Cafe Origins — Restaurant in Birmingham

I’ve patroned this place twice and have been pleased each time. It’s refreshing to experience a non chain that delivers the reason to go out and eat.

First off the environment is very welcoming and radiates a inner city vibe found in NYC or Chicago. Replete with on wall, counter, and fold out menus it’s not hard to find what you want. Visually a lot is already on display ranging from various baked goods to gelato.

I’ve only sampled a couple offerings beyond coffee. I’ve been told everything is made in house and I concur it’s fresh. My taste buds were surprised after consuming their Rollo breakfast sandwich; While fresh fillings tasted great, it was the bread or psueto naan/roti that stood out. The last time I had something like that was in Bangkok, on a late night adventure, from a street food cart. It’s difficult to characterize as that taste straddles somewhere between grandmas kitchen to an upscale deli. Trust me something special is happening. Something is different in a great way.

Coffee is another quality offering. It appears they mean business with their industrial devices holding prominent real estate inside. I do appreciate good beans and they deliver. Even unground bags are available for sale.

I’ve rambled enough. As you might tell I like this place a lot. I suggest giving them a gander and try. Good luck Orgins team, I think your formula is working.

Update: In response to the 4 star, owner's rating comment. I think highly of this place, however I've only tried a handful of items. Until I've had an opportunity to sample a greater range and the continued UX, it's premature IMHO. I will say my initial impression is 5 stars, however to be objective I need to try more. Hopefully in the future you'll have more seating inside or outside sidewalk/street parking like across the street. Thanks for responding and still you guys are...

Lovely relatively new café in downtown Birmingham offering an extensive food menu and excellent drink options. It’s a perfect spot for breakfast or lunch. There are salads, hand pies, sandwiches, quiche, various pastries, soups, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, all sorts of coffee drinks, and specialty drinks, as well as some delicious cookies (the gluten free lemon crinkle cookie is wow good). The service is very friendly and they really want to make sure you are happy. A positive , welcoming atmosphere!!! The prices are a bit expensive for the sandwiches and the rollos, but the salad and quiche are right in the usual price. The interior is decorated very nicely and is relatively small and mostly high tops. I do hope as they grow they figure out a better seating situation— perhaps built in benches or some sort of sofa seating to even improve the coziness of the space. I will definitely be back and I’m really thankful they are...

Josh and Noah are true baristas here. I'm a stickler for a traditional cappuccino and they deliver (trust me...I've been to them all in and around B'ham, the US, and Europe)! Robust with plenty of crema.

I've since tried the tomato basil soup (twice!), the roasted asparagus (heavenly) and the gelato (the real deal...my favorite is hazelnut and so hard to come by at most places). I'm in heaven that Cafe Origins has elevated this space to a healthy and upscale casual bistro.

The staff is very welcoming, engaging, and professional. So important and they are wonderful.

A few tweaks...

• Less confusion about how to place an order (ie, where to go/what to do), especially when it's busy (I can see how a new patron wouldn't know what to do);

• A cozier atmosphere with less frenetic music. The music has a tendency to overpower the vibe and cause patrons to talk louder over it, creating a cacophony of distracting noise.

Welcome to the...