Chez Lulu

A true neighborhood jewel. Feels like stepping into a cozy, bohemian French street-café: warm light, bursts of color, savory smells, cheerfully crowded with hand-crafted artwork. I imagine it’s like stepping into a painting. Wishing I could give more stars for atmosphere. Inviting year-round whether for a date, a reunion with an old friend, an evening out, or a decadent bite all to one’s self. You can also host a party or get-together there! The cuisine is pretty, creative and seriously delicious; concocted from the ground up with local ingredients by dedicated craft infused with playful artistry (not to mention fresh artisan breads!) Pairs well with their wines. Seasonal variations make new offerings stars, alongside longtime loyal favorites. If a salad (recommending the Goat in the Orchard), panini, hand-tossed pizza, or an appetizing sampler are not enough, our favorites include the Tart du Jour or the Doba A La Nissarda. Portions are “just right.” Desserts are unique from macarons to tortlettes, bread puddings to seasonal pies and cheesecakes. The drinks at the bar are a beautifully crafted part of the experience, as well. To me, the vibe is exotic but comfortable, upscale while welcoming, timeless yet eye-opening each time. We’ve loved this place through the years, from Carole Griffin’s original “beautiful dream” to David Griner’s passionate stewardship today. It’s perennially charming. We’ll be back.

Really good food amazing desserts one of the best environments in Birmingham recommend the Brooklyn bridge pizza and cheesecake

Food was good, small portions so don’t expect to be full. Service was okay, it was bare minimum though.

So so so good!! The food was delicious, fresh and high quality. The atmosphere was so cozy and comforting. I was impressed with the quality of the affogato. Highly highly recommend.

I hosted a large party at Chez Lulu and they did an amazing job. The roasted red pepper dip, pizza, and kale salad were huge hits. The dessert assortment was incredible and that Pot de Creme is hands down the best I have ever had anywhere including Paris! The service Tristan, Michelle, and Rebecca served all 14 of us was impeccable. They remembered what each of us was drinking and which table our vegans sat at. Phyllis and Andrew at the bar served us cocktails as we waited for the whole party to arrive. The ambiance is so cute and perfect for a December get together. I’ll be back!

I am a very picky eater, but the food here is just 10/10. Very unique authentic atmosphere

One of my favorite restaurants and has been for years. Love sitting on their sidewalk area.

My girlfriend and I arrived from out of town last night and called last minute to see if we can get a reservation, and the owner said “come on down, we’ll be happy to have you!” We adored this place, from the decor to the friendly service, and of course the food. The heirloom tomatoes were in season, so definitely get the tomato sandwich (trust me it’s so good) and the savory crepe from the appetizers. The story of how the restaurant came to be was interesting as well (be sure to read on the first page of the menu). The only thing we regret is not being able to go back before our trip is over!

This place is way overrated. The interior is known to be quirky, but it appears to me to be tacky and cheap. Half of the food was very good, but some of it was too salty. The server was very difficult, had such a frown on her face, and I also got the feeling I would not be welcome with my group that I reserved for. There's actually another group that I'm in that they don't even let come there because they "only order water." This is literally what I was told.

We really enjoyed our dinner. It was delicious. Great service and good wine list. Love the cozy romantic atmosphere.

Was so excited to catch up with friends in such a lovely looking area. There's no other way to say it except that this was the biggest disappointment. We had to ask multiple times to get waited on after sitting as our server disappeared and never took our orders. We then waited a full hour for our sandwiches in the almost empty place; all sandwiches were clearly grilled and made earlier, but just not sent out to our table on time as they were ice cold. The food itself was not worth the money whatsoever, extremely bland and something I'd expect from a hospital café, not a restaurant. The garlic soup I got on the side was room temp at best; I've had better soups at Panera. Our waitress also took my soup before I was even done with it? We later had to once again hail down a waiter to get our check as ours was engrossed in a conversation with the table next to us. My friend was also charged $5 for a single tea bag that you could by a full box of for $2 at Walmart. Waste of time and money!

So we came to Chez Lulu on a last minute whim around 7PM on a Sunday night and got seated immediately. We had an amazing server who made the best recs (especially with the desserts!). We sat outside and the ambiance was definitely lovely with French music playing overhead. I ordered the 1/2 soup and sandwich combo and got the garlic soup and pressed Turkey Panini. If I'm being honest, I thought the food was good but definitely not amazing. For dessert we got the almond bread pudding and the chocolate almond Tortlette. We will definitely be back for desserts next time!

