Epice - Birmingham

Always a pleasure coming back to Epice for lunch. The atmosphere is welcoming with a stylish design and a team that truly takes care of you. It’s the perfect spot for a bite and good conversation. The food was once again delicious, and the ginger-based non-alcoholic cocktail was a standout. Highly recommend!

Went for lunch and enjoyed the upscale vibe and delectable shawarma, head and shoulders above other Mediterranean cuisine in the area. The marinade has a briny bite, the pita soft with a subtle taste of cinnamon and cardamom. Not astronomically expensive, just off the Rotary trail, easy to get a table for lunch. Will be back for dinner soon.

Fantastic food & great staff! The grape leaves, entrees, and desserts were amazing!

Came here because it was near the BJCC and we were going to a play. Did not disappoint! Staff are friendly, food was delicious - I had the sirloin sandwich and my mom had the lamb sandwich and we had the hummus with veggies as a starter. I don’t know what salad dressing they use but I wish they sold it! 10/10 lunch

My office is nearby so I have watched this building be transformed for the last 2 years and was so excited when we saw a restaurant would be one of the new tenants. So my wife and I decided to go here last night for our anniversary dinner. It was amazing! Nothing else like this in Bham. They atmosphere felt very metropolitan as though we were in Soho or Chelsea in NYC. Our server, Austin, was so attentive and knowledgeable. The manager, hearing it was our anniversary, moved us to a romantic corner nook and sent us a celebratory coupe of cava on the house! Epice is French for spice and that is a very appropriate name. Everything we ordered was a flavor explosion on our palettes, from the arnabeet cauliflower appetizer, to the fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks, to the buttery chocolate torte. And such a facsinating wine list, including about 8-10 Lebanese wine offerings, which i had to try and was not disappointed! We could not have enjoyed a more perfect anniversary evening. Thank you, Epice! Encourage everyone in the Ham who loves to be transported to far-off lands and distant cities to give Epice a try. We will be back!

Wonderful gem of a restaurant with a great vibe. Everything was amazing.

Top notch new Mediterranean restaurant in central downtown Birmingham area. Diamond in the rough, friendly owner met him twice, delicious and beautiful food, very date-friendly ambiance. Plan to return this week, can I give 6stars?

I will never get enough of this place! The ambiance the food the people the everything! I have been so lucky to have Austin as my server each time! Cheers to bham for being so lucky for this space 👏👏👏👏

A gem! The food was fantastic and Grace, our server, was outstanding. Edit: We enjoyed another dinner here with Taylor as our server. Highlighting the ambience here, because you can have a conversation with your tablemates without straining to hear. This was a special dinner for a retiring colleague and this was the perfect venue.

Great upscale Lebanese food. The service was friendly and we all enjoyed our meals. The sayadeya was excellent. Get the knefah for dessert!

A hidden gem of Birmingham! The food and service is phenomenal. Our server, Grace was helpful and attentive. The food inspires you to order double. Highly recommend, we will be coming back!

We had a wonderful night at Epice for our annual friends Christmas dinner. Service was great, food was fabulous. Falafel was some of the best I’ve ever had. Easy parking too which is always a plus. Thanks!

From the moment we walked in the door we were impressed by the atmosphere. The decor and the staff were top notch. The food could not have been better. We followed our sweet and attentive servers recommendations and had a wonderful meal- every bite was an experience worth full attention. We had a lovely chat with the owner Frank, and every staff member we interacted with was helpful and engaging. One of the best date nights we have had, we are looking forward to going back. Oh, and try the rice pudding.

Love this place! I’ve been several times for dinner and lunch. I’ve never had anything I didn’t like. Matt was our server this last time and he was great. We’ll definitely be back!

Epice is an absolute gem in Birmingham. From the first bite to the last, everything was unforgettable. We shared grape leaves, arnabeet, and the silkiest hummus, then dove into a fall-off-the-bone lamb shank and perfectly spiced za’atar roasted chicken. Each dish was vibrant, balanced, and deeply flavorful. Beyond the food, the atmosphere was immaculate—stylish yet inviting, with a warmth that made the evening feel special. Top notch dining in Birmingham.

Beautiful atmosphere with great food. Great service with attention to detail. We do not have enough places like this in Birmingham.

I had a lovely dinner with friends at Epice tonight! The food was delicious and our server, Taylor, was the best! Definitely will be back.

