordered the surprise me sandwich and were quite impressed. Wish we lived here but we’ve found our hole in the wall for future visits“

“Fantastic cocktail bar! We had delicious drinks and food! The salt and vinegar chickpeas were fantastic! So was the Bahn Mi! We are visiting from out of town and the owner was so kind to tell us about the area and some entertaining stories about his life! He told us the history of the building as well! 10/10 recommend this place or cool vibes, unique cocktail, and delicious food!“

“This is such a cool eclectic cafe and the food is out of this world good! My husband and I love coming here! We have been twice and love it so much! Highly recommend!!!“

“My favorite place to eat for a meat and two. Fresh veggies, meats and more. Consistent quality and service.?“

“Yummy tea, good amount of options, and good and fast service. Only gave it a four star review because one of the teas was a bit too strong for my liking. They also put way too much ice in cup and too little of the drink. Would also appreciate a little more of the boba. Overall good boba tea place.“

“I ate here for lunch on my weekday lunch excursion to Birmingham's lovely zoo. It took me about 2.5 hours to tour the zoo and afterward I decided I should grab a bite to eat before I began the long drive home a few hours away.\n\nI found the interior to be large with plenty of space around to accomodate lots of patrons. There were very large and fun pictures of a few wild animals adorning the walls and toward the back where you enter from, was a condiment buffet of every enticing flavor-enhancer you could possible imagine. \n\nThe cashier was incredibly happy and helpful. I let her know that I am gluten-free due to health issues and asked her what she could recommend. We decided on the corn-breaded corn dog. It was HUGE! I was surprised by the wide variety of dining options offered here. From cold club sandwiches, to hot BBQ and salad, this place seemed to have it all. I will say however that I found out the hard way that the corn bread batter did have gluten flour in its breading but it tasted great so I was just a little uncomfortable afterward but no biggie! \n\nI highly recommend that you give the zoo lunch-in a try, I was very glad to have the option of a hot meal served with an enthusiastic smile before I headed home. Southern hospitality at its finest.“

“Had such a lovely fellowship time with the saints“

“This has become one of my favorite restaurants. The food is amazing and the staff is always so friendly. Even when busy this restaurant is always clean. I highly recommended this place.“

“My favorite is the Mocha iced coffee, it gives me lots of energy to continue with my day!Also their workout group is fun and a great way to help me stay on track with my exercise!Also Their mega teas are great picker uppers in the middle of the day!!

Kid-friendliness: I was with my little girls and they loved their shakes! Wild berry and banana caramel are their favorites!“

“Great Place to eat“

“Food was good, but everything was cold. Really like the place the staff is excellent. Wish they would concentrate on making sure that the food arrives hot.“

“Good vibes in the area … ☮️“

“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!“

“The absolute best deli sandwiches in town! Family owned since the early 70’s and I’m pretty sure none of the recipes have changed!! Try the Rich man’s Poboy (you can thank me later)!!“

“Awesome addition to the Crestwood neighborhood!“

“This coffee is located inside the Region's center downtown and open to the public. The ladies who run and manage the place are amazing and always have a smile on their faces. The coffee and treats are sweet. If you don't know what to choose, they are more than welcome to recommend a drink based on what you like. Keep up the good work ladies.“

“Food is good Fresh as well 10/10“

“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!“

“The food is great and so is the service! We visit frequently to catch up with friends and clients.“