Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Birmingham
Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Birmingham
The word brunch first appeared in a 1895 issue of "Hunter's Weekly," according to the Smithsonian Magazine. In the article, which was titled "Brunch: A Plea," author Guy Beringer suggested swapping out heavy, post-church meals for lighter spreads served later in the morning.
"Brunch… is cheerful, sociable, and inciting," Beringer wrote. "It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper; it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings. It sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week." As a post-script to the piece, he writes that at brunch, "Beer and whiskey are admitted as substitutes for tea and coffee."
Fast forward 130 years, and brunch is now one of the most popular meals in the U.S. According to a 2025 industry report from Bar & Restaurant News, brunch is the #1 meal for both Gen Zers and parents: 39% of the former go out to eat during that time, and 47% of the latter.
Many brunch locations offer the same type of spread Beringer promoted in his article—pastries and marmalade, coffee and tea (or beer and whiskey), and main courses that include fish or other meats. However, a host of other trends like internationally inspired cuisines, pizza, and mimosa flights have come along to add a little variety.
Whether your preference is for a classic brunch or something with a little more spice, Stacker compiled a ranking of the highest-rated brunch restaurants in Birmingham using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a restaurant with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Most chain restaurants were excluded from the ranking. Data is as of Sept. 16, 2025.
Read on to find out if your favorite local spot made our list!
#26. First Watch
- Rating: 3.9/5 (47 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. FILTER - Coffee Parlor
- Rating: 4.4/5 (12 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Birmingham Breadworks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. The Red Cat Coffeehouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (19 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Hero Doughnuts
- Rating: 4.4/5 (27 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Frothy Monkey
- Rating: 4.4/5 (12 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Ruby Sunshine
- Rating: 4.1/5 (35 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Metro Diner
- Rating: 4/5 (82 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. The Lab Bar and Kitchen
- Rating: 4/5 (35 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Roots & Revelry
- Rating: 4/5 (78 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Fife's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (47 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Harvest Restaurant & Bar
- Rating: 4.1/5 (53 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Flying Biscuit
- Rating: 4.3/5 (36 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. The Red Cat
- Rating: 4.3/5 (54 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. The Alabama Biscuit Company
- Rating: 4/5 (88 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Ted's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.3/5 (57 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Edgar's Bakery & Cafe
- Rating: 4.1/5 (162 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Trattoria Centrale
- Rating: 4.5/5 (79 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Pizitz Food Hall
- Rating: 4.2/5 (94 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Urban Cookhouse
- Rating: 4.3/5 (129 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Galley & Garden
- Rating: 4.2/5 (149 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. The Southern Kitchen & Bar
- Rating: 3.9/5 (276 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Satterfield's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (202 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Yo' Mama's
- Rating: 4.6/5 (122 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Original Pancake House
- Rating: 4.3/5 (301 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Big Bad Breakfast
- Rating: 4.2/5 (282 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor