11 Birmingham restaurants capturing local attention in 2026 so far

Reviewed by: Pat Byington

Reading time: 7 minutes

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Lapeer Steak and Seafood
Lapeer Steak & Seafood is among the top searched restaurants in the Birmingham area so far in 2026. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Birmingham’s culinary scene moves fast. Between neighborhood bistro launches, viral pop-ups and long-awaited brick-and-mortar openings, local diners continuously search for the next standout meal.

These days, word travels just as fast on social feeds as it does over a shared plate. When a restaurant generates buzz, people often head to Google to look up menus, operating hours, reservation availability and locations.

To track which spots captured the city’s attention over the last year, we looked directly at the data. Here are the top 11 Birmingham restaurants that experienced the highest spike in search interest over the past 12 months.

Methodology

The data for this list comes from Google Trends within the restaurant search category for the Birmingham area over the past year.

Google Trends categorizes search data into two main metrics: “Top” queries and “Rising” queries: 

  • Top queries reflect overall search volume, which favors established local staples that maintain steady search interest year after year. 
  • Rising queries measure the percentage increase in search frequency compared to the previous time period.

Rising queries highlight emerging momentum. A high growth percentage indicates a sudden surge in public curiosity, capturing new openings, recent media coverage or viral dining trends as they happen.

11. Gianmarco’s

gianmarcos 11 Birmingham restaurants capturing local attention in 2026 so far
Rigatoni with creamy sauce and prosciutto at Gianmarco’s. (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

This Homewood institution remains one of the hardest reservations to score in the metro area. Gianmarco’s delivers white-tablecloth Italian classics, an impressive wine selection, and a warm neighborhood atmosphere that keeps generations of locals coming back.

Read more: Your guide to can’t-miss wine bars in Birmingham

10. Red Pearl

Red Pearl Restaurant
Sesame chicken at Red Pearl Restaurant on West Valley Avenue. (Bham Now)

Located inside the Super Oriental Market on West Valley Avenue, Red Pearl is a go-to spot for authentic Chinese cuisine in Birmingham. The expansive menu features everything from traditional Sichuan cold dishes to sizzling clay pots.

Read more: Birmingham’s Rocky’s Pizza collabs with Red Pearl on new dish

9. The Fish Market Restaurant

Birmingham, George Sarris, Greek restaurants, mediterranean restaurants, The Fish Market, The Fish Market Restaurant
George Sarris, owner of The Fish Market. (Photo courtesy of George Sarris)
IMG 5613 scaled 11 Birmingham restaurants capturing local attention in 2026 so far
The Fish Market on Highway 280 (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

The Southside location of The Fish Market continues to anchor the city’s casual seafood scene. Part restaurant and part fresh seafood market, it serves fresh catches prepared with classic Mediterranean flavor profiles.

While the other two locations are under different ownership, The Fish Market Restaurant + Oyster Bar locations on US-280 and US-31 serve similar cuisine and even use the same Gulf Coast seafood vendor.

8. EastWest

IMG 5589 11 Birmingham restaurants capturing local attention in 2026 so far
EastWest on 2nd Avenue North in downtown Birmingham. (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Combining Asian-inspired street food with modern American culinary techniques, EastWest on 2nd Avenue North remains a hotspot for craft cocktails, duck buns, and wood-fired skewers right in the heart of downtown.

Read more: 500+ locals shared the Birmingham restaurants they’ll defend forever

7. The Olive Branch Mediterranean Cuisine

IMG 4989 3 11 Birmingham restaurants capturing local attention in 2026 so far
The Olive Branch at 3236 Cahaba Heights Rd. (Grace Howard / Bham Now)

Tucked away off Highway 280, The Olive Branch provides authentic, home-style Mediterranean staples ranging from kafta and shawarma to house-made baklava. Just this summer, Cheapism named The Olive Branch the best Greek spot in Alabama.

Read more: 7 delicious Middle Eastern restaurants in Birmingham

6. Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante

Phil Sandoval's
Phil Sandoval’s is located in The Village at Brock’s Gap. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Phil Sandoval’s brought its signature Tex-Mex dishes, scratch-made tortillas and famous margaritas to the Hoover area, establishing a footprint in Brock’s Gap. If you happen to make your way up to North Alabama, check out the Huntsville and Madison locations!

Read more: Where to try the tasty soft-serve margarita trend in Birmingham

5. Amore Ristorante Italiano

IMG 5610 11 Birmingham restaurants capturing local attention in 2026 so far
Amore Ristorante Italiano off Highway 280. (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Tucked inside an unassuming strip center off Highway 280, Amore offers fine dining Italian fare centered around fresh pasta, veal and seafood in an intimate, cozy setting.

Read more: 20 must-reserve restaurants for an unforgettable date night

4. Mizu Japanese Steakhouse

IMG 5596 11 Birmingham restaurants capturing local attention in 2026 so far
Mizu Japanese Steakhouse on Gadsden Highway. (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Mizu delivers high-energy hibachi table dining, fresh sushi rolls and an expansive Asian fusion menu that caters to large group gatherings and family celebrations.

3. Lapeer Steak & Seafood

Lapeer Steak and Seafood
(Left to right) Lapeer Co-Executive Chef Andy Long, owner Louis Soon and Co-Executive Chef Blake Hartley. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Lapeer Steak & Seafood offers upscale coastal dining, prime steaks, and an expansive raw bar in a restored historic industrial space. Lapeer first opened in Birmingham in November 2025 and also has a location in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Read more: Lapeer Steak & Seafood now open in The Hardwick, co-led by Bottega vet

2. toujours

(toujours)
Toujours chef and owner Daniel Mitchell. (toujours)

Rooted in New Orleans culinary traditions and tailored for Birmingham diners, toujours opened in late 2025 in Hoover’s Southlake Village as an upscale-casual, chef-driven concept centered around small plates, classic comfort and an impressive wine program.

Read more: New restaurant with New Orleans influence opens in Hoover

1. Cassanova

Cassanova Restaurant and Bar in Lakeview
Cassanova Bar & Lounge on 29th Street South. (Bham Now)

Cassanova Bar & Lounge’s first location on 1st Avenue North gained notoriety as a sleek downtown nightlife venue founded by former Auburn football player Cassanova McKinzy, known for its cocktail menu, VIP lounge service and late-night music scene.

Since August 2025, Cassanova has been located at a new spot on 29th Street South.

Read more: Former Auburn + NFL football player to open Cassanova in Lakeview

Map view of the trending restaurants in Birmingham

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Mary Helene Hall
Mary Helene Hall

Breaking Content Producer. Casual birder + enjoyer of the Alabama outdoors. Frequent coffee shop patron. Ravenous reader. Previously @ AL.com, Georgia Trust for Local News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Get in touch at maryhelene@bhamnow.com.

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