Michael Matsos opened Michael's in Birmingham in 1953, and the steakhouse went on to host Bob Hope, Arnold Palmer and Bear Bryant in its mid-century heyday. It was the first restaurant in the city to earn three stars from the Mobil Travel Guide. After years of changes the name went quiet, until owner Bernadette Birdsong brought it back, reopening downtown at 1525 1st Avenue South in 2020. The charcoal-seared steer butt steak is still the dish, dinner runs about $40 to $80 a head, and the white chocolate macadamia nut bread pudding is worth the wait.
The Kitchen
Michael Matsos founded Michael's in 1953 as an offshoot of his La Paree steakhouse, and for decades it was the Birmingham room where deals were closed and visiting names were taken to dinner. The original menu, developed by executive chef William Orr, was built on charcoal-seared steaks, shish kabobs and a short list of classics. In 2016 Bernadette Birdsong, with her mother Amelia Williams and son Coleridge Tillman, bought the last Michael's from Matsos, and in 2020 she moved it downtown to 1525 1st Avenue South, near the Negro Southern League Museum.
The signature remains the charcoal-seared steer butt steak, the cut that earned the room its reputation and its three Mobil stars. The shish kabobs are a holdover staple, and the white chocolate macadamia nut bread pudding has its own devoted following. Steaks and a full dinner land between $40 and $80 a head before drinks, which is in line with a serious steakhouse. Birdsong, a rare Black and woman owner of a heritage steakhouse, has kept the cooking faithful to the old standard rather than chasing reinvention, and the room is better for it.
The Room
The downtown Michael's leans into its steakhouse heritage: dark wood, white linen and the warm, clubby feel of a room built for long dinners. Sound sits at a comfortable hum, rising on event nights when the ballpark and museum district draw a crowd. Lighting is low and flattering, tables are generously spaced for private conversation, and dress runs smart-casual to business. The seat count is generous, with room for larger parties. Ask for a banquette along the wall if you want the quietest corner for a working dinner.
Best for Impressing Clients
Book Michael's to impress a client because it carries weight without trying too hard. Three reasons it works: the steakhouse setting signals that you take the dinner seriously; the seventy-year history gives you an easy, local story to tell across the table; and the menu of steaks and classics lets a guest order with confidence rather than decode a tasting menu. Picture a banquette, two charcoal-seared steaks and a bottle of red, the business handled before the bread pudding arrives. Reserve ahead and request a quieter table. See our impress clients guide for more.
Not for a diner after modern, plant-led or adventurous cooking. This is a traditional charcoal steakhouse, so a guest who wants a contemporary tasting menu or a meat-free meal should choose a different room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Michael's worth it?
Yes, if you value a steakhouse with real history. Michael's opened in Birmingham in 1953 and was the first restaurant in the city awarded three stars by the Mobil Travel Guide; it reopened downtown in 2020 under owner Bernadette Birdsong. The charcoal-seared steer butt steak is the dish to order, and a dinner runs roughly $40 to $80 a head. You are paying for an institution, not a trend.
How hard is it to book Michael's?
Booking is straightforward and recommended for dinner. Michael's takes reservations online and by phone on +1 205-871-9525, and weekend evenings and event nights fill first given its downtown location near the ballpark and museum district. A few days' notice is usually enough. For a private celebration, ask about the larger tables when you call.
What should I order at Michael's?
Order the charcoal-seared steer butt steak, the cut that built the restaurant's name since 1953. The shish kabobs are a long-running staple, and you should save room for the white chocolate macadamia nut bread pudding, which has its own following. Pair it with a classic cocktail. See our Birmingham dining guide for more of the city's tables.
Is Michael's good for impressing clients?
Yes, it is one of Birmingham's better rooms for a business dinner. The steakhouse setting reads as serious without being stiff, the history gives you something to talk about, and the menu of steaks and classics suits a table that wants to order with confidence. Book ahead and request a quieter table. For more options, see our impress clients guide.