Reviewed by: Patience Itson
A foodie’s journey on Birmingham’s James Beard Trail
Reading time: 5 minutes
Written by: Ben Pierce
The Magic City is known for its incredible foodie scene, from astounding restaurants and bars to phenomenal chefs. To celebrate these amazing people and places, we’re taking you on a scrumptious journey along Birmingham’s James Beard Trail featuring 16 nominees and winners of the prestigious award.
The Academy Awards of the Restaurant Industry
Winning a James Beard Award is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s an achievement that, once proudly displayed on a menu or website, will never be taken down or replaced in favor of other accolades.
Often called “the Academy Awards of the Restaurant Industry,” winning a James Beard Award is incredible—but even being nominated is worth breaking out the Champagne.
The Foundation has opened nominations for 2025. Their panel will consider applicants and narrow them down, sort them for region, and such. If you have a favorite spot, consider throwing the name in the hat. Maybe they’ll be added to a long list of local honorees.
You could make an extended go of this – there are more choices than you think and you’ll never do it in a weekend and probably not a week. You could approach the challenge all manner of ways, but this may help.
Lunch: Try Bright Star, Pizza Grace, Bettola’s and more
If you’re in the mood for pizza try a sourdough pie from Pizza Grace (James Beard Best New Restaurant, 2023 Semifinalist) on Morris Ave with some Beef Tallow Potatoes if you are making a day of it or head to Pepper Place for one of Bettola’s (James Lewis, Best Chef: South 2013 Semifinalist) amazing wood-fired offerings or, I highly recommend, the lamb sandwich.
If you want southern bona fides, there’s Bright Star (American Classic, 2020 Winner) in Bessemer for meat and three or there’s Johnny’s Restaurant (Outstanding Hospitality, 2002 Semifinalist and Best Chef: South multiple times for Timothy Hontzas) in Homewood. For Bar-B-Q, head to Jim N’ Nick’s (Nick Phihakis, Outstanding Restauranteur, 2015 semifinalist) at all manner of locations.
Chez Fonfon (Outstanding Hospitality, 2020 Semifinalist, Best Chef: Southeast for Chef Frank Stitt, 2001 Winner) offers French classics you’ll tell your friends about later served in a bistro setting. And there’s a boules court in back.
In Between Meals: Bottega Cafe
An afternoon spent sipping from Bottega Cafe’s (Outstanding Hospitality, 2023 Nominee) well-chosen wine list will be a happy one, especially if you pair it with seasonal appetizers. You may end up staying for dinner.
Atomic Lounge (Outstanding Bar Program, 2019 Semifinalist) is no more, but owner Feizal Valli’s opened a new bar, House of Found Objects. It’s as eclectic as it sounds. Drop in for drinks before your later dinner reservations. Keep it in mind for post dinner too.
Dinner: Celebrate at Automatic Seafood, Ovenbird & Helen
Automatic Seafood and Oysters (Adam Evans, Best Chef: South, 2022 Winner) will forever be the place I first had swordfish poached in duck fat. They feature all manner of delicious and fresh seafood, primarily from the Gulf.
I still think about a not-quite-chuntney-not-quite-relish tomato concoction I had over quail at Helen (Rob McDaniel, Best Chef: South, 2024 Semifinalist) two years ago. There was cumin in it, just the right amount to be noticeable but not so much it took over.
I was lucky enough to sit in on a wine and food pairing discussion with Chef Chris Dupont (Best Chef, 2011 Semifinalist) years ago and was floored. He’s specific and considered in all his choices. You can see it on the menu at Café Dupont.
Chris Hastings (Best Chef: South, 2012 Winner) is renowned. His Hot and Hot Fish Club has been a draw for years and now, near its new location in Pepper Place, there’s Ovenbird where sweet charred snapper cheek lives.
It’s Not Over Yet: Last Call Baking & Golden Age Wine
Head home for desert to the cake you bought earlier in the day from Last Call Baking (Chanah Willis, Emerging Chef of the Year, 2024 Semifinalist) and uncork a nightcap bottle bought, also earlier because planning is key, from Golden Age Wine (Outstanding Wine Program, 2022 Semifinalist) where you probably lingered in their Mountain Brook shop and nibbled on a cheese board.
Rinse Repeat — We miss Highlands Bar & Grill
Back to the lunch list and proceed through the day.
It’s remarkable what we’ve got here. It’s not an option at the moment, but Highlands Bar and Grill was named The James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurant in 2018. The best restaurant in the country right here in Birmingham. Every so often I hear rumors that Frank and Pardis Stitt are opening those doors again. Rumors, though. Hope.
Not to tease with what you can’t have, but Dolester Miles of Highlands Bar and Grill won Best Pastry Chef in 2018.
What’s your favorite restaurant, bar or chef along Birmingham’s James Beard Trail? Let us know by tagging us on social @bhamnow.
