60+ new places to eat & drink in Birmingham that opened in 2021

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Dig into the 2021 Birmingham openings. (Madison Croxson / Bham Now)

2021 was a busy year for Birmingham businesses. We’re taking a look back at over 60 of the biggest new 2021 Birmingham restaurants, bars and breweries. Scroll on so you never have to ask “Where should we eat?” again.

Avondale

  • Cinderella Story | Okay, so this golf simulator isn’t technically a place to eat or drink, but it’s super easy to grab a brew from Avondale Brewing and sip as you putt.
  • Ferus on 41st | We miss Fancy’s on Fifth, but Ferus on 41st has quickly become a local favorite with Ferus’s popular brews and a delicious menu.
  • Sons Donuts | The owners of Big Spoon Creamery and Steel City Pops created one of our favorite 2021 Birmingham openings that serves mini donuts with unique sugar dustings and handcrafted sauces.

Alabaster

Adventurers Coffee Co at CreACTive Wellness Center - new 2021 Birmingham restaurants
Adventurer’s Coffee Co. Photo via Riley Campbell for Bham Now

Downtown + Parkside

  • Aviné | Birminghamians love a wine bar, and this 2021 downtown opening is a favorite recommendation if you’re looking for tasty bites and sips.
  • Broad Street Peaux Boys & Nola Ice | The New Orleans-inspired food truck opened their first brick and mortar at The Pizitz Food Hall.
  • Cassanova Bar & Lounge | Former Auburn and NFL player opened a brand new bar on First Avenue North with unique cocktails and Instagrammable decor.
  • Crestline Bagel Co. | This delish bagel company opened a Downtown location in Innovation Depot, in addition to their Mountain Brook spot.
  • Eterna Pizzeria | This Parkside pizzeria serves up fresh pizza with ovens imported from Italy.
  • The Fennec | One of the newest (and most anticipated) 2021 Birmingham restaurants, The Fennec is an amazing venue with tons of activity every night, along with a full bar and menu of tasty items.
  • Neon Moon | From the owners of Queen’s Park, Neon Moon is a neighborhood cocktail bar that specializes in unique drinks, country tunes and a great time. My personal recommendation: the Kentucky Iced Coffee.
  • Pizza Grace | Pizza Grace is one of the amazing tenants in Mercantile on Morris, and it’s a Bham Now favorite thanks to the delicious pizzas and salads.
  • Rock N Roll Sushi | The third Birmingham location of Rock N Roll Sushi is located next to the Downtown Publix.

Ensley

Five Points South

Forest Park + Highland Park

Last Call Baking
Last Call Baking. Photo via Cecilia Wood for Bham Now
  • Last Call Baking | This was one of my favorite new 2021 Birmingham openings, and the amount of photos of cake on my camera roll proves it. Last Call Baking began serving their delicious baked goods outside of General in Forest Park—PS: stay tuend for their upcoming storefront in 2022.
  • Red or White | Red or White was already a Birmingham favorite, and in 2021, they expanded their offerings to include food. I’m drooling just thinking of their wood-fired pizza.

Homewood + Lakeshore Parkway

Rodney Scott's
Rodney Scott’s BBQ. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Hoover

Lakeview + Pepper Place

BLUEROOT
BLUEROOT. Photo via Madison Croxson for Bham Now
  • BLUEROOT | BLUEROOT opened a flagship location in Pepper Place to bring healthy, fast food options, like Bham Nower Tira’s favorite “Not Your Mama’s Rice Crispy Treats”.
  • UMAMI | From the owners of Nori Thai and Sushi and Shiki, UMAMI replaced Babalu in Lakeview and serves fun sushi combinations.

Lee Branch + Highway 280

Ruby Sunshine - new 2021 Birmingham restaurant
Ruby Sunshine. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

Mountain Brook

Chop N Fresh, Gabby
ChopNFresh. Photo via Gabby Gervais for Bham Now
  • ChopNFresh | This popular new 2021 Birmingham restaurant opened in Lane Park for fans who are already raving about their salads. Bham Nower Gabby went to the grand opening and recommends the Strawberry Bae.
  • Coffee Shop at Vino | English Village’s newest coffee shop is located inside Vino and serves coffee roasted by Amavida Coffee Roasters.
  • Slim’s Pizzeria | Check out this pizzeria in Birmingham’s Crestline neighborhood on Church Street.

Pelham

Creekside BBQ
Creekside BBQ. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Southside

Eden Bar and Lounge
EDEN Lounge. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now
  • Cook Out | The popular fast food spot opened a second Birmingham location just blocks from UAB.
  • EDEN Lounge | A new upscale bar and lounge serving signature cocktails opened near 20 Midtown from the owner of the Sahani food truck.

The Summit + Vestavia

Chopt, The Summit
Chopt Creative Salad Co. Photo via Riley Campbell for Bham Now
  • The Backyard Market | This new farm-to-table restaurant has. alarge menu with grab-and-go options and favorites like burgers, wings and cheese boards.
  • Chick-filA | The new Cahaba Heights Chick-fil-A opened in November 2021, bringing their popular menu (and new jobs) to Vestavia Hills.
  • Chopt Creative Salad Co. | Chopt opened their first Birmingham location at The Summit and their second in the Vestavia City Center.
  • O’Henry’s Coffee | The popular Birmingham coffee shop expanded and moved to a spot in the Patchwork Farms shopping Center, joining their growing list of locations.
  • North Italia | This Italian restaurant opened in The Summit and is a great spot to start your Sunday with brunch before shopping.
  • Taco Mama | Taco Mama, a popular franchise with build-your-own Tex-Mex cuisine, opened a new Birmingham location in the Vestavia City Center.
  • Unless U Scoops | This Vestavia Hills ice cream shop is run by students with developmental disabilities to foster inclusivity.

Trussville

Uptown

Uptown Cantina - 2021 Birmingham restaurant opening
Uptown Cantina. Photo via Cecilia Wood for Bham Now
  • Uptown Cantina | Uptown Cantina was one of my favorite new 2021 Birmingham restaurants thanks to their has tasty tacos and drinks, along with an Instagrammable location that includes a rooftop view of Protective Stadium.

PLUS—new food trucks

What was your FAVORITE new 2021 Birmingham restaurant opening? We know there are even more, so shout out your faves by tagging us @BhamNow on social or emailing cecilia@bhamnow.com.

Cecilia Wood
Cecilia Wood
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