“Authentic ruebens and many other delicious sammiches and eats! The best (and only) real deal, fresh made limeades in the city. One of the few remaining true soda fountains / sandwich shops around. Bustling and hustling during the lunchtime feedings. Fun and busy atmosphere for sure. Great folks at Gilchrests too - always the same dedicated, and super friendly staff at the helm. Must be how they have maintained such consistency and earned their loyal patrons!It's been a regular stop for me and my family for at least the past 40 years. We've all been raised together on Gilchrests limeades for multiple generations!! Yumsville indeed.“
“There are a lot of coffee places in the Birmingham area and Santos is one of my all time favorites (if not, my number one favorite). They have such a friendly and helpful staff. The environment is perfect for getting work done on your own or meet ups with others. Not to mention, they have super yummy drinks and a large assortment of food items.“
“This is one of the better Starbucks. The staff is courteous and professional. The dining area has plenty of seating. As a matter of fact, it has the largest seating area of any Starbucks I've been in. It's located in Mountainbrook Village.“
“Great coffee shop to visit when in the area. Asked the cashier/barista what she recommended and she suggested the caramel latte and it was delicious. Definitely give them a visit if your in the mood for some coffee. Bought a really cute shirt here too!“
“Visiting the area and decided to stop here for a quick caffeine boost one morning. I’m usually seeking out coffee shops that also have a nice selection of hot teas, with the London fog latte being my go-to. They were out of Earl grey when I went which was a bummer but I ended up getting the pistachio rose flavored iced coffee and it was good. The rose was very strong- which I enjoyed but if you like a subtle flavor profile be sure to try something else or maybe ask for less syrup than they usually use. It was packed and there weren’t a lot of places to sit and enjoy our coffees, but we took them to go. Overall a good experience and I would love to come back at some point to try a London fog latte.“
“I don’t even know another place to get gelato in Birmingham, but Cannella seems to have a pretty consistent menu. Haven’t seen too many seasonal flavors, but I’m impressed with how creamy the lemon sorbet is without any dairy it. If you go there and ask how they do it, they might just tell you their secret!“
“I love being able to walk to get coffee, and living in Avondale, Punch Love is always my go-to. High-quality and expertly brewed, I have always had a great experience and an even greater latte. With my work schedule, my only critique is I wish hours either opened a few minutes earlier or stayed open later into the afternoon, but c'est la vie.“
“Wow what great prices for all you get ??!Great vibe too ??.Their "Skillet" items are the best !!!!! ?? ? See picture.And We had waffle and pancakes -fabulous.French toast is great but I would get dry as fried in shortening, vs. natural butter /lard/tallow/coconut oil / or avocado oil which would all be better for you.So many great meats ?? ? too !Love this place super service super clientele will be back ! ? ? “
“The coffee is very good I normally get the simple hot latte. Often dropping by here after I have been driving around Mt. Brook / Cahaba Heights area to feel better about myself. When I go there is always a lot of Gen Z in there studying or conversing with friends with the occasional millennial who thinks they can still hang with Gen Zers. The other thing I have noticed is that not only does everyone who works here but also the patrons dress like they are living in a decade of the 1900s. Some opt for overalls for a 1930s look, others wear a hawaiian type shirt that resembles the 70s/80s, while many girls go for a 1950s or 60s dress some opt for an adidas jumpsuite for a 90s vibe. One girl even had her hair in the 1940s wartime cloth.“
“What a nice locally owned mini donut shop! I tried the Boston crème and the strawberry with Sons sauce donuts. They were both so good but Boston crème was my fav for sure! There were a few other flavors that caught my eye so I will definitely be coming back to try some more flavors soon.While the price is a bit higher than chain donut shops, Sons is a locally owned business and makes the donuts fresh to order.“
“I heard about this place, I love the modern mixed with historic aesthetics. At first I was like hmm they don’t seem to friendly. But God! I tried the Bergamot tea which was so good with peppermint & honey. The owner was so friendly. He even let me try a complimentary item off the menu. I was inspired by him sharing his journey into creating this business. Y’all go visit with him. Thank you Troy!!“
“Me and some colleagues happened upon this great little bakery. We had the apple and cheese danish and a sticky bun. All I can say is that after taking a bite of the apple danish I wanted to go back and get 5 more. The danish was so buttery and the cheese and apple filling complimented the danish perfectly. The owner was very friendly and joked around with us. I will definitely come back.“
