Located near the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus and medical centre, The Purple Onion combines Mediterranean cuisine with American favorites to produce a menu served any time of the day, seven days a week. Come with family or friends whenever you are craving a satisfying meal; no matter the hour, Purple Onion's doors are open.

Located at the shopping and entertainment center Five Points South, New China Town restaurant serves a nice variety of Chinese dishes. The décor is fairly simple, featuring tables and booths arranged beneath paper lamps and Chinese artwork. The food is straightforward Chinese-American. The portions are decent and the service is good. On weekdays, the restaurant caters to the business crowd with lunch specials.

Located above The Burly Earl Bar near the university of Alabama at Birmingham and its medical center, La Cocina is one of the oldest and best Mexican restaurants in Birmingham. The décor is very simple with tables and booths along a large picture window facing Seventh Avenue, making it a good place to watch the crowd go by. The food is very tasty and comes in large portions. The service is excellent and the atmosphere is easygoing.

Located on 11th Court near Five Points South, Hot and Hot Fish Club offers an ever-changing menu of items made from local, organic produce and farm-raised meats. The menu changes daily, but the approach to cooking is consistent in its focus on freshness and variety. The award-winning wine list offers a complement to each dish. With the exposed brick walls decorated with modern art, this is an excellent spot for meetings and intimate gatherings. 

This popular bar and grill, located on 11th Avenue at Five Points South, offers Southern Continental cuisine in an upscale yet relaxed environment. The décor is that of an elegant bistro, with exposed brick walls and track lighting. The menu, though not extensive, offers an ever-changing list of interesting entrées featuring venison, quail, beef, pork and seafood prepared in a Continental style. Have a drink at the bar before your meal; the bar opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Located downtown near the University of Alabama-Birmingham and its medical center, the Fish Market is the cheapest and possibly the best seafood restaurant in Birmingham. The owners are from Greece, so the self-service dining area is decorated with Greek photos and artwork. There is a small grocery area and of course, a fish market. The food is fresh, and the portions large. Be prepared for a crowd at any given time; this place is an unbeatable value and that's a well-known fact.

This popular rib joint originated in Tuscaloosa and became nationally famous before it opened this location in Southside near UAB and Five Points South. It's a typical barbecue restaurant, with simple tables and photos of football coaches and players on the walls. There are some side items on the menu, but you can't come here to eat and no order the Barbecue Pork Ribs. Dreamland lives up to its slogan, "Ain't nothin like 'em nowhere."

Located in the Pickwick Plaza at Five Points South, Cosmo's Pizza offers Italian and American cuisine. Pizzas and calzones are the house specialty, but the menu also offers  sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Chrome and neon detailing, covered outdoor seating, and large picture windows overlooking Magnolia Avenue make Cosmo's an ideal place for relaxed dining and people-watching.

Chez Fonfon is the city's French reference point nestled in the heart of Five Points South. Launched in 2000 by Chris Mancill, Frank Stitt and Pardis Stitt, it recreates the classic bistro experience that transports you to the sidewalks of Paris. The menu features specialties such as steak tartare, croque monsieur, duck confit, grilled sausages, chicken liver tartine and beef tongue. The list of libations sees an impressive selection of spirits and wine exclusively supplied from estates across Loire, Provence and Rhone. The decor is a thoughtful assemblage of gaslights, furniture and antiquities sourced from France, with an underlying back-story. Enjoy a game or two at the boule pitch in the courtyard.

Whether you're looking for a place to dine at lunch or a meal to satisfy a 3 a.m. craving on a Wednesday night, head to Al's Deli and Grill. Located near the UAB campus and medical centers, Al's serves American and Mediterranean food 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The portions are hearty and the service is quick. When the weather is warm, sit on the patio and enjoy the people-watching opportunities.