The best restaurants in Birmingham

This modern venue, part of a small chain, serves Thai specialties, sushi & cocktails.

16 Perimeter Park S

Casual, upscale eatery serving up sandwiches and salads, along with soups, mac 'n' cheese, waffles, burgers and chicken dishes.

2901 Cahaba Rd (Mountain Brook)

Mexican spot known for roasted salsa along with burritos, enchiladas and fajitas.

230 Doug Baker Blvd #300

Casual Japanese restaurant featuring all-you-can-eat sushi, hibachi dishes, and a kids' menu.

1944 Hoover Ct (Hoover)

Chain eatery & bar serving a diverse menu of classic Italian fare in a family-friendly setting.

4503 Riverview Pkwy

Casual venue offering a menu of authentic Mexican recipes, plus Tex-Mex fare, and margaritas.

4673 US-280

Pizzas, salads, and other comfort food offered in casual environs with a bar, and a patio.

3104 Timberlake Dr (Vestavia Hills)

Laid-back eatery serving traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex eats, plus weekend chef's specials.

3 Mt Laurel Ave

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

920 Inverness Cors

Italian eatery offers aged steaks, housemade pastas & other Tuscan fare in comfortable surrounds.

6801 Cahaba Valley Rd Ste 106

Laid-back eatery featuring made-to-order tacos, burritos and bowls, plus margaritas.

6801 Cahaba Valley Rd Ste 124

Japanese eatery dishing up sushi & maki rolls, plus tempura & noodles, in a modern, dark-hued space.

5192 Caldwell Mill Rd #105 (Hoover)

Sushi joint with Korean BBQ known for bulgogi, galbi & sushi lunch boxes in a simple space.

5291 Valleydale Rd #101

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

4500 Valleydale Rd Ste 300

Mexican-inspired and casual eatery offering tacos and burritos, plus seafood, chicken, beef and veggie options.

5363 US-280 Ste b 101

New York-style thin-crust & Sicilian deep-dish pizzas star on the long menu in this informal eatery.

4673 US-280

American chain restaurant offering sizable portions from a vast menu including signature cheesecake

236 Summit Blvd

Japanese dishes, clever maki & cocktails served in a casual space with hibachi tables & a sushi bar.

120 Doug Baker Blvd

Casual pizza restaurant providing comfort food, cocktails, beer, and wine in a cozy setting.

30 Manning Pl

Traditional pick for Italian dining in an art-lined room with red-checked tablecloths & a full bar.

68 Church St (Mountain Brook)

Japanese eatery featuring a large sushi selection and hibachi dishes served in a casual setting.

700 Montgomery Hwy Ste178 (Vestavia Hills)

East Coast-based chain serving artisanal pizzas & other Italian sandwiches & salads.

5192 Caldwell Mill Rd (Hoover)

Bustling strip-mall bakery serving NY-style bagels & breads, plus sandwiches & baked goods.

66 Church St Apt B (Mountain Brook)

A diverse menu of seafood, sushi, pizza & more in trendy surrounds with a full bar.

5426 US-280

Casual spot with a deli counter specializing in steak sandwiches, steaks and Italian sausages.

813 Shades Crest Rd

Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.

1609 Montgomery Hwy (Hoover)

Chain restaurant serving steaks, seafood & cocktails in an upscale lodgelike setting.

191 Main St (Hoover)

Modest spot for Cajun seafood boils, po' boys & other classic dishes, plus cocktails, beer & wine.

2531 Rocky Ridge Rd Ste 107 (Vestavia Hills)

Informal Texas-themed chain offers a meaty menu & full bar amid cattle kitsch decor.

2943 John Hawkins Pkwy (Hoover)

Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.

3117 Lorna Rd (Hoover)

Cheerful eatery for create-your-own stir-fries with rice or noodles, plus sushi & sashimi.

109 Wildwood Pkwy

Family-friendly American bar & grill offering big burgers & a variety of craft beers on tap.

