Italian restaurant whom food and staff gets an A+ from me and my family. The service is very pleasant and the food is prepared with excellence. Its a neighborly family and friends meet and greet to relax type of vibe while enjoying the outside weather. By the way, I love their sandwiches.

A true gem. Absolutely loved everything about this place and all the pastries are delicious. The ham and cheese croissant is amazing!

We found our new bakery. Husband has been looking for some authentic like French goods. Says they make the best baguettes he’s had in America. Such a cute store and plenty of options.

I want to say that the setting itself is worthy of 5 stars. I went there for dessert and had the caramel bourbon cheesecake. It had the BEST caramel sauce I had ever tasted. The cheesecake itself was amazing, rich, and fluffy. The toasted crust was perfect. After that, I bought some of their sourdough bread to take home. It was fantastic paired with a little bit of olive oil. And I also purchased some of their macaroons. I had the waitress just pick some random flavors for me to try and none of them disappointed. I will gladly tell everyone I know about this place. Next time I’ll get try and get a meal. The staff was SUPER friendly!

Excellent bakery with their own spin on classics. The crust on the apple pie seems to be made similar to a croissant. Its perhaps the most spectacular and rich apple pie Ive ever had. I highly recommend trying whatever theyre making. The setting, once the pandemic subsides, seems to be pretty cozy and would be a great place to have coffee on a winter day.

Teas are sooo good, the macarons are amazing (especially the coconut! 😍), the espresso cheesecake was delicious, and the 3 cookies we tried were really good too! Will definitely be back to sample more treats!

Wonderful time on the patio. Everything was delicious and we had excellent service. Just stopped in for some coffee and dessert but we will be coming back for some dinner in the near future

Went out of the way to come here only to find a sign posted indicating theyre only open Thur-Sun evening in Summer. Would have been nice if they updated their hours online to reflect this.@contintal Bakery cant find a place online to respond to you but it shows your old hours when you look up the business on Google Maps.

We stopped by for the takeout but they had tables set up. We got the sandwiches which were amazing. The banh mi was amazing. The perfect amount of spice and meat to bread

Man this place is so cool. Felt like I was in Europe inside. Pastries of all kinds that seem like they’re made daily, deli food and great coffee

The cookies and treats are all over baked—I’m a baker myself with discriminating taste— but I come for the sourdough whole wheat rounds. This bread is the best anywhere—the right amount of tartness with a soft moist crumb—- I have tried many times over the years to make sourdough bread—it is truly an art form!!! Absolutely delicious & nutritious, this bread is yeast free—only the true wild yeasts are used with whole wheat & unbleached flour & since my husband is allergic to yeasts—this is the ideal, delicious alternative—that we cannot be without!!

Everything in this bakery is in the range of delicious to divine. Yummy bakes and awesome coffee.I most recommend the Galettes, all of them are simply delicious.

Stopped in for bread but they had sold out. That really sums it up....the bread is so good they sell it all.The wild yeast sourdough is my go-to loaf.

I absolutely adore the cute setup very rustic with a lot of options to choose from

Found the pies to be too sugary and sweet for taste. Bit disappointed with the buttermilk pie.Love their date nut tea bread.Crossaints were a hit or a miss.

This place is delicious! Their vanilla iced latte is amazing, and their many different pastries are worth a trip over! They were very respectful given the current situation, and very good at social distancing. Just give them a call, aplace your order, and drive up and theyll bring it out to your car!

Love the fact that the workers insist that you wear a mask 😷 while in the bldg. The presentation of pastries bagels, etc is presentable to even the average customer. If you like breads and sweets like I do. This is a nice diverse place to come. All are welcome.