Everything about this place gets 5 stars, more if I had the option. Everyone there was nothing short of hospitable and kind, the food was excellent with the grape leaves being on point same with the entrees. For dessert the orange blossom rice pudding option was to die for, light and airy but delicious. Madison was the best, her service was remarkable and she anticipated our needs before we even knew we had one. Frank was a very sweet man as well, his passion for what he does is clear and admirable. If you haven’t given a try yet, the only concern to have is that you won’t want to leave :)

All good. Quiet, tasteful dining room. Varied menu of Lebanese favorites. Salmon and Baramundi are odd fish for a Mediterranean menu, but well prepared and tasty. It's a home run in my book. A civilized experience. Nice, accessible wine list, attentive and knowledgeable staff. The menu is varied enough that I'd happily eat here weekly. The closest comparison I have is the late, lamented, DoDiYos.

We enjoyed the atmosphere and the food! Service is top notch. There was a problem with a part of my meal which we communicated to the server after we were done eating. We were approached by three different members of the staff who apologized, offered to remake the dish (to eat at the restaurant or to go), offered us free deserts and took the entire meal off the check. We enjoyed the food but the service alone is what is going to make us come back!

Why are more people not talking about this place!?! The food is amazing with creative authentic Lebanese flavors and well crafted cocktails. The design of the restaurant is beautiful and refined and very comfortable. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely continue to go back until I have had everything on the menu!

Absolutely the best meal I had in Birmingham. Flavorful food, beautiful presentation, perfect portions sizes. The hummus, tabouli, shawarma, falafel… fresh and delicious!

The food was absolutely delicious. I had the shawarma for lunch, and it was full of flavor and perfectly cooked. The restaurant itself is beautiful with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The cocktails were excellent, and the wine list was even better, featuring selections sourced straight from Lebanon. It added a unique and authentic touch. This spot is a gem, and I will definitely be back to try more from the menu. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.

DELICIOUS, FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL Dining Experience for my first time visit… and most definitely not my last! TAYLOR, OUR WAITER, was PHENOMENAL! He absolutely is so Knowledgeable and so Helpful and he truly made the evening so special and memorable! He recommended a most delicious wine by the glass and was so kind to bring a small tasting of 3 different ones… TAYLOR’S SUGGESTION was SPOT ON! Massaya Colombier was an outstanding selection to go with our Hummos Beyrouti (another TAYLOR SUGGESTION that was absolutely AMAZING!) We also loved the Grape Leaves, the Kibbeh and the delicious salad with lemon vinaigrette! The Sayadeya (Baramundi fish… think delicious Sea Bass if you will) was our entree, and oh my goodness, even with both of us sharing it, we still had leftovers! It was another TAYLOR FANTASTIC SUGGESTION! We had to have the delicious dessert that TAYLOR SUGGESTED and, even though we were so wonderfully full, we ate every bite of Roz be-Haleeb(the most delicious rice pudding I have ever eaten!) I loved this restaurant so much and the OUTSTANDING SERVICE TAYLOR PROVIDED that I booked it for Valentine’s Day and have been promised TAYLOR’S WONDERFUL SERVICE! Thank You for all of your Excellence… to the extraordinary Chefs, Bartenders, Hostesses, the entire Team, and especially, TAYLOR!

We did not have reservations and were seated at the bar. It was comfortable and the bartender Nicole provided excellent service and information about the menu. Food was very good and authentic. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful. Even the drinks and wine choices were unique. The manager Frank even pitched in when it got busy making sure we had everything we needed and our water glass full. We will definitely go back!

Our first visit has been excellent. The atmosphere is on point; relaxed, beautiful, great beats. The food is excellent. Our waiter, Matt, had yummy recommendations: the falafel Ap —mmm. The Epice salad with fig vinaigrette, the Sayadeya and the Za’atar Chicken, and finally the rice pudding…so delish. Our crowd was international and refreshing. We are so glad to have Epice in Birmingham. We look forward to our next visit.

First time at EPICE. This is a well needed addition to the Birmingham food scene. It's also another plus to the improvements on 1st Ave South. Clean, new, free parking. Ambience is fantastic. Grace was our server and handled the entire evening with the right balance of attention. Grape leaves app was excellent. Food was not disappointing at all. You must try the Lebanese wines especially the Grenache that pairs perfectly with the rack of lamb. Overall Frank and his team hit the mark on this Saturday night. We will be back.

Had to come eat at this place twice in one month during our visit to Birmingham. The ambience of the restaurant is sophisticated and similar to those in NYC. All the food was absolutely delectable. The falafel were perfectly crispy. My husband enjoyed the skewers. Our waitress was excellent and had a lot of insight on the menu.

