With a metropolitan population of nearly a million people, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama.
No need to pigeonhole Birmingham as serving only fried pies and barbecue. The city is home to “the Oscars of dining,” with James Beard Foundation award winners and nominees.
In recent years, Birmingham has become something of a culinary rock star, with an upspring of new bistros, delis, and chef-owned restaurants. The area’s dining scene is something to relish.
Because food is foremost in the minds of residents and visitors alike, the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a branding campaign designating Birmingham as “Dinner Table of the South.”
“This brand is a natural for us,” John Oros, CVB president and CEO, said. “When you talk to people in our region about our most enjoyable pastimes, dining invariably comes up as one of our best offerings.”
In this article, we tried to compile for you the best Italian restaurants in the “Dinner Table of the South: Birmingham”.
Methodology
We have taken as a basis the top 20 Italian restaurants in the 2 most popular websites, yelp and tripadvisor. We gathered the rankings of the restaurants on each website and divided them into two and got our score. If any restaurant is in the top 20 on one website but not on the other, we have accepted its ranking as 21 on this website.
Finally, we ranked the restaurants according to the points we achieved and put the top 20 restaurants here. What happens next is up to you. The top 10 of these 20 restaurants will change with your votes.
| Yelp | TripAdvisor. | |||
| 1 | 2 | Gianmarco’s Restaurant | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 | Amore Ristorante Italiano | 5 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 | Giuseppe’s Cafe | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | 6 | Bottega Restaurant | 10 | 2 |
| 5 | 7 | Bellini’s Ristorante & Bar | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 8.5 | Bettola | 8 | 9 |
| 7 | 10 | Trattoria Zaza | 12 | 8 |
| 8 | 11 | Le Fresca | 3 | 19 |
| 9 | 11 | Bocca | 6 | 16 |
| 10 | 11.5 | Carrabba’s Italian Grill | 13 | 10 |
| 11 | 12.5 | North Italia | 4 | N/A |
| 12 | 12.5 | Slice Stone Pizza & Brew | N/A | 4 |
| 13 | 13 | Post Office Pies | N/A | 5 |
| 14 | 15 | Joe’s Italian | 9 | N/A |
| 15 | 16 | DeVinci’s | 11 | N/A |
| 16 | 16 | The Filling Station | N/A | 11 |
| 17 | 16.5 | Area 41 Pizza Co | N/A | 12 |
| 18 | 17 | Ranelli’s Deli & Cafe | N/A | 13 |
| 19 | 17.5 | Olive Garden | N/A | 14 |
| 20 | 17.5 | Bongiorno | 14 | N/A |
1. Bocca
2312 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 201-5980
https://boccabirmingham.com/
2. Gianmarco`s Restaurant
After opening it's doors in February 2003, Gianmarco's has become a local favorite in the Birmingham community and the close-knit Homewood neighborhood it calls home. If what you crave is an authentic Italian meal, or selection of several hand-crafted daily specials ranging from grass-fed prime cut ribeyes, to fresh grouper with andouille gumbo, to braised veal ossobuco, Gianmarco's is the right choice. Gianmarco's is proud to be family owned and operated by Giovanni, Giani & Marco Respinto. This team of father and sons has been dedicated to the culinary arts for decades, with a passion that has spanned generations. Gianmarco's was opened with humble expectations and has become one of the most popular restaurants in Birmingham and even the state. Gianmarco`s Restaurant 721 BROADWAY STREET, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209 205.871.9622
3. Amore Ristorante Italiano
Amore Ristorante Italiano, has been a traditional family owned and operated business since 2005. They attract a varied clientele, including an extremely loyal following of regular patrons, Italian food aficionados and out of towners. They enjoy the ristorante’s signature dishes, including succulent veal scaloppini, lobster fra diavolo, their famous crab cakes and award winning meatballs. Meat favorites include a prime steaks, veal chops, pork chops, veal scaloppini, chicken, and delicious Italian sausage. Seafood choices are only the freshest catch available. This includes fresh gulf black grouper, shrimp, colossal lump crab meat, New Bedford scallops, lobster tails, mussels, and clams. What great Italian restaurant doesn’t offer a vast array of mouthwatering pasta dishes? Some of their more popular dishes include penne carbonara, penne alla vodka, lasagna and baked ziti. Their homemade ravioli choices are second to none, including crab, lobster, cheese, Bolognese, and sausage. Wine list is vast and sure to please even the most discriminating wine lover. Amore Ristorante Italiano
5510 HWY 280 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35404
(205) 437 - 1005
4. Giuseppe’s Cafe
Giuseppe's opened in 2002, located in the Gable Square district in the South Side of Birmingham. Just around the corner from the campus of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, the Hospital District, and the Civic Center, the restaurant is conveniently located near the heart of the city. Joe Williams, a Seattle native, has put down roots in the south and established a restaurant and staff that is the epitome of southern hospitality and community with delicious and large portioned Italian American plates. Try award winning, hand made pizza, or one of many popular pastas. Dining room is small, which helps maintain the feeling that you're with family. Most of their staff has been around since the beginning, and the regulars are family to them. If you're looking for a place with good food and family vibes, Guiseppe`s is for you.
