Pizza Grace

With top-notch pizza joints in Birmingham, what sets Pizza Grace apart? After all, if you've tasted one pie, you've tasted them all. Hold on; not so fast!

As they say in real estate, success is all about "location, location, location." This pizzeria is in a downtown hotspot known as the Mercantile on Morris. The renovated brick building is home to condos, boutiques, and other restaurants like The Essential. The cobblestones of Morris Street add to the allure, connecting Birmingham's industrial past with the entrepreneurial spirit of Pizza Grace. 

Another reason to visit is Helene, Ryan, and Frank.

Ryan and Helene Westover are the brains and brawn behind Pizza Grace. The couple met at Poste Moderne Brasserie in Washington, D.C., and aside from getting married, they knew they had what it took to open their restaurant. Ryan was Food & Wine Magazine's "The People's Best New Pastry Chef", while Helene had high-level management training. Together, Ryan would lead the kitchen while Helene managed the front-of-house operations.  

If you're still not impressed, wait until you meet Frank! This all-important team member is Ryan and Helene's 20-year-old sourdough starter. The couple keeps "Frank" healthy and in tune because he is critical to creating healthy pizza dough and artisan bread. Combine "Frank" with hearty Amish flour and farm-fresh ingredients, and you have the 2023 James Beard Award semi-finalist for "Best New Restaurant." 

The pizzeria's location makes it easy to schedule sightseeing with a meal. For instance, after visiting Railroad Park or a Birmingham Barons Baseball Club, head to Pizza Grace to cap off the day. Both are within walking distance!

For all these reasons, add this up-and-coming restaurant to your Birmingham to-do list. You won't be disappointed!

Vibe

We've already hinted at the hip location of this eatery, so let's explore the interior. 

Warm lighting, polished concrete floors, and sleek wooden accents create a modern and cozy atmosphere. The open ceiling, industrial lights, and wood tables with steel chairs further connect diners to this once-vibrant warehouse. 

Glowing on an accent wall is the neon "Grace" sign. Like the sun, the yellow light warms, invites, and burns with the same intensity as Helene and Ryan's passion for food and hospitality.

The open kitchen connects guests with chefs who are eager to discuss their passion for cooking. They may even introduce you to "Frank!"

The vibe at Pizza Grace is inviting, enticing, and relaxing. Here,  hospitality, down-home warmth, and community reside under one Birmingham roof.

Pizza Grace: Menu & Drinks

With Chef Ryan's baking pedigree, you know the crust will be over the top. Adding to this deliciousness is that he and Helene often visit the farmers market at The Market at Pepper Place. Here, they connect with farmers and discover Alabama's bounty, which they will include in the next pie.  

All of which leads us to the menus. The lunch offerings are similar to dinner but come on a 10" pizza. With that in mind, a standout pie is the Veggie with pesto, provolone, Magic City mushrooms, garlic confit, kale, gremolata (parsley, lemon zest, and garlic), and bread crumbs. 

Meat lovers flock to the Pepperoni pizza. Atop the marinara sauce and provolone cheese are rows of cup-and-char pepperoni. This smaller cut of meat gets its name from cupping and the edges charring when cooked. The result is a crispy, soul-satisfying texture and flavor that will satisfy any appetite. 

Another favorite, the Margherita pizza, exemplifies a classic perfected through simplicity. The housemade marinara sauce, Crave Brothers mozzarella, EVOO, and fresh basil are atop the naturally leavened dough. The combination of the flavorful crust with the marinara, cheese, and sweetness of the basil is perfect after exploring Avondale Park. 

Order a draft beer or glass of wine to pair with your pie. You'll also find soft drinks and teas, ensuring something for everyone. 

When your Alabama vacation needs grace, whether it be a warm smile, a hospitable abode, or a shared meal with family or friends, add Pizza Grace to your itinerary.