Birmingham guide
The best brunch in Birmingham
Birmingham has 17 standout brunch spots 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.
Yo' Mama's
Chicken & waffles. Family-run soul food downtown. Chicken and waffles is the order. Lines at lunch on weekdays.
The Essential
Brunch, and the pastry case. Brunch and lunch on Morris Avenue, on the cobblestone stretch. Look at the pastry case before you order.
El Barrio
Modern Mexican & weekend brunch. The downtown original on Second Avenue North; the second one is in West Homewood. Weekend brunch is the big draw.
Juniper
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.
Bandit Pâtisserie
Almond croissant. The bakery behind La Fête's bread and pastry, on First Avenue North. Pies, tarts and quiche to order around the holidays.
Demetri's BBQ
Pork plate & Greek-dressed slaw. Barbecue opened by Demetri Nakos in 1961, on 28th Avenue since 1973 and run now by his son, Sam. It's in the Alabama Barbecue Hall of Fame. Opens early for breakfast.
Trattoria ZaZa
Casual Italian & Sunday brunch. Casual Italian in the Frank Nelson Building, owned since 2015 by two longtime employees. Breakfast on weekdays, brunch on Sundays.
Chez Lulu & Continental Bakery
European breads & bistro lunch. Bakery up front, bistro in back, on Cahaba Road in English Village.
Fife's Restaurant
Southern breakfast & meat-and-three. Breakfast and meat-and-three in the Fourth Avenue district since 1956.
Miss Astrid's Tavern
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.
Rojo
Patio tacos facing Rhodes Park. Latin and American food in Highland Park, with a dog-friendly patio across from Rhodes Park.
Johin'na
Collard green gyoza. Japanese-Southern restaurant and lounge on Second Avenue North, open since August 2025: collard green gyoza, sweet-tea soy. Brunch on Sundays.
Cala Coffee (downtown)
Seasonal drinks. Downtown shop of the local roaster, with a menu that changes with the season. There's another in Mountain Brook Village.
Brick & Tin (Cahaba Heights)
The brisket panini. Opened March 2026 in Market Square. Bar, patio and a bakery case, same seasonal menu as downtown.
Brick & Tin
Seasonal sandwiches & salads. Lunch counter with a menu that changes with the season. Sandwiches, salads, and baked goods by the register.
Crestline Bagel Co.
Bagels and a coffee across the street. Bagel shop on Church Street. Get one to go and walk over to the bookstore.
The Daily Edition
Coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Neighborhood coffee shop in West Homewood. Good for an early meeting.
Good to know
What is the best brunch spots 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 brunch spots are on this list?
17, all locally owned and ranked by how well-loved they are. None of them paid to be included.