Whether you’re looking for a great venue for brunch with friends or a new date night location, Downtown Birmingham has it all. There are quick bites and contemporary takes on classic cuisines, meals with views and cocktails outdoors, so no matter your scene or culinary desires, the options are endless. Last year brought a myriad of new and exciting dining options to the city and 2026 will bring even more. Here, we’ve broken down some of the new and noteworthy restaurants to visit in 2026.
Breakfast or Brunch
When it comes to the day’s first feast, you’ll want to start off with something hearty and delectable, so make sure to stop in at Teuta, a family owned and operated breakfast and lunch spot that opened this past March. From classic omelets to Candied Banana & Hazelnut Ganache French Toast, there is something for everyone. Don’t forget to order one of their unique selections of Santal juices – 100% pure fruit juices from Italy. You’ll want to also frequent some community favorites like 220 Merrill, Birmingham Pub, Roast, Commonwealth Café, Toast, Social Kitchen and Bar, Rugby Grille, Madam, Hazel’s, and more.
A Casual Lunch
From small bites at DayCap Coffee, Fruition Acai and Juice Bar and Pure Green to quick eats at The Taco Stand Taqueria, Marrow, and La Pecora Nera to lunchtime favorites like Elie’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill and Sy Thai Café, there are plenty of places to grab a tasty afternoon dish with friends and co-workers alike. You’ll find sandwiches to go, post-gym smoothies, dine in and (plenty of) patio-side options to relax and enjoy a meal mid-day.
Memorable Dinners
For a meal after the show or a celebratory outing, Downtown Birmingham is a must-visit for a memorable night on the town. Opened a year now, Wilder’s is among those you must experience. The latest from restaurateur Samy Eid (of Phoenicia, Forest, and Leila), Wilder’s is a nostalgic nod to the supper clubs of the past with its Art Deco-inspired interior reminding us that dining out was once an event in and of itself. It’s remarkable menu even includes timeless favorites like Dry Gin Martinis, Calvisius Caviar, Filet Mignon and Ora King Salmon. Other noteworthy dinner spots we recommend include gourmet gems as Adachi, Bell Bistro, Bella Piatti, Casa Pernoi, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, La Strada Italian Kitchen and Bar, Terra Kitchen & Cocktails, Streetside Seafood, and Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse.
Decadent Desserts
Who doesn’t love an after-dinner dessert? In Downtown Birmingham, the options are enough to satisfy every sweet tooth. Shock Artisanal Gelato recently opened its doors to roaring acclaim. This Argentinian brand (opened by Ignacio Gerson, co-owner of the James Beard-nominated Barda in Corktown) creates everything in-house using pure, farm-fresh, locally sourced, and preservative-free ingredients. The location, the first in the United States, features 30 flavors (including dairy-free and vegan options) of authentic artisanal gelato. In August, the city also saw the opening of Yumii’s, a boutique ice cream and matcha café. But the list goes on when it comes to discovering a luxe confection or two — indulge around town at places like Bon Bon Bon, Café Origins, Choco Mania Café, and Paris Baguette.
For Drinks and Experiences
Just weeks ago, RH, the upscale home furnishings brand, opened RH Detroit, The Gallery in Birmingham, the only gallery in Michigan, in a 60,000-square-foot, four-story architectural masterpiece. The rooftop, with sweeping views of the city, features the RH Rooftop Restaurant, where guests will not only be wowed by the eatery’s garden-inspired interiors (skylight ceilings, heritage olive trees, dazzling chandeliers) but also by its luxurious meals and drinks (Lobster Towers, Steak Frites, Caviar Carpaccios, Pear Martinis). These memorable experiences can also be found throughout the city whether over cocktails at such icons as Townhouse Bistro, Zana, Churchill’s, Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro, and Dick O’ Dows to late-night vibes at Sidecar Slider Bar, Shift Cocktail Bar, and Market North End.
Coming Soon
This year, five new restaurants are due to open in Downtown Birmingham. There will be two new vegan eateries joining the diverse lineup — Bloom Bistro and Street Beet which will feature a contemporary vegan menu with lots of nostalgic twists. Italian fine dining restaurant, E Fiore, will be replacing the former Mare restaurant while Kaishin Izakaya, an authentic Japanese pub, will offer a range of ramen and izakaya-style side dishes and Snap Taco, a family-owned establishment, will offer authentic Mexican cuisine.
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