Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Birmingham

Located on First Avenue North in downtown Irondale, Irondale Café, the original WhistleStop Café, has been serving traditional Southern food at the same location for years. The cafe is a traditional Southern restaurant where the customers order their food cafeteria-style, then carry the tray to a seat. The cafe became famous to the rest of the world when it was the setting for the book and film Fried Green Tomatoes. Though judging from its large and loyal clientele, it became famous in Irondale many years before that for its quality and consistency—and cornbread rolls!

The first thing that captures the diner's attention on entering Satterfield's Restaurant is the the low lighting, casual ambience and classy decor. An open kitchen is further intriguing as one can see the dishes being meticulously prepared by the chef. The most loved dishes on the menu are the grilled items, especially the Mixed Grill, for which the patrons continue to return. The charm lies in the hands of the grill-master who succeeds in preparing each dish to perfection. The wine list also woos for attention with quite a few good labels. The prices are reasonable, adding to the pleasant experience here.

The Red Cat takes their coffee seriously, as you will discover with their wide range of creatively brewed options. From their Bob-O-Link coffee with a touch of fruity flavor, to their aromatic blends that are sourced from South America, this place has everything that it takes to please a coffee lover. The ambiance reflects a coffee-drinker's haven too, replete with wooden accents and cozy interiors bathed in a warm light. Live music is played at the coffeehouse occasionally. While you're here, you can quieten your hunger pangs with a bite of their superb sandwiches or wraps.

Whether you're looking for a place to dine at lunch or a meal to satisfy a 3 a.m. craving on a Wednesday night, head to Al's Deli and Grill. Located near the UAB campus and medical centers, Al's serves American and Mediterranean food 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The portions are hearty and the service is quick. When the weather is warm, sit on the patio and enjoy the people-watching opportunities.

Hamburger Heaven has been a city tradition since the year 1982. This Hamburger Heaven outlet finds itself in the heart of Irondale and offers an inviting array of flavorsome burgers and other quick bites. For breakfast, it offers hearty breakfast bowls and their bacon bowl featuring cheese, eggs, grits and shredded bacon is an all-time favorite. For those looking for less-calorie options, it proffers some toothsome sandwiches and salads.

An institution in itself, the Green Top BBQ is an iconic restaurant in Alabama. Standing firm on its ground since 1950's, this restaurant proclaims to serve the best barbecue on planet Earth. Located in the small city of Dora, Green Top serves some amazing barbecue dishes, that are hard to find anywhere else. The Alabama-style chicken sandwich, with white sauce is a signature dish of Green Top; and has seen customers coming over the years, just to taste this amazing preparation. For a mere USD4.95, you get this wholesome sandwich, which can be gulped down with a large cola or beer. Bar-B-Que Plate, Smoked Chicken Plate and Loaded Bacon Potato are some other delicacies that are highly recommended on their menu.