13 Best Restaurants in Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Brick & Tin

Name and Location: Brick & Tin has two locations in Birmingham: 214 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 and 2901 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223.

History and Significance: In 2010, the locally owned sandwich shop Brick & Tin launched its first location in Birmingham’s downtown. The eatery is renowned for its inventive sandwiches created with premium, regional ingredients. Brick & Tin’s distinctive services and dedication to sustainability have garnered attention from both local and national media outlets.

What to Expect: The cuisine at Brick & Tin will consist of specialty salads, soups, and sandwiches. In addition to serving vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives, the restaurant employs seasonal, fresh foods. With exposed brick walls and metal elements, the vibe is industrial yet laid back.

Information for Visitors: Brick & Tin is open for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Orders for takeaway or dining in can be placed at the counter; reservations are not needed. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and casual attire is required. There is street parking as well as parking in adjacent garages.

The hip Brick & Tin updates traditional Southern comfort food favorites. This place has a laid-back yet fashionable air, having once been a gas station. Every dish, including the enormous biscuits covered in rich sauces and the deftly fried chicken, feels as though it was prepared in your grandmother’s home but with the gourmet touch of chef Rob McDaniel.

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The greatest pimento cheeseburger in town, chicken and waffles with spiced honey, and shrimp and creamy stone-ground Alabama grits are among the menu items that stand out. Additionally, there’s a wide selection of creative cocktails that go well with this updated Southern cuisine. Brick & Tin’s retro vibe and menu items entice patrons to return time and time again.

GianMarco’s

Name and Location: GianMarco’s is located at 721 Broadway St, Homewood, AL 35209.

History and Significance: Since 2003, GianMarco’s, an upscale Italian restaurant, has been providing genuine Italian food. Giani and Marco Respinto, brothers who grew up in the Italian restaurant industry, are the restaurant’s owners. Local and national media outlets have given GianMarco’s high marks for its traditional dishes, superb service, and premium ingredients.

What to Expect: The menu at GianMarco’s will consist of traditional Italian fare like wood-fired pizza, fresh fish, and handmade pasta. The restaurant has a broad wine selection and uses premium, imported food. White tablecloths and delicate lighting provide an attractive yet cozy ambiance.

Visitor Information: Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. is when GianMarco’s serves dinner. Reservations can be made over the phone or online, and they are strongly advised. The eatery offers both indoor and outdoor seating and has a business casual dress requirement. There is street parking as well as parking in a lot nearby.

GianMarco’s provides elegant Italian cuisine in a charming, historical setting. At this beloved Vestavia Hills restaurant, owner and head chef GianMarco Bonanotte, a native of Milan, brings his own family recipes to life.

Begin your lunch with a Caprese salad or bruschetta, then indulge in handcrafted pasta dishes like lobster ravioli with a brandy cream sauce or seafood linguine stuffed with calamari, prawns, and mussels. You can’t go wrong with specialty meals like Parmesan-crusted snapper or veal osso buco if pasta isn’t your thing. Make room for a traditional Italian dessert, such as tiramisu. Numerous Italian vintages can be found on GianMarco’s award-winning wine list. You will have the impression that you have been transported to a Tuscan trattoria thanks to the cuisine and atmosphere.

Eugene’s Hot Chicken

Name and Location: Eugene’s Hot Chicken is located at 2268 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203.

History and Significance: Nashville-style hot chicken is the specialty of Eugene’s Hot Chicken, a well-liked fast-casual eatery. Zebbie Carney, the restaurant’s owner, named it after his father, Eugene, when it opened in 2015. Because of its crispy, spicy chicken and welcoming staff, Eugene’s has developed a devoted customer base.

What to Expect: The menu at Eugene’s will consist of hot chicken tenders, sandwiches, and sides. There are many spice levels for the chicken, ranging from mild to “stupid hot.” A variety of craft beers and other drinks are also available at the restaurant. With a combination of indoor and outdoor dining, the ambiance is lively and informal.

Information for Visitors: Eugene’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm for lunch and dinner. Orders for takeaway or dining in can be placed at the counter; reservations are not needed. The restaurant can get packed during peak hours and has a casual dress requirement. There is street parking as well as parking in a lot nearby.

