Ocean, Birmingham

Great, innovative seafood dishes and big city atmosphere. Great service (including valet) in a dynamic area of the city. Really nice fresh seafood. Reservations strongly recommended. If unable to get reservations, check out the co-owned restaurant next door (named "26") which is much more casual, yet has similarly innovative cuisine.

The best seafood in Birmingham, bar none. The atmosphere is modern; more like new York than Birmingham.

Fantastic place. I was with my family and enjoyed a lot. The food wonderful and the waitress very good, nice and very polite. The atmosphere good. The better the dessert

Excellent, fresh and upscale.

the food was really good, but there was so much of it! The breads, olive oil, and bruschetta topping they bring is incredible, and its hard not to fill up on that. the Greek salad is also very good, with heavenly fried feta, but again, the portion is enormous. All of our entrees were very good, but by the time they got there we were already full (it wasn't a long wait, but there was so much before it) The staff was knowledgeable and friendly and worked really hard. They have semi-outdoor seating, which is really pleasant, and its nice inside, with cool lights, fountains, and nice quiet background music.

I went to this place in 03 and we became family to the hostes and owner of the restuant.The food is excellent and the atmosphere is wonderful and the people are priceless.

It was my husband's birthday. I booked a table here as a surprise treat. We had a wonderful evening. I had read a review about Ocean in which the two Martini cocktails "Ocean" and "Sunset" were highly recommended, so I called ahead for them to be on the table waiting when we arrived. I also asked for their best table. When we arrived the table was not ready so we soaked up the atmosphere while we waited. When our table was ready we were taken to a table in the middle of the room which was all set with our drinks on it but I did not like the location. I asked for somewhere more intimate and they immediately and without any fuss whatsoever moved us to another table next to the patio. This next table was not what I would have called their BEST table either, but then I suppose it all depends on choice. From then on the evening went fantastically well. Our drinks were lovely and a great way to start. My husband had Sea Bass, Mixed Veg, and Salad, with Bread Pudding for dessert. I had Sole, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables, and Salad, I also had Bread Pudding for dessert. The Bread Pudding was served cold, we prefer it hot. Next time we go if we order it again we will ask for it to be heated and served with cream or ice cream. All in all we had a lovely dining experience here, we have recommended Ocean to many people. The service was "spot-on" the food delicious. We will certainly go again.

Excellent food - great atmosphere. Out of all of the fine dining restaurants we have been to, this figures as the best here in Birmingham. The food does not disappoint and the waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend for a great experience.