Birmingham, the Magic City, has long been known for its exquisite food scene all over the world. From American cuisines and French delights to delectable Italian dishes, the city engages in giving the best culinary experience to everyone far beyond their ethnicities.
If you are looking forward to exploring assorted cuisines from different corners of the world at one stop, have a look at the best restaurants in Birmingham to satisfy all your dining needs.
Best Restaurants in Birmingham, AL
1. Chez Fonfon
Chez Fonfon serves classic French fare in an antique and aesthetic setting, with both indoor and outdoor seating. It is a small French bistro with a low-lit and romantic ambiance, perfect for intimate parties and date nights.
Some of their popular dishes are hamburger Fonfon with comté & Pommes Frites, trout amandine, steak tartare, moules frites made in basque style, braised beef cheeks, crab cakes, escargot in shallot butter and their infamous charcuterie platter.
Don’t miss out on their coconut pecan cake and lemon meringue tart to end on a sweet note. Chez Fonfon has an excellent staff who make sure you have a comfortable dining experience and recommend wonderful wine choices to complement your dishes.
2. The Original Pancake House
The Original Pancake House is a great breakfast and brunch spot serving exclusive pancakes of different varieties along with palatable omelets, waffles and other American breakfast classics.
Some of their signature items are pumpkin pancakes with breakfast potatoes, blueberry pancakes, Granny Smith apple pancakes topped with cinnamon glaze, buttermilk pancakes drenched in maple syrup, sourdough French toast, corned beef hash, turkey sausage, perfectly cooked bacon, pecan waffles, swiss oven omelets and steaks & eggs.
3. Bistro Two Eighteen
Bistro Two Eighteen has an upscale bar room and serves contemporary French and American cuisine in a historic and minimalistic setting with high ceilings and brick walls filled with local art.
The whole ambiance of this restaurant is elegant and romantic, making it popular for special dining out with your loved ones. Some of their popular dishes are duck confit, Beef Wellington, wild gulf shrimp, vegetable risotto, fried green tomato salad, and crab cakes.
Start with their mouthwatering appetizers like Fritto Misto and charred Spanish octopus and then move towards their flavorful main courses like chicken paillards made with lemon butter caper sauce and creamy risotto.
4. Bottega
Bottega is one of the promising Italian restaurants in Birmingham located amidst Highland Avenue, serving classic Italian dishes in a historic and classy edifice that looks like it has been lifted from Italy.
They also have an outdoor patio that is so beautiful with a lovely ambiance that enhances your overall dining experience. Try their Parmesan souffle and homemade ravioli for appetizers. For the main courses, indulge in their scrumptious grilled swordfish, pan-roasted venison, beef tenderloin, and gulf shrimp risotto.
To top it off, have their pleasing desserts like tiramisu, seven-layer coconut cake, and Valrhona chocolate tarte, which are the cherry on top!
5. Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille
Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille is one of the most popular Birmingham restaurants with four private dining rooms, an island bar and an outdoor patio serving an extensive menu of seafood and chops along with a wine list that accommodates their menu.
You must try their signature lamb chops, crab cakes, filet mignon, Perry’s famous pork chops, gluten-free French onion soup, cowboy ribeye steak, chargrilled oysters, steakhouse brick chicken and symphony kabob. Also, try their vegan specialty skillet chopped steak and their jumbo shrimp cocktails and martinis.
6. Automatic Seafood and Oysters
The Automatic Seafood and Oysters is one of the best restaurants serving varieties of seafood dishes originating from the Gulf of Mexico, like fish and oysters, along with steaks and cocktails, in a friendly and welcoming ambiance.
Some of ASO’s popular dishes are raw or grilled oysters, roasted yellow-edge grouper, seared tuna, yeast rolls, octopus a la plancha, marinated crab claws, deviled eggs and fried chicken. All the dishes at ASO have a unique touch and give an explosion of flavors in the mouth.
7. Texas De Brazil
Texas De Brazil is one of the Brazilian steakhouse restaurants with an open-view wine bar and lounge area to fully relax and indulge in the goodness of more than 15 varieties of meat that is cooked on an open flame with natural wood charcoal.
The Brazilian steakhouse offers flame-grilled braised beef ribs, herb-marinated pork loin, Brazilian sausage, a rack of lamb, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, filet mignon, flank steak, lamb picanha and barbecued pork ribs.
Texas De Brazil restaurant also has a salad area where you can indulge in their in-house salads or even prepare your own from the special chef-crafted salads and other delicately prepared vegetables and imported cheeses.
8. Hot and Hot Fish Club
Hot and Hot Fish Club is one of the finest for an exclusive fine dining experience in a romantic setting with aesthetic decor, a comfortable dining room and well-spaced tables.
Hot and Hot Fish Club uses seasonal ingredients to serve fresh and delectable cuisines. Some of the popular items on the menu are wagyu beef tartare, chicken fried steak, grilled fish, sautéed yellow edge grouper, braised rabbit with duck dumplings, pan-seared scallops, and charcuterie and cheese with okra, whole grain mustard, and seasonal accompaniments.
Start with their amazingly hot tomato salad and work all your way up to some decadent desserts like Elton’s Chocolate Soufflé, white chocolate, and raspberry bread pudding to have a fulfilling culinary experience.
9. Amore Ristorante Italiano
Amore Ristorante Italiano is a family-owned Italian restaurant offering exquisite traditional Italian fare in a cozy, romantic and elegant ambiance perfect for special occasions and intimate parties.
Amore Ristorante Italiano offers high-quality and exquisitely prepared Italian cuisine and seafood dishes that are worth every penny. Amore(meaning: love) restaurant has an amazing lunch menu, dinner menu and an extensive wine list for every wine connoisseur out there.
Some of Amore Ristorante Italiano‘s popular dishes are eggplant parmigiana, seafood risotto, shrimp scampi, red snapper, filet mignon medallions, vitello alla marsala, fettuccine alfredo, lasagna bolognese, bistecca alla pizzaiola and penne carbonara.
10. El Barrio
El Barrio is one of the popular restaurants serving Mexican-inspired cuisines made from locally sourced ingredients in an inventive and intricate setting. El Barrio has an extensive menu that is perfect for every foodie’s taste buds. With huge portions and tons of flavor, El Barrio offers many popular dishes that are worth trying.
Next comes their exquisitely prepared main courses like grilled chorizo meatloaf, beef barbacoa quesadilla, chicken enchiladas, carne asada, pan-roasted salmon, Pepito, bacon quesadilla and roasted chile relleno that are bursting with flavors in every bite you take.
Towards the end, have a taste of their decadent desserts like El Barrio tres leches, and chocolate chipotle served with whipped cream and candied pecans that will surely leave you spellbound!
Final Note
Magic City is well known for providing the best fine dining experience to all locals and travelers alike with its scrumptious delicacies and impeccable service. From fine dining to traditional bistros, there are a lot of restaurants that provide an excellent culinary experience that you will cherish for a lifetime!
Last Updated on July 10, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
