Lil and Cole's favorite restaurant in Birmingham, Abhi is an excellent modern Asian restaurant in Mountain Brook Village. Inspired by Executive Chef’s Abhi Sainju’s Nepalese background, many dishes will reflect traditional dishes from his homeland. The menu ranges from some of the best sushi in Birmingham to delicious spicy noodle bowls to even KFC lollipops (Kathmandu Fried Chicken).

A fun and unique Mexican restaurant in downtown Birmingham, El Barrio has some of the best margaritas, queso, and other modern Mexican cuisine options. Unfortunately, they do not accept reservations and can get busy at dinner, so the best times to go are usually for lunch or an early dinner. El Barrio is also near several popular downtown bars at which guests can also wait.

A 2020 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant, Automatic has some of the best seafood and oysters you can find this far inland. The menu offers a variety of seafood dishes, featuring fish primarily sourced from the Gulf of Mexico, oysters from waters along the Southern and Eastern coastlines, as well as a selection of land-based produce and proteins.

With both a formal dining side for an upscale dining experience to a cafe for a more casual affair, Bottega features flavors inspired by the wine bars and trattorias of Italy–from Venice to Palermo. The best aperitifs, wines, beers, cocktails, savory bites and sublime desserts are offered in a warm and sophisticated atmosphere. Italy inspires the cuisine, carefully crafted by linking ingredients from the American South with artisanal producers from the Italian countryside.

Tied with El Barrio for the couple's favorite Mexican restaurant in town, Little Donkey in downtown Homewood boasts a menu that ranges from delicious traditional Mexican foods to southern fried chicken. Like El Barrio, Little Donkey also does not take reservations but usually does not have as long of a wait. If you do find yourself waiting, stop by the Grocery, a new brewpub just next door that features an array of craft beers Birmingham's best breweries.

The causal offshoot of one of Birmingham's best Italian restaurants, Gianmarco's, Pizzeria GM's offers excellent, distinctive pizzas at very reasonable prices. If you find yourself in West Homewood with a little money and a big appetite, Pizzeria GM's is the place to go.

A retro bar with games.

The best tequila bar and also our favorite place!

Great drinks and food.

Mountain Brooks dive bar.

You could hang out here for hours!

Homewood Dive Bar.