Guidebook for Birmingham
Food Scene
Awesome place for pizza, salads, and beer. The brussel sprouts salad is incredible. Our favorite pizzas are the chicken pesto or a build-your-own.
46 locals recommend
Post Office Pies
209 41st St SAwesome place for pizza, salads, and beer. The brussel sprouts salad is incredible. Our favorite pizzas are the chicken pesto or a build-your-own.
Hole in the wall BBQ joint with fantastic wings and baked potatoes.
66 locals recommend
SAW’s Soul Kitchen
215 41st St SHole in the wall BBQ joint with fantastic wings and baked potatoes.
Great, walkable coffee shop with a fun vibe. Lots of board games and vintage, sci-fi reruns. On Sundays, they have a cereal bar.
10 locals recommend
Domestique Coffee - Satellite (Saturn)
200 41st St SGreat, walkable coffee shop with a fun vibe. Lots of board games and vintage, sci-fi reruns. On Sundays, they have a cereal bar.
Next door to Highlands is Chez Fonfon, another Frank Stitt restaurant. It has an incredible French menu -- the steak frites is my favorite and be sure to save room for some coconut cake. Fonfon doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to get there early or wait for a table, but if you have to wait, it is fun to walk next door to Highlands bar for a classic cocktail.
56 locals recommend
Chez Fonfon
2007 11th Ave SNext door to Highlands is Chez Fonfon, another Frank Stitt restaurant. It has an incredible French menu -- the steak frites is my favorite and be sure to save room for some coconut cake. Fonfon doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to get there early or wait for a table, but if you have to wait, it is fun to walk next door to Highlands bar for a classic cocktail.
A great coffee shop that is walkable to the house. We love their specialty drinks, like the Bergamot Fog.
Seeds Coffee Co. - Lakeview
2808 7th Ave SA great coffee shop that is walkable to the house. We love their specialty drinks, like the Bergamot Fog.
Fantastic Italian restaurant in Pepper Place, open for lunch and dinner. The pastas and pizzas are delicious! It also has a good selection of wine and a great bar.
17 locals recommend
Bettola
2930 3rd Ave SFantastic Italian restaurant in Pepper Place, open for lunch and dinner. The pastas and pizzas are delicious! It also has a good selection of wine and a great bar.
Great restaurant for seasonal small plates and tapas. One of our favorite date night places.
27 locals recommend
OvenBird
2810 3rd Ave SGreat restaurant for seasonal small plates and tapas. One of our favorite date night places.
Local diner, which is a short walk from the house, and offers a great breakfast.
9 locals recommend
Bogue's
3120 Clairmont AveLocal diner, which is a short walk from the house, and offers a great breakfast.
A local favorite French restaurant and bakery in English Village. During the day, enjoy salads, soups, and sandwiches, and at night, they have delicious pizzas and a good selection of reasonably priced wines. Next door to Continental Bakery, which is a great place to get fresh bread.
13 locals recommend
Chez Lulu
1911 Cahaba RdA local favorite French restaurant and bakery in English Village. During the day, enjoy salads, soups, and sandwiches, and at night, they have delicious pizzas and a good selection of reasonably priced wines. Next door to Continental Bakery, which is a great place to get fresh bread.
Ollie Irene
75 Church StA fantastic local restaurant, featuring seasonal Southern cuisine.
This understated taqueria is fantastic. They have a really popular taco truck on 5th Ave, but this is there permanent location. Super casual, but delicious.
16 locals recommend
Taco Morro Loco
417 41st St SThis understated taqueria is fantastic. They have a really popular taco truck on 5th Ave, but this is there permanent location. Super casual, but delicious.
This is one of our favorite places to walk from the house. Head down Cliff to Highland Avenue and follow the road past all three parks. Bottega is owned by Frank Stitt (Highlands and Chez Fonfon), and it offers fantastic Italian cuisine. It is open most of the day, so it is a great place to take a leisurely lunch, and if it is pretty outside, they have a nice patio.
