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COFFEE

Roasters, specialty espresso drinks, microbrews and wine. Not content just to dominate the coffee scene, they have expanded their menu to include homemade soups, sandwiches, quiche and desserts. You can hear live music almost every weekend and attend monthly art openings to connect with the neighborhood culture. It s great to go into a locally owned business where you get a smile, a coffee and can hang out with great folks. Dama N.

Culinard Café 1500 1st Ave N 205-314-3456 BIRMINGHAM

An expanded version of the Bakery at Culinard, the Café at Innovation Depot offers down- town Birmingham a new choice for breakfast or lunch. Serving a variety of artisan breads, coffee drinks, soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries! Great food! Great atmosphere! Jamie L.

Dreamcakes 960 Oxmoor Rd 205-871-9377 HOMEWOOD

Seriously good cupcakes! Dreamcakes has a daily selec- tion of unconventional flavors like maple bacon, caramel sea salt mocha and hot mama (chocolate and red pepper). Enjoy your sweet treat with

a cup of French press local Primavera coffee. Try one of owner Jan Moon s creative combinations like Curi- ous George (peanut butter and banana), Lemon Ice Box Pie, or Salty Caramel! Brad K.

Edgar s Bakery 3407 Colonnade Pkwy 205-987-0790 BIRMINGHAM

Presenting confections as gorgeous as they are delicious, Edgar s is a local favorite for special occasion cakes, cookies, pies, pastries and breads. Other locations in Hoover, Greystone, and Pelham. It s a creative, local bakery with a great café and even better cakes! Tarra H.

The Heavenly Donut Co. 4911 Cahaba River Rd, Suite 105 205-536-7200 BIRMINGHAM

The name says it all for these donut connoisseurs. The Heavenly Donut Co. specializes in cake and yeast donuts, but you can t go wrong with their fritters, cinnamon rolls and Bismarks, plus beignets every Saturday. And if you ve got kids to entertain, try their donut par- ties for a creative and delicious celebration. I gave Heavenly Donuts a try soon after they opened. I haven t gone anywhere else since. Fred A.

Lucy s Coffee & Tea 2007 University Blvd 205-328-2007 BIRMINGHAM

What started in 1993 as a coffee cart has become one of Birmingham s favorite spots. Open weekdays for breakfast and lunch serving homemade soups, salads and sandwiches, as well as a full espresso menu and a variety of pastries. I never tire of the hello that greets me at Lucy s. I love the warm atmosphere and the cheer- ful, smiling faces of the workers. One of the employees taught me to knit! Lucy s has become a staple in my life. Madeline W.

Magic Muffins 3150 Overton Rd 205-969-2113 BIRMINGHAM

Bringing a variety of magical muffins into the Magic City, the true must-have is the sausage cheese biscuit. Also offering sandwiches, pies, cakes and a variety of other tempting treats. Trust me, you ve never had a sausage cheese biscuit like this. Louanne M.

Mt. Brook Creamery 2715 Cahaba Rd 205-870-0092 MOUNTAIN BROOK

Old-fashioned dessert parlor scooping up ice cream cones, fountain treats, cakes, pies and a long list of frozen confections. The ice cream is tasty, and it s a local shop which is cool because it s very one of a kind. Andrew W.