5 Birmingham restaurants reopening their doors

Birmingham Alabama
Bottega Restaurant . Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Restaurants around Birmingham are reopening their doors so we can enjoy some of our favorites once again. Don’t get us wrong. We’re still in a pandemic but restaurants have learned how to serve our community while being safe. Here are five spots around the city reopening to the public, including Bottega’s cafe.

1. Bottega Cafe

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Making my reservations ASAP. Photo via Bottega Cafe’s Facebook

Bottega‘s dreamy courtyard will soon be back open for business. Tomorrow, September 1st, you’ll be able to dine on some of Birmingham’s best dishes all while being at a safe distance from other diners. Make sure to call ahead because reservations are required.

Bottega’s top priority is the safety of their staff and you, of course. This means that tables will be placed at least six feet apart with hand sanitizer on each one. Don’t forget your phone because the way you’ll get to the menu is by scanning a QR code. If you aren’t tech-savvy, they’ve got you covered with single-use paper menus.

2. Chez Lulu + Continental Bakery

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So excited for fall on the patio with my fave soup and sandwich combo. Photo via Chez Lulu’s Instagram

Chez Lulu and Continental Bakery are sister restaurants that’ll transport you to Europe while still being in Birmingham. It’s like being in Paris in the ‘Ham.

After careful consideration, Continental Bakery reopened August 24th so you can now get your pastry and fresh bread for the week. Bakery customers can enjoy in-store shopping and the walk-up “hobbit window”—all with a mask, of course. They’re allowing up to 5 customers inside and you can always order for pick-up.

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This is absolute perfection. Photo via Continental Bakery’s Facebook

You’ll have to wait a bit longer to grab a bite from Chez Lulu. Owners Shea and Carole needed a little extra time to make the reopening a more perfect reunion. Here’s what Carole had to say on Facebook:

“We know that Chez Lulu is a magical place. The challenge for us has been to distill that magic and find a way to make it shine even in these strange times.”

Whenever Chez Lulu decides to reopen, we’re positive it’ll be a safe, fun environment. An exact date is unknown, but if you’re itching to be the first in the know, make sure to follow them on their socials.

3. Jinsei Sushi

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The Red Dragon Roll: spicy tuna and cucumber inside, Tuna Tataki and sesame ginger dressing on top. (Photo via Jinsei)

Mark your calendars for September 2nd. Jinsei will be reopening for dine-in where you can enjoy their impressive dishes in their newly renovated space. As if that wasn’t great news already, Jinsei is ready to debut their brand-spankin’ new patio.

If you’re not familiar with Jinsei, they offer only the finest fish flown from around the world. The contemporary Japanese restaurant has a modern atmosphere and has a vibe that’ll transport you to bigger cities like NYC or L.A.

4. Seafood King Hoover

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This is a personal size, right? Photo via Hoover Seafood King’s Facebook

Calling all seafood lovers—myself included! Seafood King makes getting a great seafood meal easy without having to break the bank. Hoover’s Seafood King is reopening September 1st for seafood boil take-outs only.

They’re taking baby steps to a complete reopen, but we are more than happy to get our seafood boils and grub out from the comfort of our couch.

5. Al’s Deli & Grill

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Al’s Deli and Grill. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

This is not a drill! Al’s Deli reopened in early August. I can hear college students and late-night foodies rejoicing. Home of some of the best chicken fingers, loaded baked potatoes and Mediterranean fare has opened its doors for takeout and patio dining.

Al’s will be closed on Mondays but open until 11PM Tuesday through Sunday. They ask that customers don’t forget their masks and social distancing guidelines.

What restaurant opening are you most excited about? Let us know on Instagram @BhamNow + Twitter @now_bham

Chaise Sanders
Chaise Sanders
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