Pimento cheese is sharp cheddar mixed with mayonnaise, diced pimentos and seasonings, served as a spread on white bread, crackers or as a sandwich.
Pimento cheese is the canonical Southern cheese spread, codified in the early 20th century when industrial cheddar and jarred pimentos became widely available. It moved from Junior League cookbooks to restaurant menus across Birmingham in the 1980s and remains a Stitt-era classic. Bottega Cafe runs the Italian-Southern version; Brick and Tin in Mountain Brook makes it a sandwich signature; most Birmingham brunch and lunch counters keep a version on the menu.
3 editor picks for Pimento cheese in Birmingham, ranked by editorial score. All Birmingham signature dishes · Pimento cheese across every city.
Bottega Restaurant ★ 4.7
highland-park · 2240 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205
Bottega Restaurant on Highland Avenue is Frank Stitt's 1988 Italian sibling to Highlands, in a Highland Park mansion with a wood-fired oven.
Bottega Cafe ★ 4.5
highland-park · 2240 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205
Bottega Cafe in Highland Park Birmingham is the walk-in patio counterpart to Bottega, with wood-oven pizzas and the Stitt-style casual Italian menu.
Brick and Tin ★ 4.4
mountain-brook · 2901 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, AL 35223
Brick and Tin on Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Birmingham is the casual Southern sandwich counter, with pimento cheese and tomato-pie seasonal plates.