One of the oldest suburbs of Birmingham, Vestavia Hills is known for its stunning natural surroundings and beautiful homes. It’s a part of town that invites you to slow down and savor your day. It’s also home to many local restaurants, shops, and activities, making it the perfect place to spend a day or two.
Vestavia’s city limits rest just south of Birmingham and sprawl from Hoover in the West to its Liberty Park neighborhood east of the Magic City. This guide focuses on the heart of Vestavia Hills along Highway 31 as well as the Acton area between Highway 280 and I-459. You can visit our Cahaba Heights Guide to check out that lovely town, too!
Read on for a look at all Vestavia Hills has to offer, or use these links to skip straight to what you’re looking for:
EAT + DRINK
Vestavia Hills is full of delicious local eats. From established institutions that have been on the scene for decades to fun startups that have quickly become local favorites, consider this your ticket to eat your way around town. We’ve divided the eateries into breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and even some dessert!), but of course, there’s a ton of overlap. Many of these places are even great for all three!
Breakfast
- Alabama Biscuit just opened a new location on Rocky Ridge Road. Start your morning in Vestavia Hills with a Southern biscuit piled high with locally sourced ingredients.
- Heavenly Donut Co. is a divine way to start the day with its delicious donuts, kolaches, and coffee.
- O’Henry’s Coffee is a Birmingham staple, and the Acton location is a perfectly cozy spot for your morning cup.
- Rolls. Bakery is a must-try in Vestavia. Stop in for a famous cinnamon roll and grab a breakfast sandwich to fuel up for the day.
- Santos Coffee is a local favorite for fresh Guatemalan crop-to-cup coffee and a quick, delicious breakfast.
Lunch
- Baha Burger is convinced only the best, gourmet ingredients deserve to be called a burger. And the salmon, lamb, and Portobello mushroom burgers prove they’re just as deserving of the title as the classic beef varieties.
- Davenport’s Pizza Palace is a true Birmingham institution that has been serving up pizza for 60 years in the Magic City.
- IZ Café has been a staple in Vestavia since 1999. Stop by for sandwiches, soups, and salads, and grab one of the take-home dinners to give yourself a night off from cooking.
- Kool Korner Sandwiches grew quite a following in Atlanta before the Ramirez family moved the restaurant to Vestavia, where they serve up the same authentic Cuban soups and sandwiches they’ve been making since 1985.
- Mama Coco is a new cantina and grill right off Highway 31, serving Mexican cuisine and paying homage to Disney’s Coco.
- Napoli Italian Restaurant & Pizza Located just off Rocky Ridge Road, this eatery satisfies your Italian cravings with its gourmet pizza and pasta.
- Pappas’ Grill has been serving up authentic Greek food in Vestavia since 1992. The snapper and lamb are not to be missed.
- Samurai Japan is the place for sushi and hibachi in Vestavia Hills. Pull up a chair at the sushi bar or enjoy lunch out on the patio.
- Slice has quickly become one of Birmingham’s top pizza joints, and its Vestavia location has a rustic, comfortable vibe.
- The Standard is the spot for a burger and fries in Vestavia. This local joint grounds its beef fresh daily and offers hotdogs, gluten-free buns, and vegetarian options.
- Taco Mama is Birmingham’s favorite taco bar, and their location in the Vestavia Hills City Center opens up onto the green common space.
- Tazikis now has locations nationwide, but it started right here in Birmingham. The Vestavia Hills location is a convenient stop just off Highway 31 for some delicious Mediterranean fare.
Dinner + Drinks
- Bistro V offers the perfect ambiance for an evening out. You’ll find a refined yet varied menu with specialties like chicken scaloppini piccata, filet mignon, handmade crab cakes, and a lovely cocktail menu.
- Cajun Seafood House is a casual spot offering authentic Louisiana seafood, including po’boys, gumbo, and Cajun boiling pots, in addition to a full bar.
- Diplomat Deli is a sandwich haven that doubles as a beer and wine shop. Enjoy the patio when the weather’s nice, and head back for dinner for live music and seasonal patio parties.
- Grand Cantina Bar and Grill is located at the corner of Acton Road and Old Rocky Ridge Road, and it’s the place to go for margaritas and Mexican fare.
- Moes BBQ is the spot if you’re in the mood for some Alabama barbecue. There’s plenty of seating, a covered patio, and a full bar.
- Nori’s Thai and Sushi is known for its authentic Asian fusion cuisine, and its full-service bar makes for the perfect sushi night.
- The Palm and Pig is a new hotspot in Vestavia, offering casual Southern seafood, cocktails, and live music.
- The Ridge is the sister haunt of Mudtown in Cahaba Heights and has a similar yet distinct family-friendly vibe. It serves classic American pub fare any way you like, with drinks to match.
