The Essential
Review of The Essential
The Essential: A Trendy Contemporary American Cafe
The Essential is a trendy contemporary American cafe located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama. This popular restaurant offers a delightful dining experience with its diverse menu, specialty cocktails, and stylish ambiance. Whether you're looking for a casual lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a relaxing weekend brunch, The Essential has you covered.
The menu at The Essential is a true reflection of its "American bistro" concept. With a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, the chefs create innovative and flavorful dishes that cater to a variety of tastes. From classic favorites like avocado toast and salmon Benedict to unique creations like the Mushroom Madame, every item on the menu is thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented.
The Essential is not just about the food; it's also about the experience. The restaurant boasts a modern and inviting atmosphere, with stylish decor and comfortable seating. Whether you choose to dine indoors or enjoy the outdoor patio, you'll be surrounded by a vibrant and energetic ambiance that adds to the overall enjoyment of your meal.
One of the highlights of The Essential is its specialty cocktail menu. The talented mixologists craft a variety of creative and refreshing drinks that perfectly complement the flavors of the food. From handcrafted cocktails to carefully curated wine selections, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
The service at The Essential is top-notch, with friendly and attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a regular customer or a first-time visitor, you can expect exceptional service that will make you feel welcome and well taken care of.
The Essential is open for lunch and dinner throughout the week, and also offers a delightful weekend brunch. The restaurant is conveniently located on Morris Avenue, making it easily accessible for both locals and visitors alike.
If you're looking for a trendy and contemporary American cafe that offers delicious food, specialty cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere, look no further than The Essential. It's a must-visit destination for food lovers in Birmingham.
From the business
"American bistro"
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Michelle D. Stallworth
Everything I have tried is delicious!
rb S
The food was delicious! We love the cozy patio and you can browse some nearby shops if there is a wait. The weekend brunch is a must in Birmingham.
Parker Wilson
Had a great brunch here! The ham and egg breakfast sandwich is silly how good it is. Great vibes, lattes and service. We sat at the quartz bartop and enjoyed the entire experience. Highly recommend The Essential for the most essential meal of the day!
Lisa Marie
Couldn't love this place more! Was looking for brunch and this restaurant had such a cute atmosphere, great food, lovely Baristas! Highly recommend!!!
They also had cocktails but we had Expresso that morning. Small dining room, so imagine they get busy quick. They did have a small covered outdoor patio.
Claire Jackson
We are huge fans of this place! You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu — especially for brunch. The pop tart pastries are particularly wonderful!
Benjamin Lazarus
Location is great, cappuccinos are fantastic. If you want the usual food you imagine when you think of a brunch, maybe this isn't the place for you. BUT... If you have an adventurous palate and enjoy a good mimosa, 10/10 recommend!
Kayla Charniaux
Food was great. The peri peri chicken was the best. Large portions. Nice atmosphere in a historic part of Birmingham. Will be back!
Wayne Bullard
It was really good food but not going out of my way to go again due to paid parking and no place to plug in for WiFi as had to get some work done.
Austin Suter
New favorite restaurant in Birmingham. Everything is good, but the broccoli appetizer and burger were exceptional. Staff is great too
Aaron Gray
The homemade strawberry poptart is insane. Light, flaky, very sweet, with surprisingly complex flavor. Also, they have some of the best biscuits in town. Large, layered, soft and crisp. They come with an excellent apple butter style jam on the side. Fruity with a hint of cinnamon. They also serve a larger brunch menu on the weekends, which is worth checking out.