My wife and I were excited to go to Continental Bakery for a great Mother’s Day treat. We have never been here before and won’t be going back again. Online it showed you all make one of our favorite treats (French Macarons). I mean the line was out the door, which furthermore has us filled with excitement. We purchased 24 in total which ran us nearly $70. It was pricey and the line was long but hey, it was for a special occasion so we didn’t mind...that was until we got into our vehicle to leave and tried one. It was so stale and dry, kinda like chalk that has a good flavor. We usually get them from Target or Walmart and they are surprisingly, better quality. It appears that The Continental Bakery focuses more on the freshness of their bread than the cookies that were purchased today. Such a disappointing visit! In retrospect the aesthetic of the bakery overall was old, yet still looked super cute. I just didn’t expect the cookies to turn out that way as well.

Great service. Outdoor space is wonderful.

Decided last minute to go to Chez Lulu for brunch with a friend and Im SO glad I did! I havent been there in years; there are so many new restaurants popping up all over Bham sometimes I forget about the timeless classics, the delicious Bham staples like Chez Lulu! We sat at the bar and our services was outstanding. Amy, the bartender was friendly and helpful. And her recommendations were fantastic!!! We tried the salmon pizza, eggs Florentine then a variety of crepes: chocolate hazelnut, persimmon with goat cheese, and whipped cream pear. They literally melted in my mouth. I cant say enough! Chez Lulu is Bham gem that has stood the test of time for a reason!👍🏼👍🏼

Jadore! This is the best bakery in Birmingham because it transports you to another place and time! Excellent food, service, atmosphere and Carole and her staff get 500 gold stars for their handling of the pandemic! The most fun Ive had in years was socially-distanced latte-sipping and watercoloring under the awning with my grandmother while sitting under the ivy and listening to the accordions playing through the speaker system! Cest magnifique!

Lovely Bakery! Loved everything I got! From peanut butter cookies to carrot cake! The overall atmosphere of the bakery was so cozy and intimate. I will come again!

This place is adorable, everyone was friendly and the food was great! My only complaint is that they need to work on their chai latte recipe. It was like a big cup of iced milk with some cinnamon or something sprinkled on top.

Overpriced or they overcharged me for 4 tiny cookies and one ham and cheese croissant. Total was a bit over $19 dollars. Croissant was tasty but the cookies werent. Id pay more if the quality and ingredients were more in line with European or s.american bakeries who cook extremely delicious bakeries.I think it will be my last time here. Lovely environment and location, but quality and prices are rather questionable, if notdishonest. Id be happy to change my review though. If they fix these issues.

Hassle to do business with them. Sign on door said “open” yet it was locked. Nothing explaining where to order or how to eat there. I tried the door to the bakery next door but was told there were too many people (5) inside and had to leave. The only “welcoming” signs outside were about mask requirements, which don’t even align with CDC guidance. I decided to leave and eat elsewhere. Owners need to make a choice between welcoming customers back and scaring them away with overly aggressive COVID protocols and directives that aren’t in place at competing restaurants in the area.

Excellent, excellent pastries and breads. Staff helpful, too. Recommend highly.

Friendly staff. Excellent food. Just a few tables to nibble on your tasty treats, soups and sandwiches.

Ive been visiting the bakery for more than 20 years and everything Ive ever gotten there is delicious. The service is always friendly, as well. They have been amazing during the pandemic, too - strictly enforcing the mask ordinance, offering a walk-up window outside, limiting how many people come in at once, etc. The bakery is a true Birmingham gem!

My absolute favorite bakery in Bham! I always buy a bag of their coffee when I am going out of state.

Beautiful pastries and French bread

Exceeds expectations. Ive been looking forward to coming for a long time, and it was even better than described.5 star food, atmosphere, and service. An instant favorite.

This is by far my favorite bakery ever! I was just there this past weekend and they had the coolest gingerbread man cookies and they were wearing face masks! I recommend this bakery to everyone! You will never be disappointed with Continental Bakery!

Delicious cookies! Vegan snickerdoodle cookies were thick, but moist. Pecan sandies were better than store-bought.

Probably the best bakery place in town. Very professional, clean and mist importantly delicious.

