Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Birmingham, United States

Birmingham, United States, Birmingham, Food & Drink, Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them

Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Birmingham, United States

1. Birmingham Barbecue

Slow-smoked pork shoulder served with tangy sauce at Dreamland Bar-B-Que. Experience the city's barbecue tradition.
  • Authentic Flavor: Taste the traditional barbecue method perfected over generations.
  • Pork Shoulder: Savor the tender and juicy pork shoulder cooked to perfection.
  • Tangy Sauce: Enjoy the unique blend of spices in the signature sauce that sets it apart.

2. Yellowhammer Sauce Pork Chops

Crispy pork chops smothered in Alabama's famous Yellowhammer Sauce at Ollie Irene's. A must-try dish in Birmingham.
  • Yellowhammer Sauce: Savor the sweet and tangy taste of this local favorite sauce.
  • Crispy Pork Chops: Experience the perfect balance between tender meat and crispy exterior.
  • Local Favorite: Join locals in enjoying this iconic dish at Ollie Irene's.

3. Soul Food Platter at Brown Derby

Indulge in a classic Southern soul food platter with fried catfish, collard greens, and cornbread at the historic Brown Derby.
  • Historic Ambiance: Dine in a restaurant steeped in history since 1962.
  • Soul Food Variety: Taste a selection of traditional Southern dishes in one sitting.
  • Fried Catfish: Enjoy the crispy, golden-brown fried catfish fresh from the kitchen.

4. Fried Green Tomatoes at The Bright Star

Savor the Southern classic dish of crispy fried green tomatoes at The Bright Star Restaurant & Bar.
  • Traditional Recipe: Taste the original recipe for this iconic Southern dish.
  • Fresh Green Tomatoes: Savor the unique taste and texture of fresh, unripe green tomatoes.
  • Grits Side Dish: Pair your fried green tomatoes with creamy, stone-ground grits.

5. Birmingham Baked Pie at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q

Sink your teeth into a slice of the famous Birmingham Baked Pie filled with peach or apple at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.
  • Famous Recipe: Taste the pie that has been a BBQ staple since 1925.
  • Peach or Apple Filling: Choose between the sweet and tangy peach or classic apple filling.
  • Homemade Crust: Enjoy the flaky, homemade crust that completes this iconic pie.

6. Fried Okra at Miss Myra's Pancyak House

Crispy fried okra served with a creamy dipping sauce at Miss Myra's Pancyak House.
  • Crunchy Okra: Experience the unique taste and texture of deep-fried okra.
  • Creamy Dipping Sauce: Dip your fried okra in a tangy, creamy sauce for added flavor.
  • Local Cuisine: Taste a traditional Southern side dish with a twist at Miss Myra's Pancyak House.

7. Fried Chicken at Saw's Juke Joint

Crispy fried chicken served with biscuits and collard greens at Saw's Juke Joint.
  • Crispy Exterior: Enjoy the perfect balance between a crispy exterior and juicy meat.
  • Homemade Biscuits: Pair your fried chicken with warm, homemade biscuits.
  • Local Favorite: Join locals in enjoying this iconic dish at Saw's Juke Joint.

8. Barberitos at El Barrio

Savor the traditional Mexican street food of barbacoa tacos and burritos with homemade tortillas at El Barrio.
  • Homemade Tortillas: Taste the fresh, handmade tortillas that are a staple of authentic Mexican cuisine.
  • Barbacoa Meat: Enjoy the tender and flavorful barbacoa meat slow-cooked in banana leaves.
  • Authentic Mexican Cuisine: Experience the vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican street food at El Barrio.

9. Shrimp and Grits at Highlands Bar & Grill

Savor the classic Southern dish of shrimp and creamy grits at Highlands Bar & Grill.
  • Creamy Grits: Experience the comforting taste of rich, creamy grits.
  • Fresh Shrimp: Enjoy succulent, fresh shrimp cooked to perfection.
  • Upscale Setting: Dine in a sophisticated setting with a menu that showcases Southern classics.

10. Peach Cobbler at Niki's West

Indulge in the famous peach cobbler served with vanilla ice cream at Niki's West.
  • Famous Recipe: Taste the cobbler that has been a Birmingham favorite since 1972.
  • Peach Filling: Savor the sweet and tangy peach filling in each bite.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: Enjoy a scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream on top.

11. Catfish Po' Boy at John's City Diner

Savor a classic Southern sandwich filled with crispy catfish and served on a toasted French baguette at John's City Diner.
  • Crispy Catfish: Enjoy the perfect balance between a crispy exterior and juicy meat.
  • French Baguette: Taste the authentic French baguette that sets this sandwich apart.
  • Local Favorite: Join locals in enjoying this iconic dish at John's City Diner.

12. BBQ Ribs at Dreamland Bar-B-Que

Savor the tender, slow-smoked ribs served with tangy sauce at Dreamland Bar-B-Que.
  • Slow-Smoked Ribs: Taste the tender, juicy meat that is a hallmark of traditional BBQ.
  • Tangy Sauce: Enjoy the unique blend of spices in the signature sauce that sets it apart.
  • Iconic Restaurant: Dine at a restaurant with a rich history and tradition since 1958.

13. Birmingham Style Cheese Pie at Bill's Lunch

Savor the Birmingham-style cheese pie with a flaky crust and unique filling at Bill's Lunch.
  • Flaky Crust: Experience the perfectly crispy, buttery crust.
  • Unique Filling: Taste the creamy cheese filling that is a local specialty.
  • Vintage Diner: Dine in a vintage diner setting with friendly service and classic ambiance.

14. Hush Puppies at The Southern Kitchen

Crispy hush puppies served with a creamy dipping sauce at The Southern Kitchen.
  • Crispy Exterior: Experience the unique taste and texture of deep-fried hush puppies.
  • Creamy Dipping Sauce: Dip your hush puppies in a tangy, creamy sauce for added flavor.
  • Southern Cuisine: Taste a traditional Southern side dish with a twist at The Southern Kitchen.

15. Mama's Mashed Potatoes at Dreamland Bar-B-Que

Indulge in the creamy, homemade mashed potatoes served with your choice of meat at Dreamland Bar-B-Que.
  • Creamy Texture: Experience the smooth, creamy texture of classic mashed potatoes.
  • Homemade: Taste the rich, homemade flavor that sets it apart.
  • Iconic Restaurant: Dine at a restaurant with a rich history and tradition since 1958.