Woman-owned restaurants across Birmingham you need to try

Reading time: 7 minutes

Bandit Patisserie owners
Bandit Patisserie is owned by Kristen Hall and Lacy Triplett (Wesley Chandler / Bham Now)

Between meat-and-threes, yummy pastry shops and more, Birmingham has no shortage of woman-owned restaurants.

We’re celebrating these women and their entrepreneurial spirits by highlighting 21 restaurants across The Magic City—in no particular order.

1. BLUEROOT

BLUEROOT
BLUEROOT in Pepper Place (Bham Now)

Jennifer Ryan is the face behind Bham’s BLUEROOT, the place to get a quick and healthy meal. She’s also an entrepreneur, investor and small business owner featured in Forge.

2. Michael’s Restaurant

woman owned
View from the Rooftop at Michael’s Restaurant. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Nestled next to Regions Field in Birmingham’s Parkside District is Bernadine Birdsong’s beloved Michael’s Restaurant. This restaurant features a rooftop bar with one of the best views of Birmingham’s skyline.

3. Slutty Vegan

storefront
Slutty Vegan in Woodlawn (Sunny Nguyen / Bham Now)

Slutty Vegan is owned and operated by Pinky Cole. She’s perfected the vegan burger and tops it off with a 100% plant-based menu at multiple locations in the U.S.

4. Bandit Patisserie & La Fête

Bandit Patisserie
Impossible to choose my favorite Bandit Patisserie treat (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Kristen Hall is the brains behind Birmingham’s Bandit Patisserie and La Fête, and Lacy Triplett joined Kristen to support management and production of Bandit.

I’ve gotten used to saying hello to Lacy and Kristen during my weekly (or daily, who am I kidding) Bandit trips.

If you go to La Fête, get the chicken liver mousse—trust me!

5. Ga Briella’s Restaurant

Downtown Birmingham’s Ga Briella’s serves classic soul food that we all know and love. Stop by for the brunch buffet and thank me later.

6. Dirty Red Food Truck

Owner Nelesha Dale opened Dirty Red Food Truck after years of catering and corporate serving experience. Follow Dirty Red on Facebook to see where you can find the food truck across Birmingham.

7. Last Call Baking Co.

Last Call Baking Co
Last Call Baking goodies on display (Jessica Allen)

Last Call Baking Co. is one of my favorite pre-work stops, and Chanah Willis is the genius behind all the buttery, flaky treats.

The local micro-patisserie is a 2024 James Beard semifinalist and has some of the best (and most beautiful) pastries I’ve ever had!

8. Magic City Nutrition

Magic City Nutrition
Magic City Nutrition (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Two women entrepreneurs, Faith and Britni, expanded their nutrition business to The Magic City in 2019. This little shop offers tasty, nutrient-filled smoothies and teas.

9. Shu Shop

Shu Shop
Shu Shop has a variety of ramen and small plates. (Grace Howard / Bham Now)

Adeeba Khan is the co-owner of Shu Shop, which is one of my favorite authentic ramen shops we have in Birmingham.

While you’re there, order the shoyu ramen—it’s delicious.

10. Ted’s Restaurant

ted's
Ted’s Restaurant (Jacob Blakenship / Bham Now)

Serving fresh veggies and meats to the Birmingham area since 1973, Ted’s combines Greek hospitality with hearty Southern dishes to create an experience full of great people and amazing food.

Where “friendly gets downright fresh”, Beba Touloupis has made Ted’s Restaurant one of Birmingham’s staples.

11. Pop’s Neighborhood Grill

I haven’t been to Pop’s brick-and-mortar, but I’ve had the hot dogs a few times at The Market at Pepper Place. This family-run restaurant should be your go-to spot in Birmingham for deli sandwiches, burgers, dogs and wings.

12. Nola Ice – Broad St. Peaux Boys

Nola Ice and Broad Street Peaux Boys
NOLA Ice and Broad Street Peaux Boys (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

Kelli Caulfield opened NOLA and Broad St. Peaux Boys at the Pizitz, bringing a taste of The Big Easy to downtown Birmingham. If you like to explore new foods, you should try their crawfish nachos.

13. Ashley Mac’s

Ashley Mac's
At Ashley Mac’s, you can get anything from yummy salads and casseroles to a grilled cheese sandwich. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

There are few things I love more than Ashley Mac’s poppyseed chicken casserole. I’ve tried to perfect it on my own many times—no luck yet.

There are multiple Ashley Mac’s locations around Birmingham because they’re just that good!

14. rolls.

rolls bakery
So many delicious goodies at rolls. (Lauryn Stinson / Bham Now)

Famous for their (you guessed it) cinnamon rolls, rolls bakery also serves muffins, cookies and savory items like pigs in a blanket, soups and pastas to-go.

I love their funfetti rolls, and you will too!

15. Real and Rosemary

Real and Rosemary
Real and Rosemary (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

As a fan of a laid-back atmosphere, Real and Rosemary is the place to go for a chill meal. For healthier options (that are far from boring), you should stop by! The decor is also a 10/10.

I’m a big fan of the seasonal salads.

16. Farm Bowl + Juice Co.

Farm Bowl + Juice Co.
Farm Bowl + Juice Co. in Homewood (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

For fresh produce lovers, Andrea Snyder opened Farm Bowl + Juice Co. so you can get your fruit bowl fix.

My favorite is the Nutty Professor bowl—complete with granola, peanut butter and local honey.

17. Good Neighbor Baking

BPCC cover pic scaled e1714507089249 Woman-owned restaurants across Birmingham you need to try
Bluff Park Coffee Collective—home to Good Neighbor Baking (Jordyn Davis / Bham Now)

Good Neighbor is a boutique bakery in Hoover owned by local baker Ramsey Nuss. They’re most famous for their mini cookie sandwiches, but I’m a big fan of the sausage scones.

18. El ZunZún

Becky Satterfield’s El ZunZun serves Latin American-inspired cuisine and has become one the best spots for a cozy afternoon out. Try the beef short rib with mole sauce!

19. K & J’s Elegant Pastries

(Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)
K&J’s Elegant Pastries owner, chef Kristal Bryant (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Perfecting the art of colossal milkshakes, gourmet cupcakes and wedding cakes, chef Kristal Bryant has earned herself features on Good Morning America, Food Network and Southern Living Magazine.

20. SLIDE Cafe

I have yet to try it, but SLIDE Cafe’s menu and chef Raquel Lindsie come with rave reviews. Try it with me?

21. Daughters Baking

Nestled in Mountain Brook Village, Daughters Baking has some of the prettiest cakes I’ve ever seen. I’ve always been a fan of the naked-style cakes, though.

Daughters Baking also has cake cups, cookies and candy mixes!

22. The Electric

(The Electric)
(The Electric)

The Electric in Bluff Park is one of our favorite spots where delicious food meets cozy, eclectic atmosphere. This is the type of neighborhood bar where everyone really does know your name. And your drink order. (Try one of their rotating frozen cocktails!)

Look for their second location opening soon in Avondale’s former Tropicaleo spot, and you may just see co-owner Laura Smith behind the bar.

What did we miss? Tag us @bhamnow + let us know your favorite women-owned restaurant.

Callie Morrison
Callie Morrison
Articles: 429