Put Eugene’s Hot Chicken on your Vestavia Hills restaurant bucket list if you enjoy your chicken really spicy. You can select your desired level of heat from “Country,” which is the least spicy, to “Eugene’s Hellfire,” which is reserved for the boldest customers. The chicken is dredged and fried to order after being marinated in a proprietary blend for a full day.

Eugene’s offers fried chicken sandwiches along with Southern sides including potato salad, slaw, baked beans, and mac & cheese, in addition to wings and tenders. Enjoy some sweet tea or banana pudding for dessert to cool up! Do you dare accept Eugene’s Hellfire challenge, which needs you to sign a waiver? With tasty spicy chicken prepared perfectly, this hot chicken restaurant plays up to its Nashville roots.

Little London Kitchen

Name and Location: Little London Kitchen is located at 162 Main St, Columbiana, AL 35051.

History and Significance: Located in Columbiana’s historic neighborhood, Little London Kitchen is a charming tearoom and café in the British style that opened its doors in 2018. Jayne Flint, a British immigrant, opened the restaurant with the intention of introducing her native country to Alabamans. A well-liked venue for afternoon tea and British comfort food is Little London Kitchen.

What to Expect: The menu at Little London Kitchen will consist of classic British fare like shepherd’s pie, bangers & mash, and fish and chips. In addition, the café serves a variety of handcrafted pastries and loose-leaf teas. The vintage furnishings and mismatched china create a warm and inviting ambiance.

Information for Visitors: Little London Kitchen is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for lunch, and from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturdays for afternoon tea. For afternoon tea, reservations are advised and can be made over the phone. There isn’t much seating at the restaurant and a casual dress requirement. There is street parking as well as parking in a lot nearby.

Visit Little London Kitchen for a taste of the UK without having to travel across the ocean. This restaurant serves traditional British fare including bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and Scotch eggs, as the name would imply. However, Little London Kitchen also uses regional Southern ingredients in its menu items, such as their chipotle Tabasco gravy-topped chicken and waffles.

There are British flags and souvenirs all over, creating a lighthearted and carefree atmosphere. For the perfect finish to your Anglo dining experience, have a pint at the bar. Little London Kitchen welcomes you with a laid-back atmosphere and typical pub fare that is hearty and comfortable. The food is exceptionally tasty and unmatched in the town because to the blending of English and Southern flavors.

The Whole Scoop

Name and Location: The Whole Scoop is located at 414 Oak St, Helena, AL 35080.

History and Significance: Founded in 2015, The Whole Scoop is a classic ice cream shop that serves homemade ice cream and other sweet delicacies. Local couple Josh and Anna Kate Giammarco operate the store, and they make their famous tastes with only the best, freshest ingredients. The Whole Scoop has grown to be a cherished location for ice cream aficionados and a community meeting place.

What to Expect: The Whole Scoop serves handcrafted ice cream in over 20 varieties, along with milkshakes, sundaes, and other treats. Additionally, the store sells a range of gluten-free and vegan choices. With its colorful decor and vintage soda fountain, the place exudes a nostalgic and welcoming vibe for families.

Information for Visitors: Every day from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, The Whole Scoop is open. Orders for takeaway or dining in can be placed at the counter; reservations are not needed. The store offers both indoor and outdoor seating and has a casual dress code. There is street parking as well as parking in a lot nearby.

The Whole Scoop is a restaurant that should not be left off of any list of the greatest in Vestavia Hills. This well-liked ice cream parlor has a rotating selection of house-made flavors prepared using seasonal, fresh ingredients.

Salted caramel pretzel scoops and lemon-blackberry custard are two of the client favorites. You may create your own ideal cup or cone with the abundance of mix-in and topping options available, ranging from cheesecake pieces to chocolate chips. The Whole Scoop offers scooped ice cream along with milkshakes, floats, and sundaes. The store itself features adorable elements like a model of an ice cream truck hanging from the ceiling, giving it a whimsical, vintage parlor feel. The Whole Scoop is the best for a delicious chilly treat.

Johnny’s

Name and Location: Johnny’s is located at 2902 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209.

