It’s March. Can you believe that we’re already 3 months into 2021? I cannot. One thing I’ve always loved about March is that it means warmer weather is coming. However, I a few years ago I discovered that March is also Women’s History Month. No more winter, warm weather, and Women’s History Month all in one – I don’t think it gets better than that!

 

Women’s History Month is dedicated to highlighting and celebrating women’s contributions to history and society. In honor of all of the fabulous women who have come before us, and who will come after us, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of these awesome women in Birmingham.

 

Here is a list of 13 Female Owned Restaurants in Birmingham that You Must Visit

(in no particular order)

 

Ashley Mac’s

Various locations in Homewood, Cahaba Heights, Downtown, Hoover

 

Ashley McMakin, Founder of Ashley Macs. Photo from Style Blueprint

 

Ashley Mac’s offers café dining, catering, and to-go options. They have a wide variety of delicious options for everyone. Their frozen to-go meals are perfect for a busy family who wants to eat healthy. Ashely Mac’s baby blue salad and poppyseed chicken are a personal favorite.

 

 

photo from Ashley Macs Instagram

 

 

Blueroot

2822A Petticoat Ln

Mountain Brook, AL 35223

 

 

Jennifer Ryan, Owner of Blueroot. Photo from Village Living

 

 

Located in the heart of Mountain Brook Village, Blue Root offers delicious and healthy meals from oats, granola, breakfast, salads, bowls, soups, and sides. Their meals are loaded with a number of flavorful ingredients. They are allergy conscious, making this the perfect healthy place for those with any dairy, gluten, or vegan intolerances. After dining in or grabbing to-go, make sure to check out their sweet treats or desserts.

 

photo from the Blueroot Instagram

 

 

The Essential

2018 Morris Ave

Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Kristen Farmer Hall, Co-Owner of The Essential. Photo from Style Blueprint

 

The Essential should be your new go-to restaurant. It offers a wonderful menu filled with lunch and dinner options that will leave you full and satisfied. The menu has something for everyone, whether you’re craving a salad, sandwich, pasta, or burger – they have it all  In addition, they offer a wide variety of cocktails to add to your meal. On the weekend, they offer a delicious brunch consisting of all your favorites, but even better.

 

photo from The Essential Instagram

 

 

Chocolatá

1927 2nd Avenue North
​Birmingham, Alabama 35203

 

Kathy D’Agostino, Owner of Chocolata. Photo from Style Blueprint

 

 

If you love chocolate, this will quickly become your new favorite place. Chocolates are especially blended for their unique flavor pairing, using carefully handcrafted recipes. Head on over to Chocolatá for some of the best Chocolate you’ve ever had – you won’t regret it.

 

photo from Chocolata Instagram

 

 

Daughter’s Baking

(PICKUP BY APPOINTMENT)

195 Vulcan Road

Homewood, AL 35209

 

Mallory Webb, Founder of Daughters Baking. Photo from Style Blueprint

 

While they do not have a storefront, yet Daughter’s Baking should still be at the top of your dessert list. Daughter’s is known for their beautiful, flavorful naked cakes. They also offer cookies, crumbs, and crunches. If you have any type of celebration coming up, or if you just want to treat yourself to a delicious cake, go ahead and place an order with Daughter’s Baking.

 

photo from Daughters Baking Instagram

 

 

Urban Cookhouse and Farm Bowl & Juice Co

1920 29th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35209

 

Andrea Snyder, Founder of Urban Cookhouse & Farm Bowl & Juice Co

 

While very different establishments, these two are owned by the same woman. Urban Cookhouse offers customers with delicious lunch and dinner meals. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu, and their warm orange rolls are mouthwatering delicious. Farm Bowl is an acai place, located next to the Homewood Urban Cookhouse Location. Farm Bowl partners with local farmers in Alabama to bring fresh, locally sourced ingredients to their bowls, smoothies, and juices. You cannot go wrong with either one of these places for an afternoon lunch.

 

photo from Farm Bowl + Juice Co Instagram

 

 

 

Bitty’s Living Kitchen

 

Kimberly McNair Brock, Owner & Chef of Bitty’s Living Kitchen

 

Bitty’s Living Kitchen is the perfect place for healthy and delicious. They offer a variety of juices for your next juice cleanse or fast. It does not get much better than Bitty’s Fresh Pressed Juices to start your day.