“This place has some of the best coffee I've found in my adventures of finding new coffee places across the country. My partner got the turtle latte minus caramel add hazelnut and I got the turtle latte just add hazelnut. They are so good and not overpowering on the flavor side. Their coffee isn't burnt so it doesn't taste bitter at all and their prices are super reasonable. This is our go to coffee place while we're in town. 10/10 definitely coming back.“
“The atmosphere is very good, the music isn't too loud, or too quiet. My iced hot chocolate was very tasty. My chocolate chip cookie was warm and delicious. The person at the counter was very personable. Definitely will come here again!“
“Located downtown with street parking. My family and I decided to go here for chocolate chai tea lattes, iced of course lol. Staff was friendly, not too busy on a Saturday morning I believe they had just opened. Inside was decorated nicely and very clean. We decided to take our drinks to go but I would definitely visit this location again.“
“You can't get any cozier than Seeds! I studied in the outdoor sofa area many-a-times during my senior year of undergrad. Nothing like an excuse to lay down on a comfy couch in public with a coffee by your side. Seeds is a great place that I honestly want to start going to more often! My one gripe is that the parking can be a bit upsetting when it's more packed, especially when I drive all the way there just to have to turn around and go elsewhere. Very nice coffee, but I oddly prefer their hot drinks to their iced drinks (shocker!) Every time I order an iced drink here I feel like there's too much syrup and the consistency doesn't sit right with me. Never had an issue with a hot latte!“
“2024 UPDATE:Nothing has changed. Always a good venue. Good drinks, nice people, clean bathrooms. Games, snacks, coffee redbull, pinball. What else could you possibly want? Seriously love this space for shows, hangoing out, photo opportunities, private events, whatever. The theme and aesthetic are amazing.ORIGINAL:Loved seeing Highly Suspect here! It was an amazing show. The staff was nice and the facility is amazing. Clean and really cool.“
“Great place to stop at near airport. They serve breakfast all day and the coffee is on point. Looks like some revitalization is going on in the neighborhood so excited to see it progress. My new stop on my travels. Oh the avocado toast was dang good, they even threw some EVO on there for me…just the right breakfast for a day of driving! Had the hot Caramel Crème Brûlée Latte, very tasty!“
“Oh my goodness! Best churros I've had outside of Mexico! My friend and I ordered the Bavarian cream and Dulce de Leche churros. Churros were crispy yet soft and warm. The fillings were just right, not too sweet but tasty and very satisfying! The owner was very friendly and shared some history of her business. Churro Station is very classy, clean, and well organized. Definitely worth the trip from Trussville! We're coming back for more and will try the ice cream and coffee. Give them a try and you'll get hooked!“
“first time there today and I'm sad that I'm just now discovering this place. Liz and Jodi were so sweet and helpful. my drink and breakfast burrito were amazing. and the whole atmosphere of the place is very cool. i work from home a lot but will definitely bring my laptop up here soon.“
“THEE BEST coffee shop this city has to offer, such a gem of a shop. Great quality espresso, breakfast was the bomb and the atmosphere is so COZY. 10/10 oh and did I mention the baristas/owners are amazing people?! Will be back next visit 1000%.“
“My first time visit was today. I've been wanting to try an apple galette ever since I found out what they were. While I plan to enjoy my galette in the morning, I just tasted the Queenie and where has she been all my life. So wonderfully tasty that words fail me. Also, the service was attentive and patiently helpful. I'll be back sooner than later!“
“I love this place! The food and the staff are the perfect combination for a great experience. Jess does an amazing job managing her staff and it shows in the friendly service my husband and I receive every time we go. It's the little things that mean alot!“
Coffee Shops • $
“My friend and I are doing a tour of all the coffee places in Birmingham and this was our first, it didn’t disappoint! The coffee was quite smooth and mellow while still being flavorful, but by far the highlight was the staff. They were all super nice and conversational which made the vibe cozy instead of pretentious. Great place to sit and chat!“
“Have been going to this place for so many years. Don't get to go as much as would like but I really enjoy the chicken and dressing , macaroni & cheese, and the green beans. Most of the time the rolls. Unfortunately last time they were hard. My dad got the veggie plate and really liked all his options as well.“
“I’m an employee here, and it’s still my favorite spot in Birmingham! They catered for my wedding as well which was amazing!Dietary restrictions: They offer Joyful food which is gluten and dairy free! They also have almond and milk at milk options.“
