Bayonet

Some of our favorite food we’ve had this year! Surprisingly our favorites were the pumpkin risotto and the sweet potatoes. The service was attentive and they answered all of our questions and gave us the details on everything. Like telling us about the heritage rice for the risotto. Yum! An extensive selection of oysters was fun to think through and would be a lovely experience just to try a lot of those and compare. Overall a beautiful space with a menu that does a great service to seafood providing options for those adventurous or those just loving the classics.

This place was AMAZING! The food, tge service, the atmosphere... all top tier! The bartender was great and very knowledgeable. My wife and I basically threw a dart at a wall and found this place and we were definitely impressed!!! (We Googled restaurants downtown Bham). We new nothing about it, just walked in and asked, What should we get? We had oysters, appetizers, and drinks. We were all over the place, just trying different menu items! We will definitely go back!

5/5 A Must-Try Experience! My server Mary was the best she made the whole night feel so homesome, like catching up with a friend. Her energy, recommendations, and sense of humor made dinner feel effortless and fun! The ambiance was bright yet intimate perfect for a relaxed but elevated night out. Now let’s talk about the RAW BAR MENU… 100/10!! Even if you’re not into raw seafood, please try it! I was nervous at first, but the flavor will literally make you forget it’s raw. I could go back for it a hundred times over. I also had the pleasure of meeting the chef behind the mussels so passionate about his craft and it shows in every dish. Now, drinks! My absolute favorite of the night was the Codex Patronum (so slept on but sooo good!), and the Pear Pressure pairs perfectly with the raw bar experience. For entrées, the tuna was everything tender, soft, delicate, and packed with flavor. My least favorite was the Royal Red Taquitos they were a bit too salty and didn’t fit well with the rest of the menu. But the staff was incredibly kind and removed it from the bill without me even asking that alone shows how much they care about creating a fine dining experience, not just serving food. We’ll definitely be back! I’m already eyeing their popular sandwiches next time. They’re even listed as one of New York Times’ Best Restaurants, and it’s so well-deserved! 💕

Bayonet never fails to impress! From the moment you walk in, the hostesses are friendly and accommodating and the servers and bartenders are some of the best in the business. Then there is the food ... creative, unique, delicious, and addictive! Don't forget dessert, which is oh so tempting and always amazing! You will not leave disappointed, and I promise you will be counting the days until you go back for more!

Excellent oysters, creative entrees, prompt and warm service, delicious desserts. Pricey, but not absurdly so. High ceilings and bright lighting give it a modern, energetic vibe without feeling cold or generic. We had the oysters, an oysters martini (briny!) mixed at our table by our bartender, a Bayonet Parm made with an unfamiliar but delectable fish on focaccia, scallops and risotto, and a coconut creme pie, all top notch.

Wow, I began my meal with a half dozen oysters that I had the bartender pick. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint, they were some of the best oysters ive ever had. After the oysters I ordered the tuna steak, which was divine! The bartender also recommended pairing it with the yuzu, which the sauce was out of this world. The service was incredible, and the servers made good conversation throughout my dinner. Afterwards, they recommended the coconut cream pie, and it was honestly the best I've ever had. Next time I come to town, I will definitely continue trying to work through their menu, of which they are always changing and improving. 10/10.

Well, I was here last month and back this month while in town. Great atmosphere, great service, amazing food. I had the snapper, which was prepared with artichokes and olives which gave it a Mediterranean feel. The baked butternut squash could have been a dish by itself. The oysters are a must. I don't take many pictures of food, but had to here.

Tried about 1/3 of the menu and it was all delicious. You could definitely tell how fresh it all was especially compared to some other places. Really cool to try different oysters and sample caviar without taking out a loan. More than just the food being good, it was a great experience

Bayonet is the kind of place that completely surprises. We sat at the bar on a busy night, and even though it was packed, the hostess made room for us. The food? Unreal. Everything is fish-based--even the cheeseburger is made with tuna. But here's the crazy part... it didn't taste "fishy" at all, just like a light, juicy, perfectly cooked cheeseburger. Freaking amazing. The mussels were fresh and tender, the fish dip had this smoky flavor, and the oysters were perfect. If I had to nitpick, the lighting was a little bright... but regardless it's a fun lively vibe and definitely worth going. Overall: killer food, stellar drinks, amazing bartenders and don't miss the tuna cheeseburger.

