Southside/Glen Iris/5 Points

Birmingham's Southside is proud to be home to several James Beard Award winning chefs. If you are looking to go on a culinary adventure, you should start with one of Chef Frank Stitt's (Best Chef-Southeast 2001) restaurants including Chez Fonfon or Bottega. Chez Fonfon, located in 5 Points, is a french bistro, but is equally known for its Hamburger Fonfon. Bottega is described as the American south meets Italian countryside, and is situated just over in the Highland Park neighborhood.

Over in the Lakeview area, you will find two more James Beard award winning chefs. In the Pepper Place Entertainment District, Chef Chris Hastings (Best Chef-South 2012) brings true fine dining with Hot & Hot Fish Club, which has been a Birmingham favorite since 1994. Hasting's second restaurant, the more casual Ovenbird, is also located at Pepper Place, and has a focus on live fire and small plates.

Our newest award winning chef, Adam Evans (Best Chef, South 2022) brought Automatic Seafood and Oysters to Lakeview in 2019. Quickly becoming a favorite in town, Automatic is an ode to American coastlines and offers fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere.

Keeping with the fine dining genre in 5 Points, we must include Ocean, one of Birmingham's best since 2002, brought to us by Chef George Reis. Next door to Ocean is Reis' more casual 5 Point Public House Oyster Bar, which is a relaxed pub featuring over 30 craft beers and a wide selection of fresh oysters.

Southside has an abundant food scene, that includes much more than just fine dining. Grab an authentic Philly cheesesteak from T-Bone's, find delicious Mediterranean cuisine at Makarios, and start your day at Filter Coffee Parlor. Follow the smoke to Dreamland BBQ, get a rack of ribs and find out why "There ain't nothing like 'em, nowhere!"

There is no shortage of activities in the Southside area! The area has everything from frisbee golf courses at George Ward Park in Glen Iris to the Birmingham Festival Theater in 5 Points. 

The famous Vulcan Statue is also located in the 5 Points neighborhood, and below it is the Vulcan Walking Trail. 

Closer to UAB is the Alys Stephens Theater Center, which puts on regular plays and events. 

For a night out, 5 Points has several bars and restaurants in their Entertainment District on  20th Avenue such as Mellow Mushroom, Dave's Pub, Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine, the famous Chez Fonfon, and Marty's PM. 

With close proximity to the University of Alabama Birmingham's campus, the neighborhood's energy is electric and full of life. 

Currently having a renaissance, the Glen Iris and  5 Points neighborhoods are being revitalized and renovated to accommodate and bring interest to the influx of people interested in moving to Birmingham. 

The neighborhood has some of the best views of Downtown Birmingham in the city.