Eat in Five Points South, Birmingham

Chez Fonfon ★ 4.6

Chez Fonfon on 11th Avenue South in Birmingham is Frank Stitt's casual French bistro sibling to Highlands, with steak frites and a Five Points South patio.

Signature: Steak frites, Burger, Tarte Tatin

Surin West ★ 4.3

Surin West on 11th Avenue South in Birmingham has served Thai cuisine since the 1990s, with broad vegetarian options and the Tofu Coconut Soup signature.

Signature: Tofu coconut soup, Pad Thai, Yellow curry

Chez Fonfon ★ 4.6

Chez Fonfon on 11th Avenue South Birmingham is Frank Stitt's casual French bistro sibling to Highlands, with steak frites and a Five Points South patio.

Surin West ★ 4.3

Surin West on 11th Avenue South in Birmingham has served Thai cuisine since the 1990s, with broad vegetarian options and a sushi counter alongside the curries.

Signature: Tofu coconut soup, Pad Thai, Yellow curry

Filter Coffee Parlor ★ 4.4

Filter Coffee Parlor on 11th Avenue South in Birmingham serves pour-over coffee and pastries out of the 1927 Munger Building in Five Points South.

Signature drink: Pour over

Filter Coffee Parlor ★ 4.4

Filter Coffee Parlor on 11th Avenue South Birmingham serves pour-over coffee and house-roasted beans out of the 1927 Munger Building in Five Points South.

Sources from: Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Honduras

How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail

Chez Fonfon Bar Bistro ★ 4.5

Chez Fonfon Bar Bistro on 11th Avenue South Birmingham is the Frank Stitt bistro's bar with French regional pours and a casual bistro plate menu.

Signature pour: Loire Sancerre by the glass

Wine focus: French regional and grower champagne

Food: Bistro plates, raw bar

Greek Festival ★ 4.5

The Greek Festival at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral on 19th Street South Birmingham runs every October with the canonical Greek food festival.

St Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival ★ 4.5

St Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival on 8th Street South Birmingham runs every April with Lebanese kibbeh, manakish and the church-grounds food market.

Golden Temple Natural Grocery and Cafe ★ 4.4

Golden Temple on 11th Avenue South in Birmingham is the city's vegetarian anchor since 1973, with daily plant-based plates and the adjacent natural grocery.

Why locals love it: Birmingham's first exclusively vegetarian restaurant since 1973 sits next to Surin West in Five Points South.

Tip: The cafe runs lunch only Monday through Friday from 11:00 to 14:30; arrive by 12:00 for the daily plate special.