Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
18 Birmingham-area openings we were excited to see in 2023
Reading time: 8 minutes
It was a big year for openings across the Greater Birmingham Area. From restaurants and bars to coffee shops, here are some that have become fast favorites.
1. Social Taco โ Homewood
The long-awaited day for the opening of Social Taco happened in January, and itโs been a popular spot ever since.
Social Taco is the sister restaurant to Homewood favorites SoHo Social and SoHo Standard and features a variety of scrumptious eats from Mexican pizza to churros.
Visit Social Taco:
- Location: 1831 28th Ave S 175 N, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11โฏAMโ10โฏPM | Sunday, 11AM-9PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. East Pole Coffee
The Magic City runs on coffee, so it was huge news when East Pole Coffee announced it would open in The Denham Building in June.
Whether you like your coffee dolled up and fancy or you take it black, youโll find it here.
Visit East Pole Coffee:
- Location: 1143 1st Ave S, Ste 103, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7AM-3PM | Saturday-Sunday 8AM-3PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Denim on 7th
Denim on 7th lit up Lakeview when its doors opened in April. This is the place to be for fun drinks, entertainment and, of course, denim.
Visit Denim on 7th:
- Location: 2808 7th Ave S, #105, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4PM-Midnight | Friday-Saturday 4PM-2AM | Sunday 4-9PM
- Facebook | Instagram
4. Taco Mac
There was something to taco bout in Pelham during the month of September when Taco Mac opened for biz.
Located on Canopy Trail, the space features a lively dining atmosphere, multiple HD TVs, a spacious patio and more. The best part? The food, of course!
Visit Taco Mac:
- Location: 2500 Canopy Trail, Pelham, AL 35124
- Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11AM-Midnight | Thursday-Saturday 11AM-1PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
5. Oteyโs Tavern โ Edgewood
In August, a second Oteyโs Tavern opened in Edgewood to a round of cheering locals. The new space offers the original iconic menu with all your favorite sports bar munchies and cocktails.
Visit Oteyโs Tavern:
- Location: 924 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 11AM-1PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Steele Hall Brewing
Trussville was buzzing with excitement in April when Steele Hall Brewing opened its doors to the community.
Founded by Eric Mitchell and Scott Worthington, the brewery features beers crafted in-house and a family-friendly atmosphere with space to gather inside and out.
- Address: 227 Main Street, Trussville, AL 35173
- Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Closed | Wednesday-Thursday, 1-9PM | Friday, 1-10PM | Saturday, 11AM-10PM | Sunday,11AM-5PM
- Facebook | Instagram
7. Urban Parc
A fine dining restaurant, rooftop bar and arcade? Sign us up. Urban Parc on 20th Street South in Birmingham was one of 2023โs most irresistible openings; weโre not surprised!
Visit Urban Parc:
- Location: 1006 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: Friday 4PM-Midnight | Saturday Noon-Midnight | Sunday Noon-5PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
8. Corbeau Wine Bar
May 3 was wine oโclock in Trussvilleโs Entertainment District with the opening of Corbeau Wine Bar.
The 19-and-up spot features a casual yet sophisticated vibe, a delicious menu with small plates and charcuteries, a full bar with cocktails, beer + wine served by the glass and an alluring outdoor patio that begs you to take a seat.
Visit Corbeau Wine Bar:
- Location: 160 Morrow Ave suite 112, Trussville, AL 35173
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 4-10PM | Friday-Saturday 4-11PM | Sunday Noon-7PM
- Website| Facebook | Instagram
9. Emmy Squared โ The Summit
Brooklyn-based Emmy Squared Pizza opened its first Alabama location at The Summit in June, and we were fans from day one.
The restaurant serves a unique style of โzaโa combo of a New York-style grandma pie and Detroit-style pizza.
Visit Emmy Squared Pizza:
- Location: 300 Summit Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35243
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 4PM-10PM | Friday + Saturday 11AM-11PM | Sunday 11AM-10PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
10. The Palm & Pig โ Vestavia Hills
The Palm & Pig brought fun dining to Highway 31 in Vestavia Hills with its opening in July. The restaurant features a laid-back atmosphere, frozen drinks, oysters, barbecue and live music.