27 locals recommend
Bottega Cafe
2240 Highland AveThis is one of our favorite places to walk from the house. Head down Cliff to Highland Avenue and follow the road past all three parks. Bottega is owned by Frank Stitt (Highlands and Chez Fonfon), and it offers fantastic Italian cuisine. It is open most of the day, so it is a great place to take a leisurely lunch, and if it is pretty outside, they have a nice patio.
The closest coffee shop to the house, just a few blocks away in Rushton Park, O'Henry's is a local favorite.
23 locals recommend
O'Henry's
2915 Highland AveThe closest coffee shop to the house, just a few blocks away in Rushton Park, O'Henry's is a local favorite.
The closest restaurant to the house, Rojo, is a local favorite Mexican restaurant. It is popular for its margaritas and live music. The patio is dog-friendly.
45 locals recommend
Rojo
2921 Highland AveThe closest restaurant to the house, Rojo, is a local favorite Mexican restaurant. It is popular for its margaritas and live music. The patio is dog-friendly.
This is some of the best food in town. If you cant get a reservation, go at 5 and get a seat at the bar. The cocktails are lovely, and the oysters are fresh. The whole menu is delicious, and you can get all of it at the bar.
31 locals recommend
Automatic Seafood and Oysters
2824 5th Ave SThis is some of the best food in town. If you cant get a reservation, go at 5 and get a seat at the bar. The cocktails are lovely, and the oysters are fresh. The whole menu is delicious, and you can get all of it at the bar.
One of my favorite fast-casual Mexican restaurants. Excellent margaritas and a fun build-your-own menu.
Taco Mama - The Waites
707 Richard Arrington Junior Boulevard SouthOne of my favorite fast-casual Mexican restaurants. Excellent margaritas and a fun build-your-own menu.
Great for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch! Lively and fun space with excellent food and drinks.
77 locals recommend
El Barrio Restaurante Y Bar
2211 2nd Ave NGreat for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch! Lively and fun space with excellent food and drinks.
Just a few blocks from Charles on 11th, the Southside outpost of Saws is one of our favorite easy places to eat. The baked potatoes are enormous, and the onion rings and fried pickles are delish!
Saw’s BBQ – Southside
1154 11th Ave SJust a few blocks from Charles on 11th, the Southside outpost of Saws is one of our favorite easy places to eat. The baked potatoes are enormous, and the onion rings and fried pickles are delish!
A neighbor-favorite, traditional Italian restaurant, just over the mountain from our places.
31 locals recommend
Gianmarco's Restaurant
721 Broadway StA neighbor-favorite, traditional Italian restaurant, just over the mountain from our places.
Great place for rum cocktails and Cuban-inspired food.
17 locals recommend
Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurante
2015 1st Ave NGreat place for rum cocktails and Cuban-inspired food.
Helen
Popular southern-inspired seasonal restaurant with good cocktails anda vibrant scene.
Drinks & Nightlife
One half coffee shop/bar. One half live music venue. This is a great spot to catch a show. The bartenders are fantastic and can make excellent classic and craft cocktails. Come morning, the coffee shop, Domestique, has great hot and cold beverages.
50 locals recommend
Saturn
200 41st St SOne half coffee shop/bar. One half live music venue. This is a great spot to catch a show. The bartenders are fantastic and can make excellent classic and craft cocktails. Come morning, the coffee shop, Domestique, has great hot and cold beverages.
Church nights -- Wednesday and Sunday -- are local favorites at this low-key neighborhood bar. It is walkable from the house and in Lakeview, a district full of bars and restaurants. Super casual setting, but fantastic cocktails, particularly on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. If Angel is there, ask for him to make you something special.
7 locals recommend
Lou's Pub and Package
726 29th St SChurch nights -- Wednesday and Sunday -- are local favorites at this low-key neighborhood bar. It is walkable from the house and in Lakeview, a district full of bars and restaurants. Super casual setting, but fantastic cocktails, particularly on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. If Angel is there, ask for him to make you something special.
A cool speakeasy, tucked upstairs behind a hot dog joint. Great cocktails, good for a date or a group outing.
26 locals recommend
The Marble Ring
430 41st St SA cool speakeasy, tucked upstairs behind a hot dog joint. Great cocktails, good for a date or a group outing.