My favorite place for date night! Ambiance is off the charts. Food is delicious, especially the dessert. Service is always good too, especially with allergies.

The food was excellent. The service great. The ambiance charming. We went back the next night for desert!!!

Always fresh local ingredients. Lovely salads, quiche and a variety of menu items. Service has always been good. Love the rustic French artsy decor. Dining al fresco on the front sidewalk transports diners to France.

What a NEAT place this is. The lighting and decor were very eclectic and we ended up walking the whole restaurant to check it all out. We had an appetizer dip, a soup, and a pizza and were not left disappointed. It was all homemade and had excellent flavor. Service was good for sure. If you are hungry, and are in this part of town, this is your stop for certain!

We ran in at 8:30, right before close, to get coffee and dessert. Even though it was the end of the night, the staff were all so friendly and welcoming. Their dessert menu is so vast, they actually care about giving you options! I had the turtle sundae, it was delicious.

Wonderful intimate setting to enjoy great food and service. The price for quality you can't beat.

Delicious food. Great menu. Michelle was a very nice server. We would definitely visit again!

Well I feel certain I've reviewed this place before. However, I will say that I had the pleasure of eating dinner there the other night. And there has been no change. The food is fantastic, the service is great, and I would recommend this place to anyone.

Birmingham has some great restaurants, but Chez Lulu has been my go to date night restaurant for years, and probably my favorite in town, just because of the experience. I love lingering over a bottle of wine in the eclectic, artsy, and intimate atmosphere; it's like stepping out of Birmingham and into a Paris bistro. A few of my all time favorites: the Continental Bakery bread served as an appetizer; The Goat in the Orchard Salad; the North African Pulled Lamb sandwich; the Mediterranean Sampler. Desserts are always good, as is the coffee.

How have I not reviewed this place? It's been here forever and for good reason. Creative, fresh and enticing menu options that in my experience are always good. A cheese plate called cheese lulu, the garlic soup, the fresh bread from Continental Bakery next door, the French inspired deserts, the wine list, the pro-level cocktails, the light sandwiches with creative ingredients to keep you on your toes, the atmosphere, the service, the reasonable prices....what else do you really need? Overall a great spot for a quick lunch, or a slow lingering lunch where you consume several bottles of wine. The menu is thoughtful and loaded with things that should appeal to everyone. The place just doesn't disappoint.

If you are a fan of Continental Bakery and their pastries, desserts, and loaves of bread, you will have to try Chez LuLu which is owned by the same people. This is a French cafe style restaurant located in the English Village area. They have soups, tartes, salads, and sandwiches. They also have a bar, serve a Sunday brunch and offer dinner. On the downside, this is a cozy place with tiny tables and not much room between tables. Definitely don't bring a large group. Also, parking can be a real problem! The day I went, my friend recommended the 3 salad plate. With this option, you get to pick three of your favorite salads from the menu and try each one. Each salad was very good and the plate was definitely enough for a meal. Overall a great experience and a fun place for a girl's lunch. It definitely reminded me of Paris from the food that was served to the music in the background.

For some reason, I tend to end up here after nights of partying to get a hair of the dog in the shape of Kronenberg on draft and their killer North African lamb sandwich. The socca preparation is also just wonderful, those chickpea crepes are simply phenomenal. From the food items, those would be my recommendations without hesitation. Service is always great and the place is one of the coziest establishments I've visited. The industrial inspired furniture with table legs from pipes is not what one would typically associate with cozy, but they manage to pull it off. The design is actually inspired by that of a French brothel, a risqué connotation that permeates into the creative menu. Parking is usually plentiful in this quaint little mountain brook village and clientele consists of local residents. Overall, Carole Griffin, the chef and mastermind here brings some really interesting Mediterranean flavors to an area that is filled with traditional southern food, which I welcome with open arms. A wonderful establishment and a spot I will surely return to.

