30 cuisines represented in our Birmingham guide. Click through to the entry to see editor picks, what to order and how to book. Want a wider lens? All cuisines in this country or global cuisines index.

30 cuisines, most places first

Soul food19 restaurantsSoul food is the bedrock of how Birmingham eats, from meat-and-three lines to plates of greens, cornbread and fried chicken. Cocktail bar13 restaurantsBirmingham's drinking scene pairs a strong craft-cocktail core with a deep bench of local breweries. Brewery10 restaurants New American10 restaurantsNew American is where Birmingham's reputation as a dining city was made, much of it tracing back to Frank Stitt and Chris Hastings. American BBQ8 restaurantsBirmingham barbecue leans on slow-smoked pork and a vinegar-and-mustard sauce that sets it apart from Tennessee or Texas styles. Brunch8 restaurantsBrunch in Birmingham is split between bakery-driven mornings and bigger sit-down plates. Cafe8 restaurantsCafe culture in Birmingham mixes serious coffee with pastry counters and light all-day food. Bakery7 restaurantsBirmingham's bakeries run from old-line European patisserie to modern doughnut counters. Wine bar6 restaurantsBirmingham's wine drinking tends to live inside its better restaurants rather than in standalone bars. Street food5 restaurantsBirmingham's street-food eating happens at food halls, brewery courts and weekend markets rather than from curbside carts. Italian4 restaurantsItalian dining in Birmingham runs through Frank Stitt's Bottega, set in a Highland Park mansion on Highland Avenue. Mexican modern3 restaurantsModern Mexican cooking in Birmingham trades combo plates for tacos, mezcal and a livelier room. Irish2 restaurantsThe Irish pub is a small but reliable corner of Birmingham's drinking scene, built around a long bar and a comfortable room. Lowcountry2 restaurantsCoastal Lowcountry flavors reach inland to Birmingham through oysters, shrimp and Gulf seafood. Thai2 restaurantsThai cooking has a steady foothold in Birmingham, built on curries, noodles and a balance of heat and sweetness. American diner1 restaurantThe all-day breakfast plate is its own institution in Birmingham, built on biscuits, grits and eggs served well past noon. Burgers1 restaurantThe Birmingham burger conversation tends toward bar-and-grill griddle work rather than chains. Ethiopian1 restaurantEthiopian cooking has only a small footprint in Birmingham, served mostly from shared and rotating stalls rather than standalone dining rooms. French bistro1 restaurantThe French bistro found its Birmingham form through Frank Stitt, whose cooking shaped the city's fine dining for decades. French fine dining1 restaurantFrench fine dining in Birmingham is a compact category built on craft rather than scale. French regional1 restaurantRegional French cooking in Birmingham favors the rustic, country end of the tradition over haute cuisine. Hot chicken1 restaurantNashville-style hot chicken has crossed state lines into Birmingham, built on spice-rubbed fried chicken served with pickles and bread. Israeli1 restaurantIsraeli and broader Middle Eastern cooking in Birmingham centers on grilled meats, falafel and fresh pita. Modern European1 restaurantModern European cooking in Birmingham is a slim category that overlaps with the city's bakery-cafe world.