3325-201 Rocky Ridge Plz (Vestavia Hills)

Casual eatery offering traditional staples like pork dishes & hot soup.

1550 Montgomery Hwy Ste O (Hoover)

Whether your week needs a smoky reset or just an excuse to skip cooking, SAW’s Soul Kitchen brings award-winning Southern barbecue to…

215 41st St S

Laid-back, neighborhood drinking-and-dining spot, with a menu of comfort bites like burgers and tacos.

728 29th St S

Branch of a fast-food chain known for its drive-thru BBQ, burgers & more than 40 milkshake flavors.

301 24th St S

Chill pizzeria pairs pizzas cooked in a stone oven & craft beers in hip digs with a fireplace.

725 29th St S

Casual spot serving comfort food, Mexican classics including tacos, tamales and wings alongside fajitas and fish.

67 6th Ave S

Traditional Italian cuisine presented in warm, brick-lined dining area with a bar.

2312 2nd Ave N

Modern interpretations of classic Thai dishes & Japanese sushi in a relaxed environment.

300 19th St S Ste 109 (Homewood)

Global bites are served from a variety of stalls at this modern food hall in the Pizitz Building.

1821 2nd Ave N #3112

Creative takes on classic American eats, beer & cocktails plus live music, games & a patio.

1830 29th Ave S #175 (Homewood)

Popular, petite cafe serving pizzas with creative toppings & other Italian fare in a trendy space.

207A 20th St N

Brick-front pizzeria featuring straight-up Italian fare & wood-fired Neopolitan pies.

2930 3rd Ave S

Modern, clubby restaurant featuring sushi & Japanese tapas, plus fancy mixed drinks.

238 Summit Blvd Ste 100

Sleek wood-fired-steakhouse specializing in raw oysters and traditional fare.

2309 1st Ave N suite 201

Local BBQ chain serving hickory-fired ribs, plates & sandwiches, plus wings & comfort sides.

1427 14th Ave S

Upscale restaurant offering steak, pork chops, and other elevated comfort food, plus beer, wine, and cocktails.

2727 18th St S

Fusion eatery paring sushi rolls with Mexican street food in a funky, casual space with a patio.

2201 2nd Ave S #105

Buzzy, rustic-chic eatery & bar with a patio offering adventurous, globally inspired small plates.

2810 3rd Ave S

Local chain known for ribs, chicken & BBQ sandwiches, plus sweets such as cakes & cookies.

337 Valley Ave

Chef prepares regional ingredients with a modern Southern spin in a historic, brick-walled bistro.

113 20th St N

Casual restaurant offering burgers, bowls, and other comfort food paired with craft beer and cocktails.

2 Dexter Ave (Mountain Brook)

Self-proclaimed "upscale dive" serving Southern barbecue fare like pulled pork & chicken & waffles.

1115 Dunston Ave

Casual spot offering New Orleans-inspired brunch dishes, plus coffee, cocktails, and local beers.

1017 Oxmoor Rd

Vibrant restaurant and bar for jerk chicken, ceviche and other Caribbean faves, plus cocktails.

2015 1st Ave N

Signature sushi rolls, ramen & other Japanese staples round out the menu at this casual restaurant.

1909 11th Ave S

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

1200 20th St S Ste 100

Farm-to-table American fine dining in an elegant, historic home with intimate rooms & a jazz brunch.

2220 Highland Ave

Familiar Tex-Mex combo plates & flavored margaritas served in an informal space with colorful decor.

2839 7th Ave S

Generous portions of barbecue with housemade sauces in a cozy, counter-serve, mom-&-pop smokehouse.

3278 Cahaba Heights Rd

Casual joint dishing up New York–style pies and slices, plus sandwiches, in the Avondale neighborhood.

209 41st St S

Fine Italian cuisine in a sophisticated dining room with white tablecloths & romantic lighting.