History and Significance: Homewood residents have been enjoying the popular Greek and Southern eatery Johnny’s since 1944. Johnny Hontzas, a Greek immigrant, created the restaurant, which has been in the family for three generations. Greek dishes, traditional meat-and-three plates, and warm service are all hallmarks of Johnny’s.

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What to Expect: The menu at Johnny’s will include Greek favorites like dolmades, spanakopita, and souvlaki along with Southern favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese. The eatery also serves freshly produced iced tea and a variety of homemade desserts. There is a combination of tables and booths, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Information for Visitors: Johnny’s is open Monday through Friday from 10:45 am to 2:30 pm for lunch, and from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday and Friday for dinner. Orders for takeaway or dining in can be placed at the counter; reservations are not needed. The restaurant can get packed during peak hours and has a casual dress requirement. There is street parking as well as parking in the restaurant’s lot.

Johnny’s is a favorite place for wonderful Italian food and pizza in the New York style. This casual pizzeria, which has been family-run since 1977, offers pies with crisp, precisely thin crusts topped with melting mozzarella and sweet, spicy sauce.

Johnny’s offers salads, wings, sandwiches, and pasta meals including lasagna and chicken parmesan in addition to pizza. The portions are enormous for anything you order. Make room for canoli or any other dessert from Italy. All the best elements of Little Italy are brought to Vestavia Hills by Johnny’s, from the traditional red and white checkered tablecloths to the smells of tomatoes and garlic. This local staple has been a neighborhood joint for a long time.

Rogue Tavern

Name and Location: Rogue Tavern is located at 2312 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203.

History and Significance: In 2010, the well-known gastropub Rogue Tavern debuted in Birmingham’s downtown. The restaurant is located in a historically significant structure that was formerly a jazz club and then a jail. Rogue Tavern is renowned for its inventive concoctions, carefully chosen brews, and sophisticated pub cuisine.

What to Expect: The cuisine at Rogue Tavern will consist of sophisticated takes on traditional pub fare including poutine, fish & chips, and burgers. Daily specials and a variety of sharing meals are also available at the restaurant. The bar program is centered around carefully chosen wines, creative cocktails, and regional beers. With exposed brick walls and subdued lighting, the ambience is vibrant and industrial.

Tourist Information: Rogue Tavern is open for dinner from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. Large parties are advised to make reservations, which can be done over the phone or online. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and casual attire is required. There is street parking as well as parking in adjacent garages.

Modern takes on gastropub fare, such as inventive entrees, gourmet burgers, and sophisticated bar snacks, at the hip Rogue Tavern. The menu combines dishes like Indian butter chicken flatbread pizzas, Asian noodle bowls, and Korean barbecue quesadillas, drawing influence from a variety of culinary cultures. Rogue Tavern strives to satisfy any yearning you may have for any worldwide flavor profile.

Apart from its culinary offerings, Rogue Tavern offers a wide array of beverages, such as handpicked bourbons, locally brewed craft beers available on tap, and distinctive seasonal cocktails. The environment is sleek and contemporary, with playful details like graffiti murals and an indoor swing. The trendy atmosphere, globally-inspired menu, and excellent cocktails at Rogue Tavern entice customers to return.

Savage’s Bakery

Name and Location: Savage’s Bakery is located at 2916 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209.

History and Significance: Homewood residents have cherished Savage’s Bakery for over a century, having enjoyed freshly baked delicacies from the bakery since 1939. William Savage started the bakery, which has been in the family for three generations. Savage’s is well-known for its handcrafted cakes, decorated cookies, and warm service.

What to Expect: A broad selection of baked products, such as cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, and bread, will be available on the menu at Savage’s Bakery. Additionally, the bakery provides catering for special occasions and unique cakes. With a retro bakery counter and dining area, the decor is classic and homey.

Information for Visitors: Savage’s Bakery is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Orders for takeaway or limited dine-in seats can be placed at the counter; no reservations are needed. The bakery can get busy during peak hours and has a casual dress requirement. There is street parking as well as parking in the bakery’s lot.

Locals in Vestavia Hills go straight to Savage’s Bakery if they have a sweet tooth. Savage’s, a family-run business since 1967, creates a delectable range of baked goods, including pies, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and artisan breads.

