The Scoop: Located in downtown Birmingham, The Pizitz Food Hall is an engaging date spot with a little something for everyone. From authentic tacos to Southern comfort food, the dining hall promotes a variety of cuisine and encourages small businesses to get cooking. This eclectic space celebrates the diversity of the local community and welcomes couples, friend groups, and families from all walks of life. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch, cocktail hour, or dinner date, The Pizitz Food Hall can provide a fun backdrop for making special memories over a plate of delicious food.
Sometimes the most stressful part of planning a date is figuring out where to go. The right date venue can set the tone for a romantic experience, but couples aren’t always in agreement when it comes time to decide. Maybe one person is hankering for Vietnamese food, but their date wants a taco. Maybe they have different expectations regarding price or have time constraints that hinder their options.
casual atmosphere.
The Pizitz Food Hall opened in 2017 to give local foodies a place where they can always find common ground and explore new flavors and experiences.
This colorful dining destination has a lot to offer couples in Birmingham. It has a dozen locally owned food stations that can satisfy all types of cravings — plus a full cocktail bar and homestyle bakery. The spacious seating area is full of good vibes and frequently accommodates casual dinner dates, board game nights, happy hour gatherings, and friendly hangouts.
The food lineup at The Pizitz Food Hall is constantly changing because it welcomes pop-up restaurants and innovative enterprises. Sometimes a food truck owner shifts gears by setting up a dining stall for a few weeks or months and then gets back on the road. Some small business owners use the short-term rental as a chance to try new menu items or launch a new brand.
Things are always changing at The Pizitz Food Hall, and that keeps people coming back for new culinary adventures.
The Pizitz Food Hall is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. with food service until 7 p.m. throughout the week. It is closed on Sundays. The Louis Bar has late-night hours to support post-dinner and pre-nightclub drinks. The cocktail bar’s last call is at 8 p.m. Parking is available at The Pizitz parking deck on 18th Street North and 1st Avenue North. The first two hours are free.
In addition to the dining hall, couples can check out showtimes at the Sidewalk Film and Cinema or shop at Warby Parker while they’re out and about. The Pizitz Food Hall has made room for a lot of fun community-oriented activities that could be perfect for an afternoon date.
To quote the team, “The Pizitz is a classic building that embodies the very best of what downtown Birmingham once was and is again.”
Tons of Options for a Grab-and-Go Meal
The moment you step into The Pizitz Food Hall, you’re surrounded by a smorgasbord of delicious options. On one hand, you have steaming bowls of pho and ramen bowls, and on the other hand you have juicy burgers and salty fries. Some people enter and immediately head off to different stations only to meet at a table laden with trays of different treats.
Ashley Mac’s is a popular fast-casual dining concept that offers homestyle food and a bakery. Its gourmet-to-go menu appeals to folks with a sweet tooth, and it also has healthy sandwich and salad options.
The Pizitz Food Hall features a lot of international foods that can’t be found just anywhere. Eli’s Jerusalem Grill only sells its authentic Israeli cuisine at one other location, and the Indian street food of Silver Kati can only be found at this dining hall. Silver Kati is one of the newest additions to this culinary scene, and it invites locals to sample the spicy, buttery, and savory flavors of India.
If you’re looking for traditional American fare, you can dig into a hamburger from The Standard or get a basket of chicken wings from J Wings.
The food hall is a great date location because couples can do their own thing and be true to their taste buds. One person may head straight for Broad Street Peaux Boys to get a classic Cajun po’ boy sandwich, while their significant other is drawn toward the Japanese-Hawaiian fusion dishes at One Poke. They can make vastly different dinner choices yet still sit at the same table and agree to share a dessert.
Edolyn’s Pies gets people’s mouths watering over its sweet potato pies and other decadent creations. Its pies are made from old family recipes, and everything from the crust to the filling is made by hand. “We welcome you to try our delicious pies for yourself,” the Edolyn team said. After the first bite we are sure you’ll love them too! “
Speaking of dessert, The Birmingham Candy Company specializes in handcrafted confections made from traditional recipes. Its owners have been in the candy business for years, and they make a mean candied apple. Couples can end their date night on a sweet note by ordering some truffles or a chunk of fudge to share.
A Thriving Community Hub in Downtown Birmingham
The Pizitz Food Hall boasts a five-star rating on Facebook and a four-star rating on Yelp, and many of its most positive reviews come from couples who came here on a date.
A woman named Rikesha said she enjoyed the music, food, and youthful energy at this Birmingham hotspot. “Honestly, I simply wanted to enjoy the vibe and atmosphere on the night my date and I went,” she wrote. “A jazzy scene for a Friday date night,.”
“Absolutely love this place. We love the diverse choices,” Amanda L. wrote on Facebook. “We have never had a bad meal. We are still trying new places. One of our favorite stops.”
“I stumbled on this Bham gem by accident, and I’m glad that I did,” a tourist with the initials P.K. said of the Pizitz Food Hall. “Bartender was awesome, and the selection of vendors excellent.”
The food isn’t the only attraction at The Pizitz Food Hall. Daters may also want to check out Sidewalk, a nonprofit cinema that shows indie films. The theater hosts screenings from Thursday through Sunday. Every autumn, Sidewalk attracts an artsy crowd at the nationally reputed Sidewalk Film Festival and the SHOUT LGBTQ Film Festival.
The Pizitz also has a multi-purpose event space called The Gallery. It can offer a stylish backdrop for a holiday party, pop-up chef dinner, or private event. Some couples like the space so much that they book it for their rehearsal dinner or wedding reception.
Whether it’s hosting a yoga class or a date night, The Pizitz Food Hall brings a burst of social energy to any special event. Contact the team to inquire about its private event availability and offerings.
The Pizitz Food Hall Offers Good Vibes & Delicious Grub
Couples don’t always agree on where to go or what to eat on their date nights. And that’s OK. Dinner doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. Diversified food hubs like The Pizitz Food Hall can provide a broad selection of tasty meal options — as well as desserts and cocktails — so all types of people can get what they want.
The Pizitz Food Hall supports over a dozen locally owned businesses, including many beloved food brands. The unique menus attract food lovers who have adventurous tastes and enjoy hanging out in a hip casual scene.
After months of social distancing and limited capacity, The Pizitz Food Hall has fully reopened and is growing more popular than ever. Its 18,000-square-foot space sees a lot of foot traffic, particularly during dinnertime. Locals can follow The Pizitz Facebook page to learn about its upcoming specials and new food stall openings.
Looking ahead, The Pizitz team plans to continue supporting a joyful culture by hosting community events and challenging local vendors to crank up the flavor. Bon appetit!