On this Thank You Thursday, I wanted to finally leave a review for a business I've loved for years! This small French cafe and attached bakery are bursting with personality and great things to eat! I've been here multiple times for lunch with friends, and their sunny sidewalk seating area is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a meal. I wish I had taken pictures of the restaurant interior. Small, a little dark, and crowded with tables and French decor, it's charming and fun! I've tried several different meals over the years. I've never had anything I didn't like. They have a rotating menu of tarts and soups that feature fresh, local ingredients. On my most recent trip, we ordered several appetizers and shared them, plus sampled a few of the yummy seasonal cocktails. They were delicious, inventive, and so pretty! The La Vie en Rose was my favorite! Chez Lulu hosts different events throughout the year, like a drag brunch once a month, a street parade, and on Valentine's Day in the past you can buy a package with a meal plus tickets to see Casablanca at the Alabama theater. If you want an authentic French experience but you can't necessarily board your private jet for a lunch date in Paris...check out this gem. You won't be disappointed!!

I love Chez Lulu! It's a fascinating French restaurant with charming quirks! The food is tasty and there is never a shortage of bread made next door at Continental Bakery! I got the Lamb sandwich with the Goat in the Orchard salad and a cup of Butternut Squash Soup. All was so flavorful and filling! The atmosphere is very romantic and charming! Highly recommend!

chez Lulu is a gem. Love the food, the atmosphere, the staff. Never disappointed.

We stayed in Lauris for a week to attend a wedding at Domaine de Fontenille . We stumbled upon Chez Lulu at the recommendation of a local family. It was an incredible find. We went back multiple times and every time the meals were fabulous. Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who's visiting the area.

Lovely, as usual. From the cheese plate to the silky smooth soup to the chocolate and coffee, this French Bohemian bistro never fails to impress. The service is spot on, and there is always an unusual cast of characters. If you're seeking a respite from the cold or just want to feel like you've been transported to France (seriously...Èdith Piaf quietly plays in the background), give Chez Lulu another visit.

Chez lulu worked hard to continue to serve food during 2020 and beyond. Sometimes it was to go but I appreciated their efforts to pivot. Love the pizzas they serve at night and the desserts are always great!

Sunday fun day turn into a disaster!!! As much as I love this place, this is not one of the nice review that I normally write. I love the food here and how homie it is. My house is like 8 minutes from this place and I work at First Protective which is 5m from it also. I can't count how many good compliments and "words of mouth marketing" I did for this place. I even introduced this place to all my coworker so we can have some lunch time here. However, back to the story. My fiends and I love to get Sunday brunch at different locates. We expected to have a fun day and we choose Chez LuLu (yes, again, because like said I love this place) not knowing that it was about to ruin our Sunday. We we got there it is 12:38pm. And we got signed with a tired looking waiter, he barely talked and smile and had the biggest attitude that I ever seen. We contemplate to ask for another waiter but we don't want to get any body in trouble. It took more than 15m for him to pay attention on our table again just to ordered our drink. Another 15 to get our food order, while everyone around us get what they order and their waiters come checked all them multiple time. If you are familiar with Chez LuLu they always bring out those small bread basket while you wait for your food. I looked out and checked every table, they all had it! This is about to get worst! After we waited for more than 45m minutes. We got to the point that we want to give up and go to another restaurant, all of us not feeling happy like we first arrived there anymore, we just tried to look for him and he wasn't there the entire time( we sat out side btw) while other table got there waiters checked on them like every 10m. We had to asked the other waiter to look for our. He came back looked like we are getting the food for free. Again the way he talked, we felt like he doesn't want to serve our table. We showed our disappointment and when we got our tickets. He literally throw it all the table and said "HAVE A NICE DAY", like excuse me we were not even do anything to you! If you had a Saturday night out and you tired! Just don't go to work at all. I talked to the manager and He Is No Helps. He said the kitchen was really busy and expected some delay(it is the job of the waiter to come back and confront it with us), that the bread basket is not suppose to be brought out because it is brunch not lunch(So tell me why all other table have it without any order expect my table), and he will get back to it and work with the waiter later. Which usually mean I don't care. So for the first time in my life I didn't leave a penny for tip cause he is no way deserve any thing. I don't get why you literally a waiter and work for tip and you bring your attitude to serve your customers. That is all I have to say but whoever that has responsibility for the restaurant, please consider about this problem. My friend have a picture of the copy with his name but I don't. He is the skinny boy with earring on both ears. I'll happy spread the words for your restaurant, not a good one any more.

