After graduating from The University of Alabama, I lived in Birmingham for almost 3 years. Even though it wasn't where I wanted to live long term, I found a lot of places I loved that I wanted to share! I know this list looks like a lot, but I promise I did narrow it down to my favorites. Birmingham has amazing restaurants, many breweries, art, shopping, and history. It is only a few hours from Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Oxford. The list below includes restaurants, shopping, pastries, coffee, breweries, and more. Everything is broken out by neighborhood or area including: Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Avondale, 5 Points, Lakeview, Forest Park, and Downtown.
DOWNTOWN
The Roof @ Redmont Hotel
This is the most popular rooftop bar in Birmingham. They have great cocktails, but it can get crowded the summer!
2101 5th Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Moon Shine @ The Elyton
This rooftop bar has the best rooftop view of the city and some food options as well!
1928 1st Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar
This bar is hidden beneath Founder's Station serving a full craft cocktail menu.
2015 1st Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Helen
Located in a two-story 1920s era building, this restaurant is a take on classic southern dining that pays homage to Chef Rob McDaniels's memories of his grandmother, Helen.
2013 2nd Ave North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Monday Night Brewery
Monday Night Social Club serves over 25 brews on tap, including house-made beers, small batch IPAs, barrel-aged and sour beers.
14 12th St S
Birmingham, AL 35233
AVONDALE
Avondale Brewing Company
This is my favorite brewery and concert venue! I loved going here for game days. Everyone sits outside and watches the game on the big screen. For my Alabama fans- they serve yellow hammers!
201 41st St S
Birmingham, AL 35222
Avondale Burger Co.
This is a part of Avondale Brewery. It is a food truck they park behind the brewery. It has to be one of the best burgers I've ever had!
201 41st St S
Birmingham, AL 35222
Marble Ring
The only Speakeasy in Birmingham that I am aware of! You used to enter through a Hot Dog shop, but it closed. You still walk up stairs and enter through the police call box.
430 41st St S suite b
Birmingham, AL 35222
Saturn
This is a coffee shop, cocktail bar, and music venue with a space theme. The loft above this space is rented out through airbnb.
200 41st St S Birmingham, AL 35222
5 POINTS
Black Market
A great spot for a causal breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
1035 20th St S
Birmingham, AL 35205
Chez Fon Fon
A charming French restaurant! I highly recommend getting a reservation on the patio.
2007 11th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35205
FOREST PARK
Juniper
This beautiful cocktail bar opened a little over a year ago!
3811 Clairmont Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35222
Shoppe
There are a few other great garden and plant shops in Birmingham. This one has a greenhouse outside. This was my go to place for Pumpkin shopping in the fall!
3815 Clairmont Ave
Birmingham, AL 35222
General
General is a charming Cafe and General store in the Historic neighborhood, Forest Park.
3813 Clairmont Ave
Birmingham, AL 3522
LAKEVIEW
Half Shell
Great spot for seafood or steak!
616 29th St S
Birmingham, AL 35233
Carrigan's Beer Garden
Carrigan's has multiple locations, but the beer garden is my personal favorite! It was former German restaurant that was covered into a Beer Garden.
2910 6th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35233
Jack Brown's
I can't recommend this place enough! Jack Brown's has 19 other locations. If you have never been, you are missing out. The Greg Brady is my personal favorite.
2811 7th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35233
HOMEWOOD
Ironwood Kitchen & Cocktails
Located in the Valley Hotel, this southern style restaurant is is one of my favorites.
2727 18th St S
Birmingham, AL 35209
Edgar's Bakery
From Tuscaloosa to Birmingham, this is the best bakery I have ever been to. I have had the caramel cake for my birthday for the past 5 years! I also love their jalapeño cheddar bread.
2713 18th St S
Birmingham, AL 35209
O’Henrys Coffee
This is my favorite local place to get a coffee in Birmingham!
2813 18th St S
Birmingham, AL 35209
Cookie Fix
I am not sure what the secret is, but these cookies are to die for! You can also buy the cookie dough, but in my opinion it's never quite as good.
2854 18th St S
Birmingham, AL 35209
Soca
This is one of my favorite local women's boutiques!
2824 18th St S
Birmingham, AL 35209
Shoefly
Based on the name, you would probably expect them to be a shoe store. They do sell shoes, but they also have some cute apparel and accessories.
2823 18th St S
Birmingham, AL 35209
Cottage Basket
This is a beautifully curated gift store! Last Easter I found their golden egg and won a coffee cup. I love that they do special customer interactions like that.
2901 18th St S
Birmingham, AL 35209
Soho Social
This is a local favorite and perfect on a sunny day to sit outside! The downside is, it's popular and there is almost always a wait. They do not take reservations.
1830 29th Ave S
Unit 160
Birmingham, AL 35209
Hero Doughnuts
For any doughnut lovers, this place is a must!
3027 Central Ave
Homewood, AL 35209
Big Bad Breakfast
This is my favorite spot for breakfast or brunch. Always get in line before you go, so you don't have to wait as long.
1926 29th Ave S
Homewood, AL 35209
Bricktops
In my opinion, Bricktops has the best steak in Birmingham. It is always consistently cooked perfectly! As someone who loves steak, I have tried a lot of different places.
2800 US-280
Birmingham, AL 35223
HOOVER
Front Porch
This restaurant is located in Ross Bridge next to the Golf course. It was my favorite restaurant near my apartment and office!
2301 Grand Ave #109
Hoover, AL 35226
Hometown Fare
This was also a great restaurant near my office. I love their salads, which says a lot because I don't generally choose to eat salad!
3623 Market St Suite 101
Hoover, AL 35226
Whiskey Foxtrot
A great locally owned burger dive!
2341 John Hawkins Pkwy Suite 119
Hoover, AL 35244
Santos Coffee
This is another favorite coffee shop of mine. Their Fresca lemonade is so refreshing on a hot summer day!
1021 Brocks Gap Pkwy Suit 101
Hoover, AL 35244
Wrapsody
They have the perfect gifts for any occasion!
1028 Marble Ter Suite 116
Hoover, AL 35244
MOUNTAIN BROOK
Vino
If you drive by here, you probably just think this place is an art gallery. It is a wine bar, but I love to go here for dinner and a martini!
1930 Cahaba Rd
Mountain Brook, AL 35223
Brick & Tin
A good restaurant option if you are craving a salad, sandwich or small bite. They have a bakery in the back as well!
2901 Cahaba Rd
Mountain Brook, AL 35223
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
This is one of the few free attractions and it is beautiful! The Japanese Garden, Hill Garden, and Rose Garden are my favorites.
2612 Lane Park Rd Mountain Brook, AL 35223
Others things mentioning:
Sports: I enjoyed going to the Birmingham Bulls hockey games in Pelham and Thirsty Thursdays for the Birmingham Baron's Baseball games.
Spring Activity: The American Village in Montevallo, AL does a Tulip Festival in March where you can go pick tulips
Favorite Walk: Ross Bridge