Cafe Origins

Great cafe in Birmingham with a Mediterranean feel. Coffee culture is big in that part of the world and the average coffee shop there has pastries and some pretty good food. And origins has that, plus their own pastry chef. It is a little pricy but I feel you’ll get great value compared to a Starbucks. Also the ambiance is warm and cozy and not austere. Makes me glad to live in a melting pot.

Chef Alex is amazing! Not only is he a genius in the kitchen, incredibly knowledgeable on food science, but also a genuine good guy. Food is outstanding, great selection, also great relaxed atmosphere. We’ll keep coming back for sure!

I’ve patroned this place twice and have been pleased each time. It’s refreshing to experience a non chain that delivers the reason to go out and eat. First off the environment is very welcoming and radiates a inner city vibe found in NYC or Chicago. Replete with on wall, counter, and fold out menus it’s not hard to find what you want. Visually a lot is already on display ranging from various baked goods to gelato. I’ve only sampled a couple offerings beyond coffee. I’ve been told everything is made in house and I concur it’s fresh. My taste buds were surprised after consuming their Rollo breakfast sandwich; While fresh fillings tasted great, it was the bread or psueto naan/roti that stood out. The last time I had something like that was in Bangkok, on a late night adventure, from a street food cart. It’s difficult to characterize as that taste straddles somewhere between grandmas kitchen to an upscale deli. Trust me something special is happening. Something is different in a great way. Coffee is another quality offering. It appears they mean business with their industrial devices holding prominent real estate inside. I do appreciate good beans and they deliver. Even unground bags are available for sale. I’ve rambled enough. As you might tell I like this place a lot. I suggest giving them a gander and try. Good luck Orgins team, I think your formula is working. Update: In response to the 4 star, owner's rating comment. I think highly of this place, however I've only tried a handful of items. Until I've had an opportunity to sample a greater range and the continued UX, it's premature IMHO. I will say my initial impression is 5 stars, however to be objective I need to try more. Hopefully in the future you'll have more seating inside or outside sidewalk/street parking like across the street. Thanks for responding and still you guys are doing great!

Every time I step through the doors, I’m met with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. The lively banter and welcoming atmosphere create an experience that is as enjoyable as the food itself. The energy of the people is reflected in every dish, making each visit a true pleasure. I have nothing but praise for this place. Your consistency and dedication to excellence never go unnoticed. Thank you for always delivering such wonderful experiences.

A truly rare spot! Delicious and diverse food, crafted with details by their James Beard award wining chef Alex Young. This place is a one stop cafe for all what you crave. From the exotic coffee, tea, sourdough, pies, quiche, shawarma, chicken, gyro, gelato and more. Staff are super kind and sincere.

Josh and Noah are true baristas here. I'm a stickler for a traditional cappuccino and they deliver (trust me...I've been to them all in and around B'ham, the US, and Europe)! Robust with plenty of crema. I've since tried the tomato basil soup (twice!), the roasted asparagus (heavenly) and the gelato (the real deal...my favorite is hazelnut and so hard to come by at most places). I'm in heaven that Cafe Origins has elevated this space to a healthy and upscale casual bistro. The staff is very welcoming, engaging, and professional. So important and they are wonderful. A few tweaks... • Less confusion about how to place an order (ie, where to go/what to do), especially when it's busy (I can see how a new patron wouldn't know what to do); • A cozier atmosphere with less frenetic music. The music has a tendency to overpower the vibe and cause patrons to talk louder over it, creating a cacophony of distracting noise. Welcome to the neighborhood!

What a great find! We had a really delicious breakfast along with a warm mocha. They have an amazing display case with beautiful baked goods. Eric waited on us. He was so helpful and very kind. He went out of his way to make our experience a blessing.

Lovely relatively new café in downtown Birmingham offering an extensive food menu and excellent drink options. It’s a perfect spot for breakfast or lunch. There are salads, hand pies, sandwiches, quiche, various pastries, soups, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, all sorts of coffee drinks, and specialty drinks, as well as some delicious cookies (the gluten free lemon crinkle cookie is wow good). The service is very friendly and they really want to make sure you are happy. A positive , welcoming atmosphere!!! The prices are a bit expensive for the sandwiches and the rollos, but the salad and quiche are right in the usual price. The interior is decorated very nicely and is relatively small and mostly high tops. I do hope as they grow they figure out a better seating situation— perhaps built in benches or some sort of sofa seating to even improve the coziness of the space. I will definitely be back and I’m really thankful they are here in town.

The service was truly amazing! I love the food and my London Fog. Shayla and Erik were truly a blessing. They went over the menu, cleaned our tables. brought our food to our table, and engaged in conversation to make us feel welcome. These two deserve an applause for a job well done. The whole team was amazing! This was a first experience for my friend and I. We did not want to leave the restaurant as it was so cozy and friendly. This will be our go to place moving forward. Deborah Crowley

Great service! So many delicious baked goods, but chose the cinnamon roll which was great! Also really enjoyed my shrimp rollo...the pita bread is so good!

Easiest 5 stars I've ever given. The service was great. Someone takes your order at the front and then they bring it out to you at a table. Not sure why I haven't heard about it yet but it is a great place to get quality food and enjoy your meal. Very enjoyable atmosphere. It seems like every person who walks in loves it.

This is a new grab and go shop in Birmingham. They also have a bunch of high top tables . The space looks very nice, clean, open, modern. A nice selection of pies, quiches, salads, soups, as well as sweet selections. Definitely give it a try!

Was happy to try this new spot in Birmingham recently. Found the ambiance to be bright and cheerful, with staff that were friendly and helpful. Their menu proclaims the locale to be "more than coffee," and this description is spot-on. Offerings included hand pies, which consisted of a variety of pastries with different savory fillings. I got the curried potato samosa (delish!), while the co-diner ordered the chicken pot pie - he liked it very much. The pastry used in the hand pies was flaky, buttery and flavorful - just what the diners ordered. Other options were: rollos (wraps), soups (we each got the clam chowder: highly recommend), salads, sandwiches, and quiches. There was also a lamb tagine as the day's special. For dessert, there were gelati and pastries. We split a hazelnut cookie - very nice. Good variety of options in all categories. Hot and cold beverages were on offer, from coffee to tea to juices, and even a chocolate egg cream. Will definitely need to come back and try that one.House-made bread was also available. We took a loaf home, and it was great. All in all, if you are looking for a sparkling clean and friendly place for lunch or a light dinner (or even a more satisfying dinner, if you get the daily special), Cafe Origins will hit the spot.

Such a great place! The food is amazing and there are so many great things to choose from. Bread and pastries made in house. The staff and atmosphere just make the experience even better. We are lucky to have Chef Alex here in Birmingham!

Food was mediocre at best, took 25 minutes just to get it, Shocking that a place can be so unprofessional and immature that they take actions that can ruin a customers experience, you're not there to have fun, you're there to cook for the customers and grow as a cook. To just sit there and laugh with your other employees while they number one thing in your restaurant (the customers) matter most and you aren't putting them first? ridiculous.