Global recognition of Greater Birmingham’s culinary scene continues – most recently from Eater, a digital media brand dedicated to all things food and dining, and Eater contributor Rai Mincey.
“As the home base for Southern Living and Food & Wine, Birmingham is a culinary command center, having quietly shaped American tastes for years. But 2026 is the moment the city jumps off the page. The momentum is unmistakable in a cluster of high-profile openings, including Eater 2025 Best New Restaurants winner Bayonet, the city’s first tasting menu spot Rêve, James Beard finalist Jose Medina Camacho’s tequila bar Adiõs, and ever-expanding local chain Saw’s BBQ.
The city doesn’t hang its hat on a single marquee project; Birmingham is an amalgamation of Deep South cooking, meat-and-three institutions, Greek diners, and an old guard of highly decorated culinary talent like Frank Stitt of Chez Fonfon and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club. It all comes together at the Southbound Food Festival — launched in 2022 to celebrate Gulf seafood, barbecue, and other regional foodways — and in the meals that fill the city’s tables every day.”
Why I love eating here:
“No matter where I’m dining, I’m met with syrupy-sweet, utterly unhurried hospitality — Southern to the bone. Depending on where you’re from, it feels like a homecoming or a reminder that old-school civility still exists,” said Mincey.
Don’t miss:
“A meal at a meat-and-three is nonnegotiable. Order crisp fried chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, and pork-braised vegetables. Start at Niki’s West, Eagle’s Restaurant, or Green Acres Cafe.”
When to visit:
“Aim for autumn, when football tailgates spill across lawns, patios catch afternoon breezes, and the city’s restaurants hit their stride with peak seasonal bounty.”
Full list of stops featured in Eater’s “Best Dining Destinations in 2026”
– Aguascalientes, Mexico
– Almaty, Kazakhstan
– Bengaluru, India
– Birmingham, Alabama
– Cape Town, South Africa
– The Dominican Republic
– Gaziantep, Turkey
– Isle of Skye, Scotland
– Kelowna, Canada
– La Paz, Bolivia
– Mauritius
– Milan, Italy
– Okinawa, Japan
– Route 66, United States
– Traverse City, Michigan
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Birmingham’s culinary reputation continues to grow, with more than 60 James Beard Award winners and nominees, 11 MICHELIN recognized restaurants and national coverage from AFAR, The New York Times, Southern Living and Food & Wine. This recognition follows the success of the 2025 Southbound Food Festival, recently named the No. 3 Best New Festival in the U.S. by USA Today.
For a guide to dining in Greater Birmingham, visit the GBCVB’s Guides page HERE.
Read the full, official announcement from Eater HERE.