Chez Lulu really puts you in the mind being in Paris! From the decor to the music playing in the background, it is a place you won't forget. A group of us had brunch here and the only downfall I can give is that our cell phone service was acting a bit weird. Now that i think about it, I have Sprint and we all now how good that is. -_- I ordered the salmon flatbread brushed with olive oil, garlic, and capers, as well as the chocolate crepe. Both were quite tasty and very filling, but would I order them again? Anyway, after carrying on a very intense conversation, the rest of my colleagues seemed to be a bit underwhelmed with their food. It was good but not great. If you anyone knows how to do food, it's the French right? This bistro is on the revisit list because again as I stated earlier their decor is so chic and I believe in second chances. Au revoir!!!

One of the most quaint, cozy, comfortable places I've ever been. Service was impeccable and knowledgeable. We went simple with quiche, salad and soups. Everything they have is homemade by them or sister next door Continental Bakery. Call ahead for hours as they are not open every day.

I came here last weekend with my friends Kate and Anne. They had both been here before, but it was my first time. The restaurant itself was much smaller than I had imagined, but I didn't have a problem with that. If there were a lot of diners I can imagine maybe having to wait, but there was already a table available so I had no complaints there. They started us off with complimentary sourdough bread and oil. That bread was some of the best bread I've ever had! I didn't even need the oil that came with it. It was soft, moist, and perfect even by itself! To eat, I ordered the special that night which was a mushroom and spinach tart that came with the house salad. The house salad was pretty average. I've had much better ones, but it also wasn't terrible. The mushroom and spinach tart was amazing! I would definitely recommend it! It was cooked perfectly from the filling to the pie crust. Our waitress was also super friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. I would definitely come back here.

Walked in and curly hair gentlemen was polite, host was polite as well. It was when the server came where things became unsatisfying, she did not greet us. She poured the water and walked away. The waitress was talking very minimal and in a low tone. We were excited to order the drinks and it took a little for the drinks to come. When they arrived I was not given the option for vodka or gin I was just given gin. Me and fiancés drink were very strong. Half hour passes and our main entrees came, I ordered Banh Mi Sandwich which was very dry and my fiancé got the Greens Pie Tartes Du Jour. we would tell our waitress thank you and we wouldn't get a you're welcome back. Our waitress had short hair and glasses. 2 stars because we liked the restaurants Decor!

One of the Birmingham classics. My attempt to limit carbs invariably fail when they set out that basket of bread and olive oil from their sister operation the Continental Bakery. The other thing I can't resist is the garlic soup, which is a bit sad because it's a great place to take a date. Oh well, we've got to keep our priorities straight here on Yelp!. If you want a love life there are other sites for that. Salads are great with a lot of variety that they allow you to mix and match. And then there are the desserts. I usually have them bring me whatever they feel like and it never disappoints. Side note, while not widely hailed as one of the better pizza places in town, they make a really good one. On the eco-friendly front, they are good citizens for the most part. I must confess I forgot to check the Styrofoam situation. Guess I'll have to go back.

Really Cute place!! I went for Sunday brunch. The menu is not a traditional brunch menu. Frittatas, pizzas, crepes, soups, salads... It's a bakery so they have a lot of wiggle room where their restaurant menu is considered. The food was good. The restaurant is kind of tight but in a cozy kind if way. I ordered the ham and Brie frittata. I will definitely go back and order something different next time.

What a beautiful place, arts and crafts all over the place. Very interesting menu. The bhan mi was most tasty, as was the pizza. As usual, the first beer i asked for was out (happens to me often) but there were other options. Great service--8 of us came in near the end of hours, closed the place, but one of our party was the amicably ex-husband of the owners. A hair pretentious perhaps, but friendly and delicious.

I cannot say enough extraordinary things about this divine cuisine. The complimentary sourdough bread & dipping oils was phenomenal. I had the sweet potato & ginger soup - the amount of ginger was perfection. Even the house salad was so incredible. I had a panini which was so much more delicious than I expected out of a sandwich. Then came dessert *cue the choir singing* The seasonal peach pie w/ ice cream was great; but the crust was what was extraordinary. It was layered dough, baked to a sweet crisp. What a wonderful restaurant and authentic vibe we thoroughly enjoyed.