Visited with a large group on a saturday and had great table service. Our server was very patient. Great salad- goat in the orchard, however the salmon sandwich I ordered was dry.Carrot cake had too many nuts for my taste that made it chunky and difficult to cut into with a fork.

Cute and rustic little bakery + coffee shop. Perfect place to grab a cup, muffin or sandwich, and relax for a few minutes.

I was not aware that bread could be pretentious.

Friendly and quick service, delicious selections. Seating is limited as is parking but was very delicious. First bowl of coffee I have ever had...it was PERFECT

Since this is one of my favorite bakeries I feel some type of way making this post. I have to say first though, I have loved this bakery since the first day I tasted some of the delicious baked goods. The almond croissants and the French donuts are divine. I have taken several friends here, well the ones I know would appreciate the flavors that this bakery can produce. Well, I went this morning and this was the second time that I received a cinnamon roll that I believe should have been thrown out. I was more so disappointed because I brought a good friend with me this morning who had never been here or heard of the bakery. The last time I ended up throwing the cinnamon roll away and unfortunately, this time I had to as well. I do not want to take away from the wonderful experiences that I have had from Continental and I hope this is not becoming a consistent issue with the freshness. I remember going to get some shortbread cookies for a friends birthday and I mentioned it to the young lady assisting me. I wondered why it was taking so long to get the cookies but she had taken the cookies and boxed them with beautiful ribbons and everything. That was priceless. And I appreciate that. I love supporting local. We try to do that with all of our purchases with local places. So again, I am not happy to say this but I am starting to become less and less encouraged to make a purchase. Also, the past two times the customer service has not been what I was used to. I know we are going through some terrible times right now and we can get tired. However, its the customer service and delicious goods that kept me coming back. To slack on both leaves a less desire and probability of returning and even less of suggesting to friends.Re: I would be more than happy to speak with you regarding the matter. And thank you for offering the opportunity.

OMG...is about the best way to describe this bakery. The pastries and bread are as good as any weve had throughout Europe! The coffee is exceptional as well! We actually go out of our way to stop and bring pastries home when we travel to Birmingham, its that wonderful! Parking for us has always been a breeze, but I can see where it might be difficult at busy times, but again worth the wait!

Very quaint, almost Persian feeling cafe right on the edge of downtown Birmingham, in English village. Every ingredient I tasted was so fresh, and it truly showed. Go, I cannot recommend enough

I’ve been coming here for years. The best sourdough in the world! I spend a good deal of money here almost monthly.The only reason it’s not 5 stars was from what happened today.I ordered a loaf to pickup at pepper place, and was given the wrong item. No big deal, mistakes happen. However, I’m a good 40min commute from the bakery, so I had to drive all the way back there when I was very busy today to begin with. Over the phone I was offered a gift certificate for the trouble, which is a lovely offer and good customer service, I happily accepted this and felt good about knowing that my business and my time, was valued, since I had to drive out there again to make the exchange.Well, when I get there the older woman working was incredibly rude and literally rolled her eyes at me as if the mixup was my fault. I brought back all the items that they gave me by mistake, unopened. She willingly took them back, and handed me the order I was supposed to have received this morning, and then waved me out of the bakery.When I asked about the gift certificate she said she knew nothing about that so I had to talk to the girl I spoke to on the phone. She then tells me that the gift certificate no longer applied since I picked up my original order.So, needless to say, I felt pretty stupid going all the way over there on my own time when I already went to the market earlier today, returned the items I was given by mistake (which were actually worth more than what I had ordered, now I feel like I should have just kept them), and walked out with just a “whoops, sorry, you can go now”.This experience makes me pretty sad because I’ve loved this place, and I’ve been coming here regularly since I moved to AL 5 years ago, and I always bring my family when they come to visit. This place is very special to me, and it sucks feeling undervalued as a customer today.

This is as close to a European Patisserie you can find in the Ham. The tarts are ridiculously tasty!

Best fresh baked goods Very pleasant place to have a croissant and coffee.

Peanut butter cookies are the best.