I celebrated my birthday at Epice for dinner. I enjoyed everything, especially the hummus beyruti and the chicken kabobs. Our server was Matthew and he was very attentive and kind. I love the food and flavors and would Mr happy to enjoy again

Good dinner tonight at Epice. Food was tasty. Service personable and attentive. Atmosphere was great for a small group to talk. Not overly loud. Dessert was way sub par, speaking of the Baklava. Go there for the savory dinner!

Epice is a stylish spot with fresh, flavorful Lebanese dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. The menu is well-curated, and everything I’ve tried has been tasty and nicely presented. Wait times can be a bit slow, but the service itself is friendly and attentive. Overall, a solid choice for a unique dining experience in Birmingham.

Loved a lot about this new restaurant! The atmosphere is cool, the menu is not overwhelming, and the mains were delicious. I was not a big fan of the grape leaves; I've definitely had better. I wish they were more tart. The hummus was good, but I wouldn't get it without the sirloin. We got the fatoush salad, which was a good salad but didn't taste like a true fatoush. The mains come with basically the same thing too, so I wish we hadn't ordered it. The tawook was DELICIOUS, so tender, juicy, and flavorful. The mishwe was cooked to the perfect temperature, in my opinion, but it needed a bit more seasoning. The fries and sauces that come with the mains were sooo good too. Kunafeh dessert was pretty good, I would order it again. I think the menu is well-balanced but a bit overpriced for the portions. All in all, I'm very happy we finally get a Middle Eastern restaurant with a more upscale vibe. Birmingham definitely needed it.

Epice is a new Lebanese spot with a romantic, quiet atmosphere and friendly staff. The food is solid — not overly exciting, but well done and satisfying. Vegetarian options are limited for now, though they say more are coming. A nice place to try for the ambiance and the charm of something new.

Very nice atmosphere and service was the best part along with good food.

Very elegant Middle Eastern restaurant. Entrees were very good and spinach appetizer excellent. Felt that appetizers were not really shareable and overpriced. Next time will try the lamb shanks.

Saw that this place was within walking distance by my hotel and with the high overall ratings, decided to give it a try. Great service by both bartenders. Dinner started well with HH bites: whipped feta was lovely and liked the spicy kick added to their olives. Eastside cocktail was nice but colombe not so much: soda was overwhelming and I could hardly taste the tequila. Muhammara soup was ok but a bit too thick. Lahm entree was decent but I was expecting more. Overall a relatively nice experience.

The food was excellent. Easy 5 stars for the lahm (lamb meatballs) and lamb shank dishes that we had. However, my overall review is 3 stars because the prices were WAY too high. The thing about Birmingham's food scene is that there are countless other restaurants where you can get similar--if not better--quality Mediterranean food for half the price. The other issue was the noise level. The music was overwhelmingly loud, and although they did turn it down after we asked, it wasn't enough. I may try Epice again after they have the chance to work out the kinks but for now, I can't recommend it.

This is an Americanized Lebanese cuisine. I was disappointed that it did not seem to have any traditional items or cuisine. The food was tasty but not authentic traditional Lebanese. I had the lemon lentil chicken soup. It had collards which gave it a Southern twist and tasted very much like Alabama Swamp Stew. Not a lot of lentils. No bread or pita was served with it. No crackers. So I ordered the flatbread. The zatar made it tasty but not special. The flatbread was just dry pizza. Good cheese. No sauce. No reduced vinegarette. No dates, no apricots. Service was good. I would not return as I prefer the traditional Lebanese cuisine which this clearly does not serve. I spent the same amount for 2 side items as I would have for a full entree dinner. The dinners entree did not seem very Lebanese.

A bit disappointed with the food, as it wasn’t quite what we expected. The stuffed grape leaves and hummus both tasted canned, which was underwhelming. On the positive side, the lamb shank was very good. We might come back to try breakfast next time, since the service staff and host were incredibly welcoming and friendly. The location and atmosphere are also wonderful. Please give the food another shot, it has so much potential. Thanks!

MORE DETAILED EDIT: The service was horrible and hurtful. It felt targeted. For some reason the waitress never came back our table despite passing us 6 different times. It took 30 minuets and it wasn't until I stopped her, that we got her attention. We looked a bit different from other people there (colored hair, tattoos, poc, etc.) Everyone else was very quiet the opposite (casual attire, upper middle class, white). It hurt because we were paying customers who wanted to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Will not be going there again.