Lé Fresca

It was honestly the most happy accident that we found ourselves at Lé Fresca. The host was able to help us get a seat at the bar on a busy night. We ordered the pork and Gorgonzola pizza and the short rib ravioli special. Both were amazing, especially paired with the Pinot Nero. We finished our evening with a delicious tiramisu! Our bartender who waited on us, Matthew, gave us great recommendations relating to the menu, wine pairings and provided great company and service. As an out of town visitor, I have already added this restaurant to a reason to return to Birmingham again soon!

This place is always an A+ in my book. It’s by far my favorite restaurant to go to in Birmingham. I really enjoy that they are constantly rotating their menu to feature different items so even if you come back regularly, you can always try something different. For appetizers, we ordered the butternut squash ravioli and the Burrata. Both dishes were excellent. I highly suggest trying their ravioli. All of their pastas are homemade, but the ravioli is sent from heaven and simply irresistible. For drinks, we got an Aperol spritz And the lost plane which is an aged rum cocktail. For our main, we ordered the Ragu rigatoni And the braised short rib risotto. Also I ordered the pork chop with sautéed kale and butternut squash. I love their pork chops here because they don’t have that extremely porky taste to them. it’s a high cut of pork I can tell you that. They knocked both of these dishes out of the park. Our server crystal was amazing and extremely attentive and suggested a lot of dishes for us to try. The owner is super friendly and I like joking around with him. He’s always checking on tables and making sure the restaurant is in tiptop shape. I do understand that there are a plethora Of other Italian restaurants to try, but I always find myself back at this one. The Quality and attention to detail is unparalleled. Just as a sidenote, I strongly recommend that anyone reviewing restaurants on Google always put the name of your dishes and drinks in the review or on the pictures. I love trying some of the items that you all suggest but have a hard time, figuring out what it is specifically on the menu.

Le Fresca is indescribeably phenomenal. House made sausage and homemade pasta. Duck risotto.... delish!!! Drinks are also fantastic. Atmosphere and vibe is relaxed and cozy. Service staff is knowledgeable and professional while also being extremely personable. Great experience all around.

We scored bar seats here on a busy weekend night. The bartender worked hard to make us comfortable. We got the Fish dish and Pasta with mushrooms.

The server Marco and also the host , Clarence were exceptional. They both exhibited great customer service and their willingness to allow their positive attitude to shine bright and make everyone feel welcomed. Food- I would highly recommend the Fritto Misto and the prokchop Lighting recommendation- wireless dinner lamp to the tables for extra lighting

First came here a month ago for an anniversary dinner based on the recommendations of a friend. Loved it so much I’ve been back 2 additional times since then. The food is incredible and the price is very reasonable considering the quality. Service is impeccable. Highly recommend.

Le Fresca is an absolutely wonderful experience. The service is attentive, the food is amazing and it's a great atmosphere to enjoy food and friends. I loved my scallops and my friend enjoyed her sheepshead fish. Cannot wait to return!

The best Italian restaurant I’ve been to in quite some time. The pizza and pastas are absolutely delicious. The wine selection was fantastic. I’m already thinking of the next time I can return. Thank you for the AMAZING experience.

I love visiting the bar here for a tasty dinner or happy hour with friends. This time I tried a pizza and it was soooo delicious! The crust was light and crispy and the topping tasted very fresh. If you're going for dinner you'll need a reservation or prepare to wait. My fav place to eat is the bar, the service is just as quick and friendly there. I had to wait a little while for my friend to arrive abd the staff was so polite and kept me company at the door. They definitely made the evening special.

Food-Outstanding. Must try the Venison. I am not a m huge venison fan but this dish is amazing. Diavola Pizza was flavorful and crispy without being burnt. Cappuccino were wonderful. Dessert white chocolate but the White chocolate pudding was divine I was full but gobbled it up. Service- Kyle was welcoming, attentive, friendly, and walked us through the menu. Ambiance- Welcoming and comfortable. Best restaurant so far in Birmingham with food and service. If you want an experience from start to finish this is the place to go

Amazing food , service, cocktails even the man at the door was so accommodating, I can't wait to go back

The server was very on top of everything. Whatever you do don't forget to get some of the hot oil that's on the table. It takes your food to another level.