Bayonet is great for seafood lovers, especially if you're an oyster fanatic like myself. They have a wonderful variety of oysters, West & East coast as well as 2 Alabama offerings (Isle Dauphin & Murder Points). They have a very small food menu to choose from which has its pros & cons but the highlight of the night were absolutely the drinks. They have an incredible wine list, especially the BTG's (if you like a sparkling rose, the Bryn Mawr has always been one of my favs, very happy to see it on btg). The Cosmo & Wanda was very fun, brownie points for the interactive aspect with matcha "caviar," the espresso patronum was incredibly well balanced, tasted like coffee without the bitterness of an espresso martini without a cream element, very impressed. My boyfriend was very happy with the Italian Stallion (floral G+T), the Dressed Anonymously and the Hoodoo Hex he enjoyed flavor wise but was surprised with the amount of drink (we thought it was a larger portion than it actually was when he got it). I tried them all and while he enjoyed them for the most part, I feel the Dressed Anonymously could be workshopped (had a burnt rubber element that hadn't been balanced out, something I believe the Montelobos contributed to the drink having tasted it before). The food overall was excellent. We both very much enjoyed the Swordfish entree (we decided to split but really only a one person portion), the salmon roe and beurre blanc was incredible and I would absolutely recommend. We got the zucchini side with our entree and were not expecting it be to be served raw so that's on us but didn't end up eating it which they did comp so appreciate that. Maybe verbiage on the menu could prepare guests for that? We finished off the night with the fried peach pie served alongside a lemon (maybe Verbena?) ice cream which was INCREDIBLE, the ice cream being the star, but a very very small portion. We were served by Erin who was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and obviously a professional in the field. Our courses were very appropriately timed and set for, and all of our interactions with the FOH staff were lovely. Absolutely no complaints about service! Most of the evening besides the nit picky details listed above was absolutely perfect for a casual date night dinner. Highly recommend for seafood lovers and casual eaters in a nicer establishment.

[Out-of-Towner Review] Can't lie, I would not have expected this out of Bham! Bayonet was everything I didn't know I needed. It came highly recommended from a colleague and my other colleague was sold by their Instagram photos. This very aesthetic restaurant was worth the prices. We were able to walk in a on a weekday for a late lunch with no issue or reservation, but I can see needing a Resy if you come for dinner. I immediately saw the 'Fish Dip' under their 'Situations,' but I didn't want or need the full array of the situations plate. I asked if we could order it separately and the server confirmed we could. It came with kettle chips. It was fresh and had huge chunks of fish. I did find a huge bone, but no worries. I opted for the Tuna Burger, but asked for the whole grain mustard to be on the side. This juicy tuna burger was dreamy. It was like the very adult and elevated version of the Filet o Fish (this isn't a dig to Bayonet, I love a Filet o Fish).! It was so juicy and messy, ask for a couple napkins. The bun was so soft and the cheddar and lemon aioli were great flavor compliments for the sandwich. It's less on the adventurous side on the menu, but it was sooo good! And oh the fries. Absolutely n complaints here and I loved the dipping aioli for them. I never did use the mustard on the side. And, I ended the meal with their Coconut Crème Pie. This dessert has to be top FIVE coconut crème pies I've ever had. The coconut cream was perfect, not overwehelming. The crème to crust ratio was also well done and I loved all the toasted coconut surrounding the personal size pie! Literally everything I tasted was delicious. Absolutely no complaints from me. And the service was awesome. The aesthetic was just an added bonus and I'm so happy Bayonet found its home in Birmingham. Birmingham deserves something this delicious!

This was our second experience at this fabulous new seafood restaurant opened by Chef Rob McDaniel, located right next to his fabulous, Helen! The service was impeccable and our server was incredibly knowledgeable. I enjoyed my first table side martini. Wow! Impressive and delicious!! We began with shareable plates including the Wahoo Beet Salad, a variety of gulf oysters on the half shell, my favorite was the Murder Point oysters. We also enjoyed the Royal Red Taquitos. We moved into entrees which the four of us shared. What an incredible tasting with our foodie friends! Snapper over pumpkin risotto, Tuna Steak with fresh herbs, Swordfish with grilled artichoke hearts, sautéed sweet potatoes with fresh kale and the citrus salad. Amazing!! We finished off our dinner with coconut cream pie and chocolate cream pie. Cut each small pie into quarters which was a perfect portion. We HIGHLY recommend Bayonet. We arrived at 4:00 to enjoy happy hour and ease into dinner. We enjoy the casual, relaxed atmosphere with very elevated cuisine.

