U M E L F O I V V 5 E iii i inbirmingham.com 1 2 A map might get you around Birmingham, but it won’t lead you to its heart and soul. To find these places, you’ll need to enlist the help of some of the best tour guides of all—locals. These are the people who know Birmingham best and define its special culture every day. This guide was composed by them and represents much of the best our city has to offer. ENJOY 3 4 GUIDE IN GUIDE STAT SHEET 6 DINING 8 COFFEE & CONFECTIONS 46 NIGHTLIFE 54 SHOPPING 70 MARKETS 86 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 92 ATTRACTIONS 102 EVENTS 114 MAPS 128 INDEX 132 5 INSIDE THE GUIDE A SUM OF ALL GREAT THINGS YOU'LL FIND IN BIRMINGHAM 292292292TOTAL DESTINATIONS NEW SPOTS THOUSANDS & 27NEW SPOTS THOUSANDS OF HEARTFELT RECOMMENDATIONS 112 39 21 48 DINING NIGHTLIFE ARTS & SHOPPING DESTINATIONS DESTINATIONS ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATIONS 18 26 11 17 MUST–SEE ICONIC DELIGHTFUL COFFEE & EVENTS ATTRACTIONS MARKETS CONFECTIONS RECOMMENDATION PERCENTAGES DINING 38.3% SHOPPING 16.4% NIGHTLIFE 13.4% ATTRACTIONS 8.9% ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 7.2% COFFEE & CONFECTIONS 5.8% EVENTS 6.2% MARKETS 3.8% MORE IN GUIDE STATS 60+ DIFFERENT + + CUPCAKE 140K 35 48 FLAVORS YARDS OF PUBLIC GOLF HIKING TRAILS 1,000+ 50+ STAGES 17 FOR LIVE 1,200+ MUSIC TAPS OF DRAUGHT BEER MOTORCYCLES & RACECARS DINING The perfect place to relax. CINDY A. on Avo & Dram 8 DINING DINING WHEN THE STARS FELL ON ALABAMA, THEY LANDED RIGHT HERE. From five-star restaurants to meat-and-threes, Birmingham is full of delicious dining destinations. Dig into this section and find out what the locals are having. 26 Al's Deli & Grill culinary experience. When you’re 1210 20th St S 1629 10th Ave S ready to cap off your meal with 205-918-0726 205-939-4278 a round of drinks, head to “The BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM Wave” Cocktail Lounge. Also fea- 26 presents cuisine and If you stay out past sunset in the turing a scenic outdoor patio and atmosphere equally pleasing to Magic City, Al’s is a must-try. a value-priced weekday menu. the senses. A twinkling bar, a This 24-hour grill is a local staple “I didn’t believe them when waterfall wall and garage doors they said they served the ‘Best for folks who like to party up an Calamari Ever.’ But I was wrong. I that can be raised to create appetite, but their vast assort- was very wrong.” Brad P. open-air dining are some of the ment of American and Mediter- elements that make up the chic ranean dishes is good eating no Avo & Dram and comfortable scene. They matter what time of day it is. 2721 Cahaba Rd also have the coolest bathrooms “A barbeque baker from Al’s is the 205-871-8212 (Avo) in town! Add a menu featuring perfect way to end any night on 205-871-8055 (Dram) the town.” Megan B. a mix of Asian and upscale MOUNTAIN BROOK seafood and you’ve got some of This two-story building houses the coolest sights, sounds and Asian Rim Sushi two of Birmingham’s finest tastes in Birmingham. Head to Company drinking and dining establish- 26 on Wednesdays for compli- 3419 Colonnade Pkwy, ments. Upstairs at Avo, you mentary wine tastings, and get Suite 100 can enjoy “Cal-abama cuisine,” 205-490-1444 bottles for half price. gourmet fare that combines BIRMINGHAM “The metropolitan atmosphere Alabama’s best local products You’ll find more than just at 26 makes it the perfect venue with California seafood, meat for a night out, especially since delicious, inventive sushi at this and produce. Downstairs, Dram the food is consistently a palette atmospheric location. From serves up specialty drinks such pleaser.” Ginger Ann C. certified Angus steaks to fresh as bacon-infused whiskey and seafood, it’s an other-worldly 9 DINING PHOTO BY JASON WALLIS Bottega offers beautiful Italian cuisine on both the casual café side and the upscale restaurant side. some of the city’s most elegant Billy’s Bar & Grill will sound familiar: shrimp burgers. Avo’s covered outdoor 2012 Cahaba Rd and grits, po’ boys, vegetable terrace and Dram’s two-level 205-879-2238 plates, hamburgers, chicken pot courtyard provide plenty of space MOUNTAIN BROOK pie. What is quite unexpected, for dining and lounging outdoors. Billy’s is a favorite neighborhood however, is Bistro V’s knack for “The terrace outside Avo is the eatery for lunch and dinner, making these Southern staples perfect place to relax with a great specializing in patty melts, seem special and new. Doing friend and a glass of wine. Oh, that with a culinary classic is no and the food’s great too!” Cindy A. sandwiches and salads. Be sure to try the famous chicken small feat—but it is a delicious one. “Bistro V does it