One of my favorite restaurants in Birmingham. They have a seasonal/changing menu, so you can't get attached to one meal! During my first visit, they had a seafood pasta, which was amazing. Their risotto is rich and creamy. The grilled duck breast is unlike any duck that I've ever tried. Honestly, every single meal here exceeded my expectations. I would also highly recommend their tomato salad and burrata -- both are so refreshing. I've only visited for lunch, but I heard they have the best espresso martini in town. Their dessert portions are also huge; one order of tiramisu can be shared between 2 - 3 people. As for the service, I've always had a great experience. The waiters are helpful in explaining the meals, and the chef will hand deliver your meal. The restaurant is small, so there may be a long wait, but it is WORTH IT!

Absolutely amazing food in a comfortable atmosphere. It's always busy so reservations are definitely in order. The service was spot on and the cocktails were great as well. I enjoyed the scallops and loved the Smoke Show bourbon cocktail. We also had two appetizers - the beef carpaccio and the burrata which were both delish. Highly recommend and can't wait to return.

We went here on a busy Friday night for dinner before a show. We ordered the Risotto Del Giorno and the Gnocchi , and also the tiramisu , everything was delicious and made with care! The stuff was friendly and the service was quick. Beware , there is usually a long wait if you don't have reservations.

This place is really, really nice. I highly recommend reservations. The bar is first come first serve. The food was wonderful. I'd never heard of Sheephead fish before so I ordered that. It was lovely. I would definitely recommend the mushroom pizza! The service was top-notch. This place should definitely be on your 2024 list.

Amazing food, amazing service! I made a reservation for a lunch date with my friend on a Saturday. The host and server were so sweet and gave some recommendations for drinks and food! I had an aperol spritz and the squid ink calamari pasta, my friend got the catch of the day, and we split a clams appetizer, a pizza, and a bottle of Sancerre! Such a great meal!

This review is based on pizza only. The cheese pizza is a 4 out of 10. It was so disappointing the crust was ok at best the cheese was mismatched and the sauce was tasteless. It stuck to the box and was greasy with all flop and did not hold together. On the flip side service was great and a great selection of liquor and wine very nice atmosphere.

Dinner was fantastic, staff is ridiculously awesome. Everyone actually makes you feel like they enjoy working here. The only bartender with a front porch was fantastic. The whole night from waiting for a table to dessert was 10/10.

Le Fresca is one of my all time favorite restaurants in Birmingham. Their Italian foods is the by far the best there is. I always recommend to anyone who loves authentic Italian food, good wine, and great service. The staff are always so kind and extremely helpful. I have always enjoyed my dining experience here and you cannot go wrong! Fantastic restaurant.

always a treat. never misses a beat. Love dining here. Enough said. Now enjoy the photos :)

We didn't have reservations but we're seated in 30 min. It was dark inside but comfy. Lots of great choices but unfortunately what I chose was the clam dish. It was bitter which was something I couldn't explain and had sand in the clams I ate. The wine was fine as I was not in favor of my first choice and selected another and that was fine.

A+ Keith at the door was super. Mary Ann - was a tremendous server and host. Chef Marco was AWESOME

Enjoyed an early Father's Day dinner here. I had a hard to deciding what to eat. Trying to ear healthy so I went with the Steelhead trout. It was a good choice. The trout was delicious and the vegetables were as equally thrilling to my taste buds. Marco was our waiter and he was very knowledgeable on everything we asked about. The atmosphere was pleasant. We could see the cooks working and rolling pizza dough, etc. prices were very reasonable as well

Le Fresca is an amazing place for Italian food! From the risotto to the pastas, you can never go wrong with any of their dishes. The staff, especially the owner Marco, are all very friendly and work hard to make your experience the best it can be! It has a very simple ambiance that is great for a night out with friends or for a date night. The restaurant does get full quickly, so make sure to have a reservation or arrive very early so that you do not have to wait.

The limoncello martini and arancini were so delicious! I also had the fish of the day, which was amazing as well. The fish and accompanying vegetables were cooked perfectly. I will definitely be coming back!

This will be a little lengthy but please bear with me I came across this place via google looking for "authentic pizza" more so authentic NY style pizza, and being a student of culinary arts of 10yrs, specializing in and eating pizza for over 30.... I'm not here to lie... I am from NY through and through... This is not a paid review, I just moved to Birmingham about 6 months ago and I'm always on the hunt for a little slice of "home" vicariously through pizza... I am SPEECHLESS. Pizza AUTHENTIC, sauce AUTHENTIC, ingredients AUTHENTIC and IMPORTED. Charred crust on the pizza is the exact piece of character I needed. Of course, if a pizza shop can do the simple things well, I have no reservations about anything else so what did I try? The margarita. Simple, elegant and fresh. There's really nothing else to say. Best pizza in Birmingham, probably in the state of Alabama. Service, impeccable. Staff, what needs to be said other than way to go. I write this because more places like this NEED to be highlighted. Inside you'll be overwhelmed with an umami and harmonious smell of every ingredient they work with. The decor and ambiance is Subtle yet sophisticated. Casual yet classy. I think you get the gist. Everything in this place works... If you are in Birmingham, on bended knee, I beg you to try this place. This is MY opinion and not highlighted or influenced by anyone other than myself. I will be going back to try the pasta next but I have no worries it is anything short of amazing. Congrats on an amazing restaurant. See "you's guys soon"