Love this spot! The seafood raw bar is super fresh and the cocktails are amazing. Staff is really nice and the vibe is chill but lively. Their happy hour is awesome! $2 select oysters plus deals on beer and wine can't be beat. The space feels bright and airy, perfect for hanging out with friends or a date . I've tried other items on the menu too and everything's been great, plus the menu changes often, so there's always something new to try. Highly recommend!

I loved Helen, so my wife and I walked next door to Try Bayonet. We were not disappointed at all. They had outstanding service, a huge raw oyster menu, and absolutely delicious dishes. We went with a couple of dozen of 7 or 8 types of oysters. My favorites were from the NE and Atlantic up to PEI, while my wife loved the Pacific NW ones. We also had heirloom tomato sammis with swordfish bacon, cioppino, and dry-aged smoked swordfish. Everything we ate was divine. We also freshened our palates with some delicious cocktails. We will be back!

My overall experience was a generous 4. Our reservation was for a party of 5 on at 6p on a Saturday in 8/2025. A few arrived early and were seated in the waiting area with drink menus. We were ntroduced to Mona, our server. She was wonderful and both cocktails were delicious. The other guests arrived and we were seated shortly after 6. We met our new server. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and made great oyster recommendations. We learned quickly that crackers and cocktails sauce are by request. Everything tasted and smelled Fresh. Two friends ordered cooked meals which came out pretty quickly. They were completely finished by the time the other 3 of us got our The Situations. Situation is a pretty massive meal to eat across from people with cleared plates already. Never-the-less, our situations were excellent. While waiting for the dessert menus, we were having a table discussions about the desserts we'd seen online. I came for the full experience. Instead, our bill was placed with a, "whenever you're ready." The waiter seemed surprised when I asked about dessert .. It was awkward. He did bring a menu ... It felt rushed, I passed on ordering dessert for this reason. Timing went well with the exception of eating our meals at separate times. So the rush didn't seem warranted. Break down: 2 cocktails, 3 oysters appetizers and the situation. $115 (pre-tip). The valet gentleman was kind and quick!

Great dinner! Oysters were our favorite! Enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and friendly service.

Ladies and gentlemen....The Skip's Row oyster was my absolute favorite of the evening. Omg. So flavorful and fresh!!! I also had two additional oysters that were also amazing!. Of course , I had two very balance white wine pours. Both wines paired nicely with the oysters as well as with the fried peach hand held dessert I devoured, gracefully. Maybe it wasn't real graceful ... Wine names: 2022 Stefan Potzinger Sauvignon blanc & I2024 Schloss Gobelsburg The service is exceptional! I saw how much care/ attentiveness went into myself as well as all the other Bayonet patrons. From the valet, hostesses, bartenders, etc all made a great first impression! The exterior and interior are both beautiful. I love the windows and just the overall aesthetics. The lounge waiting area when you first enter is a nice touch to the space. They made great use of it. Yesssss, parking can be horrible if you come prior to when valet service is available. All I can tell you is, it'll all be worth it. See it through! You won't regret it! This was such an outstanding dining experience. BAYONET is definitely one of hottest restaurants in town!

Wow, simply wow. Bayonet has gotten a lot of hype over the past few months, and I have to say it is well deserved. From the moment you walk in the servers are friendly, helpful, and cater to your every wish! The space is beautiful and tastefully decorated. Started with the Situation, a stunning mixed platter of seafood offerings, all of which were fresh, delightful, and so so flavorful. Had the Tuna Smash burger which does not make you miss beef at all. Would suggest this to people who avoid beef for cultural or health reasons, because it's delicious! Also tried the Ora King Salmon, which was so fresh and tasty. Ended the night with the chocolate tarte, which had the most perfectly balanced salty crust. If you're looking for a spot to celebrate a special occasion, this is it!