Wow definitely not the best carrot cake ever as they advertise! My piece was dry as a bone, I didn’t even finish it. Super disappointing, especially considering the price. This was not an inexpensive bakery, I expected better.

Lovely bakery. Every item is authentic in their menu.Loved their hot coffee latte and large chocolate dipped shortbread.

I love the environment. You can get coffee and pastry and sit outside while listening to a french song which they usually play. Isnt that great? :) If you feel hungry, you can get sandwiches with bread from their bakery which is awesome as well.

I wish there were more places like this around town. Had a sister come into town and asked me to take her here again. They have so many good reviews for a reason.

Dumb restaurant. Everybody can get a Covid vaccine now, but theyre still closed for Covid.

Fine place for quality cafe food. Looking forward to returning with my friends. The bill was fair I would say. Feels similar to a restaurant in New York I loved.

Not what it used to be. I love the almond croissants. Or I used to. Now they are not so much almond croissants as they are dry croissants with a hint of almond in them. I complained the first time and they said they would hold some replacements for them the following week. I had the same issue. Unfortunately, I think this is just the way things are there now. The food costs too much to be subpar. I dont see any point in going back. (My photo is of two almond croissants that I tore apart trying to find the almond.)

We had a wonderful brunch here and it brought back some great memories. I had not been to Chez Lulu in several years but this brunch was like coming home. This is a really special place. Very unpretentious, yet oh so classy. The menu is very French bistro, but not a bit haughty. The service is always attentive and outstanding. And the wine list is simply a PERFECT, affordable match to their creative menu. Stray from the crowds and try this little place in English Village and you will not be disappointed. They are truly a Bham classic!

This place is amazing! We visited for years while my daughter attended UAB. She has since moved to Boston, but we sure do miss the experience of this wonderful bakery. I would love to have the recipe for the Gorgonzola Walnut loaf you offer! It was the best I have ever had!

My fav spot for delicious cafe food. The service here is outstanding. It has a nice atmosphere.

Best 🍸 Dirty Martini and personal 🍕 salmon pizza!

Well, my wife bought two loaves of bread from this place on Monday. Today is Thursday, and one of the loaves has already turned moldy. In three days! I didnt mind the expense when she bought them, as she wanted fresh baked bread. Never again from this place! No telling how long ago this fresh baked bread was freshly baked. Would give Zero Stars if it was an option.

The lamb sausage sandwich, and goat cheese pear sandwiches were great! Looking forward to trying new things on the menu in the future!

Fantastic food fantastic service and fantastic atmosphere. We ordered two dishes and split both of them and loved them. We went with the kids and the kids really enjoyed their three-course kids meal as well :-)

I have been calling and sending direct messages to their social media for a week and have not been able to get ahold of anyone. The website to place an order is not working and I had questions about certain items since it was going to be for our anniversary before I ordered. I understand they are closed but if you time to post the link for a broken ordering website, maybe answer the phone, direct messages, or comments to posts. I was not the only one with issues! Its truly sad because I love supporting the small business people and I intended to place a rather large order.

The bakery good were hard. So order tea or coffee to dip it in.

Cute place, great food and great service

Odd experience. Ordered a French loaf, when they checked the loaves on display (what I assumed would be their freshly baked bread) the person mentioned to another worker that those loaves were not good (oh, thats got mold.) . How long would that bread have sat there before that was noticed?? Surely its not changed out daily?My husband got a biscotti and I got an old fashioned cinnamon roll. Hubs said the biscotti tasted stale. I thought my roll was tasty, but really hard.We also got the tarragon chicken sandwich and that was the highlight of the trip for me. Super good!Customer service was wonderful, I felt very looked after as they patiently waited on us to make our selections.Overall, glad I went but equally glad I wont be going back.

Not bad. I only tried the baguette. Close to real( needs more salt ) but maybe thats what the locals prefer?The raspberry croissant had a good crust and cheap filling. Dont get that.Definitely coming back.Need more baguette!! Num num num

Chez Lulu was literally the first place we visited on our first trip to Birmingham. We loved the idea of a small French-inspired cafe and we were delighted with the atmosphere, menu, and well crafted food. This is food made by people who care about the experience of eating...savory, warm, and full of care. It was just one of many charming places and experiences we found in this new-old city.