If you expect a Saturday evening seating then you best have reservations. We didn't. We put our name on the list for bar seating. They estimated about a 20 minute wait, it was more like 45 minutes but that was ok as we enjoyed a drink across the street at a wine bar. Once seated, we opted for a bottle of cab. Our waiter recommended an Italian cab - not nearly as bold as a California cab but very good. As he poured the wine, he told us the evening specials and a little more about the menu. My friend ordered the risotto - crawfish and asparagus - might seem a little odd but turns out was very good. Very, very rich. The serving size wasn't huge - my friend was able to finish without any problem. I shared a suprema pizza. The brick oven crust was thin and crisp but the overall pizza was actually pretty bland. Honestly, I wouldn't order it again. My friends have been here a few times and said tonight was the first time they weren't wowed. I'd be willing to try again but next time I will definitely have reservations.

Came here on a Thursday at 1pm and there was a bunch of open seating. They had limited seating outside, indoor seating, and a large bar. I decided to sit at the bar. Their cocktails were so fresh. Their pasta WAS AMAZING. Clearly homemade noodles with a perfect bite. I ordered the pappardelle with rabbit. The broth was so rich with rosemary and other savory flavors. The rabbit was tender with dark and white meat. The bartender paired it perfectly with a glass of white wine. I truly savored every bite of this masterpiece. Come here and order it. Do it.

Superb. Fantastic Northern Italian cuisine. Service is excellent. Good wine list, including some atypical varietals

We visited this place on a whim, and boy am I glad we did! Our server's descriptions of the daily specials were so detailed that our mouths were watering just listening to them! We stayed with the housemade burrata, which was creamy and delicious, served with toast and a veggie salad. We ordered one of the specials: ravioli filled with ricotta, fresh spring peas, and a hint of lemon, served with a garlic butter sauce. The Marguerita pizza was perfect to share, as the portion was both generous and delicious. We had an opportunity to speak to the chef/owner, and he is justifiably proud of this wonderful restaurant. We finished our meal with cups of espresso, with no bitterness at all. If you live near Birmingham, or if you visit, do yourself a culinary favor and have a meal here!

A friend and I dined here after visiting a local bar for drinks. This restaurant has been on my radar, so I'm be try glad that we decided to dine here. If you enjoy Italian food, this place is a must try. They do take reservations for table sitting; however, the bar area is available for walk-ins. The menu options are limited, as this is a high end restaurant, but the food is delicious and does not disappoint. I would recommend giving this restaurant a try if you have the taste for authentic Italian food or want a fine dining experience.

My dad & I enjoyed an outstanding pizza lunch today . It was more than just lunch, it was truly an experience!...an experience enhanced by Brent who took EXCELLENT care of us today. Brent told us about how Lé Fresca had to remove the antique doors from the building to bring in their authentic, wood fired pizza oven which was imported from Italy & assembled by an Italian Craftsman. He informed us on why Italians fold their pizza before eating. First of all, it's to make sure the crust isn't burnt, second, to make sure the pizza doesn't sag when folded meaning it is undercooked. He told us about how the owner cured the stone the pizzas are cooked on. He brought me back to the kitchen to observe our pizzas being made & cooked in the 700 degree pizza oven. He went above & beyond & we really appreciated that! Now, on to the pizza. Tasting it was like tasting pizza for the very first time. AMAZING! The quality of the ingredients they use is evident. Like the flour imported from Italy. We ordered the Suprema Pizza featuring sausage, bacon, ham, olive, mushroom & parmigiano as well as the Saporita Pizza featuring sausage, mozzarella & a touch of gorgonzola. Both pizzas were out of this world, but mine & dad's favorite was the Suprema. Both pizza's crusts were absolutely perfect, included just the right amount of sauce & tasty toppings. This is pizza done right. Absolutely add a dash of the made-in-house chili oil to compliment your already perfect slice. If you simply want lunch or just a pizza, go somewhere else...if you want a dining experience & perfect pizza, come to Lé Fresca.

