To brie or not to brie—we found the best mac and cheese in Bham

If you like delicious comfort food and cheesy puns (get it? cheesy?) you have come to the right place, my friend. We asked our audience and our team where we could find the best mac and cheese in Birmingham, and the suggestions came rolling in. Which is no surprise—after all, it’s impastable not to love this classic dish.

1. MELT

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We’ll stop the world and melt with you, MELT. We’re kicking off with a double mac and cheese whammy, and both dishes are local cult favorites. House-made mac-n-cheese comes on a texas toast grilled cheese in the Mac Melt, and stuffed inside an egg roll in the Mac ‘N Egg Roll.

• Address: 4105 4th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
• Phone: (205) 917-5000
• Website

2. Gus’s Fried Chicken

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken didn’t earn that title for no reason—it’s some seriously good food. If you think you havarti tried the best mac and cheese around but you haven’t been here, you’re missing out.

• Address: 2201 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Phone: (205) 538-5337
• Website

3. J. Alexander’s Redlands Grill

While this is technically a chain, so many locals shouted out J. Alexander’s that we knew we feta not leave it out. Their “Not Your Ordinary Mac & Cheese” certainly lives up to its name.

• Address: 3320 Galleria Cir, Hoover, AL 35244
• Phone: (205) 733-9995
• Website

4. Trattoria ZaZa

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I can tell you from personal experience that the Baked Mac & Cheese at ZaZa is *chef’s kiss.* Made with mozzarella, fontina, pecorino, goat cheese and scallions, it’s truly exceptional. Pro tip: get a little crazy and add pancetta or seasonal veggies.

• Address: 207A 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Phone: (205) 202-6207
• Website

5. John’s City Diner

This iconic downtown restaurant is a favorite for many Birminghamians. Although they’re not currently open for walk-in dining, you can still get a taste of their “Not Your Mama’s Macaroni and Cheese” at private events and through catering.

• Address: 112 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Phone: (205) 322-6014
• Website

6. Bottega Cafe

Bottega Cafe’s pasta dishes are all pretty un-brie-lievable. They’re known far and wide for their Café Mac & Cheese, and for good reason—it’s made with four kinds of rich cheese and baked to perfection.

• Address: 2240 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
• Phone: (205) 939-1000
• Website

7. Jim ‘N Nick’s

Barbecue and mac & cheese… some things in life were just meant for one another. Birmingham is full of incredible BBQ joints, but Jim ‘N Nick’s macaroni and cheese is a standout.

• Find locations here
• Website

8. Taco Mama

I know what you’re thinking—tacos with a side of mac and cheese? Yup. Taco Mama’s Mexican Mac and Cheese is seriously delicious, even if it is a bit unorthodox.

• Find locations here
• Website

9. Hattie B’s

You really can’t go wrong with anything at Hattie B’s, and that includes their Pimento Mac & Cheese. In fact, Business Insider named it the best mac and cheese in Alabama last year.

• Address: 2808 7th Ave S #101, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Phone: (205) 578-6018
• Website

What did we leave off? We’re on a mission to try them all, so let us know on social @BhamNow