Opened in 2004 and located in Mountain Brook, Olexa's provides patrons with everything you look for in a café: a relaxed atmosphere, a great staff, and, more importantly, great food. Sit among street lamps and facades of old building while dining on savory soups, generous salads, and yummy sandwiches. But, no trip to Olexa's is complete with a piece of cake. Finish your meal with their signature Chocolate Fudge Buttercreme Cake or Warm White Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding. Wedding and specialty cakes are also available. Check out their online interactive menu that is sure to have you running to Olexa's! - Terah Shelton

Set in the trendy Five Points neighborhood of Birmingham's Southside, Ocean has garnered many accolades since opening in 2002. This contemporary seafood restaurant features a large outdoor patio area, perfect for warm weather dining, complete with a bar. Their fresh seafood selection is unparalleled, with over 14 kinds of half shell oysters harvested from around the world, blue shell mussels, calamari, lobster, salmon, scallops, swordfish and more. The elegant yet relaxing atmosphere, delectable cuisine and outstanding service makes Ocean a Birmingham must-visit.

Unpretentious and dedicated to providing excellent scrumptious pizzas is Baker's Famous Pizza. Located at Shades Mountain Plaza, the eatery serves handmade pizzas and the service is warm, friendly and helpful. The menu is quite exhaustive with everything from specialty pizzas, pastas, sandwiches to wings, salads and desserts.

Sitar Indian Cuisine offers sensible ethnic Indian meals that are wholesome and enjoyable. The casual ambience, welcoming staff and delicious aroma of the food do not prepare the diner enough, for the onslaught of the flavors. Each morsel of the food is a burst of flavor that will be fondly remembered long after the meal. Revel in the taste of the crispy Pakora, the warm Mulligatawny Soup, the juicy Matar Panir or the succulent Lamb Rogan Josh. With ample options for the vegetarians, Sitar Indian Cuisine succeeds in pleasing all palates. If hard-pressed for choices, try the combination meals like the Non Vegetarian Thali or the Mixed Grill.

Making her way from humble beginnings, Ruth Fertel has managed to create a wonderful haven in the form of Ruth's Chris Steak House. The restaurant is a good place to try some steaks cooked in traditional recipes and spiced according to the diner's indications. The success story that it has become owes credit to the fine flavor and texture of the meat, combined with the splendid service that makes the experience well worth the high prices. The classic New York Strip, the various pastas and sandwiches all hold a special place in the hearts of the patrons. The steaks can be washed down with wine from the bar. Do not forget to try the tasty desserts that are equally famous too.

Bellinis Ristorante, a specialty Italian restaurant whips up delicacies for the hungry diner to satiate his appetite. The menu comprises of Chicken Picatta, Pizza Neapolitan, Crispy Eggplant Pasta and Bellinis Sliders. The favorites among the dishes are the Classic Italian salad, Chicken & Bowtie Pasta and the Bread Pudding. The ambience is casual and friendly, with a polite and professional staff. The tables outdoor are great for a fun meal in fresh air, though inside, the atmosphere is magical with soft lighting and elegant decor. Bellinis Ristorante is the ideal place for a relaxing meal at a leisurely pace.

Village Tavern is a diner's paradise with excellent meals ranging from steaks, salads, pastas and seafood. The wine list is also commendable. Best known for its excellent service, the restaurant is casual and simple with an easygoing charm that is infectious. Tuck into succulent pieces of Grilled Tilapia, Steak Au Poivre and Maryland-Style Crab Cake that transport the diner to gustatory paradise. A children's menu is also provided, selected while keeping in mind their likes and dislikes. The bar is a good place to sip some cool wine and delight in the comfort of the place.

The first thing that captures the diner's attention on entering Satterfield's Restaurant is the the low lighting, casual ambience and classy decor. An open kitchen is further intriguing as one can see the dishes being meticulously prepared by the chef. The most loved dishes on the menu are the grilled items, especially the Mixed Grill, for which the patrons continue to return. The charm lies in the hands of the grill-master who succeeds in preparing each dish to perfection. The wine list also woos for attention with quite a few good labels. The prices are reasonable, adding to the pleasant experience here.

With a daily changing menu of mouthwatering American fare and a great wine selection to complement it, Daniel George Restaurant is well equipped to offer you a wonderful meal. The freshest produce is made use of to craft lunch and dinner menus of scrumptious seafood and meats, and the dessert menu is worthy of mention, too. Should you be lucky enough to drop by on the right day, you could get to feast on preparations like stuffed hamburger steak, the oyster duo and sesame-coated ahi tuna. Confections like port wine poached pear and s'mores parfait end the meal perfectly.

Situated above Dram, the popular whiskey bar, Avo is a restaurant serving contemporary American fare. The fact that it is named after the Californian abbreviation of avocado is not the only green thing about this restaurant; there is every effort to incorporate sustainable items in the decor as well. The menus incorporate influences from many parts of the country, and you get to enjoy delicacies like Santa Maria steak frites, panko-crusted chicken, braised lamb shanks and more. The bar features wines and cocktails like the San Diego Margarita and Pacific Pearl.