Delicious bakery and coffee prices are about the cheapest in town. Can’t beat an everything bagel and a coffee to get the day going.

Quaint little shop in the heart of Mountain Brook.

Great local bakery. They have the best white sourdough bread in the city. Their french sandwich loaf is always good as well. The peasant garlic soup is one of those soups you just crave sometimes. Brownies are good, too. Crowded on Sunday mornings. Check out their day old breads in the morning--half off and perfect for most things!

Very different, very delicious!! Tarragon chicken salad, garlic soup, and chocolate pot de creme - perfection!

Excellent food & atmosphere. They dont post bread prices though & dont seem to know bread prices themselves.

First time, after years of wanting to try. Loved the food and the drinks were divine.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I did not expect such am amazing place in Birmingham! Perfect cappuccinos. The bread on they use is superb. Service was wonderful and prompt. The decor is beautifully abstract and classy. The atmosphere is great for couples or friends. I cant believe that something s simple as a goat cheese sandwich was so incredible. I will definitely stop again when I drive through Birmingham! Also, reasonably-priced.

Loved having brunch here! It was a warm spring morning so we sat outside which was lovely. The service is friendly and the food tasted wonderful. Lots to choose from but be sure to try the crepes - the best one being the blueberry with cheese. It was just the right amount of sweet, savory and creamy. I definitely look forward to eating here again soon.

I really like going here for lunch. It feels like walking into a little corner of France right here in Birmingham. All the food here seems to be great, and it is well-complimented by the fresh bread from the Continental Bakery right next door. Great spot if you want to have an experience with loved ones around the table, as opposed to just stuffing your face ;).

Anything baked is exceptional. Just a simple toasted ham and cheese is so good. I hear the garlic soup is really good, just havent tried myself. Dont be in a hurry, they arent.

I friend of my sons told us about the Continental Bakery. This is now the ONLY place we go to for BAGELS in town! There is zero comparison as to the quality of Bagels, Scones, Danishes, Biscotti, and cinnamon rolls. Even old fashioned rolls. This place is a treat and and a reward. The staff rocks with smiles and the simple desire to serve. I hate to write this review because now all will come visit my favorite local delight. Please know there can only be one!

Continental is one of the best bakeries in Birmingham. Their shortbread is unbelievable, their cheesecakes are decadent and delicious (especially the peach cheesecake!), and their pastries are always flaky and incredible. Besides their delicious goods, their staff is just a delight. They are always helpful and kind, even when we take 10 minutes to decide what we want! If you are anywhere near Continental and want a treat, you won’t regret stopping by!

Best coconut cake ever!

Very fresh food.

Try their breads and delicious cookies!

I sat at the bar and had the salad trio. It was delicious! My bartender, Kevin, was super helpful, knowledgeable and kind! The decor is eclectic and cool and the atmosphere was very inviting. 10 out of 10 would return. Maybe on my next visit it will not be raging so I can try their lovely patio area!

Fantastic Sunday brunch. Hard to beat a late morning sitting outside under the awning sharing red pepper strata, cheese grits bake, homemade apple sauce and four crepes: strawberry, blueberry, pear and chocolate all of which had good flavors and not over sweet. Pain chocolate and cinnamon raisin roll to go. Happy lazy Sunday morning!

Fresh baked awesome and very helpful and friendly staff

Cute bakery with delicious food.

Absolutely love it everytime we go. Amazing pastries and the friendliest staff. A must stop on anyones visit to Birmingham.

Food wasnt bad but there were only 3 main dishes on the menu. The rest of the menu consisted of appetizers, sandwiches, and pizzas. Good for lunch maybe but not dinner. Service was very slow with one server trying to cover 10 tables. Very cramped inside. For the prices charged, I expected more. The Banh Mi sandwich I had tasted good but the pork was dry. My wife had the tuna melt. Tasty but the bread was soggy. The creme brulee was average at best. Really expected more French food and was disappointed with the offerings.

