What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 9pm Tuesday 11am - 9pm Wednesday 11am - 9pm Thursday 11am - 9pm Friday 11am - 9pm Saturday 9am - 2pm 5pm - 9pm Sunday 9am - 2pm 5pm - 9pm

The Essential

Name: The Essential
Address: 2215 First Avenue N, Birmingham, AL, 35203, US
Telephone: +12057187612
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.7

An American Bistro
Lunch - Dinner - Weekend Brunch
Craft Cocktails - Natural Wine - Good Food
(517)

American bistro open all day with fresh pasta, craft cocktails, natural wines, a really good chicken, and weekend brunch.

06/03/2026

Paul & Tina’s • Durning one of our first meetings with about renovations at he said “tell me your craziest idea.” That idea, knocking down a wall and expanding into a previous bakery, became the new and improved bar- affectionately named Paul and Tina’s after Victor’s cats. Punchy green barstools flank the walnut bar. We wrapped the bar in , which added pattern, texture, and more color. We’re glad Victor wasn’t afraid of our “craziest idea.” 😉

📸:

05/29/2026

Tiny sunglasses. Cold spritz. Patio table & these Essential summertime menu updates:

• Caprese Salad — liuzi fior di latte, heirloom tomatoes from , wild ramp vinaigrette, basil oil
• Hummus + Pickles — chickpeas, Santa Cruz olive oil, sourdough & housemade pickles
• Agnolotti Pomodoro — herbed ricotta & goat cheese, sungold tomato sauce, saffron butter
• Casarecce — morels, broccoli, Shelburne aged cheddar & herbed breadcrumbs (your mom’s broccoli casserole with a glow up)

See you outside! ☀️😎

05/22/2026

For those of you staying in town this Memorial Day weekend, we have specials that are a little extra special just for you. Friday-Sunday only!

Rich tonnarelli (square spaghetti) tangled up with comté, spring morels & pink peppercorns.

Crispy golden potato terrine topped with bright sorrel cream, pickled cauliflower & oscietra caviar.

Creme caramel that’s silky and swimming in caramel with floral notes of vin jaune.

Even if the rain cancels your plans, we’ve got a seat for you.

05/21/2026

We’re bringing big backyard cookout energy this Memorial Day! 🍔🌭

There’s no better match than our burger with an Alabama Light for $15 and a housemade bratwurst loaded with sweet pepper relish, beer mustard, slaw, and tucked into a housemade bun ($15).

Your backyard wishes it looked like this.

Monday only!

05/14/2026

Bubbles flowing, duck roasting, oysters chilling.

Join Chef Victor King and Vom Boden for a wine dinner filled with whole duck au poivre, raw oysters, bratwurst, spring veggies & bubbles on the table all night long.

A little fancy. A little chaotic. Served family style. Exactly how we like it.

05/08/2026

We love your mom like you love your mom… with a full glass in hand!

Walk-ins welcome all weekend. Happy Mother’s Day!

04/29/2026

New pasta alert! 🚨🚨🚨

Fennel + grapefruit like you’ve never seen it before.

Fennel three ways with the twists & turns of our new Mafaldine ‘Al Pompelmo’. Alongside sweet favas, wilted greens, and bursts of oro blanco grapefruit.

Clean, citrusy, and just sharp enough to keep every bite feeling fresh.

04/25/2026

Cheeseburger-shaped dreams on repeat.

Two smashed dry-aged patties melted together with sharp American, a flood of Russian + dijonaise, piled high with shrettuce and pickles, all on a housemade bun next to a heap of fries. Dreamy indeed.

04/17/2026

A moment for the man behind the magic (and the pass) - it’s Chef Victor King’s birthday.

His joy and passion show up in every plate and every part of the restaurant! We’re lucky to be along for the ride.

Cheers to you, Chef. We love you.

04/10/2026

Weekend specials that feel a little too good to be true.

Limited runs, big flavors & once they’re gone, they’re gone.

- 10oz Bear Creek NY strip with sauce Diane, crispy fingerlings, wedge salad, ranch, crispy shallots, breadcrumbs, grape tomatoes, dill
- Scallop ceviche with shiso, cured strawberry, spring onion, lemon balm, sourdough tuile
- Lamb merguez meatballs, risotto with English peas, pea tendrils, turmeric-pickled spring onions

A steal honestly. Don’t think too long about it.

Address

2215 First Avenue N
Birmingham, AL
35203

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 9pm
Tuesday	11am - 9pm
Wednesday	11am - 9pm
Thursday	11am - 9pm
Friday	11am - 9pm
Saturday	9am - 2pm
	5pm - 9pm
Sunday	9am - 2pm
	5pm - 9pm

Telephone

+12057187612

Website

https://essentialbham.com/

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