 

photo from Bitty’s Living Kitchen Instagram

 

 

Magic City Nutrition

2201 2nd Ave S, suite 104
Birmingham, AL 35233

 

Faith & Britni, Owners of Magic City Nutrition

 

Magic City Nutrition is the place to go for a healthy drink. They offer a wide variety of teas and shakes for all your needs. Their shakes are only 200 calories and are full of proteins. You can order ahead, so your drink will be ready by the time you get there. If you love tea or a good shake, but don’t want the calories that come with them, Magic City Nutrition is the place for you.

 

photo from Magic City Nutrition Instagram

 

 

Highlands Bar and Grill

2011 Eleventh Avenue South
Birmingham,  AL  35205

 

Pardis Stitt, Co-Owner of Highlands Bar & Grill

 

Highland’s Bar and Grill, while temporarily closed because of COVID, is a place you must go before leaving Birmingham. Highland Br and Grill’s cuisine is rooted in French technique and provides customers with a daily changing menu. Highlands is one of the top restaurants in Birmingham, and it has received national recognition. It was named a finalist in the James Beard Foundation Award for Most Outstanding Restaurant in America 9 years straight, before winning it in its 10th nomination year. If that alone is not enough to persuade you, their pastry chef also won Most Outstanding Pastry Chef.

 

photo from Highlands Bar & Grill Instagram

 

 

Satterfield’s Restaurant

3161 Cahaba Heights Road
Birmingham, AL 35243

 

Becky Satterfield, Owner of Satterfield’s. Photo from Satterfield website

 

Located in the heart of Cahaba Heights, Satterfield’s is one of Birmingham’s finest culinary destinations. Satterfield’s offers customers a relaxed fine dining experience. They pride themselves on their fresh ingredients, and while their menu changes daily, customers can expect a wonderful blend of cuisines in every bite.

 

photo from Satterfields Instagram

 

 

Crestline Bagel Company

Locations in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village, Cahaba Heights, and Downtown

 

Jennifer Yarbrough, Co-owner of Crestline Bagel. Photo from Style Blueprint

 

Crestline Bagel Company has been serving the community of Birmingham for over 20 years. Crestline is the perfect spot for pre-work breakfast. They offer an array of different bagels, made daily. As a sucker for Bacon, Egg, & Cheese bagels, I can say this is an easy favorite place. Crestline’s menu extends past bagels as they offer wraps, sandwiches, salads, panini, or pizza bagels. You can’t go wrong ordering from here.

 

photo from Crestline Bagel Instagram

 

 

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn

5831 1st Ave. North Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35212

 

Tanesha Sims-Summers, Founder & CEO of NBN Kettle Corn

 

 

I don’t know about you but popcorn is one of my greatest weaknesses. I’m a huge movie lover, and a movie complete without a bowl of popcorn in hand. In recent years I’ve grown to appreciate kettle corn more than the butter covered popcorn at movie theaters. Naught but Nice Kettle Corn satisfies every popcorn craving you can imagine. 10/10 would recommend their salty & sweet kettle corn. However, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous try their green apple pie or strawberry flavors. Either way, I can promise you that you will not regretting stopping by.

 

 

photo from Costarters

 

Automatic Seafood & Oysters

2824 5th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233

 

Suzanne Humphries Evans, Co-Founder of Automatic Seafood. Photo from Bham Now

 

 

Here’s another James Beard nominated restaurant – a 2020 finalist for best new restaurant in the U.S. While relatively new to Birmingham, Automatic Seafood has amassed quite the reputation for its flavorful food, ambiance, and service. If you’re a seafood fan, this should be the first place you visit. I highly recommend their fish collar appetizer. It’s arguably my favorite thing I’ve eaten…ever. They are booked most of the time, so schedule ahead of time and reserve online. Automatic Seafood & Oysters reputation precedes them, and I cannot recommend this one enough.

 

 

Photo from the Automatic Instagram

 

 

Forge celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 with a virtual panel of 3 local female business leaders- you can view the recording of that event on our YouTube channel! If you’ve been working from home and find yourself  struggling to be productive, consider coming in for a free day at Forge. With unlimited coffee and super fast wifi, you can be the most productive version of yourself in our workspace! Schedule a tour of Forge today.