right. Their Bettola sandwich with signature white and mustard sauces. Featuring dishes have a classic foundation 2901 2nd Ave S with modern inspiration.” John W. 205-731-6499 a separate bar, Billy’s doubles as a popular nightspot for live BIRMINGHAM Bogue’s music. Second location at Super fresh ingredients make 3028 Clairmont Ave up this Italian fare, featuring Liberty Park off Overton Rd. 205-254-9780 “A great place to watch the game, authentic Neapolitan pizza from eat good food, hear great live BIRMINGHAM their wood-fired oven, antipasti, music and dance the night away." Open since 1938, Bogue’s pagniottelle and pastas. For Kammie A. offers some of the city’s best lunch, try one of their specialty hearty breakfasts and meat- salad and sandwich combos. Bistro V and-three lunch plates. Make Located in Pepper Place. 521 Montgomery Hwy sure to try the sweet sticky rolls. “The authentic menu reminds 205-824-1505 Second location on Hwy 280. me of the café-style dishes I dis- VESTAVIA “Best breakfast, friendliest staff covered while traveling in Italy.” A lot of Bistro V’s menu items and terrific lunch.” Carol S. Brittany B. 10 DINING We take all our out of town guests here. M.C.D. on Chez Fonfon 11 DINING PHOTO BY KP STUDIOS Cocina Superior’s Tex-Mex and delicious cocktails are a favorite for lunch or dinner. 12 DINING The Boot 616 Preserve Pkwy, Suite 112 205-978-8988 HOOVER In the heart of Hoover’s cozy Preserve Village community lies The Boot, a brand new fast Carlile’s just casual restaurant that offers great food in a relaxed setting. With burgers, sandwiches and tacos made fresh each day feels like alongside an array of local and regional craft brews, it’s no wonder Birmingham Magazine Birmingham. readers voted them Best New Restaurant in 2013. “I’m so glad we decided to give this new place a try. Good food, cool neighborhood. I’ll definitely be back.” Aaron T. Bottega 2240 Highland Ave 205-939-1000 BIRMINGHAM RICHARD B. Housed in a historic building on Highland Ave, Bottega was on Carlile’s Barbeque created by chef/owner Frank Stitt and offers upscale contem- porary Italian cuisine and an Bottega Café to perfection. The menu also extensive wine list. The menu, 2240 Highland Ave tempts diners with seasonal which changes daily, offers 205-933-2001 fresh gulf seafood, locally grown selections of duck, short BIRMINGHAM organic vegetables and naturally ribs, venison, wild boar, veal, Adjacent to Bottega, you'll raised meats. seafood, steaks and locally find Bottega Café, a more “The location, ambiance, food sourced seasonal produce. casual Italian dining experi- and drinks are wonderful. It's one “Consistently wonderful food of my favorite places to eat.” and good service.” J. E. L. ence. Outside, the café offers Jennifer W. Birmingham’s most popular patio dining, while inside, the wood-fired brick oven turns out flatbread and pizza crisped 13 DINING Chez Lulu is a neighborhood bistro featuring fresh-baked breads from their Continental Bakery next door. Brick & Tin The Bright Star Texas Special, a trio entrée of 214 20th St N 304 19th St N beef tenderloin, Greek-style snap- per and lobster and crabmeat au 205-297-8636 205-426-1861 gratin.” Karen S. BIRMINGHAM BESSEMER “Upscale sandwich shop” may The Bright Star, an Alabama seem like an oxymoron—but only landmark since 1907, has Café Dupont 113 20th St N if you’ve never been to Brick & been named one of the James 205-322-1282 Tin. They bake their own bread Beard Foundation's “America’s BIRMINGHAM fresh, source ingredients locally, Classics.” Located in Bessemer, Chris Dupont’s pristine prepare and plate it masterfully, a short drive from downtown downtown restaurant brings and serve it with a smile. Located Birmingham, the family-owned exquisite seasonal dishes and in the heart of downtown, their restaurant is known far and wide artful presentation to scores of beautiful rustic-modern space for its comfortable atmosphere, regulars. Dupont’s cuisine is is almost as impressive as their excellent service and, of course, created in a French style from food. Almost. the specialty Greek-style snap- ingredients largely from local “I can’t remember the last time per and steak, signature seafood and regional origins. I had a sandwich this incredibly gumbo, homemade pies and delicious. Other than the last “I enjoy the fact that they incor- time I was at Brick & Tin, that is.” luncheon meat-and-threes. porate locally grown products in James W. “The Bright Star is my very their dishes.” Erin L. favorite restaurant ever! Please take it from me and ask for the 14 DINING Cantina Tortilla Grill Carrigan’s Public “The food, the decor, the lack of 2901 2nd Ave S pretense, the presence of excel- House lence.