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Started By
Message
Dinner in Mountain Brook, AL
Posted on 10/29/25 at 8:37 am
Posted on 10/29/25 at 8:37 am
My sister and her husband are touring some schools with my niece. My niece is staying with friends for the bama v OK game, but since the hotels are sold out, they are staying at a hotel in Mountain Brook area. Any recommendations? They want a good meal, but I am sure do not plan to bring formal attire. TIA
7
Posted on 10/29/25 at 8:45 am to Dirtysouthdeacon
If they don't mind a short drive, The Bright Star Restaurant is about 30 miles away.
Bright Star Restaurant
Bright Star Restaurant
Posted on 10/29/25 at 8:46 am to Dirtysouthdeacon
They don't have to be dressed up to hit Bodega, Frank Stitt's place in the Highlands.
Posted on 10/29/25 at 8:47 am to Dirtysouthdeacon
Little Betty (steak)
Jensei (sushi) close by in Homewood
Ahbi (sushi)
Dyrons (seafood)
Saws Juke Joint (bbq)
Jensei (sushi) close by in Homewood
Ahbi (sushi)
Dyrons (seafood)
Saws Juke Joint (bbq)
This post was edited on 10/31/25 at 12:27 pm
Posted on 10/29/25 at 9:01 am to Post It Bandit
quote:
Little Betty (steak) Jensen (sushi) close by in Homewood Ahbi (sushi) Dyrons (seafood) Saws Juke Joint (bbq)
These are the places in or very close to MB. But plenty of good places in Bham that are close. Bottega (cafe or restaurant) Ovenbird, Helen, etc. Bright Star is interesting, but that’s not a short drive.
Posted on 10/29/25 at 9:52 am to Dirtysouthdeacon
quote:
My sister and her husband are touring some schools with my niece. My niece is staying with friends for the bama v OK game, but since the hotels are sold out, they are staying at a hotel in Mountain Brook area. Any recommendations? They want a good meal, but I am sure do not plan to bring formal attire
Assuming they have their car, Mtn Brook is an easy 5 minute drive to be downtown as well, so there is really a ton of options they can do. Here are some options that are all very easy to get to from anywhere in Mtn. Brook. This should give you some good variety in genres as well as how nice/casual you want things to be.
Mtn Brook Village:
- Little Betty (very nice steakhouse - may be more formal than they want)
- Brick & Tin - Casual but very good, generally all locally made dishes and ingredients.
Also places like Ladybird Taco, Rougaroux, and Abhi that are all solid.
Crestline Village:
- Dyrons Lowcountry - dressy/casual - really good southern food, seafood, etc.
- Slim's Pizzeria - New York style pizza in a very old school feeling New York cafe style setting
- Saw's Juke Joint (not in the village but close by)
Homewood Village:
- The Battery
- SoHo Social/Standard (social side is more casual sandwiches and drinks and stuff, Standard is a little more nice but both are casual dining)
- Little Donkey
- Luca Lagotto
Downtown:
- El Barrio - This would be my pick. Very easy to get to and bang for your buck one of the best restaurants in town. Mexican/Southern fusion. Dynamite queso, also probably my favorite steak in town. It is on 2nd Ave N and there are a bunch of bars right around it to grab drinks before or after (House of Found Objects is right next door, Adios, The Collins).
- Bamboo on 2nd - Sushi & asian entrees (also on 2nd Ave)
- East/West
- The Essential
- Bettola
- Bottega Cafe
- Automatic Seafood
- El Royale
- Armor House
- Helen
- Bayonette
This post was edited on 10/30/25 at 10:04 am
Posted on 10/29/25 at 10:03 am to wesfau
quote:
They don't have to be dressed up to hit Bodega, Frank Stitt's place in the Highlands.
Yea, Bottega Cafe side (right side) is casual dining for sure and is fantastic. No reservations, but there is a decent wine bar across the street you can wait at if needed. Have to get the coconut pecan cake.
This post was edited on 10/29/25 at 5:43 pm
Posted on 10/29/25 at 8:19 pm to GoCrazyAuburn
Very good suggestions in this post.
I’d add char bar, Daniel George and la Paz in the mtn brook area. I have only eaten at Daniel George for lunch but for dinner it may be more formal than they’d like. Lunch is a great meat and 3 though
I love the battery in Homewood. Good casual spot and Oteys is a good little bar/grill as well but there is one in mtn brook too
I’d add char bar, Daniel George and la Paz in the mtn brook area. I have only eaten at Daniel George for lunch but for dinner it may be more formal than they’d like. Lunch is a great meat and 3 though
I love the battery in Homewood. Good casual spot and Oteys is a good little bar/grill as well but there is one in mtn brook too
This post was edited on 10/29/25 at 8:28 pm
Posted on 10/29/25 at 11:02 pm to Mstate
quote:
char bar
Daniel George is solid too and I do like La Paz, but if going upscale Mexican route, El Barrio and El Royale are just better.