Tried Bayonnet recently. We started with the oysters, which were super fresh. We actually sat at the kitchen bar area and was able to see them being prepared. Next up were the Hang Out Fries, and I'm still thinking about them. Crispy, loaded with flavor -- kind of like the ultimate late-night snack but leveled up for grown-ups. The tuna burger was another standout. And the sleeper hit? The broiled asparagus with crawfish and kimchi sauce. Seriously, do not skip this. The combo of smoky asparagus, rich crawfish, and that spicy-tangy kimchi sauce was a flavor explosion. Our server was phenomenal!!!

Bayonet has a modern, playful vibe that sets the tone the moment you walk in. There's a fun lounge area in the foyer--great for grabbing a drink while waiting--and a bar in the dining room for walk-ins. We had reservations (and were a bit late), but the host was super gracious and got us seated by the front window--such a nice spot! We started with a bottle of wine and the pompano ota ika. Served raw with a spicy-sweet Thai cucumber and coconut sauce, it was light, fresh, and absolutely delicious. Next up was the Swordfish Reuben, which we shared. The fish was cooked perfectly, layered on toasted rye with triple crown and caraway slaw. The thin, crispy fries were a perfect side. For dessert, I couldn't resist trying the coconut pie--even though our server recommended the olive oil lemon ice cream. Wish I'd listened! The pie was too sweet and the crust was thick and hard to cut through. All in all, Bayonet is worth checking out. Stick to their strengths--especially the raw dishes--for the best experience. Great service, cool atmosphere, and standout flavors (just maybe skip the pie ).

Wow! If you love seafood, this place is a must-visit. We tried the Parm and the Reuben, everything was absolutely delicious. The renovation looks amazing; the space is beautiful and inviting. Service was excellent too. Definitely a must-stop spot if you're in town!

Birmingham's newest seafood, up*scale,* restaurant. If you don't want seafood specifically, go to Helen, same chef's restaurant next door. Bayonet is exclusively seafood. Oysters are served with hot sauce and some type of vinegar in little dropper bottles. I had never seen this before! So cool and gives you more control over what you're putting on your oyster. The shaved horseradish was pretty mild for my taste, but delicious nonetheless. I came on their first Friday night open and was amazed by the turn-out and refinement of the overall service. The wine list is short but honestly made me realize that I do not want that many options. Only three red wine options, but seafood pairs with white. I had the trout entree and the lemony butter on top was to die for, and kale on the side was perfectly tart and moist and all the things. My buddy and I ended the meal with the pistachio cake. It's sitting on a bed of tart lemon cream and topped with a scoop of ice cream that perfectly breaks the tartness. The restaurant itself has bar seating in front of the oyster shuckers and along the bar. Seating is pretty limited, definitely smaller than Automatic Seafood, the oyster competition in town. But, it's all delicious. I will be back and order the fries to follow up the oysters, they smelled so good wafting over from the other tables!

Ok, here is how the name of this place makes sense - bay or net - get it? It's a seafood place. Work with me here people. The food is great. We shared one of the crudo (shashimi essentially). Small but delicious. Should have gotten two. We shared a pastrami sandwich (fish version) and it was excellent. Split a bottle of wine. Can't remember the name, but it was one of cheaper reds. They served it slightly chilled which was spot on. For dessert, we had the coconut cream pie. It was ok. The place is pretty cool inside. The seafood bar at the back looked like the place to be. They have valet parking and there is a public deck across the street. The main reason most people go is for the oysters. As someone who will eat most anything, I just don't care for an oyster. They make my tummy hurt. Oddly, clams and muscles are ok. TMI? Hey, don't read my reviews if you don't want the whole journey.

Experience 10/10! Beautiful restaurant and the staff is very knowledgeable. Great wine selection and oyster options. Not crazy about the menu for dinner but love the restaurant for drinks and apps. Great location! Look forward to going back and sitting at the bar for a cocktail and oysters.

New restaurant alert!! Some of the freshest seafood I have ever tasted. This place is amazing. The decor is next level. Miami vibes in downtown Bham. The entire staff was out standing. We had the gin martini that was made at our table. Definitely worth the price. The desert was outstanding, light, fluffy, not over powering with sugar. Goes perfectly with the entire menu. The snapper was delicious and packed with a lot of great flavors. Hands down my favorite seafood restaurant. We will be spending a lot of time in Bayonet this summer.

