The Griffon Guidebook

Food scene

Galley & Garden

Located on Highland Avenue, Galley and Garden Restaurant is the perfect spot for an evening out. The historic white-columned Merritt House, restored and renovated to its gleaming splendor, is home to Galley and Garden. With beautiful bright and airy white interiors, marble-topped bar, wine cellar, and private dining event spaces, the Galley and Garden is an ideal setting for a delectable meal, Sunday brunch, or a lovely soiree. Celebrated as the “Most Romantic Restaurant in Alabama”, Galley and Garden features the finest locally sourced ingredients crafted into a creative and fresh menu. This beloved neighborhood gem is also recognized as Wine Enthusiast magazine's 100 Best Wine Restaurants in America and has garnered Wine Spectator’s Best Award of Excellence. Artfully presented dishes, impeccable service, and the perfect address are signature to Galley and Garden, making it the perfect venue to celebrate any momentous occasion.

Galley & Garden

2220 Highland Ave

Located on Highland Avenue, Galley and Garden Restaurant is the perfect spot for an evening out. The historic white-columned Merritt House, restored and renovated to its gleaming splendor, is home to Galley and Garden. With beautiful bright and airy white interiors, marble-topped bar, wine cellar, and private dining event spaces, the Galley and Garden is an ideal setting for a delectable meal, Sunday brunch, or a lovely soiree. Celebrated as the “Most Romantic Restaurant in Alabama”, Galley and Garden features the finest locally sourced ingredients crafted into a creative and fresh menu. This beloved neighborhood gem is also recognized as Wine Enthusiast magazine's 100 Best Wine Restaurants in America and has garnered Wine Spectator’s Best Award of Excellence. Artfully presented dishes, impeccable service, and the perfect address are signature to Galley and Garden, making it the perfect venue to celebrate any momentous occasion.

Helen

A contemporary Southern grill led by Chef Rob McDaniel and Emily McDaniel, Helen is a refreshed take on classic dining that pays homage to Rob’s memories cooking over the hardwood coals and smoke of his grandmother’s indoor grill. Located in a two-story 1920s-era shotgun-style building in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, Helen balances timeless elegance with a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. The McDaniels partnered with friends and local artisans, such as iron workers, wood workers, and other artists, to create a warm and engaging space for celebration. Prime meats and seafood are cooked in an open kitchen, served alongside vegetables and non-traditional sides on a menu driven by seasonality and product from local purveyors.

20 paikallista suosittelee

Helen

2013 2nd Avenue North

20 paikallista suosittelee

A contemporary Southern grill led by Chef Rob McDaniel and Emily McDaniel, Helen is a refreshed take on classic dining that pays homage to Rob’s memories cooking over the hardwood coals and smoke of his grandmother’s indoor grill. Located in a two-story 1920s-era shotgun-style building in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, Helen balances timeless elegance with a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. The McDaniels partnered with friends and local artisans, such as iron workers, wood workers, and other artists, to create a warm and engaging space for celebration. Prime meats and seafood are cooked in an open kitchen, served alongside vegetables and non-traditional sides on a menu driven by seasonality and product from local purveyors.

Hot and Hot Fish Club

The Hot and Hot Fish Club, located in Birmingham’s creative district at Pepper Place, takes a modern approach to blending Southern, French, and California-styles of cooking. Pepper Place is home to a wide array of tenants who have all mastered their craft, ranging from artisanal food products and chefs, to fashion and screen-printing, to creative agencies and wellness. The light-filled space is highlighted by a chef’s counter and open kitchen, large windows, exposed brick. The spacious dining area features a 17-foot upholstered banquette ideal for casual, comfortable seating, accented by Greystone Italian marble tabletops and locally sourced hackberry wood. Since 1994, Chris and Idie Hastings and their team have developed an extensive network of purveyors, foragers, and artisans. The Hot and Hot Fish Club James Beard award-winning restaurant is a neighborhood favorite offering the best ingredients and gracious service.

