September is bringing an influx of flavor in Birmingham, and the city’s newest restaurants are ready to impress. From globally inspired menus that bring a taste of faraway places to homegrown kitchens putting a creative spin on Southern classics, there’s something new to satisfy every craving. Cocktail lovers can look forward to buzzy new bars mixing up inventive sips, while foodies will find plenty of reasons to gather around the table and dig in.
All Good Beverage Co.
Neighborhood: Avondale
More Info: allgoodbeverage.com
Birmingham’s beverage scene just got a major boost with the arrival of All Good Beverage Co., now open in the former Ghost Train Brewing Co. space. All Good Beverage Co. is a spot for guests to sip craft beer, cocktails, and even non-alcoholic options in the tasting room, grab a bite at the on-site Trail Magic Sandwich Shop & Supply, or enjoy live music and events in the versatile new venue.
With contract brewing services, packaging solutions for local makers, and a retail market stocked with snacks and drinks, it’s setting the stage for Birmingham’s next chapter of creativity and connection.
Bayou on 8th
Neighborhood: Legion Field
More Info: Facebook
Birmingham’s getting a taste of the Crescent City with the opening of Bayou on 8th. Formerly known as Creole Connection, the eatery is now under new ownership and bringing an upscale take on New Orleans classics — from Cajun and Southern-inspired appetizers to hearty entrées like gumbo, crawfish cast-iron dips, and a brand-new burger.
Brunch lovers can also indulge in the soul food Sunday series, featuring turkey wings with gravy, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and oxtail. A smaller “express” menu keeps weekday lunches quick but flavorful.
Big Bad Breakfast
Neighborhood: Cahaba Heights
More Info: bigbadbreakfast.com
Cahaba Heights got a serious dose of Southern comfort with the arrival of Big Bad Breakfast, the beloved brunch spot known for turning morning staples into crave-worthy meals. The new location took over the former Biscuit Love space, bringing its menu of hearty classics and flavorful, creative twists to the neighborhood.
This new location marks the brand’s fourth metro Birmingham restaurant, proving that there’s no such thing as too much good breakfast in the Magic City.
Chicken Guy!
Neighborhood: Gardendale
More Info: chickenguy.com
Chicken Guy! has officially landed in Alabama. Founded by celebrity Chefs Guy Fieri and Robert Earl, the bold, chicken-focused restaurant opened its first local location in the Walmart Supercenter in Gardendale. Known for its flavorful chicken tenders, inventive sauces, and over-the-top menu creativity, Chicken Guy! brings a fun, fast-casual dining experience that’s flavor-packed and family-friendly.
Faith Kitchen
Neighborhood: Adamsville
More Info: Facebook
Faith Kitchen brings a new meat-and-three to the metro area. The menu is packed with classic Southern favorites, from ribs, pork tenderloin, and grilled chicken to baked beans, macaroni and cheese, collards, green beans, squash, corn, and baked spaghetti. Diners can also enjoy classics like beef tips over rice, meatloaf, hamburger steak with onions, lemon pepper fish, and a daily pasta special.
Kitchen Cowboys Hot Dogs
Neighborhood: Warrior
More Info: Facebook
Kitchen Cowboys Hot Dogs is back on the streets of Birmingham with a new owner and the same bold flavors fans love. Now run by Paul Wilhems, the popular food truck is once again dishing out its signature hot dog creations, plus loaded nachos, Frito pies, and other favorites across the metro area.
On A Bun
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: onabunbham.com
Downtown has a new classic comfort food spot (with a gluten-free twist) with the opening of On a Bun. Located in the former Yo’ Mama’s space on Second Avenue North, the new concept — spearheaded by Crystal Peterson (co-owner of Yo’ Mama’s) — serves up burgers, chicken, and fish sandwiches.
While non-gluten-free options will also be available, the focus on safe, flavorful fried fare fills a gap in the city’s dining scene for those with celiac disease or anyone seeking gluten-free comfort food.
Rails & Ales
Neighborhood: Leeds
More Info: railsandale.beer
Rails & Ales has reopened its doors in downtown Leeds under the ownership of Judith and Buddy Jones, along with their sons, Dakota and Skyler. The family brings fresh energy and ideas to the local favorite, known for its rotating taps, beer flights, food trucks, live music, and backyard seating. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, Rails & Ales offers a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy a drink, relax, and connect with the community.
Senlek Thai
Neighborhood: Hoover
More Info: Facebook
Hoover’s dining scene just got a flavorful upgrade with the arrival of Senlek Thai. The new eatery serves up authentic, street-style Thai cuisine, from savory noodle bowls to hearty rice dishes like Senlek Nue Toon (braised beef), Khao Kha Moo (Thai braised pork leg), and Khao Mun Gai (Hainanese-style chicken).