721 Broadway St

Chains serving waffles alongside made-to-order chicken wings in a laid-back space.

3425 6th Ave S

Casual Asian fusion restaurant offering tacos, burgers, and ramen, as well as happy-hour specials.

2808 7th Ave S #117

Relaxed hangout for burgers, brisket and wings amid airplane decor, as well as flight-themed items.

4900 E Lake Blvd

Homey outpost for Southern & Cajun fare such as shrimp & grits, a bayou burger & black-bean salsa.

3144 Green Valley Rd

Easygoing chain serving Alabama-style pulled pork & other meats smoked in-house.

731 29th St S

Restaurant serving seafood, steak & cocktails in a chic, relaxed space with patio seating.

2824 5th Ave S

Laid-back chain known for slow-cooked BBQ & cheese biscuits, plus burgers, salads & classic sides.

1908 11th Ave S

Vibrant gathering place serving Latin & American dishes in a quirky, brick-walled space.

2921 Highland Ave

A bar & restaurant with Chicago-style & thin crust pizzas by the slice or pie alongside beer & wine.

1304 2nd Ave S

American & Mediterranean bites served in a down-to-earth, fast-food-style setup.

1629 10th Ave S

Inventive, sophisticated setting for modern Mexican cuisine & spirits amid bold art & rich woods.

2211 2nd Ave N

Casual eatery offering wood-fired pizza in a variety of styles, salads and homemade dressings.

2212 Morris Ave Ste 105

Familiar Italian trattoria offering pizza, pasta & other traditional fare, plus a robust wine list.

2218 2nd Ave N

Casual eatery for burgers (including cheeseburger options), fries and tots in a no-frills setting.

5479 US-280

Low-key restaurant dishing up buffalo, lemon pepper and honey BBQ wings alongside cheesesteaks and fries.

208 Green Springs Ave S

Casual venue for small plates such as fried brussels sprouts and mac-and-cheese gnocchi.

2251 Highland Ave

Tacos, gorditas, burritos, and other Mexican offerings dished up from a popular food truck.

302 Columbiana Rd (Homewood)

Counter-serve chain for custom burgers, including poultry & veggie versions, plus fries & shakes.

2112 7th Ave S

Counter-service restaurant specializing in shawarma sandwiches and bowls, plus falafel dishes, kebabs and hummus.

1011 20th St S

Sushi eatery featuring traditional rolls & other Japanese fare, inventive cocktails & a slick space.

1830 29th Ave S

Stylish dining room & bar with a rooftop terrace at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook.

Grand Bohemian Hotel, 2655 Lane Park Rd (Mountain Brook)

Casual Italian pizza spot featuring a spice bar for topping pies, plus gelato.

4700 US-280 Ste 13

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

2811 7th Ave S

Seafood, soul food, and American eats offered in a casual setting with a bar, live music, and a drive-thru.

2201 4th Pl W

Italian cafe serving lasagna, meatball subs, pizza & other standards in an informal sit-down space.

925 8th St S

Warm eatery for Lebanese dishes such as shawarma and mishwe, and a bar with European wines.

2308 1st Ave S Unit 102

Chain restaurant dishing up pizza, pasta, and Italian classics such as spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmigiana, plus brunch options.

225 Summit Blvd Ste 1100

Casual, lively chain cafe serving Southern-inspired breakfast and lunch dishes.

1926 29th Ave S (Homewood)

Waffles, biscuits & other hearty daytime eats are served up in a bright, contemporary space.

5361 US-280

Inventive Pan-Asian plates, cocktails & sake offered in a sleek space with rustic-modern decor.

2212 2nd Ave N

Trendy contemporary American cafe offering lunch, dinner & weekend brunch, plus specialty cocktails.

2215 1st Ave N

Laid-back cafe featuring waffles, chicken dishes burgers and brisket, plus a kids' menu.

1025 20th St S