Celebrate National Coconut Day with these 8 Birmingham bars and restaurants

Happy National Coconut Day! It’s no secret that coconut shines in both sweet and savory dishes. This tropical fruit also makes its presence known in some of our favorite summer cocktails, and sometimes serves as a topping to some of our favorite desserts.

I don’t think anyone can deny that the versatile coconut deserves its own holiday. Whether it’s using coconut oil as a hair and skin moisturizer or sipping on a pina colada in the summer, this fruit is always in the spotlight. Celebrate National Coconut Day with some of these local faves.

1. Surin of Thailand

Birmingham has some delicious options when it comes to Thai cuisine in the city. Of course, we can’t mention Thai food in Birmingham without mentioning Surin. Their spicy coconut soup is available at all three locations. It is lightly garnished with cilantro, mushrooms and scallions. You also have the option to customize your soup by adding shrimp, chicken or tofu.

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2. Chez Fon Fon

We can’t celebrate National Coconut Day without cake! Thankfully, Chez Fon Fon has that covered. In addition to them having the best burger in Alabama, they also have some bomb coconut cake. It’s a local favorite here in the city, so it’s only right that we put this yummy dessert on our list.

• Address: 2007 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
• Hours: Tuesday–Friday 11AM-9PM | Saturday 4-9PM
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3. Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of coconuts is tropical beaches with white sand and pretty drinks. Clearly BIrmingham isn’t home to tropical beaches and white sand; however, we definitely have the pretty drinks.

Cayo Coco Rum Bar has a drink called Miami Vice that will give you all the island vibes. It’s half strawberry daiquiri and half piña colada. There’s also fresh coconut milk, rum, lime, pineapple and topped with Chilton County Strawberry 100 proof liqueur.

• Address: 2015 1st Ave N, Unit A, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 4-9PM for dinner and 4-10PM for bar | Friday-Saturday 4-10PM for dinner and 4-11PM for bar
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4. Johnny Ray’s BBQ

I know you’re probably wondering why a BBQ joint is on a list celebrating coconuts, but just trust us on this one. Johnny Ray’s BBQ has a coconut cream pie that’s so good, it will have you thinking they’re running a bakery in the back. Depending on your level of self-control when it comes to sweets, you can buy the pie by the slice, by the half or by the whole.

• Address: 3431 Colonnade Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35243
• Hours: Monday-Saturday 11AM-9PM | Sunday 11AM-3PM
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5. Clean Juice

We couldn’t have a list full of cakes and cocktails, and not give you a healthy option to balance it out. Clean Juice has a Beach Bowl that is full of flavor and healthy ingredients. This bowl consists of Organic Açaí, Organic Almond Milk, Organic Banana, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Granola, Organic Pineapple and Organic Toasted Coconut.

• Address: 6215 Tattersall Blvd Suite #101, Hoover, AL 35242
• Hours: Monday-Friday 7AM–8PM | Saturday 8AM– 8PM | Sunday 9AM–6PM
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6. Bay Leaf

I love a good curry. It’s one of the most savory dishes out there, and that’s due in large part to coconut milk. Bay Leaf has a Shrimp Moilee which is a Southern India inspired dish and has a base of coconut milk and aromatic spices.

If there’s one thing we know about Bay Leaf, it’s that they’re guaranteed to pack a punch with the flavor. This dish is no different.

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7. The Lumbar

We wanted to feature something a little more outside the box, and we looked no further than The Lumbar. Their current cocktail menu for this month is called “The Lost World: Jurassic Bar” and is an ode to Jurassic Park.

This menu happens to feature a tasty drink called Dinosaurs in Love, which consists of Lunazul blanco tequila, green tea matcha, coconut, cucumber, peach and lime. Sounds refreshing!

• Address: 212 29th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205
• Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 12-7PM | Friday-Saturday 12-10PM | Sunday 12-7PM
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8. Heavenly Donuts

Of course this list wouldn’t be complete without the presence of one of the top ten donut shops in the country, according to Travel Magazine. Among their many amazing flavors is the scrumptious coconut donut; and if you want to elevate it, definitely try it with the chocolate icing.

• Address: 4911 Cahaba River Rd Suite 105, Birmingham, AL 35243
• Hours: Tuesday 4AM-Midnight | Wednesday-Saturday 24hrs | Sunday Midnight-2PM
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What are some of your favorite coconut dishes? Let us know! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and sign up for our FREE newsletter