Spicy papaya salad, comforting noodle soups, and refreshing beverages like Thai tea and coconut water round out the offerings, making Senlek Thai a must-visit spot for anyone craving genuine, crave-worthy Thai fare.
Keep scrolling for more even more recent restaurant openings around Birmingham!
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UPDATES FROM AUGUST 2025
This month’s Birmingham restaurant openings offer something for every craving — from sleek new sushi spots to cozy kitchens dishing out comfort food favorites. Plus, you can raise a glass at stylish new bars and even a lounge-meets-golf concept where you can sip, swing, and stay awhile. Check them out!
The Chicken Spot
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: thechickenspotal.com
Good news for chicken lovers, there’s a new spot to get your fix of the classic fried favorite! The Chicken Spot has opened downtown, with a menu built upon crispy, golden fried chicken. You can order classic chicken fingers, drumsticks, wings, or sandwiches, all served with sides like perfectly seasoned fries, fried okra, or even a garden salad.
Johin’na
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: johinnabhm.com
Birmingham’s downtown dining scene gained a sophisticated new destination this month with the arrival of Johin’na. This upscale Japanese-Southern fusion restaurant blends the precision of sushi, robata, sashimi, and omakase with the warmth of Southern hospitality.
The menu offers both familiar favorites and imaginative surprises — like the Hot Stone Short Ribs and Grilled Oysters with Miso Butter — while the atmosphere itself is a showpiece, complete with richly themed rooms and sleek design details that make the dining experience as visually memorable as it is delicious.
Otsuka Ramen
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: otsukaramenal.com
Otsuka Ramen opened its doors earlier this month, just steps away from the UAB campus, bringing the best of Japan right to the heart of Birmingham. The eatery offers an extensive menu, with everything from ramen and fried rice to hibachi, poke bowls, sushi rolls, and even bento boxes.
Sweet Roll
Neighborhood: Hoover
More Info: sweetrollhoover.com
Birmingham just got a little sweeter with Sweet Roll. This ice cream shop specializes in handcrafted rolled ice cream, delivering a full-on experience. Watch your order come to life on the cold stone right before your eyes!
Menu highlights include Cookie Monster, which is packed with Oreos and cookie dough, Cinnamon Crunch, an indulgent blend of sweet cream and cinnamon swirl, and Honolulu, a tropical-themed dish featuring coconut and pineapple.
SLIDE Café
Neighborhood: Five Points South
More Info: eatslidecafe.com
SLIDE Café isn’t new to the Birmingham dining scene. In fact, it has been part of the city’s culinary offerings since Chef Raquel Lenzie and Angele Lenzie started their food truck years ago, before opening their original brick-and-mortar. But the eatery recently reopened in a new space — a larger spot that can accommodate its growing fanbase.
Now located in Five Points South, SLIDE Café will continue to serve its beloved brunch and lunch dishes, along with new additions like French toast, ribeye, and eggs.
Sticks ‘N Stones Cocktail Bar
Neighborhood: Hoover
More Info: sticksnstoneshvr.com
Birmingham’s newest cocktail bar has officially opened in Knox Square. Founded by Hoover residents Trice Green and Lynnie Harrison-Green, Sticks ‘N Stones is a sophisticated yet welcoming space where patrons can enjoy elevated cocktails and community connection.
The bar’s cocktail menu is equally stylish, with innovative drinks and timeless classics such as The Grayson, a pecan old-fashioned, and a tequila espresso martini, as well as a rotating menu of must-try creations.
Tap Ins Golf Lounge & Bar
Neighborhood: Hoover
More Info: tapinsgolflounge.com
Hoover just got a whole lot more fun with the opening of Tap Ins Golf Lounge & Bar. Located in the Knox Square neighborhood, Tap Ins offers something for every type of fun-seeker — from pro-level TrackMan golf simulators and duckpin bowling to shuffleboard and foosball.
There’s also a 360° bar featuring craft cocktails, rotating seasonal specials, and a menu of comfort bites, sure to become Hoover’s new go-to spot for gathering.
Waldo’s Chicken & Beer
Neighborhood: Pelham
More Info: waldoschicken.com
Get excited, Waldo’s fans! The chicken-centric eatery has opened a new location in Pelham. Whether you prefer Southern fried or rotisserie style, Waldo’s is serving it up deliciously and accompanied by nearly a dozen signature sauces for dipping and side dishes that are just as tempting. The new Pelham location marks the eatery’s third location in the Birmingham metro area.
Keep scrolling for more even more recent restaurant openings around Birmingham!
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PUBLISHED JULY 2025
As summer sizzles in the Magic City, we’re all about chasing down cool cocktails, crave-worthy bites, and a break from the heat. Thankfully, Birmingham’s ever-evolving food scene is serving up just that, with a fresh crop of new restaurants worth checking out. From bold new flavors to creative takes on the classics, these spots are bringing something fresh to the table, and we can’t wait to dig in.
