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Birmingham guide

The best breakfast & brunch in Birmingham

Birmingham has 12 standout breakfast & brunch worth your time — these are the ones locals actually send people to, ranked by how well-loved each spot is and checked by hand. Yo' Mama's, The Essential and El Barrio lead the list. No chains, nobody pays to rank.

12 places · ranked by how well-loved they are · last checked October 2026 · See them on the map →

  1. Yo' Mama's

    Downtown · $$ · Southern & Soul, Breakfast & Brunch

    Chicken & waffles. Family-run soul food downtown. Chicken and waffles is the order. Lines at lunch on weekdays.

  2. The Essential

    Downtown · $$$ · Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries & Sweets

    Brunch, and the pastry case. Brunch and lunch on Morris Avenue, on the cobblestone stretch. Look at the pastry case before you order.

  3. El Barrio

    Downtown · $$ · Mexican & Latin, Bars & Drinks, Breakfast & Brunch

    Modern Mexican & weekend brunch. The downtown original on Second Avenue North; the second one is in West Homewood. Weekend brunch is the big draw.

  4. Juniper

    Avondale & Forest Park · $$$ · Bars & Drinks, Breakfast & Brunch

    Gin cocktails. Restaurant and cocktail bar in Forest Park inspired by Victorian gin palaces, so gin runs the menu. Weekend brunch, and one of the best patios in town.

  5. Trattoria ZaZa

    Downtown · $$ · Italian, Breakfast & Brunch

    Casual Italian & Sunday brunch. Casual Italian in the Frank Nelson Building, owned since 2015 by two longtime employees. Breakfast on weekdays, brunch on Sundays.

  6. Fife's Restaurant

    Downtown · $ · Southern & Soul, Breakfast & Brunch

    Southern breakfast & meat-and-three. Breakfast and meat-and-three in the Fourth Avenue district since 1956.

  7. Miss Astrid's Tavern

    Cahaba Heights · $$$ · Southern & Soul, Breakfast & Brunch

    Southern plates & weekend brunch. Cahaba Heights tavern, open since December 2024 in the old Fig Tree Cafe space and named for a co-owner's late mother. It won best food at Viva Vestavia in 2025.

  8. Rojo

    Southside & Five Points · $$ · Mexican & Latin, Breakfast & Brunch

    Patio tacos facing Rhodes Park. Latin and American food in Highland Park, with a dog-friendly patio across from Rhodes Park.

  9. Brick & Tin (Cahaba Heights)

    Cahaba Heights · $$ · Burgers & Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch

    The brisket panini. Opened March 2026 in Market Square. Bar, patio and a bakery case, same seasonal menu as downtown.

  10. Brick & Tin

    Downtown · $$ · Burgers & Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch

    Seasonal sandwiches & salads. Lunch counter with a menu that changes with the season. Sandwiches, salads, and baked goods by the register.

  11. Crestline Bagel Co.

    Crestline Village · $ · Breakfast & Brunch

    Bagels and a coffee across the street. Bagel shop on Church Street. Get one to go and walk over to the bookstore.

  12. The Daily Edition

    West Homewood · $ · Coffee, Breakfast & Brunch

    Coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Neighborhood coffee shop in West Homewood. Good for an early meeting.

Good to know

What is the best breakfast & brunch in Birmingham?

Yo' Mama's — chicken & waffles. The Essential and El Barrio round out the top of the list. Every place is locally owned and checked by hand.

How many breakfast & brunch are on this list?

12, all locally owned and ranked by how well-loved they are. None of them paid to be included.

Keep exploring

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