- Snapper Grabbers Land and Sea Market is the place in Vestavia for the freshest seafood, whether in the restaurant or the market. Enjoy a meal and wine pairing from one of Birmingham’s top seafood chefs as well as tips to prepare their market’s daily catches.
Anytime Eats
- American Kolache offers a variety of fresh kolaches, including options with a local spin, like JaWanda’s sweet potato pie kolache or Dreamland’s pulled pork kolache.
- City Bowls opened its first shop in Vestavia Hills and now serves up fresh smoothie bowls across the Magic City and beyond.
- Sunshine Creamery is a new ice cream shop off Rocky Ridge Road offering smoothies, shaved ice, and milkshakes in addition to ice cream selections.
SHOP
After you’ve fueled up, it’s time to go shopping. Vestavia Hills is a haven for one-of-a-kind finds with its local clothing boutiques and designer consignment shops. Vestavia also boasts specialty gift shops with everything you need for personalized gifts and event-planning essentials.
- Annabelle’s is a stationery and gift boutique specializing in wedding and event stationery and specialty gifts. It has been a Vestavia Hills institution for over 30 years.
- The Clotheshorse is well-known for its large selection of designer consignment items for women (as well as men and children at their sister store, The Barn), having been part of the Vestavia Hills community since 1992.
- The Clothes Tree by Deborah is an upscale boutique specializing in couture clothing for special events. Not only has it been a local fixture for over 50 years, but it has also been dressing Miss Alabama for over two decades.
- Darnell’s Fun Stuff has been the place in Vestavia Hills for personalized gifts and stationery for special occasions since 1988.
- Dear Emmaline brings you high-quality, classic children’s clothing. Whether you’re looking for special occasion items or everyday wear, Dear Emmaline’s pieces will quickly become your favorites.
- Deep South Outfitters specializes in all things fly fishing. From rods to kayaks and even instructional classes and guided trips, it brings the community together around a love of fishing.
- Leah’s is a spacious boutique at the corner of Cahaba River Road and Acton Road. For over 20 years, it has been bringing Vestavia Hills the best in designer women’s items.
- Mark’s Outdoors is more than a hunting and fishing shop; it’s an Alabama tradition of superior products and sportsmanship that has gained national acclaim as a top outdoor retail destination.
- Mia Moda Boutique offers Vestavia Hills trend-setting styles from brands like Dear John, Daydreamer, and French Connection.
- Monograms Plus brings you a curated selection of specialty and personalized gifts for any occasion. It has been a Vestavia Hills fixture for over 30 years.
- Steed’s Jewelers is a family-run jewelry shop specializing in custom designs and repairs.
EXPLORE
There’s also plenty to explore in Vestavia Hills, from picturesque parks to local fitness classes and unique things to do that you won’t find anywhere else in Birmingham.
Play
- Activate offers an active gaming experience, unlike anything you’ve played before. Work with your team to jump, climb, and move your way through a series of mind-boggling games and challenges.
- AMC Dine-In Theater is Alabama’s only dine-in movie theater by AMC, where you can have dinner and drinks served right to your seat as you enjoy the show.
- Board and Brush guides you through a fun, casual workshop that entails sanding, staining, and stenciling raw wood to transform it into a personalized work of art. Bring your crew and an adult beverage; they’ll supply the rest.
- Vestavia Bowl is a tried and true source of fun in Vestavia Hills. In addition to bowling lanes, it offers a hefty snack bar menu, including burgers, pizzas, and wraps in addition to a bar and lounge area.
Parks
- Altadena Valley Park is a new park addition currently being renovated from the former Altadena Valley Country Club golf course. The park offers a network of walking trails. Future plans include archery, a BMX track, disc golf, as well as a canoe launch on the Cahaba River.
- Boulder Canyon Trail is nestled behind the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, a beautiful venue in and of itself. The wooded trail offers gentle waterfalls and is a lovely respite from the city hustle and bustle.
- McCallum Park offers a lovely shaded trail around Little Shades Creek with picnic pavilions, a playground, and open green space to rest and play.
- The Temple of Sibyl is a monument resting atop the northern entrance to Vestavia Hills, greeting each passerby along Highway 31 and offering a lovely bird’s eye view of Shades Valley.
Workout
- Essential MVMT is a classical Pilates studio voted the best fitness studio in Vestavia Hills in 2023.
- Pure Fitness offers personal trainers and group classes to help you meet your fitness goals.
- Rinse and Refine Hot Yoga brings you Vestavia’s favorite hot yoga instructors for fun and challenging classes that turn up the heat.
Happy exploring!
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About the Author
Katie Leigh Matthews