The Essential

The Essential is in the Mercantile on Morris downtown, a renovated area with shops, apartments, and eateries. The area is part of the Founders Station development, and the restaurant occupies what was once Birmingham's first drive-through bank.

Kristen Hall, a self-taught baker, and Victor King, a seasoned chef, founded The Essential in 2018. The dynamic duo behind Feast & Forest envisioned it as a neighborhood cafe offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

The menu is often called "new American," which blends comfort foods with high-quality, local ingredients. The cuisine also shows Roman and Southern influences, featuring handmade pasta, inventive vegetable dishes, and creative desserts.

Some customer favorites include seafood dishes, signature "Big Mac Style" cheeseburgers, and five-grain salads. 

Best of all, its location makes it the ideal choice after exploring the Civil Rights District. Kelly Ingram Park, 16th St. Baptist Church, and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute are a few blocks away, making the trek even walkable. 

Additionally, the eatery caters to various preferences, offering vegan and vegetarian options. Its lunch, dinner, and brunch menus appeal to different diners, making it an ideal addition to your Alabama getaway.

Vibe

The brick facade and renovated picture windows blend with the other buildings in Founders Station and Mercantile on Morris. The combined historic buildings and industrial elements blend with the modern touches, creating a chic, nostalgic vibe. 

 This theme continues indoors with contemporary designs meshing with the bank's former decor. Picture an off-white coffered ceiling, an accent wall with floral wallpaper, a terracotta tiled floor, modern tables, and dining nooks tucked here and there. 

The open kitchen offers a visual treat to diners and tantalizes them with the savory scent of food. 

The atmosphere is lively and stylish, appealing to a mix of clientele. While it feels upscale, it isn't pretentious.

For those who prefer the outdoors, alfresco dining on the front patio provides scenic views. 

The ambiance will elevate any vacation in Birmingham, making it a quintessential Southern experience with a modern twist.

The Essential: Menu & Drinks

The menu rotates with the seasons, but creative twists on comfort foods are at its heart. 

A case in point is the cheeseburger mentioned above. This "Big Mac Style" handheld is a crowd favorite with perfectly seasoned Bear Creek beef on a housemade sesame seed bun. Add the tangy Russian dressing, melted cheese, and crispy fries, and you will have a meal satisfying your heartiest appetite. 

The Casarecce Cacio e Pepe is a pasta lover's dream come true. The housemade casarecce pasta comes with miso butter, Zanzibar peppercorns, and pecorino cheese for a creamy, fiery treat. 

Other star standouts are the five-grain salad, ribeye steak, and seafood like the Shrimp and Crawfish "Louie" Roll. Even the pickiest of diners will find something they like!

The brunch menu is a smorgasbord of flavors and textures on the weekend. Options range from avocado toast, biscuits, and gravy to cheeseburger and five-grain salad. The selections will appeal to a wide range of palates. 

Drinks reflect as much attention to detail as the dishes. The Birds of Clarity cocktail features clarified milk punch with dark rum, Campari, amaretto, and fresh lime and pineapple for a beachy cocktail. 

Mocktails also shine here, with thoughtful combinations of herbs, citrus, and fresh ingredients, ensuring non-alcoholic offerings are just as creative and complex. Wine and beer options abound, guaranteeing a glass to toast a trip to the Birmingham Botanical Garden.

Adding The Essential to your Alabama itinerary is, well, essential. Its vibey, historic setting, tasty fare, and cold drinks make it the perfect spot to relax in Birmingham.