Karen’s guidebook
Food scene
Great coffee and food esp. brunch, but be careful, it gets crowded at peak hours. They play records. Very hip interior. The furniture was built by a local woodworker.
15 locals recommend
Woodlawn Cycle Cafe
5530 1st Ave SGreat coffee and food esp. brunch, but be careful, it gets crowded at peak hours. They play records. Very hip interior. The furniture was built by a local woodworker.
Post Office Pies
209 41st St SBest pizza
Local food hall with lots of interesting options including Vietnamese, Israeli, Indian food, and burgers, and there's a bar, too!
43 locals recommend
The Pizitz Food Hall
1821 2nd Ave NLocal food hall with lots of interesting options including Vietnamese, Israeli, Indian food, and burgers, and there's a bar, too!
Trattoria Zaza
207A 20th St NMy personal favorite restaurant in Birmingham.
Bettola
2930 3rd Ave SAmazing pasta and pizza. Apps and desserts are also worth it.
Great brunch, great house-made pasta, etc. for dinners too. Eat an amazzzzing pastry if you go in the morning. Pasta Happy Hour from 5-6pm!!
44 locals recommend
The Essential
2215 Morris AveGreat brunch, great house-made pasta, etc. for dinners too. Eat an amazzzzing pastry if you go in the morning. Pasta Happy Hour from 5-6pm!!
AMAZING Mexican food. Beware- there will probably be a wait.
77 locals recommend
El Barrio Restaurante Y Bar
2211 2nd Ave NAMAZING Mexican food. Beware- there will probably be a wait.
SAW’s Soul Kitchen
215 41st St SBest BBQ in town. You won't be disappointed.
Hero Doughnuts
1726 Central AveBest donuts. So freakin' good. This is in Homewood, not Bham city.
Coffee Shop by day, Music Venue by Night
Play games—both retro video games and all kinds of board & card games, get (locally roasted—by Domestique) coffee in the morning or afternoon, see a rock n' roll show at night. What's not to love? Karen and her friends hang here a lot. Sometimes they have yoga classes here too. Check the schedule on their website.
50 locals recommend
Saturn
200 41st St SPlay games—both retro video games and all kinds of board & card games, get (locally roasted—by Domestique) coffee in the morning or afternoon, see a rock n' roll show at night. What's not to love? Karen and her friends hang here a lot. Sometimes they have yoga classes here too. Check the schedule on their website.
Coffee Shop
They have good food and coffee. A good place to get some work done if needed.
14 locals recommend
The Red Cat Coffeehouse
2901 2nd Ave SThey have good food and coffee. A good place to get some work done if needed.
Revelator Coffee
1826 3rd Ave NYummy coffee. Minimalist design.
Shopping
Some of Karen's favorite places to shop
Trove Design Shop
5532 1st Ave NThis is your host Karen's own retail shop. It's full of "beautiful treasures."
Seasick Records
4420 4th Avenue SouthHip indie record store with all kinds of music on vinyl
Designer / boho clothing and accessories. Owned by a fun artist and musician couple. Walking distance from Trove.
Club Duquette
17 55th Pl SDesigner / boho clothing and accessories. Owned by a fun artist and musician couple. Walking distance from Trove.
Thank You Books
5502B Crestwood BlvdBEST INDIE BOOKSTORE IN THE WORLD. Owned by Karen's friends Kristen and Laura.
Sweet little gift shop owned by Karen's friend Kaitlin. Full of whimsical and lovely things you didn't know you needed.
Dreamers Supply Co.
Sweet little gift shop owned by Karen's friend Kaitlin. Full of whimsical and lovely things you didn't know you needed.
Shoppe
3815 Clairmont AveA garden shop that is SUPER dreamy.
Bars and Breweries
Bham has an excellent craft beer and bar scene. Have a drink or two or three.
Award-winning craft cocktails and funny atmosphere. Bubbles float down from the ceiling every now and then. You can borrow and wear a costume. My favorite drink is the Chase Lewis.
38 locals recommend
The Atomic Lounge
2113 1st Ave NAward-winning craft cocktails and funny atmosphere. Bubbles float down from the ceiling every now and then. You can borrow and wear a costume. My favorite drink is the Chase Lewis.
TrimTab Brewing Company
2721 5th Ave SA local fave brewery
A great brewery with a huge outdoor space on the trendy 41st Street strip in the Avondale neighborhood.
115 locals recommend
Avondale Brewing Company
201 41st St SA great brewery with a huge outdoor space on the trendy 41st Street strip in the Avondale neighborhood.
Queen's Park
112 24th St NAnother great place for craft cocktails.
Karen's favorite dive bar. It's like a 70s basement with wood paneling and a pool table and arcades, covered in photos of patrons' moms. Rock n' roll.
15 locals recommend
Mom's Basement
4411 3rd Ave SKaren's favorite dive bar. It's like a 70s basement with wood paneling and a pool table and arcades, covered in photos of patrons' moms. Rock n' roll.