5 stars for their desserts. 3 stars for their pretentiously​ French food. 0 stars for courtesy and attitude of the wait staff. The ambiance is great, but is ruined by the unpleasant​ attitude fo the wait staff. Best way to enjoy this place is to order their desserts as take out.

This is my favorite place to eat in the whole world. I love the atmosphere, I love the food, and the waiters are always very pleasant. There are great vegetarian options. Chez Lulu is perfect for a lunch with a friend, a romantic dinner, a group get-together, or a family brunch.

Worst pizza in Birmingham. Very little cheese, cold and small. Could be better with more effort.

Try the Banh Mi and lamb sausage sandwiches, mushroom soup and creme brûlée! Also, Rosemary Greyhound drink! Delish!

This place is one of my local Favorites. Everything that I have tried is delicious. The quality of the food is excellent. This is great for something on the lighter side (still leave full everytime). Drinks are great and desserts are sooo good. My only complaint is that I wish their eggplant sandwich was on the menu permanently..or another vegetarian sandwhich option...but other than that absolutely no complaints. Hoping Chez Lulu sees this and puts it on their menu for good

After having dinner at another amazing Birmingham restaurant, we were looking for a place for dessert and coffee. Chez Lulu came up and displayed several items on the dessert menu. They did not disappoint. Everything sounded amazing from the creme brûlée to the pumpkin bread pudding. The three of us shared different items from the menu. All were delicious. Pumpkin bread pudding was the favorite of the regular bread pudding and caramel cheesecake. Those were very good as well. Service was great and the atmosphere was very quaint and cozy. Place is located in Mountain Brook village. They offer a full menu which is definitely worth checking out for a girls night out or dinner date with your significant other. Really enjoyed the evening here with friends.

I brought my daughter here for a mommy daughter date and she loved it. The Bohemian chic atmosphere makes you feel like you are in a quaint bistro in Paris. I love their garlic soup and tuna melt. They have a lot of French bistro favorites - tarts, quiches, nicoise and sandwiches on baguette. Walk next door to the bakery to bring home an assortment of breads and pastries. They also have macarons, Italian cheesecakes, and coffees.

I realized this week, that I might have problem. But the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Hello, my name is Will, and I love brunch. I mean REALLY love brunch. So much that this is my second review this week of a place I have been to on numerous occasions... just for brunch! So I will preface this by saying that I know Americans are known the world over for being served mass quantities of food at restaurants. So I can appreciate a French restaurant the doesn't crowd the plate with quantity, but with quality food. The breads are baked fresh. So anything you get (croissant, scone, sliced bread, etc.) is always of top quality. I have pretty typically enjoyed everything I have gotten. Even though I couldn't tell you all off the top of my head. Their Bloody Mary is decent, but not great. The inside (especially in the back) can feel a little cramped. But that adds to that cafe feel of the place too. Overall a cool, unique place that is unlike any other in Birmingham.

Chez Lulu is a cute, casual French bistro in Mountain Brook, AL. We love it for Sunday brunch (hello authentic French crepes!), but this week we visited for a quick lunch. It's been freezing in Birmingham this week, so we all opted to try one of their soup specials, tomato saffron- delicious! We also tried the salmon salad, potato and leek tart, and roasted pepper and brie sandwich. They are quite accommodating, as one of us preferred goat cheese rather than brie on the sandwich, and our substitution was made without hesitation. The sandwich is served with chips- we ate them all and negated our earlier hard workout . One detail we found adorable: the bills are presented in cute passport cases- nice touch! It was a great meal, so soon as the weather warms back up, we'll be back to sit outside to manger dehors. Thanks Chez Lulu!

My friend and I eat here regularly - usually when we are looking for a lighter lunch. It is quaint and wonderfully decorated. While our service here has been hit or miss in the past, today it was fantastic. She was both gracious and informative. I enjoyed the beet salad - small portion but delicious. I also always enjoy their tarragon chicken salad.

