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Updated 3/10/2015--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - UABslant - 10-17-2006 04:56 PM
It's so hard to pick all the great spots to eat, drink, and visit in Birmingham, especially when it involves working your schedule around games & tournaments. My taste might not be your taste, so feel free to ask for specific recommendations, directions, etc.
Most of the list consists of places that are unique to B'ham and located downtown or within a short drive.
Disclaimer: none of the establishments listed below have provided payment or offered free/discounted food or services to be added to this list.
Quick Guides
B'ham Visitor's & Convention Bureau Guide http://birminghamal.org/
B'ham Events Calendar - http://weldbham.com/events-calendar/
Transportation
Birmingham Yellow Cab - http://www.birminghamyellowcab.com/
DART downtown circulator trolleys - http://www.bjcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/New-Dart-Schedule-4-2013.pdf
Nightlife
If you are looking for a night out in Birmingham, I'd recommend 2nd Avenue North, Uptown, the Lakeview District, or 5 Points South... see below. If you want to eat, shop, and catch a movie, The Summit is your best bet. Try Avondale if you want unique & local (or you wonder what a Southern hipster looks like).
Fine Dining
If you are looking to get reservations somewhere nice, look no further than James Beard Award & Iron Chef winner Chris Hastings' Hot & Hot Fish Club. Or try famous Southern chef Fran Stitt's Highlands Bar & Grill, a 5-time finalist for James Beard's National Restaurant of the Year... or his amazing Italian restaurant, Bottega.
Birmingham Institutions
The Fish Market - UAB/Southside location- Owner George Sarris brings his Greek heritage into fresh seafood dishes in a unique atmosphere.
Niki's West - A Birmingham staple since 1957, Niki's West offers a huge cafeteria-style selection along with menu items.
Eagle's Restaurant - The definition of soul food since 1951. Class dismissed.
Milo's Hamburgers - I believe it's required to eat a Milo's burger at least once to be a citizen of B'ham. You'll either crave it for the rest of your life or hope to never see one again... since 1946, Milo's has been very divisive. Milo's original sauce, the seasoned crinkle cut fries, and the sweet tea are what define the Milo's experience. They just started serving breakfast, too, which has also caused a stir.
Ted's Restaurant - Since 1973, Ted's has been serving up breakfast and lunch to hungry doctors, construction workers, and UAB students. There are lots of 'meat & 3' restaurants in B'ham, but Ted's just feels like home cookin'.
Breakfast
Fuel up for a long day of hoops at some delicious breakfast spots:
Sol's Sandwich Shop & Deli - serving downtown B'ham since 1968
Trattoria Centrale - downtown pizza place that serves killer b'fast
Demitri's BBQ - Playboy named it one of the nation's best breakfast spots in 2014
Another Broken Egg - pricey but oh so worth it
Over Easy - another great option
The Original Pancake House - a favorite of UAB students
Waffle House - there are 2 downtown and like 20 in the B'ham metro... the 5 Points South location is where the UAB basketball team eats their pre-game breakfast
Big Bad Breakfast - at the edge of Birmingham, way down a congested Hwy 280, but the name says it all.
B'ham BBQ
Jim 'n' Nick's BBQ - 5 Points South
Full Moon BBQ
- Original UAB/Southside location open M-F 10a-5:30p
- Greensprings Blvd location is the closest serving dinner
Dreamland BBQ - UAB/Southside
Moe's Original BBQ - Lakeview District
Demitri's BBQ - Homewood
Carlile's BBQ - Avondale
3511 6th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35222
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30a-3:00p
Miss Myra's Pit BBQ - near The Summit
3278 Cahaba Heights Rd
Cahaba Heights, AL 35243
(205) 967-6004
Saw's BBQ - Homewood/Edgewood
1008 Oxmoor Rd
Homewood, AL 35209
Rib-It-Up - downtown
Golden Rule - multiple locations
Golf
If you want to kill 4 hours and stay close to the arena, try 9 or 18 at Highland Park Golf Course... it's practically downtown. For an even greater experience, hit the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's 54-holes at Oxmoor Valley or one of the longest courses in the world at RTJ's Ross Bridge. Both RTJ courses are within 13 miles of Legacy Arena.