This post was edited on 10/30/25 at 9:56 am
Posted on 10/30/25 at 8:17 am to GoCrazyAuburn
what’s so bad about char bar? It’s nothing close to a top grill/bar in bham but it’s decent enough. I agree on the Mexican spots. I tried out el royale recently and it was good. I’ve always liked that venue too
Posted on 10/30/25 at 8:58 am to Dirtysouthdeacon
In MB proper, Watkins Branch and Abhi are good. Adjacent in Homewood, Luca is good italian. I have friends rave about Gianmarco.
But it's an easy ten minutes over the hill into BHM proper and there are lots of great spots there. The most underrated food city. Currnet, Automatic Seafood, Fonfon, Bottega, Helen, Ovenbird, Hot & Hot, Back 40 for some beers on the patio... Enjoy.
But it's an easy ten minutes over the hill into BHM proper and there are lots of great spots there. The most underrated food city. Currnet, Automatic Seafood, Fonfon, Bottega, Helen, Ovenbird, Hot & Hot, Back 40 for some beers on the patio... Enjoy.
Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:40 am to Mstate
quote:
what’s so bad about char bar?
Service and food
I've been there four times and every time it has been an awful experience. Staff and managers were terrible and waits for food have usually been very unreasonable. I got raw chicken once (last time I went), completely stale bun on the burger once. Wings were passable but that's been about it. Fish and Chips I got were cold. Had a family member get served dangerously undercooked fish and was told by the staff that's how it was supposed to be (it wasn't, I used to sell fish). On top of all that, the staff really has been awful every time.
It takes a whole lot for me to complain about a restaurant. I'm about as easy of a dining guest as there can be. I will never go back there, it really is amazing how bad their quality is and routinely serve food that should not be eaten. This is the first place I can think of that I will actively tell people not to go to.
quote:
I’ve always liked that venue too
Yea i've been rooting for everything there since it was Brat Brot. It is a great space. Sad the beer garden and Hi-Wire are now closed. Can't get my liter of beer anywhere anymore
Speaking of Mexican, i'm intrigued with De Nada, opening up early next year in the Urban Supply development behind Good People. Seems promising.
This post was edited on 10/30/25 at 10:09 am
Posted on 10/30/25 at 10:15 am to GoCrazyAuburn
quote:
Service and food
Well with what you experienced I get it. I’ve never had any issues there but only been a handful of times.
quote:
Speaking of Mexican, i'm intrigued with De Nada, opening up early next year in the Urban Supply development behind Good People. Seems promising.
That sounds interesting. Bham has no shortage of good food spots. I did see the new Carrigans is open. Want to go check that out at some point
Posted on 10/30/25 at 10:19 am to Mstate
quote:
That sounds interesting. Bham has no shortage of good food spots
Looks like it will be classic tex-mex/street tacos and such, with some more modern southern twists on some things. Will be making tortillas and churros in house apparently as well. Could have a nice day over there between Good People, Tucana, Up-Down, Monday Nigh, De Nada, and a Baron's game.
quote:
I did see the new Carrigans is open. Want to go check that out at some point
Saw that too, glad they were able to get things done relatively quickly. Vibe inside looked very similar, little more traditional restaurant it seems.
This post was edited on 10/30/25 at 10:20 am
Posted on 10/30/25 at 7:55 pm to Professor Dawghair
Negative on Bright Star. Wouldn't be worth that drive, especially.
Posted on 10/30/25 at 8:16 pm to Dirtysouthdeacon
In addition to Gocrazy's recs, I'd include Chez Lulu, Ovenbird and the Refinery. Esp Ovenbird. Their beef fat candle dish is somewhat iconic for them, and the menu changes a bit throughout the year. Chez Lulu is in the Brook and is quite good, as well.
Continental Bakery (part of Chez Lulu) is a great place for a morning Danish/croissant/bread thing/etc, and Homewood Bagel Company makes a very good bagel, though the service is not the quickest (can order online before, though). Second the Ladybird Taco reference someone else mentioned - top notch tacos, and there's a very good donut shop across the parking lot/street from there.
Continental Bakery (part of Chez Lulu) is a great place for a morning Danish/croissant/bread thing/etc, and Homewood Bagel Company makes a very good bagel, though the service is not the quickest (can order online before, though). Second the Ladybird Taco reference someone else mentioned - top notch tacos, and there's a very good donut shop across the parking lot/street from there.
Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:38 pm to GoCrazyAuburn
The steak at El Barrio is a great recommendation. Slim’s is a great spot for pizza (and drinks). Automatic Seafood is also great.
So many great restaurants in the BHM area.
So many great restaurants in the BHM area.
This post was edited on 10/30/25 at 9:41 pm
Posted on 10/30/25 at 10:04 pm to auwaterfowler
It is legit in my top consideration for steak in the city. It is always cooked absolutely perfectly and for a ~$23 steak, it is unreasonably good. However, I’m also a sucker for their Green Pozole or Pepito, whichever is in season. So damn good with their jalapeño cornbread.
Posted on 11/1/25 at 9:05 am to Dirtysouthdeacon
Good meal without formal attire? Foodbar in Cahaba Heights.
You’ve gotten a lot of great options so far. Bham has no shortage of great food options.
You’ve gotten a lot of great options so far. Bham has no shortage of great food options.
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