34 paikallista suosittelee

Hot and Hot Fish Club

2901 2nd Avenue South

34 paikallista suosittelee

The Hot and Hot Fish Club, located in Birmingham’s creative district at Pepper Place, takes a modern approach to blending Southern, French, and California-styles of cooking. Pepper Place is home to a wide array of tenants who have all mastered their craft, ranging from artisanal food products and chefs, to fashion and screen-printing, to creative agencies and wellness. The light-filled space is highlighted by a chef’s counter and open kitchen, large windows, exposed brick. The spacious dining area features a 17-foot upholstered banquette ideal for casual, comfortable seating, accented by Greystone Italian marble tabletops and locally sourced hackberry wood. Since 1994, Chris and Idie Hastings and their team have developed an extensive network of purveyors, foragers, and artisans. The Hot and Hot Fish Club James Beard award-winning restaurant is a neighborhood favorite offering the best ingredients and gracious service.

Bettola

Bettola is a casual upscale restaurant located in Birmingham's Lakeview district. Founded by award-winning chef James Lewis, Bettola offers a wonderful array of foods from the Campania region of Italy in a warm and modern setting. Here, we honor the farm-to-table tradition by using locally sourced meats and produce to bring fresh flavors to each dish. Customer favorites include our gnocchi, pollo pomodoro, and our charcuterie selections. Our signature Neapolitan pizzas start with dough made from scratch using caputo flour flown in from Italy, which is hand-tossed and wood-fired in our authentic brick oven from Naples. We also feature a variety of house-made pastas, roasts, and sautés, and we offer craft cocktails and wines to pair beautifully with each dish.

17 paikallista suosittelee

Bettola

2930 3rd Ave S

17 paikallista suosittelee

Bettola is a casual upscale restaurant located in Birmingham's Lakeview district. Founded by award-winning chef James Lewis, Bettola offers a wonderful array of foods from the Campania region of Italy in a warm and modern setting. Here, we honor the farm-to-table tradition by using locally sourced meats and produce to bring fresh flavors to each dish. Customer favorites include our gnocchi, pollo pomodoro, and our charcuterie selections. Our signature Neapolitan pizzas start with dough made from scratch using caputo flour flown in from Italy, which is hand-tossed and wood-fired in our authentic brick oven from Naples. We also feature a variety of house-made pastas, roasts, and sautés, and we offer craft cocktails and wines to pair beautifully with each dish.

Chez Fonfon

Chef Frank Stitt's Chez Fonfon is a casual, bustling bistro in the heart of Five Points South transporting you to Paris, Lyon or Nice. Since opening in 2000, this homage to comforting French fare, including steak frites, sautéed trout with brown butter and escargots, has garnered local and national acclaim. Belle Époque café tables and a 100 year-old etched glass door from Lyon lend authenticity amid cozy, inviting surrounds. Bistro traditions are celebrated every day, along with wines from the Loire, Rhône and Languedoc.

56 paikallista suosittelee

Chez Fonfon

2007 11th Ave S

56 paikallista suosittelee

Chef Frank Stitt's Chez Fonfon is a casual, bustling bistro in the heart of Five Points South transporting you to Paris, Lyon or Nice. Since opening in 2000, this homage to comforting French fare, including steak frites, sautéed trout with brown butter and escargots, has garnered local and national acclaim. Belle Époque café tables and a 100 year-old etched glass door from Lyon lend authenticity amid cozy, inviting surrounds. Bistro traditions are celebrated every day, along with wines from the Loire, Rhône and Languedoc.

Continental Bakery

The breads and pastries of The Continental Bakery are works of art prepared daily from scratch by artisan bakers who really care about good bread and who rely on the most traditional European methods. The Continental Bakery itself is like a medieval shop, where handwork and skill come together with attention to detail and natural ingredients to make the most authentic European breads in the southeast. Many of our French customers have marveled at the historical authenticity of our baguettes, reminiscing about breads from their own childhoods in the French countryside. Nowhere else will you find such extensive use of natural starters, natural methods, and freedom from unnecessary additives and artificial dough "enhancers". All of our breads are shaped by hand and baked on a stone hearth. A loaf of Continental bread is a true masterpiece. The flavors, fragrance and rustic appearance will transport you to another time and place, where people still care about quality and craftsmanship.

13 paikallista suosittelee

Continental Bakery

1907 Cahaba Rd

13 paikallista suosittelee

The breads and pastries of The Continental Bakery are works of art prepared daily from scratch by artisan bakers who really care about good bread and who rely on the most traditional European methods. The Continental Bakery itself is like a medieval shop, where handwork and skill come together with attention to detail and natural ingredients to make the most authentic European breads in the southeast. Many of our French customers have marveled at the historical authenticity of our baguettes, reminiscing about breads from their own childhoods in the French countryside. Nowhere else will you find such extensive use of natural starters, natural methods, and freedom from unnecessary additives and artificial dough "enhancers". All of our breads are shaped by hand and baked on a stone hearth. A loaf of Continental bread is a true masterpiece. The flavors, fragrance and rustic appearance will transport you to another time and place, where people still care about quality and craftsmanship.

