Reviewed by: Grace Howard
8 watermelon treats around Birmingham + how to pick the perfect one
Reading time: 4 minutes
Watermelon season has officially arrived, and Birmingham is serving it up in more ways than one. Here’s where to sip, snack and shop for one of summer’s sweetest staples.
1. Pickled Watermelon Rind | Stone Hollow Farmstead
Charcuterie lovers, this one’s for you. If you’re looking to impress at your next gathering, Stone Hollow Farmstead’s pickled watermelon rind brings a sweet-and-tangy twist to any charcuterie board and will quickly become your favorite summer spread.
- Location: 2821 2nd Ave S Ste k, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Tue-Fri, 9AM-5PM | Saturday, 7AM-4PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
2. Seasonal Watermelon Margarita | Taco Mama
Celebrate sunny days with a watermelon margarita. Head on over to Taco Mama and enjoy this summertime flavor that is sure to cool you down.
- Location:
- Homewood: 1014 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209
- Crestline: 63 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
- Vestavia: 700 Montgomery Hwy Ste 194A, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
- Hours:
- Homewood: Mon-Sun, 11AM-9PM
- Crestline: Mon-Sat, 11AM-9PM
- Vestavia: Mon-Sun, 11AM-9PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
3. Watermelon + Cucumber Salad | Bayonet
Need something to cool off this summer? Bayonet’s watermelon + cucumber salad is light, refreshing and packed with flavor, featuring pickled red onion, feta, cashews, Tajín and fresh mint.
- Location: 2015 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Hours: Mon-Sat: 11AM-9PM | Sun: Closed
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
4. Watermelon Margarita | Pizzeria GM
Pizzeria GM’s Watermelon Margarita is back and as refreshing as ever! Pair it with a pizza and you’ve got the perfect summer meal!
- Location: 600 Oak Grove Rd, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Mon-Fri, 11AM-2PM, 5PM-9PM | Saturday, 11AM-9PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
5. Refresh Juice | Farm Bowl + Juice Company
Need something refreshing? Stop by Farm Bowl + Juice Company for their Refresh Juice featuring watermelon, mint, cucumber and beet. The perfect cold pressed juice for a summer morning.
- Location: 1920 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM | Saturday-Sunday 8AM-7PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
6. Watermelon Ice | Doodles Sorbets + Italian Ice
Nothing fits the summer season better than watermelon Italian Ice. At Doodles in Cahaba Heights you can bring the whole family and enjoy a fruity, cold and melon-y treat to cool down on a hot day. They have many other flavors and sizes to choose from!
- Location: 3236 Cahaba Heights Rd, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 2PM-9PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
7. Summer Salad | Real & Rosemary
If you love seasonal produce, this is the salad for you. This bright, fresh salad is a mix of watermelon, peaches and heirloom tomatoes on a bed of spring mix. The bowl is tossed with lemon vinaigrette and topped with pecans, feta and mint.
- Location: 1922 29th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Hours: Mon-Sat, 11AM-8PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
8. Burrata with grilled watermelon + crispy prosciutto | Habitat Feed & Social
If you’re looking to elevate your summer dining, Habitat Feed & Social’s burrata with grilled watermelon and crispy prosciutto is the perfect blend of sweet, savory and fresh. Located at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook.
- Location: 2655 Lane Park Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
- Hours: Mon-Thurs, 7AM-10:30AM, 11AM-2PM, 5PM-9PM | Fri-Sat, 7AM-10:30AM, 11AM-2PM, 5PM-10PM | Sunday, 7AM-10:30AM, 11AM-9PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
How to pick the perfect watermelon
Shopping for the perfect watermelon this summer? Make sure you get the juiciest one in the bunch with these tips:
- Look for a melon that feels heavy for its size. This typically indicates it will be sweeter and have higher water content, making it super juicy.
- Choose a watermelon with a uniform shape, whether oval or round. Be sure to avoid ones with irregular bumps.
- Select melons that are dark and dull, as this indicates ripeness. Shiny melons are pretty, but typically underripe.
- Look for a yellow-orange field spot. A darker field spot usually means the melon stayed on the vine longer and is more flavorful. If the field spot is white, it indicates that the melon is not quite ripe.
Let us know what watermelon drink or dish you try by tagging us @bhamnow. ⭐️
