Located near the heart of downtown, Revelator is an aesthetically gifted hallmark among Birmingham cafes, offering warm earth tones against cool gray walls, chic furniture, vibrant plants, natural sunlight and amenities for a productive day. The quaint industrial decor serves as an accomplice to carefully crafted, rewardingly delicious coffee drinks made with gourmet beans roasted in-house, as well as tasty pastries and lighter bites.
Located in the Pepper Place neighborhood, The Red Cat serves home-roasted coffee, freshly baked goods, and breakfast fare (vegan options available) amid dreamy digs accented by large windows, colorful tapestries strung across clotheslines, exposed brick walls, and cute seating arrangements and bulletin boards littered with posters. TThe attention to detail that has gone into creating this beloved property with a delightful balance of charm and utility makes it an easy focal point for daytime meet-ups with colleagues, long-overdue coffee breaks, or one-on-one study sessions.
If you truly love and appreciate the art of Java, look no further than Seeds, a non-profit organization passionate about roasting the world’s best fair trade beans in-house. In addition, they have an expansive lounge area with bright bohemian vibes, large wooden tabletops, touches of greenery, and if you need some fresh air, a lovely outdoor terrace.
Nestled in the Five Points South neighborhood – a walkable neighborhood known for its award-winning James Beard restaurants, historically significant architecture, lively pubs, live music spots and proximity to the University of Alabama at Birmingham – Filter offers guests a multi-level space underscored by an abundance of seating, vibrant greenery, and accommodations for remote work. Alongside delicious signature drinks like Vanilla Cardamom and Lavender Blossom, the menu offers a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, frittatas, and breakfast sandwiches.
Just down the road from Avondale Park — which has a centuries-old rose garden, a duck pond, and an outdoor amphitheater used for concerts and festivals — Domestique treats galactic wanderers to a space-themed environment, complete with replica rockets, international orange tables, and chairs , futuristic lights, vintage pinball machines and a seemingly endless collection of board games. Even the home roasted coffee is out of this world, with that in mind they source sustainably grown beans and ensure a fair wage supply chain from production to distribution; And if you want to stroll further at the end of a busy day at work, relax with a fresh beer, a glass of good wine or a craft cocktail.
This latest addition to the ever-growing directory of Birmingham coffeeshops is a hidden gem, housed in a beautiful brick building on 25th Street near the freeway entrance. As you venture through the front door, a visually satisfying scene will unfold before you, adorned with a red brick clad front counter, wooden pallet walls, high exposed ceilings, a steady background hum of local creatives sharing ideas, and last but not least not least the enticing aroma of homemade coffee, carefully roasted in-house.
Whether you want to curl up in an armchair and enjoy the company of your loved ones over a stirring cup of coffee, or work peacefully amidst the familiar comfort of a reliable neighborhood meeting place, Innova has you covered.
Punch Love boasts an intimate common area where guests can mingle with friends while sipping delicious food seasonal coffee drinks like Pumpkin Spice Caramel Latte and Toasted Cinnamon and Date Brown Sugar Latte. This delightful little café is a complementary part of MAKEbhm, a trendy mixed-use development with artists’ studios, co-working spaces, creative classes and retail space.
A stroll past the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and through the front door of the Santos reveals a bright, contemporary setting with rustic touches, exposed brick walls and elegant tin ceiling tiles. The shop specializes in harvest-to-cup coffee sourced from Guatemalan farms and stocks a well-curated selection of delicious pastries, sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, beer and wine.
Located at the end of a modest mall on 22nd Street, this hidden gem is a laid-back hangout with plush furniture, art-adorned walls, and a Kelly Clarkson Show reputation. The staff cares a tempting selection of coffee drinks, breakfast and lunch dishes, beers, wines, cocktails and hookahs.
Considering they operate a few cafes in Birmingham and have been roasting in the area since 1993, you’ve probably already spotted an OHenry’s near you. The shops offer guests a reliable working and meeting atmosphere with tables to sit down and linger at. In addition to mochas, lattes and o’frappes, they have a selection of grab and go snacks.
If you enjoyed this guide to the best cafes in Birmingham, check out our list of the 10 best cafes in Huntsville!
I do not claim to own any of the images used in this article unless otherwise noted, they are sourced from each company’s Facebook page or Google account.