Large selection of beer and cocktails. This Morris Avenue staple has a great rooftop if it is a nice evening, and the bar food menu is really tasty. We even like going for lunch -- the salmon kale salad is delicious!
61 locals recommend
Carrigan's Public House
2430 Morris AveLarge selection of beer and cocktails. This Morris Avenue staple has a great rooftop if it is a nice evening, and the bar food menu is really tasty. We even like going for lunch -- the salmon kale salad is delicious!
Paper airplane themed, with craft cocktails that stand up. This place has great booths if you have 4 or 6 people and get there early. A periodic table of birmingham elements is on behind the bar, and the bartenders make custom drinks based on flavors you suggest.
70 locals recommend
The Collins Bar
2125 2nd Ave NPaper airplane themed, with craft cocktails that stand up. This place has great booths if you have 4 or 6 people and get there early. A periodic table of birmingham elements is on behind the bar, and the bartenders make custom drinks based on flavors you suggest.
Walkable from Eden Brae, this cozy local wine bar offers a nice selection and has both indoor and outdoor spaces.
10 locals recommend
Freddy's Wine Bar
2251 Highland AveWalkable from Eden Brae, this cozy local wine bar offers a nice selection and has both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Sightseeing
Overlooking the city, Vulcan -- the god of the forge -- is Birmingham's iconic symbol. The city, which boomed in the late 19th century as an iron and steel town, is famous for its abundant natural resources. Vulcan Park provides a great vantage for seeing the city, and it has a small museum of Birmingham history.
203 locals recommend
Vulcan Park and Museum
1701 Valley View DrOverlooking the city, Vulcan -- the god of the forge -- is Birmingham's iconic symbol. The city, which boomed in the late 19th century as an iron and steel town, is famous for its abundant natural resources. Vulcan Park provides a great vantage for seeing the city, and it has a small museum of Birmingham history.
The 16th Street Baptist church was the site of the 1963 bombing, which killed 4 little girls and turned the tide of sentiment in the civil rights movement.
34 locals recommend
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
1530 6th Ave NThe 16th Street Baptist church was the site of the 1963 bombing, which killed 4 little girls and turned the tide of sentiment in the civil rights movement.
Walk the Civil Rights Trail and visit the fantastic sculptures in Kelly Ingram Park-across from the Civil Rights Institute. Check out the trail here- https://civilrightstrail.com/attraction/kelly-ingram-park/
16 locals recommend
Kelly Ingram Park
500 17th St NWalk the Civil Rights Trail and visit the fantastic sculptures in Kelly Ingram Park-across from the Civil Rights Institute. Check out the trail here- https://civilrightstrail.com/attraction/kelly-ingram-park/
Arts & Culture
Birmingham was one of the key cities of the civil rights movement. Learn about the city's complicated racial past in this moving museum, next door to the 16th Street Baptist Church.
152 locals recommend
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
520 16th St NBirmingham was one of the key cities of the civil rights movement. Learn about the city's complicated racial past in this moving museum, next door to the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Well-curated art museum, featuring one of the finest and most diverse collections in the Southeastern US. If you go on a Sunday afternoon, they have a fantastic brunch.
131 locals recommend
Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr BoulevardWell-curated art museum, featuring one of the finest and most diverse collections in the Southeastern US. If you go on a Sunday afternoon, they have a fantastic brunch.
A great place to bring kids. The McWane Science Center features interactive exhibits relating to science. The center also has an IMAX theater, which shows a wide range of educational and popular films.
107 locals recommend
McWane Science Center
200 19th St NA great place to bring kids. The McWane Science Center features interactive exhibits relating to science. The center also has an IMAX theater, which shows a wide range of educational and popular films.
Parks & Nature
Wonderful place to hike. See old mines and get great vantages of the city.
81 locals recommend
Ruffner Mountain
1214 81st St SWonderful place to hike. See old mines and get great vantages of the city.
One of the largest state parks in the area, Oak Mountain offers a variety of outdoor activities. Hike, mountain bike, play golf, swim, pet animals, ride horses, rent boats -- whatever you would like. There is a really fascinating bird sanctuary at the top of the mountain -- if you love animals, don't miss it.
