Hazel’s

Hazel’s — born as Hazel, Ravines & Downtown and named for the three Birmingham neighborhoods that meet at its corner — is the town’s most likable overachiever: casual fine dining that swings big. Co-owners Beth Hussey and chef Emmele Herrold split the menu into “Familiar, Well-Traveled, and Trending,” which is a fancy way of saying you can get a great wedge salad, curry mussels, and a raw-bar dozen at the same table. There’s an oyster bar, a serious cocktail list, and a grab-and-go market tucked into the same space.

It’s loud, fun, and genuinely good, equally suited to a weekend brunch, a big group, or a low-key celebration. We have it on our list as one of Birmingham’s most reliably enjoyable rooms — women-owned, ambitious without being precious, and the rare “casual fine dining” that actually earns both words. Save room for the Wrecking Ball, an over-the-top ice cream showstopper.