Chez Fonfon
French restaurant · Birmingham ·
Classic French bistro with antique decor and boules court
Classic French bistro with antique decor and boules court
"Chez Fonfon is Birmingham’s best French bistro—and its wine-lined shelves and warm woods go a long way in creating that vibe. This is one of the hottest seats in town, so getting a reservation ahead of time is key. It’s also prime date night territory, with couples sharing heaping bowls of buttery mussels with crispy fries and a devastatingly tender lamb daube. If you’re flying solo, slide into a seat at the bar and watch the bartenders whip up a series of well-balanced cocktails—like the Direct Flight with rum, creole shrub, and pineapple—while munching on a sweet pea tartine. The coconut pecan cake with layers of creamy coconut spread is a non-negotiable, a perfect use of that secondary “dessert stomach” we all know secretly exists." - jackie gutierrez jones 2
"Chez Fonfon is Birmingham’s best French bistro—and its wine-lined shelves and warm woods go a long way in creating that vibe. This is one of the hottest seats in town, so getting a reservation ahead of time is key. It’s also prime date night territory, with couples sharing heaping bowls of buttery mussels with crispy fries and a devastatingly tender lamb daube. If you’re flying solo, slide into a seat at the bar and watch the bartenders whip up a series of well-balanced cocktails—like the Direct Flight with rum, creole shrub, and pineapple—while munching on a sweet pea tartine. The coconut pecan cake with layers of creamy coconut spread is a non-negotiable, a perfect use of that secondary “dessert stomach” we all know secretly exists." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
"A long-running, family-run institution since 1952 specializing in Provençal dishes and best known for a family bouillabaisse recipe that has been served for over seven decades, offering traditional regional cooking in a storied, authentic setting near a vintage fishing port." - Erik Trinidad
"Located in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood, Chez Fonfon sits in good company — it’s surrounded by some of the city’s most popular restaurants, like Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar B-Q and the Original Pancake House — but completely holds its own. The French bistro is a classic Magic City institution, and although it’s not quite as upscale as certain go-to restaurants in Birmingham, the fare is undoubtedly of the same caliber." - Sarra Sedghi
"One of several Birmingham restaurants from a celebrated local chef, this spot is linked to a legacy of elevating Southern foodways and introducing diners to traditional, ingredient-forward dishes like classic giblet-based dressings." - Chris Fuhrmeister