OvenBird

The story

OvenBird Birmingham: Live Fire, Seasonal Southern & Latin American Cuisine

Live Fire, Southern Roots, Global Inspiration

OvenBird is the Birmingham restaurant that chef-owners Chris and Idie Hastings built around a single, elemental technique: live-fire cooking. Located in the Market District at Pepper Place, this casual spot draws its energy from the coals, grills, and wood-fired ovens that define the kitchen. The menu is grounded in the seasonal Southern ingredients the Hastings know and love, but the preparations take cues from the live-fire traditions of Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, and Argentina — as well as the American South. That means you can expect wood-grilled meats, blistered vegetables, and smoky char on nearly everything that leaves the pass.

A Bar Program That Travels

The bar at OvenBird mirrors the kitchen’s global outlook. The craft cocktail menu celebrates the drinking traditions of the same cultures that inspire the food, while the beer list leans heavily on local Alabama breweries. The wine program is particularly thoughtful: each menu item has a suggested pairing, and the list favors off-the-beaten-path varietals from small producers — chosen for authenticity, value, and how well they match the charred, vibrant flavors of the cooking.

Designed for Gathering

The space itself is a collaboration with Alabama’s craftsmen and designers. The Hastings worked closely with local makers to create a series of distinct vignettes within the dining room, each with its own character. The result is a restaurant that feels like a collection of warm, welcoming rooms — a place to share a meal with friends, family, or colleagues. The seasonal, Latin American and Spanish-influenced menu changes with what’s available from nearby farms, and the kitchen’s commitment to live-fire cooking makes every dish feel immediate and honest.

OvenBird’s approach earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026, a recognition of its good quality and good value cooking. It’s a fitting accolade for a restaurant that manages to be both ambitious and relaxed, rooted in Alabama while looking across the Atlantic for inspiration.