The Gardens Café by Kathy G.

2612 Lane Park Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223, United States
+1 205-871-1000
$$$ Cafe
(66 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Nestled within the scenic beauty of Mountain Brook, Alabama, The Gardens Café by Kathy G. is more than just a dining establishment; it's an experience. This charming café, located at 2612 Lane Park Rd, is a delightful oasis for food enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to enjoy a meal surrounded by nature.

The atmosphere at The Gardens Café is inviting and tranquil, offering diners a chance to unwind while surrounded by picturesque gardens. The option to sit outside enhances the experience, allowing you to savor your meal amidst the vibrant blooms and the hum of friendly chatter—perfect for both nature lovers and people watchers. With its warm, friendly service and a commitment to fresh, seasonal dishes, this café has quickly become a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike.

The menu is a testament to thoughtful culinary craftsmanship, featuring options that cater to a variety of tastes. Start your meal with the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast, served with creamy polenta, sautéed French green beans, and a delightful piccata butter sauce, all for just $11. This dish perfectly balances richness with freshness, making each bite both satisfying and indulgent.

Don't forget to save room for dessert! Indulge in the Old Fashion Bread Pudding, with its delightful combination of golden raisins, dried cherries, and white chocolate, all drizzled with whiskey crème anglaise for just $6. Or treat yourself to the Pumpkin Crème Brûlée topped with fresh berries for a sweet final note at only $5. For true chocolate lovers, the Devil's Chocolate Cake with semi-sweet ganache is a must-try, also priced at $5, promising a rich, decadent experience.

Customer reviews echo the charm of The Gardens Café. Stephen Wood raves about the exquisite flavors of the pan-seared snapper featured in the restaurant week special, while Genna Jones describes it as a “perfect place to grab lunch,” showcasing the enchanting outdoor seating that elevates the dining experience. Charles Reid found it an enjoyable spot for a family lunch, amazed by the quality of the food available at such reasonable prices.

Rae J captured the café's essence perfectly with her recommendation for the vegetable sandwich on focaccia bread, paired with their renowned raspberry lemonade—a refreshing combination that truly highlights the café’s commitment to delicious, well-prepared dishes.

The Gardens Café is not just about fulfilling hunger; it’s about creating memories in a serene setting. So whether you're looking for a leisurely lunch or a picturesque spot for a family outing, this café promises an experience that is both nurturing to the palate and soul. Don't miss this local treasure the next time you're in Mountain Brook!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Dining options
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Openings Hours

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

66 Reviews
Stephen Wood

17 Aug 2025

The meal I chose off the Birmingham restaurant week specials was the pan seared snapper over grits, this was very tasty with the sweet potato haystacks on top of it really added a little punch of flavor along with the cream sauce! The service was excellent, and the scenery was awesome. The only negative thing that I could find was the chairs were a little uncomfortable sitting in. however, I will come back and try something off of their regular menu because it all sounds really good and this is the first time ever being in in the restaurant at the botanical gardens.

Genna Jones

02 Aug 2025

What an amazingly perfect place to grab lunch! I dined here several times and was never disappointed. If you like gardens, or people watching, request an outside table and feast your eyes as you, well, feast.

Charles Reid

31 Jul 2025

Very relaxing lunch with the kids. Was honestly shocked the food was this good and very reasonably priced. I was expecting over priced frozen pizza or something but the food was great. My kids all ate for $4 each!! Staff was very friendly. Highly recommended if you are visiting the botanical gardens or even the zoo (it is a short walk from the zoo).

Larisa Rubin

25 Jul 2025

Wonderful service, really nice atmosphere! The food was good and fresh came really fast ! Thank you!

Rae J

04 Jul 2025

Cute cafe and great food! The lunch specials are wonderful and the cost was outstanding. Definitely a must go to! I ordered the vegetable sandwich on focaccia bread w/ garlic aioli and Parmesan potato chips. Also had the raspberry lemonade. Top notch food!

L

26 Jun 2025

Our family had a great lunch at the beautiful gardens today. Such prompt service and enjoyed basil tomato soup grilled cheese and fries with the kiddos

Bill Tiemann

18 Jun 2025

Lovely restaurant inside Birmingham's botanical gardens. They have a great menu ranging from salads and sandwiches to full entrees. The service was excellent and the food was exquisite. We were there for restaurant week. I had the pan seared trigger fish and my wife had the tomato pie both were delicious.

David Stambaugh

05 Jun 2025

Wonderful atmosphere dining inside with ample room between parties to feel very safe. The pasta was great as was the tomato basil soup. We especially liked the bread before lunch and the stroll through the garden afterwards. Yet another cultural treasure in Birmingham.

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