Good food knows no boundaries or state lines, and Alabama’s dining scene is once again proving it can compete on the national stage. The New York Times has named Bayonet, a Birmingham seafood restaurant, to its Restaurant List 2025 of the “50 Best Places in America Right Now.”
This yearly list shines a light on restaurants that deliver superb food and artistry while offering a unique point of view and warm hospitality. To ensure authenticity, its creators visit establishments across the country, making their own reservations and paying for meals to capture the true value of the dining experience. Bayonet’s recognition so soon after opening highlights Birmingham’s growing reputation as a hub for innovative dining.
Founded in March 2025 by James Beard semifinalist Chef Rob McDaniel and his wife, Emily, Bayonet builds on the couple’s success with their nearby Southern grill, Helen. While Helen emphasizes meat and smoke, Bayonet leans into the flavors of the sea, presenting a menu centered on sustainably sourced seafood, inventive preparation, and locally inspired tastes.
Alabama oysters from Dauphin Island headline the raw bar, standing alongside East Coast varieties. Signature dishes highlight McDaniel’s creativity, ranging from Gulf shrimp banh mi layered with caramel sauce to cobia schnitzel and Ora King salmon collar accented with fruit salsa. Seasonal vegetables such as lady peas, sweet Marconi peppers, and cherry tomatoes appear on the menu, balanced by staples like hand-cut fries with lemon aioli.
The restaurant pairs its cuisine with distinctive beverage and dining experiences. Guests can enjoy a martini service featuring Gravy Whale Gin served with an oyster at the bottom or tableside coffee service with pour-overs from Nonfiction Coffee. Pastry chef Candace Foster adds a sweet finish with desserts such as glazed peach hand pies and watermelon semifreddo layered with granita and olive oil.
The owners of Bayonet shared its appreciation for the award in a Facebook post.
Located at 2015 2nd Avenue North, next to Helen, Bayonet is open Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The recognition by the New York Times was highlighted locally by the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website, inbirmingham.com, underscoring Birmingham’s position as a rising force in American dining where Alabama-grown talent continues to attract national attention.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
