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11 farm-to-table restaurants on our foodie bucket list in Birmingham
ByChaise Sanders
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As local restaurants continue to open their doors, we’re excited to grub on some farm-fresh dishes. Birmingham is surrounded by bountiful farms throughout Alabama and we’re highlighting those eateries turning local harvests into farm-to-table meals.
1. Cafe Dupont
Chef and owner Chris Dupont first opened his restaurant in Springville, AL. The location allowed him to gain an appreciation for local farmers and growers. He could literally pick his own berries and watercress within walking distance of the cafe. Ever since moving to Downtown Birmingham, he’s been committed to incorporating local products on his menu.
Cafe Dupont’s menu changes daily to reflect fresh, regional ingredients. As a supporter of the slow food movement, Chris Dupont promotes traditional cooking using locally grown products. Pair classic cooking styles with locally grown ingredients and you get Cafe Dupont’s signature dishes like Fred Oysters & Okra, Seared Sea Scallops with Goat Cheese Souffle and of course, their Classic Beignets with Strawberry Preserves.
I ate at Cafe Dupont for the first time as part of my senior research at Birmingham-Southern College and I’ll be the first to say that every single bite is incredible. They’re currently only taking reservations so make sure to give them a call to try ’em out for yourself.
2. Bettola
Bettolla brings Italy to Birmingham’s Lakeview district. The casual, upscale restaurant was founded by award-winning chef James Lewis who takes pride in their farm-to-table tradition by using locally sourced meats and produce. After all, every dish just tastes better when it’s locally sourced, right?
Some of their signature dishes include gnocchi, pollo pomodoro, hand-tossed Neapolitan pizzas, house-made pastas, roasts and more.
Bettola is currently doing takeaway and is open for regular lunch service.
3. brick & tin
Nowadays it’s not uncommon for people to be unaware of where their food comes from. We go to the grocery store, pick what we need and go on about our day. brick & tin thinks it shouldn’t be this way. The restaurant carefully sources its ingredients from as close to Birmingham as possible.
brick & tin serves food that’s free of hormones, chemicals, unnecessary additives and chooses humanely raised livestock for the menu. Behind their produce and meats is a local farmer who produced their food responsibly and sustainably.
Currently, the Downtown location is temporarily closed, but you can head over to their Mountain Brook location to give them a try yourself.
4. Ollie Irene
Located in the heart of Mountain Brook, Ollie Irene is a cozy, vibrant bistro that creates seasonal dishes and handcrafted cocktails. Each dish uses fresh ingredients that are locally, regionally and seasonally sourced. With each thing made from scratch, it’s like eating a home-cooked meal.
Ollie Irene is currently open for takeaway and their phones open for orders at 11AM.
5. Bobby Carl’s Table
Everyone is welcome at Bobby Carl’s Table. After brainstorming restaurant concepts that honor locally grown food in Alabama, the restaurant was born. While growing up in East Shelby County, Trey McLemore and Tim Lowe grew up eating the food that was grown in gardens and farms. Now they’re bringing a culinary gathering place to English Village with local, seasonal Alabama food.
Bobby Carl’s Table vision is to bring the same great memories you had when you ate a home-cooked meal. They’re currently open for lunch, dinner and have a great patio area.
6. Roots & Revelry
Located in the historic Thomas Jefferson Tower, Roots & Revelry brings globally inspired dishes made with local ingredients to The Magic City. Fresh ingredients, stellar recipes and in a 19-story renovated building? I’m sold.
Their menu and cocktails are always evolving so make sure to keep up with what they offer on their social. My go-to is their chicken and waffles or anything on their brunch menu.
7. Hot and Hot Fish Club
Award-winning Chef Chris Hastings opened Hot and Hot Fish Club’s newest location in Pepper Place earlier this year. The cozy restaurant serves farm-to-table regional fare, seafood straight from the Gulf and a wide array of wines. The dishes are a blend of Southern, French and California-styles of cooking so there’s something for everyone.
Although Hot and Hot Fish Club is temporarily closed due to COVID, you can bring Chef Hastings into your household—virtually, of course. Every Monday night, Hastings will be streaming live on Zoom showing you how to cook his favorites all in the comfort of your own kitchen. You can take a look at the schedule and grab your tickets here.
8. Urban Cookhouse
Finally get to include my go-to spot for a quick, healthy bite. Urban Cookhouse offers a fresh, farm-to-table menu. As soon as you step inside one of their locations, you’ll see the decor reflects their mission to eat and buy local. You may even catch a glimpse of a local farmer they partner with pictured on the wall.
Not only do they use local produce for their dishes, but they also sponsor and manage an annual local farmer’s market at each of their locations. Many of their locations are currently open for dine-in and takeaway so make sure to stop by and give them a try.
- Address: 212 Country Club Park, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (Mtn. Brook) | 1920 29th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35209 (Homewood) | 250 Summit Blvd #102, Birmingham, AL 35243 ( The Summit)
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
9. The Fig Tree
The Fig Tree comes from the imagination of Chef Jon Holland. They create fresh meals every day with fresh produce from their backyard garden. Now if that’s not the epitome of farm-to-table, then I don’t know what is. No matter what dish you choose, laid-back Southern charm will always be on the menu.
The Fig Tree is open and offer an awesome patio for you to enjoy your farm-to-table fare.
10. FoodBar
FoodBar makes everything from scratch with local ingredients whenever possible. They are a farm-to-table restaurant with creative food and cocktails, all inspired by seasonal ingredients. The menu continues to be updated throughout the year to reflect their relationship with local farmers including Snow’s Bend, Michael Dean’s Terra Preta Farm, Petals from the Past, Farmhouse Produce and local meat purveyors.
FoodBar is now taking reservations for their patio and inside dining. Just give them a call and get ready to have your tastebuds blown away.
11. Galley & Garden
Galley & Garden checks all the boxes when it comes to fine dining. With farm-to-table dishes and a historic location, it’s no secret why they’re one of the top restaurants in Birmingham. The menu offers American-French inspired cuisine with some Southern influences brought to you by the husband and wife team, Chef James Boyce and Suzan.
They’re currently open for indoor and patio dining. You can always pickup curbside if you want to enjoy your meal from your couch.
What is your favorite restaurant with farm-to-table dishes? Let us know on social: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