114 locals recommend
Oak Mountain State Park
200 Terrace DrOne of the largest state parks in the area, Oak Mountain offers a variety of outdoor activities. Hike, mountain bike, play golf, swim, pet animals, ride horses, rent boats -- whatever you would like. There is a really fascinating bird sanctuary at the top of the mountain -- if you love animals, don't miss it.
This is a great mid-sized park with a range of hiking trails, zip lines and ropes activities, and a popular dog park.
87 locals recommend
Red Mountain Park
2011 Frankfurt DrThis is a great mid-sized park with a range of hiking trails, zip lines and ropes activities, and a popular dog park.
Neighborhood park with playground, basketball court, and unofficial dog park. Around the park, you'll find Rojo, a popular Mexican restaurant, and O'Henry's, a local coffee shop. You can also rent Zyp bikes here.
9 locals recommend
Rushton Park
3000 Highland AveNeighborhood park with playground, basketball court, and unofficial dog park. Around the park, you'll find Rojo, a popular Mexican restaurant, and O'Henry's, a local coffee shop. You can also rent Zyp bikes here.
Take a walk or run by a wandering calm river in Jemison Park. This park is through Mountain Brook, and parking can be tricky- but the trail is one of the only places to walk by water in Birmingham. It can be particularly nice in on summer mornings. In the fall there is a good amount of cross country practice in the afternoons. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/jemison-park-nature-trail
7 locals recommend
Jemison Park
Take a walk or run by a wandering calm river in Jemison Park. This park is through Mountain Brook, and parking can be tricky- but the trail is one of the only places to walk by water in Birmingham. It can be particularly nice in on summer mornings. In the fall there is a good amount of cross country practice in the afternoons. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/jemison-park-nature-trail
Our favorite in-town park, just minutes from Charles on 11th, George Ward offers all kinds of attractions — great for dogs, families, friends, or solo travelers. Lots of shaded paths, a full frisbee golf course, multiple dog parks, places for kids to play, tennis courts, baseball fields, outdoor picnic areas — this park has it all!
10 locals recommend
George Ward Park
1901 Greensprings Ave SOur favorite in-town park, just minutes from Charles on 11th, George Ward offers all kinds of attractions — great for dogs, families, friends, or solo travelers. Lots of shaded paths, a full frisbee golf course, multiple dog parks, places for kids to play, tennis courts, baseball fields, outdoor picnic areas — this park has it all!
Essentials
The closest grocery store to Eden Brae. Piggly Wiggly is an iconic Alabama grocery chain (we love the T-shirts).
31 locals recommend
Piggly Wiggly Clairmont
3314 Clairmont AveThe closest grocery store to Eden Brae. Piggly Wiggly is an iconic Alabama grocery chain (we love the T-shirts).
If you need prescriptions or toiletries while you are staying with us, this Walgreens is right around the corner.
25 locals recommend
Walgreens
3020 Clairmont AveIf you need prescriptions or toiletries while you are staying with us, this Walgreens is right around the corner.
Vegetarian staples, heathy food, supplements, and cafe dining. A long standing local establishment.
8 locals recommend
Golden Temple Health Food Store
1901 11th Ave SVegetarian staples, heathy food, supplements, and cafe dining. A long standing local establishment.
The city's best farmers market is Saturday morning in Pepper Place. This outdoor market is open through the summer, into the fall, offering fresh bread, local fruits and veggies, and locally made gifts. Live music can be heard most weekends. Catch a Cooking demonstration from the best chefs in the city, or stroll around and pet so many good dogs.
55 locals recommend
The Market at Pepper Place | Saturday Farmers Market
2829 2nd Ave SThe city's best farmers market is Saturday morning in Pepper Place. This outdoor market is open through the summer, into the fall, offering fresh bread, local fruits and veggies, and locally made gifts. Live music can be heard most weekends. Catch a Cooking demonstration from the best chefs in the city, or stroll around and pet so many good dogs.
ABC SELECT SPIRITS
2911 7th Ave SNeighborhood liquor store. Totally fine selection.
Getting Around
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
5900 Messer Airport HwyThis is the closest airport.