Such delicious, high-quality food here! The spaghetti I order was so authentic and filling! My friend ordered pizza and she said it was really good. The service is really interesting. Our server had the entire menu memorized & recited it to us before we ordered. He even described each meal with great detail. I thought it was enjoyable to say the least & kind of funny because it felt like an auction but with food. The cocktail I ordered was delicious! "The Refresca." Yum & yum again. My friend thought it was too strong but we're obviously built from different fabric lol. The ambience is so open and refreshing. You can see the cooks preparing the food in the back. Worth a try!

Great pizza. Friendly service and atmosphere. Low noise level, perfect for a lunch or happy hour.

You'll never look at pizza the same way again. The flour is imported from Italy, and you can taste the difference. They also offer a chili dipping oil that's divine! Incredible service and ambiance! If you love cocktails, try the Hugo and the Smoke Show!

All around great restaurant! The atmosphere is nice, without being too stuffy! Great for all occasions, but it's our favorite for group dinners! The service is always great, and they're happy to give wine suggestions, since the wine menu is extensive. We started with the beef carpaccio which was perfect! Also really love the Burrata. For entrees, we ordered a pizza, rigatoni and ravioli. Their pizzas may be the best in Birmingham! The crust is flavorful and light, and crispy from their pizza oven. You must ask for the red chili oil to top it off, this is the best! (They actually sell this too) The rigatoni was wonderfully al dente. Again, the chili oil is great on this! The ravioli had great reviews, the only concern was that they wish they had more! All around another great experience at Le Fresca! We'll be back!

Awesome Italian food. Cool vibe and everyone was eating at the bar. Attenders were awesome.

Where do I begin? It's arguably the best Italian food in the state, let a lone Birmingham. The food is divine. The best part is they're open for lunch when many of the other spots nearby are not. It's a quick walk from my office over there for lunch or a glass of wine after the work day. Menu - traditional Italian fare made in the best ways possible. Wine menu - heavily European and well rounded. Wish there were some Napa wines available but hey, Italians have a few thousand year head start on wine. Parking - Street only. Find a garage or pay lot nearby. It's not hard.

Awesome service, bartender was fun and good at mixing drinks. Food was outstanding. Loved the atmosphere as well.

Great food and service in Birmingham Alabama. Great date spot. Enjoy the atmosphere as well.

If you have a favorite pizza place, Le Fresca will change that! We started with the burrata - burrata over olives, capers, onions & sun dried tomatoes with toast points. It was amazing. And the pizzas were just as amazing! Margherita was cheesy, thin crust perfection right from the wood fired oven. This is our new favorite. Sorry, no pictures. We were just hungry. Very nice wine selection, bourbon standards & full bar. Excellent service , knowledgeable & helpful. Note- parking can be tedious, but worth the trip around the block.

Excellent casual dining with highbrow flavors. Great service. Be sure to get the bread and olive oil. Tiramisu for dessert!

Very nice ambience and wait staff. Our party loved the wine and appetizers the pizza they had though was a little underwhelming. Still worth going back.

Visited Le Fresca for an early valentines date and we loved it! Kyle was such an attentive, kind, funny waiter and suggested great dinner options and a fabulous bottle of wine. The kitchen has an open window portion where you can see the staff which is really cool! It's a great spot for either a casual dinner with friends or a romantic date night. It's a bit of a small restaurant, so our two-person table was nestled between two other parties which we didn't love but it didn't pose an issue. I think next time we'll opt to sit at the bar! We can't wait to go back, even just for the chili pepper oil!

Wonderful food and wonderful staff. We sat at the bar and Candice was outstanding. She ran us through the offerings and made us feel very welcome. At the door we met Clarence who suggested we wait across the street at the wine bar, Avine until a spot opened up. They texted us soon thereafter. Once we were seated Candice suggested the little neck clams and they were fantastic. She gave us extra bread to sop up the garlicky sauce. Then Autumn (she was also wonderful) brought us our main courses. The Orecchiette was excellent. After dinner my wife had a grappa and I had an espresso. And, I almost forgot, it was her birthday and she loved it.

Absolutely lovely evening at le fresca on a Saturday night. Our table was not available when we arrived so Lisa sat us at one of the outdoor tables to wait (these were not being used that night due to wait staff shortage) and sent out a server to take our drink order. Within minutes, she was back with seats at the bar so we could sit in air conditioned space. Very thoughtful. Well, we love to eat at the bar so a win-win. The food (see photos) and drinks (Negroni and an old fashion) were delicious but the service and attention is truly what will bring us back. I gave 4 stars because I would like to see a larger selection of entrees on the menu. The current food and service is a full 5 . Can't wait until fall/winter to try the lasagna!