A little bit on the expensive side but the fresh seafood is absolutely amazing and I do mean absolutely amazing. The service is first rate. The raw bar is phenomenal. I live in Las Vegas and this compares... No actually blows away everything I've tried in Vegas so far. Do yourself a favor? Try it

We absolutely loved our experience at Bayonet! Holly was our server and she was amazing. She helped us select which oysters to try, and all were amazing. We also ordered a couple of other appetizers and both were amazing. I also LOVED the tuna burger. I saw so many people getting it and I had to try it, and I'm so glad I did. Everything we ate was so great and I would definitely recommend!

Loveeee this new gem! Let's start with the staff. Immediately greeted by a pleasant hostess who got us to our table quickly. The restaurant is small but it does not feel cramped. Our waiter was amazing and knowledge about the menu and cocktail list. And the food!!! Everything we tried was amazing and was pleased to hear that their menu changes often. Another excuse to return. Such a wonderful addition to our restaurant scene

Amazing temperance options! The happy hour oysters were some of the best I've ever had. Service was great - our waiter was excellent and was happy to answer all our questions. A beautiful location, and I had to keep reminding myself I was still in Birmingham!

I don't remember when I have been treated so wonderfully at a restaurant. Not only was the service great and the atmosphere great but the food was outstanding. I started with some very mild pink moon oysters with a vinegar based sauce in a tiny bottle, whose name I cannot remember, even though I asked the waitress to repeat it three times. It was light and refreshing and added the right amount of acidity to the oysters. I then had a salmon Crudo, I ate every bite. I feel it is disrespectful to show you my empty dishes so I will only show you where I started. I finished my meal with a CIOPPINO. I had no idea what it was, but my server assured me it was delicious and she was correct. This will definitely be a place I visit again next time I am in Birmingham, Alabama.

Food was amazing! I ordered cobia collar and a drink and both were delicious! The cobia is available when they have it. They cook a limited amount per day.

The latest from the owners of Helen...and lives up to the hype. We started with oysters because, obviously. The scallop ceviche was recommend bc it was super fresh; it was incredible. I wanted to drink the sauce it came in, but my husband begged me not to. Spoiler alert, I did it anyway. My husband doesn't like egg salad sandwiches and when I make them I have to eat in another room. The only one he has ever liked was the famous one at the restaurant at Willett Distillery in Bardstown. And he loved Bayonet's version!! Maybe it was the cavier! The drinks were equally amazing. We had a wine the bartender suggested to pair with the oysters and the tequila, rum, and both gin drinks (don't judge.) They deliberately don't put a lot of info about what's in the drinks or in the dishes to encourage that conversation between you and your server or bartender. We will be back for main dishes and dessert! Note: they don't take reservations so go early!

Great new seafood-based restaurant in downtown Birmingham! I ate so well that I almost embarrassed myself by gnawing the swordfish vertebra. Great drinks, too, along with very attentive service.

Went for some cocktails and Oysters. The espresso martini was clear which made it really interesting. We didn't get the full experience, but the interior is fresh and inviting. Definitely make a reservation to have dinner.

Amazing! I haven't enjoyed a place this much in a long time. So much so we went back after 3 days. I highly recommend sitting at the raw bar. The chefs behind the raw bar have incredible service, are so personable and fun to talk to. The ambiance is very modern and beautiful. The food was outstanding. We will definitely be back!

Came here for happy hour and what a great experience! Great bartenders, very fresh oysters and great atmosphere!

A new gem in Birmingham for sure! At Bayonet, it's all about the sauce! The sauces in each meal are the real standout. The sauces in the scallop ceviche, the cobia schnitzel, and the fries were superb. We especially loved the ceviche sauce. Cocktails were great too - we enjoyed both that we tried. Absolutely loved our waitress - we would go back just to hang out with her! Definitely glad to have another seafood place in the Bham rotation!

Bayonet was the perfect spot for a girls' dinner. We started with the oysters, which were incredibly fresh and briny in the best way. Next, we tried the fish sampler--each one was beautifully prepared with great flavor and texture. For our mains, we shared the tuna burger, mussels, and shrimp bánh mì. Every dish had its own unique twist and was packed with vibrant, delicious flavors.