“I love the atmosphere in General, it is wonderful! I love the maximalism going on, and the cool products for sale all around the store. They serve coffee from June coffee, and they have really good cakes and pastries. This is a really fun hangout spot during the day.“
“For the second consecutive trip, the young lady (blonde hair, red hoodie cashier/barista/food runner) is beyond exceptional!She is sooooo friendly and goes above and beyond great customer service!I’m in the hospitality business and I wish I had someone like her.HERO, I hope you know what a rare gem you’ve got in that incredible young lady!!!!“
“I went here to study the other weekend and was not disappointed! The spinach and feta quiche and the vanilla latte were outstanding. Also there is plenty of seating for studying upstairs and downstairs. I also loved that they were displaying art from a local high school in the upstairs space. I will definitely be back to the other latte and pastry options!“
“I miss this place. The coffee is soooooo good! The flavor and caffeine combination was perfect. Also the food is really good. The portion size was just right. During my next visit to Homewood, I'm definitely stopping by to get coffee and a chicken salad sandwich. Thank You for great food and awesome customer service.“
“So, I usually complain about too little ingredients or how the food wasn't fresh. NOT AT ALL HERE. The opposite in fact. The food was piping hot with tonnes of fresh, tasty meat and melted cheese. If anything there was too much insides. Delicious insides of the quesadilla all fell out and made eating it a little difficult. Milk tea was fine, but a little weak on flavor. Overall, great place! I wish there was one in Montgomery. I'd go there every day!“
“Annette was a pleasure and made sure all our needs were met. She even made a special effort to bring us some bottled water before our departure, loaded all our belongings in the car, and pulled it to the front entrance before we had requested. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.“
“Went for breakfast. The place is very airy and has a good vibe. We were seated promptly and presented with menus. Orrdered Huevos Rolandos and a cream cheese bagel with a side of smoked gouda grits. Everything was really good. Service was also great.“
Coffee & Tea •
“I have been hearing from multiple people around me for a while about a breakfast/ brunch place in Cahaba Heights, Biscuit Love so I decided to give it a try. I loved the atmosphere. It was bright and the staff seemed to be very welcoming. I did go during peak brunch time so the wait was a little while but it was not too bad considering the time. Their menu was also pretty big for them to be a brunch place, but that was good! I decided to get a butter biscuit, hash browns, and some orange juice. The biscuit was not as soft as I was expecting it to be but still pretty good. The hashbrowns and orange juice were my favorite part of them. The orange juice was very refreshing. Overall, I would go there again because everyone was very friendly, the atmosphere was great and so was the food!“
“Just in front of Rail Road Park is one of the Red Cat coffee shops. I'm very traditional with the coffee, and the softer one I take is a cappuccino. But you can find cortado, and others base in expresso. Most people look for the Starbucks kind of, and for sure, you will find those here and even better. They also have theirs own preparations. There are always good side pastries, cakes, or healthy snacks for your pleasure.“
“This delightful coffee shop is a hub for folks in Crestwood and surrounding areas — a true sense of community is palpable and it makes me want to linger there for hours. The staff is delightful and the coffee is great. Two thumbs up for flavor and caffeine level ⚡️. The atmosphere is sweet: a cozy space with art from a nearby arts nonprofit and cute bike-themed features. I also bought a bag of beans to brew at home and they are superb.“
“Come here before 6pm, as they will be closed. Good selection of pastry - great to see that they separate the day old vs fresh - excellent!! Coffee is not as hot as I would like for it to be, but ok. There is seating inside as well as outside. Some plug outlets to plug in a laptop if needed. Service should be 4 stars, but it was late in the day, so a bit understandable. Lots of non-paid parking outside, but parking can be challenging at busy times. Will be back when I am in the area.“
“This is the best coffee place in Birmingham. The coffee is incredible. Everyone who works there is enthusiastic but not pushy about it. It’s not unapproachable. You don’t have to be a coffee snob to go in there but the coffee is snob-level good.“
Coffee Shops • $
“Out looking for an afternoon Saturday coffee place and stumbled upon Baba Java. They offer a wide selection of coffees... Specialty coffees, iced coffee, brewed coffees, lattes, espressos, teas and pops!! Pops?? What are pops you are wondering??? Well, you will have to give Baba Java a try and find out for yourself!! The selection of pops they carry is awesome!! Trust me... You will be glad you did!!“