OvenBird

OvenBird is Chris and Idie Hastings’ live fire, casual restaurant located in Birmingham’s Market District at Pepper Place. Our menu focuses on the amazing seasonal southern ingredients we know and love that takes inspiration from the live-fire traditions of Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina and, of course, the American South. Ovenbird's bar program celebrates the cocktail traditions from the same cultures in our seasonally driven craft cocktail menu. Our beer selection highlights some of our favorite local breweries. Our wine list is particularly exciting as it features pairings for each menu item, a glass program, and a list that emphasizes off the beaten path varietals from remote locales handpicked for their authenticity, affordability and comparability with our cooking. We have worked closely with some of Alabama's finest craftsmen and leaders in design to create a variety of amazing vignettes for you to enjoy a great meal with your friends, family or colleagues. We look forward to telling their stories which remind us of how fortunate we are to live in a place like Alabama that celebrates our Southern Makers.

27 paikallista suosittelee

OvenBird

2810 3rd Ave S

27 paikallista suosittelee

OvenBird is Chris and Idie Hastings’ live fire, casual restaurant located in Birmingham’s Market District at Pepper Place. Our menu focuses on the amazing seasonal southern ingredients we know and love that takes inspiration from the live-fire traditions of Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina and, of course, the American South. Ovenbird's bar program celebrates the cocktail traditions from the same cultures in our seasonally driven craft cocktail menu. Our beer selection highlights some of our favorite local breweries. Our wine list is particularly exciting as it features pairings for each menu item, a glass program, and a list that emphasizes off the beaten path varietals from remote locales handpicked for their authenticity, affordability and comparability with our cooking. We have worked closely with some of Alabama's finest craftsmen and leaders in design to create a variety of amazing vignettes for you to enjoy a great meal with your friends, family or colleagues. We look forward to telling their stories which remind us of how fortunate we are to live in a place like Alabama that celebrates our Southern Makers.

Moe's Original Bar & BBQ

15 paikallista suosittelee

Moe's Original Bar & BBQ

731 29th Street South

15 paikallista suosittelee

Rodney Scott's BBQ - Birmingham

13 paikallista suosittelee

Rodney Scott's BBQ - Birmingham

3719 3rd Ave S

13 paikallista suosittelee

Gianmarco's Restaurant

31 paikallista suosittelee

Gianmarco's Restaurant

721 Broadway St

31 paikallista suosittelee

Brick & Tin

19 paikallista suosittelee

Brick & Tin

214 20th St N

19 paikallista suosittelee

Automatic Seafood and Oysters

Executive Chef, Adam Evans recently was named Best Chef in the South at the 2022 James Beard Awards. Automatic Seafood & Oysters' menu offers a variety of seafood dishes, featuring fish primarily sourced from the Gulf of Mexico, oysters from waters along the Southern and Eastern coastlines, as well as a selection of land-based produce and proteins. Comfortable, elegant, and classic, the space at Automatic is an ode to Americana and lends itself to a coastal setting — not speaking directly to one specific body of water or region, but drawing inspiration from all shorelines across the country. Located in the up-and-coming Lakeview neighborhood, the restaurant is named for the building’s past life as the Automatic Sprinkler Corporation manufacturing facility.

31 paikallista suosittelee

Automatic Seafood and Oysters

2824 5th Ave S

31 paikallista suosittelee

Executive Chef, Adam Evans recently was named Best Chef in the South at the 2022 James Beard Awards. Automatic Seafood & Oysters' menu offers a variety of seafood dishes, featuring fish primarily sourced from the Gulf of Mexico, oysters from waters along the Southern and Eastern coastlines, as well as a selection of land-based produce and proteins. Comfortable, elegant, and classic, the space at Automatic is an ode to Americana and lends itself to a coastal setting — not speaking directly to one specific body of water or region, but drawing inspiration from all shorelines across the country. Located in the up-and-coming Lakeview neighborhood, the restaurant is named for the building’s past life as the Automatic Sprinkler Corporation manufacturing facility.