Visit The Palm & Pig:
- Location: 633 Montgomery Hwy, 35216
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday | 11AM to 9PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
11. Condado Tacos โ Mountain Brook
Who can resist tacos? Itโs no wonder Condado Tacos caused such a stir when it opened for biz in Cahaba Village.
Why do people love it? The Ohio-based restaurant lets you build your own tacos!
Visit Condado Tacos:
- Location: 2800 Cahaba Village Pl, # 130, Mountain Brook, AL 35243
- Hours:Tuesday-Saturday 10:30AM-11PM | Sunday 11AM-5PM | Saturday 10:30AM-11PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
12. Honest Coffee Roasters โ Edgewood
In August, Tennessee-based Honest Coffee Roasters opened its first Birmingham-area location in Edgewood.
In addition to a wide array of hot and cold coffee and espresso options, Honest Coffee Roasters offers a variety of delicious breakfast options and nutritious aรงaรญ bowls.
Visit Honest Roasters Coffee:
- Location: 960 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 6AM-6PM | Sunday 7AM-4PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
13. Craftโs Chicken โ The Waites
Birmingham loves a good chicken joint, so folks were stoked to learn a second Craftโs Chicken opened on 7th Ave South.
Next time youโre downtown, be sure to swing by for some fried chicken and a fluffy biscuit.
Visit Craftโs Chicken:
- Location: 2118 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:30AM-5PM | Sunday 10:30AM-3PM | Monday + Saturday โ Closed
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
14. Saffron Indian Kitchen โ Highway 280
The former home of Bay Leaf on Highway 280 got a new life when it reopened as Saffron Indian Kitchen. Located in The Terrace at Greystone, the restaurant serves authentic Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Visit Saffron:
- Location: 5426 US-280, Birmingham, AL 35242
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 11AM-2:30PM, 5-9PM | Sunday 11AM-2:30PM, 5-8:30PM
- Website | Facebook
15. Tucana Tiki Bar โ 1st Ave Birmingham
In November, Tucana Tiki Bar brought a tropical vacation to 1st Ave in Birmingham. We love it for its traditional rum cocktails and tasty twists on classic recipes.
Visit Tucana Tiki Bar:
- Location: 1143 1st Ave S, Ste 101, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4PM-Midnight | Friday + Saturday 4PM-1AM
- Website | Instagram
16. Bitty & Beauโs โ Homewood
Our hearts grew three sizes in November when Bittyโs & Beauโs opened on Oxmoor Road across from Homewood Central Park.
Bitty & Beauโs isnโt your typical coffee shop. Founders Amy and Ben Wright are the parents of four childrenโone with autism and twins with Downs Syndrome.
โA human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop,โ the business seeks to create a career path for people with disabilities to become more valued and included in their community.
The menu is also a hit, featuring coffee drinks, smoothies and bakery snacks.
Visit Bitty & Beauโs:
- Location: 1625 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 6:30AM-5PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
17. Velmaโs โ Trussville
Velmaโs, one of Trussvilleโs most iconic places, returned in Novemberโand wow, were locals pumped!
Trussville residents Royce and Tammy Buttler were behind the reopening of the 21+ bar/karaoke spot. Their plan? To build in the old elements of Velmaโs and create a new and improved experience.
Visit Velmaโs:
- Location: 1911 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235
- Hours: Sunday, Tuesday + Wednesday 3PM-Midnight | Thursday-Saturday 3PM-2AM | Monday โ Closed
- Facebook | Instagram
18. Slide Cafรฉ โ Five Points South
If you love a good slider, this was an easy choice for your favorite opening this year. SLIDE Cafรฉ opened its doors in Five Points South on December 2. The restaurant, which serves a variety of creative and tasty sliders and appetizers, is owned by local chef Raquel Erwin.
Erwinโs is the chef behind SMOKE Bistro at The Pizitz Food Hall and the Panoptic Catering food truck; she also appeared on Food Networkโs Chopped in January 2022.
Visit SLIDE Cafรฉ:
- Location: 2012 Magnolia Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30AM-2:30PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
More openings + closings in 2023
- 12 places we were crushed to see close in 2023 in The Magic City
- 21 of Huntsvilleโs biggest openings of the yearโrestaurants, retail + more
- 9 special places Huntsville will miss: which local businesses closed their doors in 2023
Did we miss your favorite spot that opened in 2023? Tag us @BhamNow on Instagram + Facebook to let us know!