Treat
Yourself
Welcome to a place that celebrates what is great in you and helps you take it even further. Welcome to Birmingham.
Book a Campus TourAs a city divided into borough-like neighborhoods, Birmingham boasts an array of exceptional dining and shopping options, cementing its reputation as a true melting pot of the South.
Dining
To explore Birmingham's diverse culinary scene, visit the vibrant dining hubs of Downtown Homewood, or pop over to Mountain Brook to discover more upscale local favorites. Whether you're in the mood for Southern comfort food, international cuisines, or innovative fusion dishes, the city offers a plethora of choices to satisfy every palate.
Breakfast
Birmingham’s breakfast and brunch scene includes some of the best in the South. Just five minutes from Samford, Downtown Homewood itself houses an abundance of places to help you start the day off right: Big Bad Breakfast, Maple Street Biscuit Co., Dawn Patrol, and Hero Donuts all offer great dining options in the neighborhood. In Edgewood, there’s Frothy Monkey and Honest Coffee.
Just a neighborhood over in Mountain Brook, you’ll find Ladybird Tacos and Another Broken Egg Cafe, two amazing and filling options. Below is a curated list of options:
Lunch and Dinner
Birmingham offers a vibrant lunch and dining scene, catering to diverse tastes across its neighborhoods. In Homewood, The Little Donkey and SOHO Social are popular choices, offering lively atmospheres and flavorful dishes ranging from Mexican-inspired fare to Southern comfort food.
In Downtown Birmingham, Automatic Seafood impresses with its fresh seafood selections, while Bettola houses authentic Italian cuisine. Both are dressier options for nighttime meals. Nearby, El Barrio serves up delicious Latin American cuisine. Martin's BBQ in Cahaba Heights rounds out the scene with its renowned barbecue offerings, ensuring there's something delicious for everyone in Birmingham. And that’s not all—below are our quintessential options:
Hear from Sadie on her top Birmingham picks!
If I have a day to myself, I am taking a short drive through Mountain Brook to Church Street where my pre-ordered ham and cheese croissant is waiting for me at Crestline Bagel, and then I am walking across the street to Church Street Coffee & Books to get a coffee and read my book! As much as I love the Caf, there is nothing like a good lunch/dinner at Real & Rosemary in downtown Homewood!
Coffee & Sweet Treats
Birmingham offers a diverse coffee scene, with spots like June Coffee in downtown and Seeds Coffee Co in Homewood. Seeds Coffee Co is a favorite among Samford University students, known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious breakfast options alongside exceptional coffee. Honest Coffee and Dawn Patrol Coffee are also popular for their specialty brews, espresso drinks, and central locations to other restaurants and shops.
Birmingham offers a sweet array of dessert options. In Mountain Brook, Sons Donuts + Pops is known for exciting flavors crafted from quality ingredients. Locally, Cookie Fix is celebrated for its freshly baked cookies, and Mountain Brook Creamery offers homemade ice creams.
Where to Shop
Birmingham offers an excellent shopping experience for Samford visitors. The city boasts a variety of stores catering to diverse tastes, from trendy boutiques in quainter areas to popular brands in bustling ones, ensuring there's something for everyone. Families can enjoy exploring specialty shops and spending quality time together in Birmingham's inviting atmosphere.
Shops at the Summit
The Summit near Cahaba Heights is just a 10-minute drive from Samford and offers a diverse array of stores, from high-end retailers like Apple and Anthropologie to popular brands such as Madewell, Lululemon, and Free People. Visitors can also find specialty stores like Trader Joe's and Mountain High Outfitters, providing all family members with a great shopping experience.
Downtown Homewood
Downtown Homewood features a diverse array of boutiques and specialty shops, including Pebblehurst Golf Shop and At Home Furnishings. Keep walking and you’ll hit Alabama Goods, Fab’rik, and Homewood Toy & Hobby for unique gifts and toys. Visitors to Samford University can enjoy exploring these distinctive stores, all within a charming and inviting neighborhood setting.
Mountain Brook
Mountain Brook offers a sophisticated shopping experience, known for its upscale boutiques and exclusive offerings. Ex Voto is a standout, renowned for its elegant jewelry and luxury gifts. Other notable boutiques include Lé Weekend, offering designer fashion and accessories, Bromberg's for fine jewelry and gifts, and Mountain Brook Sporting Goods for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pepper Place
The Shops at Pepper Place in Birmingham offer a vibrant blend of artisanal shops open every day, as well as a bustling Saturday morning market. Pepper Place houses unique stores like Design Supply, offering stylish home decor, and FarmStand by Stone Hollow Farmstead, where you can find locally sourced goods and gourmet provisions. Additionally, Yellowhammer Print Shop, an in-house screen printing shop, sells unique Birmingham merchandise, adding to the artisanal quality of Pepper Place. This eclectic mix ensures a delightful shopping experience for visitors to Samford and a peek into the culture of Birmingham.
No time to explore?
Visiting a new school can be jam-packed with meetings and tours, and we want every Samford visitor to get a well-rounded experience and enjoy their visit as much as possible while here. If you run out of time to visit the wonderful city Samford calls home, we have plenty of on-campus dining and shopping options for you. Visit the Samford Bookstore, located in the lower University Center, to get your Samford merch and books, or grab a bite at one of our restaurants.
Samford DiningCome Visit Us!
We’re proud to call Birmingham our home, and we’d love to show you more of its culture through our school. Book a Samford tour today!