Miss Alabama 2026: Her 5 favorite restaurants in Birmingham
Ruby Tilghman has a bucket list of restaurants to visit in Birmingham. Here are some that earned an enthusiastic thumb's up.
Ethan Parker 
If you are looking for the best spots to grab a bite in the Magic City, look no further than the curated recommendations of Ruby Tilghman. The reigning Miss Alabama spent her undergraduate years at the University of Alabama eyeing the Birmingham culinary scene, and after earning the title of Miss Birmingham in November 2025, she has become an expert at hunting down the city's top eats.
As Tilghman prepares to call Birmingham home for her year of service—and her future studies at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine—she shared her current "must-try" list with 205focus.com.
1. The Essential Birmingham Favorites
Where: 1625 Second Ave. South, Birmingham.
Menu Highlights: Red snapper sashimi, sticky lamb ribs, Peking style roast duck, and more.
The Miss Alabama Review: Tilghman notes that this spot became a top pick after a graduation celebration. She recommends sharing plates, specifically the chicken and pork pot stickers, the short rib, and the calamari, which she loves to compare across different venues.
Read more: Birmingham chef Adam Evans dishes on Current Charcoal Grill
2. The Battery (Homewood)
Where: 2821 Central Ave., Suite 101, Homewood.
Menu Highlights: Pimento cheese, Korean BBQ tacos, chicken pesto pasta, and shrimp and grits.
The Miss Alabama Review: Following a busy stretch of rehearsals for the Miss Alabama competition, Tilghman turned to The Battery for a well-deserved sit-down meal. Her verdict? The king salmon is a standout choice.
3. Steak and Seafood Spotlight
Where: 2308 First Ave. South, Birmingham.
Menu Highlights: French onion soup, New York strip steak, crispy whole branzino, and Wagyu strip.
The Miss Alabama Review: Tilghman credits social media trends for pointing her toward this destination. She suggests doing your research on the menu beforehand; her go-to order includes the steak, calamari, and the burger, which lived up to the hype she found on TikTok.
Read more: Steak and seafood restaurant opening in historic Alabama building
4. Cala Coffee
Where: Three locations, including 1826 Third Ave. North, #101, Birmingham.
Menu Highlights: Specialty lattes, cortados, and matcha.
The Miss Alabama Review: When she needs a caffeine fix downtown, Tilghman reaches for a honey and oat milk iced latte from this local favorite.
5. The Red Cat Coffeehouse
Where: Three locations, including 1701 First Ave. South, Unit 101, Birmingham.
Menu Highlights: Breakfast burritos, strawberry matcha lemonade, and a variety of signature lattes.
The Miss Alabama Review: The location at Railroad Park is a winner. Tilghman was so impressed by the Persian Latte—made with almond and white chocolate—that she had to record a video on the spot to share the discovery with her mom.
