Your Guide to Downtown Birmingham
Downtown Birmingham has experienced a true renaissance over the past two decades. Here's your updated guide to the heart of the Magic City — where to eat, drink, stay, and explore! Image: Facebook / Adios
·
By
Bailey Torkelson
*Updated November 2025 by Katie Leigh Matthews
Downtown Birmingham has transformed over the past 20 years, and you’d be hard-pressed to find an Alabama native who isn’t blown away by the area’s growth. These days, downtown boasts an impressive collection of local restaurants, bars, museums, shopping, art galleries, and more. Here’s your updated guide to the best downtown BHAM has to offer!
Table of Contents
STAY
In addition to Airbnb accommodations, downtown Birmingham is home to a collection of historic boutique hotels, perfect for hosting guests or booking a staycation.
- With a legacy dating back to 1914, The Tutwiler Hotel is a symbol of progress in the Magic City. Today’s Tutwiler is a reincarnation of the original, yet it still embodies the same grandeur and luxury of its predecessor.
- Travel up to 5th Avenue for a stay at The Redmont Hotel, which was built in 1925 and features a delicious, upscale restaurant and rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the city.
- If you’re looking for an exclusive, intimate experience, head to the John Hand Hotel and Club, a relatively unknown, members-only affair with only six available rooms.
- For luxury in the heart of downtown Birmingham, book your stay at The Elyton Hotel. Known for its architectural splendor and chic, modern decor, The Elyton offers an authentic downtown experience, complete with a rooftop bar and swanky dining.
- The new girl on the block, The Painted Lady Hotel pays homage to the rich and salacious past of its historical 2nd Avenue site. Named as a nod to local legend Louise Wooster, a pivotal caretaker for the city during the cholera epidemic of 1873, who went on to run a boarding house (rumored to be an upscale brothel) in the building, this boutique hotel exemplifies Birmingham’s captivating spirit and theatrical flair in each of its uniquely designed rooms.
EAT & DRINK
If there’s one thing downtown Birmingham is known for, it’s the food and drink scene. We’ve organized all of the fabulous offerings into three categories below — coffee shops, restaurants, and bars — but there’s lots of overlap, so be sure to check out menus online for any spots that catch your eye!
COFFEE SHOPS
- Head to June Coffee for a top-notch cortado, opened by Alabama native Jimmy Truong. Then, head next door for mind-blowing pastries from Last Call Baking, the brainchild of the James Beard Emerging Chef Award finalist, Channah Willis.
- For those perfect-weather mornings, head to Hero Doughnuts and Buns or The Red Cat Coffee House, located right across the street from Railroad Park.
- Get the freshest bread in town at Birmingham Breadworks, along with scrumptious pastries and coffee.
- Bandit Pâtisserie has an incredible espresso bar and a seasonal selection of sweet and savory pastries. We highly suggest the lemon meringue tart.
- If you are gearing up for a day at the McWane Center with the kids, be sure to stop by Cala Coffee on 3rd Avenue North to fuel up.
- For a classic favorite serving up hearty breakfast dishes, add Frothy Monkey to your list.
RESTAURANTS
- For lunch or weekend brunch, head to Brick & Tin’s downtown location (the sesame chicken bowl is to die for!)
- Downtown is the place for a tasty Italian lunch. Take your pick from Trattoria Zaza, Lé Fresca, or Pizza Grace — and treat yourself to dessert at Cannella Gelato.
- Feeling snacky? Alabama Peanut Company has you covered with Southern-crafted peanuts (and beer!) that have been a favorite of residents since 1907.
- There’s always something new to discover at the Pizitz Food Hall, which hosts a rotating collection of local chefs and restaurants.
- Specializing in Northern Indian cuisine, Sitar has been a downtown mainstay since 2010.
- For dinner, make a reservation at The Essential or La Fête, both owned by acclaimed chefs Kristen Farmer Hall and Victor King. They serve some of the city’s most sought-after dishes.
- Café Dupont is a longtime Birmingham favorite known for its top-notch service.
- Helen is another Birmingham bucket-list restaurant. It offers elevated Southern cuisine in a beautiful atmosphere, courtesy of six-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Rob McDaniel. Right next door, Chef McDaniel opened Bayonet in March 2025, which promptly made The New York Times’ list of the 50 best restaurants in America for 2025.