Ampersand Cocktails & Desserts Bar
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: Facebook
Birmingham kicked off July on a sweet note with the debut of its first dessert bar. Ampersand Cocktails and Desserts Bar is now open downtown, serving up decadent treats, including some with a grown-up twist, such as alcohol-infused options and handcrafted cocktails.
Ashley Mac’s Kitchen
Neighborhood: Hoover
More Info: ashleymacs.com
Ashley Mac’s is expanding again, with a new location at Brock’s Gap in Hoover. The beloved eatery, known for its Southern-style menu and famous strawberry cake, now counts five locations in Birmingham, including Riverchase, Meadowbrook, Homewood, and Cahaba Heights. The new Hoover location — Ashley Mac’s Kitchen — features a comfortable dining room, spacious patio, and The Market, a grab-and-go section stocked with all the classics: chicken salad, take-and-bake casseroles, soups, sides, and more.
Billy’s Tavern
Neighborhood: Lakeview
More Info: Instagram
A Lakeview favorite is back and better than ever. Billy’s Tavern, a neighborhood staple since 1982, has officially reopened after a six-month closure, this time with a new owner at the helm. Jesse Thompson, a familiar face in Birmingham’s bar scene, has lovingly restored the space, keeping its laid-back charm while adding a few fresh touches like new seating and pool tables. Of course, the much-loved Coca-Cola Santa mural still watches over the bar, welcoming regulars and first-timers alike.
Fairway Social
Neighborhood: Parkside
More Info: fairway-social-birmingham.com
Urban Supply just got even more fun with the arrival of Fairway Social. This all-in-one social hub blends upscale eats, signature cocktails, and endless entertainment — from a full-service restaurant and bar to six Full Swing™ bays featuring virtual golf, baseball, football, soccer, and more. Whether you’re meeting up for a casual game night or planning a family outing, the space delivers something for every kind of player, including Golden Tee, cornhole, and lawn games. Coming later this month is part two of the venue: The Lodge, a speakeasy-style hideaway tucked inside Fairway Social, complete with duckpin bowling, live music, and a cozy cocktail vibe perfect for winding down (or turning up) your evening.
Farm Bowl + Juice Company
Neighborhood: Hoover
More Info: Instagram
Farm Bowl + Juice Company is a favorite in Homewood, and now it brings its fresh, feel-good menu to a second location: Hoover’s Knox Square. Known for its açaí bowls, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and coffee brewed with Seeds Coffee Co. beans, the new spot continues the brand’s mission of making healthy choices both delicious and convenient.
Kung Fu Tea
Neighborhood: Highway 280
More Info: kungfutea.com
Bubble tea fans, Kung Fu Tea has officially made its Birmingham debut with a new location in Tattersall Park. Known for its wide-ranging menu of customizable sips, the popular franchise serves everything from classic milk teas and fruit-forward blends to matcha, slushes, and more. This marks Kung Fu Tea’s first spot in the Birmingham area, bringing a fresh and flavorful addition to the city’s growing beverage scene.
Lee’s Coffee
Neighborhood: Southside
More Info: workplay.com
There’s no such thing as too many coffee spots, especially when they double as cozy hangouts. Tucked inside Workplay, Lee’s Coffee is the newest neighborhood gem serving up Non-Fiction Coffee, handcrafted cocktails, and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for early mornings, midday pick-me-ups, or pre-show sips with friends.
Memory Lane Ice Cream Parlor
Neighborhood: Homewood
More Info: Facebook
O’Carr’s Delicatessen is a longstanding Homewood institution known for its famous chicken salad, and now it’s adding something even sweeter to the mix. Just next door, the new Memory Lane Ice Cream Parlor is serving up a nostalgic menu with old-fashioned milkshakes, hand-scooped ice cream, and classic ice cream sundaes.
The Electric East
Neighborhood: Avondale
More Info: theelectricbar.com
Bluff Park favorite The Electric brings its signature sandwiches to Avondale with the opening of The Electric East. Taking over the former Tropicaleo space, the eatery offers the same creative, flavor-packed menu that put the original location (founded in 2021 by husband-and-wife duo Ben and Laura Smith) on the map.
The Toasted Yolk Cafe
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: thetoastedyolk.com
Birmingham’s brunch scene is getting a delicious upgrade with the arrival of The Toasted Yolk Café. Originally founded in Houston, this popular breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot opened its third Alabama location in the Magic City. With a menu boasting more than 60 crave-worthy options (including shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, and the signature French toast), it’s the kind of place where every brunch-goer finds their go-to. Don’t miss the namesake dish, The Toasted Yolk, or the rotating lineup of seasonal offerings that keep things fresh.
Dig in, BHAM!
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