I have to say this experience made our stay in Birmingham. We were very fortunate to be seated at the bar and have the owner greet & serve us. Having a restaurant ourselves it did our hearts good seeing the pride and work he puts into his own restaurant.All of the staff seemed to share the same pride in their work. Now let's talk about the food, "Amazing "! I had the GRILLED HANGER STEAK : PATATE ARROSTO, RAINBOW CHARD, cooked perfectly at a Medium Rare and my wife had the PORK CHOP : PATATE GRATINATE , HARVEST FARM COLLARD GREENS which she said was beyond delicious! I couldn't recommend this place more. We will make this our stop anytime we are in Birmingham, AL. Thank you, Marco!

Amazing food and amazing service, great ambiance for a lunch or dinner.i would definitely recommend this to anyone going to Birmingham

If you enjoy Italian food then you'll love Le Fresca! The overall vibe of the place is simple and friendly and the staff there is great! Usually, when I come I get the steak but this weekend I went for the classic Margherita pizza- which was already very good. the waiter brought a spicy oil to drizzle on top of the pizza which only elevated its overall flavor of it. Heads up! If you try coming in on the weekend it is very hard to get a table so I recommend calling ahead and getting a reservation, it makes the experience so much better than having to wait 2 hours to get seated!

Very rude service. We called ahead and got a reservation. When we showed up they said they didn't take it and were expecting us to sit at the bar, which there was now a wait list for. Absolutely no apologies for this. Service continued down hill from there. Avoid this place.

We stopped in on a recommendation to try their dinners I ordered the spinach ravioli and my spouse ordered the pork chop. Both were excellent, but my ravioli was really not worth the price. The bartenders were excellent and our service was great. I am not sure if I will come back again. I really felt it was pricey for the first. Era.

Back again after several years and just as good as ever! Please come by and listen to the owner singing in the kitchen. He's a pip.

This place is awesome and the staff is fantastic. Everyone is so friendly and make you feel at home. Awesome desserts!!! If you get a chance, you gotta talk to Marco. Best guy with some great stories and awesome recommendations. Thank you!!

Absolutely amazing Italian food. This is by far the best Italian restaurant in the Birmingham area. The pasta is amazing and taste like nothing like you've had. It's so fresh and taste like it was made with lots of love. The pizza is really good too and I highly recommend it. The restaurant has gray desserts to choose from and I got the tiramisu and it was so great. It was rich but so delicious. It taste like something you'd get in Italy. I highly recommend this place. You will want to place a reservation as it gets full quickly but seats are available at the bar at a walk in basis if you don't have a reservation.

Quite possibly my favorite restaurant in all of Birmingham! Although we don't live here we come back often to see family or for various events. Le Fresca is small, lovely, and highly coveted, so I recommend you make a reservation no matter what day you plan to come. For starters we had the burrata with arugula and beets. The cheese was perfectly runny on the inside and the whole plate was drizzled with incredible quality olive oil and just a pinch of salt. It comes with grilled bread for scooping up each bite. We also ordered additional sides of the bread service w/ olive oil, which they source from a local baker who makes the rolls exclusively for them. The menu seems to change seasonally, and they offer(ed) a 4-person lasagna for pickup only. I say offered since it will end this weekend and not return until the fall. I'm interested to see what they replace it with for the warmer months. For mains, the beef tenderloin (special) and red snapper (catch of the day) were all ordered and devoured. The beef was perfectly cooked and unbelievably tender, with a rich mushroom sauce. The red snapper was light and flakey with a touch of lemon. When it came time for dessert we were hard pressed to narrow them all down! We ended up ordering the white chocolate bread pudding and the tiramisu. The bread pudding is small but powerfully tasty and the perfect size for one person or for a group to each have a bite. The tiramisu comes in a pretty large dish and the custard was so smooth I could have eaten another bowl of just that layer! Next time we'll also try the olive oil cake since the table next to us raved about it. If you get the chance definitely make a reservation and stop by for a delicious meal, wonderful service, and a delightful evening!

The best restaurant in Birmingham! couldn't stop eating, even after I was stuffed! owner is great as well.

Gratzi! Words can't express HOW wonderful our lunch was today. Celebrating our Sara Kate's 21st - this is the crème de le crème Italiano! Anyone with a refined palette, LOOK NO FURTHER! From antipasti to primi, you're blessed they don't charge you more to enjoy such scrumptious wonders and enjoyable conversation of the Old World. Look forward to our next visit!!! Hats off to Marco and Maryanne. We are now, family.