Local Attractions
***Highly Recommended*** Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum -- Home to the largest collection of museum-quality motorcycles in the world... you could go through it in an hour if you were really crunched for time, but you will never want to leave. I promise you, you have NEVER seen anything like it. I warn motorcycle enthusiasts to go AFTER your game... you will not want to leave.
http://www.barbermotorsports.com
http://www.barbermuseum.org/
***A Must for 1st-Timers***Vulcan Park & Museum -- Vulcan "God of the Forge" towers above downtown B'ham as the world's largest cast iron statue and second largest in the US. Visit the museum and follow the birth of Birmingham's iron and steel industry. Take the elevator up to the foot of Vulcan and see the best view of B'ham.
www.VulcanPark.org
Birmingham Civil Rights District and Institute --
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Website
Kelly Ingram Park Walking Tour Info
16th Street Baptist Church
Rickwood Field -- Check out America's oldest baseball park
www.RickwoodField.com
McWane Science Center -- great for kids 2 through teens... IMAX Theater & food court there, too --
www.McWane.org
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark -- Visit and tour a unique landmark from B'ham's industrial past... one of the coolest and creepiest places you'll ever visit
www.SlossFurnaces.com
Southern Museum of Flight -- by the airport... small but nice... they have an SR-71
http://www.southernmuseumofflight.org
Oak Mountain State Park -- Best place for road & mountain biking
http://www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=9
Railroad Park -- great spot downtown to relax, walk, and people-watch... great spot for kids to run off some energy http://railroadpark.org/
Red Mountain Park -- includes hiking/biking trails and ziplines; not too far from downtown -- http://www.redmountainpark.org/
The Birmingham Zoo -- http://www.birminghamzoo.com/
Birmingham Botanical Gardens -- http://www.bbgardens.org/
Uptown
http://www.uptownbham.com/
![[Image: wes3722wn.157272_lg.jpg]](http://www.starwoodhotels.com/pub/media/3722/wes3722wn.157272_lg.jpg)
Uptown is a brand-new development adjacent to the BJCC & Legacy Arena (walking-distance), Westin Hotel, and Sheraton Hotel. All restaurants with bars and most with live music every night.
-Todd English P.U.B.
-Texas de Brazil
-Mugshots
-The Southern
-Bottle & Bone
-Cantina Laredo
-Octane Coffee & Bar
***Bottle & Bone and The Southern both win for being unique to Birmingham... don't miss Bottle & Bone's BACON BAR! Yes, BACON.***
Civil Rights & Theatre Districts
-Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
-Kelly Ingram Park
-16th Street Baptist Church
-Green Acres Cafe
-McWane Children's Science Center
-Revelator Coffee Company
-Shive Design Sign & Salvage
Loft District/2nd Avenue North
![[Image: ElBarriomural.jpeg]](http://scenesofthesouthal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ElBarriomural.jpeg)
Hipsters, urbanites, & foodies have all staked a claim to redevelop this area... one of the coolest spots downtown right now.
- Reed Books & The Museum of Fond Memories
- What's on 2nd?
- El Barrio
- The Collins Bar
- Urban Standard
- Pale Eddie's Pour House
- Rogue Tavern
- Carrigan's Pub
Gastropub with half an antique Land Rover mounted to the tap wall
- Trattoria Centrale
Open breakfast & lunch only
- Paramount
Like a tiny, hip Dave & Buster's with much better food
- The Peanut Depot Roasting peanuts in downtown since 1907
5 Points South/Highland Avenue
5 Points South Merchant List & Links
Rojo
O'Henry's Coffee
The Garage
The Nick
Lakeview/Pepper Place
On Tap
Oasis
Tin Roof
Babalu
Five
Slice
Moe's Original BBQ
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint
BYOB Burgers & Music
Lou's Pub
Cantina
Red Cat Coffee House
Bettola
Red Mountain Rovers - sweet vintage Land Rover dealership
Hop City
Avondale
All the cool kids are in Avondale.