You truly can’t go wrong, but among of the best-selling items are the seasonal fruit tarts, lemon icebox pie, and chocolate chess pie. Savage’s also creates personalized cakes for noteworthy events. The bakery itself exudes a nostalgic, quaint aura that transports you back in time. Visit Savage’s to grab a treat—or several—and discover why this cherished bakery has been thriving for more than half a century. You won’t find sweet Southern sweetness like this anywhere else because to their time-tested recipes and homemade bread.

Tribe Foods

Name and Location: Tribe Foods is located at 4700 US-280, Birmingham, AL 35242.

History and Significance: Tribe Foods is a fast-casual restaurant with a health-conscious menu that debuted in the Birmingham region in 2022. Tiffany Simmons, a local businesswoman and health fanatic, started the eatery. Tribe Foods is well-known for its freshly squeezed juices, grain bowls, and smoothies.

What to Expect: Build-your-own grain bowls with an assortment of bases, proteins, vegetables, and sauces are available on the menu at Tribe Foods. In addition, the restaurant serves a variety of its famous bowls, smoothies, and juices. When feasible, all ingredients are sourced locally, organic, and fresh. With lots of seating and vibrant decor, the vibe is airy and contemporary.

Details for Visitors: Tribe Foods is open every day from 8:00 am till 8:00 pm. Orders for takeaway or dining in can be placed at the counter; reservations are not needed. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and casual attire is required. There is parking in the lot of the shopping complex.

Tribe Foods is an excellent addition to Vestavia Hills’ restaurant scene if you’re looking for fresh, healthful Mediterranean cuisine. This fast-casual restaurant offers nutrient-dense and flavorful grain bowls, wraps, salads, and sides. Mediterranean superfoods like kale, quinoa, chickpeas, feta, avocado, pistachios, and more are highlighted in Tribe Foods’ ingredient list.

Highlights of the menu include Moroccan chickpea soup, salmon poke bowls, quinoa tabbouleh, and specially made salads. Even healthy lunch options are available for children.

At Tribe Foods, organic fruit, chicken, and grass-fed beef are used in all in-house production.

Foothills Wine & Cheese

Name and Location: Foothills Wine & Cheese is located at 109 S Court St, Talladega, AL 35160.

History and Significance: Located in Tal’s historic downtown square, Foothills Wine & Cheese is a specialty shop and tasting room.

Last but not least is the quaint Foothills Wine & Cheese, which serves small meals, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and an abundance of wine and artisanal cheeses, as the name suggests. This is the ideal spot for a romantic dinner or to stop by the bar for a quick snack and a drink of wine.

You can sample unusual domestic and overseas kinds that are unavailable elsewhere thanks to the constantly rotating collection of cheese and charcuterie. Additionally, Foothills offers a changing menu of salads, desserts, paninis, and flatbreads.

And with more than 100 bottles and over 30 wines by the glass, even the most discriminating wine lovers will find new favorites. For any occasion—date night, girls’ night out, or just because—Foothills Wine & Cheese is the perfect choice because to its sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere and well-considered food and drink menu.

OvenBird

Name and Location: OvenBird is located at 2810 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233.

History and Significance: Popular in Birmingham, OvenBird is a restaurant renowned for its inventive Southern cuisine and wood-fired delicacies. Award-winning chef Chris Hastings and his wife Idie Hastings opened it in 2015. The restaurant’s distinctive take on Southern food has earned them reputation across the country.

What to Expect: A meal with locally produced products cooked in a live-fire oven may be expected at OvenBird. The recipes frequently have a unique twist and are influenced by Southern cuisine. Featuring an open kitchen where you can see the cooks at action, the restaurant boasts a cozy and rustic ambiance.

Visitor Information: Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., OvenBird is open for dinner. It is advised to make reservations, which can be done over the phone or online. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and casual attire is required. You can park on the street or in the lot next door.

OvenBird is the ideal place for a night out because it’s situated in the center of Vestavia Hills’ downtown. OvenBird, led by chef and James Beard semifinalist Chris Hastings, offers flavorful, inventive small foods that are distinctly Southern.

