18 Birmingham-area openings we were excited to see in 2023

Reviewed by: Callie Morrison

Reading time: 8 minutes

LinkedInShares29
Denim on 7th
Head to Denim on 7th in Birmingham. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

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 — Homewood

326732509 503067268618852 1726740058930724735 n edited 18 Birmingham-area openings we were excited to see in 2023
Have you been to this 2023 Homewood favorite? (Social Taco)

The long-awaited day for the opening of Social Taco happened in January, and it’s 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:

2. East Pole Coffee

East Pole Coffee
East Pole Coffee is a 2023 fave in Bham. (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

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, you’ll find it here.

Visit East Pole Coffee:

3. Denim on 7th

Denim on 7th
Denim on 7th in Birmingham is a must-visit. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

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:

4. Taco Mac

Taco Mac
Taco Tuesday is great in Pelham. (Taco Mac / Facebook)

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:

5. Otey’s Tavern – Edgewood

Otey's Tavern edgewood
These smiling faces are waiting to welcome you, Edgewood. (Bham Now)

In August, a second Otey’s 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 Otey’s Tavern:

6. Steele Hall Brewing

Steele Hall
Steele Hall Brewery’s “Bama Beer” in Trussville. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

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.

7. Urban Parc 

Urban Parc
Order a drink at Urban Parc in Birmingham. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

A fine dining restaurant, rooftop bar and arcade? Sign us up. Urban Parc on 20th Street South in Birmingham was one of 2023’s most irresistible openings; we’re not surprised!

Visit Urban Parc:

8. Corbeau Wine Bar

Corbeau Wine Bar
Corbeau Wine Bar opened in Trussville in 2023. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

May 3 was wine o’clock in Trussville’s 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:

9. Emmy Squared — The Summit

Emmy Squared Pizza
Grab a slice of pizza at Emmy Squared in Birmingham. (Jacob Blankenship/Bham Now)

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 ‘za—a combo of a New York-style grandma pie and Detroit-style pizza.

Visit Emmy Squared Pizza:

10. The Palm & Pig – Vestavia Hills

Palm & Pig
The Palm & Pig in Vestavia Hills. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

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:

11. Condado Tacos — Mountain Brook

(Condado Tacos)
Enjoy chips and dips at this Mountain Brook hotspot. (Condado Tacos)

Who can resist tacos? It’s 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:

12. Honest Coffee Roasters — Edgewood

Honest Coffee Roasters sneak peek in Edgewood
Check out Honest Coffee Roasters in Edgewood. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

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 açaí bowls.

Visit Honest Roasters Coffee:

13. Craft’s Chicken — The Waites

Craft's Chicken
Grab some grub at Craft’s Chicken in Birmingham. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Birmingham loves a good chicken joint, so folks were stoked to learn a second Craft’s Chicken opened on 7th Ave South.

Next time you’re downtown, be sure to swing by for some fried chicken and a fluffy biscuit.

Visit Craft’s Chicken:

14. Saffron Indian Kitchen — Highway 280

saffron2 18 Birmingham-area openings we were excited to see in 2023
Take a look around Saffron on Highway 280 in Birmingham. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

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:

15. Tucana Tiki Bar — 1st Ave Birmingham

Tucana Tiki Bar
Tucana Tiki Bar in Birmingham. (Bham Now)

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:

16. Bitty & Beau’s — Homewood

Birmingham
Homewood’s newest coffee shop. (Bitty & Beau’s / Facebook)

Our hearts grew three sizes in November when Bitty’s & Beau’s opened on Oxmoor Road across from Homewood Central Park. 

Bitty & Beau’s isn’t your typical coffee shop. Founders Amy and Ben Wright are the parents of four children—one with autism and twins with Downs Syndrome. 

“A human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop,” 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 & Beau’s:

17. Velma’s — Trussville

Velma's
Royce + Tammy Butler, owners of Velma’s in Trussville. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Velma’s, one of Trussville’s most iconic places, returned in November—and 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 Velma’s and create a new and improved experience. 

Visit Velma’s:

18. Slide Café — Five Points South

slide cafe five points
SLIDE Café in Birmingham. (Grace Howard / Bham Now)

If you love a good slider, this was an easy choice for your favorite opening this year. SLIDE Café 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. 

Erwin’s is the chef behind SMOKE Bistro at The Pizitz Food Hall and the Panoptic Catering food truck; she also appeared on Food Network’s Chopped in January 2022.

Visit SLIDE Café:

More openings + closings in 2023

Did we miss your favorite spot that opened in 2023? Tag us @BhamNow on Instagram + Facebook to let us know!

LinkedInShares29
Patience Itson
Patience Itson
Articles: 1756

You might also like