- If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, you’ll also love Armour House, Bocca, and Bistro 218.
- Downtown is a hotspot for Asian fusion cuisine. Take your pick from EastWest, Current Charcoal Grill, or Bamboo on 2nd — you can’t go wrong!
- El Barrio is THE spot for Mexican food (we’re speaking from experience here; it’s a must!).
- Want to try the best pizza in the state, according to The Food Network? Head to Tortugas on 2nd Avenue South and grab a slice of the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
- How about dinner and a game? Fairway Social offers a full menu and bar, alongside its virtual sports bays, featuring everything from golf to zombie dodgeball. Or, head to Paramount, an arcade-style bar with go-to bar grub and an extensive beer list.
- When you’re ready for dessert, Nightcap, a new dessert lounge, will hit the spot with its decadent dessert menu, coffees, and full-service bar.
BARS
- Local favorite Carrigan’s recently relocated from its old Morris Avenue location to a new home downtown, still offering its selection of tasty cocktails and bites. (Don’t skip the corndog!)
- For exotic drinks and Cuban-inspired food, belly up to the Cayo Coco Rum Bar.
- Craft cocktails are done right at The Collins Bar.
- Grab a cold one at Birmingham District Brewing Co., located at The Battery on 2nd Avenue South. (If you find yourself hungry at the brewery, Wasabi Juan’s food truck has you covered with sushi burritos.)
- Tucana Tiki Bar will whisk you away to another world with its rum drinks and island vibes.
- You didn’t hear it from us, but Fairway Social has a secret speakeasy (The Lodge) with duckpin bowling, premium whiskeys, and live entertainment.
- Bygones Bar’s tagline says it all: A classy cocktail joint.
- Paper Doll offers a moody and intimate setting for craft cocktails.
- Updown Arcade Bar is a 21+ arcade featuring a full bar and over 60 arcade games, with prices starting at just a quarter per play.
- Head to The Fennec on game days for great food and great drinks, and stay for the nightlife.
- Monday Night Social Club and Continental Drift are both excellent late-night scenes with tasty sips and bar bites.
- Adiõs cocktail bar offers a taste of Mexico City from a James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, José Medina Camacho.
- If you’re craving more casual vibes, head to The Margaret for great cocktails and a cozy, friendly atmosphere.
- Good People Brewing Co. is a no-brainer after a game at Regions Field.
- Look for the red neon sign leading to downtown’s clandestine speakeasy, Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar, an intimate yet casual hidden spot.
- If you’re in the mood to dance, head to Neon Moon for country classics and a light-up dance floor.
SHOP + EXPLORE
There’s plenty to explore throughout downtown Birmingham, from art galleries and historical theaters to parks and the science museum.
- Canary Gallery is a great place to start. Its motto is “Good art for good people,” and we couldn’t agree more.
- For shopping, head to Mercantile on Morris, where you can find wardrobe upgrades at 234 Boutique and handcrafted statement pieces at 16th Cross Pearson. One block over, find your next home decor obsession at Ballard Designs.
- Stop by “The Heaviest Corner on Earth” at 1st Avenue and 20th Street intersect, named for the four skyscrapers built there between 1902-1912, which were among the tallest buildings in the South at the time.
- Walk along the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.
- Visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
- Learn about the rich history of the Negro Southern Baseball League and the pivotal role Birmingham played in the success and longevity of the league at the Negro Southern League Museum.
- Spend the day at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
- To soak up some history, stroll the theater district to visit the iconic Alabama Theatre and Lyric Theatre.
- Experience the best of the local theater scene at Red Mountain Theatre.
- Grab the kiddos and explore the McWane Science Center.
- If you’re a music buff, hit up the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
- For some time outdoors, spend the day at Railroad Park, downtown Birmingham’s 19-acre green space.
- Cheer on the Birmingham Barons at Regions Field.
- Enjoy a picnic at Kelly Ingram Park or Linn Park.
- Walk along the downtown segment of Birmingham’s Rotary Trail.
- Catch a show at Iron City.
Happy exploring!
This article contains hotel affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
**********
Subscribe to StyleBlueprint for more guides to your favorite Birmingham neighborhoods!
Bailey Torkelson
Bailey is the StyleBlueprint Marketing Manager. She loves a good meal and glass of wine with great friends... or a reality TV binge with her cat, Luna.