Food was unique and delicious. However our server didnt seem to think we were a priority and it seemed we were a bit of an afterthought for her. However overall it was good and Id certainly come again when in the area.

One of the best bakeries in town. Great selection and staff!

Chez lulu is a very interesting French style restaurant. The food tastes great and the portion sizes are not too big, good enough for one person but dont expect to have any leftovers. The more interesting thing about this place is its ambiance. The whole interior has windows painted on it looking over landscapes. I would highly recommend the place to anyone who visits Birmingham.

Ive tried many bakeries and coffee shops all over Birmingham, but the Continental Bakery leaves one of the best impressions of them all. The coffee is great and all the baked goods are fantastic. Definitely one of the best.

The place is small and dark, tables kind of dirty (trying to show a cheap Cafe in France), and dishes were EXPENSIVE. People were kind of friendly. They tried replicating the French cuisine and I went with my french friend and her family and their review was that the food was American-ized french food and there were hardly 5 dishes that were authentic.

So wonderful, they had more than I expected, and it was all amazing. The lemon bars, macarons and the chocolate torte were delicious.

I think Chez Lulu is one of Birminghams best kept secrets. The food is amazing, and the service is always great. I keep going back because of how consistent they are at surprising me. Also, I love stopping in to Continental Bakery next door on my way out to get snack for later. The restaurant and bakery are owned and operated by the same wonderful folks.

The best bakery ever...nothing anywhere comes close...sourdough, peach and blueberry pies, incredible almond croissants...❤️❤️❤️

Absolutley love this place. The atmosphere, service and food are all superb. Thank you Amy for being the best bartender and caring enough to make my sidecar and my evening special.

Their sourdough bread is pretty good but more than half of the macarons I have purchased have been super hard and chewy. Having lived in France, I know what a good macaron tastes like, and theirs have been pretty disappointing on more than one occassion. :( They may have other food that is good so I would encourage you to try, just dont waste your money on the macarons!

I agree with Andrea (reviewer) below. It was my first visit. We were in Bham for one night then headed back to the coast. I bought 14 Almond Croissants, part to take home and freeze and part of them for a gift. We ate one on the way home....wait,... there was almost no almond paste inside. Very few almond slices on top. The ends were dry and a bit hard. Bummer. I had already decided to make some icing and attach more toasted sliced almonds before I served them to out-of-town company next week.But the macaroons were the biggest disappointment. At $2 apiece I thought they were rather small, but if they tasted great, it might be worth it. I bought 12. Six for us and six for the family who kept our dogs overnight. Wish I hadnt. They are not at all like the delectable, addictive macaroons I have had in Europe. These small macaroons were no better than packaged cookies to me. Maybe not as good as some packaged cookies !Other than that I bought two 1/4 pieces of loaf of bread. My total was over $104.....and it makes me sad.If you ever got to Memphis, TN go by La Baguette for the best almond Bear Claws that you will ever taste, and Houston is full of great macaroon shops, but Id pass up The Continental Bakery in Birmingham. I know I wont be going back.

Affordable tasty fare. Soup, salads and quiche is their specialty. If quiche is not your thing try one of their Artisan pizzas. Fresh baked bread and crusts from Continental bakery next door.Well stocked bar. Ample wine list. Good beer selection. Unparalleled funky chic, Bohemian atmosphere, in Mountain Brook of all places.

Really enjoyed my experience, but was a little disappointed with the price and how small and cramped youll be sitting next to each other... wasnt prepared for that. It was still a unique dining experience, food was good and I love the bakery next door. Great service! If the weather is nice definitely sit outside.

Ive always loved this place... Id eat there everyday if I could. Try the garlic peasant soup which Im convinced can ward off a cold. And they habe the best creme brulee in town.