“Oh my goodness. We didn’t know what to expect from the pictures as the biscuits are dark But it’s the flour used. Everything is baked on site. The combination of ingredients were amazing. We ordered everything that didn’t have meat and were excitedly surprised. They were all simply delicious. We discovered they roast their own coffee and make their own syrup. So, of course, we tried the blueberry spice coffee. It had cinnamon, cardamom and other spices as well as their blueberry syrup. It was amazing. We will definitely be back“
“My potatoes were SO flavorful that it was shocking- the chicken sausage patty was nice too. We loved the cinnamon pancakes and you can tell the biscuits are fresh. I’ve never had pork so flavorful that came with my friend’s Egg Cochon. I would order that dish just for the pork!!“
“I love this place the staff are always friendly, the seating area is always clean (indoor and outdoor tables available) and there are a variety of drinks. Its awesome how customizable your drink can be, my favorite is the lychee tea with peach popping boba. By far the best boba place in the area. There is some food and little things like stickers and cups for sale as well. I really enjoy the reuseable cup I got there.“
“Excellent place to grab a coffee in a chill atmosphere. We grabbed some coffees and chocolate cookies, it was all very good. The place was emptier in the early morning and then got quite busy a couple hours later. Though it’s not super quiet, it’s not loud either, and I found it easy to work in a bunch of things while I was there. Staff were nice and service was prompt. The atmosphere was a bit eclectic which frankly made it feel fresh and fun. Oh, and they have video games!! I’d come back!“
Coffee Shops • $
“Visiting Birmingham for the weekend and have been to your Homewood location 2 days now. What’s difference a day makes. On Saturday the girl behind the counter was as sweet as she could be and very helpful. The girl today however was very rude, and acting like it was a bother to wait on me. Maybe a different profession would be wise for her. The coffee and food is amazing though“
Coffee Shops • $
“Very busy coffee shop in a very nice section of BHam. There were a bunch of people working in here when I stopped by. Staff was nice and friendly. I ordered the Blue Russian latte. I would have liked more peppermint in it, but was still a solid choice.“
“Excellent coffee at Caveat! Very cozy, fun vibe. Feels like a bungalow down below. Great place to post up and work remotely for a while.Service is very good. The staff is friendly and helpful. However, if time is a concern, there are usually only 1 or 2 employees, so you may wait a while to get your drink.Parking is also a challenge as there are only 4 dedicated parking spots. Most people park on the road nearby.All around very good experience! A Homewood local favorite for sure!Parking: Only four dedicated spots“
“I recently had gastric sleeve surgery and have had a terrible time trying to find stuff to drink that is calorie free and no artificial sweeteners. A friend suggested that I try the tropical tea. I did and I was hooked!! Their customer service is amazing and when my order was put on back order, they were so friendly and did everything they could to get my order pushed through.“
“I ordered the Warrior Bowl, with an added hazlenut dollop and banana half. Very satiating and yummy!The service was quick, and the staff was courtious.You can also order your healthy treat ahead of time and pick it up through the drive-through!“
Breakfast • $
“Let's get this bread! I stopped by Alabama Biscuit for the 1st time the other day. Alabama Biscuit has 2 locations, White Oak Dr in Cahaba Heights & Rocky Ridge Rd in Vestavia. I visited the Rocky Ridge location. They serve breakfast & lunch along with coffees, teas & fresh squeezed OJ. Alabama Biscuit's specialty is fresh baked biscuits made from stone-ground sprouted spelt flour & local dairy products. I ordered the Bacon du Jour featuring house apple butter, sliced local apple, conecuh bacon, farm egg, grass-fed cheddar, grain mustard & shaved fennel. The 1st thing I noticed was the lovely presentation. The saying, "you eat with your eyes first", is absolutely correct. It tasted as amazing as it looks..super interesting flavor profile with the saltiness of the conecuh bacon, sweetness from the apple & apple butter, sharpness of the cheddar, creaminess of the egg & mild anise flavor of the fennel. Together it created the perfect harmony for the palate. The grain mustard definitely enhanced it as well. The actual biscuit itself was also extraordinary. Nice & fluffy, but sturdy enough to hold up to all the ingredients. I was pretty impressed by Alabama Biscuit. Service was friendly & helpful. You order at the counter & your meal is brought to you. Relaxed atmosphere. When I posted this place on my story, a few of you reached out to me & recommended the Croque Madame, which I'll definitely have to try next time. I gave up caffeine long ago, but the coffee smelled amazing & I imagine it's excellent. Really glad this place isn't far from home. I'll definitely be back!“
“Church Street Coffee and Books is a quaint, local coffee shop and book store in Crestline Village area of Mountainbrook. The coffee is good, the service is personal, and the cookies and other items are delicious. It's a great place to read and study. The setting and atmosphere are what sets it apart.“