Automatic Seafood and Oysters ★ 4.8
Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Lakeview Birmingham won Adam Evans the 2022 James Beard Best Chef South, with a Gulf-anchored menu and a half-shell raw bar.
OrderGulf oysters, Whole fried fish, Shrimp and grits
12 restaurants in Birmingham, editor-picked for restaurants open monday. Open on monday, the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Birmingham.
Helen ★ 4.7
Helen on 2nd Avenue North downtown Birmingham runs Rob McDaniel's hardwood-coal Southern grill, Michelin Recommended since 2025 and a Beard semifinalist.
OrderHardwood-grilled steak, Smoked oysters, Wood-fired vegetables
Bayonet ★ 4.7
Bayonet on 2nd Avenue North in Birmingham is Rob and Emily McDaniel's spring 2025 seafood and raw bar sibling to Helen, in the NYT 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
OrderOysters on the half shell, Tableside martini, Crudo
Niki's West ★ 4.6
Niki's West on Finley Avenue West in Birmingham has run the canonical meat-and-three since 1957, with a cafeteria steam table by the Alabama Farmers Market.
OrderFried catfish, Turnip greens, Cornbread
Saw's Soul Kitchen ★ 4.5
Saw's Soul Kitchen on 41st Street South in Avondale Birmingham is the 2012 sibling to Saw's BBQ, mixing Alabama white sauce barbecue with soul-food sides.
OrderPork and greens, Pulled pork sandwich, Banana pudding
Saw's BBQ ★ 4.5
Saw's BBQ in Homewood near Birmingham is the 2009 Mike Wilson original, the room that introduced Alabama white sauce on smoked chicken to the city.
OrderSmoked chicken with white sauce, Pork ribs, Pulled pork sandwich
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.
OrderSpicy chicken tostada, Mole de pollo, Chunky guacamole
Brick and Tin ★ 4.4
Brick and Tin on Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Birmingham is the casual Southern sandwich counter, with pimento cheese and tomato-pie seasonal plates.
OrderPimento cheese sandwich, Avocado tartine, Tomato pie
The Essential ★ 4.4
The Essential on First Avenue North downtown Birmingham is Kristen Hall and Victor King's all-day neighborhood bistro, serving guests since 2018.
OrderSeasonal vegetable plate, House sourdough, Brunch egg sandwich
Yo' Mama's ★ 4.4
Yo' Mama's on 4th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham runs a soul-food kitchen with a deep gluten-free menu and Saturday brunch service twice a month.
OrderChicken and waffles, Smothered pork chop, Banana pudding
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.
OrderTofu coconut soup, Pad Thai, Yellow curry
Demetri's BBQ ★ 4.3
Demetri's BBQ on 28th Avenue South in Homewood Birmingham has run a Greek-American meat-and-three since 1973, continuing the 1961 El Rancho BBQ tradition.
OrderPulled pork plate, Greek salad, Banana pudding
Book food experiences in Birmingham