Melt
Avondale Brewing
Post Office Pies
Painted Shovel Mercantile
Wasabi Juan's
Saw's Soul Kitchen
Parkside Cafe
Hotbox at Parkside
41st St Pub & Aircraft Sales
Bottletree
Homewood
Mountain Brook
-Birmingham Zoo
-Birmingham Botanical Gardens
-Davenport's Pizza Palace
-Saw's Juke Joint
The Summit
![[Image: af-482x305.jpg]](http://bayerproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/af-482x305.jpg)
The Summit offers casual and fine dining, stadium movie theatre, and a wide variety of retailers from Saks 5th Avenue to Orvis, Barnes & Noble, Sur la Table, Williams-Sonoma, Anthropologie, Vineyard Vines... the list goes on.
-Chuy's - Best patio dining in Birmingham
-FlipBurger - Top Chef winner Richard Blais' burger restaurant
Leeds
The Outlet Shops of Grand River
Bass Pro Shops
Barber Motorsports Park & Vintage Motorsports Museum
Pizza
Post Office Pies
Slice Pizza & Brew
Cosmos Pizza
Trattoria Centrale
Rocky's Pizza
Dave's Pizza
Davenport's Pizza Palace
Beer
Some of the best craft breweries in the South are located in downtown Birmingham...
Avondale Brewing
Trim Tab Brewing
Cahaba Brewing
Good People Brewing
Or if you just want an endless selection
World of Beer- 5 Points South
The J. Clyde - 5 Points South/Cobb Lane
Or some for the trip home (due to weird AL alcohol distribution laws, you can drink beer at the breweries, but they can't sell it to take home... you'll have to buy at a retailer)
Hop City
Highland Package
Shopping
I'd recommend exploring downtown Homewood if you want more of a local flavor (several unique shops, galleries, & restaurants). The Summit is the most popular shopping area, with a lot of national retailers like Saks 5th Ave, Williams-Sonoma, Orvis, Restoration Hardware & a variety of restaurants.
Downtown Homewood:
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4797454,-86.7910564,18z
The Summit:
http://www.thesummitonline.com
If you really want to go upscale, visit the different shopping villages of Mountain Brook. You'll need your GPS for this one, even though you're only a couple miles from downtown. The Birmingham Zoo, B'ham Botanical Gardens, the Country Club of B'ham, and hundreds of beautiful old homes connect Crestine, English, and Mountain Brook Villages.
http://www.welcometomountainbrook.com/villages.php
RE: Updated 5/23--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - LightEmUp70 - 05-24-2007 10:07 PM
I would also like to throw out Mr. P's Deli close to Bluff Park for some of the best sandwiches around
RE: Updated 5/23--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - SunDog - 07-12-2007 02:20 PM
Is Davenport's Pizza still open in Mountain Brook? and is it still as good?
RE: Updated 5/23--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - UAB Band Dad - 07-12-2007 07:33 PM
SunDog Wrote:Is Davenport's Pizza still open in Mountain Brook? and is it still as good?
It's still open, it's still great food, and if you went there anytime from the mid 1970's on it has the same decor, although the dust bunnies are a bit bigger.
RE: Updated 5/23--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - blazerboi - 07-17-2007 08:35 AM
LightEmUp70 Wrote:I would also like to throw out Mr. P's Deli close to Bluff Park for some of the best sandwiches around
Mr. P's also has some great steaks for grilling or tailgating.
How about a section on some tourist attractions?
- Vulcan
- Bham Botannical Gardens
- Sloss Furnace
- Oak Mountain State Park
- etc...
RE: Updated 5/23--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - UABslant - 08-31-2007 03:46 PM
I'm working on updating the BlazerTalk Guide... let me know if there's anything that you'd like to see added.
RE: Updated 8/31/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - braish - 10-15-2007 02:24 PM
FYI: The Burly Earl repainted the place green and gold and has a lot of UAB pennants and banners around. It looks amazing and tastes just as good.
RE: Updated 5/23--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - mobileblazer - 10-15-2007 02:42 PM
SunDog Wrote:Is Davenport's Pizza still open in Mountain Brook? and is it still as good?
