New Lebanese bistro, Epice, now open on Rotary Trail in Birmingham

This week, Nashville-based Lebanese bistro Epice officially opened its new location along Rotary Trail in downtown Birmingham. Located in The Hardwick next to Ballard Designs, Epice is now serving up its tasty Mediterranean cuisine for lunch—and soon, brunch and dinner.

Read on for an inside look at Birmingham’s newest restaurant + insights from the owners.

Epice is bringing authentic Lebanese cuisine to Birmingham

When first-generation Lebanese immigrant Maher Fawaz first moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the mid-1980s, he already knew he wanted to introduce Music City USA to the Mediterranean cuisine he knew and loved.

“It had always been my passion to bring a different, exciting flavor to Nashville. In Lebanese culture, everything revolves around hospitality; our homes are always open for our friends, family and guests to sit down and eat in fellowship. My goal was to bring that authentic Lebanese cuisine and culinary experience to the South.”

Maher Fawaz, Owner, Epice Birmingham

Although Fawaz’s first brand—the casual Mediterranean restaurant Kalamatas—was a hit, he came into his own with the advent of Epice; a cozy, charming Lebanese Bistro in the heart of Nashville’s popular 12South neighborhood.

Now, Fawaz and his team are introducing Epice’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine to The Magic City.

Now open at The Hardwick on Rotary Trail

Maher Fawaz and his team—partners Andrew Fawaz, Bradley Ryan and Gabe Reyes and general manager Frank Gratale—have been working on Epice’s Birmingham location since it was first announced in 2021.

“One of our leasing agents with a previous developer relocated to Birmingham, and he told us, ‘You have to check this city out.’ Centennial Properties shared their plans for The Hardwick with us; it was rubble at the time, but we could see the charm and potential and started envisioning a new location for Epice.”

Gabe Reyes, Partner, Epice

Now, four years later, Epice’s only location outside of Nashville is officially open.

“I’ve fallen in love with Birmingham over the past two years of visiting to get Epice ready for today, and I cannot wait to have our first guests come experience Epice’s cuisine and hospitality.”

Maher Fawaz, Owner, Epice Birmingham

What to expect at Epice; authentic Lebanese fare, bright cocktails + more

According to General Manager Frank Gratale, the Epice dining experience will be unlike anything in the area.

“This is a really fresh concept for Birmingham. Each dish is fresh and bursting with flavor; the cumin, paprika and other spices we utilize create a bright, aromatic flavor that I think people in Birmingham are going to love.”

Frank Gratale, General Manager, Epice Birmingham

Gratale attributes the bright, colorful flavors to Fawaz’s upbringing in Lebanon.

“Every dish on our menu is something I grew up eating; the original, unaltered recipe. We source our tahini and olive oil from Lebanon and our produce and baked good from local sources so they are fresh every day.”

Maher Fawaz, Owner, Epice Birmingham

Epice’s three menus (lunch, brunch and dinner) each include core dishes and appetizers like hummus, al raheb and falafel, supplementing entrees like lahmajin, sayadeya and tawook.

Each dish can be paired with a drink from Epice’s bar program, which features crisp cocktails and elegant Lebanese wines.

“We were among the first to introduce Lebanese wines to Nashville, and we hope to have the same reception here. Lebanese wines taste familiar to the French and Spanish varietals many know, but have a unique flavor due to the Old World methods use to create them.”

Gabe Reyes, Partner, Epice

Epice Birmingham is now open for lunch + dinner

• Epice Birmingham: Website | Instagram
• Address: 2308 1st Ave S unit 102, Birmingham, AL 35233

Epice is now serving lunch daily (closed Sundays) from 11AM to 3PM; Epice will soon begin serving dinner from 4PM to 9PM and Saturday brunch from 11AM to 4PM.

Have you visited Epice’s Nashville location? What was your favorite dish on the menu + what are you excited to try? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!