Giuseppe's Cafe925 8th Street South Birmingham, Al, 35205 (205) 324-2626 https://www.giuseppescafe.com/
5. Bottega Restaurant
Bottega features flavors inspired by the wine bars and trattorias of Italy–from Venice to Palermo. The best aperitifs, wines, beers, cocktails, savory bites and sublime desserts are offered in a warm and sophisticated atmosphere. Italy inspires the cuisine, carefully crafted by linking ingredients from the American South with artisanal producers from the Italian countryside. The formal dining room first welcomed guests in 1988 in the historic Beaux-Arts building. Two years later, the Café opened in the adjoining space, with a menu built around pizzas and dishes cooked in a wood-burning oven. Bottega Restaurant2240 Highland Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205 205-939-1000 https://bottegarestaurant.com/
6. Bellini’s Ristorante & Bar
Great ideas often occur in the most comfortable of settings, and Bellini's is no exception. With that in mind, in 2008, after discussing ideas over a bottle (or 2) of wine, the concept of Bellinis was formed by Doug and Niki Hovanec. Come relax, enjoy your own glass of wine among friends, and see where your discussions take you. Bellinis is Birmingham’s only Italian Infused Steakhouse featuring the highest quality steaks hand-cut for perfection and grilled over our wood burning grill, house made pastas, veal, seafood, and classic Tuscan Italian dishes. Bellinis maintains an extensive wine selection and weekly dessert specials. Bellinis, 6801 Cahaba Valley Rd, Birmingham, AL, 35242(205) 981-5380 info@Ourbellinis.Comhttps://www.ourbellinis.com/
7. Bettola
8. Trattoria ZAZA
9. Lé Fresca
10. Carrabba’s Italian Grill
ABOUT CARRABBA'S
Carrabba's Italian Grill was founded in Houston, TX by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola in December of 1986, who set out to create a restaurant experience where people felt like guests in their home. Both Johnny and Damian belong to one of Houston's most successful restaurant families, and many of the recipes on our menu are those of Damian's mother Grace and sister Rose. Damian travels the world in search of the best ingredients and most unique Italian dishes so Carrabba's food tastes authentic and delicious.
CUISINE
Carrabba's is best known for its wood-burning grill, inspired by the many tastes of Italy. Signature dishes like Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria and, of course, Marsala are enhanced by the taste of the grill. Other house specialties include Signature Pastas, with sauces made from scratch every day and Cucina Casuale, casual done the Italian way featuring delicious dishes, starting at just $10. Traditional dishes such as Calamari, Margherita Pizza and Chicken Parmesan share the spotlight. Little ones ten and under will enjoy the "Bambini Menu" and pizza dough is offered to keep young customers entertained. Menu items are also available for those who manage their gluten intake.
AMBIANCE
Carrabba's warm and welcoming atmosphere offers several distinct experiences for customers – from the intimate Family Table in the main dining room, where families and friends can share quality food and time, making dinnertime more memorable, to the Kitchen Counter in the midst of the energy of an authentic Italian kitchen where something is always on the stove and customers can taste what Carrabba's Chefs are cooking. Those customers seeking a more intimate experience can also enjoy dining at the bar.
WINE & SPIRITS
A moderately-priced wine list featuring Italian and California vintages, a full bar, and a premium selection of domestic and imported beers are available. Seasonal cocktail specialties such as peach, red, white and blackberry sangria are the perfect complement for Carrabba's flavorful dishes.
AMICI CLUB
Amici Club members are the first to learn about new menu specials, receive exclusive offers and invitation-only access to events such as Wine Tastings, Proprietor Dinners and Cooking Demonstrations. Membership is free by signing up here.
AMENITIES & SERVICES
Carside Carry-Out, Call-Ahead Seating, Handicap Accessible, Gluten-Free Menu
CATERING
Catering available for delivery or carry-out. Private Dining is also available.
AVERAGE RESTAURANT SPECS
6,300 square feet including dining room and bar seating 230 guests. Patio areas available in some locations.
4503 Riverview PkwyBirmingham, AL 35242
https://locations.carrabbas.com/alabama/birmingham/4503-riverview-pkwy