Chez Lulu is one of my favorite spots in Birmingham. Small but not tight, the ethos will make you feel like you are immediately transported to the heart of Paris. The drink menu is delightful - a great assortment of cocktails, wine, and beer that are all very reasonably priced (read: not cheap, but the same as you would pay at any other mid priced restaurant. The food menu is varied but not overwhelming. My personal favorites are the goat in the orchard salad paired with the brie and red pepper sandwhich. And, of course - the dessert menu. Y'all. That dessert menu. Hard to beat in Birmingham. There is very rarely a wait here as it is not on the hot new circuit of Bham restaurants, but let that be an encouragement to you! One of the few places in Bham where you can get an excellent meal (and I've never had bad service) without waiting for years. Oh - and make sure to check in on Yelp for 10% off!

I loved the bread pudding and almost got two. Will have to try pizza next time I go. I can't seem to say no to Bahn Mi when I see it so I tried that. I wasn't offered bread and oil because they were busy but when next table came in by me and were offered it they noticed and brought it to me.

Best crepes in town! If you want to stop by Chez Lulu, I would recommend only going on Sunday Brunch. This little French café is nestled in English Village of Mountain Brook. The inside is quaint and intimate, but I love to sit outside the best. It's ideal for a crisp spring or fall day to sit outside and enjoy your meal. We've even brought our friend's dog - so dog friendly establishment! I'm not a huge fan of the lunch or dinner options, but their brunch is perfect. Chez Lulu also has wonderful coffee. Let's get down to the crepes...my absolute favorite crepe Chez Lulu offers is the Ham and Mornay. If you're looking for a savory dish that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, try that! They also offer fruity crepes that aren't too weighted down with sugars or syrups. It's the perfect blend. Pair any of the brunch offerings with their coffee and you can't go wrong. It's strong and packs a punch. Should you decide to order an alcoholic beverage from Chez Lulu, be prepared to spend $$. $9.00 for a watered down Bloody Mary is one of the only pitfalls I would say about this place. I'll pass on that next visit. Bottom line is BRUNCH. Do brunch at Chez Lulu.

Stiff (borderline hard) carrot cake, cold creme brûlée, and dirty food encrusted tables. I mean, we stayed and finished the desserts, but only because we have an addiction and can't be blamed for our crazy choices. Despite the texture (carrot cake) and temperature (clearly made hours before creme brûlée) the desserts had good flavor and marginally good presentation. Were it not for the disgusting tables, our rating would surly have been higher. It was the lack of cleanliness and attention to detail that ruined the experience. The weathered paint chipped tables would have been quaint were it not for their need to be scrubbed and flossed. There is a difference between shabby chic and grimy gross.

Delicious food with a friendly, attentive staff. I enjoy this little spot of heaven in Birmingham. The interior is very reminiscent of 1930's French cafe society culture. This restaurant is definitely a gem in our city.

Best Sunday Brunch I've had in Birmingham. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is looking for savory and sweet food. This is more on the pricey side but it makes up for the location, amount of food you get, quantity and quality of the food is also amazing. I would definitely come back and try more options on the menu!

My absolute favorite restaurant in Birmingham. The pizzas are stellar. Try the Zorba the Greek on a spent grain crust. Wowsers! Start with a traditional Niçoise socca and a glass of rosé. You'll be transported to the South of France. In the winter time don't miss steering peasant garlic soup, and count yourself blessed if they have greens pie. Easily Birmingham's best brunch. Chez Lulu is consistent, eclectic, and fantastic.

The salads here are delicious. The one thing this place has down really well are wine and salad combinations. The portions are small like other reviewers have mentioned but they compliment wine perfectly. I ordered the salad and tarte combo with the salad and half sandwich combo. I spent way more than what was socially acceptable for one person at lunch. That didn't mean I didn't enjoy every bit of it. The greens pie tartes du jour was perfect without the hot sauce but that's probably because I can't handle anything spicy. The slice may seem small but the richness makes up for it. The half sandwich eggplant and caramelized onion. Everything was warm, tasty, and mushy. Even though the flavor was decent, out of everything I had, the sandwich was the least impressive. The 2 salads I ordered were the Goat Cheese, Walnuts, Pear and Grapes salad which were beyond delicious. The goat cheese brought the entire salad together. The second salad was a scoop of chicken salad with mixed baby greens that blunted the saltiness and texture of the chicken salad. The service was prompt, polite, and excellent. This is the perfect place to grab Sunday brunch with friends and talk about anything for a few hours.