There are Southern buffets, and then there’s Niki’s West, which has accrued a legendary cafeteria line since 1957. The younger sibling of the now-defunct Niki’s Downtown is heaven on earth for anyone who appreciates Southern food served cafeteria-style, and is a bucket list Birmingham lunch. The mains are on a rotating schedule, but the desserts and robust selection of sides remain steady Monday through Friday. Closed on weekends. 

Established in 1995, Hot and Hot is one of the Magic City’s most highly regarded restaurants. Chef Chris Hastings, a James Beard Award winner, takes inspiration from French, Californian, and Southern cuisine and produces some solid seafood. In 2020, Hot and Hot traded its Highland Park location for a roomier space at Pepper Place.

Open since 2009, this Italian cafe is lauded for its Roman-style, rectangular pizza, daily specials and weekend brunches. Check out X (formerly Twitter) for “Today’s Slices,” and visit between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends for Breakfast ‘Za by the slice, Farm Eggs served with creamy polenta or Breakfast Pasta with sausage and radish cream. ZaZa is co-owned by Chef Bryan Stanfield, who graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham and worked at the restaurant when its name was Trattoria Centrale. In 2015, former owners sold ZaZa to Stanfield and Erica Schmidt, who have solidified its reputation in the Magic City. 

Helen is a modern homage to chef Rob McDaniel’s grandmother and her style of cooking. However, Helen’s smoker is far from the restaurant’s primary draw — large cuts of beef dominate Helen’s tablescapes, while the vegetable-heavy sides are prepared with enough care for a vegetarian to feel comfortable at a “steakhouse.” Other highlights include Helen’s expert selection of wine, beer, and spirits, and the Alabama-famous angel biscuits that start off every meal. 

Pastries, pastas, and brunch are the move at this intimate, yet trendy Morris Avenue spot. The space itself is darling, and offerings such as homemade Pop-Tarts and an A-plus beverage selection make the Essential one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Birmingham. Open Wednesday through Sunday, the Essential takes reservations for lunch and dinner, but its coveted brunch service is first-come, first serve. Nearby siblings Bandit Patisserie and Bar La Fete are also worth a visit.

Fun fact: Birmingham has a serious penchant for Greek food. The Magic City bred chains Taziki’s and Zoe’s Kitchen, and even Southern restaurants have a Greek twist here. Tasty Town, the latest installment in Birmingham’s love letter to Greek and Mediterranean, offers tasty provisions at a reasonable price point—the most expensive items on the menu are lamb chops and a hefty ribeye steak at $45.

It’s only natural that a city a few hours from the Gulf Coast is obsessed with seafood. The Fish Market’s Southside location opened in 1983, when George Sarris took over his uncle’s fish market and transformed it into a restaurant. The original location remains in the family and unpretentious, offering a wealth of seafood with Greek influence. Guests can order counter service at the market and eat in a slightly more casual area, or wait for a table on the restaurant side. There’s also a selection of Greek imports, both edibles and handicrafts, to peruse. Satellite locations exist on 280 and in Vestavia.

Some places aren’t fancy – they’re consistent, in a good way. Rojo is one of those places. Overlooking Rushton Park in the Highland Park neighborhood, this favorite boasts a huge menu of both Latin and American options. With a variety of veggie-friendly dishes – try the Spinach Mushroom Quesadilla or the Black Bean Burger – as well as fantastic drink specials, it’s no wonder Rojo is a happening spot for weeknight dinners, Sunday brunches and private parties. 

Located smack dab in the middle of Highland Avenue, Bottega is an iconic Birmingham institution serving sophisticated fare that’s part Italian, part Southern. Both the dining room and cafe, which specializes in wood-fired pizzas and sandwiches, are open. Bottega Cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, making it a great alternative to area lunch spots that close between lunch and dinner service in the late afternoon. The restaurant was nominated in the outstanding hospitality category for the 2023 James Beard awards.

Did we mention that Birmingham has a solid selection of Middle Eastern restaurants? Makarios has provided Five Points South with massive kebab plates, shawarma, and much more at not-too-hefty prices. Less adventurous eaters will be glad to know there’s a solid selection of burgers and sandwiches, salads, and even cheese quesadillas. Those farther out from the city can enjoy Makarios’ Vestavia Hills location on Columbiana Road.

Located in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood, Chez Fonfon sits in good company — it’s surrounded by some of the city’s most popular restaurants, like Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar B-Q and the Original Pancake House — but completely holds its own. The French bistro is a classic Magic City institution, and although it’s not quite as upscale as certain go-tosrestaurants in Birmingham, the fare is undoubtedly on the same caliber.

Tucked in an unassuming shopping center in Vestavia Hills, FoodBar is the project of Chef George McMillian and offers locally-sourced dishes at reasonable prices. Order small plate starters, like the Beef Tongue, Coriander Crusted Tuna, and the House Cheese Selection, or opt for an entree, and choose from Pan Fried Mississippi Catfish, Pan Seared Gulf Snapper, Hanger Steak, Pork Loin, and more. Conclude your meal with homemade doughnuts or Burnt Basque Cheesecake.