El Barrio ★ 4.5
El Barrio on 2nd Avenue North in Birmingham runs a modern Mexican menu downtown, called best Mexican restaurant in Alabama by the convention bureau in 2024.
Signature: Spicy chicken tostada, Mole de pollo, Chunky guacamole
Brick and Tin is a soul food restaurant in Mountain Brook, Birmingham.
Brick and Tin on Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Birmingham is the casual Southern sandwich counter, with pimento cheese and tomato-pie plates.
Signature dishes: Pimento cheese sandwich, Avocado tartine, Tomato pie
Address: 2901 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, AL 35223
El Barrio on 2nd Avenue North in Birmingham runs a modern Mexican menu downtown, called best Mexican restaurant in Alabama by the convention bureau in 2024.
Signature: Spicy chicken tostada, Mole de pollo, Chunky guacamole
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
The Essential on Morris Avenue downtown is Kristen Hall and Victor King's 2018 neighborhood cafe and bar in the Mercantile on Morris near Founders Station.
Signature: Seasonal vegetable plate, House sourdough, Brunch egg sandwich
Yo' Mama's on 4th Avenue North in the Fourth Avenue Historic District runs a downtown soul-food kitchen with a deep gluten-free menu and Saturday brunch.
Signature: Chicken and waffles, Smothered pork chop, Banana pudding
Demetri's BBQ on 28th Avenue South in Homewood has run a Greek-American meat-and-three since 1973, the continuation of the 1961 El Rancho BBQ.
Signature: Pulled pork plate, Greek salad, Banana pudding
Hattie B's Hot Chicken on 7th Avenue South in Lakeview is the Birmingham branch of the Nashville hot-chicken chain, serving a five-tier heat ladder.
Signature: Hot chicken sandwich, Pimento mac and cheese, Banana pudding