Birmingham has a couple of fantastic barbecue joints; for something a little more upmarket, the best bet is to ignore downtown in favor of Five Points South .
Bottega 2240 Highland Ave S tel 205/933-2001. Elegant 1920s clothing store that now houses one of Five Points South's classiest restaurants, serving luscious, garlic-rich Mediterranean cuisine; prices are slightly lower in the adjoining Caf . Closed Sun.
Dreamland Barbecue 14th Ave S tel 205/933-2133. Superlative barbecue in huge, cheery restaurant. Place your order for a big plate of ribs with white sliced bread and sauce the only dish on the menu and watch as they barbecue in front of your eyes.
The Mill 1035 20th St S tel 205/939-3001. Bakery, brewery and general snackery, with outdoor patio, in Five Points South. Ideal for morning coffees and inexpensive lunches.
Ollie's Barbecue 515 University Blvd tel 205/324-9485. Wonderful smoky pork in a peppery sauce; unusually for this part of the country, there's beef and chicken too. Mon 10am3pm, TuesSat until 8pm.