Yes, it is. My son, dad and I ate there three weeks ago. As good as always. Best pizza ever, imo.
RE: Updated 8/31/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - mobileblazer - 10-15-2007 02:44 PM
For a dive, how about Club South.
Penny beer was the best.
RE: Updated 8/31/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - Grammar-Nazi - 10-15-2007 03:22 PM
braish Wrote:FYI: The Burly Earl repainted the place green and gold and has a lot of UAB pennants and banners around. It looks amazing and tastes just as good.
I did not know it was possible to paint grease. Their walls are made of grease, right?
RE: Updated 8/31/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - braish - 10-15-2007 06:25 PM
Grammar-Nazi Wrote:braish Wrote:FYI: The Burly Earl repainted the place green and gold and has a lot of UAB pennants and banners around. It looks amazing and tastes just as good.
I did not know it was possible to paint grease. Their walls are made of grease, right?
It takes a lot of determination but the main ingredient is love.
RE: Updated 8/31/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - Smaug - 10-17-2007 08:57 AM
Grammar-Nazi Wrote:braish Wrote:FYI: The Burly Earl repainted the place green and gold and has a lot of UAB pennants and banners around. It looks amazing and tastes just as good.
I did not know it was possible to paint grease. Their walls are made of grease, right?
I ate there recently, after the city went smoke-free. It was different in a way I couldn't put my finger on until I was almost finished eating. I had finally realized that I could see from on end of the place to the other.
I think you can still smoke in the gameroom, provided you sign a waiver or something. Of course, the smoke from the kitchen will always be with us.
RE: Updated 8/31/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - braish - 10-17-2007 09:02 AM
Smaug Wrote:Grammar-Nazi Wrote:braish Wrote:FYI: The Burly Earl repainted the place green and gold and has a lot of UAB pennants and banners around. It looks amazing and tastes just as good.
I did not know it was possible to paint grease. Their walls are made of grease, right?
I ate there recently, after the city went smoke-free. It was different in a way I couldn't put my finger on until I was almost finished eating. I had finally realized that I could see from on end of the place to the other.
I think you can still smoke in the gameroom, provided you sign a waiver or something. Of course, the smoke from the kitchen will always be with us.
Actually they have a sign above the gameroom entrance stating that they take a hit of five points to keep their place a smoking restaurant. But the kicker is that they still have a 94 from the Health Dept. even after those points are knocked off. I seriously have no idea how they have such a high score in that old place.
RE: Updated 11/3/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - LightEmUp70 - 11-07-2007 07:05 PM
I just realized you missed Mr. P's. Sandwiches that melt in your mouth.
RE: Updated 11/3/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - ATTALLABLAZE - 12-02-2007 02:09 PM
Visiting fans, please post any questions and we will be happy to help.
RE: Updated 11/3/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - mlb - 12-03-2007 04:27 PM
Any suggestion on bars near the Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown/UAB? I heard about the 5 points area, are there any places to sit down and drink some brews close by (as in walking distance).
RE: Updated 12/14/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - UABslant - 12-14-2007 12:57 AM
I've fixed a few issues with links and the hotel list and added a few more attractions.
RE: Updated 10/1/08--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - GoUABBlazers - 12-30-2007 11:39 PM
When shopping at Brookwood Village or the Pinnacle in Trussville Five Guys Burgers & Fries, a not so fast food burger joint, is yum-o! When shopping at the Pinnacle, I often eat at Jim & Nick's BBQ...yum-o as well.
Hot & Hot Fish Club is pretty tasty, although I have never eaten fish there. They are pretty famous for their shrimp and grits. I wish they would cater another Green & Gold Room meal.
RE: Updated 12/14/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - Smauger - 01-12-2008 11:48 AM
As far as hotels are concerned, you may want to mention the Redmont Hotel downtown. I stayed there last weekend while I was in town and found it surprisingly nice. Convenient to downtown, SS and the highway. Best of all... it was very affordable!
RE: Updated 12/14/07--BlazerTalk.com Guide to B'ham - Dwarren - 01-30-2008 11:50 PM
where did hooters move to? We used to stop on the east side of town heading home from dega but noticed it was shut down last year!