The menu is seasonal, showcasing the freshest produce available in the area. Snack on things like bacon-wrapped quail over squash casserole, diver scallops with sweet corn purée, and chicken liver mousse with pickled blueberries. The cocktail menu, which reinvents traditional concoctions like the mint julep, is as amazing. It is hardly surprising that OvenBird is one of the most popular supper spots in town given its lively ambiance and exceptional culinary team.

Bettola

Name and Location: Bettola is located at 2930 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233.

History and Significance: Founded in 2006, Bettola is an Italian restaurant that specializes in serving real Neapolitan pizza along with other Italian specialties. James Lewis, the restaurant’s owner, received his pizza-making training in Italy. The local and national media have given Bettola great marks for using premium products and cooking them using age-old techniques.

What to Expect: The menu at Bettola will consist of traditional Italian delicacies including wood-fired pizza and homemade pasta. When feasible, the restaurant sources its premium foods locally. With exposed brick walls and a rustic décor, the ambiance is warm and welcoming.

Information for Visitors: Bettola is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm for lunch, and from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for dinner. It is advised to make reservations, which can be done over the phone or online. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and casual attire is required. You can park on the street or in the lot next door.

Go no farther than Bettola for excellent homemade pasta and sauce dishes. James Lewis, the chef and co-owner of this casual yet elegant restaurant, keeps things simple by allowing the premium ingredients to take center stage.

Enjoy house specialties like cacio e pepe, oven-roasted chicken Parmesan, or a succulent Milanese pork chop to start your meal. The burrata starter is served with roasted tomatoes, basil pesto, and crostini. There are also vegan and gluten-free choices available.

The rustic yet elegant cuisine at Bettola are complemented by an extensive list of Italian wines. Dinner here is a real treat because of the attentive, kind service.

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café

Name and Location: Taziki’s Mediterranean Café has multiple locations in Birmingham, including 2737 US-280, Birmingham, AL 35223 and 4520 Overton Rd, Birmingham, AL 35210.

History and Significance: Established in Birmingham in 1998, Taziki’s Mediterranean Café is a fast-casual restaurant business. The restaurant has over 90 locations throughout the Southeast and is well-known for its fresh, healthful Mediterranean food.

What to Expect: The menu at Taziki’s will consist of classic Mediterranean fare like falafel, hummus, and gyros. The restaurant offers vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives in addition to using fresh, premium ingredients. The vibe is laid back and ideal for families.

Information for Visitors: Taziki’s is open every day for lunch and supper, with specific hours depending on the location. Orders for takeaway or dining in can be placed at the counter; reservations are not needed. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and casual attire is required. There is parking in the restaurant’s lot as well as in neighboring shopping malls.

Vestavia Hills gets a flavor of the Mediterranean with Taziki’s, a fast-casual restaurant. With salad, sandwich, pizza, pasta, and plate options that can be customized, their menu mostly features foods that draw inspiration from Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. The creamy chicken Parmesan sandwich and the grilled chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and feta are crowd favorites.

Taziki’s distinguishes itself with its homemade dressings and sauces, such as the rich house sauce that gave rise to the restaurant’s name. For dessert, there are alternatives for Greek frozen yogurt.

This lively restaurant features a relaxed dining area with Mediterranean flair. For a quick lunch or dinner when you’re wanting gyros, falafel, or other Mediterranean flavors, Taziki’s is the place to go.

Conclusion

Vestavia Hills boasts a diverse dining scene, ranging from well-known staples to recently opened eateries that are sure to delight culinary enthusiasts in the Birmingham suburbs. Vestavia Hills boasts a remarkably diverse culinary scene, featuring Southern cookery, Italian food, Mediterranean fare, gastropubs, bakeries, and more, as evidenced by our list of the top 12 area restaurants.

Gourmet tourists can choose from award-winning high-end restaurants like chef Chris Hastings’ OvenBird or little local gems like Johnny’s Pizzeria. Many decades later, venerable establishments continue to entice devoted regulars, and innovative modern ideas generate buzzworthy eating experiences.

There is something enticing in Vestavia Hills’ lively and always changing restaurant choices, regardless of your preferences or price range. Thus, make sure to stop for dinner at one of these exceptional neighborhood restaurants the next time you’re in the area!