THE ORIGIN STORY
The Essential is a bright and cozy neighborhood bistro located downtown, open for lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. It all began when chef and owner Victor King moved to Birmingham almost 20 years ago, cooking in classic spots like Highlands Bar & Grill. In 2015, he decided to make a change: he opened his first restaurant, with The Essential following a few short years later. What started on the cobblestone streets of Morris Avenue has since moved over a street or two (2215 First Avenue N., Birmingham).
NOT JUST A RENOVATION—A REIMAGINATION
Whether you’ve been a dozen times since it opened in 2018 or you’ve never experienced it for yourself, this Birmingham bistro is worth checking out. In October of 2025, they renovated the restaurant, and it now feels like a whole new space. “On all fronts, the space we gained has paid off,” shares Luke Gosset, Front of House Manager.
While one of the primary aims of the remodel was to gain more space within the restaurant, they also used it as an opportunity to transform the aesthetic. They added new wood paneling, intimate booths, gold sconces, fun wallpaper, and an art gallery wall. Also, the bar is now located on the right when you walk in, which makes for a fun separate space for the “Paul & Tina’s” bar area. Its artsy nature adds a hint of whimsy in the air, and the large windows let in lots of natural light. All in all, you’ll feel right at home. In fact, their website claims: “Like home—if home made its own pasta and poured you a perfect cocktail.”
KID-FRIENDLY
You know what most homes have lots of? Kids. And comfy clothes. One of my favorite things about The Essential is that it can be dressed up or down. It can be a fun outing without feeling super formal. The food is high-quality and they have a variety of unique options that are absolutely worth trying. (I also love when you can enjoy a nice meal without breaking the bank.) Plus, it’s kid friendly… Whether you’re going for Sunday brunch or for a weeknight dinner so Mom doesn’t have to cook, there are booster seats and a diaper changing station in the bathroom.
SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF THEIR FROM-SCRATCH MENU
Everything is homemade—and trust me, you really can tell the difference. Their scratch-made dishes and house-made pasta are fresh and light, and their natural wines and curated cocktails pair well with it all.
I have a confession: Normally, I feel like appetizers aren’t always worth it. I’d rather just skip straight to the main course. At The Essential, though, you simply must get the Mushroom Toast. Set atop sourdough, the mushrooms are marinated in a mushroom butter sauce that makes them soft and flavorful. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, this dish will turn you into one. The Aracini is also fabulous and super unique. I’d never had this crunchy ball of fried cheesy rice before visiting The Essential, but the tangy sauce it comes with perfectly complements the creamy, savory goodness inside. Not to mention the freshly grated parmesan cheese on top… yum!
NEW MARTINI MENU
If you’re looking for a fun drink to try, be sure to check out their drinks menu. Their new expanded martini menu guides guests through a series of prompts to design their ideal martini, starting with a choice of vodka or gin, followed by olive brine or vermouth, and a preferred garnish. They also have fun cocktails with names like “Garden Party,” “Rhapsody in Rouge,” “The Lipstick Stain,” and more.
ALL-AMERICAN MEANS FOOD FOR ALL?
As for the entreés… you can’t go wrong. One of the perks of American food is that you have something for everyone… Whether you’re a classic burger lover, a seafood connoisseur, or a pasta enthusiast, they have something for you that you’ll love. The open kitchen concept invites onlookers to peek in and see what’s cooking.
The Agnolotti pasta is simply a must, though. A purse pasta filled with herbed ricotta and goat cheese, it’s coated in a brown butter, hazelnuts, preserved lemons, and radicchio. While the flavors are rich, the pasta is so fresh that it isn’t heavy on your stomach. As for seafood, the Texas Redfish is grilled and laid on a bed of carrots, large new potatoes, and a cafe de paris aioli that will make you want to lick the plate.
The menu changes seasonally, based on produce found by local farmers, so be on the lookout for new additions, like Gulf fish. Sometimes, the chef will come up with a completely new dish, other times it’s more of an evolution of a pre-existing dish. They have steak, salad, and smashburgers, too, so even picky eaters will find something they want.
SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT
As someone who studied abroad in Italy (in pastry school, no less), let me just say, their tiramisu is one of the best I’ve ever had… And I don’t say that lightly. The cheesecake is also a popular menu item, especially for gluten-free guests. This is no ordinary slice of cheesecake—the circular dish is cooked in individual pans and tastes deliciously dense. It’s made with rye flour, topped with red currents, and basks in a cherry liqueur. I was slightly skeptical, but once I tried it, I understood why people love it.
Okay, now that I’ve reminisced on why The Essential is so delicious—one of my favorite spots in Birmingham—I’m sure you, too, want to go. They’re open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday–Friday and 9 a.m.–2 p.m., then 5–9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visit their website essentialbham.com or call (205) 718-7612 to make your reservation now. And if you don’t feel like dining in, you can always order to go!