Fantastic casual seafood place where you can get unique offerings that are reasonably priced. Happy hour oysters are a bargain!! Great place for lunch or dinner!!!

Came in for lunch and had the swordfish reuben sandwich and that was one of the best sandwiches i have ever had. Also got some oysters and they were perfect, nice and fresh. I had a few beers but did not get a chance to try any cocktails but they looked pretty good. Service was excellent, waitstaff was very helpful and friendly.

One of the best meals I have had in Birmingham! From the food to the staff everything was 10/10. My new favorite restaurant!!!

Really great experience! I went with a friend. We split "The Situation" to get our raw bar fix. We also shared the swordfish Reuben, little gem salad, and the seafood gumbo (this was the only thing we didn't like). Finished up with the coconut crème tart which was DIVINE! Cant wait to go back and try more from their menu.

We ate at the bar and were a little disappointed. They ran out of the fish appetizer we ordered so the bar tender substituted another dish that was more expensive without mentioning it to us. Two of our wine pours were the last of the bottle and came up short. He didn't come back to complete the pour. Great vibe and the food was excellent but the overall experience fell short. Maybe it was just a busy night for them.

Our Saturday lunch was exceptional. We will return though we live 50 miles away. National press has recently agreed with our assessment, go to Bayonet.

Impromptu dinner date on a Monday at Bayonet. Atmosphere was very elegant and inviting. The hosts and waitstaff were very responsive and welcoming. I was a huge fan of the Egg Salad Sando, Trout with Anchovy Butter, and the Carolina Gold Rice. Cocktails were excellent. I prefer a more traditional presentation with the oysters, but the selection/variety was awesome. We got the lemon pistachio cake for dessert and it was a nice way to end our meal. Will definitely come back and put it in our restaurant rotation.

From the moment you walk in you know your experience will be top tier. The staff is amazing at making each guest feel welcome. The happy hour oysters are a can't miss!!!! The ambiance is incredible!!

Too often, you only get good food OR good service...not at Bayonet - we had GREAT food (Swordfish Rueben, Tuna Burger & Shrimp Ban Mi) & GREAT service (Thank you, Destiny!). We'll be back!

Everything was wonderfully prepared. Definitely try the tuna steak and shishito peppers. Yum!!

Unique and phenomenal. Happy hour oysters and seafood gumbo served over potatoe salad. Yeah I know. It's good. Just eat it.

Walking into Bayonet feels like stepping into a dream curated by someone who deeply understands ambiance. The lighting, decor, and energy are pitch-perfect--a blend of upscale sophistication and effortless cool. The service followed suit: attentive without being overbearing, genuinely warm, and impressively well-paced. On those fronts, Bayonet is a triumph. Unfortunately, the food didn't follow through on the promise made by the atmosphere. I wanted to like the food--really wanted to--but dish after dish left me underwhelmed. The Spanish mackerel was a prime example: cooked adequately but flat in flavor, lacking the seasoning or acidic lift that could have made it memorable. The fish felt like a placeholder for what could have been. The hand-cut fries were the standout of the evening. Perfectly crisped, well-seasoned, and addictive--easily the best thing we tasted. They were the kind of fries you reach for between bites of everything else, just to remind yourself what good execution tastes like. The asparagus, kimchi, and crawfish side dish was, again, just okay. A dish that seemed inventive in theory but came off disjointed in flavor. The components didn't harmonize, and none were particularly bold on their own. It's hard not to draw comparisons to Helen, which remains a high point for Birmingham dining--confident, creative, and consistently satisfying. Bayonet feels like it should be in that league, but the food hasn't caught up to the setting yet. There's hope here, and certainly potential. But for now, Bayonet is a restaurant I want to root for more than I want to return to

Too expensive for the portion size and the food was just okay.. fish was fishy, lobster was dry and oysters were ehh. Best part was the sides and the service. Spent $150 with no alcohol and left hungry.

Great service and food. Great menu to pick from, as well as interesting and unique dishes. Very cool ambiance. Really excited this place is here!

Wife and I had a fantastic lunch at Bayonet. Great , fresh , salad and perfectly prepared Mackerel. Looking forward to the next time around . Staff were very pleasant .